The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 72: The Divine Arms Mill!

The Divine Arms Mill! . . .

Cha-Eun Xiao's curiosity was piqued as the name "crown princess" slipped from the wounded man's lips. With a furrowed brow, he inquired further, "The crown princess? Who are you? Are you from the Mu Clan?"

The man, his voice strained by the torment he endured, gasped out a response. "No… We are the guards of the east royal palace. The four of us…" He winced, the pain intensifying, and pleaded, "Please… spare me… a quick death…"

Cha-Eun Xiao's gaze bore into the man with an intensity that could make even the strongest waver. "The crown princess… The guards of the east royal palace…"

He repeated these words in his mind, seeking clarity and truth. Three more rounds of questioning followed, each aimed at confirming the veracity of the man's statements.

Finally satisfied with the information he had gleaned, Cha-Eun Xiao left the covert. In the wake of his departure, the guard lay in silence on the floor, his lips curled into a faint smile—a smile that spoke of the relief he found in the impending release from his agony.

It was as though death had become a blessing, a welcome escape from the torment he had endured.

Returning to the bustling street, Cha-Eun Xiao's thoughts were consumed by the words "The Crown Prince's Palace" and "the crown princess." An audacious idea began to take shape in his mind—a daring plan to infiltrate the Crown Prince's Palace and confront the culprits responsible for this assassination attempt.

As he strolled leisurely, a smile played upon his lips, hidden beneath a fa?ade of nonchalance. He pondered, "Why not sneak into the Crown Prince's Palace and put an end to the conniving couple?"

The notion simmered in his thoughts, growing bolder by the moment.

Upon returning to the street, Cha-Eun Xiao maintained a relaxed demeanor, as though he had been present all along. He moved with ease, blending into the crowd seamlessly. It was as if he had never left the scene.

Even those who had been tasked with monitoring him would have been deceived by his apparent presence. Their thoughts might have mirrored this sentiment: "The young lord has been browsing this street, making purchases, and hasn't left... But how did three of our comrades meet their end? And most puzzling of all, where is the missing man? Is he alive or dead? Where could he possibly be?"

Soon, officials from the government arrived, and after conducting a thorough investigation, they removed the three lifeless bodies from the scene. Those who had been embroiled in the incident were also taken into custody for questioning. Among them were the shopkeepers who had found themselves unwillingly involved due to the deaths occurring right at their doorsteps.

The shopkeepers, twelve in total, had their cheeks drained of color. The sudden calamity had struck without warning, leaving them bewildered and shaken. It was an unforeseen tragedy that defied explanation.

The Divine Arms Mill, known for its influence, managed to retain six of its members for the purpose of safeguarding their divine weapons. The remaining six were taken into custody for interrogation. Had the Divine Arms Mill wielded less clout, it was likely that all twelve would have been apprehended, and their valuable weapons confiscated as well. How the weapons would have been seized, however, was a matter open to interpretation.

Meanwhile, Cha-Eun Xiao continued to stroll casually through the streets. Eventually, he found his way to the Divine Arms Mill—a bustling marketplace that had now fallen eerily silent, with only one customer in sight: the esteemed Lord Ye.

The shopkeeper, still reeling from the shock of the earlier events, was taken aback by Cha-Eun Xiao's sudden appearance. With a trembling voice, he inquired, "Young lord, how may we assist you?"

Having navigated the chaos caused by the government officials, the shopkeeper's nerves were on edge. Yet, he maintained his professionalism as he addressed his unexpected guest.

With an air of nonchalance, Cha-Eun Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "Why do you even ask? Can't a man visit a weapon shop without a reason?" he quipped with a playful grin. "Bring forth your finest blades, swords, weapons, and iron. I'm in the mood for a shopping spree today. Consider yourselves fortunate; I'm feeling rather generous."

The shopkeeper, still recovering from the earlier events, was momentarily rendered speechless by Cha-Eun Xiao's bold declaration.

In the bustling confines of the Divine Arms Mill, a place known far and wide for its exceptional weaponry, customers typically approached with humility. It was a place where even the wealthiest patrons would employ the word "please" liberally, as if each transaction were a humble supplication. Amid the throngs of individuals seeking divine weapons, the man who dared to raise his voice on account of his affluence was indeed a rarity in the eyes of the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper, however, couldn't help but inwardly scoff at this display. He mused, [Doesn't he realize that such a brash approach might lead to exorbitant charges, and yet, there's no guarantee he'll acquire the precise items he desires?]

With a practiced air, the shopkeeper decided to extend a helping hand, considering this customer to be, perhaps, a bit out of his depth. "May I inquire as to your specific requirements?" he ventured. "Are you in search of a sword or a knife for self-defense, or do you have a penchant for larger weaponry, such as pikes or halberds, fit for grand battles? Alternatively, could it be a compact and discreet weapon, one you can carry with you at all times?"

The shopkeeper regarded him as a novice, and it fell upon him to guide this seemingly uninformed patron.

Given that the others present were still in shock from the earlier events, the shopkeeper felt compelled to take the reins this time around.

"The larger weapons don't interest me," the customer responded. "I won't be needing those. I'll take two knives and two swords, please. I'm in the market for the very best, the kind that can cut through iron like it's mere mud. And, of course, those smaller weapons, like throwing knives and needles—include a few of those as well. But make sure they, too, have the capacity to slice through iron like it's mud." He nonchalantly waved his hand, as if these demands were the simplest of matters.

