Chapter 9 Feng Nu. Li Tian Sword (Middle)_1

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Feng Nu exclaimed, taking the Fire God Stone from Nian Bing's hand. Her whole body trembled slightly, and suddenly, a blooming fire erupted from her body. Her normally pink hair turned into a magnificent bright red with the blue in her eyes equally tinged with a faint red luminance. The scorching heat engulfed, forcing Nian Bing to hold up his Morning Dew Knife. The thin sliver of its blue radiance shielded him from the searing heat, thereby preventing any harm from it.

As the red light gradually receded, Feng Nu returned to her normal state. A complex flash of light streaked past her eyes as she spoke, "This is truly an exceptional fire stone. If set into the Zheng Yang Knife, the quality of the knife can undoubtedly be greatly enhanced. Although my master is not here, if you trust me, I am willing to try to help you set it into the Zheng Yang Knife."

Looking into Feng Nu's clear eyes, Nian Bing's heart started to race, almost impulsively agreeing. But he quickly regained his composure, as the previous burst of flame made him realize that this beautiful girl was not as simple as she seemed. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Lady Feng, I want to know how Ancestor Hua Tian died. Can you tell me?" The Fire God Stone was a keepsake from his father, and an error couldn't be risked just because he was momentarily blinded by beauty. Originally, his father had fallen out with the family over this gemstone, and he must proceed with caution.

Feng Nu cast a profound look at Nian Bing, "I am seventeen this year, born in the Langmu Empire, and my parents were just ordinary people. That year, a great plague struck our hometown, taking their lives. Since then, I could only roam the streets. Five years ago, I came to Bing Xue City during my begging and met my master. My master said that I innately possess the heavenly fire physique and took me under his wing, teaching me all that he knew. Five years ago, master felt his body weakening, but he was unwilling to yield to fate. Thus, he began forging a sword. When the sword was completed, he plunged himself into the furnace, infusing his soul into the sword, creating an unparalleled divine sword. However, not even his ashes were left behind. He did not die, for his soul had wholly merged into the sword. The sword was made using master's Jiu Li Heavenly Fire, with him being the soul, so I named this sword the Li Tian Sword. You should have heard from Senior Cha Ji about the material of the sword. It's identical to the Zheng Yang Knife, made from the Fire Dragon's Horn."

While speaking, Feng Nu returned the Fire God Stone and the Zheng Yang Knife to Nian Bing and walked into the inner room. Nian Bing's heart was slightly moved; he was unable to pretend the deep sorrow in Feng Nu's eyes as she narrated his death was unbearable. Consequently, he believed her story a little more.

After a while, Feng Nu walked out holding a long sword. The scabbard was similar to the Zheng Yang Knife, also a crimson red with a lifelike five-clawed fire dragon carved on it. The dragon held a white bead in its mouth, emitting a soft radiance, giving the whole scabbard an extraordinarily splendid appearance. The hilt was scroll-like, with jade set on its tip. Nian Bing was very familiar with this jade, as it was the same as his Tianhua Token, mutton fat jade!

Feng Nu looked at Nian Bing and said, "This is the Li Tian Sword that master left behind. Its length is three feet and seven inches, it's an inch and a half wide, the blade is two feet and eight inches long, and the hilt is nine inches." With a light sound, a dragon roar filled the room. The sword was unsheathed with its red light diffused in the surroundings. With the release of the sword, the heat spread quickly. Feng Nu's wrist trembled lightly, projecting a red curtain of light with the Li Tian Sword.

"What a good sword," Nian Bing exclaimed, looking at the restrained red blade. He clearly felt that this was a quality sword on par with Morning Dew.

Feng Nu smirked and looked at the sword blade, her eyes filled with affection, "Yes, it is a good sword. Although it does not have top-quality gemstones inlaid like your Morning Dew and can't be used as a magic staff, it carries the soul of my master. As a longsword used by a martial artist, it's the best of the best. I think there's no need for us to doubt each other anymore, right?"

Nian Bing's face turned slightly red. "Lady Feng," he said, "I don't doubt your intentions. It is just that this Fire God Stone is the only thing my father left me. So, I must be cautious."

A soft light shone in Feng Nu's eyes. "I do not blame you, but I've explained everything. What could be more blissful for a blacksmith than personally crafting an unparalleled divine knife? Please, let me help you perfect the Zheng Yang Knife, alright? The engraving will take some time. During that period, you can take my Li Tian Sword with you. Once the engraving is completed, you can return with the Li Tian Sword and the Fire God Stone. I think at that moment we may need your help for the actual inlaying process."

Nian Bing shook his head, "No, no need for that, Feng Nu, can I call you directly by your name? Keep the Zheng Yang Knife, and I don't need to borrow the Li Tian Sword either. My master and Ancestor Hua Tian were good friends, and I hope we can also become friends. I trust you." Saying that, he turned the Zheng Yang Knife around, offering the hilt to Feng Nu.

Feng Nu paused for a moment. With a flick of her wrist, the Li Tian Sword went back into its scabbard, and she took the Zheng Yang Knife. As she grasped the thick knife hilt, her slender fingers that looked like white jade accidentally brushed against Nian Bing's. Both of them shuddered slightly, simultaneously turning a shade of crimson, as neither of them often interacted with the opposite sex. Lowering her head, Feng Nu stared at the Zheng Yang Knife and asked, "Why did you trust me so quickly?"

Nian Bing offered a slight smile, "Because I believe in my intuition." Was it truly intuition? Maybe partially, but not entirely. The reason why Nian Bing made his decision so swiftly was because he realized something. When Feng Nu drew out the Li Tian Sword, the strong fighting Qi she radiated seemed almost as powerful as Ancestor Hua Tian's. If she wanted to harm him in such a confined space, it would have been extraordinarily easy. A mage, even with the capability of casting low rank magic instantaneously, would surely not escape unscathed in a close distance fight with a samurai. Since she did not do so, it proved many things. Trust was born from this realization.

Feng Nu laughed, seemingly delighted at Nian Bing's trust in her. "Thank you. We are friends now, aren't we? The engraving will take at least one month. A month later, please come back with the Fire God Stone. I hope there will be a new divine blade in my hands by then. If you need to leave for some matter, I will wait for you here after finishing the engraving. At least for the next one or two years, I won't be leaving."

Nian Bing replied, "I will stay here in Bing Xue City for a while as well, so let us meet again in a month. I shall take my leave now."

Watching Nian Bing, Feng Nu suddenly said, "Why not have a meal before you go? I believe you haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Nian Bing was stunned for a moment, and a wave of feeling washed over him. He nodded and said, "Indeed, I haven't eaten." Cha Ji's death had left him devastated. Even though he had kept his emotions well under control, he hadn't felt like eating for the entire day. It was only when Feng Nu asked him did he realize how empty his stomach was. He was indeed getting hungry. "Then let me cook a meal for you as a way of expressing my gratitude."

Feng Nu's eyes lit up. "That's right! How could I have forgotten? You are the Ghost Chef's successor. Your cooking must be delicious. It seems I am in for a treat. You have already been calling me by my name. You don't need to add 'Lady'." Her spirited behavior was a far cry from her earlier composure, resembling that of a young girl.

When Nian Bing followed Feng Nu to the kitchen of the Second-Hand Ironware Shop, a bitter smile formed on his face. Even the most skillful cook can do nothing without rice. In the small four to five square meter kitchen, let alone fresh vegetables and meat, there was only salt for seasoning, and apart from rice, there was hardly anything edible.