Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 18, Section 18: Delivering Money to the Door, Descending the Mountain with a Sword

three days later.

Chen Yuan and his son came to the city again and hosted another dinner.

This time, we only hired Zhao Menzi; we dare not hire Steward Zhao again, as he is too expensive.

After Zhao Menzi had eaten and drunk his fill, Chen Yuan cautiously asked, "Brother Zhao, how are things going with my family's affairs? If you have any definite news, give me a date, and I'll call my nephew over."

Zhao Menzi wiped his greasy mouth and mumbled, "Why are you in such a hurry? This kind of thing needs to wait for the right opportunity before you speak up. If the timing is wrong, it will anger the adults, and not only will the matter not be completed, but we will all suffer the consequences."

"That is, that is."

Chen Yuan responded repeatedly and respectfully saw the other person out.

Chen Zhi couldn't help but ask, "Dad, what if we mess this up?"

Chen Yuan was puzzled: "Logically, this shouldn't be the case. The money was given in full as instructed. If he wasn't sure, why would Steward Zhao accept it so readily?"

“I was worried that Steward Zhao would pocket the money and didn’t report it to Chief Clerk Zhao at all.”

"He dares!"

Chen Yuanyuan opened his eyes wide: "If he doesn't follow the rules, I'll risk my old bones and fight him to the death! No matter what, I'll get the money back."

Looking at his father's face, Chen Zhi opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Making threats is useless. What can the father and son do if something really happens?
The only way was to seek an audience with Magistrate Zhao to voice our grievances.

However, Zhao Zhubo was an eighth-rank official, a high-ranking official, and not someone you would often see.

Even if you block the road and cry out for justice, the person who might become your steward or doorman is someone related to you, someone who is a trusted confidant.

It was already clear which side Zhao Zhubu would take.

……

Three more days passed.

Zhao Mansion.

Zhao Menzi found Zhao Steward and asked him to step aside to talk:
“The Chen family from Datang Township came to me several times, asking about the outcome of the matter, but I had no answer to them.”

Butler Zhao said nonchalantly, "If you don't have anything to say, then you don't need to reply."

Zhao Menzi chuckled: "I just wanted to eat his food a few more times."

Butler Zhao curled his lip: "You're so clever."

Zhao Menzi then asked, "But if that's the case, won't his family cause a scene?"

"What's the big deal? We never said we could definitely get it done."

"Since the matter wasn't resolved, they definitely want their money back."

Steward Zhao said, "How ridiculous! That amount of money has already been taken care of, but the master just won't agree. What can we do? Besides, you and I have to run around for this, so we should get some compensation for our trouble."

Zhao Menzi laughed and said, "What A-Da said makes sense."

Butler Zhao waved his hand: "If they come to you again, just say you've run out of money and need more. If they can't give you more, then we'll part ways and neither of us owes the other anything."

Zhao Menzi scratched his head: "Their savings have been completely drained, they definitely can't come up with any more money, I'm afraid they'll make a scene if we don't agree."

Steward Zhao sneered, "What's there to be afraid of? They're just two country bumpkins and a weak old scholar who can't even kill a chicken. What can they do? If they really dare to cause trouble, just have them thrown out and charged with disturbing the peace, saying we'll send them to the barracks. A little scare and they'll probably wet their pants."

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant."

Zhao Menzi gave a thumbs-up and began to flatter him.

Steward Zhao stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Besides, the lord is about to be promoted and will soon leave this place to take up his post in Yi County. No matter what happens in Mao County, it's none of our business. So if anyone wants to send money, just accept it. It will fill the hole left by the lord's promotion. If the lord is satisfied, then you and I will naturally be satisfied."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

……

"Sigh, I was too naive after all..." The bright moon hangs in the sky; I open the window and gaze at it.

Chen Jin rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

These days have been very fulfilling. In addition to practicing swordsmanship and breathing exercises, I have been studying the "Treatise on the Investigation of the Five Elements" and have found a method and formula that can be used to refine the Kui Xing Kicking the Dipper Lamp. However, the prerequisites are harsh and there are many requirements.

Not to mention the corresponding five elements materials, the special timing of the fire element alone is enough to give people a headache.

Given the current situation, it's simply impossible to do.

Refining artifacts, especially high-level ones, is extremely difficult.

No wonder this skill can stand alone as a major school of thought, leaving non-professionals like him, who are only halfway through their careers, with no way of learning it.

In fact, there is a simple and direct way to repair the Kui Xing Kicks the Dipper Lamp: enhance the divine power of Kui Xing, making him stronger so that he can repair himself.

Where does the divine nature of Dharma come from?

The most feasible thing Chen Jin could think of was to offer incense.

It is called "incense offerings," but in reality, it is the power of wishes.

The rituals, including offerings of ingots and candles, and even practices such as bathing and changing clothes, all fall under the category of formalities. They are conducive to calming the mind and contemplating, and can bestow blessings upon one's aspirations.

Visualization and perception are one of the two fundamental methods.

When one's will is as firm as a mountain and one's thoughts are pure and unadulterated, one does not need fancy external forms; one can simply make a wish, and may even reach the state of "the law follows one's words."

However, Chen Jin was only at the first stage of cultivation, so he couldn't reach that level.

Therefore, a few days ago, in the name of worshipping the mountain god, he specially asked his uncle to send up a large bundle of incense sticks and various other things.

Then set up an altar, put up the Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp, and worship it every morning and evening.

But so many days have passed, and the ancient lamp remains motionless, and the God of Literature, Kui Xing, has not made a move and has not appeared in my dreams again.

Whether it was due to insufficient willpower or excessive depletion after the deity's power was unleashed, it fell into a deep slumber.

The latter is more likely.

Unfortunately, the matter had to be put on hold for the time being, and we had to wait for the right opportunity.

Instead, they searched for other things to refine.

For example, forging a sword.

I originally planned to spend money to buy a ready-made product.

Maoxian County had a thriving economy, with its own blacksmiths and weapons shops. Under the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty, weaponry was not strictly prohibited among the common people, and ordinary weapons could be used and circulated freely. However, it was important to note that while bows were permitted, crossbows were not, as were spears, armor, and other such items. Those caught carrying these items could be severely punished with the crime of "rebellion," resulting in confiscation of property and execution.

Ordinary blacksmith shops rarely produce high-quality weapons, but Chen Jin's needs are special, and heavy swords may not be available for sale.

In that case, it would be more thoughtful to have one custom-made to your own specifications.

Having made up his mind, he got up early the next morning, packed his things, carried his books on his back, locked the thatched cottage, and started walking down the mountain.

Having stayed on the mountain for some time now, going down there now feels a bit like a tiger or beast emerging from the forest.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, crossing the stream, and traversing vast fields, one arrives at Datang Township. Houses and families are scattered haphazardly, clustered together.

Just as I arrived at the village entrance, a man walked briskly towards me. It was my cousin, Chen Zhi.

In fact, Chen Zhi and Chen Jin are the same age, only one month older.

Chen Zhi, dressed in old clothes and with a bruised and swollen face, looked up and saw Chen Jin. He rushed up to him and almost shouted, "You finally decided to come down!"

Chen Jin was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

Chen Zhi's voice trembled with tears: "Because of you, my father's leg was broken, and he's lying at home, dying..."

　It's so hard to get a vote!
　　This book is solid and well-structured, telling a story in a gentle and detailed manner. It no longer pursues the gimmick of being invincible in the early stages, but is determined to write a long and complete story!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)