A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 165 - 136: Freshly Slaughtered, Guaranteed Fresh

From Tongwen Hall's direct disciple to the blacksmithing prodigy learning from the Master of the Kiln, it was all settled with one decisive stroke by Ninghai Zen.

Clearly, Ning Wudi, who dominated Yihai, truly didn't pay much attention to such matters.

Even when asking for things, it was just a matter of procedure.

According to other martial sects, having their treasured disciples recognize someone else as their master.

How could it be easily resolved!

First, widely invite various peers as witnesses, secondly, host days of banquet to make the scene grand.

Finally, the elders of both sides exchange name cards and say some ceremonious words, only then is the reputation and prestige preserved.

"Greetings to Master Li."

Bai Qi took a few steps forward and bowed to Li Yuan.

Performing a salutation, with hands clasped in front of the chest, which is a sign of respect to the elder.

"Very good! Very good! Today I shall not disturb, I will prepare various gifts and pay a visit again!"

Li Yuan beamed with joy, his greatest wish in life was to forge a Divine Soldier.

But no matter how exquisite the Nine Flames Wave Hammer is, it's impossible for one person to handle two tasks.

Blacksmithing requires a main and an assistant, seamless cooperation between master and disciple is needed to refine rare iron materials and meld various characteristics as one.

Like Lao San Li Jun's bear-like waist, Zhu Shou Rang's Hundred Refinements Hand, they are ideal martial bones for artisans.

But no matter how outstanding the physical conditions are, they are no match for simple word talent.

"Grasping the hammer, one can forge top-notch materials of Hundred Refinements! Heaven itself feeds them!"

Such a person not becoming a Master Craftsman would truly bury their talents!"

Li Yuan was inwardly excited, looking at Bai Qi's respectful and clever demeanor, finding him increasingly pleasing to the eye.

Star Iron, Spiritual Sand, Jade Marrow, are trivial by comparison.

He wasn't a miserly landlord hoarding family wealth until lying in a coffin.

A living inheritor is the true priceless treasure!

Eventually passing down his Nine Flames Wave Hammer and the renowned mark of Hongming, generation to generation.

Even a hundred years later, whenever these are mentioned, they cannot overlook Li Yuan's name.

Skillful Craftsman, Able Craftsman, seek to provide for their family, but Master Craftsman, Divine Craftsman, aim to leave a legacy for eternity!

Their pursuits differ, as does the price they are willing to pay.

"Following you to learn blacksmithing is fine for Ah Qi, but his immediate task is the Bone Training Barrier, to exchange Mercury Blood.

The matter of learning skills shall wait until next spring, during this time I must train him well, hmph, Qiu Changtian, oh Qiu Changtian, who says Ninghai Zen cannot produce good disciples!"

Seeing Li Yuan's cheerful appearance, Ninghai Zen couldn't help but remind him.

Ah Qi learns the kiln craft, yet he remains under Tongwen Hall's name, the good seedling personally discovered, how could he be cheapened by Old Li, such a crude man.

"It should be so, it should be so. The weight of craftsmanship can't match the height of martial arts, Master Ning, I must take my leave.

Qi Lang, visit Wagang Village when you have time, several spirit creatures are raised in the beast pen just for you to consume."

Li Yuan smiled broadly, hardly concealing his sly intent to entice with profit.

Indeed, Master Ning's martial arts are unsurpassed, overwhelming the Seventeenth Lineage of Yihai, yet cultivation techniques and secret manuals at most are foundations, saving disciples from taking detours.

With Tongwen Hall moved to Black River County, it can't be considered affluent, speaking of other worldly possessions, how can it compare to the lucrative kiln.

This point, he understands well.

Ten years ago when leaving Yihai Prefecture, Ninghai Zen desired just that black plaque with gold characters and the mansion built at great expense.

Everything else remained untouched.

Spirit creatures raised in the beast pen, treasures for martial cultivation, diverse precious plants for refining great medicines... With Master Ning's disposition, he simply can't be bothered.

"Old Li, right in front of me, enticing my disciple, you are brave!"

Ninghai Zen teased, not angered, he always preferred not overly comfortable living with excess wealth, just maintaining Tongwen Hall's normal operations was enough.

"The young master often says that the things he wants are in others' pockets, and whenever there's a shortage, he goes to retrieve them."

Lao Dao chimed in timely, making Bai Qi's eye twitch, what a "neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns, neighbor is my granary"!

"Nonsense, I'm naturally benevolent, how could I do such wicked deeds!"

Ninghai Zen sternly scolded, he has never engaged in robbery, always reacting after others initiated.

Besides, eliminating all enemies would leave those worldly possessions and goods wasted, better put them to use, to nourish oneself.

"Haha, Master Ning is a carefree person unbound by constraints, how can we mundane folk compare."

Li Yuan laughed, clasping hands, and strode away, mounting the Snow-Stepping Steed, cutting through the raging cold wind.

On the way back, he carefully pondered how to weave this story seamlessly.

Did Bai Qilang become captivated by his blacksmithing skills, kneeling in the wind and snow for three days and nights, pleading to be apprenticed?

Wouldn't that be a bit too fake?

...

...

It was two hours later when Bai Qi met Ninghai Zen again. Master Ning had shaved his beard, changed his robe, and tidied himself up.

