Chapter 54: Hundred Refinements

In Ironhoof Alley, the forge fires burned year-round.

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

The rhythmic sound of hammering from both sides of the road struck one’s heart like the beat of a heavy drum.

Su Yu followed Wang Hu into Wang’s Blacksmith Shop. A middle-aged woman inside was wiping various iron tools. She looked up, and her face lit up with joy when she saw Wang Hu.

"Xiaohu, what are you doing at the shop?"

"Mom, I brought a senior brother from the hall today. This is Brother Su, the one I told you about. He wants to have a long saber forged."

Su Yu immediately greeted her, setting down the bolts of cloth and other items he had bought in advance.

The woman offered a kind smile. "You must be Su Yu. I’ve heard Xiaohu mention you before, saying you take good care of him. Please, come in and sit down."

With that, the woman turned and shouted toward the back courtyard, from which the intermittent clang of hammering could be heard. "Husband! Xiaohu and his senior brother are here!"

A moment later, a bare-chested, tower-like man parted the curtain and stepped out. A blast of scorching air followed him, making it feel as if one had stepped into a furnace.

Su Yu was startled by the sight of him.

The man was tall and mighty, a true seven-foot giant. His bronze muscles were corded and powerful, and his entire body radiated heat, his Qi and Blood surging. His strength must be immense, though his face looked surprisingly honest and simple.

Su Yu now understood why Wang Hu was so tall for his age.

"Uncle Wang, I am Su Yu, from the White Ape Martial Arts Hall."

The large man immediately returned the gesture of respect. "I am Wang Tieyan. No need to be so formal, Little Brother Su. Come, let’s sit in the back courtyard."

Su Yu followed him into the back courtyard, where three or four blacksmith apprentices were hammering away. As a piece of red-hot iron was plunged into water, it let out a loud SIZZLE and a plume of white smoke.

"Let’s sit over here."

They sat down in an open-air rest area. Wang Hu’s mother brewed and served tea before leaving them be.

Su Yu took a sip of tea and got straight to the point. "Uncle Wang, I’m currently practicing a saber art and want to have a suitable Treasure Saber forged, which is why I’ve sought you out."

"The White Ape Demon-Slaying Saber?" Wang Tieyan seemed to be familiar with the technique.

Su Yu immediately nodded.

"That art is fierce and domineering, yet it doesn’t lack flexibility. It’s a fine, Upper-Grade saber technique! Back when Hall Master Qin served in the Black Stone Army, he used this very art to defeat several powerful Martial Artists who had him surrounded, stunning everyone," Wang Tieyan said admiringly before continuing.

"In my opinion, this technique is well-suited for a Yanling Saber, Miao Saber, Hengdao Saber, or Horse-cutting Saber. The more unconventional blades, like the Hook Moon Saber, wouldn’t be a good fit."

"Let me show you."

He led Su Yu to a weapon rack and took down several long sabers, letting him test the feel of each one.

The Yanling Saber was slender with a slight curve, like the feather of a southbound goose. It was more than agile enough, but lacked domineering power. It fell short of what was needed to bring out the full Demon-subduing force.

The Miao Saber was straight, of medium length, light, and well-balanced. It was a good match for the long, flexible reach of the "ape arms" style.

The Horse-cutting Saber had a wide, thick blade and was quite heavy. It perfectly embodied the Demon-subduing force, but it was sorely lacking in flexibility.

The Hengdao Saber’s blade was straight, with a thick spine and a sharp point. Designed purely for combat, it emphasized the efficiency of cuts, chops, and thrusts. It could embody the might of the Demon-subduing style while also accommodating the agility of the Spiritual Ape, although the latter was slightly diminished.

After some consideration, Su Yu shared his thoughts with Wang Tieyan.

Wang Tieyan nodded. "Given your build, we can make the Hengdao Saber a bit longer. It would suit you well, and would also allow you to better execute the movements of the Spiritual Ape style."

"Alright, the Hengdao Saber it is!"

Su Yu made his decision on the spot, then began to discuss the materials and cost with Wang Tieyan.

