CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34 I SEE THE GREEN HILLS ARE CHARMING_1

"Yes, I’ve been learning at home since I was a child."

"After more than a decade of diligent study, I’ve reached the proficiency of a Grade II Forgemaster."

Guo Zhao felt a great sense of pride when talking about Forging.

Although his talent for cultivation didn’t compare to his younger brother Guo Xun, who joined the Riverside Sect at the same time as him.

His accomplishments in Forging, however, were substantial.

At the age of thirty, he was already a Grade II Forgemaster, undoubtedly a prodigy in Artifact Refining.

"It’s indeed commendable to be born into a large cultivation family, with such abundant ancestral knowledge."

Shen Mo was somewhat envious.

Being born into a large cultivation family is a blessing, as one can learn about Forging from an early age. Unlike him, a rogue cultivator with no background, who had to start from scratch and fight for everything on his own.

"If Senior Brother Guo needs anything, I am willing to provide assistance."

As a young man, the original host of this body once harbored a vague infatuation for Chen Mengze. But over the years, he came to know that Chen Mengze was proud and looked down on him, and any lingering thoughts in his heart had long since dissipated. After transmigrating, Shen Mo had even fewer thoughts about her.

Naturally, he would not refuse.

A faint smile appeared on Shen Mo’s face as he said earnestly, "However, compared to the profound low-grade Dragon Sparrow Sword you mentioned, Senior Brother Guo, I’m more interested in the forging method itself."

It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Although a profound low-grade magic artifact is precious, to Shen Mo, it would be more valuable to learn the forging method so that he could create the magic artifacts he desires in the future. In his previous life, he enjoyed grinding various sub-professions in games and unlocking all sorts of achievements. Now, regarding the Hundred Arts of Cultivation—special professions like Forging, talisman making, formation setting, Alchemy... Shen Mo wanted to learn them all. After all, he has an experience bar; as long as he trains hard, he can gain experience and upgrade. Compared to others, he has a distinct advantage in learning these professions. His ultimate goal is to become a top cultivator who is proficient in a little bit of everything.

"Shen, if you want to learn, I’m willing to teach you everything I know," Guo Zhao said generously, his face wrinkling into a hearty laugh after hearing Shen Mo’s statement.

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother Guo!"

Shen Mo was overjoyed. Being guided by a Grade II Forgemaster in forging methods was undoubtedly the greatest gain from this trip. Compared to the fifty Spirit Stones that Chen Mengze promised as a reward, this was far more important.

"Shen, I have a favor to ask you," Guo Zhao began. "Junior Sister Chen’s birthday is approaching, and I want to give her a present to celebrate. However, I don’t know her preferences and can’t quite decide."

"Since you’ve known Junior Sister Chen since childhood and are close to her, you presumably know what she likes, don’t you?"

"Well..." Shen Mo was slightly taken aback; indeed, he found himself in a bit of a bind.

Although he had a good relationship with Chen Mengze when they were young, that was in the past. Since she advanced to the Inner Door, they had had little contact over the years. A girl changes significantly as she grows, and his familiarity with her had greatly diminished. Added to that, the original host’s childhood memories were already blurry in Shen Mo’s mind. At this moment, facing Guo Zhao’s earnest anticipation, he was truly unable to offer any advice.

"COUGH, COUGH." He feigned a couple of awkward coughs. "Senior Brother Guo, to be honest, I really need to inquire a bit on your behalf to find out."

"However, there is one piece of information I can share with you."

An idea struck him, and he said, "Senior Sister Chen’s father was recently injured while hunting for treasure in Desolate Mountain and needs a Thunder Transforming Pill to heal."

"After some searching, I’ve gathered all the auxiliary ingredients, but I’m still missing a main ingredient called Jade Water Pearl. I’ve looked everywhere for it without success."

"If you can find this medicinal herb for Uncle Chen, I’m sure Junior Sister Chen will be extremely grateful to you when she finds out."

