Chapter 35 Forging the Sword: Yan Wan and auspicious time
To repay your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I would gladly die for you, like a jade dragon.
Huo Qin took a deep breath, sheathed his sword, and asked softly, "May I take it with me?"
Xi Bingyi also saw the line of small print, and she nodded: "It should have been given to you anyway."
Zhou Ziheng, however, was more concerned with the name of the sword and its form and spirit.
The essence of the mortal world is love, hate, greed, ignorance, and anger; the essence of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is the fidelity of their love…
Unlike swords named after locations, such as the Liyang Sword, the abstract name of the sword means that its form and spirit are more difficult to grasp.
To report your intentions... but which ruler are you reporting to, and what is your intention?
Once the group had chosen their route, they left the lobby through a side door.
Zhou Ziheng looked at the three side rooms in front of him and then understood the awkward layout of Shuiyuntai.
The three side rooms are located in the south, north, and east directions, respectively. The main hall in the west has been converted into an "armory exhibition hall." The three side rooms are connected by a corridor bridge, but the main hall is isolated from the outside, with only a side door connecting it to the corridor bridge.
Shuiyuntai was another residence of Mei Zhiying. Apart from the east wing room, the other two wing rooms were uninhabited.
In fact, even Mei Zhiying herself rarely stayed at Shuiyuntai for long, so apart from the magnificent lobby, the rest of the place was rather unremarkable.
The east wing room contained some simple books. Since Plum Blossom Manor regularly sent people to tidy up Shuiyuntai, the room was relatively clean and organized.
As soon as Xi Bingyi entered the door, her eyes reddened. Looking at the cabinet full of books and the withered plum blossom in the vase on the desk, it was as if her mother was still by her side, holding her in her arms and gently calling her Bingyi.
Zhou Ziheng looked at the plum blossom that was about to lose its vitality, but he felt a little strange.
Who would place a plum blossom in such a "deserted" house?
Xi Bingyi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, rallied her spirits, and glanced at the rows of loosely arranged books, her tone somewhat puzzled: "It doesn't seem like there are any of my mother's belongings here."
Apart from books, there was nothing in the room that could be considered a "relic".
However, all of these books were related to forging; there were no other types of books at all.
From the basics of forging and smelting to the theories about sword shapes, Mei Zhiying clearly regarded Shuiyuntai as her holy land for forging and smelting!
Xi Bingyi was a bit overwhelmed. She had only been to Shuiyuntai once or twice when she was young. At that time, she didn't understand these forging and smelting things. She only remembered that Shuiyuntai was very beautiful. Now that she wanted to find something, she was very discouraged.
Perhaps "forging" is the most precious legacy from my mother?
Xi Bingyi pondered for a moment and found it very reasonable, so she simply started searching through a vast collection of books.
Finally, she found the difference among the neatly arranged books.
I pulled out a notebook; the cover featured a bold, free-flowing font—
Sword Forging Collection.
...
In the end, I named the first sword Wu Gou.
Strictly speaking, Wu Gou was not completed by me alone. My mother gave me a lot of advice during the forging and smelting process.
At first, I wanted to forge a unique sword. In my mind, it should be thin and long, like silk, preferably a soft sword. But my mother suggested that my first sword should be dignified and orthodox.
I thought about it and realized that my mother was right. After all, it was the first sword, which would determine my future status in the manor. It was best not to be too unconventional.
This "orthodox" Wu hook, in truth, isn't all that authentic.
It's shorter than a regular sword, and I've added blood grooves to both sides of the blade to make it look uneven and menacing.
Wu Gou, Wu Gou, this should be a blood-drinking sword.
A few days after I finished forging the Wu hook, I indeed witnessed turmoil within the manor.
I'm not bragging, but if I claim to be second in talent in metallurgy, then no one would dare to claim to be first.
Therefore, it was only natural that I became the "young lady" of the manor, and all power and resources had to be centered around me and tilted towards me.
Looking into my mother's eyes, I knew that from the day Wu Gou was born, from this day forward, I would be the most sought-after person in the martial arts world.