"If you can invest several hundred silver taels, we can use Hundred-refined Steel with a Black Pattern Base as the core material. We take high-quality refined iron and fold and hammer it over a hundred times, removing all impurities until only the iron’s essence remains. Although it is still mortal iron, it is extremely dense and heavy in the hand.

"If we then use the Thousand-Layered Folding Forging Technique to layer in Snow Silk Silver Iron and Iron Bone Shuttle Bone Powder, the final blade will have a hundred-refined cloud pattern. It will be an exceptionally fine Treasure Saber!"

Su Yu’s anticipation grew as he listened. He steeled himself and said, "Let’s do as you suggest, Uncle Wang. How many silver taels will it cost in total?"

Wang Tieyan glanced at his son, and Wang Hu immediately spoke up. "Father, Brother Su is the senior at the hall who treats me best. He just broke through to the Martial Artist realm, and he’s incredibly strong."

Wang Tieyan nodded. "Since you’re Ah Hu’s best senior brother, I won’t charge the fifty-tael forging fee. The material costs will be around three hundred taels."

But Su Yu shook his head and took out several silver notes with a solemn expression.

"Uncle Wang, even brothers must keep clear accounts, and your craftsmanship is certainly worth the price. If you don’t accept the fee, I won’t feel right using this saber, and I’d be too embarrassed to trouble you again in the future."

Before coming, Su Yu had already made inquiries. The forging fee for such a Treasure Saber was not cheap; some well-known blacksmiths charged a hundred taels or more.

If Blacksmith Wang really refused the forging fee, it wouldn’t be a good way to build a long-term relationship, just as he’d implied.

Wang Tieyan was momentarily stunned, then nodded in approval. "Excellent! In that case, I’ll be sure to put my very best skills to work for you. Come back in a month to retrieve your saber. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!"

"Then many thanks, Uncle Wang!"

...

Several days later, Su Yu visited his older brother’s home again, urging him to take refuge at the martial arts hall in the city.

Unfortunately, his brother refused again. "Second Brother, I know you’re worried, but I can’t leave! Cao Bin is retaliating against the Su Family because of me. If I hide and he can’t find me, he’ll only bring more harm to Third Uncle’s family and Grandfather!"

"Third Uncle just returned from the city yesterday and said that Third Brother is attempting to break through to the Martial Artist realm again. If he succeeds this time, not only will the Su Family’s crisis be resolved, but our fortunes will soar!"

Seeing his brother’s determination, Su Yu could only shake his head helplessly and remind him once more to notify him immediately if anything happened.

"Don’t worry, Second Brother. The Water Snake Gang hasn’t shown up these past few days. Something must have happened within the gang—heaven is on our side! This gives Third Brother the time he needs for his breakthrough!"

Su Yu sighed inwardly. ’A man can’t truly stand alone, after all.’ He couldn’t abandon his brother, yet his brother placed far too much importance on their family ties.

Before leaving, Su Hong gripped Su Yu’s hand again, his knuckles turning white as hot tears streamed down his face. "Second Brother, the Su Family has wronged you! I know if it weren’t for me, you would have long since washed your hands of Grandfather and the others. I can’t ask any more of you. In a few days, if our third brother, Su Can, fails his breakthrough, don’t come back! Stay in the city and focus on your training. With the hall’s protection, that Cao Bin won’t be able to touch you..."

"Brother, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."

Su Yu hesitated for a moment but decided against telling his brother that he had become a Martial Artist. He simply tucked in the corners of Su Hong’s blanket in silence.

’If I told him I’d become a Martial Artist, knowing his personality, he’d surely ask me to protect the entire Su Family. Then Cao Bin would shift his entire focus onto me.’

’Perhaps it’s selfish, but I have no desire to be the so-called ’hope of the Su Family.’ I don’t owe them anything—especially not Grandfather and Third Aunt.’

’As for Third Uncle and Third Brother, I gave them five taels of silver. My conscience is clear on that front.’

’Besides, based on what my brother said before, a man like Cao Bin would never let him off the hook. Even if Third Brother becomes a Martial Artist, Cao Bin won’t stop. He’ll just put on a show of compliance while plotting to strike from the shadows.’

’He’s like a drowning man grasping at straws right now.’

