Chapter 59: The Turmoil Over Retrieving the Blade

After returning to the Tongyang Bank, Yang Ze could not afford to rest, despite his exhaustion from days of toil, and immediately summoned a servant.

The only one still left at the bank was a martial artist named Ding Zhen, whose skills had already reached the intermediate stage of Qi Manipulation—quite impressive. He had been specially dispatched by Yang Yuanzhen from the Yang family to assist Yang Ze in North City and was considered an old hand among them.

When Ding Zhen heard Yang Ze call for him, he didn't dare delay for a moment and hurried over. All those assigned to North City knew very well that the once incompetent Second Young Master had become a changed man, gaining quite a reputation in the city.

“Chief Steward, may I ask what you need of me?”

“I want you to procure a fine blade for me within five days. Cost is not an issue—remember, I want a truly superior weapon. Even if it costs several thousand taels, I can pay it. You have at most five days. If you fail, you needn’t remain in North City,” Yang Ze ordered, his tone brooking no refusal.

Ding Zhen had hoped for something beneficial to come his way, but instead, Yang Ze had thrown him such a difficult errand. He could only inwardly lament his misfortune.

But he dared not refuse; this was a direct order from Yang Ze. Before coming here, Yang Yuanzhen had instructed them to fully support Yang Ze, and any disobedience would mean expulsion from the Yang family.

So Ding Zhen had no choice but to get to work immediately. Everything he had was thanks to the Yang family, and they could just as easily take it away.

After issuing his instructions, Yang Ze felt utterly drained. In the past two days, he had killed two martial artists at the peak of Qi Manipulation, suffered minor injuries, and dealt with numerous affairs. He now longed for nothing more than rest.

After bathing, Yang Ze returned to his room and fell into bed, slipping into such a deep sleep that he lost all sense of time. Only when, through a haze, he heard someone calling his name did he finally awaken.

Opening the door, he found Ding Zhen standing there, breathless and looking noticeably haggard.

“How long have I been asleep?” Yang Ze asked at once.

Ding Zhen was momentarily stunned but quickly replied, “Chief Steward, you’ve slept for a full day and night. Steward Xie was worried about your injuries last night and even invited a doctor, but seeing you were resting, he sent him away. If you need, I can fetch the doctor now.”

Only then did Yang Ze realize his internal organs still ached faintly—remnants of the wounds left by Feng Lixuan and Fan Yongnian. But since they weren't serious, he hadn’t paid them much mind.

“No need for the doctor yet. Tell me, why are you here?”

Prompted by Yang Ze, Ding Zhen remembered his purpose and hurriedly reported, “Chief Steward, I’ve found the fine blade you asked for. That’s why I came to report immediately.”

A gleam flashed in Yang Ze’s eyes. “So soon?”

Ding Zhen, startled by Yang Ze’s excitement, quickly explained, “It was a stroke of luck. I had just started searching the major smithies in the city when I discovered that Blacksmith Li of North City had forged a remarkable blade. That’s why I rushed to inform you. Chief Steward, I’ve seen the blade myself—it’s of the highest quality. Not just in our district—I'd wager not even the entire family possesses such a fine weapon.”

Blacksmith Li’s name was not unfamiliar to Yang Ze. This man was the finest smith in Yuyang City, and many weapons wielded by renowned martial artists were his handiwork.

“Did you bring the blade back?” Yang Ze asked.

Ding Zhen’s expression grew awkward. “I couldn’t. Blacksmith Li said the blade was commissioned by Master Jin of Gold Manor in East City—Jin the Blade. He paid a hefty sum and Li spent seven days forging it with the finest materials. He refused to let me have it.”

“So where is the blade now?” Yang Ze’s face darkened at Ding Zhen’s reply—he had returned in haste with only news, not the weapon itself.

Yang Ze had heard of Jin Sheng, too. East City’s circumstances differed from the other three districts—it was most heavily controlled by the authorities, making its martial factions fewer and more subdued. Yet there were still powerful forces, and Gold Manor was the strongest among them, second only to the great families.

Gold Manor owed its renown to its master, Jin Sheng, known as Jin the Blade.

