Chapter 110: A Special Commission

Chapter 110: A Special Commission

“I’ve always wondered why the longswords you use are so massive. Now I understand—it’s because they’re hard and sturdy.” Ye Tian recalled Grey and the others. Aside from Radon, the knight, who wielded a slender blade, the shield warrior Ger used a broad greatsword.

“It is certainly hard enough, but it lacks flexibility.” Ye Tian raised his finger. “May I have this sword blank?” Bruyer asked. “Of course,” Ye Tian nodded. “I want to study it closely—how marvelous! Without any added ores, relying solely on the properties of iron, it becomes so flexible, yet loses none of steel’s hardness. Truly miraculous!”

“By the way, here’s a drawing I made. Would you like to take a look first?” Ye Tian, seeing Bruyer so excited, took out a stack of canvases from his chest. “What’s this, all black?” Bruyer said, reaching out to touch it.

“Hold on, Dad, it’ll smudge,” Ye Tian quickly stopped him. “Just look first. Any questions?” “Yes, what is this?” Bruyer looked up. “It’s an alchemy furnace, an alchemy furnace! Didn’t I tell you?” Ye Tian replied helplessly.

“This thing looks just like a big stove,” Bruyer examined it seriously, stroking his beard. “Does it have to be this way?” “What do you mean?” Ye Tian didn’t understand. “I have something similar lying around. Want to see it?” Bruyer looked up.

“What, you have an alchemy furnace?” Ye Tian was dumbfounded. “Not exactly. I made a furnace before, pretty close to your requirements, and it’s just sitting unused. If it suits you, you can save me the trouble—I want to study this sword blank now!” Bruyer gripped it tightly.

“Alright, let’s have a look. If it works, it’ll save effort.” Ye Tian agreed. Bruyer led Ye Tian to an underground storeroom. “Pretty spacious!” Ye Tian remarked. “Of course, I’ve stashed many treasures here, though most are useless now,” Bruyer sighed.

“No worries, maybe I’ll find something useful!” Ye Tian said. “You never know!” Bruyer replied, opening a large door and entering a secret chamber. “Wow, so secretive!” Ye Tian exclaimed, mouth agape. The huge room was packed with items.

“You weren’t kidding!” Ye Tian exclaimed. “We dwarves never lie!” Bruyer said proudly. “Let me find it for you.” He began rummaging through piles the size of small hills.

“All good stuff!” Ye Tian noted the weapons hanging on the walls. Though covered in dust, a faint cold gleam revealed they were no ordinary items. “Found it, here!” Bruyer pushed aside a heap, revealing a strange-looking furnace.

“What is this?” Ye Tian asked, noting the furnace was covered in valves and mouthpieces. Calling it a furnace was a stretch; it resembled a canister more, topped with odd gadgets. “I’m not sure myself. The goblins once commissioned me to make it. Later, they couldn’t use it, so the leftover one ended up here,” Bruyer explained.

“Does it leak?” Ye Tian inspected the canister, knocking it—it seemed empty. “Let’s take it out, I’ll show you how it works,” Bruyer said. “It must be heavy,” Ye Tian noted, trying to lift it.

“No good—I can’t carry it alone,” Ye Tian admitted. “How did you get it down here?” “Oh, tossed it in. The ceiling was added later,” Bruyer scratched his head. “Let’s lift it together.”

“Fine. Any tools?” Ye Tian looked around; the spears were all heavy and unwieldy. “Yes, yes!” Bruyer fetched a few items, then took a short rod from the wall. “This’ll do!”

“So short?” Ye Tian frowned. “Heh!” The dwarf flicked his wrist, and a rod a yard long appeared, with a cross-shaped blade at the end. “Don’t underestimate it—it’s sturdy!” He retracted the blade, leaving the rod. “Here’s a rope, tie it on!” Bruyer threaded the rod through the canister, Ye Tian tied the rope, and together they lifted it.

“Perfect, just right!” Bruyer said happily. “Let’s go upstairs.” “You lead,” Ye Tian said. “Alright.” The dwarf turned, and together they easily climbed the stairs to the surface.

“Grey, you’re quite strong!” Bruyer praised, seeing Ye Tian unfazed. “Not bad, I’m used to hard labor,” Ye Tian replied, pulling out the rod. “Like it? It’s yours!” Bruyer laughed.

“Really?” Ye Tian examined the rod; it had a good heft and felt right in his hand. With a flick, the cross blade snapped out. “Oh, you truly have an affinity for it—most folks can’t manage it,” Bruyer praised.

“I’ve seen similar ones,” Ye Tian recalled the Heavenly Mechanism Rod, though it never followed him. “You have? Where?” Bruyer was curious. “Only goblins like these things.”

“No, I saw an old man use one. He even had a flying bird,” Ye Tian said honestly—he’d once met a disciple of the Mohist School, whose messenger was a wooden mechanical bird.

“Oh, so there’s another race as skilled in odd inventions as the goblins! Impressive!” Bruyer sighed. “Enough of that, look!” He pressed a button on the canister, and the lid popped open. Bruyer lifted it.

“How is it, easy enough to put things in?” Bruyer laughed. “Good, good, just need a few holes for ventilation,” Ye Tian said happily. “No need, see this handle?” Bruyer pointed. “Twist it, it vents; close it, and it’s airtight. Want to try?”

