"Now that things are resolved, let's go to Anjifang in Yecheng on the way," Chu Liang said, leading his horse and following Tian Tian.
Sweetie had the same idea and simply replied, "Okay."
The two rode their horses towards Ye City.
Along the way, Chu Liang and Tian Tian introduced the local customs and culture of Ye City, and finally said, "I heard that there is a blacksmith shop there that is highly sought after by people in the martial arts world."
"A blacksmith shop?" Sweetie's eyes were full of curiosity. "What's so special about this blacksmith shop?"
Chu Liang smiled and said, "The swords forged in this blacksmith shop are incredibly sharp. It is said that a renowned swordsman from the martial arts world once traveled a long way to have the old blacksmith forge him a peerless sword. The old blacksmith spent a whole year carefully selecting materials and repeatedly forging the sword, finally creating a gleaming, sharp sword capable of cutting a hair with a single breath. After obtaining the sword, the swordsman became even more powerful and his fame spread far and wide in the martial arts world."
As a martial arts practitioner, Tian Tian was naturally interested in having a suitable weapon. "Is this blacksmith shop still open?" Tian Tian asked.
“Of course, this blacksmith shop has been passed down for generations,” Chu Liang replied.
Before long, the two entered Ye City.
The town was bustling with activity, and after walking along the street for a short while, I came across a blacksmith's shop. As soon as I got close, I could hear the clanging and banging of metal being hammered inside.
As the two stepped into the slightly old but rustic blacksmith shop, a wave of scorching heat hit them.
Sweetie squinted her eyes slightly, and after adjusting to the high temperature, her gaze fell on the busy figure beside the stove.
The old man
His head was full of white hair, yet his face showed no signs of fatigue from the years; instead, it exuded a vigorous and energetic spirit.
The old man, dressed in a coarse cloth garment that had been charred black by sparks, skillfully manipulated a hammer and pliers in his hands, intently forging a red-hot iron block.
The iron block glowed red-hot in the furnace, like a burning heart, radiating a chilling heat. The old man would sometimes take the iron block out and place it on the anvil to strike it forcefully, and sometimes put it back into the furnace to continue heating it. Each movement was so steady and powerful.
Chu Liang stood quietly to the side, watching the old man's skillful technique, and couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration.
After a long while, he spoke softly, "Old Kang, how have you been lately?"
The sound wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in the noisy blacksmith shop.
Old Kang looked up and saw Chu Liang, a smile spreading across his face. "Oh, it's Young Master Chu. What brings you to my humble shop today?"
Chu Liang pointed at Tian Tian and said, "This young lady is interested in weapons, so I brought her here specifically to take a look."
Old Kang turned his gaze to Tian Tian, looked her up and down, and said with a smile, "Judging from your heroic bearing, you must be a martial arts expert."
Sweetie bowed slightly. "Greetings, Elder Kang. I've heard of your superb craftsmanship, and seeing it today, I can confirm it truly lives up to your reputation. May I have the honor of seeing the weapons you've forged?"
Old Kang laughed and led the two into the house, saying, "Since you are Young Master Chu's friends, feel free to take a look around."
The room was filled with all sorts of weapons, each gleaming with a chilling light, as if telling tales of their former glory. Sweetie was mesmerized, frequently exclaiming in amazement.
Old Kang picked up a long sword, gently wiped the blade, and said to Tian Tian, "This sword was forged by me from cold iron, and has been tempered a thousand times. It is extremely sharp. Try it."
Sweetie took the longsword and felt that the blade was heavy, yet exceptionally agile.
Stepping into the courtyard, she gently swung her sword, and the tip drew a dazzling sword light, the air seemingly filled with the soft sound of wind being cut.
"What a fine sword!" Sweetie exclaimed sincerely.
Seeing this, Master Kang's eyes flashed with approval, and he smiled and said, "Young lady, you have the power to move mountains and cross seas. These weapons are not very suitable for you. Perhaps we can forge a knife that is more suitable for you."
As soon as Grandpa Kang finished speaking, Tian Tian's eyes lit up and she said, "Then thank you very much, Grandpa Kang."
