Chapter 68

Chapter 68: A Celebrity in Tianrang City

Regarding Xiao Huo’s origins, Chang Xiang only had a faint inkling and very limited understanding; he certainly had no detailed knowledge.

Through Xiao Huo’s recent display, both Lou Yun and Chang Xiang simultaneously realized a problem: they seemed to have consistently underestimated Xiao Huo’s capabilities. They hadn’t even considered abilities beyond its talent for finding Primordial Flames and its penchant for devouring them!

Although Xiao Huo had only been with Lou Yun for a short three or four months, it had repeatedly accomplished remarkable feats, saving Lou Yun’s life three times already!

Comparing the two previous instances, Xiao Huo possessed the ability to sense Lou Yun’s condition, even detecting when he was in danger. Moreover, the Primordial Flames it consumed weren’t fully digested; instead, it stored them within itself. At critical moments, it could spit out these flames from its mouth, unleashing significant destructive power!

This final ability offered Chang Xiang newfound hope. If Xiao Huo truly hadn’t digested the Hellfire, then Lou Yun might still have a chance to absorb that particular Primordial Flame from it.

By then, Han Tianxiao had already filled in the patch of ground contaminated by the poison. He turned to Lou Yun and asked, “Lou Yun, who were those two? Why did they attack you?”

Although Lou Yun was quite certain they were sent by Qin Wufeng to deal with him, he chose not to reveal this. Since he planned to handle Qin Wufeng himself, he shook his head, deliberately feigning puzzlement. “I don’t know either. I suspect they might be friends of Boss Zhao! Or perhaps sent by that evil weapons master!”

Lou Yun was deliberately trying to mislead Han Tianxiao’s train of thought. However, Han Tianxiao wasn’t easily fooled. After a brief moment of contemplation, he shook his head. “They can’t be friends of Boss Zhao. If they were friends of Boss Zhao, their reason for seeking you out would likely only be revenge for him. And failing to achieve revenge wouldn’t warrant suicide! I think it’s more probable they belonged to some specific organization, and that organization’s rules must be extremely strict. They likely had a mission to deal with you. Seeing us appear, they knew the mission was impossible to complete. To avoid the organization’s punishment, they chose to poison themselves!”

He paused before adding, “But they could very well have been sent by that evil weapons master. That sort of person is definitely capable of orchestrating something like this.”

Lou Yun couldn’t help but admire Han Tianxiao’s analytical skills. Worried that further analysis might lead him to suspect Qin Wufeng, Lou Yun quickly shifted focus. “They’re dead now. Thinking about it further won’t help. We didn’t come here to ponder mysteries; we have a task. There should still be one demon beast left to kill, right?”

Nie Jiu nodded. “That’s right. Martial Sister Xia and I had just killed one beast when Xiao Huo brought us over here.”

“Then let’s go deal with the last one now and head back early!”

After saying this, Lou Yun took the lead and charged towards the location of the final demon beast. Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu naturally followed close behind. Only Han Tianxiao remained unmoved. He glanced at Lou Yun’s retreating figure, then back at the charred black patch on the ground, his expression becoming thoughtful.

Wanting to allow Xia Zhilan more practice with her newly mastered weapon technique, Lou Yun deliberately took a step back during the battle against the final demon beast. He let Xia Zhilan take the main offensive role, while he and Nie Jiu played supportive parts.

It didn’t take much effort to dispatch the final beast, completing their task. The four then descended Tianqi Mountain and began their return journey.

Passing through Tianrang City again, since it was still relatively early, Han Tianxiao suggested they eat a meal before heading back. The other three naturally had no objections. Lou Yun told them to go on to the tavern while he himself went to purchase some materials needed for forging weapons.

This was Lou Yun’s second time here, so he knew his way around. However, after only walking a short distance, he came to an unexpected and surprising sight: one shop’s door was tightly shut. This particular shop belonged to Xu Baichuan!

Although it was getting towards evening, Xu Baichuan’s establishment was the only closed one on the entire street. This piqued Lou Yun’s curiosity, though he remained merely puzzled and didn’t dwell on it deeply.