The shopkeeper couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. Inside his head, a thought rang out: [Is this man truly capable of making such a purchase? Even if he appears rather obtuse, he shouldn't be an easy target for overcharging. Does he believe the phrase 'chop iron like mud' can be applied to diminutive throwing knives and needles? Does he even comprehend that such expendable weapons aren't crafted with special materials?]

Suppressing his mounting irritation, the shopkeeper brought forth two middle-class swords, thinking, [It's best to offer him something less valuable; he might be a spendthrift lord, after all.]

However, when the customer took hold of one of the swords and casually folded it in half with two fingers from each hand—the blade bending and emitting ominous cracking sounds in the process—the shopkeeper's eyes widened in disbelief. Swiftly, the customer released his grip, expressing his dissatisfaction. "This sword is woeful! I suspect the other is of similar quality. The elasticity and ductility are both subpar. A slight bend, and it's ruined. What a piece of junk!"

The shopkeeper was left stunned and began to rethink his initial assessment. [The swords I presented are indeed of middle-class quality, but to fold one with just four fingers? Could he actually be a martial arts master?]

With this revelation, the shopkeeper grew flustered and beads of sweat formed on his brow. He hastened to retrieve some top-tier weaponry, presenting them to the discerning customer.

Yet, each sword the customer examined was met with a shake of the head, a look of disappointment etched across his face.

"More?" the shopkeeper inquired, his anxiety mounting with each rejection.

"No," came the terse reply.

"The name of the Divine Arms Mill resonates throughout the capital. However, what I've witnessed today hardly lives up to such a grand reputation," Cha-Eun Xiao declared, his expression marked by a hint of disdain as he scrutinized the shopkeeper. "These pieces of scrap metal... They are scarcely superior to the kitchen knives in my own household. They besmirch the very notion of 'divine' weaponry!"

The shopkeeper couldn't help but feel a touch of irritation at the customer's critique. "Sir!" he interjected, "Every weapon in my establishment hails from the venerable Divine Arms Mill. While your standards may be exceptionally high and you might not fully appreciate their quality, I assure you that my weapons have never failed to meet the expectations of anyone, except perhaps yourself."

The shopkeeper's words conveyed neither undue humility nor arrogance. He didn't intend to insult Cha-Eun Xiao, nor did he seek to diminish the worth of his own merchandise. His demeanor was truly open-minded.

Cha-Eun Xiao curled his lips and casually selected one of the swords. "Fine goods for discerning patrons," he commented. "There are certain remarks I've been holding back, but let's discuss this sword. It's adorned with an engraved pattern of clouds and conceals spiritual lights within. Crafted from well-tempered steel, the blade exudes a formidable aura, gleaming brilliantly in the light. In terms of appearance, it could be considered the monarch of all weapons. I presume this must be the pride of your establishment, correct?"

The shopkeeper raised his head, a note of pride in his voice as he responded, "Indeed. This sword is known as 'The Sword of Kings.'"

"Pah!" Cha-Eun Xiao spat, displaying his disdain. "This sword prioritizes appearance to an excessive degree, to the detriment of its substance. While it has been tempered numerous times, it has lost the essence and profundity expected of a true sword. It may fare well against ordinary weapons, slicing through them as if they were butter. However, when confronted with genuine cultivators, especially renowned ones, can their weapons be considered ordinary? After only three clashes, your sword will likely suffer edge deformation. This is its first shortcoming—a relentless pursuit of sharpness at the expense of blade thickness."

"Secondly, the relentless quest for extreme lightness has resulted in a blade that is excessively lightweight. It's almost weightless. Lightness is certainly advantageous for a sword, but even 'four ounces can generate a thousand catties of force'[1] necessitates a minimum weight of four ounces. This sword, however, falls short in that regard. When pushed to its limits, it will break. It is too fragile. This represents its second flaw."

"Lastly, after extensive tempering, the metal has accumulated numerous impurities. While the exterior appears flawless, the interior is marred by impurities that cannot be purged. How can such a sword be deemed divine?"

Cha-Eun Xiao sneered, "A sword with impurities, where those impurities have thoroughly permeated the material, will never resonate with its wielder's intent. Regardless of how much blood it is bathed in, it will remain unresponsive."

"This sword is nothing more than a 'visually appealing' ordinary metal. Yet, you dare to label it a divine weapon," he continued, his tone tinged with derision. "It clearly fails to meet the criteria. Every cultivator, especially those of higher standing, purchases a weapon with the intention of carrying it for life. It becomes an integral part of their existence because they form a bond with their weapons."

He expounded further, "That's why the saying goes, 'live as the sword rises; die as the sword falls.' This means that when a sword forms a connection with the wielder's soul, if the sword cannot withstand a blow, neither can the wielder; they will meet their end. It's not merely a saying, but a proven reality."

With his hands behind his back, Cha-Eun Xiao coldly smiled. "I've spoken enough. I simply wanted to convey that if this sword represents your finest work... I can confidently say that no Grade of Tianyuan cultivators wield your weapons."

"Because at that level, they no longer seek the sharpness of a weapon but rather the bond between weapon and soul."

Cha-Eun Xiao sighed with disappointment. "It seems I've chosen the wrong place to visit today." With that, he shook his head and turned to depart.

"Wait a moment, sir!"

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