He had reverted to his unrestrained, aloof, and playful persona, armed with a sword, looking like a remarkable rogue of Jianghu.

"Lao Dao mentioned you orchestrated a situation to kill Zhu Shou Rang in public?"

Ninghai Zen sat on the second floor of Dezhen Tower; this time, the doors and windows weren't wide open for the wind to rush in, making him appear earnestly focused.

"Mm, since it's a blood debt pressured by Tongwen Hall, as a disciple, it's natural to clear this account for Master,"

Bai Qi replied solemnly.

"Indeed, I didn't see the wrong person in you. You're far more decisive than your Senior Brother. When he traveled after completing his apprenticeship, he almost lost an eye from a spirit of the Mao family during his first injury."

Ninghai Zen praised.

"That person had yet to handle Qi Blood and nearly pushed Ah Cheng, who had entered the Bone Training Barrier and refined Silver Marrow, to the brink of life and death,"

Bai Qi's eyes gleamed as he picked up the conversation:

"A woman or child?"

Ninghai Zen's admiration deepened:

"I like your cleverness. A thirteen or fourteen year old child, knowing he was a disciple of Tongwen Hall, poisoned his food and attempted an assassination in the dead of night... A high and mighty family is like a tree, I chop at the trunk and cut its branches, but some roots remain beneath the ground.

Even grudges of ten generations can be avenged, the celestial justice demands that those who seek to kill you should be killed, but your Senior Brother is too soft-hearted, unable to see through this level, hence he cannot bear the hall plaque."

Bai Qi's heart skipped a beat, choosing silence.

"You rascal, I'm not dead yet, I'm long-lived; how can it be your turn to support Tongwen Hall? I'm mentioning this just as a reminder.

When you travel the lands unfamiliar, never mention my name as your master, I was impulsive in my youth, and indeed have many enemies."

Ninghai Zen chuckled and continued:

"Encountering arrogant noble families, claim you're a disciple of Li Yuan, but when faced with domineering sects, declare yourself a disciple of the wild Daoist Qiu Changtian from Yihai Prefecture."

Qiu Changtian again?

He must owe Master a lot of money, otherwise why else would he take the blame so diligently!

"Disciple has noted it down."

Bai Qi nodded in agreement.

Walking the Jianghu, who doesn't have a few aliases!

"Arhat Hand, Dragon Palm, Silk Binding Strength, White Ape Skill, master these martial arts to completion, then I'll teach you heart intentions, and through five parts, internal and external, you'll learn true skills."

Ninghai Zen was somewhat surprised; his disciple's martial arts comprehension was indeed exceptional.

It hasn't been long, yet Bai Qi has already learned seventy or eighty percent of the superior kung fu that ordinary people would spend half a lifetime researching, more or less.

"Master, for the second Bone Training Barrier, I need to use the True Blood of Spirits and Monsters, Elder Liang instructed me to purchase some from Chai Market... what type of spirit or monster would be suitable?"

Bai Qi proactively inquired.

"There are countless spirits and monsters in the world, mostly categorized into three types: birds, beasts, and aquatic species, each with beneficial effects.

For example, you have a natural affinity with water. If you refine True Blood from a sturgeon with three to four hundred years of climate, drenching it over your body might add a few more watermarks.

Generally speaking, beasts strengthen bones, birds strengthen the body; these things depend on fate and are not precisely quantifiable.

You want to know if Tongwen Hall has collected the True Blood of powerful spirits and monsters?"

Ninghai Zen lay diagonally on the Arhat Bed, looking at his eager apprentice.

"Master sees through everything; disciple can never hide anything from you,"

Bai Qi quickly flattered him. Since he started herbal bathing for the First Tendon Training Barrier, anything Tongwen Hall provided was top-notch, something Chai Market might not compare to.

Better to seek Master than ask others!

Ninghai Zen remained indifferent:

"Little clever devil! Can Master be bought with a few good words?"

Bai Qi grasped Ninghai Zen's meaning and pulled out a few little notes he'd prepared, offering them with both hands:

"Disciple has found some golden chapters and jade verses befitting Master's exceptional style from the vast sea of books, may Master examine them."

Ninghai Zen instantly became spirited, sat up, and scanned through them one by one:

"...Marvelous! Truly marvelous! Besides 'marvelous,' Master can't think of any other words!"

Bai Qi inwardly muttered, seriously doubting the tales of Ning Wudi's extraordinary comprehension.

Dezhen Tower is rich in books, if Master reads a few daily, crafting poems and verses should be a breeze; why plagiarize your disciple!

"You are my direct disciple. For you to pass the Second Bone Training Barrier, how could Master not be concerned? As for matured spirits and monsters' True Blood..."

Ninghai Zen swept the few little notes away into his sleeve without a trace of smoke before clearing his throat to speak:

"Tongwen Hall indeed doesn't have any."

Bai Qi was taken aback and immediately wanted to snatch back those painstakingly thought-out holy phrases.

"See, you're anxious again,"

Ninghai Zen paused, looking towards the direction of the five hundred li mountain path:

"For this ubiquitous stuff, why bother collecting? Tell me what age or type you need, and I'll slaughter and kill them fresh for you."