Chapter 42: Life-snatching Throat-locking Spear
Crackle!
Hong Yuan strode through the raging storm, raindrops as large as arrows pelting him relentlessly.
Water splashed and flowed down his robes, his long hair disheveled by the wind and rain, obscuring his eyes.
He looked like a drowned rat!
Hong Yuan paid it no mind, finding it rather exhilarating. In the midst of the wind and rain, he let loose, laughing heartily.
His boots, already torn from a fierce battle, were now beyond recognition after being soaked in mud and water, having long since been flung away.
Now barefoot, he playfully stomped in the puddles on the road, sending mud and water splashing everywhere. He became dirty, then quickly washed clean by the downpour, only to get dirty again.
Hong Yuan was truly happy, with only one small regret: he had no alcohol with him.
Below his line of sight, his personal information updated!
【 Blessed Land Dao Master（Gray）—Stage Ascent: First Tier: Hong Yuan（18）】
【 Root Bone: 6/100】
【 Comprehension: 7/100】
【 Talent: Qi Flows Through the Hundred Skeletons, Clear Eyes and Penetrating Insight】
Rumble!
A torrent surged in the depths of the mountain stream, and a gray rock the size of a human head tumbled down, washed by the flood.
With a “bang,” it struck a puddle in front of Hong Yuan, splashing mud and water onto his face.
Hong Yuan took several quick steps and leaped, kicking the rock with great force as if it were a ball.
Whoosh!
The gray rock, along with a large amount of mud and water, shot forward, flying five to six zhang before smashing into a tree trunk, instantly exploding into a thousand fragments.
Hong Yuan looked at his foot, feeling a faint throbbing pain. However, with the circulation of his Qi and Blood, it quickly subsided, leaving only a large red mark on the top of his foot.
Hong Yuan smiled with satisfaction.
Just as he had expected, after his Root Bone increased by six units, his physical fitness had comprehensively improved to a new level.
The enhancements to his strength and speed were secondary.
He himself could feel that his muscles and bones had become stronger and more solid, and his skin had become extremely supple.
It could perhaps be called stone skin or tough hide, and the flesh and blood beneath his skin were equally resilient.
Hong Yuan estimated that even with a sharp blade, an ordinary person would have difficulty piercing his skin and flesh.
As for his Comprehension increasing from six to seven, Hong Yuan closed his eyes slightly, calmed his mind, and used meditation to reflect on everything around him. His profound spiritual sense spread out.
In an instant, the noisy roar of rain and wind abruptly receded.
A tranquil and clear new world suddenly appeared in Hong Yuan’s mind.
One zhang, two zhang, three zhang!
Within a radius of about three zhang, Hong Yuan felt as if he had gained X-ray vision. He “saw” an earthworm slowly wriggling beneath the wet soil, breaking through the earth. Nearby, a gray-black beetle hid in a pile of withered leaves, only to be quickly washed away by the muddy water!
He could even “see” a few gnats a few steps away, their wings broken by the storm, gathered together and struggling desperately.
Everything was revealed in fine detail.
This was an unprecedented and incredibly wonderful feeling, as if he were a god looking down from high heaven, observing all things as mere ants.
However, Hong Yuan knew this was merely an illusion brought about by the sudden improvement in his perception, so he quickly withdrew from this intoxicating state.
Feeling the rain arrows striking his body again, Hong Yuan rubbed his glabella, a hint of fatigue.
Of course, it was only mental fatigue. His body was still brimming with inexhaustible strength. He stomped his foot, and amidst a spray of mud and water, he shot forward like a cannonball.
In the blink of an eye, he emerged from the forest and onto the official road. Hong Yuan didn’t stop, running continuously for over twenty li, long past the storm zone.
The number of pedestrians along the way gradually increased.
Hong Yuan asked people for directions to confirm he hadn’t gone the wrong way.
Fortunately, he was still on course; he was now only about forty li from Linjiang Prefecture City.