“No, no, as long as it vents, it’s fine,” Ye Tian said delightedly. “I’ll take it.” “Alright, fifty gold coins,” Bruyer grinned.

“What? That expensive?” Ye Tian stared at the iron canister. Even as scrap, it wasn’t worth that much!

“If you think it’s too much, just bring me a piece of ore,” Bruyer replied. “Ore? What do you want?” Ye Tian asked.

“I recall a mineral called Moonsoft Stone. Adding it makes steel as soft as moonlight. Fetch me a piece, and I’ll forge you a soft sword,” Bruyer said.

“Is it hard to get?” Ye Tian asked. “Not easy, mostly because it’s rarely used,” Bruyer shrugged. “I need to study this sword blank, so you’ll have to dig it yourself.”

“Mining?” Ye Tian frowned. “Is there a mine nearby?” “Yes, one hundred and fifty kilometers northwest. There’s a mine there, and Moonsoft Stone can be found, though it’s rare. If you’re lucky, a week will do; if not—well.” Bruyer smiled.

“Fine, I’ll dig,” Ye Tian said helplessly. “Don’t waste any ore you find—bring it all back!” Bruyer grinned. “Waste is shameful!”

“So, you’re just looking for free labor,” Ye Tian covered his face. “Just a little, just a little—I gave you the rod, are you not satisfied?” Bruyer feigned dissatisfaction.

“Satisfied, how could I not be? Very satisfied!” Ye Tian gritted his teeth, and with a flick, the rod shrank to a foot long.

“Quite adept,” Bruyer sighed. “Now you have a weapon—how about another match?” His eyes grew fervent. “I feel you didn’t give your all last time!”

“Neither did you,” Ye Tian retorted. “I concede, I can’t beat you.” “How do you know? Last time your weapon wasn’t right,” Bruyer insisted.

“No fight—I need to figure out how to get this canister home,” Ye Tian pointed.

“Don’t worry, let Ralph, that old geezer, fetch it himself. Last time he used up almost all my precious ores. This time, he’ll have to pay dearly!” Bruyer said through gritted teeth.

“Alright, I’m off.” Ye Tian waved. He needed to ask for leave—what a hassle. Luckily, Michelle was here with Elia. Otherwise, Ye Tian wouldn’t have time to care for them. With Layla at the academy, things were easier.

“Wait, what does Moonsoft Stone look like?” Ye Tian turned back—he’d truly never heard of such ore.

“Silvery white, with a faint blue hue. It glows, just like the moon. Bring plenty!” Bruyer instructed.

“Yes,” Ye Tian replied weakly and left.

“Grey, you’re back?” Ye Tian left the smithy and headed to Ralph’s material shop.

“Did that old fellow agree to help?” Ralph asked eagerly.

“It’s ready, just too heavy to carry back easily,” Ye Tian laughed.

“What do you mean?” Ralph was puzzled.

“You’ll have to go yourself,” Ye Tian grinned.

“No way!” The old man jumped. “Then I’ll tell him not to wait,” Ye Tian turned to leave.

“Wait, wait, come back!” Ralph said angrily.

Ye Tian turned back, still grinning. “He said it must be you.”

“I really can’t go.” Ralph looked around nervously. “That, uh, well…”

“It’s just a few materials. Return them and it’ll be fine,” Ye Tian said.

“Return? How? That magic wand shattered—where can I find such materials again!” Ralph panicked. “Did that old geezer say so?”

“You bet. He’s still angry,” Ye Tian replied.

“Angry? Ha!” Ralph cursed. “He’s used my stuff for ages!”

Ye Tian scratched his face. “How about this—bring some good wine, apologize, and get the alchemy furnace back. Otherwise, how will we make pills?” Ye Tian smiled.

“Apologize? Why should I!” Ralph leapt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shouting.

“The alchemy furnace,” Ye Tian reminded him, and Ralph immediately deflated.

“By the way, where are the poppy seeds? I’ll prepare some for you to study. I have to leave soon.”

“Where are you going?” Ralph was startled. “Not leaving for good, are you?”

“No, I haven’t finished my business. Where would I run off to?” Ye Tian said, frustrated. He hadn’t gotten any intelligence, but had picked up plenty of other tasks.

“Also, could you make me a few more pairs of these crystal lenses?” Ye Tian pointed to his eyes. He wore borrowed ones, and would have to return them someday. He figured having a few spares would be wise.

“True, the pair you’re wearing is too poor—even a cursory glance shows the flaws. I’ll make you some undetectable ones.” Though Ralph was curious why Ye Tian needed crystal glasses, he agreed to help.

“Thanks. I hope when I return, you’ll have fetched the alchemy furnace.” Ye Tian smiled. “Where’s the pot? I need to decoct the medicine.”

“Here, all ready!” Ralph hurried off to prepare for Ye Tian.

“This needs a gentle flame—a small fire. Too hot and it’ll burn,” Ye Tian said, pouring in the poppy seeds and water, and began slowly simmering. A foul odor spread.

“That’s awful,” Ralph exclaimed, surprised that something so pleasant to use could be so troublesome to make.

“What did you expect? Go about your business—this will take a long time to finish!” Ye Tian said, then continued to watch the fire.