“Young friend Tang San, you’re……”
Tang San was still smiling,
“I’m just casually asking. After we’ve eaten, I’d like to trouble president Si Long to prepare the things we need as soon as possible. Oh, right, tomorrow we will also participate in the blacksmith association’s auction. I’d still like to trouble you to arrange it.”
Si Long nodded, and said:
“That’s no problem. You are our big customers. The Lord Spirit Hall is in the eastern part of the city. It’s a very distinct building, built even more splendid than the city lord’s mansion. The Lord Spirit Hall here has approximately forty spirit masters. Among them, Meyers’ level is the highest, roughly at the sixty third to sixty sixth rank. Among the others, there are also four above the fiftieth rank. The remainder are all common spirit masters below the fiftieth rank. The overwhelming majority are all at the twentieth and thirtieth rank. After all, this isn’t any important city. The allocation of members for the Lord Spirit Hall isn’t so generous.”
Tang San and Si Long looked eye to eye and, with mutual understanding, neither continued on the subject. But Tang San was still very satisfied with Si Long’s detailed description of the composition of Spirit Hall’s strength. This Spirit Sage level tool spirit master wasn’t the slightest bit slow!
The rest of the meal was extremely harmonious with the restaurant boss’ meticulous care, taking out practically the finest ingredients, carefully prepared by the best chef. Even if it wasn’t delicacies, it was still good value.
After the meal, even though the restaurant boss repeatedly expressed there was no need to pay, Si Long still paid five gold spirit coins. Even though that was still just the production cost, it was still enough to prove the difference between the blacksmith association and Spirit Hall. In fact, Meyers had never paid for his meal.
Si Long directly arranged a good residence for Tang San’s party, then went to take care of the metals they needed.
The residence was located on the other side of the blacksmith association, specially used by the association to receive guests, they offered their own inn. Even if it wasn’t considered luxurious, it was absolutely clean. For everyone’s stay, Si Long specially ordered for the highest floor of the inn to be sealed off, and had everyone stay there.
Si Long had just stepped away when Ma Hongjun couldn’t help it any longer. He had naturally also seen something from Tang San and Si Long’s conversation, and now impatiently asked:
“Third brother, aren’t we going to teach those Spirit Hall fellows a lesson? They actually dared insult Xiao Wu and Rongrong, I get angry just remembering it. For all these years, when have we brothers ever put up with such anger?”
Nobody was an outsider, so Tang San didn’t need to conceal anything,
“Spirit Hall owes us so much, it should be about time for them to pay some interest.”
Ma Hongjun exulted,
“Then when do we move?”
Tang San had clearly already thought it over,
“After the auction ends tomorrow night. A moonless, windy, killing night.”
Tang San’s choice of time had clearly undergone reflection. Si Long needed three days to prepare, in other words, the necessary metals would be collected the day after tomorrow. And they could still try their luck in the auction tomorrow night. No matter how Spirit Hall wanted to retaliate, the day after tomorrow they would still be gone from here.
Tai Tan clenched his fist, his knuckles making cracking sounds;
“I’ve long wanted to make some trouble for Spirit Hall. This isn’t our place either, putting them in order is fine too.”
Tang San looked at Xiao Wu’s empty eyes next to him, and he couldn’t keep the scene of Xiao Wu being surrounded by those Spirit Hall experts from appearing in his mind once again. The scene of Xiao Wu sacrificing herself to save him. The intense stabs of pain within him turned into killing intent that constantly eroded his heart.
Elder Tai Tan, you can’t appear tomorrow. You’re too obvious, and we can’t let any rumors leak. Fatty, tomorrow you and I go. Just us two.”
Tai Tan hesitated a moment, then said:
“Young master, there are after all several dozen spirit masters over there. You two, isn’t that a bit few?”
Tang San shook his head,
“Two people is enough. One to kill, one to burn.”
* * *
[1] Meyers - (迈尔斯)
[2] (滚 gun) means to “get lost” or “fuck off”, but also means “to roll”, and in the RAW Meyers accordingly rolled out of there. That works terribly when translated.
