Wherever the 'Ice Abyss' passed, the human-sized 'metal mountain' would be sliced apart like mud. However, halfway through, an ear-piercing sound could be heard, and the 'Ice Abyss' was unable to continue any further.
Everyone's face changed. The head of the Cheng Clan, Cheng Hong, felt his heart trembling. With a flick of his wrist, he hurriedly pulled out the Ice Abyss. His reaction was already very fast, but a few scratches had appeared on the body of the "Ice Abyss" that was as clear as a cold pond.
Even though the scratches were short and thin, not affecting the Ice Abyss at all, everyone couldn't help but feel their hearts ache.
This was the Cheng Clan's guardian sword that had been passed down for centuries, the symbol of the Cheng Clan. The slightest flaw was unacceptable to them.
"Clan head …"
Cheng Youqing couldn't help but say. This was the result of forcefully using a sword to hack at the Ice Abyss beyond one's capabilities. If one were to hack at it any further, the flaw would be even greater.
However, the culprit, Cheng Hong, stared at the scratches on the body of the sword in a daze, as though he didn't hear anything. It was as though he had suffered a huge blow.
"Half! It can only reach half! … The Ice Abyss was forged by our Cheng Clan's ancestor. It took ten years for this sword to be forged, and it can easily slice through armor made of well-tempered steel. Such a sword only appears once every ten years! How can there be such a sword in the world that is even more formidable than the one forged by our Cheng Clan's ancestor! "
"I don't believe it, I don't believe it … Investigate! Investigate it for me! I must know who that Wang Chong is! "
The voice of the head of the Cheng Clan, Cheng Hong, echoed in the entire Cheng Clan Residence.
…
At the same time, a group of people had also gathered in the residence of the Zhang Clan in the capital. They were all gathered in a circle. However, different from the Cheng Clan, on the stone table of the Zhang Clan, there was a black and ugly piece of metal that was only as thick as a pinky.
"What do you all think?"
The head of the Zhang Clan was in his forties. Dressed in a white robe that reached the ground, he looked gentle and elegant. Instead of a blacksmith, he looked more like a teacher.
The matter at the Bluebottle Pavilion didn't just catch the other clans off guard, the Zhang Clan was caught off guard as well. However, the only thing that was different from the others was that up until now, the others were still confused and didn't know what was going on.
However, the Zhang family in the capital was different. They were well aware of Wang Chong's identity from the very beginning. They even knew that Wang Chong's sword was made from Hyderabad ore.
"It's really hard to believe that a sword forged from this kind of ore could be so sharp. It seems that 300 taels of gold per jun isn't expensive at all. "
"… But, I'm a little curious. How did the young master of the Wang Clan know about such a secret? He looked like he was only fifteen years old and didn't look like he had a lot of experience. Furthermore, those two Sindhi Buddhist monks are extremely stingy. They won't easily let others touch their ores. Even our Zhang Clan only gave them such a small piece. Even our Zhang family couldn't see through it, so how could a child like him know? "
The Grand Elder of the Zhang Clan, Zhang Qiming, said as he stroked his snow-white beard.
The room fell silent. Even Zhang Cong and Zhang Jian were unable to answer this question. Just like everyone else, the two of them were shocked by the outcome at the Bluebottle Pavilion.
"Actually … Even until now, I still find it hard to believe that the Hyderabad ore could be so sharp!"
Zhang Jian said honestly.
On the matter of Wang Chong, Zhang Jian had to admit that there was something uncontrollable about this child of the Wang Clan.
Zhang Jian couldn't put his finger on it, but every time he saw him, he was unable to treat him as a child.
"Actually, it isn't too difficult to verify this point."
The head of the Zhang Clan turned to look at the small piece of Hyderabad ore on the table:
"Don't we have something ready-made here? Even though this little bit isn't enough to forge a sword, it should be enough to forge a small dagger. We just have to give it a try and we'll know. "
Everyone nodded their heads. It wasn't an easy task to forge a small dagger with this little bit of material and display one's highest level of craftsmanship.
This was something that none of the other clans were capable of.
However, the Zhang Clan was different. As the head of the swordsmithing industry, this was also the reason why the Zhang Clan was superior to the other clans.
"Grand Elder, I'll leave this to you. I want to see the finished product before daybreak. "
The head of the Zhang Clan said.
"Un!"
The latter agreed without any hesitation. Grabbing the small bit of Hyderabad metal on the table, he stood up and walked into the room, as though he had just agreed to a trivial matter.
The fire in the furnace burned from dusk to daybreak. After an entire night, a new dagger of around four cun in length and the thickness of a pinky finger appeared before everyone, placed on the stone table.
But upon seeing this dagger, Zhang Jian, Zhang Cong, and all of the Zhang Clan disciples who had seen the WuZi Steel sword at the Bluebottle Pavilion were astonished.
"Grand Elder, are you certain that this is a weapon forged using the materials from Hyderabad?"
Zhang Jian looked at the pitch-black dagger on the table doubtfully.
They had seen Wang Chong's WuZi Steel sword before, and there was a wondrous pattern on the body of the sword, reminiscent of flowing water. This was something that other swords didn't have.
