Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Shu was not such a mean person. But this time, he was deliberately provoking Shen Yue.
Since he saw Shen Yue at the Forging Divisionâs workshops the last time, Zhou Shu had always felt that Shen Yue was extremely hostile toward him.
This hostility didnât seem to be just because they were in different camps.
Even if they were born in opposing countries, one shouldnât be hostile toward every single person from the enemy country, right?
To say Shen Yue was such a patriotic youth, he didnât seem to have the same hostility toward others.
He could have been hostile toward him because he had lost to him in the competition. But Shen Yue was already hostile before they had even started competing.
Zhou Shu believed that he couldnât be wrong. He could feel Shen Yueâs desire to get rid of him.
He didnât know where his hostility came from, but he wouldnât leave a hostile person alone.
Zhou Shu had a principleâstrike first to gain the upper hand. If he attacked later, he would suffer!
The other party already had killing intent toward him. There was no reason for him to treat him nicely.
He wasnât that kind-hearted.
Shen Yueâs face alternated between green and purple. His anger almost destroyed his rationality. But a moment later, he took a deep breath and calmed down.
âLike I said, I will not go back on my words for a mere ten thousand taels of gold,â Shen Yue said calmly. âItâs because I didnât bring much money with me when I came to Great Xia, so I need some time to gather it.
âIt wonât be more than two days at the latest before I get someone to send the money to you. You donât have to judge others by your petty standards.â
Zhou Shuâs eyes narrowed warily.
He wouldnât be so wary if Shen Yue had exploded and attacked him.
But he had spoken so ruthlessly, yet he was able to calm down so quickly. Such shrewdness was a little scary.
âHow can I trust you?â Zhou Shu said. âEither give me the money now or write me an IOU now! I donât trust you!â
Shen Yueâs chest heaved violently. After a few seconds, he said coldly, âAlright, Iâll write you an IOU!â
âWait!â A voice suddenly came from the post house.
Zhou Shuâs pupils shrank slightly. He could tell that this voice belonged to Xiao Shunzhi, Great Weiâs imperial preceptor!
Does this old fellow want to make a move?
If he wants to attack, Yin Wuyou probably wonât be able to handle it. Should I step up?
Just as Zhou Shu was hesitating, a beam of light shot out from the post house.
He subconsciously wanted to make a move. But before he could do anything, Yin Wuyou blocked in front of him in a flash.
Yin Wuyouâs aura suddenly erupted, and her clothes fluttered in the wind. Her entire body lit up with a faint white light, as if a fairy had descended to the mortal realm. A three-foot-long sword had appeared in her hand at some point, and she was holding it horizontally in front of her as sword qi soared into the sky.
Zhou Shuâs heart stirred slightly. Yin Wuyouâs actions made him feel warm inside.
He had fought Great Weiâs Imperial Preceptor Xiao Shunzhi and Yin Wuyou before. He knew very well that Yin Wuyouâs cultivation was worlds apart from Xiao Shunzhiâs.
If Xiao Shunzhi wanted to kill Yin Wuyou, he wouldnât need to make more than ten moves!
Yin Wuyou should also know this herself, but she still stood in front of him without hesitation.
Zhou Shu was somewhat moved.
Just as he was contemplating whether he should recklessly attack, Xiao Shunzhiâs voice suddenly sounded again. âYour Highness, thereâs no need to be nervous. I have no ill intentions.â
With a crisp sound, the beam of light that shot out from the post house didnât attack Yin Wuyou and Zhou Shu. Instead, it suddenly arched three meters away and nailed itself to the ground.
The light disappeared to reveal a long saber. The blade was three inches into the ground, and it was still vibrating slightly.
âSince my student lost, Iâll pay for him.â
Xiao Shunzhi didnât appear in person, but his voice seemed to ring in everyoneâs ears.
âYour Highness, look at this saber. Is it worth ten thousand taels of gold?â
Yin Wuyou didnât completely restrain her aura. She looked at the saber with a grave expression.
The blade trembled slightly, and light flowed on the blade as if it had intelligence.
âHeaven-grade?â Yin Wuyou exclaimed.
Zhou Shu looked over Yin Wuyouâs shoulder, and his expression darkened when he saw the saber.
Damn it. Isnât this one of the three sabers I left behind that day?
This f*cking Xiao Shunzhi actually used something he stole from me to pay for the bet Shen Yue lost to me?
He was about to explode!
Shen Yueâs face darkened. Although he didnât know why his teacher did this, now was definitely not the time to ask.
