Chapter 536 — Forging Iron Before the Foe
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
The black iron in Shen Mu's hand caught fire at once. Soon it grew too hot to hold, and he hastily flung it down. The iron landed, yet the flames upon it did not go out, and in the blink of an eye it melted into a puddle of molten iron.
The molten iron still burned, and in less than a breath it turned to ash.
"No wonder this place is called Li City. This fire is actually Li Fire!"
The Woodcutter Sage frowned again, and his junior's astonished voice broke the silence. "Not just Li Fire — there is demon fire too!"
The Black Tiger God could not help but warn him. "This place has been overrun by the demon race. Demon fire lurks within the Li Fire — the demon chiefs use it to ambush the unwary. Do not touch things carelessly, or you may be burned to death. But how did you know there is demon fire in the Li Fire?"
"Li Fire burns at a high temperature and is very effective for forging. It can easily melt black iron, but it will not burn black iron away to nothing."
Shen Mu explained, "Demon fire has a terrifying corrosive nature, but its temperature is not high. Just now, the black iron melting was the work of Li Fire; the black iron being burned away entirely was the work of demon fire."
His eyes suddenly blazed, giving the Black Tiger God a start. Excitedly he said, "Demon fire can also be used to smelt primordial weapons — and Li Fire is a divine fire for smelting primordial weapons! This trip was worth it. My sword core can advance another step!"
The Silent Artisan had taught him the mysteries of smelting, and he knew well the uses of every kind of flame. Seeing two flames now, he could not help but grow excited. He at once produced a great iron plate and a stand, along with a black iron hammer.
"Brother Tiger, you do not know — my sword core has already been refined to the point of softness around the finger. The next step is a sword like flowing water. All this time I have never found a superior flame, and now I have found one!"
Shen Mu produced his sword core and said to the dumbstruck Black Tiger God with a smile, "Demon fire can burn away black iron, but it cannot burn away the essence of dark gold. My sword is forged from the essence of dark gold, mixed with divine gold and other treasures. Tempering it in demon fire will instead refine away impurities."
The gods and demons around them stared blankly. Shen Mu swiftly assembled a smelting stand, produced a set of pitch-black felt aprons and tied one on, laid out flying swords one after another on the stand, then picked one up with tongs and thrust it into the flames.
Clang.
The sound of hammering shattered the solemn atmosphere of Li City. Shen Mu hammered away at his primordial weapon, utterly focused on every strike.
"Grain-thresher!"
Sang Hua said in a low voice, "How is it you know how to refine treasures too?"
Shen Mu did not lift his head. Modestly he said, "I studied it for over ten years. My attainment in it is somewhat higher than in the arts of calculation."
Sang Hua stuck out her tongue. Watching him hammer iron, her heart suddenly settled, and she was no longer flustered. Her father, seeing that she had actually come, frowned slightly. He opened his mouth, but held himself back.
Clang, clang, clang.
Shen Mu forged without pause. Though more than a dozen gods and demons stood here, the only sound was the ring of his hammer, driving the heart to agitation.
Suddenly, the demon god facing the Woodcutter Sage twisted his head, changing to another face. Amiably he said, "Furiluo has finally met the Heavenly Master of the false Heavenly Court of old. Truly, seeing you is better than hearing of you. This successor of yours is most amusing. Are you certain you want him to fight on your behalf?"