Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 21: A Visit, A Trip to Forge a Sword
(Although writing a book is difficult and getting tickets is even harder, on the first day of a new week, I still have to shout it out: Please vote!)
The Wang family was wealthy, and their mansion was grand. A pair of stone lions were placed at the main gate to ward off evil spirits and protect the house.

Chen Jin stepped onto the stairs.

The doorman quickly came forward, glanced at him but didn't judge him by his appearance, and politely asked, "May I ask who you are looking for?"

“My name is Chen Jin, and I have come to visit Young Master Wang Fu.”

"So it's Young Master Chen. My apologies for not recognizing you. My master has instructed that when Young Master Chen arrives, there's no need to announce your arrival; just invite him in directly."

The doorman immediately put on a smile and led Chen Jin inside.

The Wang family's compound consisted of three courtyards, with Wang Fu occupying one courtyard alone. He was served by his own maids and lived a life of wealth and comfort.

They said they wouldn't announce it, and that they were only at the outer gate. Once inside, the gatekeeper still asked Chen Jin to wait in the pavilion in the courtyard while he quickly went inside to report.

Not long after, Wang Fu came out with a big smile: "Brother Chen, you've finally decided to come down the mountain. Come and have some tea."

After a period of rest, his complexion has improved significantly, and he can move freely again.

Fortunately, my family is wealthy enough to afford renowned doctors and expensive medicines.

Chen Jin entered the house and sat in the hall, where maids immediately brought him fragrant tea and snacks. He made no attempt to be polite and enjoyed the tea and snacks.

Wang Fu looked him over and exclaimed, "Brother Chen, you really are a different person. I almost didn't recognize you."

I still remember when Chen Jin was in the county school, he was pale and thin, like a bamboo pole. He buried himself in his studies and was unkempt. He looked much older than his age.

But now, with neat clothes, a clean face, and increasingly handsome features, he looks more than ten years younger.

Chen Jin said calmly, "I've said it before, people always change."

Wang Fu stopped dwelling on these questions and asked directly, "Are you in the city today on business?"

Chen Jin nodded: "I want to forge a sword, a heavy sword, so I came to you to see if you have any connections or introductions."

Wang Fu was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and laughed, "You've come to the right person. There's no place in the county that I don't know. I know the martial arts schools and weapon shops like the back of my hand."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "But what kind of greatsword are you talking about?"

Chen Jin then explained his ideas and requirements.

After listening, Wang Fu scratched his head: "Such a request is quite unusual. Besides, such a heavy sword must weigh at least ten pounds. Can it even be considered a sword?"

A normal sword weighs no more than five pounds. If it exceeds this weight, it will lose its graceful and light characteristics and become less useful.

Chen Jin replied vaguely, "This is the sword technique I learned."

Wang Fu really wanted to ask which sword style it was, but then he thought that casually probing into someone's family tradition was a major taboo in the martial arts world, so he stopped asking.

I was very puzzled, and I made all sorts of guesses and speculations, but I couldn't figure it out.

At this moment, Wang Fu's parents came upon hearing the news, because they had heard their son say that Chen Jin had done them a great favor.

As for what kind of favor it was, Wang Fu remained vague.

Regardless, when such a benefactor comes to visit, as an elder, one should naturally show up to receive them and not be impolite.

Wang Yuanshan, the father, said very politely, "I've been too kind as to call you 'nephew.' My son Fu'er is impulsive and restless. He's over thirty, a grown man who should be settling down, but he's always up to no good. He just likes to climb mountains, swim, and practice swordsmanship. Nephew Chen, you must help me talk to him. By the way, do you have a courtesy name?"

Chen Jin replied, "His courtesy name is 'Carrying a Sword'."

Wang Yuanshan: "..."

He had just criticized his son for being unreliable because of his love for swordsmanship, but unexpectedly, the character "负剑" (meaning "carrying a sword") appeared in his courtesy name.

