"What a madman!"
In the cottage, Wei Shaoxuan was stunned for a long time and cursed in a low voice.
He picked up the tea cup and drank it down.
Even though the sixth son of the Wei family has a deep sense of calm, it is difficult for him to remain calm and elegant.
The Sui Crazy Emperor, who has been buried in the dust of history and criticized by historians, is even crazier than he imagined.
"When the Southern Dynasty royal family forged a cauldron sword, they had already spent all the material resources of the Southern Kingdom and tried their best. Following the mad emperor's misfortune, they added another cauldron sword to the Butterfly Creek Sword Furnace and forged two cauldron swords at the same time?"
Wei Shaoxuan suddenly felt that compared with Sui Crazy Emperor, he and his father were too compassionate, well, so was the current Holy Emperor.
It seems that everything must be contrasted.
Happiness comes from unevenness.
"Historical books say that the creation of the 'Wen Emperor' in the Northern Dynasty had almost exhausted the country's power, and the world had just been unified. This mad emperor was not busy appeasing his generals, winning over the people, and slowly trying to figure it out. Instead, he was obsessed with the art of refining Qi. If he casts a tripod sword with two swords, if this person does not perish his country, who will perish his country?"
Wei Shao
"Oh, you are a madman who fishes for nothing."
Qiu Shenji nodded:
"The stolen cauldron sword should have been unforged by the Southern Royal Family that year. Most of the sword was cast by the Southern Royal Family, so Sui Crazy Emperor should have given priority to casting it.
“It’s just that it’s unknown whether the sword had been forged before it was stolen.
"The ancestor of my Qiu family who was an official and a general on horseback once said that the mad emperor was furious that day, blocked the news, and beheaded many people involved in the incident, including many precious swordsmiths, and the blood and The head rolled into Butterfly Creek, and the water dyed it red for half a month, but it was not washed away...
"Why did this lunatic kill the swordsmith?" Wei Shaoxuan was curious.
"It seems that the swordsmith and the sword thief cooperated internally and externally, so that the tripod sword was lost."
"The inside should be coordinated with the outside?"
Wei Shaoxuan's face showed some thoughts.
These secrets that have long been hidden in the dust of history may not even be recorded in the secret treasury of the Wei Palace. It is estimated that they can only be passed down orally from the families of military strategists and qi practitioners like the foster father.
"Does my foster father know who the thief is? He would dare to steal even the mad emperor's sword."
Qiu Shenji looked at him and shook his head:
"Rokuro, don't think too much. This happened nearly a hundred years ago. There are many Qi practitioners who know about this matter. The clues that can be found have been searched by smart people. I wonder if there is a cauldron made of it. The sword has long been missing, and no one knows who stole it.
"But he must be a Qi practitioner with good cultivation. There are indeed many Qi practitioners on the mountain that the Mad Emperor offended back then, not to mention those top Qi practitioners who once supported the Southern Kingdom royal family."
Speaking of this, Qiu Shenji glanced out the window to the south, where there was a hidden sect.
Wei Shaoxuan nodded, sighed, and stopped asking.
He mused:
"So, the embryo of the tripod sword currently being built by the Liu Family is the new tripod that the Mad Emperor found after he lost his sword?"
Qiu Shenji nodded slightly:
"When I was reading the history books, I had doubts as to why the Mad Emperor was so late in forging the sword. Later, when I heard about this secret, I suddenly realized that a secret change had indeed occurred along the way."
Wei Shaoxuan was silent for a while, then suddenly laughed and softly chanted:
"It's a pity that I press gold thread every year to make wedding clothes for others..."
He turned his head again with emotion on his face:
"However, foster father, just imagine if this sword-stealing incident hadn't happened. With the mad emperor's Qi training and the many cauldron swords in his army, even if all the heroes come together, it's not certain who will belong to the world in the end.
"After all, just one word of 'Wen Di' had already frightened the heroes of the world. Emperor Taizong Wen had to temporarily avoid the edge in the military formation...
"But Qing Shi has no ifs. In the end, dust will return to dust, dust will return to dust, and Da Sui's destiny and the sword will all belong to Da Qian.
"'Wen Emperor' was also added to the title by the Daqian monarch and was renamed 'Wen Emperor'... It's really a twist of fate when I think about it.
"By the way, foster father, have you ever seen that 'Emperor Wen' among the border troops in the North? What does it look like?"
Qiu Shenji nodded slightly.
Hearing this, a look of awe flashed in his eyes.
Yes, the Great Zhou Dynasty, or the previous Great Qian Dynasty, also had a tripod sword.
Although Emperor Taizongwen of Daqian Dynasty prohibited future generations from forging tripod swords again, the swords that had been forged in history did not say that they were not allowed to be used.
In the Zhou Dynasty that succeeded Daqian today, the most world-famous cauldron sword is 'Emperor Wen'.
However, it is difficult to find a sword wielder who meets the "qi conditions" of this sword. At the same time, this object is already a valuable weapon of the country and is not owned by a single family. There is already a very mature set of official Qi practitioners around its use. system.
