128: Sinking Star Iron

The Jubao Pavilion's autumn auction had ended; it was already the beginning of the Hour of the Pig.

Chen Linsheng and Lei Hao walked out of the pavilion gates side by side. The night wind was slightly cool, blowing away the sweltering atmosphere from inside the auction hall.

The Lei Family's carriage was waiting outside, and Uncle Zhong was already there, holding the ebony box containing the star-sinking iron.

"Brother Chen, keep this star-sinking iron safe." Lei Hao handed the wooden box to Chen Linsheng and grinned. "Tomorrow, I'll contact that Great Master blacksmith at home and have him look at the Materials to start work as soon as possible. The Martial Examination is approaching; time waits for no one."

Chen Linsheng took the wooden box; it felt heavy in his hands. The thirty-seven catties of metal lay quietly inside, like a dormant star core. He nodded solemnly. "Brother Lei, I will remember this kindness; Linsheng will keep it in mind."

"Why say such things!" Lei Hao waved his hand, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "Perform well in the Martial Examination; that will be the best reward for me. I've long disliked those fellows from the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall. If you can surpass Yan Chen in the Martial Examination, it will give me, Lei Hao, a lot of Face!"

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Lei Hao boarded the carriage and departed.

Chen Linsheng watched the carriage disappear around the street corner before turning to walk back to Yuqian Lane.

The night was deep, but the streets of the commandery city were still dimly lit. Chen Linsheng held the wooden box, his steps steady, but his mind was calculating.

star-sinking iron was a good thing, but how to forge it and into what shape required careful consideration.

The first person he thought of was his Master, Zhao Zheng.

Early the next morning, Chen Linsheng arrived at the Yang Wei Martial Arts Hall Branch.

In the Quiet Room of the backyard, Zhao Zheng was sitting cross-legged, regulating his breathing.

"Master." Chen Linsheng bowed in greeting.

Zhao Zheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the ebony box in Chen Linsheng's hand. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "star-sinking iron? Obtained at yesterday's auction?"

"Master is well-informed." Chen Linsheng placed the wooden box on the table and opened the lid.

The dark gray metal block shimmered with a restrained matte finish in the morning light, its surface silver spots flowing like a galaxy, quiet and mysterious.

Zhao Zheng stood up, walked to the table, and extended a calloused finger to lightly stroke the surface of the star-sinking iron.

It was cold to the touch and dense in texture. His fingertips could feel a peculiar, steady sensation within the metal, as if it could absorb all vibrations.

"It is indeed star-sinking iron, and it's High Grade." A flash of approval appeared in Zhao Zheng's eyes. "That kid from the Lei Family is quite generous. This material has excellent Qi and blood conductivity. If forged into a form-fitting soft armor, it will not only enhance defense but also assist in the circulation of Qi and blood, and even neutralize the impact of force to a certain extent."

He paused and looked at Chen Linsheng. "Do you have any ideas?"

Chen Linsheng mused, "This Disciple wants to forge a form-fitting soft armor that is light and tough, without affecting the flexibility of my Movement Technique, while maximizing the Qi and blood conduction properties of the star-sinking iron. Additionally... if a portion could be separated and integrated into the limbs of the 'fierce wind' bow to enhance its load-bearing capacity and stability, it would be even better."

Zhao Zheng stroked his beard and nodded. "A good idea. However, star-sinking iron is not easy to forge; ordinary blacksmiths find it difficult to handle. In the commandery city, there are no more than three people who can Master this iron."

"Please guide me, Master," Chen Linsheng said respectfully.

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Zhao Zheng's eyes. "In the old blacksmith shop in the west of the city, there is an old man nicknamed 'Iron-Armed Zhang.' In his youth, he forged Spirit Weapon embryos for the military. His craftsmanship is exquisite, especially in handling special metals. However, he has a peculiar temper and has rarely taken jobs in recent years. For my Face, he might be willing to help."

"Iron-Armed Zhang..." Chen Linsheng noted the name.

"No time to lose, we go today." Zhao Zheng stood up. "Registration for the Martial Examination has already begun; time is tight."

The Master and Disciple packed up briefly, left the martial arts hall, and headed straight for the west of the city.

The old streets in the west of the city had low houses and narrow roads, a stark contrast to the prosperity of the east.

The air was filled with the smell of charcoal fire and metal, and the clanging of blacksmithing could be heard from all directions.

