ocean-life Chapter 8 – His final line as an immortal
Chapter 8 – His final line as an immortal
"Chen Xun, don't overdo it with the blacksmithing."
Sun Kaile frowned slightly. Not only was Chen Xun strong, but he also had remarkable stamina. "You'll hurt yourself, and end up like me when you're old."
"Old Sun, no worries, I was born strong, haha, mighty!"
Chen Xun was unconcerned; he wasn't even using his full strength and hardly felt tired.
Now, he was continuously increasing his power. In the past, exerting too much force might ruin the work, but now, with his control over strength and technique, one hammer strike was worth several from before, without causing any damage.
To outsiders, it looked like he was just blacksmithing, but in reality, Chen Xun was constantly cultivating. Skilled in many trades and with time on his side, he was never short of either.
"Heh, alright then."
Sun Kaile shook his head with a smile, seemingly influenced by Chen Xun's optimistic attitude over the past year, feeling much younger himself.
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At night, Chen Xun and Black Bull returned to their courtyard.
He invested this year's longevity points into speed again, and the man and the bull huddled together, up to some mischief.
"Bull, dig!"
Moo!
Clods of earth flew as they unearthed a clay jar filled with copper coins and a piece of silver. Chen Xun was overwhelmed with emotion, sighing with the relief of newfound wealth.
"Moo! Moo!" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, eyes filled with longing.
"We'll finish Brother Zhang's order and then buy some wood carvings, don't worry, I remember."
"Moo~~" Black Bull jumped with joy, its happiness so simple.
Chen Xun moved to a new spot to bury the jar, always vigilant when outside.
The following month, Zhang Jiang didn't show up, and Chen Xun wondered why. Brother Zhang never missed an appointment before, so why not today?
"Maybe something held him up."
Chen Xun didn't overthink it and continued blacksmithing. He still had a long way to go to master his power control, but diligence could make up for his shortcomings.
The next month, someone finally came to collect the swords, but it wasn't Zhang Jiang.
"Hey, miss, where's Brother Zhang? He said he'd come for the swords last month." Chen Xun casually asked as Black Bull carried the long swords behind him.
"Brother Zhang... he died fighting against the Iron Sect," the woman said softly, her mood somber.
"Ah?"
Chen Xun was startled, then quickly changed the subject, "I've spoken out of turn, I'll fetch the swords for you now."
"Okay." The woman nodded.
Chen Xun spoke deliberately, knowing that without showing some muscle, people would walk all over you, no matter the world.
"Alright, please have a seat and wait a moment," the iron ore boss said with a bow and a smile.
"Fine, we're reasonable people, not here to cause trouble."
Chen Xun's tone softened as he sat down, placing his axes on the table, not in a hurry.
Before long, the iron ore boss stepped out, smiling and bowing, "It's this man and bull, causing trouble on official grounds."
"Arrest them!"
A group of soldiers surged forward, detaining Chen Xun and even Black Bull.
"We came to talk, this is a misunderstanding!"
Chen Xun shouted, struggling slightly, "I really came to talk!"
"Enough! You're causing trouble and disturbing the peace in Panning City. Who are you trying to scare?"
The soldiers coldly rebuked, taking the two 'criminals' away, with Chen Xun still shouting his innocence.
Five days later, Chen Xun and Black Bull walked out of the prison, seeing daylight once again.
But their axes and blades were confiscated, and they had to go back and forge new ones.
Back at the blacksmith's shop, Sun Kaile had prepared a brazier, and man and bull jumped around it, laughing and joking as if nothing had happened.
However, after Chen Xun's commotion, the iron ore seller didn't raise the price after all, a small victory.
...
Time flew by, and five years passed.
The blacksmith's shop was booming, even taking business from the shop next door. When the neighboring shop's owner realized it was Chen Xun, he was heartbroken, lamenting his lack of foresight in recognizing a hero.
He even invited Chen Xun to a meal at a restaurant, clearing up any bad blood between them, though Chen Xun's appetite gave him quite a scare, eating so much and even taking leftovers, costing the shop owner dearly.
The two now called each other brothers, and Chen Xun was always proper with social niceties.
But today, Chen Xun was racing through the streets, his speed kicking up a gust of wind, his eyes filled with urgency.
Over these five years, he had mastered control over his strength and added five longevity points to his speed.
Now, Chen Xun and Black Bull's longevity points were: Strength, 21. Speed, 8.
Chen Xun carried several bags of herbs; Sun Kaile's health was failing, and he had been kept alive by these herbs for a year, depleting all their savings.
But what did that matter? To Chen Xun, wealth was fleeting, and the people around him were what mattered most, cherishing the present and living life to the fullest.
Besides, who can be heartless as grass and trees? He had reached the ultimate goal of all cultivators—immortality—and had no need to abandon emotions in pursuit of the so-called supreme path. This was his final line as an immortal.
Chen Xun always followed one rule: help friends within his means, and never overreach beyond his capabilities.