Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Shen Chu paused slightly, her gaze shifting towards the temple gate.

According to the timeline from my previous life, it was already 2:30 AM.

At this time,

Someone outside the temple was calling out, wanting to come in?

Shen Chu did not answer, nor did he put down the rabbit leg, but his other hand had already silently placed on the hilt of the long sword.

The silence lasted for quite a while.

When no one answered, the person outside tentatively asked again, "Excuse me... is anyone home?"

Shen Chu remained silent, and the entire temple was quiet except for the occasional crackling sound of firewood popping in the fire.

After a moment, the person outside the door seemed to have made a decision.

The temple's wooden door was gently pried open with a stick; with a creak, the crack slowly widened.

An elderly man, around fifty years old, stood at the entrance and, by the firelight, could see the situation inside the temple.

There was only one young man sitting by the fire, holding a golden-brown, juicy rabbit leg in his hand, with a long knife beside him.

The old man's gaze lingered on Shen Chu for a moment, then swept over the other corners of the dilapidated temple.

Only after confirming that no one else was around did his tense body relax slightly.

A kind smile immediately spread across the old man's face. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Shen Chu and said politely:

"Young man, I'm traveling with my family and we've missed our lodging. We'd like to ask to stay at the temple for the night, to warm ourselves by the fire and rest. Please forgive us if we cause any disturbance."

2:30 a.m.?

Still on the road?

Shen Chu became highly vigilant. He didn't answer, but simply nodded slightly, which was considered his agreement.

Seeing him nod, the old man was overjoyed and quickly turned to the door, whispering an instruction:

"Come in, there's only one guy inside, he's already agreed."

As soon as he finished speaking, two people walked in from outside the door.

One was a boy of seventeen or eighteen, thin and frail, carrying a large bundle on his back.

The other was a middle-aged woman, probably in her early forties, dressed in simple clothes, with a distinctly worldly look on her face.

There was still a trace of fear in her eyes, as if she had just experienced something frightening.

The three of them entered the temple and sat down at the farthest corner from Shen Chu.

Instead of moving closer to Shen Chu, they settled down in a corner. The three of them would occasionally glance up and quickly look in Shen Chu's direction before looking away again.

Shen Chu saw all of this, but remained expressionless, continuing to gnaw on her rabbit leg.

He ate slowly and deliberately, occasionally tearing off a piece of meat and chewing it carefully. His gaze seemed to fall casually on the fire, but in reality, he was keeping an eye on the three people's every move.

The woman was clearly hungry.

Her gaze kept drifting towards the food in Shen Chu's hand, but she quickly lowered her head again, as if she were enduring something.

The boy clearly noticed her unusual behavior, gently patted the back of her hand, and silently shook his head.

Then he rummaged through his bundle and took out a few dry, hard wheat cakes, handing one to the old man and one to the woman. The woman readily accepted them.

But the old man waved his hand and leaned back further.

The woman and the boy silently began to gnaw on the cold water from the water bag.

For a moment, only the crackling of the fire and the faint sounds of a few people chewing their food filled the dilapidated temple; no one spoke.

......

at the same time,

About a hundred miles from the temple, there is a high peak.

Because it is shrouded in fog year-round, and locals have reported sightings of tigers, the mountain is known locally as Fog Old Peak.

As the full moon rose, silence enveloped the peak of Wulao.

The bright moon cast its clear light from above the clouds.

Several people wearing straw hats were lying prone in the dense grass, looking at the cliff at the highest point of Wulao Peak, as if waiting for something.

"We've expended so much effort, lost so many brothers, and even made a blood feud with the Longchuan Sword Sect, yet we haven't even seen a single spiritual plant. Now, even the Longchuan Sword Sect members have retreated, and we're still left to guard this place. What on earth is the Mountain Lord thinking?!"

"What do you know? Spirit plants are sentient beings. The more you make a big fuss about them, the more they will hide and not show themselves!"

"Today is the night of the full moon, and the spiritual plant will surely appear. By absorbing the yin essence, the mountain lord has already planned it all out. Once we obtain the spiritual plant, the mountain lord's power will greatly increase. What is there to worry about with the Longchuan Sword Sect? We'll storm up to the Longchuan Sword Sect, plunder all their gold and silver treasures, and have our way with all their women. That way, we'll have avenged our fallen brothers!"

"Keep quiet! Don't ruin the mountain lord's important plans!"

Someone nearby immediately shouted a reprimand, and the noise instantly subsided.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Suddenly, a plant about a foot tall sprouted from the ground. From a distance, it looked somewhat like a tiny person, swaying and staggering towards the highest cliff where the moonlight was brightest.

The people lying in ambush in the bushes immediately held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

These miraculous spiritual plants are exactly what they have been waiting for!

The spirit plant looked around, seemingly confirming that no one was there.

It then floated to the highest point of the cliff and settled down, with wisps of moonlight enveloping it.

"Let's do it now!"

At a command, everyone acted together, and a large net descended from the sky, enveloping the spiritual plant!

At this moment, the spiritual plant was immersed in the moonlight. Before it could react, it was caught in the net and lifted off the ground. It struggled desperately in the net, but it could not break free no matter what it did!

"Run, run! This net is made of cowhide. If you can break free, I'll give you my head!"

The leader laughed loudly and took his straw hat off his head.

The clear moonlight illuminated his face perfectly.

This person actually had a tiger's head!

The others also took off their straw hats.

Although they varied in appearance, without exception, they all had animal faces and human bodies.

These people, no, these guys, are all demons!

The demons beamed with delight and moved closer to examine the scene closely.

"There are many cliffs on this Mist Old Peak, and they are all ambushed by people. It just so happens that this spiritual plant fell into the hands of us brothers. It's really heaven's help. When we return to the mountain lord, he will definitely reward us handsomely. At the very least, we can become leaders."

"Perhaps the mountain lord will be in a good mood and bestow that little white fox upon you!"

"Good heavens, isn't that for the mountain lord to wear... Old Niu, you're good at this!"

One of the demons nudged the minotaur beside him.

"Putting everything else aside, if the mountain lord really does that, I, Old Niu, will not hesitate to give him a cannon; every one of the brothers here will get one!"

The minotaur patted his chest and assured him,

Then all the demons burst into laughter.

The minotaur's smile suddenly froze.

A gleaming sword tip protruded from his throat, and he struggled to turn back.

The sword tip had already retracted, and he immediately fell to the ground, only vaguely seeing a dark shadow as he fell.