CHAPTER 56: OLD WANG

The return to the city was quieter than usual.

The sun had already passed the middle of the sky, spreading golden tones over the trees. The sound of their footsteps mixed with the rustling of the leaves.

But, other than that, nothing.

Yanyu walked a few steps ahead, breathing calmly. She was serene, but without starting a conversation.

Kyrian, in turn, walked right behind, with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the path.

It was strange for him. In the last few days, there was always something. A quick exchange of words, a comment from her, a curious question. But now, nothing.

Only silence.

Kyrian showed nothing on his face. But inside, he felt a small discomfort, almost imperceptible.

It wasn’t something that could be called worry or irritation. But it was there, it felt as if a space had suddenly formed between them.

He didn’t think much about it. He just kept walking.

After a few days, when they finally reached the city gates, it was already late afternoon.

The movement at the gates was heavy. Cultivators holding beasts, the smell of blood.

When they entered the city without caring about the line, he saw that the streets were busier than usual for some reason.

But, without wasting time, the two went straight to the mercenary guild.

The main hall was full as always. It seemed the mercenaries spent more time there drinking than hunting, doing missions, or cultivating.

Loud voices, coins clinking, the noise of mugs striking the tables.

Kyrian thought it was truly a waste of time, but he didn’t stray, walking straight to the counter with firm steps.

The attendant, who always served, raised her eyes and first saw Yanyu, then Kyrian. Her eyes quickly fell on the plates Kyrian had just pulled out.

Kyrian placed everything on the counter.

"These seven, they followed me, tried to ambush me. They’re all dead. These are the plates." He said simply.

The woman arched her eyebrow, surprised.

Yanyu, who was beside him, confirmed.

"I was there. He’s telling the truth." She said, trying to be a witness.

The attendant examined the plates, recognized their owners, and let out a deep breath.

"Those idiots... always thinking they’re smarter than everyone else. Good thing you managed to take care of it yourself."

She then collected everything and, after a few moments, brought a small bag. She placed it on the counter.

"This is your reward. There are twenty low-grade spirit stones inside."

Kyrian took the bag without changing his expression. But he was satisfied. Now he had thirty spirit stones, aside from the mission reward. He could soon break through to the next stage.

"Also. The Iron Insects mission has been completed." He said.

The attendant, who was already turning around, froze.

"Are you serious? So fast?"

Kyrian only nodded.

She stared at him for a moment, then took a deep breath and left the counter after pressing a bell on her desk three times.

"Come with me." The attendant said, and right after she left, a new attendant appeared to take her place.

Yanyu, confused, widened her eyes.

"Wait... you’re saying you’ll take him there yourself?"

The attendant turned her face to her and replied without hesitation.

"Yes. Old Wang issued the mission. You must know what that old man is like. He wouldn’t leave the payment here."

"Old Wang?" Kyrian asked, already following the woman.

Yanyu was the one to answer first, her voice a little incredulous and excited.

"He... is the best blacksmith in the city. No, not just the city, actually. He can be considered one of the best in the entire country."

Kyrian understood, a little curious.

"But he retired. It’s been years since he’s forged anything for anyone. No matter who asks, no matter how many spirit stones they offer, he simply refuses." The attendant continued.

"Yes, I tried a few times to speak with him, to forge a sword for me. I ended up being thrown out every time." Yanyu said, a little downcast.

The attendant looked at Kyrian.

"And now, out of nowhere, he issued a mission. Not only that, he said he would make a sword for the one who completed the mission. That’s truly unbelievable."

"There’s no understanding what that old man thinks. But you, you’re really lucky, boy."

Kyrian was silent for a few seconds. Finally, he replied.

"I don’t think it’s luck."

Words that came without emotion. Remembering several faces already gone, without him having the strength to do anything.

But then, suddenly, a memory surfaced, the smile his mother always gave him, the loud laughs, and Rurik’s slaps.

’... maybe I am, actually.’ He thought, but quickly pushed it all to the back of his mind.

Yanyu glanced sideways at him, intrigued, never having seen that expression on Kyrian. But she said nothing.

Shortly after, they were already in front of the forge.

Kyrian stood still for a few moments, observing the facade. It wasn’t an old place, but it didn’t seem modern like other shops either.

It was ordinary and clean. It was, simply, absurdly clean. The walls, the doors. The furniture, without a speck of dust. And then Kyrian and Yanyu entered.

The interior revealed even more.

Weapons. Swords, spears, halberds, and light armor. All displayed in an organized way. Reflecting the light of the lamps. There was no customer or attendant. It was just silent.

Something caught Kyrian’s attention more than anything else. There was no price on any of the weapons. It seemed they were there only for display.

Kyrian walked up to a spear leaning against a stand. The white shaft was beautiful, and the blade reflected the light in silver beams. He extended his hand and lightly touched it, feeling the cold texture.

"Truly... a good spear." The words escaped low from Kyrian’s mouth, like a murmur.

"Rurik would definitely like it..."

At that moment, a dry sound echoed. A cough.

Shortly after, from the back of the shop, an old man emerged. His beard was short, his hair white, and his eyes sharp. He carried an air of impatience, and the instant he saw Kyrian handling and touching the spear, his expression soured and he was about to grumble.

But he stopped.

His gaze fixed on Kyrian, on the words he had just heard, even though it was a murmur. Kyrian didn’t look at the spear as a weapon good for slaughter. But as a gift. That made the old man reconsider.

It was then that he coughed.

Kyrian and Yanyu turned.

The old man looked directly at the girl and frowned.

"Damn brat! I already said I won’t forge anything for anyone!"

Yanyu, hearing the old man’s loud voice, quickly raised her hands.

"No, no! I’m just accompanying him, I already have a weapon."

Kyrian then stepped forward.

"I came for the mission and to ask for a sword. Where do I place the beasts’ corpses?"

The old man’s eyes narrowed. He observed Kyrian for a few moments. Noting his little strength, when he met those deep blue eyes, something seemed to click and make sense in his mind.

’I understand... a special physique. I really saw one before I died.’

"Follow me!" The old man simply said.

Behind the shop, there was a large yard. Metal furnaces were extinguished. But the smell of iron and charcoal was ingrained in the air.

"Place them here."

Kyrian raised his hand forward, and then, one by one, nine corpses of iron insects appeared.

The old man walked among the corpses, calmly analyzing. He noted the wounds, the cracks. And the internal organs of the beasts.

He touched a few points and, after a few seconds, raised his eyes to Kyrian.

"Your physique... is it linked to ice?"

"Yes." Kyrian replied without hesitation.

The old man then remained silent for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Alright, boy. This is the payment. Come back in a week. Your sword will be ready by then."

And then, without even waiting for a reply, the old man simply entered a cabin in the corner of the yard. Closing the door behind him.

Kyrian stood still, staring at the closed cabin, now holding a bag with at least sixty spirit stones or more.

’What a strange old man...’ he thought before turning to Yanyu.

"Let’s go."

She agreed with a nod, and the two left the forge.

It was already night when they reached the Mu family residence. The doors opened for them, and the feeling of fatigue enveloped them.

After several days away, fighting, training, pursuit, and blood. The silence of their rooms hit them.

It was time to rest.