Chapter 228 Tempered Metallic Essence!. (1/2)

AST 228 – Tempered Metallic Essence!

Huoyun Liu-Li and Qing Shui walked side by side, there was an unspoken harmony between them. After hearing Qing Shui’s words, Huoyun chose not to reply.

“There were some that were born and had to carry burdens of hatred and anger. Their entire lives were spent living in hatred, all they wanted to do was to kill and be killed. This then become their drive, the drive that paved the road for their revenge.”

After hearing Qing Shui’s words, Huoyun Liu-Li’s eyebrows noticeably twitched. How much agony must people like that be living in?

“There were also some who lived in order to step onto the pinnacle of martial arts, some for the sake of various peerless beauties, some for the sake of unending riches, some for the sake of leaving their names behind, resounding famously throughout history, some for the sake of reviving their clans, some for the sake of becoming a lord, some for their descendants… ”

“To think that there were so many reasons, but this was also a goal for them. I didn’t realise it then, but after hearing what you said, I have to agree as well.” It was as though the wool had been lifted from Huoyun’s eyes.

“Regardless of what goals in life one has, at the very least, they have a goal! Without a goal to strive for, isn’t that akin to just waiting for death? Many people, after meeting a setback, would find that they suddenly have no goals to strive for. If you have something on your mind, just tell me about it, even if I can’t solve it for you, you can still get the matter off your chest.” Qing Shui smiled.

“What do you mean by that? I’m perfectly fine. Quick tell me, why don’t people know how to be content with what they have? The more they have, the more they want. Why is this so?” Huoyun urged Qing Shui with a sudden laugh of her own.

“There’s no right or wrong in this saying. Basically, a 100 different answers would also have a 100 different reasons, contentment is just an empty word. The desires of humankind can never be fully fulfilled. The richer someone is, the more money he would want. For example, if someone has 1 million taels of silver, after deducting his necessary expenses, he can at most spend 0.5 millions taels of silver on enjoying women. However, this will be different if his fortune was valued at 100 million taels of silver. Am I right?”

“Can’t you think of some other examples? Why are you always thinking this way?” Huoyun blushed as she gazed at Qing Shui.

“Hurhur, because i have no money… ”

Huoyun Liu-Li, “… ”

“Qing Shui, do you feel that you are happy and blessed? Huoyun and Qing Shui walked past the stores on the roadside as she suddenly asked.

“The heart determines everything, I guess… For example, if you felt that you are unhappy, people may feel that you are happy. And if you feel that you are happy, people may feel that you are unhappy. Which one of this two do you prefer?” Qing Shui rubbed his nose as he laughed.

“Naturally, I will prefer the version where I feel that I’m happy.” Huoyun stated.

“How does one obtain happiness?” Huoyun asked again, as Qing Shui paused slightly to determine if there was a blacksmith store located nearby.

“Happiness maybe hard to obtain, but in reality it is very simple. It depends on the person’s disposition and also, the target he set for himself. For example, a poor and powerless fellow, wanting to woo a Xiantian beauty. Such a goal is very hard to actualise, and thus it’s almost impossible to be happy. On the contrary, if he worked hard step by step, and changed his goal to an ordinary girl, wouldn’t the target he set be easier to achieve? As long as one is content, happiness will follow. But of course, if the guy really succeeded in wooing the Xiantian beauty, a toad eating the flesh of swan, the feeling of happiness would be even stronger.” Qing Shui chuckled.

Huoyun Liu-Li rolled her eyes speechlessly at Qing Shui, her charming countenance caused many men walking past them to drool.

“Qing Shui, I don’t think that there are any blacksmith stores for sale nearby.” Both of them passed by quite a few blacksmith stores on the streets.

“Let’s go and find the smallest one to see if they are willing to sell. We will offer a sky high price.” Qing Shui decided.

After a while, facing rejections, Qing Shui entered yet another blacksmith store with a 30+ years old blacksmith, who was currently forging a sword.

“Hey boss, are you selling this store?” Qing Shui walked towards the sturdy blacksmith as he directly asked.

The blacksmith paused in his actions slightly, but he didn’t even turn his head as he immediately replied, “not selling.”

After which, his muscular arms continued slamming down the anvil with his gigantic hammer, as thunderous and crisp sounds rang out.

“1 million taels of silver!” Qing Shui lightly exclaimed.

“Not selling!” The sturdy man didn’t even paused to consider.

“Do you know, that at the rate you are smithing, your body can only last till the end of this year?” Qing Shui smiled.

This time round, the sturdy man paused his actions as he inclined his head and studied Qing Shui. His face was full of sadness, looking at Qing Shui with the spirited eyes of his. His thick lips indicated that he was a honest and trustworthy man.

“2 million taels of silver. Sell this blacksmith store to me, and I will cure your illness as well.” Qing Shui lightly smiled as he spoke seriously.

“My blacksmith store isn’t even worth 50,000 taels of silver, and even if I have 2 million taels of silver, there’s no one who would be able to treat my illness. Why are you doing this?” The sturdy man went silent for awhile before he cast a strange look at Qing Shui.

“Do we really need reasons for the stuff we want to do?” Qing Shui faintly smiled.

“I promise you. I don’t want money, as long as you can cure my hidden illness, this blacksmith store will be yours. I only hope that you would keep me as your assistant.” The sturdy-built guy sighed with dejection.

Qing Shui glanced at the sturdy youth as he replied, “Fine, you will continue staying here in the future, but everything here belongs to me. I will give you 10,000 taels of silver every month. In addition, if you still have any other requirements, just let me know.”

After their discussion, Qing Shui and Huoyun departed. From the start to the end, Huoyun didn’t say a single word, she only watched silently from the side, although she too didn’t understand Qing Shui’s actions.

“Qing Shui, can I ask you something?” Huoyun cautiously inquired.

“Go ahead, don’t look like that. It’s as though I’m bullying you.” Qing Shui smiled bitterly.

“Why did you do what you did with the blacksmith earlier?” Huoyun inquired in a low voice.