Chapter 93: The Wager
Tianjian Shuan barely managed to halt his momentum before crashing head-first into Yao Shen, the Elders expression warped from a panic that was only beginning to ebb.
A few moments passed by in silence as Tianjian Shuan took in the sword shard that Yao Shen had managed to intercept with his bare hand, its sharpness unable to cause him the lightest of scratches even as he firmly held onto it.
On the other hand, the disciple that was standing in the inadvertent projectiles line of fire had only just realized the severity of the near accident that had just transpired, as his reflexes finally caught up. His sense of honor clashed with the visceral, albeit delayed fear as he struggled to stand his ground out of respect for the dignitaries he was standing in presence of, only to fail with flailing hands as he collapsed backwards onto the ground.
Tianjian Shuan was at his disciples side in the blink of an eye, gingerly offering him a hand with a clearly apologetic expression.
Although the disciples gaze was still clouded with fear, seeing his own master with such a subdued demeanor gave him the push needed to snap out of his reverie.
A single, effortless tug was required to elevate the disciple back onto his feet. Tianjian Shuan offered the disoriented disciple a commiserating pat on the shoulder, before breaking the tense silence clouding the forge with his words, Forgive me, child. I lost focus.
M-Master! The disciple found himself stuttering in his hurry to get his reply out. Please do not apologize, I am unhurt!
Tianjian Shuan shook his head at his disciples protestations, before replying, My apology to you comes not from I, your master, but from one craftsman to another. The very first lesson I taught you was to never underestimate the backlash one can receive whilst experimenting with new forging techniques and materials. I would not be worthy of guiding you any further if I was not capable of admitting my own error.
There was still hesitation reflected in the disciples eyes, but his expression seemed to have eased as he slowly nodded, I accept your apology, Master.
Good, Tianjian Shuan praised. I think that it would be for the best if you two retreat to your quarters for now. One mishap can be attributed to ill fortune, but a second one I see no pressing reason to tempt fate.
Yes Master! The two disciples overlapping voices echoed loudly in acknowledgement, as they bowed first to Yao Shen, as the guest and then to their master.
Only after the doors were sealed shut behind them did their discussion resume.
This time, it was Tianjian Shuan, the prideful forge master, that bowed to Yao Shen.
Many thanks, Patriarch Shen, He expressed his gratitude with a rare show of emotion, the Forge Masters expression showing a crack in his usually stern demeanor.
Please, Yao Shen placated. If someone is to be blamed, then it is I. While I did not expect the difference to be so marked, the result is not entirely out of my expectations.
I see, Tianjian Shuan replied after straightening his back, now standing at a height that nearly matched Yao Shens own. Regardless, it is fact that you saved the life of my true disciple. Normally, I would offer you a forging technique in exchange. Perhaps not the most unique or valuable one in my possession, but one that would assist your progress in the early stages well.
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Yao Shen noticed the hesitation in Tianjian Shuan, followed by a fluctuation in his emotion sense that his Human Dao picked up on as a blurry swirl of fragments.
But you possess something I want, The Forge Master stated plainly, his expression stony as he locked eyes with Yao Shen.
Oh? Yao Shen feigned puzzlement as the gears in his mind rapidly whirred, knowing exactly what Tianjian Shuan wanted from him whilst considering how best he could leverage it to his understanding.
Indeed, Patriarch Shen. The technique you just displayed allowed a basic armor that I would not give to my own disciples, let alone use myself, to withstand a strike that had the strength of a Nascent Soul Cultivator behind it. I would be remiss to call myself a practitioner of the Dao of Forging if I was not interested in it.
It is not a technique that can be taught, Yao Shen replied after some deliberation. I could perhaps guide you, however, there is a great difference between the strength of our Divine Sense. What you gain from my instruction will depend on your own talent, though I will not hold back on any guidance that I can offer.
That is to be expected, Tianjian Shuan replied, clearly already having foreseen Yao Shens limitations.
Minutes ticked away as the two cultivators examined each other in silence. There was no such thing as a free exchange of resources Ionea and after the Era of Turmoil, powerful techniques and inheritances fell under the highest echelon of said resources.
The chaotic emotions flickering around Tianjian Shuan stilled, as he reached a decision.
In exchange, I can offer you a unique forging technique, He finally revealed.
Unique? Yao Shen asked, unable to keep the intrigue out of his tone.
Tianjian Shuan took a deep breath to compose himself, before answering, Most forging techniques are focused on exterior modulations, much like the one I have taught you. Controlling the time, tempo and Qi behind each strike and further modulating it in accordance with different ores and ingots determines the core principles behind most techniques known to the Earth Division. This one though its different.
Why?
It is internal. The moment that your Qi infuses a hammer, the technique is complete. Instead of adapting your Qi to your armor, you adapt the armor to your Qi, Tianjian Shuan explained.
Yao Shen fell into deep thought as he calculated the implications of the revelation.
In all my years of cultivation, I have never heard of such a technique. Why reveal such an extraordinary technique to me, knowing full well that it might be against the interests of your Division? Yao Shen asked, understanding that there was still much more to be accomplished before he could truly claim that the three divisions were loyal to his cause.
Tianjian Shuan dryly chuckled at his words, before shaking his head.
If I could have mastered this technique, I would have no need for your insights. No, Patriarch Shen while this technique may have been passed down from generation to generation in the Shuan Legacy Family, I suspect only a Soul Emperor can draw out its true potential. Many forgers far more talented than I have failed and I, unfortunately, could not become the exception.
And you believe I can succeed?
Perhaps. Perhaps not. I am a practical man, Patriarch Shen. But I also understand the weight of debts freely given. I do not believe you to be the sort of man that repays kindness with animosity. But even if you do master the technique and refuse to share the fruit of your results, like I said, I am a practical man instead of placing my faith in archaic notions of fate that my ancestors have so piously bet on, I would much rather choose to study the far more attainable technique dangled before me.
Are you not afraid of the ramifications of this decision? Yao Shen asked, as he was forced to see the Forge Master in a new light.
I am not very accomplished in the way of combat, Patriarch Shen. But that does not mean that the flames of ambition that kindle my heart are in any way inferior to yours. If you only require a single swing of a sword to cleave mountains, then I only need forge an armor that stands unmoved in face of the very heavens collapsing. The only question remains- are you willing to make that wager?
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