’Sigh... since this is the case, I’ll just wait and see what happens in a few days. If Third Brother succeeds, that’s perfect. It’ll save me the trouble. I won’t have to care whether the Su Family lives or dies.’

’If he fails, I’ll find a chance to kill Cao Bin. That can be my way of repaying my brother.’

Su Yu’s heart sank as he considered the next question. ’And after I kill him, how will I deal with the Water Snake Gang’s revenge?’

Stepping out of the house, he saw the sky was a dreary gray, looking as if a heavy snow was on its way.

Su Yu then paid a visit to the village chief, Wang Yuechi, and asked him to help look after Su Hong.

...

「Qingxi Market—Water Snake Gang Stronghold.」

CRASH!

An exquisite porcelain cup lay shattered on the floor.

Cao Bin sat sprawled in the main seat, his expression as dark as a thundercloud.

"You’ve been investigating for this long, and this is the result you bring me?"

His voice was unnervingly soft, yet it carried a bone-deep chill. "Sun Hong was a master who had attempted to break through three times, and someone crushed his throat with a single punch! Even all the silver taels in the stronghold were stolen! And you’re telling me it was the work of some wandering bandits?"

A gang member below trembled in fear. "Brother Cao, a lot of refugees and bandits have been coming over from Huai’an County recently..."

"Idiot!"

Cao Bin cursed, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

’Could it have been the remnants of the Money Gang or the Cyan Salt Association?’

’A few of the bodies showed signs of death by hidden weapons, which is similar to the Money Gang’s methods. But then again, plenty of people use hidden weapons.’

’It’s unlikely. Their remaining members are all holed up in the city. Who would dare come out here to launch an attack?’

’If not gang remnants, then who could it be?’

’To come all the way to Qingxi Market just to slaughter the men at my stronghold... Does the culprit have a grudge against me?’

’Damn it, they stole all the money we just collected, and they even took the map. If Godfather finds out, he’ll fucking flay me alive!’

The thought made him even more agitated.

’Since becoming a Martial Artist, I’ve kept a low profile and haven’t offended any experts. As for enemies, the only one is that cripple, Su Hong.’

’Could it really be someone from the Su Family?’

’But the only one in the Su Family with any talent is Su Can, and intelligence reports say he failed his breakthrough. With his strength from three failed attempts, he couldn’t have possibly killed Sun Hong and the others so easily.’

"What’s the latest on Su Can?"

"Brother Cao, I was just about to tell you. Su Can is preparing for another breakthrough attempt, but according to people from the Hongshan Martial Arts Hall, his chances are slim. He failed the first time even with pills sponsored by the Mo Family. This time is even more hopeless—even the Mo Family has given up on him."

"Who else is in the Su Family?"

"There’s another one named Su Yu. I hear his aptitude for martial arts is terrible, but he insisted on training anyway and had a falling out with his family. We don’t know where he is in the city."

"A worthless piece of trash. We’ll just kill him along with the rest when the time comes."

Cao Bin frowned, lost in thought, a flicker of venom and unease in his eyes.

’Could it really have been Su Can? He studies at a martial arts hall; maybe he knows some powerful senior brother. He felt he lacked the resources for his breakthrough, his family was being pushed into a corner by me, so he took a desperate risk and ambushed Sun Hong’s group?’

Once the idea took root, he couldn’t shake it.

’If it really was him, then he’s made off with all that money!’

’This is bad! That kid might have bought pills!’

’If he actually succeeds in his breakthrough, it’ll be a huge problem!’

"Men! Go to Qingxi Village at once and seize everyone from the Su Family!"

"You! Send someone to inform Su Can that the Su Family has defaulted on a high-interest loan. Tell him if he doesn’t show his face today, we will slaughter his entire family!"

Even after rattling off the commands, Cao Bin still felt a knot of unease. He hadn’t clawed his way to his current position through ruthlessness alone, but also through caution and prudence.

’What if it really was some enemy with a grudge who wiped out the stronghold? Or what if Su Can actually became a Martial Artist? A Martial Artist like me, with just average Qi and Blood, might not be his match!’

’No. I need to go to the gang and ask for reinforcements to hold this place down!’