It is important to know that a person's courtesy name often represents their character, aspirations, and other aspects, and is of great significance.

Wang Fu's courtesy name was "Caozhi" (操持), but unfortunately, it went against his own principles.

What about Chen Jinzi, who "carries a sword"? Is it really a case of "birds of a feather flock together," and that he also enjoys wielding swords?
Wang Yuanshan muttered to himself, only to find that Chen Jin's expression was calm and refined, not like the kind of person who would jump around and fight.

On second thought, in the minds of scholars, the symbolism of the "sword" is profound and extensive, not specific; perhaps I have misunderstood.

Wang Fu had been confined at home to recuperate from his injuries for some time and had been feeling quite bored. Now that he had the chance, he immediately said, "Father, Mother, Brother Chen needs to see me. I'm going out with him for a bit, and I won't be home for dinner tonight."

He stood up and winked at Chen Jin.

Chen Jin understood and got up to take his leave.

With the guest in front of him, Wang Yuanshan couldn't refute him, so he instructed, "Fu'er, your injury hasn't healed yet, so don't run around or get into fights."

"understood."

Wang Fu casually agreed and left with Chen Jin, accompanied by his personal servant A Ping.

"Hey, this kid."

The Queen Mother sighed and said, "This Chen Tongsheng doesn't seem like what Fu'er described."

"The age should be correct, and the background is about the same; the clothes they are wearing are all old."

"Shouldn't our family give him a plate of silver as a token of our gratitude?"

Wang Yuanshan replied, "Scholars naturally possess a noble character; how could they easily accept gifts of money from others? On the contrary, they would feel displeased."

The Queen Mother said, "Oh, I see. But I think that if people are starving and have no clothes to cover their bodies, and they still put on airs, it's just too old-fashioned and they're asking for trouble."

Wang Yuanshan stroked his beard: "Although they are both old students, Chen Jin is different from Fu'er. He was admitted to the student examination at the age of sixteen and was even known as a child prodigy in his youth. He could also write poetry. I just don't know why he failed the academy examination repeatedly and wasted many years of his life. What a pity."

The Queen Mother couldn't stand anyone being more capable than her son, so she scoffed, "Isn't there a saying? 'A child prodigy may not necessarily be a great adult.' Besides, matters of fame and fortune depend on luck and destiny... By the way, we need to quickly find Master Qingsong to calculate Fu'er's fate and destiny, lest we delay..."

……

Once outside, Wang Fu was overjoyed, like a bird released from its cage. He then dismissed A Ping and whispered to Chen Jin, "Brother Chen, my family doesn't know anything about Meiniang or how I got injured. You must keep this a secret for me."

Chen Jin glanced at him: "Why bring up things from the past?"

Wang Fu laughed loudly, but accidentally aggravated his injury and couldn't help coughing.

Although he had rested for a while and was able to walk normally again, he was not fully recovered. He had almost been drained of his vital essence by the demon, leaving him severely depleted of his yang energy; how could he possibly recover it so easily?

However, compared to his life, temporary impotence is acceptable. With another six months of rest, he'll be lively and energetic again.

So his pride gradually returned, and he waved his hand and said, "Brother Chen, whatever you spent on forging this sword, I will put it all on my tab. You won't have to pay a single penny."

"Thank you very much."

Chen Jin doesn't like to talk about being self-righteous.

With Wang Fu leading the way, they quickly found the first blacksmith shop, but the blacksmith shook his head immediately after hearing the heavy sword's requirements, saying that it could not be made.

I received the same answer from three different companies.

Wang Fu pondered for a moment and said, "These are all top-ranked establishments in the city, with experienced masters overseeing them. If they can't handle it, then things will get tricky."

Chen Jin asked, "Isn't there anything better?"

"There is another family that made my Azure Cloud Sword. However, it will not be easy to get them to help me."

"Since we're here, why not give it a try?"

"Okay, come with me."

(End of this chapter)