Chapter Fourteen: Terrifying Insight

Before he could even go to report, the main door was suddenly pushed open from the inside. An elderly man with snow-white hair dashed out of the room with astonishing speed, reaching the wooden plank in an instant.

“Exquisite dice, red beans... does the deep yearning pierce the soul, do you know?”

The old man stood there, lost in the depths of the poem, seemingly unable to extricate himself from its spell. Xu Feng did not disturb him. If he was not mistaken, this must be Master Yan—the very master Miss Rong had spoken of. After a long moment, Master Yan finally snapped back to reality.

“Bring him in.”

“Yes, Master.”

Through their conversation, Xu Feng learned that this was indeed Master Yan, and the burly man before him was Yan’s sole disciple, known as Dashan.

“Brother Xu, you may not know, but the poem at the door was left by a young lady for my master years ago, and no one has ever managed to complete the final couplet.”

“Could it be your master’s wife?”

No wonder Master Yan struggled to contain his emotions—there was a poignant tale behind this after all.

“Who can say about the old days? All I know is my master often recited it.”

“Seems like Master Yan had quite a romantic past.”

The two waited inside for a long while before Master Yan returned.

“If only you had come sooner, Old Fu wouldn’t have had to wait so long. Tell me, what kind of weapon do you want me to forge for you?”

Master Yan did not mention his past, but the melancholy in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Senior, I’d like you to repair this sword. What do you think?”

Xu Feng handed over the broken sword, and Master Yan immediately recognized its origin.

“The Tianxiang Pavilion gave you this?”

“That’s right. Miss Rong said you’re the only one in the world who can repair this sword. As soon as I got it, I hurried straight here to find you.”

Everyone likes a compliment, even a master famous in the martial world.

“You’re not wrong. Besides me, no one can fix this broken sword. But I don’t have the materials here; I need to fetch them from an old friend. You wait here.”

“Please go ahead, senior.”

Master Yan’s reply eased Xu Feng’s worries; at last, there was hope. If the sword couldn’t be repaired here, he wouldn’t know where else to turn—it might end up gathering dust in his hands forever.

“Dashan, come with me. You stay here and watch the shop. Don’t let strangers in.”

“Understood.”

“There are other divine weapons here, all forged by me personally. Feel free to look around; if you find something you like, consider it a gift.”

Before coming, Miss Rong had repeatedly warned Xu Feng about Master Yan’s foul temper. Now it seemed no one could match it.

“Thank you, senior.”

The forge was in a remote location, far from any bustling street. Master Yan’s absence might last a while, giving Xu Feng the perfect chance to consolidate what he had learned recently.

Previously, at the Feng family residence, he had to worry about exposure and couldn’t fully unleash his skills.

He picked a well-crafted longsword and began to practice in the courtyard.

If disciples from the Sword Wind Sect were nearby, they would recognize the moves as the authentic sword techniques of their sect.

The insights he gained from the younger brother in Zuo Jin City surpassed even those from the Purple-Clad Captain of the Six Doors. Just this inheritance alone would keep him occupied for a long time.

After performing several sword forms, Xu Feng suddenly noticed a small sword floating beside him. He had no idea where it came from or when it had appeared.

When he reached out to grasp it, he found it intangible, as if a phantom.

“Huh? Strange. Why do I feel an incredibly terrifying power emanating from this sword?”

Xu Feng was on the verge of breaking through; that pressure alone revealed how extraordinary this sword was.

After several futile attempts to touch it, he finally sat cross-legged and faced off with the mysterious blade. At some point, drowsiness crept over him.

Just as he was about to drift off, he suddenly opened his eyes, successfully grasped the sword, and began to wield it. The sword forms were completely different from before.

This miraculous little sword contained an astonishing sword technique.

Time flew by, and Master Yan returned three days later. As soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw Xu Feng still immersed in his breakthrough.

“Master, this…”

“Don’t disturb him. Let him wake up on his own. This youth’s talent in the sword path rivals mine at his age. Had I met him earlier, you might have gained a little junior apprentice brother.”

Master Yan showed a hint of regret. The two disciples did not interrupt Xu Feng and busied themselves preparing materials to reforge the sword.

It wasn’t until noon that Xu Feng emerged from his state of enlightenment, now fully mastering the sword technique within the little sword.

“Senior…”

Upon learning that Master Yan had returned, Xu Feng wanted to share his discovery, but Master Yan waved him off, unconcerned.

“A treasure belongs to its possessor. Since you comprehended it yourself, then it’s yours.”

“No need to say more. I’m going to start the forge. Help me.”

Xu Feng did not protest; he stored the favor in his heart. Such a precious sword technique was a debt well worth owing.

During the wait, Dashan approached with a reminder.

“When Master starts connecting the pieces, watch carefully. Opportunities like this are rare. Back in the day, countless renowned swordsmen came to observe his forging but were turned away.”

“Thank you, senior brother.”

Master Yan tossed all the materials he brought into the furnace, then picked up a large hammer, ready for action.

As the materials melted, he aligned the broken edges of the sword and began hammering. At first, Xu Feng saw nothing special.

But as time passed, he realized Master Yan’s strikes were deliberate, each blow laden with meaning.

This reminded him of his own sword training—a true swordsman could only become peerless through relentless forging.

Otherwise, his sword would be nothing more than a mere showpiece.

With that thought, Xu Feng instinctively gripped a sword hilt nearby, drew the longsword, and began to perform the sword technique he had just awakened to.

If before his sword had only form without spirit, now it possessed both.

This was Master Yan’s teaching.

At the same time, Xu Feng’s realm began to shift. With the final sword form executed, he successfully broke through the rank of warrior.

Meanwhile, Master Yan had completed repairing the broken sword. At first glance, the seam was invisible, truly worthy of a world-renowned swordsmith.

“Good lad, such terrifying aptitude. A pity you didn’t start training from childhood; you might have become a towering figure in the martial world.”

A trace of regret crossed Master Yan’s face once more.