Chapter 186: Heart Chilling Iron and Deep Sea Sunken Silver
Other than Xiao Wu, the people present who heard this, for some unknown reason felt a chill run down their spine. Tang San’s flat demeanor suddenly became scary.
And so the day quickly passed. Tang San accompanied Xiao Wu in his room, taking the time while Xiao Wu slept to cultivate. While the other three, Oscar, Ning Rongrong and Ma Hongjun went to walk around Gengxin City
On the evening of the second day, Si Long came.
At this time, Oscar and company had yet to return, only Tang San, Xiao Wu, Tai Tan and the two clansmen the brought were present at the hostel.
Tang San brought Xiao Wu to meet Si Long in Tai Tan’s room.
Si Long said: “The various metals that you need have been mostly prepared. Because some of the metals you wanted are so rare, I spent most of these two days searching all the association stores before I could finally get the amount you needed together. All that is lacking is the last bit of profound iron which will be delivered to us tomorrow morning.”
Tang San smilingly said: “President, you have worked hard.”
Si Long said with a laugh: “It was nothing, rather, I am hoping that you will come back several more times in the future.”
Tai Tan asked: “What about Lou Gao that old guy? What has he been doing these two days?”
On mention of Lou Gao, a wry smile appeared on Si Longs face. “Vice president Tai Tan. My uncle Tai Tan. What on earth did you give him! These two days, teacher was sleeplessly trying to figure out was was on the paper you gave him that he did not even eat his meals. Sometimes trying to make it by himself. He is crazily obsessed with that thing.”
Tang San and Tai Tan exchanged looks at each other, before uncontrollably bursting out into laughter. Originally when Tai Tan first saw the diagrams for the Torrential Pear Blossom Needle he was also like this. Except, when Tang San showed Tai Tan the diagram it was the complete one which could still be visualised. However, when Lou Gao saw the diagram which was only a third of the full thing, there were many sections that were mysterious yet more difficult to fully understand.
Tai Tan said: “No worries. You just let him look at it all he wants. Tomorrow we will be leaving Gengxin city. At that time, we will bring him away directly. Don’t worry, I will go and remind him tonight, since he still has to publicly announce your succession as the association president.”
As before Si Long was still slightly worried. “Uncle Tai Tan, it would still be better to address you as such.[1] Truthfully speaking, teacher leaving alone,Iam still a little worried about him” He was going to succeed as president soon, that’s why he did not want to use the title ‘Vice-President’ to address Tai Tan.
Tai Tan smiled in spite of himself: “Why? Are you scared that we will harm him? But, right now even if we decide not to allow him to come with us, I fear that he would just cry and wail with us all the way to Heaven Dou Empire. I know how attractive that thing is. Just be at ease, Lou Gao will be fine if he comes with us. Perhaps even, in just a few years, this blacksmithing association would grow more prosperous. When that time comes you too will find out the reason why Lou Gao so desperately wants to come with us.”
Si Long’s eyes let out pensive look, and after thinking for a bit said: “A few fellow disciples of Lou Gao and myself have discussed about this matter. Since there are four
of us disciples of Lou Gao, we have decided that it would be good if two of us went along with him. Among the four of us, other than Si Di who is still a grandmaster smith, the rest of us are smiths scholars. So we have decided on the two smith scholars Si Yu and Si Kai to travel with you all to Heaven Dou Empire. Incidentally, they can help take care of teacher, teacher is after all getting late on years.”
On hearing these words, Tang San and Tai Tan couldn’t help but feel delighted. Smith scholars were not that easy to come by. Tang San had previously heard from Tai Tan, those who are at the smith scholar level, were only a sliver apart from divine smiths in terms of skill. To Tang San, the value of having two smith scholars was something that couldn’t be measured by money. To add a Lou Gao on top of that, to Tang San the importance of these three people was even greater than all the metal they come here to purchase combined.