Guo Zhao, hailing from a large cultivation family, was well-traveled and knowledgeable; he might have information about this herb. If he could obtain this main ingredient through him, the matter of concocting the pill with Alchemy to heal Uncle Chen’s injury would be on its way to being resolved. And Guo Zhao could also fulfill his wish of making a good impression on Chen Mengze. A win-win situation.

"Jade Water Pearl?" Guo Zhao furrowed his brows, seemingly in thought. "I think... I’ve heard of it. But my memory is hazy. I’ll ask around when I get back."

"I appreciate your help, Senior Brother Guo."

The night sky was veiled, the moon luminous, and the stars sparse.

Guo Zhao and Shen Mo conversed late into the night inside the cave mansion, only returning to their respective rooms to rest when it was very late.

「The next day, at dawn.」

Chen Mengze returned from her night patrol.

Guo Zhao was keen to make a good impression on her. Shen Mo, having reached a tacit understanding with him and for the sake of the reward Senior Brother Guo offered, actively cooperated to create opportunities for the two of them.

However, Chen Mengze seemed unappreciative. In response to Guo Zhao’s various attempts to impress her, she remained polite yet distant.

"Junior Sister Chen, let’s cook together tonight," Guo Zhao suggested again, undeterred despite not receiving much encouragement.

"There’s no need to trouble you, Senior Brother Guo. Shen Mo can help with the cooking," Chen Mengze said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

She knew Guo Zhao’s intentions and didn’t want to give him any false hope.

However, Shen Mo, having taken someone’s money, naturally had to help them out of a jam.

"Senior Sister Chen, I need to practice Alchemy tonight, so I won’t be able to cook with you. Let Senior Brother Guo help," he said.

Chen Mengze heard this and felt a surge of irritation. What’s with this guy today? She had originally brought Shen Mo along to participate in the guarding mission, hoping he could shield her from Guo Zhao’s various advances and help her avoid the awkwardness of being alone with him during this assignment. But to her surprise, Shen Mo hadn’t been helpful in the slightest, acting as if he were only here to go into secluded cultivation for Alchemy, completely ignoring external matters.

That night, after the three of them had eaten, Shen Mo quite proactively volunteered to patrol the mine himself, to prevent Stone Spirits from appearing.

He left the Guard Cave early.

When Shen Mo had left, only Guo Zhao and Chen Mengze remained in the main hall of the cave mansion, their eyes meeting. "Junior Sister Chen... the full moon tonight is beautiful," Guo Zhao said.

I see all living beings as mere grass and trees; only you are the verdant mountain. Guo Zhao gazed at Chen Mengze, a pile of romantic confessions already prepared in his heart. But when they reached his lips, he just couldn’t bring himself to say them.

Chen Mengze seemed to sense something.

She avoided his gaze, saying, "Senior Brother Guo, please sit here for a while. I’m going to check on Shen Mo. His cultivation is still weak, and I’m a little worried about him patrolling alone at night."

Saying this, she got up and left.

Guo Zhao, who had a bellyful of words he wanted to say, had hoped to pour out his heart under the beautiful night sky. Seeing her leave, he deflated.

He was somewhat dejected but consoled himself. Oh well, forget it. There’s still plenty of time. Besides, I’ll be spending these two months here anyway. As long as Shen Mo cooperates, I’ll have plenty of opportunities.

He consoled himself in this way.

"A straightforward fellow."

That was Shen Mo’s assessment of Guo Zhao.

Although this Senior Brother Guo comes from an impressive family, he seems a bit simple and artless in his dealings with people, not the shrewd and experienced type. In fact, Shen Mo wasn’t very optimistic about Guo Zhao’s chances of success. "I find the green mountains so enchanting; for there to be a chance, the green mountains must see me as such." That’s how it should be. If you find the green mountains enchanting, but the green mountains see you as a pile of dung, then there’s absolutely no way to force it. It’s said that even the fiercest woman can’t withstand a persistent suitor, but Chen Mengze wasn’t the type of meek woman who lacked her own opinions. Of course, whether Guo Zhao succeeded or not was of no consequence to him. All he needed was to get his reward and learn the forging method.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

While he was thinking, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from behind.