Chapter 127: The Long Sword, a Soaring Rainbow

“Give it to me, give it to me!” The assassin heard a familiar voice whispering into his ear and suddenly shouted impatiently, “Give it to me, quickly! I’ll agree to anything you say!”

“Oh, really?” Ye Tian smiled and opened a small bottle, then gently brought it close to the assassin’s nose.

“Phew!” The assassin took a deep breath and immediately felt the indescribable numbness and soreness within his body vanish. An unexplainable sensation surged in his heart, and his whole body felt as if it were floating in the air, surrounded by softness and extreme comfort.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Ye Tian chuckled, then closed the bottle. Instantly, the assassin felt as if he had fallen from the sky; the numbness and soreness returned, crawling inside him like thousands of ants, unbearably painful.

“No, no!” The assassin shouted in fear. “Ask me whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you everything!”

“Oh? That’s very kind of you!” Ye Tian smiled. “But I haven’t even asked your name yet!”

“Pulta, Pulta? Clams.” The assassin said helplessly.

“Give it to me, quickly! I’m suffering to death!” he pleaded.

“Oh, alright!” Ye Tian took out a small black pill and stuffed it into Pulta’s mouth. “Mr. Pulta, you’ll stay here for a while.” Ye Tian gave a subtle nod, and the two of them left together.

“Gray, why don’t you question him?” Ralph asked curiously.

“Have you ever seen an eagle being tormented? Forget it, do you know how to fish?” Ye Tian asked.

“That’s a small thing—I don’t!” Ralph boasted confidently.

“Geez, you’re so full of yourself!” Ye Tian covered his forehead. “It’s just like fishing: when the fish starts to get impatient, that’s when you strike!” Ye Tian laughed. “No rush, it’s still early.”

“So, what’s your next move?” Ralph asked.

“I’m going to Old Bruyer’s. You coming?” Ye Tian grinned.

“No!” The old man refused immediately.

“Hee hee, really?” Ye Tian teased.

“You don’t understand!” Ralph sighed helplessly. “That old guy values ore more than his own life. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be angry after all this time.”

“You two can stew all you want, but don’t make it so you never meet until you die—that’d be ridiculous!” Ye Tian said with a shrug.

“Get lost!” Ralph angrily chased Ye Tian away.

“Alright, alright, you’re such a big shot!” Ye Tian shook his head and left. “By the way, don’t let that guy die. Was last night rough?”

“Don’t worry, he won’t die,” Ralph said confidently. “As long as he has breath, even Death itself won’t take him just yet!”

“Then I’ll leave it to you!” Ye Tian waved goodbye and left Ralph’s general store, heading straight for the dwarf Bruyer’s workshop. Bruyer had been asking for help, and now that he had time, Ye Tian decided to check on him.

From afar, he could see black smoke billowing from the chimney. The old dwarf was at work again. Ye Tian pushed open the door and headed straight to the master dwarf’s forge.

“You’re here!” Bruyer was just immersing a strip of iron in water to quench it. “Quick, pump the bellows!”

“Got it!” Ye Tian rolled up his sleeves and stepped hard on a huge wooden board beside him. Whoosh! The flames shot up high.

“Heh heh, that’s the spirit! Looks like I’m going to show off today!” Bruyer said, tossing the iron strip into the forge. “More fire!”

“Right away!” Ye Tian put all his strength into pressing down on the heavy wooden board.

“Heh heh, don’t underestimate this system—it’s modeled after the way we dwarves craft magical artifacts. So, heh heh!” Bruyer stripped off his clothes and grabbed his beloved large hammer.

“Keep it up, melt it down again!” Bruyer pointed at the forge. “Need big fire!”

“Hmph, don’t underestimate me!” Ye Tian’s pride flared as he stomped hard on the board. “Keep it steady! Today I’ll show you the forging skills our dwarves take pride in!”

The iron strip melted slowly in the searing flames, the molten gold shimmered brilliantly. Bruyer watched carefully and occasionally tossed in some ore or materials. Soon, both of them were sweating—Ye Tian from exhaustion, the dwarf from the heat.

“Good! Good!” The master dwarf grabbed the large tongs, lifted the crucible, and poured the golden molten iron into a nearby mold. As soon as the liquid settled, a shining golden longsword emerged.

“More fire!” Ye Tian quickly stomped again, and the flames rose higher.

“Hahaha!” Bruyer laughed heartily. “Old friend, it’s your turn! Keep the fire strong!” He threw the longsword into the fire, then quickly pulled it out and hammered it hard. Ding!

He hammered one side, then the other, swiftly and skillfully. After four rounds, he plunged the sword into the coals. Strangely, the blade glowed red hot. Bruyer opened his wide mouth, grabbed the sword with tongs, and hammered again—four more rounds.

Over and over, the master dwarf hammered and quenched the blade rapidly. Ye Tian didn’t slack off either, pumping the wooden board with all his might, circulating his internal energy swiftly.

“Good!” After the final hammering, Bruyer plunged the blade into clear water. Sizzle! The water bubbled instantly.

“Hahaha!” Bruyer wiped sweat from his brow and happily pulled out the sword.