Tang San spoke without any hesitation: “Then it is decided. President Si Long, please be at ease, we will certainly take good care of senior Lou Gao and your two juniors. It is just as elder Tai Tan said, perhaps before too long, the smithing profession would once again thrive on the continent.”
While they were having their conversation, Ning Rongrong’s lively voice came from outside, “We are back.” Without knocking, Ning Rongrong happily opened the door, only after seeing that Si Long was also around did her jovial expression die down a bit. Oscar and Ma Hongjun followed behind her into the room as well.
Tang San smilingly said: “How was the harvest for you three?”
Ning Rongrong giggled: “Hehe, not bad, not bad, the trip can still be considered to be fruitful.” while saying that, with a flick of her wrist and a glimmer of light from her bracelet spirit tool, a piece of ore the size of a human head appeared on the table.
Upon seeing the piece of ore, Tang San, Tai Tan and Si Long’s pupils simultaneously shrank.
That was a somewhat murky piece of crystal, if it was only seen as a crystal, it would seem to be of a very low grade. It was not very transparent, slightly yellowish, with a very impure coloration.
However, within this piece of crystal was a large piece of something shimmering golden.
“Plate Crystal Gold.” Tang San, Tai Tan and Si Long uttered simultaneously.
The three of their eyes met, their gazes equally full of surprise.
Ning Rongrong giggled: “Hehe, this thing cost me quite a large sum. Third Brother, I heard you say something about this before, I did not mistakenly buy this right?”
Tang San remained silent for a while, when compared to the rutilated crystal he originally bought from Flender, this one was even purer and had much more gold within it. Although the expenditure of his Dragon Beard Needles was low, in order for the future production of the Peacock Plume and various other hidden weapons, the value of this rutilated crystal was just too high. “That is right, this is indeed Plate Crystal Gold. Rongrong, how much did you buy it for? Will you resell it to me?”
Ning Rongrong burst out laughing, Ma Hongjun who was standing by the side couldn’t hold back anymore and said: “What resell it to you! Rongrong only spent one gold coin on it, the shop owner even stared at us like we were idiots for a long time.”
“One gold coin?” Si Long exclaimed, with a bitter smile: “Why don’t I ever run into such good things. I will pay you a thousand gold coins. Will you sell it to me?”
Ning Rongrong said: “Hehe, such good profits! Just a single resale and I get back a thousand times in value. But, if you want it you better ask third brother. This thing is already his.”
With a searing gaze Si Long looked at Tang San, but all he saw was Tang San’s blue eyes which felt as deep as the oceans. Tang San apologetically said: “I must apologise, President Si Long, this piece of Plate Crystal Gold is equally important to me.”
Si Long thoughtfully asked: “Are you going to use it to make accessories?”
With a flick of Tang San’s wrist, all of a sudden there was a small gold bean the size of a grain of rice on his hand. “In my hands, it is not an accessory, but a weapon to kill.”
As his words fell, he flicked his finger, Tang San’s actions could be clearly seen by everyone but these same people could feel an unparalleled strength stemming out from those actions.
Without a single sound, all the audience could see was a flash of gold, and within the crystal appeared an extra golden line.
Since the time he met Tang San, this was the first time Tang San showed off his skills in front of Si Long, and Si Long could only feel a chill grow within his heart, without knowing why, this young man in his eyes gave him a very dangerous feeling, which even exceeded the pressure Tai Tan gives him.
“Third brother, how did you do that? can you teach it to me?” Ning Rongrong said as she widened her eyes and excitedly looked at Tang San.
Tang San impatiently said: “If you want to learn this skill. You will have to give up your spirit. Furthermore you will have to train this for over ten years. Does this really look that fun to play with? Can you just imagine what it would feel if this was shot into a human body?”
Tai Tan’s eyes brightened, “This must be the Dragon Beard Needles right?”
Tang San smilingly replied. “With this piece of Plate Crystal Gold, I can make over a thousand Dragon Beard Needles.”
After seeing Tang San’s performance, Si Long cannot bring himself to even speak about wanting to buy this piece of Plate Crystal Gold, this piece of Plate Crystal Gold would be so much more useful in Tang San’s hands than in his own.
