Immortality begins with becoming a master weapon refiner

Chapter 18 The Limits of Lifespan
"Makes sense."

"Uncle De arrived so late, you must have a plan in place?"

"Young friend Gu is truly quick-witted."

As the snow gradually subsided, the group, with their own pace, arrived at their ancestral home in the mountain cave in no time.

Zhao Huaide also outlined his countermeasures and addressed the difficult questions posed by the other party.

“Song Long, under the pretext of seeking refuge from disaster, said that my Zhao family was unwilling to work for the manor, as the local family of Qishan County had contact with the most secretive upper echelons.”

"If we could contribute to the mine, it wouldn't have been taken over by Zhou Tianwang."

"Isn't that pure nonsense?"

"The secrets beneath the Qishan mines remain unknown to anyone; how could the Zhao family possibly know them?"

Zhao Yushan was filled with righteous indignation and was very puzzled.

"What did the envoy say?"

"Yushan, nothing in this world is simply black and white."

"Song Long's attack was just a pretext. This year's envoy is not the senior Zhuo from previous years, but someone surnamed Yan."

"A member of the royal family?"

"Indeed, the relationships involved are complex and difficult to explain in a short time. All you need to know is that more than ten years ago, before Zhao's son broke through to the mortal realm, he was already at odds with them."

“This Master Yan is not unwise, but rather has his own plans.”

"Once we arrive in Qishan County, we can simply follow their orders."

"Conflict must be avoided under all circumstances."

The three members of the Zhao family were even more indignant, but Gu Qing was truly innocent. He had been using the Zhao family's connections, and now that something had happened, he was inevitably implicated.

"The manor has rules: your lives belong to Baiyue Mountain and cannot be harmed by a mere envoy. Therefore, if you encounter verbal abuse, try to avoid conflict."

"If you really can't stand it, just yell at them!"

"But you absolutely must not take action."

Zhao Huaide's method, though simple, had a rough and unrefined feel to it, and it was done within the bounds of established rules.

The group arrived at the ancestral home in the mountain cave.

The subordinate sent by Master Yan was none other than Song Long, an old friend of Gu Qing.

A county magistrate, yet he finds joy in being a messenger.

He was enjoying fine wine at the head of the stone hall when he saw the group enter and his eyes immediately went to Gu Qing.

"Gu Qing, Gu Qing, you kept this from me for so long."

"Magistrate Song, what makes you say that?"

"Hmph, you'd rather cooperate with the Zhao family than serve the Fengming Prefecture. Do you know what kind of family the Yun family behind me is? If you regret it, I can give you a chance to serve them."

Gu Qing: "..."

The last time I was this speechless was the time before last.

In his eyes, Song Long was like a child who had just learned a huge secret and was showing it off everywhere because the power behind him was far stronger than he had imagined.

Now that we have the opportunity to take this step ourselves, how can we not be proud?
Unfortunately, the enormous secret wasn't as big as he had imagined!
Gu Qing scoffed. This greedy guy was also extremely stingy. If it weren't for needing raw materials for brushing, he wouldn't have cooperated with him at all.

“County Commandant Song, if I remember correctly, you are already thirty-eight years old this year, and your cultivation level is still at the Blood Transformation Realm. If you ask me, no matter how the Song family rises, it has nothing to do with you.”

"You'll still only be able to muddle through life in this tiny Qishan County."

"Oh no, Qishan County will be developed into the new capital of Fengming Prefecture. You... will have to go to a more distant place. But I'm different. I still have a bright future ahead of me."

crunch---

The wooden desk creaked as Song Long gripped it tightly, his expression contorted with rage—this was his greatest pain.

It's all too late!

If it had been ten years earlier, if he had held a certain position in his family, and if he had received resources to nurture him, he might have been able to join the Sword Forging Manor and become a Celestial Master today!
Little did people know that he was the one who complained that martial arts training was too tiring, that he refused to drink the medicine because it tasted too bitter, and that he was the one who voluntarily went down to a remote county to serve as an official.

This kind of person is lazy and averse to work, habitually blaming others and things for their mistakes, never seeing their own problems; that's how their life will be. "Bastard!"

"I am a messenger sent by Master Yan. Insulting me is disrespecting the master. I think you're tired of living."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huaide lowered his head and counted ants.

Zhao Yuyang, Yushan, and Danya counted the cracks on the wall and muttered to themselves.

"Why does this messenger only drink and not talk about business? It takes so long to deliver a message. Is the immortal master getting impatient?"

"you!"

Enraged, Song Long's face turned ashen, like a lump of liver. He wanted to fight but couldn't win, so he could only let out a cold snort.

"Master Yan has decreed that mining Phoenix Flame Gold is difficult, the temperature in the mining area is too high, and mortals will suffer from dehydration if they work for a long time. Too many deaths and injuries would be against the harmony of nature."

"The Zhao family is hereby ordered to send two hundred Blood Warriors to participate in the mining. Disciples who meet the criteria this year will set off after the Phoenix Flame Gold mining is completed."

"Arrive in Qishan County within three days."

After delivering the message, Song Long slammed an official document bearing the mark of the Sword Casting Manor onto the table and hurriedly left, not wanting to stay there any longer.

The crowd watched him leave and then discussed what to do next.

"The mining of Phoenix Flame Gold was anticipated. Since it was the manor's idea, the Yun family could not avoid it."

"Two hundred Blood Warriors, just at the limit."

"It seems that the manor's control over the twelve states of Yan is beyond our imagination."

Zhao Huaide sighed and then said.

"The mining operation may take a long time. Once you reach Qishan County, you can try to serve under Master Yan."

"Oh?"

Gu Qing once again looked at Zhao Huaide with higher regard. If this person could embark on the path of immortality, he would surely achieve great things in the future. It was a pity that he was too old.

“Young friend, you don’t need to worry about the Zhao family. After all, Huaiyi brought you back to guide you onto the path of immortality. Now, due to the old matters, your assessment authority is still in the hands of Immortal Master Yan.”

“If it were Master Zhuo, who was on good terms with my Zhao family in previous years, these problems wouldn’t exist. Therefore, it wouldn’t hurt for you to side with him, as it would benefit both of us.”

"Is this true?"

"Indeed, you have fulfilled all your promises to the Zhao family. After you join the manor, just remember this favor from today."

"Then I shall respectfully comply. This matter is indeed troublesome, and this is the best way to resolve it."

Zhao Yuyang and the other two felt a little awkward watching them talk, but they didn't say anything.

Gu Qing is not much older than the average age and has a skill to rely on.

He is indeed a highly sought-after candidate, and it's unlikely that Master Yan would turn Gu Qing away for the sake of Song Long.

We'll have to wait until we get there to discuss the specifics.

In the evening, Gu Qing opened the panel to check the results of his three months of intensive training.

Gu Qing

Age: 21, Lifespan: 150

[Realm: Upper Ninth Rank - Golden Skin and Jade Meridians]

[Technique: Five Qi Profound Origin Technique - Level 3+]

[Secondary Skill: One Breath Rising Sun Strategy - Level 2+]

[Refining the Spirit: Fire Virtue Visualization Diagram - Level 1+]

[Martial Arts Skill: Hidden Blade (Mastery)+]

[Skills: Metal and Stone Refining Techniques - Hundred Refinements (Mastery), Fire Refining Techniques (Beginner)+]

[Items: Corrupted Blood Hidden Arrow (Level 5 Refined Weapon Embryo), Star Moon Twin Swords (Level 5 Refined Weapon Embryo), Explosive Iron Gallbladder x10 (Level 5 Refined Weapon Embryo)]

[Tool point: 32]

(End of this chapter)