“Take a look!” Bruyer handed over the soft, noodle-like longsword. Though called a sword, it looked more like a strip of iron. Except for the hilt, it had no guard, but the blade gleamed like a streak of golden light.

“A fine sword!” Ye Tian admired the blade. It straightened instantly. He swung it a few times casually, and it cut the air without a sound.

“How is it?” Bruyer smiled. “Amazing, isn’t it?”

Ye Tian rolled up the sword gently. It was truly like a rope; he even wondered if he could tie a knot with it.

“Don’t rush, come, give me a chop!” Bruyer pointed to his big hammer.

Bang! Sparks flew as Ye Tian retracted the sword, carefully inspecting it—no scratches at all.

“Satisfied?” Bruyer asked.

“Very satisfied, extremely so!”

“Hee hee, after using so many materials, I’d be heartbroken if you weren’t!” Bruyer laughed. “Name it—it’s yours now!”

“Longsword Flying Rainbow, piercing the horizon!” Ye Tian blurted out. “Flying Rainbow Sword!”

“Whatever you say!” Bruyer scratched his head.

“Flying Rainbow it is!” Ye Tian cheerfully hung the sword at his waist.

“How come you wanted it soft? Now I see—it’s quite strange,” Bruyer scratched his head again.

“You’re the only ones who think it’s strange!” Ye Tian let his shirt fall, covering the soft sword tightly.

“Alright, I’m done with my business. Thanks!” Ye Tian turned to leave.

“Wait, you haven’t paid yet!” Bruyer smiled.

“Pay?” Ye Tian paused. “I never said I’d make it for free. Though I saved some costs, you still have to pay for the materials!” Bruyer counted on his fingers: “Look, there’s powdered dragon scale, iron essence, crystallized elf wood, and a drop of Moon’s Tear.”

“Stop, stop!” Ye Tian hurried to interrupt; he hadn’t heard of those, especially Moon’s Tear—what on earth was that?

“Tell me, how much?” Ye Tian sighed.

“Not much, ten million gold coins. Since we’re good friends, I’ll give you a 20% discount—eight million!” Bruyer beamed.

“Get lost!” Ye Tian snapped. “There’s already over five thousand gold coins here; take it or leave it!” He pulled out the gold card given to him last time and threw it to Bruyer.

“Alright, just add a year’s supply of wine, and we’re done!” Bruyer quickly said.

“Fine, then go to Old Ralph’s shop for that—don’t say you don’t know where!” Ye Tian said slyly. “If you don’t go, consider it a loss. I’m busy, no delivery service!”

“No way!” Bruyer refused outright.

“Really not?” Ye Tian grinned.

“Really... no!” Bruyer burst out laughing.

“Starting tomorrow, if you come, you get it; if not, then no!” Ye Tian said and quickly slipped away. Man, who said dwarves were honest?

But with Flying Rainbow in hand, Ye Tian felt confident. After all, bare-handed he wasn’t sure he could match some of these guys. He was about to face a massive conspiracy. Without any backing, he could only rely on himself.

“What a hassle!” Ye Tian rubbed his forehead. Was he meddling too much?

“Forget it, no more thinking—take it step by step.” Ye Tian scratched his head and went to order a year’s supply of wine at a general store, his destination Old Ralph’s shop.

“Heh heh!” Ye Tian returned with a sly grin, ready for tomorrow’s show.

“Gray, where have you been?” As soon as he returned, Ye Tian saw Akarnala waiting outside. “Weren’t you supposed to be in the library? What have you been up to?”

“Nothing, just came to see you and ask about things. What are you busy with? Are you hiding something from me?”

“No.” Ye Tian smiled. “Just had a weapon made. Want to see?” He reached to pick up his clothes.

“Pervert!” Akarnala lightly spat, stepped hard on Ye Tian’s foot, then ran off.

“I’m not lying!” Ye Tian grumbled, holding his foot. Why was telling the truth so troublesome these days?

“Gray, are you alright?” A timid voice came from behind; Ye Tian looked back to see Michelle.

“Really beautiful!” Ye Tian laughed. “Beautiful things make people drool!”

“What nonsense!” Michelle immediately lowered her head. “By the way, why don’t you stay with Her Majesty the Queen?”

“Oh, Leila’s with her, so it’s fine. By the way, how’s Elia doing lately?” Ye Tian had been busy and hadn’t visited Elia yet.

“Much better! Now Elia can get out of bed!” Michelle said excitedly.

“Really? Perfect timing—I’ll go see her!” Ye Tian suddenly remembered Elia lived in the maid’s quarters, where he couldn’t just walk in.

“Never mind, maybe later.” Ye Tian scratched his head.

“Thank you, Gray.” Michelle’s tears fell.

“Don’t cry. Elia will be fine soon. You won’t have to suffer anymore. Save up and marry a good man, heh heh.” Ye Tian spoke lightly.

Michelle cried even harder.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry!” Ye Tian quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

“Think about good things,” Ye Tian smiled. “Besides, if such a beautiful girl cries and ruins her face, who’d want her later?”

“I won’t marry!” Michelle shook her head softly.

“Silly girl, women will marry eventually,” Ye Tian said gently. “Elia will too. You’ll be happy.”