readytorunbook You decide the name of Chapter 123.
You decide the name of Chapter 123.
After that, Xu Ning never sent Beidou out to sea again.
Instead, he stayed by her side every day, honing her martial arts skills and helping her get used to the new weapons.
It was at this moment that Xu Ning truly understood what it meant to "when the time is right, heaven and earth lend their strength."
From the day Beidou resolved to kill Hyjal, it seemed as if the entire fortune of Liyue was concentrated on her.
First, Uncle Tian gifted him the "Black Rock Cleaver" forged by the renowned craftsman Cambrian. Then, during his journey to improve the cleaver, he discovered the "Secluded Path" secret realm as the place where Beidou would hone his new cleaver.
In addition, Hutchison Whampoa provided manpower and ships, while Seven Stars provided money and technology, arming the four auxiliary ships to the teeth.
These ships are now practicing formations and various flag coordinations daily in the waters near Liyue.
As for the flagship that was under construction to slay the Sea Mountain, Xu Ning had taken a look at it. He didn't understand the design, but just by looking at the materials and workmanship, he could tell that Old Xiao clearly wanted to create another "Sea Mountain" in a different sense this time - a new maritime overlord.
Xu Ning leaned against the stone steps, watching Beidou wield his sword and slay the Qiuqiu Rock Helmet King on the circular floating island. His swordsmanship was smooth and effortless, without any hesitation. Xu Ning knew that Beidou used his weapon as if it were his own arm, and there was no need for him to deliberately practice using it.
"Alright, it's time to eat."
Xu Ning called Beidou over and handed her a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
"There's no longer any improvement from this training method, so you don't need to continue training like this for the time being."
Before Beidou could even cheer, Xu Ning shook his finger, "But this doesn't mean the training is over. From now on, I'm only allowing you to make one sword strike each day!"
Looking at Xu Ning, Bei Dou knew that this was definitely not because Xu Ning was reducing her training; there must be other requirements.
As expected, Xu Ning continued, "I want your sword strike to be absolutely no weaker than the one we saw Jiang Xue use on the beach at Wangshu Inn that day."
Upon hearing this, Beidou couldn't help but recall the awe-inspiring power Jiang Xue displayed when she raised her fishing rod that day. When that sword slashed down, it cleaved through the sky and shattered the moon, and it seemed that there was nothing in front of her that she could not cut.
“If you cannot unleash a power surpassing that sword strike, I will absolutely not allow you to sail out to sea.”
Beidou looked at Xu Ning, a determined look in her red eyes, and said, "I can definitely do it."
Xu Ning patted her head, his serious expression turning into doting affection, and said with a smile, "I have always believed that you can do it, and I have never wavered."
The secluded spot, "Where the winding path leads to a secluded place," was merged into the hidden cave, leaving only a portal on the stone wall, without occupying any space in the cave.
When Xu Ning and Bei Dou opened the bluestone door and came out, Ning Guang was waiting outside with a smile.
"Beidou, go wash up. Qingyi, don't prepare any food. I've already booked a table at Wanmintang. Let's eat out."
Seeing that Ningguang seemed very happy, Xu Ning smiled and said, "Is there some good news? That our Lord Tianquan has personally come to treat us to a meal?"
Ningguang rolled her eyes at Xu Ning, seemingly somewhat annoyed by his address of "Lord Tianquan".
"I've found a few people to handle the matter you mentioned to Miss Gan Yu last time, about opening up the Yaoguang Beach sea route and transporting supplies to Mingyun Town. Now that we have some extra Mora in our monthly income, we naturally have to ask you, the matchmaker, for a proper thank you."
Xu Ning chuckled and said, "How much Mora can you earn transporting some daily food utensils? Is it really worth you treating me like this?"
"You don't understand. Even if it's just earning one more Mora, it's something to be happy about."
The group left the cave and headed towards Tiger-Eating Rock.
Ningguang explained on the way, "What's more, I've also reached an agreement with the mine owner who's currently contracting Mingyun Town. When we transport supplies from Liyue Harbor to there, we can bring back the minerals mined there on the return trip to sell. This not only saves both parties half the travel expenses, but I've also secured most of the orders for the minerals from there. The high-quality Noctiluca Stone produced in Mingyun Town is in high demand and short supply in Liyue Harbor."
"That's definitely something to celebrate! Hey, why are we still walking forward?"
Xu Ning saw Wanmin Hall, and Ning Guang continued walking forward, quickly calling out to him.
Ningguang turned around and smiled, "Last time I saw you were envious of Beidou's greatsword, so I specially asked Lao Zhang to make you a new pair of gauntlets. He asked someone to say that they are already finished. We can go there to pick them up, and if there is any discomfort, he can adjust them."
Xu Ning turned to the woman in green, who had transformed into a little girl and was waiting to eat at the feast, and said, "Look, last time I asked you to lend me some Wine Seals so I could exchange them for the Heartland Gauntlet prototype to make a new weapon, but you refused. Now that Ningguang has given them to me, your stuff can just stay in the Wentian Pavilion and collect dust!"
The woman in green said dejectedly, "Can I buy it on credit? If I can, I'll give it to you, okay?"
Xiangling, who was standing nearby, heard that Xu Ning had a new weapon, so she immediately ran out to see what was going on.
The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at the entrance of Hanfeng Ironware.
The owner of Hanfeng Ironwares was surnamed Zhang and named Zhang Hanfeng.
Xu Ning often talks about the century-old shop's craftsmanship, but he usually just smiles at the name on the signboard.
When Han Feng saw Xu Ning and the others coming over, he smiled and said, "I was just thinking you guys would come. Young Master Xu, why don't you give it a try? If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, I can adjust it for you right now."
Han Feng took out a pair of gloves and handed them to Xu Ning.
The gloves were very long, almost covering Xu Ning's forearms.
The inner lining is soft and comfortable, while the outer layer is a black cloth that is neither leather nor brocade. When it comes to the hands, countless delicate small copper coins, some straight and some curved, are inlaid at the joints of the outer layer of the glove.
It perfectly matches the description Xu Ning once gave to Wanhuotong: inlaid with copper and iron, it doesn't affect finger movement, can defend against sword cuts, and hurts people terribly when it hits.
"The inner lining is made of the finest cotton from Feiyun Pavilion, which is soft, close-fitting, and absorbent. The outer lining is made of a special fabric imported from Fengdan, as requested by Lord Tianquan. It is heat-insulating, moisture-proof, and impervious to water and fire. Even if you hold burning charcoal in your hand, you will never burn your fingers."
Beidou exclaimed in delight, "Then when Xu Ning uses the Fire Fist again, his hands and clothes won't get burned!"
Han Feng laughed and said, "That's natural. Moreover, according to Lord Tianquan's description of Brother Xu's moves, I specially used fire copper ore that grows with the Flame Flower on these copper plates. They can produce sparks with just two fingers rubbing them together, making them excellent at igniting fire."
"Oh?"
Xu Ning immediately became interested, tilted the gourd in his hand, poured a stream of wine into his right palm, rubbed the copper plate between two fingers, and the wine in his palm suddenly burst into flames.
Xu Ning held the flames in his hand, yet felt no burning sensation in his palm. As the alcohol vapors gathered, his right hand suddenly burst into flames like a torch, but even so, the entire glove remained unharmed.
Xu Ning thanked Han Feng, saying, "I am very satisfied. Oh, by the way, do these gloves have a name? Since you made them yourself, you should be the one to name them!"
Han Feng chuckled and said, "I've already thought of a name. These gloves are made from refined copper, so let's call them 'Copper Refining'!"