Just a few steps further, he suddenly heard a cry from behind: “Master Lou! Master Lou!” The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Lou Yun thought for a moment and recognized it: it was Luo, the third-grade skilled weapon maker who had assisted Xu Baichuan in trying to deceive him!

Master Lou? Was he actually calling him that?

After Lou Yun’s weapon forging contest with Xu Baichuan had concluded, Beichen Ming – the elderly adjudicator who was also the highest-grade, seventh-grade skilled weapon maker on Spirit Weapon Star – had asked for Lou Yun’s name. Although Lou Yun’s response hadn’t been loud, many keen listeners caught it. Through subsequent widespread gossip and boasting, the name "Lou Yun" had become thunderously famous in Tianrang City!

Lou Yun turned around and confirmed it was indeed Senior Luo who had run a few steps to catch up and now stood behind him, face wreathed in smiles. “Master, you remember me?”

“I do. Senior Luo, right? What is it?” Lou Yun asked lightly, smiling. He generally held no fondness for people of this sort.

Senior Luo quickly waved his hands. “Ah, please don’t address me so grandly! My surname is Luo, given name is Ping. Master is absolutely welcome to just call me by my name!”

Lou Yun truly had no favorable impression of the man. He nodded perfunctorily. “What did you call me for?”

“Heh heh, nothing major. Just wanted to greet you. You’ve become a major celebrity in Tianrang City now! With just one public act, you managed to drive that fellow Xu Baichuan away!”

Lou Yun started. “Xu Baichuan is gone?”

“Indeed! He lost so publicly to you right in front of all those witnesses. How could he have the gall to stay in Tianrang City? He packed his things the very next day and secretly moved away under cover of night!”

Hearing this news, something stirred in Lou Yun’s mind. He had just been thinking about opening a common weapon shop, and now this prime opportunity practically fell into his lap. “So, his shop is vacant now? Unclaimed?”

Luo Ping naturally couldn’t fathom Lou Yun’s thoughts. He nodded affirmatively. “Yes, indeed! His shop has the absolute best location on the street and commands the highest rent. Many people covet the spot, but simply can’t afford the rent! So it’s been sitting empty ever since!”

“Oh!” Lou Yun smiled faintly. “And who owns the building?”

Luo Ping was stunned for a moment before understanding. "Could it be that you want to rent this shop?"

"That’s right! I happen to want to open a common weapon shop and was just worrying about finding a suitable storefront!"

"Uh…" Deep in his heart, Luo Ping did not want Lou Yun opening a shop here, especially a common weapon shop. Through the defense Lou Yun had provided previously, Luo Ping could somewhat grasp his character. If Lou Yun really opened a common weapon shop, and his quality was better than Xu Baichuan’s with even lower prices, then Luo Ping and the other common weapon shops would likely have almost no business left!

However, he dared not refuse Lou Yun’s inquiry. After all, within Tianrang City now, most people had silently acknowledged that Lou Yun was unquestionably a skilled weapon maker beyond the fourth-grade. No one wanted, nor dared, to offend him!

After hesitating briefly, Luo Ping decided to answer honestly. "Actually, all the shops on this street belong to the Tianrang City Lord, Qian Lianyun. Grandmaster, if you wish to rent one, you should talk to him."

"Qian Lianyun. Got it." Recalling the name, Lou Yun turned and walked away immediately, paying Luo Ping no more heed.

"Haha! Grandmaster, walk slowly!" Luo Ping still called out enthusiastically behind him. "Please look out for us whenever you have the chance!"

Originally, Lou Yun thought only Luo Ping recognized him. However, as he walked through the marketplace, his keen senses immediately detected that practically everyone in all the stores seemed to be pointing at him under their breath. Most wore expressions of reverence and fear. Clearly, they all knew of Lou Yun’s glorious feat of defeating Xu Baichuan in forging common weapons!

The truth was indeed so. Within Tianrang City now, Lou Yun was absolutely a top-tier celebrity. Those who had seen his real face weren’t particularly numerous, but those who knew his name were far too many.