The previous run had consumed almost no energy for Hong Yuan, and he could cover the remaining distance in at most two quarter-hours.
However, Hong Yuan had come to kill Wei Zhenzhu at the Moon Embracing Garden and needed to prepare.
On his journey, he had traveled through various counties and towns, fighting many renowned martial artists, integrating their unarmed combat and weapon skills into his own, absorbing their essence, and achieving mastery!
His Root Bone and Comprehension had also improved.
Even a so-called martial arts Grandmaster with Microscopic Level force would have to fight him to determine the victor.
The only thing he lacked was a suitable weapon.
A good craftsman needs good tools!
The reason Hong Yuan chose this route was that he had heard there was a large town called ‘Black Iron Town’ a few li ahead!
This town was backed by Black Spine Mountain, which was rich in iron ore resources, and more importantly, it possessed a ‘Cloud Pattern Iron’ that was most renowned.
This type of iron ore had low impurity content and high toughness, making it a superior material for forging all kinds of high-quality weapons. Thus, a hundred years ago, the Imperial Court relocated a group of Artisan Households to settle here, establishing it as a town.
Later, as the central authority weakened and various regions became independent, these Artisan Households had already established themselves and did not move. Instead, their fame grew, attracting more skilled forging masters, and the town’s scale expanded repeatedly.
The closer he got to Black Iron Town, the more pedestrians and merchants there were.
Within just a few li, Hong Yuan even saw over a dozen groups of people carrying sabers and swords, dressed in tight-fitting attire, all having come on hearing of its reputation.
Perhaps they had similar thoughts to Hong Yuan.
Soon, a large and prosperous town came into view. It was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only an eastern exit leading to the official road. A small river flowed down from the mountains, passing through the town, and merging into the Jade Belt River.
This large town even had a city wall, built directly from large stones from the mountains, exceeding two zhang in height. While perhaps not as strong as the walls of some county towns, it was impressive for its height and thickness.
The city gate and the top of the wall were patrolled by well-equipped Armored Soldiers, numbering around twenty to thirty!
Entry required a round of inspection. The gate official initially intended to make things difficult, but after Hong Yuan handed him a ingot of silver, he immediately granted passage.
With his hair unbound and his feet bare, he walked along the long street, which was bustling with a dense crowd, extremely lively!
Hong Yuan looked up, seeing houses neatly arranged and lining the street, with restaurants, shops, tea houses, and stages all present!
Of course, there were also the clanging sounds of blacksmith shops. Almost every few steps, he could see a stall dealing in weapons and armor.
It was said that Black Iron Town had a resident population of over ten thousand, making it comparable to a small county in scale. Its defensive strength likely surpassed that of many counties in Linjiang Prefecture.
As Hong Yuan walked casually, he saw patrol teams armed and armored walking through the streets. Each team had ten people, and they would immediately intervene in any arguments or fights, either by reprimanding or directly apprehending the individuals involved!
In addition to these town patrols, there were several Sentry Towers standing on the commanding heights on the three sides of Black Spine Mountain.
Hong Yuan only noticed them after entering the town.
With these Sentry Towers, each manned by three to five people rotating shifts, they could overlook the surroundings for dozens of li. In case of bandit attacks, they could quickly ignite warning fires.
Coupled with the town’s patrol teams and all sorts of excellent armor and weapons, defending the city walls against thousands of attackers would be impossible in a short time.
And if they could hold out for an hour or two, word would reach the Prefecture City, and the three Prefecture Guards would be dispatched.
With such reliance, it was no wonder the city gate patrols seemed strict but were actually lax.
After all, if Hong Yuan could pay silver to enter, so could any bandit with intent.
Hong Yuan didn’t linger. His clothes were still wet and muddy. He casually bought a short blade from a blacksmith shop and headed straight for the town’s largest restaurant.
The restaurant was already full, but with Hong Yuan’s generous display of wealth, a private room was quickly made available.
First, he asked a waiter to buy new clothes and boots, then asked another to prepare a bathtub and boil water. He instructed the shopkeeper to have the alcohol and dishes sent to his room after he bathed.