When necessary, he would kill the Qi practitioners who dared to offend the imperial power, and borrow the most elite battle formations from the surrounding army to sweep through thousands of armies and expand the territory.
Even the powerful Wei family could not embezzle it privately.
Qiu Shenji still remembers that day in the north of the Great Wall, with clear skies, bright sun, and yellow sand all over the sky. As far as the field of vision ahead, enemy cavalry were densely packed, like a black tide coming from the horizon, about to engulf the right wing of Qian's army.
At a certain moment, a sword came from the east.
The black tide that was originally rushing was cut in half by a straight steel wire placed horizontally. It was as plain and simple as cutting tofu. The black tide was cut into two pieces of tofu, which fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
Looking at it, it is a straight line of death. Anyone who dares to cross it will have their upper and lower bodies separated, and even the passing sandstorm will be broken in half.
The fresh and strong smell of blood carried by the west wind, more than ten years later, is still fresh in Qiu Shenji's memory, and his nose seems to still be able to smell it faintly at this moment.
It is called "Emperor Wen", but his killing is not elegant at all, just like Emperor Wen of Daqian Taizong who was once invincible.
If the Wei family could suppress the Yingzhou rebellion not long ago with a cauldron sword, there would be no such mess!
Moreover, the Wei Palace is very suspicious that the rebellion in Yingzhou is not only the rebellion of rebel soldiers, but also the secret assistance of Qi practitioners. It may not be related to the power of the rival Xiang Wang... Although there is no evidence yet.
Qiu Shenji was silent for a moment, nodded slightly and said:
"The true appearance of 'Emperor Wen' is a bit special. For some reason, the swordsmiths who made Dao Lineage began to deviate from the norm after they cast the 'Hanshi' in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. They said that the sword was not a sword. A tripod is not a tripod, I don’t know how to describe it...
"But Rokuro will have a chance to see you soon. This time when you carry the sword back, you need to borrow the rare sword art of 'Emperor Wen'. The prince has arranged it for you. Go back and observe once... This is a lot of money consumed by the palace." Few human resources, in exchange for opportunities.”
The man with the box on his back said coldly:
"On this trip to Dragon City, there are two things that must be obtained. In addition to the body of the tripod sword, it is the true name of the tripod sword. The real name is only known to the swordsmith who forges the sword himself, and it is also the most important thing.
"That's why I told Liulang not to offend that old gentleman for the time being."
"I know."
Wei Shaoxuan nodded slightly, as if he already knew this, and suddenly asked:
"Why is my adoptive father so sure that I need to use sword skills to conquer this cauldron sword? What if I happen to be the powerful person close to it? I can overcome it..."
"Maybe."
Qiu Shenji said casually, turning his head and looking out the window.
Seeing his adoptive father's expression, Wei Shaoxuan's mouth twitched. His tone sounded perfunctory.
However, he felt that his adoptive father's reaction was normal. His adoptive father had always been cold and realistic, so how could he place his hopes on the identity of an arrogant person who was illusory and whose probability was extremely low.
It is better to honestly use another set of safe methods that have been explored by Qi practitioners for thousands of years.
Wei Shaoxuan took a long breath, stood up and walked around the room, murmuring:
"What should I call the old swordsmith? I remember he seemed to have a name. He called himself 'Wu Ming' or something like that."
Qiu Shenji shook his head: "It sounds like a pseudonym at first sight. Most swordsmiths are withdrawn and have weird personalities."
Wei Shaoxuan smiled and said:
“I think so too, but this old gentleman’s identity and experience are quite interesting.
"According to Liu Ziwen's original revelation, before the Mei family was wiped out, this old man was a registered disciple of Guyue Sword Shop with a foreign surname. He was exposed to some sword-making skills of the Mei family, but later, he seemed to have had a quarrel with the teachers named Mei. , it was a dispute over certain ideas that led to a complete breakup, leaving the school and never returning - of course, it now seems that this quarrel should be related to the Cauldron Sword.
"But foster father, the fun is coming later."
Wei Shaoxuan folded his fan and clapped his hands, turned his head and said leisurely:
"More than ten years ago, Liu Ziwen set up a poisonous plan to wipe out the entire Mei family who refused to obey. However, after a hundred secrets, a Mei family disciple escaped from the tunnel with the embryo of the tripod sword. Liu Ziwen was greatly worried. There are huge rewards on the rivers and lakes, and people are wanted everywhere, but no one can be found for a long time, but foster father, guess what?"
Qiu Shenji looked sideways slightly and raised his brows.
Wei Shaoxuan grinned, revealing three white teeth, and smiled brightly:
"Liu Ziwen did nothing. The old man returned alone with the head of the escaped Mei clan disciple and the embryo of the Ding Sword. He found Liu Ziwen for cooperation and made a three-part agreement. He ignored common matters and only focused on forging swords. Liu Ziwen Seeing that he was very sincere, he agreed to cooperate.