âA heaven-grade saberâs market price will definitely be higher than ten thousand taels of gold,â Shen Yue said coldly. âItâs more than enough to pay for our bet!â
Zhou Shu looked at Yin Wuyou. He didnât know much about heaven-grade weapons.
Yin Wuyou nodded and said solemnly, âA heaven-grade weapon can indeed be sold for ten thousand taels of gold on the market.â
Yin Wuyou didnât expect Great Weiâs diplomatic mission to be so generous!
A heaven-grade weapon could be sold for 10,000 taels of gold, but that didnât mean that people could buy a heaven-grade weapon with 10,000 taels of gold!
Heaven-grade weapons were existences that couldnât be bought with money.
Zhou Shu cursed in his heart. He couldnât say that the saber was his to begin with.
He was clearly here to collect debt, yet he had to suffer in silence!
This made Zhou Shu feel extremely aggrieved. He had never suffered such a huge loss since his debut!
Even when he had left three heaven-grade sabers to stop Xiao Shunzhi from going after him, he wasnât so angry.
After all, it was a fight back then. There was nothing to say about losing to someone else.
But this time, he was clearly the victor. Why did he have to suffer in silence?
âAccept it!â Yin Wuyou whispered. âThe value of a heaven-grade weapon is above ten thousand taels of gold. If you want money, you can sell it to me!â
Zhou Shuâs face darkened. Yin Wuyou had just risked her life to protect him, so he had to give her face.
Besides, it seemed like he couldnât refuse.
The other party had used a heaven-grade weapon to pay off the debt. In the eyes of outsiders, Zhou Shu had gained an enormous advantage.
It would be abnormal if he refused.
Very good. Surnamed Xiao, Iâll remember you. Just you wait!?Zhou Shu glared in the direction of the post house.?This matter isnât over!
âI want this saber. The debt is written off!â Zhou Shu said coldly.
He took a few steps forward, pulled out the heaven-grade saber from the ground, and casually slung it over his shoulder.
âGrand Minister, letâs go. This place is foul because of some people. Itâs unpleasant to stay here for a minute longer.â
With that, Zhou Shu and Yin Wuyou walked toward the capital.
As Shen Yue watched their backs, his face turned incomparably gloomy.?Hmph, Zhou Shu, Iâll let you be complacent for a few more days!
Shen Yue and Yin Wuyou didnât notice that a bolt of lightning suddenly disappeared in the sky.
Zhou Shu raised his head to take a look, then withdrew his gaze.
A moment later, after Zhou Shu and Yin Wuyou had disappeared, a figure suddenly appeared in midair.
It was a handsome middle-aged man. He rubbed his chin.?Why do I feel like that kid just saw me? I must have seen it wrongly. How can someone who hasnât even entered the ranks see me? Even my eldest niece didnât notice me!
That old geezer Xiao is really cunning. He knew that I wouldnât let him take the heaven-grade saber away from Great Xia, so he actually chose to throw it out at this time! He didnât suffer any losses at all!
After thinking for a while, he turned into a bolt of lightning and disappeared.
When Zhou Shu and Yin Wuyou returned to the capital, Zhou Shu threw the heaven-grade long saber to Yin Wuyou.
âGrand Minister, Iâm selling this to you,â Zhou Shu said casually.
It was useless for him to keep this heaven-grade saber, so he might as well sell it to Yin Wuyou. This was legal income.
âReally?â Yin Wuyou was surprised. Heaven-grade weapons were priceless, and even the imperial family didnât have many.
As a princess and a Martial Dao genius, she was a third-rank Grandmaster at a young age. But she had yet to own a heaven-grade weapon and was still using an earth-grade weapon.
Zhou Shu had won this heaven-grade saber with his own abilities. It would be natural if he wanted to keep it for himself.
Yin Wuyou had never thought of forcing him to sell it to her. It didnât matter if a heaven-grade saber had an extraordinary meaning to Great Xia.
âOf course,â Zhou Shu said. âWhat would I want it for? Your Highness, do you think I can use a heaven-grade weapon?â
On the surface, he was just a Forging Apprentice who had just come into contact with the Martial Dao. How could he have the ability to wield a heaven-grade weapon?
âWho knows how long it will take before I can use a heaven-grade weapon. At that time, I might even be able to forge a heaven-grade weapon myself,â Zhou Shu continued.
Yin Wuyou nodded. She had full confidence in Zhou Shu. He would definitely become a Grand Craftsman in the future!
âAlright, Iâll take this saber. Donât worry. I wonât let you suffer,â Yin Wuyou said.