With silver paving the way, the servants were efficient. Before long, Hong Yuan was comfortably lying in a steaming bathtub.
After soaking for a while, he took out the short blade he had bought. He casually swung it, cutting off a corner of the table in the room.
Having confirmed the sharpness of the blade.
Hong Yuan held the blade in his right hand and quickly slashed at his left arm.
With a “swish!”
It felt like cutting into some kind of leather. The blade slid away quickly, leaving a white mark on Hong Yuan’s arm. He tensed his muscles, and the white mark vanished instantly.
Hong Yuan’s face lit up with joy.
Although he hadn’t used much force in this slash, its result indicated that he was indeed evolving towards being “non-human.”
After his transmigration, his body had been strengthened once, already making him of the highest caliber among ordinary people in terms of Root Bone.
On top of that, the increase in Root Bone units made him stronger and stronger, until he crossed the five-unit threshold and increased his Root Bone by six units, his body finally undergoing a minor transformation.
Hong Yuan had a peculiar feeling: five units of Root Bone and Comprehension was a small hurdle, while ‘ten’ should be a major one!
Perhaps when he reached ‘ten,’ he would undergo a true transformation, a dual sublimation of body and spirit.
Hong Yuan looked forward to it.
He pressed the blade against his arm again, increasing the force in his right hand. It wasn’t until he used one-tenth of his strength that he managed to break the skin slightly, but it was immediately stopped by the tough flesh and blood.
With Hong Yuan’s current strength, one-tenth of his force already surpassed most ordinary people!
He didn’t try further. Circulating his Qi and Blood, his left arm stopped bleeding immediately.
After calling for the waiter to change the water again and cleaning himself up, Hong Yuan leisurely put on a set of clean white robes.
As if on cue, just as he finished changing, the shopkeeper, with a smile on his face, led two waiters carrying trays, bringing in the wine and dishes.
Given the opportunity, Hong Yuan would never skimp on himself, so he ordered all the restaurant’s specialty dishes and two pots of good wine.
Once the food and wine were served, the shopkeeper solicitously asked if he needed someone to attend to him.
Hong Yuan waved him away and opened the window.
A cool breeze blew in, ruffling his still slightly damp hair.
It was afternoon, and the setting sun cast a warm glow through the window.
Hong Yuan looked at the bustling crowd below, listening to the clamor of metal striking in the town. He leisurely poured a cup of wine and savored it with delight.
He spent about half an hour on his meal, and only in the evening did he leisurely go downstairs.
As for the leftover food in the room, a waiter would take care of it.
Whether purchasing a high-quality weapon or having one custom-made, Hong Yuan would not choose small workshops with only three to five people.
In Black Iron Town, there were many master craftsmen, but two families stood out: the Ou family and the Xu family.
These two families essentially held the power in Black Iron Town. The commanders of the town guard and the city gate guards were from each of these families.
The two families were not competitors as one might imagine; instead, they had an excellent relationship and jointly established a ‘Hundred Refinements Workshop,’ inviting over a dozen master craftsmen to join. They also had cooperative relationships with many prominent families in the Prefecture City.
A forging workshop would naturally not be located in the commercial district. Hong Yuan turned down two streets, arriving at what was known as ‘Blacksmith Street,’ and reached the end of the street, where a spacious workshop area came into view.
The main entrance bore a gilded plaque with the words ‘Hundred Refinements Workshop.’
Hong Yuan entered directly. A middle-aged shopkeeper inside, using an abacus, looked up upon hearing his arrival. Seeing that the visitor was dressed in plain clothes and had his hair casually disheveled, but possessed an unparalleled demeanor, he dared not be negligent and asked, “What are your instructions, Young Master?”
“My surname is Hong. I wish to forge a weapon.”
“This… Young Master Hong, you may not know, but our Hundred Refinements Workshop does not undertake personal forging requests. If you wish to cast a weapon, I can gladly recommend the Casting Iron Workshop or the Silver Hook Workshop; their craftsmanship is exquisite.”