However, the dagger forged by the Grand Elder didn't have the slightest bit of pattern on it.
"Un, I don't know if the Hyderabad ore you speak of is the same. But this is indeed forged using the materials provided by the clan, and it's the best weapon that I can forge. "
"I have used all of the swordsmithing skills of our Zhang Clan on this."
The Grand Elder of the Zhang Clan said. His voice was fatigued, and it seemed like he had spent a lot of time forging the sword last night.
Zhang Cong and Zhang Jian stared at one another, speechless.
The difference between this and the sword that Wang Chong had forged was simply too great. It was impossible to tell that they were the same type of sword.
"There's no need to argue. There's no need to doubt the Grand Elder's skills."
The white-robed head of the Zhang Clan stepped forward, took the dagger forged using the Hyderabad ore, and held it in his hands.
"Bring a sword over."
Soon, a disciple brought a sword over. This sword was of the same tier as the sword that the Zhang Clan had sent to the Bluebottle Pavilion for the duel gamble.
Klang!
The weapons clashed, and a sharp whistle sounded in the air. A cut appeared on the sword in the right hand of the Zhang Clan's clan head. The dagger cut deeply into it, but the sword didn't break into two.
Those present were all elites of the Zhang Clan, and it was clear that the dagger forged by the Grand Elder was superior to the Zhang Clan's sword in the clan head's right hand. However, it was still a far cry from the level of Wang Chong's sword, which was able to sever dozens of famous swords in a single strike.
Upon seeing this result, even the Grand Elder fell silent. Even though he wasn't present at the Bluebottle Pavilion's duel gamble, he had heard a lot about it from the disciples of the clan.
Clearly, the weapon that he forged was still a far cry from the unique 'Number One Sword in the World'.
"Clan head, if the news from the Bluebottle Pavilion is true, and the materials used are consistent, then Wang Chong's sword is forged from Hyderabad ores. At the very least, there's one thing that we can be sure of. The reason why the sword is so sharp isn't just because of the Hyderabad ores. There must be an incredible swordsmithing technique as well. "
"Furthermore, this swordsmithing technique is even more formidable than the one used by our Zhang Clan!"
The Grand Elder had a fatigued expression as he spoke, but at this moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp glint shot out from his eyes.
"I suggest that no matter what, we should maintain a friendly relationship with the Wang Clan and that Wang Chong. If we can obtain that unique swordsmithing technique, our Zhang Clan will definitely be able to surpass the other clans and become the number one swordsmithing clan in the Central Plains! "
The Grand Elder's words determined the future direction of the Zhang Clan.
…
This night was destined to be a sleepless one for many of the prestigious clans who participated in the duel gamble. Zhang, Huang, Cheng, and Lu Clans had their candles lit all the way until dawn.
The same situation was occurring in the Imperial Army as well.
However, different from those prestigious clans who were concerned about the swordsmithing and its materials, Zhao Fengchen was concerned about something else.
In the duel gamble, Zhao Fengchen's greatest harvest was the discovery of an unparalleled sword! However, the only thing that Zhao Fengchen didn't expect was that he wasn't able to buy a single sword despite offering a high price of 40000 gold taels!
Just like the first time they met, the young man named Wang Chong rejected him without any hesitation!
This was the second time!
Given Zhao Fengchen's identity as an Imperial Army commander, it was a huge humiliation for him to be rejected in such a manner.
If it was in the past, Zhao Fengchen would have ignored him. However, whenever he thought of how Wang Chong's WuZi Steel Sword was able to slice apart more than a dozen top-notch swords and sabers, as well as a steel mountain taller than a human, Zhao Fengchen couldn't help but find it hard to swallow his food and sleep!
Zhao Fengchen was a true warrior. As a warrior, he understood the importance of an outstanding weapon to a true warrior.
This was something that couldn't be measured with money.
The sword that Wang Chong forged was completely different from all the other swords that Zhao Fengchen had seen before. For some reason, upon seeing the true appearance of the sword, Zhao Fengchen suddenly had a feeling that this was his sword. This was the sword that he had been searching for, the sword that he had been searching for all this while!
Even without the conflict with Huang Xiaotian, Zhao Fengchen still wished to obtain that sword!
Zhao Fengchen didn't know who Wang Chong was, nor was he aware of his background. However, even though Wang Chong had left, he had left his name behind. Furthermore, given his close relationship with the Wei Clan gongzi, as long as Zhao Fengchen wanted to investigate his background, it wasn't too difficult.
"Lord, lord …"
Just when the candle flame was extinguished and the sun was rising, a flurry of panting footsteps could be heard.
"How is it?"
Seated on the floor, Zhao Fengchen supported his chin with his hand and abruptly lifted his head.
"Lord, I've found it. That lad's name is Wang Chong, Duke Jiu's grandson! … "
The bearded subordinate of the Imperial Army shouted.
"What?!"
Hearing those words, Zhao Fengchen's face darkened and his heart turned cold. Zhao Fengchen didn't know who Wang Chong was, but there wasn't a single person in the Central Plains who didn't know of Duke Jiu.
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