I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 324 - 284: Minghong Saber (Part 2)

Duan Rong nodded and stepped into the weapon shop.

This was already his second visit to the weapon shop. Last time, he bought a Willow Leaf Flying Saber!

The saber is the most common weapon in this realm, so naturally, it was placed in the most conspicuous spot, and Duan Rong saw it as soon as he stepped into the weapon shop.

Inside the weapon shop, an elderly man was sitting behind the counter drinking tea. Seeing Duan Rong enter, he slightly rose, nodded in acknowledgment, and then sat back down to continue savoring his tea.

Duan Rong walked to the saber stall and began to carefully select.

Duan Rong practiced the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber, improved by Xiao Zongting, whose most notable characteristic was balance.

Martial arts are so, and so are weapons.

Too heavy is not good, and too light and agile isn’t right either; it is essential to achieve a kind of balance.

After reaching the Great Perfection Realm, Duan Rong felt that his Cow Tail Saber was somewhat inadequate.

The sabers in the weapon shop were of various types, with all kinds of styles and shapes available.

Duan Rong tried many but felt they all fell a bit short.

Just at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the shop’s entrance, shouting, "Old Hai, I’ve brought a batch of weapons from the workshop, have someone come out and check them."

Hearing the somewhat familiar voice, Duan Rong turned his head to see that the person at the entrance was none other than Tao Rong.

As Duan Rong turned his head, Tao Rong immediately noticed him too.

At this time, the elder behind the counter, who was sipping tea, agilely jumped out, saying, "My young master! Why have you personally come to deliver the weapons? This isn’t work you should be doing!?"

The elder rushed to Tao Rong, continuously offering greetings and speaking flattering words in various ways.

Tao Rong waved his hand, handing a list to the elder, saying, "Old Hai, please quickly check this and sign it off so I can report back! My father is waiting for me in the workshop."

Hearing this, the elder was amazed. "The master is in the workshop?"

"Do you think I want to do this job? My father said I’m leaving tomorrow, so he wants to deepen my memory, lest I forget where I come from!"

"Yes, yes... the master is right..." The elder nodded and bowed as he took the list and went outside to check the weapons.

Once the elder went out, Tao Rong took long strides in and walked up to Duan Rong.

Tao Rong clasped his fists and smiled, saying, "Brother Duan, long time no see! In these past few days, Brother Duan’s demeanor seems more restrained."

Duan Rong also clasped his fists and smiled, saying, "Brother Tao, on the other hand, seems more amiable."

Tao Rong laughed, "What brings Brother Duan here? Shopping for weapons?"

Duan Rong replied, "Since I’m leaving tomorrow, I came to find a weapon that suits me better."

"Oh." Tao Rong nodded, with an understanding expression.

He glanced at the saber that Duan Rong was testing and decisively said, "This saber is not suitable for Brother Duan!"

As Tao Rong spoke, he stood at the stall, his eyes scanning left and right, suddenly focusing on a spot. He then slowly walked over, reaching out to grab a sheathed weapon placed high up, and held it in his hand.

Smiling, Tao Rong walked back to Duan Rong’s side, handed the sheathed weapon to Duan Rong, and said in a bright voice, "Brother Duan, try this one."

Duan Rong glanced at the saber in Tao Rong’s hand, noticing the sheath was covered in dust. Though he hesitated slightly, he nonetheless took it in his hand, and with a swish, drew the blade out with a clear ring.

The style and feel of the saber instantly made Duan Rong’s eyes light up.

This saber was unlike regular weapons, which were shiny and dazzling; its color was muted.

The blade was edged on one side, the back slightly thick, and the tip was almost devoid of curvature!

Of course, Tao Rong noticed Duan Rong’s expression and then said, "This is a replica of the Western Regions’ Minghong Saber! The recipe of Western Regions craftsmen is a well-kept secret, so all we learned was the pattern."

Duan Rong looked at the saber in his hand, greatly pleased, murmuring, "Minghong Saber?"

Tao Rong replied, "Yes! The Minghong Saber forged by craftsmen of the Western Regions emits a sound akin to a goose’s lament when flicked; hence it’s named Minghong Saber! But ours is a replica; it lacks something. However, as I see it, this saber’s heavy style is quite suitable for Brother Duan’s saber technique!"

Duan Rong looked at Tao Rong, exclaiming, "Brother Tao, you have excellent insight! I really like this saber!"

Tao Rong laughed, "I’m glad Duan Rong likes it! I’ll host this one and gift it to Brother Duan!"

Duan Rong said, "Ah... you’re running a business, how can I just take it for free?"

Tao Rong said, "Brother Duan, no need to be polite. As the saying goes, we don’t know each other until we fight. If it weren’t for the tough battle we had on the stage, I wouldn’t have had a breakthrough. A single weapon doesn’t count for much!"

Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat. Tao Rong had actually made a breakthrough!

Just at that moment, the elder from outside had already come back in, holding the list, saying, "Young master, everything is checked, not a piece missing. Here is the receipt!"

Tao Rong took the list, looked at the elder, and said, "Old Hai, put the saber this gentleman is holding on my tab."

The elder’s eyelid twitched, looking towards the unassuming Duan Rong, exclaiming, "Gentleman...!?"

This person was so unfamiliar, yet the young master called him a gentleman?

Who exactly was this person?

Tao Rong turned back to Duan Rong and said, "Brother Duan, I bid you farewell!"

Duan Rong clasped his fists and replied, "Brother Tao, take care!"

Tao Rong smiled and strode out.

The elder woke up as if from a dream, nodding and bowing to Duan Rong, saying, "This gentleman, shall we have this weapon packed in a wooden box for you?"

Duan Rong said, "No need, I’ll just carry it." And with those words, he walked straight out of the shop.

The elder watched Duan Rong’s back, a wave of regret sweeping over him. Usually priding himself on keen judgment, how had he suddenly failed to see discernment in this instance?

Suddenly the elder’s eyes lit up, recalling recent rumors, as if he suddenly realized something...