The middle-aged shopkeeper suspected he was the son of some noble family who had a whim for the life of a wandering knight.
Hong Yuan smiled, “There are always exceptions.”
He looked around and saw a weapon rack on one side of the hall. He walked over, took a fine iron long saber, and flicked it with his finger, producing a crisp “ding!” sound!
The shopkeeper and a few other employees in the shop looked over, wondering what Hong Yuan intended to do.
Hong Yuan extended his right hand, five fingers grasping the back of the saber. Suddenly, a “crack” was heard. As the middle-aged shopkeeper pondered its meaning, Hong Yuan handed him the long saber.
“Please give this saber to your head shopkeeper and convey my intentions to him.”
The middle-aged shopkeeper, bewildered, took the long saber. Suddenly, he gasped, his face changing dramatically. He hastily brought the saber closer to examine it.
He saw that on the body of this gleaming steel saber, there were now five deep finger marks, as if he had molded clay into the blade.
The middle-aged shopkeeper looked again and again. When he looked up at Hong Yuan, he seemed as if he had seen a ghost.
Although this saber he held was not forged from Cloud Pattern Iron, it was still a masterpiece by a master craftsman. Sabers from ordinary workshops would break with a single blow. This young and handsome young master, who appeared so refined, could leave marks with just five fingers. What kind of force was this?
Having been in this trade for a long time, he had encountered many wandering knights and various people from the Jianghu, and even knew many gang leaders and masters from martial arts sects.
However, he had never seen someone who could make an imprint in iron with five fingers in his entire life.
Filled with shock, the middle-aged shopkeeper was grateful he hadn’t been disrespectful. He bowed respectfully, “Please wait, Young Master. I will go and invite the workshop master over immediately.”
With that, the middle-aged shopkeeper instructed several employees to serve tea and entertain the guest well, while he hurried off, holding the long saber.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes.
The sound of steady, powerful footsteps could be heard.
Then, a man of about fifty, with a thick, curly beard, a ruddy complexion, bulging muscles that couldn’t be hidden by his brocade robe, and wearing an iron crown, strode rapidly from the back hall.
Before he arrived, a hearty laugh preceded him.
“Haha! I heard the magpies singing on the branches this morning, so a distinguished guest must be arriving. This old man, Ou Zhenyun, is honored to be the head shopkeeper of the Hundred Refinements Workshop. Greetings, Young Master Hong!”
In a few steps, this powerfully built man with abundant Qi and Blood arrived, bowed, and cast a glance at Hong Yuan, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.
If not for the middle-aged shopkeeper, who was a junior in his family and had emphatically stated the facts, he truly would not have believed that the young man before him possessed such terrifying finger strength!
“Master Ou, you are too kind!” The other party’s etiquette was impeccable, and Hong Yuan returned the smile and bow.
“Haha! You jest, Master. This old man is merely a blacksmith. I’m quite unaccustomed to wearing these fine clothes!”
Ou Zhenyun laughed heartily, stroking his beard. “May I ask a presumptuous question, Young Master Hong? From which great sect do you hail? To possess such astonishing skill! To be frank, I was so startled when I saw the saber body earlier that I nearly hit my head on the ceiling beam.”
He spoke as if joking.
Hong Yuan chuckled, “That is my fault for disappointing you, old sir. I am merely a lone wanderer of the Jianghu.”
Ou Zhenyun did not believe him, assuming he was deliberately concealing his origins. He changed the subject, “May I ask what kind of weapon you wish to forge, Young Master Hong?”
“I wish to forge a spear, the Life-Snatching Throat-Locking Spear!”
Hong Yuan smiled, envisioning the scene of Hong Xiguan wielding a spear in ‘The Five Ancestors of Shaolin.’
We both share the surname Hong. It should be fine for me to borrow it!
“Words are difficult to convey. Please, Master Ou, bring me paper and brush.”