Jin Sheng was no ordinary man. In Yuyang’s martial world, he was one of the two most famous experts—the one sword was West City’s Bai Fei the Swift Blade, and the one blade was Jin Sheng himself, the number one sabre master in Yuyang.

Six years ago, two peak Qi Manipulation experts challenged Jin Sheng. After a fierce duel, Jin Sheng killed one and gravely wounded the other, though he himself was also severely injured. His fame as Jin the Blade spread far and wide after that.

Although he could not match the likes of Yang Yuanzhen and the other top five masters, he was widely acknowledged as one of the strongest beneath them, on par with the likes of Feng Lixuan.

Such a man had paid handsomely for a custom blade from Blacksmith Li, who naturally dared not sell it to anyone else—a smith could not bear the wrath of a master swordsman.

“Blacksmith Li didn’t dare give me the blade, but he hasn’t delivered it yet either. Jin Sheng only paid a deposit; a large sum remains unpaid. Only once the full amount is settled will he hand it over,” Ding Zhen explained.

“How much is the blade worth?”

“Blacksmith Li said it’s worth two hundred and thirty taels of silver. Gold Manor paid thirty as a deposit; the remaining two hundred are still owed. But today is the day they’re supposed to collect it—the balance should be settled today.”

“Take three hundred taels. We’ll go see Blacksmith Li together. That blade must be mine.” After changing clothes, Yang Ze set out with Ding Zhen.

In the past, Yang Ze would never have risked provoking a man like Jin Sheng. But now, after meeting Ouyang Xin, he realized trouble could strike at any moment.

One cannot improve martial skills overnight, but acquiring a superior weapon could significantly boost his power. If offending Jin Sheng was the price, so be it.

When Yang Ze arrived at Blacksmith Li’s shop, he found the doors closed. Ding Zhen knocked several times, but there was no answer.

Yang Ze, losing patience, kicked the door open and strode inside, finding Blacksmith Li cowering in a corner.

“Don’t come any closer! I know who you are, but this blade was made for a distinguished client—I won’t give it to you!” Blacksmith Li trembled. Despite his skill, in these times only strength mattered, and many an artisan had been slain by martial gangs. He knew Yang Ze’s reputation as a ruthless man, but Jin Sheng was even more fearsome, so hiding was his only choice.

Yang Ze was bemused by Li’s terror—was his own reputation truly so fearsome now?

Forcing a smile, he said, “Blacksmith Li, I’m not here to rob you. Here are three hundred taels of silver—let me buy that blade.”

Yang Ze had already glimpsed the long sabre hidden behind Li. He could tell at a glance that it was far superior to his current weapon, and he was sorely tempted.

But Blacksmith Li shook his head adamantly, refusing no matter what, insisting that the men from Gold Manor would kill him.

Seeing this, Yang Ze decided not to use force. “I hear you and Gold Manor arranged to hand over the blade today. Yet night has fallen, and they haven’t arrived—not much sincerity there. How about this: I’ll wait with you for one hour. If they haven’t come by then, sell me the blade and I’ll protect you for a time. If Gold Manor comes looking for trouble, I’ll handle it. What do you say?”

“Do you mean it?” Blacksmith Li was skeptical, unsure if Yang Ze would truly protect him.

“Of course. I, Yang Ze, keep my word and would not deceive you over a matter like this.” This was no empty boast—this was North City, so he had no fear of Gold Manor. Taking responsibility for this was no problem at all.

Blacksmith Li gritted his teeth and agreed.

The three waited there, and after one hour had passed with no sign of anyone from Gold Manor, the blade finally fell into Yang Ze’s hands.

Yang Ze took the blade and brought Blacksmith Li with him back to Xiangyun Street. But as they reached the Tongyang Bank, they found Old Xie waiting inside, looking anxious.

Seeing Old Xie’s urgency, Yang Ze sent Ding Zhen to escort Blacksmith Li away, leaving the two of them alone.

Old Xie’s face was grave. Only when he was sure they were alone did he speak: “Second Young Master, something terrible has happened—Gold Manor in East City has been wiped out. Two hundred and forty-three people were slain, including Master Jin the Blade himself!”