Li, with modest family wealth; Mo, the enigma of an ice chunk

As Han He's voice faded, Shang Wu immediately responded with a hostile expression, "Keep him here? Old man, are you trying to steal my disciple?"

"Who wants your disciple?! I'm keeping the ancestral divine weapon!" Han He retorted with unusual firmness.

Even if this matter were brought before the sect leader, he was in the right.

And besides... Shang Wu's concerns weren't entirely unfounded.

If a disciple of the Divine Edge Cave gained the recognition of the "Pangu Calamity Meteor Hammer," they would undoubtedly become the next Cave Master.

"Elder Han He, you’re not planning to keep me here forging weapons, are you?" Li Mo vaguely sensed the underlying intention.

That wouldn’t do.

Staying here every day—how could he continue to... ahem, how could he cling to the Ice Block’s jade-like legs?

"If the True Disciple Li stays here, the Divine Edge Cave will cover all your expenses from now on."

The next moment, Han He's deep, solemn voice rang out, dripping with temptation.

Clearly, he was prepared to make a hefty investment.

"Elder, what are you saying? My master is unyielding and principled—how could she abandon her disciple for mere material gains?"

"Right, Master?... Master?"

Li Mo spoke righteously, only to turn and see his master’s previously fierce demeanor vanish. Her beautiful eyes glazed over, as if calculating the carefree life of unlimited fine wine and delicacies.

He strongly suspected she could already hear the clinking of silver coins.

Young Li: "..."

Seems he underestimated his master’s poverty and money-grubbing tendencies...

Li Mo lowered his voice, "Master, when has the Autumn Water Pavilion ever lacked fine food and wine for you? If I stay at the Divine Edge Cave, who’ll cook for you in the future?"

The Divine Edge Cave’s weapons were in high demand, and they indeed made mountains of gold daily.

But it still couldn’t compare to his ability to "create wealth out of thin air."

Moreover, he never feared being eaten into poverty—instead, his investments only made him richer.

"Hmph, I’m not that kind of person."

The beautiful master’s eyes instantly cleared as she nodded seriously.

"Elder, you worry too much. This disciple has modest means."

Li Mo clasped his hands respectfully toward Han He.

"How much could you possibly have—"

Thud!

Two massive chunks of gleaming metal crashed onto the ground.

Instantly, the room’s temperature dropped slightly, as if the metals were absorbing heat.

Han He’s amused expression froze, replaced by deep contemplation.

Iron Essence.

One ounce refined from ten thousand pounds of iron.

A mere trace added to an ordinary weapon could make it slice through hair and cleave metal like mud.

These two chunks? Even with the Divine Edge Cave’s Coldflame Spring and all its disciples hammering away until their arms gave out, it’d take three years to produce this much.

Thud!

Another muffled sound.

A fist-sized chunk of fiery red metal landed on the ground.

"Hiss..."

Han He completely lost his composure.

Inferno Copper Ore.

Only found where volcanic activity coincided with ore veins, the ore tempered by subterranean flames for millennia—and even then, it required a volcanic eruption to bring it to the surface.

The legendary "Crimson Sky Sword" contained this very material.

And you call this... modest means?

The old man began pondering the origins of Li Mo’s inheritance.

Shang Wu was also deep in thought.

The expert who left this legacy—were they perhaps a merchant tycoon in their past life?

Or maybe a notorious bandit who plundered immeasurable wealth?

"This disciple is no blacksmith. These treasures would be wasted in my hands."

"Elder, you are the Purple Sun Prefecture’s most renowned artisan. Only you can bring out their full potential."

Young Li knew how to sweet-talk an old man.

Han He fell silent.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"Shang Wu, your disciple has better manners than you. At least I don’t have to worry about him wielding the divine weapon for evil."

Shang Wu: "?"

Ignoring her, Han He turned back and spoke gravely,

"Li Mo, if you can fulfill three conditions, this old man will gladly step aside."

"Elder, please name them."

Li Mo was all ears.

"First, if the Divine Edge Cave ever forges a mystic artifact and requires the Pangu Calamity Meteor Hammer, you, as its master, must assist."

"Second, until your strength is sufficient, do not flaunt the divine weapon. Aside from me and your master, no outsiders should know of it."

"Third—do not stain the Founder’s divine weapon with unjust blood."

He emphasized the last condition.

"Only fair."

Young Li agreed without hesitation.

The terms were far more lenient than he’d expected.

Even if Han He hadn’t mentioned them, he would have done so anyway.

"Good. You may go."

Han He waved tiredly.

"The old man’s being unusually agreeable today." Shang Wu raised an eyebrow, unaccustomed to this.

Li Mo bowed to Han He and tugged his master toward the exit.

Best not to push their luck after getting such a deal.

Watching the master and disciple leave, Han He murmured to himself,

"The divine weapon has found its master after all... and it’s ended up on the Jade Cluster Peak."

"Shang Wu didn’t get it—her disciple did instead..."

"How unpredictable fate can be..."

......

On the mountain path down.

"My precious disciple, you’re quite the clever one, aren’t you?"

Shang Wu narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, one hand on her hip, the other slung over her disciple’s shoulder. She grinned without a shred of dignity.

"Not bad, not bad. Tricking Old Man Han He like that—you’re already at sixty, seventy, eighty percent of my level."

"I wouldn’t call it tricking..."

Being shoulder-hugged by his similarly-sized master, Young Li coughed lightly.

"Hmph, you even dare to fool your own master?"

"Where’s the hammer? Let me see it."

Shang Wu wore an I-know-what-you’re-up-to look.

Li Mo smiled wryly. "I really can’t take it out."

Joking aside, just storing it had taken tremendous effort.

He hadn’t fully recovered yet—did she expect him to activate the World Seed again?

Master, do you want me to collapse into a pile of bones right here?

"Ungrateful brat."

Shang Wu wrinkled her delicate nose, her pretty face sulking.

Li Mo: "......Master, you were seriously considering selling me off earlier, weren’t you?"

"Pfft... pfft, of course not."

Shang Wu averted her gaze.

"That was just a test—to see if your loyalty to the Jade Cluster Peak is unwavering."

"Master, you’re guilty."

"Audacious disciple! Daring to question your master now? Trying to overthrow the natural order?!"

The master quickened her pace, her crimson robes fluttering.

Li Mo sighed. "Master, how about aged Bamboo Green wine and a whole roasted lamb tonight?"

Young Li deployed his ultimate crowd-control skill.

"...How aged?"

"Thirty years."

Critical hit!

......

A short while later.

Master and disciple returned under the stars, laden with spoils.

Pushing open the door, Li Mo spotted a slender figure seated at their usual dining stone table, sipping tea leisurely, a sword resting on her lap, its blade reflecting the moonlight.

"I thought you’d gone back to cultivate."

"I haven’t had dinner yet."

The Ice Block stated matter-of-factly.

Young Li fell silent, then looked up at the sky.

The moon was dim, signaling the approaching dawn.

"But... it’s almost breakfast time."

"Is it?"

Ying Bing also glanced at the moon, her delicate brows knitting in confusion.

Just what kind of time sense do you have?!

Who the hell tells time by mealtimes?!

Li Mo couldn't even muster the energy to complain as he headed off to cook.

Ying Bing lowered her gaze briefly before turning to Shang Wu, her voice soft but deliberate:

"What happened today at the Divine Edge Cave?"

Yet another event that had slipped beyond her expectations.