Tang San spoke to Ning Rongrong: “Rongrong, what other nice things did you bring back? It would really seem that you have pretty good luck!”
Ning Rongrong said: “I also managed to get a few other things, but I myself am not too sure as to what they are.”
While saying that, she shook her bracelet and a chain of objects appeared before them.
The first thing Tang San noticed was a jet black piece of ore, on the surface of the ore was a hint of cold air, it otherwise looked just like a jet black piece of iron ore. Of the things that Ning Rongrong took out, this was the largest, about a meter in diameter, but what was most shocking was its weight, upon landing on the floor, the whole building shook a little.
The trio who knew their stuff Tang San, Tai Tan and Si Long were once again surprised. Tai Tan was the first to take a step forward. Upon arriving in front of this large black ore, he took his hand and touched the surface of the rock, “The temperature is not right, this cannot be normal iron ore.”
Si Long eyes flashed with a unique luster, with a slight pleading look and looked towards Ning Rongrong: “Miss Ning, can you let me try and identify what kind of ore this is?”
Ning Rongrong said: “Hehe, of course. This ore was chosen by me from a place where they sold iron ore at the price of refined iron. Priced according to volume, which roughly amounted to also about one gold coin.”
Oscar continued by saying: “It was actually less than one gold coin, so they also threw in that thing over there which was also very heavy.” while he was saying this, he pointed at something beside the jet black ore which was only about a third the size of the jet black ore. What he pointed at was a piece of ore which was completely grey with a slight metallic sheen looking like a rather ordinary piece of stone.
Si Long slowly raised his right hand, a small golden spot appearing in the center of his palm, followed by a golden flash and the appearance of a small golden chisel out of thin air. One white, two yellow, three purple, one black, seven rings quietly appeared on this small chisel, looking much smaller than the spirit rings Tang San and company had seen on other spirit masters so far.
From the viewpoint of spirit ring configuration, Si Long’s was apparently not very optimal. As a spirit sage, he only had one ten-thousand year spirit ring. However, his strange spirit tool had attracted everyone’s attention.
Tai Tan spoke in a low voice: “Si Long’s spirit tool is a diamond chisel, it is best used for the prospecting o
f various kinds of ores and the creation of delicate objects. With at least mastering eighty percent of Lou Gao’s teachings, he has a high status in the smithing industry.”
As a spirit sage, although he had no talent in fighting and even people ranked lower than him could bully him, but the moment his diamond chisel appeared in his hands, his entire temperament drastically changed.
At this moment, Tang San could feel that the Si Long in front of him was as focused as Yang Wudi while holding his Soul Breaking Spear.
With a golden flash, the group did not even see the first few spirit rings on the Diamond Chisel light up, the Diamond Chisel tip was already resting on the jet black ore.
With a clear ring, the jet black ore suddenly erupted with a crisp crackling noise, in an instant a golden light had spread throughout the ore from the point of contact with the chisel. It was as if a golden mesh was wrapped around the entire ore before it seeping into the ore. Yes, that was a seeping feeling.
The crisp cracking continued to resound, smoke slowly burst out of the surface of the ore. Under Si Long’s chisel’s constant tapping, the outer surface of the ore slowly crumbled away. Following that, a heavy cold air spread outwards, dropping the temperature of the room instantly.
With a wave of Tai Tan’s hand, he used his spirit force to sweep open the outer layer of the broken ore, exposing equally jet black coloured metal ore inside.
Although it was also black, it was without a hint of impurities inside. Using his Purple Demon Eyes, the density of the metal could be determined, even though his Purple Demon Eyes was already at the detail level, it was very hard for him to even find a flaw within it. The blackness was deep as if it was the void, even if a normal person without any understanding of metal were to look at it they would be able to tell that this was not some simple iron.
The golden light receded as Si Long already banished his spirit tool. His gazed dazedly while speaking in a hard to understand tone: “Refined Heart Chilling Iron, it really is refined Heart Chilling Iron… and such a large chunk at that.”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 328