She wasnât buying this heaven-grade saber herself. Instead, she would give it to her father.
She had already thought about how to make an offer to her father!
Just donât take it away without paying for it,?Zhou Shu complained in his heart.
But after thinking about it, he realized that he couldnât blame her for what had happened before. She was the grand minister of the Forging Division. What was wrong with her taking away one or two standard weapons?
I forgive you for having protected me despite the situation, although I didnât need your protection.?Zhou Shu put on an act in his heart. He had never really taken it seriously.
Yin Wuyou was swift and decisive. Without another word, she took the saber and entered the palace again.
When Emperor Yuan Feng saw Yin Wuyou walk into the imperial study with a saber in her hand, his heart skipped a beat.?No way, right?
Before he could say anything, Yin Wuyou shouted in a coquettish tone, âFather~â
âStop!â Emperor Yuan Feng rubbed his glabella.?Where has my considerate and sensible daughter gone?
âSpeak. Has Zhou Shu developed some new weapon?â
He felt that his heart was in pain. This kid would develop a new weapon every few days. Although it was a good thing, he didnât know how to reward him anymore.
This was just for standard weapons. If he did this after becoming a Forging Master, wouldnât he be rewarded beyond recognition?
âItâs not that. Itâs not that easy to develop a weapon. A wise sage said that it requires 99% hard work and 1% inspiration. Without inspiration, itâs impossible to develop a weapon,â Yin Wuyou said.
â99% hard work and 1% inspiration? Which sage said that?â Emperor Yuan asked.
âNo, Father, did you hear me?â How would Yin Wuyou know which sage it was?
âYou havenât told me. How am I supposed to listen?â Emperor Yuan Feng said unhappily.
This daughter of his had always been calm and collected in the past. Recently, she seemed to have become fond of acting cute. But this feeling wasnât bad. At the very least, it made him feel more important to his daughter.
A little girl should act coquettishly to her father.
âFather, look at this.â Yin Wuyou also reacted and hurriedly handed over the heaven-grade saber in her hand.
âThis is?â Emperor Yuan took it, and his expression immediately changed. âHeaven-grade! Where did you get it from? Could it be that someone from the Forging Division has advanced to Grand Craftsman?â
Emperor Yuan Feng was ecstatic.
With Zhu Chuanfengâs death, Grand Xia had lost one Grand Craftsman. Furthermore, he also knew that because of Zhu Chuanfeng, Grand Xia had lost countless Grand Craftsmen.
If a new Grand Craftsman appeared in Great Xia at this time, his heartache would be greatly relieved.
âNo!â Yin Wuyou shook her head. âZhou Shu won this saber!â
âZhou Shu?â Emperor Yuan Feng felt a headache.
Itâs really related to him?
Canât this kid stop for one second?
I just made him a baron. Am I to promote him every few days?
âDidnât Shen Yue go to the Forging Divisionâs workshops to compete with him? At the time, they made a bet with ten thousand taels of gold as the wager,â Yin Wuyou explained.
âIn the end, Zhou Shu forged the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber and completely defeated Shen Yue.
âToday, we went to ask Shen Yue for money. Shen Yue didnât bring so much money, so Xiao Shunzhi used this heaven-grade saber to pay off the debt.
âThen Zhou Shu sold this saber to me!â
Yin Wuyou looked at Emperor Yuan Feng with a proud expression. Written all over her face were the words: Praise me quickly.
Emperor Yuan Feng heaved a sigh of relief.?So he sold it to her. Fortunately.
Had he offered it to the Imperial court, I really wouldnât know how to reward him.
Since Zhou Shu sold it, I just have to pay.
Issues solvable with money are not issues.
Emperor Yuan Feng waved his hand. âWell done! Iâll pay for this!â
âWho said that this saber is only worth ten thousand taels of gold?â Yin Wuyou asked in astonishment.
âDidnât Shen Yue use this saber to pay off the debt of ten thousand taels of gold?â Emperor Yuan Feng said.
âThatâs debt repayment. How can it be the same? Itâs a heaven-grade saber! Itâs impossible to buy one without fifteen thousand taels of gold!â Yin Wuyou said righteously.
âIf itâs auctioned, the price might double!
âFather, Zhou Shu sold this saber to us for my sake. We canât be so petty,â Yin Wuyou advised.
âIf he doesnât want to sell it, we canât rob him, right? He won it back with his own abilities. Itâs his private property.
âI think we canât let him suffer a loss and be disappointedâ¦â