"What a man who forges swords like a fool, what a man who deceives his master and destroys his ancestors. No wonder he is a nameless savage. The old gentleman's character is so interesting to me. I must meet him in the future!"
Wei Shaoxuan put his hands on his hands and laughed.
Qiu Shenji looked thoughtful.
…
Liu Zian and Boss Li left the cottage together and went straight down the mountain from the temple.
However, he did not immediately return to the Liu Family Mansion or Guyue Sword Shop.
In the carriage, Liu Zian joked and chatted with Boss Li along the way, and they became familiar with each other.
In the afternoon, Liu Zian specially took Boss Li to the Zheyi Canal.
The Liu family also has investments here, although it seems like a big enemy.
Liu Zian took Boss Li to inspect the new canal, and by the way, he made arrangements to invite distinguished guests from all over Jiangzhou on the fifteenth day of next month. In his contacts with the representatives sent by the county government, he also behaved very humbly and sincerely, and there was no sign that he would not be around for a long time. The ferocious indignation in front of Wei Shaoxuan in the Donglin Temple hut.
Liu Zian bid farewell to everyone and returned to the carriage. The waiting boss Li looked at him with a pair of green eyes that looked strange.
The Persian businessman seemed to recall the layout of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"The head of the Liu family and your brother really have a deep relationship and they are brothers. Even revenge is so restrained and carefully planned. It is obviously just a matter of Mr. Qiu's little finger, eh."
Liu Zian smiled softly and did not reply.
In the evening, Liu Zian waved his hand and finally sent away the Persian businessman who seemed to be supervising.
As soon as he boarded the carriage, the smile on the face of the new head of the Liu family suddenly disappeared without a trace.
The gloomy one can drip water.
"Go back to the sword shop quickly!"
A whispered command came from inside the carriage, and the carriage immediately accelerated...
The old swordsmith has been a little leisurely in recent days, as if he has nothing to do. He has a lot less things on hand. He often comes to the lawn outside to enjoy the breeze and drink.
The old swordsmith has been drinking a lot lately, and the rice wine he buys from Sister Cheng at the breakfast shop has silently increased from one jar to three jars a day.
After the very warm-hearted Sister Cheng brought him a bowl of hot soup this morning, she specifically warned him that drinking alcohol was harmful to the body.
The old man turned a deaf ear, still wearing a dark and wrinkled face that would repel people thousands of miles away.
Halfway up Xiaogu Mountain, the old swordsmith walked out of the sword furnace room with two jars of rice wine in his arms and came to the edge of the lawn cliff.
He raised his head and drank from the jar.
A jar slowly sprinkled on the grass in front of him.
The old man looked at the endlessly flowing Butterfly Creek at the foot of the mountain and the small Jiangnan county with thousands of lights on the other side.
He grew up here, worked as an anonymous apprentice of the sword furnace here, and wanted to forge a tripod sword here that violated his master's sect.
As we get older, we tend to reminisce about the past.
The gray and withered lips of the old swordsmith murmured:
"What a butterfly stream. In the pre-Qin Dynasty, Yue Maiden slayed a dragon at the dragon's head platform on the west bank. Later, the mad emperor almost beheaded the Taoist swordsmith, and his head rolled into the turbulent water... I like to watch this stream so much. Are all living beings dying?"
"Old sir, it's not good!"
At this time, Liu Zian hurried to the mountainside and said to the old swordsmith who seemed to be sobering up:
"The Wei family member from Luoyang seems to be difficult to deal with, and a top-grade military qi practitioner has also come to serve as a protector..."
The old swordsmith calmed his expression and turned sideways while holding the drink.
"Oh." He nodded.
"Old sir, I really have no chance, am I not a very energetic person?" Liu Zian suddenly asked.
"no."
The old swordsmith took a sip of wine, looked at his slightly gloomy face, and asked:
"What, are you scared? Do you want to give up on the planned plan?"
"how come."
Liu Zian had a smile on his face, then he asked in a serious tone:
"The old gentleman really has a sword manual as a gift to me?"
The old swordsmith said calmly: "I came across a copy by chance, so I gave it to you."
Liu Zian's eyes showed joy, but immediately his tone was a little bit: "Why is the old gentleman so generous in helping me?"
"It has been agreed that if you kill Liu Ziwen, I will give you a sword. I will only forge swords in this life. I don't care who holds the sword, a descendant of the Wei family or you."
The old man said truthfully.
Liu Zian looked at him and let out a breath.
His eyes flickered slightly.
According to what Liu Zian knew about the past, those disputes were all between the old swordsmith and Liu Ziwen.
Liu Zian later returned to Longcheng from outside to supervise the making of swords, and he also killed people for the old swordsmith. The grudges really did not involve him.
Liu Zian pondered for a while, then suddenly frowned: "Where did the old gentleman's rare sword art come from?"
The old swordsmith glanced at him, then pointed to the distance with his little finger holding the wine flask.
Liu Zian turned his head and looked stunned:
"this……"
The direction that the old man pointed was exactly the Donglin Temple in Dagushan that Liu Zian had visited today.
(End of chapter)