"Iron-Armed Zhang's" shop was located deep in the old street. The storefront was small, and the sign was old, with the words "Zhang's Blacksmith Shop" written in crooked, careless calligraphy. The light inside the shop was dim, the furnace fire had long been extinguished, and only an old man with gray hair and a bare upper body was napping in a bamboo chair. The old man's left arm was severed at the elbow, but his right arm was exceptionally thick, with muscles knotted like old tree roots and skin covered in burn scars.

Zhao Zheng tapped lightly on the door frame.

The old man lazily opened his eyes, glanced at the two with his cloudy pupils, and closed them again. "Closed today."

"Brother Zhang, it's me, Zhao Zheng," Zhao Zheng said with a cupped-hand salute.

Only then did the old man open his eyes again. He looked at Zhao Zheng for a moment and sneered. "Zhao Zheng? What wind blew you here? You even brought a little brat."

Zhao Zheng didn't mind and pointed at Chen Linsheng. "This is my Disciple, Chen Linsheng. I want to ask you to forge something, Brother."

"I'm not taking it." The old man rolled over, turning his back to them.

Chen Linsheng stepped forward, placed the ebony box on a nearby anvil, and opened the lid.

Inside the dim shop, the silver spots on the star-sinking iron shimmered faintly, like starlight in the night sky.

The old man's body stiffened, and he slowly turned around.

He stared at the star-sinking iron for a full three breaths. The cloudiness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a nearly obsessive gleam.

He stood up, walked to the anvil, and extended his single arm. His fingers caressed the surface of the star-sinking iron with a gentle motion, as if stroking a lover's cheek.

"star-sinking iron... and it's High Grade." The old man murmured. "Where did it come from?"

"Obtained at the Jubao Pavilion's autumn auction yesterday," Chen Linsheng said truthfully.

The old man glanced at him, then at Zhao Zheng. "This Disciple of yours has quite an Opportunity. What do you want to forge?"

Chen Linsheng explained his idea.

After listening, the old man fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "star-sinking iron is dense. Forging it requires smelting with 'Earth Vein Yin Fire,' which takes seven days. Integrating it into a bow limb isn't hard, but making a form-fitting soft armor... requires hammering the iron into threads as thin as hair, then weaving them with a special technique. During this time, it must be continuously nurtured and guided with Qi and blood to become a Spirit Embryo. The entire process takes twelve days. Can you afford to wait?"

Chen Linsheng calculated in his mind. The Martial Examination was a month away, so there was enough time. He nodded. "I can wait. I wonder about the fee..."

"Fee?" The old man sneered. "Materials like star-sinking iron are hard to come by. I've forged iron my whole life; being able to personally handle such a treasure is a blessing. The fee is waived, but there are two conditions."

"Please speak, Brother," Zhao Zheng said.

"First, during the forging period, this kid needs to come to the shop for three hours every day to assist me in guiding the iron's nature with his own Qi and blood." The old man pointed at Chen Linsheng. "star-sinking iron is sensitive to Qi and blood. The stronger the resonance between the forger's and the user's Qi and blood, the more spirituality the finished product will have."

"Second," the old man's gaze was sharp, "after the Martial Examination, if this armor becomes famous, you must not hide the name of its forger."

Chen Linsheng solemnly cupped his hands. "Senior's great kindness will be remembered by this Junior. I can agree to both conditions."

"Good!" The old man slapped the anvil with his single arm, causing the dust in the shop to rustle down. "Come back tomorrow at the Hour of the Dragon with the iron. I need to restart the furnace and prepare the auxiliary Materials."

Leaving the blacksmith shop, the Master and Disciple walked on the way back.

Zhao Zheng said slowly, "Old Man Zhang has a strange temper, but his craftsmanship is top-notch. In his youth, he lost an arm to an enemy because he forged a Spirit Sword, and he only lived here in seclusion out of discouragement. His willingness to help this time is partly for the sake of the star-sinking iron, and partly because he saw your solid Foundation and felt a desire to nurture talent. During the forging process, you must cooperate diligently; this will also be of great benefit to your own control of Qi and blood."

"This Disciple understands." Chen Linsheng accepted solemnly.

When the two returned to the martial arts hall, it was nearly noon.

On the branch's Drill Ground, the atmosphere was different from usual. Dozens of Disciples had gathered, whispering to each other, with an air of excitement and tension filling the atmosphere.

Registration for the Martial Examination had officially begun today.