The Human Emperor (1-200)

C64: Center of Attention

The ‘Ice Abyss’ slashed onto the human tall ‘metal mountain’, splitting it apart as though mud. But halfway through, a screeching sound echoed, and the ‘Ice Abyss’ was unable to go any further…

Everyone’s faces darkened. Clan Head Cheng Hong was also astonished by the sight. With a flick of his wrist, he swiftly extracted the Ice Abyss from the metal mountain. Although he had reacted swiftly to the situation, the slash still inflicted scars upon the perfect blade of the ‘Ice Abyss’.

The cuts were small and they wouldn’t affect the performance of the ‘Ice Abyss’ in the least, but the crowd couldn’t help but feel their hearts ache.

It was a family heirloom passed down within the Cheng Clan for several centuries. Even the slightest scratch was unacceptable.

“Clan head…”

Cheng Youqing couldn’t help but speak. This was the result when pitting a sword against something beyond its capabilities. If he were to forcefully push the sword down the metal mountain, the damage to the blade would only increase.

The culprit, Cheng Hong, held the sword with a single hand as he stared at the wounds on the blade. He had a blank look on his face, as if deaf, traumatized by the matter.

“Half! It can only cut halfway through! …The Ice Abyss was crafted by the founder of our Cheng Clan, and he spent an entire decade to forge this blade. After completion, it was able to slice through any resilient armour. It took ten whole years to forge this single sword! How could there be another sword that could rival the one crafted by our founding ancestor?”

“It’s impossible. I don’t believe it! … Investigate! Investigate it thoroughly! I must know who that Wang Chong is!”

Clan Head Cheng Hong’s voice resounded throughout the entire residence.

…

At the same time, a group had gathered in the courtyard of the Zhang Clan Residence. Layer after layer of people circled the area such that even a fly couldn’t get through. But, unlike the Cheng Clan, there was only a dark, unimpressive, finger-sized piece of metal on the stone table.

“What do you all think?”

The head of the Zhang Clan was in his forties. Gowned in white, he had a gentle, scholar-like appearance. Rather than a swordsmith, he seemed like a teacher instead.

The matter at Bluebottle Pavilion had caught many off guard and the Zhang Clan was no exception.

Until now, the other clans were still in a daze, unable to understand what had happened. But the Zhang Clan was different. From the very start, they knew Wang Chong’s identity. They also knew his sword was forged from the Hyderabad ore.

“It’s hard to believe that a sword forged with this ore could be that sharp. It seems like 300 gold taels for a jun isn’t expensive at all.”

“… It’s just that, I am truly curious how that gongzi of the Wang Clan would know of such an inconspicuous matter. He seems to be just fifteen, and he doesn’t look like the knowledgeable sort. Furthermore, the two Sindhi monks were stingy and they didn’t allow anyone to touch their ores. Even our Zhang Clan was only given such a small amount and are unable to discover the true secrets of the ore. How did a kid like him know of them?”

The Grand Elder of the Zhang Clan, Zhang Qi, spoke as he stroked his beard.

Complete silence. Even Zhang Cong and Zhang Jian didn’t have an answer to his question. The conclusion in the Bluebottle Pavilion had also left the two of them shocked.

“Actually… Even until now, I find it hard to believe that the Hyderabad ores could be that sharp!”

Zhang Jian replied honestly.