Haha, we made a mistake in choosing the name back then! Why call it Wu Gou? We should have called it Seeking a Marquisate instead.
...
Life as a "young lady" was truly unremarkable. The people in the manor were always overly respectful, appearing dull and uninteresting, and their expectations of me were always so predictable.
I don't know if it was because of a Wu hook that wasn't exactly dignified, but was serious enough for me, that I lost all my composure.
Even if the manor's expectation of me was to forge more "ordinary" swords, I was unable to do so.
Hmph, fine. Let Wu Gou be my swan song of discipline. What's the point of an ordinary sword? Without its unique features, isn't it the same as losing its soul?
I already have an idea for the next sword I'll forge. It should be like the wind—whether sharp or gentle depends entirely on the user's understanding. It should be both silent and powerful.
...
The forging of this sword did not go smoothly.
At crucial moments, I always feel that something is missing, but this inexplicable thing is too elusive, and I can't find the key to it for a while.
My mother gave me a Water Cloud Terrace, which is truly beautiful. I want to turn it into my private vault to collect my favorite swords.
My mother said to come with me, and that if I really had no inspiration, I should go out for a walk. She even found someone who was supposedly my childhood sweetheart to accompany me.
I know that when she said "go out for a walk," she actually meant for me to get to know my childhood sweetheart better, but who says "go out for a walk" can't mean traveling?
As for that childhood sweetheart, well, since I can't shake him off, I guess I'll just have to bring him along too.
(Handwriting becomes more mature)
Finally, inspiration struck, and I managed to forge it. I had so many expectations and ideas for this sword, and seeing such a beautiful sword almost brought me to tears.
I originally wanted to call it "Wilderness Stroll," but the biting cold urges me to change into my cotton-padded coat, so I lean on my cane and take a short walk in the countryside. Autumn winds are the most meddlesome, turning maple leaves red and white hair white.
but……
As a gift for Huo Yunfeng, I named it "Reporting to Your Favor".
When they became sworn brothers, they didn't give Huo Yunfeng any gifts. Now, it's a good time to give him this "Reporting to You" gift, which is quite fitting.
Sigh, I suddenly have a headache. If Xi Ling knew I gave Bao Junyi to Huo Yunfeng, he'd definitely throw a tantrum again.
...
Sure enough, when Xi Ling heard that Bao Junyi had given a sword to Huo Yunfeng, he insisted that I also give him a sword. I had a headache and sarcastically said that I should give him a sword called Xiang Wang.
The king had a dream, but the goddess had no interest. I don't believe he didn't understand what I meant, but why did he agree so readily to let me send her off?
This is a real headache. I always start with an inspiration or idea when forging a sword, and only name it after it's been forged. Now I've named it after the King of Xiang, so how am I supposed to forge it?
Unlike Wu Gou and Bao Jun Yi, Xiang Wang's name is more abstract in form and spirit, and I can't grasp the essence of such a sword name.
I'm really making trouble for myself!
...
[After my last journey, I mastered the art of wilderness walking; now that this journey is over...]
Okay, I haven't started smelting King Xiang yet.
Perhaps it's because Xibao is right next to Qi'an in Zhuoxian, and he doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all. I think so too, since I can't escape this short journey either.
This time I'm back, and I want to try making a whip. It needs to be as cunning and sharp as a venomous snake, striking with deadly precision. However, I've never made a weapon other than a sword before, so I need to go back to the manor and read some books.
...
After such a long time, I finally finished making the whip! I won't go into the hardships of the process, but fortunately the result is perfect.
Let's call it "Seeing Ghosts"!
Xi Ling has been coming to Shuiyuntai more and more often lately. I feel like he's urging me to become the Prince of Xiang. Sigh, it seems I need to go on another trip to distract him and put the Prince of Xiang aside for now.
(The handwriting is starting to become messy)
I never expected Huo Yunfeng...
Well, at least it's not too late, there's always a way.
The only good news might be that King Xiang has found a clue.
Initially, I used the phrase "King Xiang has a dream, but the goddess has no heart" to satirize Xi Ling, but now I can no longer say "the goddess has no heart." I think "King Xiang" should be a contradictory sword.
