Chapter 11: Pavilion of Myriad Artifacts

Chu Fengmian left the Lin residence and headed straight for the market in Linwu City, entering a shop named "Wanqi Pavilion."

This Wanqi Pavilion was one of the top-tier shops in Linwu City, specializing in all kinds of weaponry and ranking among the top three.

However, the reason Chu Fengmian chose Wanqi Pavilion now was not merely for that. Chu Fengmian knew that behind Wanqi Pavilion stood one of the most powerful sects in the Wusheng Kingdom, and indeed in countless kingdoms: the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The Heavenly Sword Sect was a behemoth, a super-power even ten thousand years ago. In Chu Fengmian’s memories, the Heavenly Sword Sect was now even more powerful than it had been ten thousand years ago.

To support such a behemoth, the Heavenly Sword Alliance possessed many chambers of commerce and shops, and this Wanqi Pavilion was one of them.

Although Chu Fengmian held countless grudges against the Heavenly Sword Sect, their art of weapon forging was truly astonishing—even the Master of the Sword Dao had praised it in the past.

If he wanted to find a suitable sword, Wanqi Pavilion was the best choice.

"Old man Xuan Jingtai. Head Steward Chu, are you here to choose a suitable weapon?"

The shopkeeper of Wanqi Pavilion, Xuan Jingtai, spoke directly upon seeing Chu Fengmian enter.

Chu Fengmian’s reputation in Linwu City was not small, and Xuan Jingtai recognized him at a glance.

Martial artists who came to Wanqi Pavilion did so for a suitable weapon. Chu Fengmian was currently empty-handed; as a martial artist, how could he be without a proper weapon?

"That is correct."

Chu Fengmian nodded, his eyes sweeping over Xuan Jingtai.

Xuan Jingtai appeared to be just an ordinary old man, but Chu Fengmian could see that when Xuan Jingtai moved, his body showed not the slightest bit of sluggishness. On the contrary, his movements were perfect—far more perfect than those of many young martial artists.

Every action he took seemed to be accumulating power, ready to erupt at any moment should danger arise.

This was something only possible at a very high level of martial arts.

This Xuan Jingtai was an out-and-out martial arts expert, perhaps even stronger than the elders within the Lin residence.

Since the Heavenly Sword Sect stood behind Wanqi Pavilion, how could Xuan Jingtai, as the shopkeeper, be unrelated to them?

While Chu Fengmian was sizing up Xuan Jingtai, Xuan Jingtai’s eyes were also scanning Chu Fengmian intently. Chu Fengmian noticed a hint of surprise in the old man's gaze.

"Come, Head Steward Chu, please head to the second floor."

Xuan Jingtai quickly composed himself and led Chu Fengmian into a private room on the second floor.

The private rooms on the second floor of Wanqi Pavilion were reserved for martial artists of status. Seeing Xuan Jingtai lead him there, Chu Fengmian looked at him with some surprise.

As the Head Steward of the Lin residence, there was naturally no issue with him coming to a second-floor room.

However, Chu Fengmian was known to everyone in Linwu City as a waste.

To show such courtesy to a waste—it seemed this Xuan Jingtai had already discerned something.

Once inside the room, Xuan Jingtai smiled and spoke to Chu Fengmian.

"I believe I should first congratulate Head Steward Chu. A late bloomer, finally stepping into the Bone Tempering Realm and becoming a true martial artist."

Chu Fengmian was not surprised that Xuan Jingtai could see his current strength at a glance.

Xuan Jingtai was a martial arts expert with profound attainments, possibly even at the Divine Sea or Wind Imperial Realm. It was not unexpected that he could see through Chu Fengmian's current strength.

Xuan Jingtai continued, "Since you have become a martial artist, you will need a suitable weapon. I wonder what kind of weapon Head Steward Chu requires?"

"A sword," Chu Fengmian said. "A light sword."

"Oh?"

Hearing Chu Fengmian’s answer, Xuan Jingtai was somewhat surprised.

Sword cultivators were extremely common in the Wusheng Kingdom, so Xuan Jingtai was not surprised by that, but Chu Fengmian had specifically asked for a light sword.

Swords were divided into light swords and heavy swords.

Light swords were nimble and made performing sword techniques much easier, but they lacked power and struggled to suppress opponents in combat, relying heavily on sword intent. Only some sword masters would choose a light sword.

Most sword cultivators chose heavy swords, which possessed much greater power.

"May I ask what kind of light sword Head Steward Chu is looking for?" Xuan Jingtai asked again.

Weapon grades were like pills, divided into Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. The value difference between each grade was several-fold, or even dozens-fold.

As the saying goes, one buys a sword according to one's wealth.

Chu Fengmian pondered for a moment and said, "Preferably a light sword of Mysterious-grade middle rank or higher."

"Mysterious-grade middle rank?"

Xuan Jingtai frowned, looked at Chu Fengmian, and then spoke.

"Our Wanqi Pavilion does indeed have a Mysterious-grade high-rank light sword that would satisfy Head Steward Chu’s requirements, but the price..."

"Given Head Steward Chu’s status, you are naturally a valued guest of our Wanqi Pavilion, but I hope Head Steward Chu will act within his means."

Xuan Jingtai did not continue, but his meaning was clear to anyone.

You want a light sword above Mysterious-grade middle rank? We have it! But the price is not something Chu Fengmian could afford.

A common Yellow-grade low-rank weapon cost dozens of Bone Tempering Pills, and a Yellow-grade middle-rank weapon cost hundreds.

A Mysterious-grade high-rank light sword was something that perhaps no one in all of Linwu City could afford.

Even a wealthy and powerful faction like the Lin residence might not be able to buy it. With Chu Fengmian’s current wealth, he wouldn't even have enough for the fraction of the cost.

However, Chu Fengmian dared to ask because he had other methods in mind.

"Shopkeeper Xuan, have you felt something unusual in your left hand recently?"

Chu Fengmian did not answer Xuan Jingtai’s question, but instead suddenly brought up an unrelated topic.

"For instance, a sense of numbness?"

"Hm?"

Chu Fengmian’s sudden words made Xuan Jingtai’s eyes widen.

He stared fixedly at Chu Fengmian, as if trying to see something through him.

Seeing Xuan Jingtai’s expression, Chu Fengmian smiled and said, "Am I correct, Shopkeeper?"

"Continue," Xuan Jingtai said coldly, the shock evident in his tone.

It was true; Xuan Jingtai’s left hand was indeed feeling a bit numb.

This was caused by his sword intent going awry and impacting his body while he was practicing a few days ago. Not even anyone within Wanqi Pavilion knew about this.

Yet now, Chu Fengmian had suddenly pointed it out.

"Sword intent cannot be influenced by external forces; it can only be comprehended by oneself. Relying on external forces will only lead to playing with fire and burning oneself," Chu Fengmian said calmly.