At this moment, Chu Liang also came over. "Elder Kang, I acquired a piece of excellent black iron a few years ago. I wonder if it will be of any use to you?"
Chu Liang's words brought a hint of surprise to Elder Kang's eyes. He quickly said, "Oh? Xuan Iron? That's an excellent material for forging weapons! If it's really top-quality Xuan Iron, it would be more than enough to forge a treasured sword."
Upon hearing this, Tian Tian was somewhat surprised: "Young Master Chu, how much did that black iron cost? I'll pay..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chu Liang waved his hand, "No need to be so polite. It was just something I got by chance, it's not worth much money, and the warehouse is just gathering dust."
After leaving the blacksmith shop, the two went to Anjifang.
Along the way, Chu Liang chatted with Tian Tian with great interest, and the topic naturally turned to the latest happenings in the martial arts world. "Do you still remember that carefree swordsman who was captured by General Li back then?"
Speaking of this person, Tian Tian nodded. Back then, Sister Xi had already let him go, after all, Xiao Ge was the only son of the Dragon Tiger Sect leader.
Chu Liang usually enjoys listening to gossip when he has nothing to do. "I heard that he was cheated again and lost all his money. Now he's depressed and stays at home, drinking and having fun all day long. Last time, when the Dragon Tiger Sect hosted a banquet for other sects, he actually flirted with female disciples from other sects and got beaten up. This story has spread throughout the martial arts world."
"What?" Sweetie looked surprised. "How did he become like this? He may have acted unruly before, but he never went this far."
Chu Liang shrugged helplessly. "People's hearts are fickle. Once they suffer a setback, they become despondent."
Sweetie heard many strange and interesting stories along the way, and suddenly an impulse arose in her mind.
"Why not travel around and see the world, experience different lives? It's a really interesting thing," Chu Liang chimed in.
"What Young Master Chu says is quite right."
After the New Year
On the third day of the second lunar month, Princess An gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, and the news spread throughout the capital in an instant.
Li Xi returned a few days before Meng Zhelan gave birth, and the two women personally took care of their sister.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus even stayed at the Prince An's residence, which is enough to show their love and importance for the twins.
The Prince An's mansion is now heavily guarded. Meng Zhelan is protected by Lichun and Xiazhi, and is also personally cared for by the Empress Dowager's people.
One hundred days after the twins were born, the decision that had been brewing in Tian Tian's heart for a long time gradually became clear, like a tender bud breaking through the soil in spring.
After much deliberation and inner struggle, Tian Tian finally mustered her courage and approached Meng Zhelan, "Sister, I... I want to go outside and see the world..."
However, to Tian Tian's surprise, Meng Zhelan nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation after listening, "Tian Tian, we have always hoped that you can find a lifestyle that you like, and we are really happy!"
Hearing these words, a warm feeling welled up in Tian Tian's heart, and her eyes couldn't help but moisten slightly. "Sister, thank you."
"Just be careful out there, the world is dangerous," Meng Zhelan cautioned, tightening her grip on Tian Tian's hand reluctantly.
Several days later
After saying goodbye to her family, Tian Tian rode her horse southward.
She had long heard that the South was a picturesque place with beautiful scenery, and her heart was filled with longing for it.
The sound of horses' hooves leaped on the morning dew, making a crisp sound, as if playing a cheerful melody for the sweet journey.
After leaving the city and walking for a while, I unexpectedly ran into Chu Liang.
He asked with delight, "Miss Meng, are you heading south?"
Sweetie reined in the reins and smiled politely: "Indeed, I've heard so much about the beauty of the southern landscape that I've longed to visit it myself."
Upon hearing this, Chu Liang's eyes flashed with admiration, and he smiled, "Miss Meng is truly a woman of character, courageous in pursuing her heart's desires. I am also heading south, so how about we travel together?"
After thinking about it, Tian Tian felt that having a companion on the road would provide more support, so she nodded in agreement: "Alright, then I'll trouble Young Master Chu to accompany me on the way."
The two rode side by side, enjoying the beautiful morning scenery and discussing their experiences in the martial arts world. The atmosphere was very harmonious.
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