Ding! Ding!
Jin Feng threw the longsword to the doorway, and Qing Huai immediately surrounded it with his guards.
They had guarded the shop entrance all night.
Even the women preparing to change shifts paused their work, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the commotion.
"Don't touch it yet, it's still hot."
Seeing Zhang Liang about to pick up the longsword, Jin Feng quickly warned.
Although it had been quenched, the temperature of the longsword was still high, and touching it would likely result in a burn.
After a night of hard work, Jin Feng was exhausted. He drank two bowls of millet porridge before he felt somewhat recovered.
The longsword had cooled down enough, so Jin Feng instructed Man Cang to attach the prepared wooden handle before handing it to Qing Huai.
The cooled longsword was pitch black, gleaming with a cold light.
As a soldier, Qing Huai was instantly captivated by it.
He flicked the blade with his finger, and the longsword emitted a crisp, resonant sound that lingered for several seconds before fading.
"A fine blade!"
Qing Huai couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Sir, this blade looks cold and imposing, but is it truly durable?"
"Your Lordship, as you can see, this is the first time I've forged anything since building the furnace. I can't say for sure how well it will perform. We'll have to test it to know."
After all, this was Jin Feng's first attempt at forging iron since arriving in Da Kang, so he couldn't guarantee a hundred percent success.
"Zhong Wu, bring me my saber!"
Qing Huai called out.
"Your Lordship, your longsword was crafted by a renowned blacksmith in the capital. It would be a shame if it were damaged. Let's use mine for the test instead. It's just a standard issue, so if it gets ruined, I can always get another one."
Zhong Wu ran over and untied his own saber from his horse, presenting it with both hands.
To prevent breakage, most of the standard-issue longswords used in the Da Kang army were thick and heavy, and Zhong Wu's was no exception.
It was about a meter long, over ten centimeters wide, and the back of the blade was an exaggerated one centimeter thick.
This single longsword, if melted down, could forge three of the black blades.
"Let's give it a try."
Qing Huai didn't take Zhong Wu's saber. Instead, he gripped the black blade with both hands, ready to strike.
"Your Lordship, be careful."
Zhong Wu drew his saber and swung it straightforwardly at the black blade.
Clang!
The two blades collided, producing a sharp, ringing sound.
Zhong Wu's saber snapped in half, the front portion falling to the ground with a loud clatter.
Qing Huai carefully inspected the black blade.
It remained intact, without even a hint of a nick on the edge.
"Let's try this one!"
Qing Huai picked up another black blade and swung it at a nearby wooden post.
Swish!
The blade flashed, and the post, as thick as a small bowl, was cleanly severed.
The cut was as smooth as a mirror!
"A fine blade! No, this is a divine weapon!"
Qing Huai's eyes sparkled with excitement as he caressed the black blade, treating it like a cherished lover.
"Sir, could you part with these two blades? Name your price, and as long as I can afford it, I won't hesitate."
Qing Huai held a black blade in each hand, asking somewhat sheepishly.
"Since Your Lordship has asked, how about exchanging them for this jade pendant?"
Jin Feng pointed to the pendant at Qing Huai's waist.
Qing Huai was a proud man, and if Jin Feng offered the blades for free, it would make him uncomfortable.
Besides, Jin Feng was running low on silver and needed money.
Setting a reasonable price would be beneficial for both parties.
Without a second thought, Qing Huai removed the jade pendant and handed it to Jin Feng.
Jin Feng didn't stand on ceremony either, smiling as he tucked the pendant into his pocket.
"Congratulations, Your Lordship, on acquiring such divine weapons. Your subordinate offers his felicitations!"
Zhong Wu threw down the broken military saber and knelt, clasping his fists.
The other guards quickly followed suit.
Man Cang trembled with excitement.
In most apprenticeships, the apprentice would be treated like a beast of burden for years, and even then, learning the craft depended on the master's whims.
Man Cang had prepared himself for three years of unpaid labor under Jin Feng.
But Jin Feng had never treated him as mere labor. From building the furnace to forging the iron last night, Jin Feng had never kept secrets from him.
With the ability to forge such divine weapons, Jin Feng was bound to become famous, and as his apprentice and assistant, Man Cang would also benefit greatly.
Thinking this, Man Cang looked at Jin Feng with gratitude.
He expected Jin Feng to be as excited as he was, but to his surprise, Jin Feng showed no signs of joy, as if forging such a weapon was nothing remarkable.
What Man Cang didn't know was that, for Jin Feng, it truly was no big deal. In his previous life, when he worked part-time at a machinery factory, he could easily produce blades no less impressive than the black blade.
The fact that it could easily cut through Zhong Wu's military saber didn't mean the black blade was sharp enough to slice through iron like mud. It was more a testament to the brittleness of Zhong Wu's saber.
Just like a piece of glass, if you create a small notch on the edge, the glass can easily shatter.
Similarly, if the black blade created a small notch on the edge of Zhong Wu's saber, the iron-made military blade would break just as easily.
If it weren't for the impurities in the old blacksmith's iron blocks, the lack of coal, and the subpar furnace, Jin Feng could have crafted an even more exceptional weapon.
Unfortunately, the craftsmanship in Da Kang was too backward.
"I know that the value of these two divine weapons far exceeds a jade pendant. Consider me in your debt, sir."
While everyone else was excitedly passing around the black blades, Qing Huai approached Jin Feng and whispered.
"Your Lordship overestimates the situation. This was a fair trade. By accepting the pendant, I consider the transaction complete, with no debts on either side."
Jin Feng smiled and said, "Your Lordship need not speak of owing me favors. Just don't regret it later."
"Sir, are you saying that you can forge more of these divine weapons?"
Qing Huai immediately caught the implication in Jin Feng's words.
"Why not?"
Jin Feng replied, "It's just a bit more labor-intensive."
"Sir, did you learn this method from someone else, or did you create it yourself?"
Qing Huai pulled Jin Feng back into the blacksmith's shop, his words coming faster now.
"I observed my father forging and came up with it myself," Jin Feng could only say this.
"Does building a furnace like this guarantee the creation of divine weapons?"
Qing Huai pointed to the furnace.
"The furnace is just one part of it. It requires other techniques and a special mineral powder I prepare."
"Does anyone else know the formula for the mineral powder?"
"No."
"Sir, such divine weapons, if used properly, could be of great significance to Da Kang. I implore you not to share this knowledge with others."
"Don't worry, I still need this craft to make a living."
Jin Feng laughed.
Two black blades had already earned him a jade pendant. If he forged a couple more every ten days or so, he'd never have to worry about money again.
"If that's how you feel, I'd like to propose a business deal."
Qing Huai said, "If you're willing to share this technique with the court, name your price, and I guarantee the court will agree. If you desire a title, I can also recommend you for a position in the Imperial Workshop. With your talent, I'm sure you'd rise quickly in the ranks!"