After all these years, I have to admit that I have fallen in love with Xi Ling.
I love his cunning, his erudition, and his unconventionality.
In the dull life of Plum Blossom Manor, Xi Ling was a bright embellishment, a friend in my mind, and also a rival.
Like me, he always had many rebellious ideas, and sometimes even I was surprised by his boldness.
When Xi Ling was on the verge of death, I cried and asked him why. He only said, "I treated you with sincerity." At that moment, I suddenly understood what kind of sword King Xiang should be.
...
Xi Ling came to Plum Blossom Manor to propose marriage, and the wedding date is set for the eighth day of next month, which is said to be an auspicious day.
Words cannot express my excitement. Judging by the timeline, King Xiang should have finished it by then. I want to give it to him personally and tell him that the goddess has a heart for me.
(The handwriting is somewhat faint)
Huo Yunfeng left. He didn't take the wedding certificate from when I got married. He even left his own wedding certificate at Shuiyuntai.
What exactly happened? Why did things suddenly get out of control?
He cherished his wedding certificate so much that I even thought everything was getting better...
I don't know where he went, or whether he's still conscious or even human.
Xi Ling said he was no longer human. I disagree, but I can't refute it either.
It turns out it wasn't that it wasn't too late, it was too late; fate had already decided.
After Huo Yunfeng stabbed me, I noticed a moment of clarity in him. Thanks to him, the wound caused by Bao Junyi healed very quickly. It was indeed a sword that changed according to its master's will, nourishing things silently.
I could persuade Huo Yunfeng to leave, but I couldn't persuade Xi Ling to leave.
I've thought about this a lot, ever since I first cursed Xi Ling for changing, and now I finally know what the last sword should be called.
...
Let's just call it Liang Zhu.
In his entire life, the only two times he named a sword before forging it were both for Xi Ling.
...
Closing the thin book on sword forging, Xi Bingyi looked at the weapon her mother had written about, a weapon that was exceptionally important in her life, and was overwhelmed with emotions.
The Sword Forging Collection not only records the inspiration behind the forging of each divine weapon, but also chronicles the short life of Mei Zhiying.
One of the mentions is of Huo Yunfeng's sword thrust, which Xi Bingyi speculates might be the "old ailment" her mother suffered when she passed away.
According to what was said in the short episode, the injuries were not actually serious, so why did they take Mei Zhiying's life?
Mei Zhiying traveled several times; what stories do the three of them have?
Xi Bingyi sighed, her gaze unconsciously falling on the "Liang Zhu" in the short collection. The two simple characters were written in a particularly weak and distorted hand, revealing the weakness and powerlessness of the writer.
The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is a tale that celebrates love, so why does the mother's words sound so resolute?
Xi Bingyi had no answer.
She turned to the next page, and two wedding invitations drifted down from the short collection, like the tattered wings of a butterfly, slowly falling to the ground.
One of the wedding invitations featured plum blossoms depicted in gold powder, the fiery red and gold complementing each other, making it look exceptionally precious. In contrast, the other was rather ordinary, resembling a blood-stained tattered page.
Xi Bingyi picked up the marriage certificates and carefully opened them. Just as she had thought, one was a marriage certificate from Mei Zhiying and Xi Ling, and the other was from Huo Yunfeng.
"Huo Yunfeng and Ning Hanshuang were married in the fourteenth year of Yongjue's reign, their love unwavering. Joy fills this evening, a time of tender affection and perfect timing..."
A simple wedding certificate, yet it carries the weight of a heartfelt sentiment.
Xi Bingyi carefully put away the two marriage certificates and the sword-forging manual. Feeling bewildered, she pushed open the door and stared at Zhou Ziheng and Huo Qin, who were almost embracing each other at the door. Her eyes widened, and she became even more confused.
What are you doing?
No, I just stayed indoors for a little longer, how did these two end up hugging?
What happened?
“I’m teaching him swordsmanship,” Zhou Ziheng said seriously.
Xi Bingyi: "?"
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