Lou Yun himself disliked being the center of attention like this. However, it was beyond his control. Whether as the boy he was in his childhood, or the young man he was now; whether back in Lingjiang City or here in Tianrang City, he had become a widely known figure!

As a renowned celebrity, Lou Yun naturally enjoyed significantly discounted prices when purchasing the forging materials he needed. It was practically half-price, or even given away. Though Lou Yun felt a bit embarrassed, it really did save him a considerable amount of money before he had even started earning any.

Loaded with his haul, he returned to the inn. The moment he entered, he saw Han Tianxiao and the other two looking at him with smiles. Baffled, he walked over and sat down. He was about to ask why they were smiling when a booming voice suddenly rang out from the next table.

"I’m not lying to you! That young skilled weapon maker, Lou Yun, forged a common weapon of mystery rank in less than half an hour! He utterly defeated that fourth-grade skilled weapon maker, Xu Baichuan!"

Now Lou Yun understood without needing to ask. His exploit had already been widely circulated, though with some deviation from the facts. He had only produced a common weapon of basic rank, but it had been upgraded to mystery rank!

Fortunately for him, they clearly hadn’t seen Lou Yun before, so he was able to sit there and eat his meal in peace.

Lou Yun could only wryly shake his head internally, finding it both amusing and exasperating. He ate his meal while listening to others arguing about his supposed achievements. The stories grew wilder and less grounded in reality. Finally, even Lou Yun couldn’t bear to listen anymore and hurriedly urged Han Tianxiao and the others to settle the bill and leave.

Only after the four had walked out of Tianrang City did Nie Jiu finally burst out laughing uncontrollably. Han Tianxiao quickly followed suit, and even Xia Zhilan covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. This left Lou Yun even more helpless. Explaining felt pointless, but saying nothing felt wrong too. He could only choose to remain silent.

Finally, when the three had laughed their fill, Lou Yun looked at Han Tianxiao and said, "Teacher Han, I’d like to ask you about someone."

"Who do you want to know about?" Han Tianxiao asked, a lingering smile still on his face.

"The Tianrang City Lord, Qian Lianyun."

Hearing this name, the smile on Han Tianxiao’s face gradually faded, replaced by a puzzled look. "Why are you asking about him?"

Although Lou Yun didn’t want too many people knowing about his plans to open a common weapon shop, considering Teacher Han had always been kind and supportive towards him, he decided to tell him.

"You want to open a common weapon shop?" Han Tianxiao looked somewhat surprised. "To earn money?"

"Yes. I want to make some money," Lou Yun clarified quickly. "But I won’t violate the academy rules. I’ll only handle the forging. I plan to hire someone else to run the shop for me."

Han Tianxiao smiled slightly. "That should be acceptable. But Qian Lianyun… how should I put this? I’ve met him a few times. On the surface, he seems friendly and approachable, always wearing a smile. However, my gut feeling tells me he’s not a particularly good person. Of course, my feeling might not be accurate!"

"Qian Lianyun is also a magical weapons master himself. His cultivation level is slightly below the Headmaster’s, but he’s still at the mystery rank. If you really want to open a shop, you could ask the Headmaster to speak with him on your behalf. At the very least, he holds the Headmaster in considerable respect."

Here, Han Tianxiao deliberately glanced at Xia Zhilan. Xia Zhilan kept her head down, silent, lost in her own thoughts.

Lou Yun nodded. "I understand. Regardless of what kind of person he is, if I want to rent that shop, I’ll just pay the rent according to his terms. I won’t cause any conflict with him."

Though he didn’t say it aloud, Lou Yun internally dismissed Han Tianxiao’s suggestion about seeking Headmaster Xia Guanqiu’s help. He preferred to handle his own affairs without troubling others unnecessarily. Especially now, given his somewhat ambiguous relationship with Xia Zhilan, asking her father for help would surely invite gossip.

Lou Yun had made up his mind. There were only two more days until the next rest day. Then, he would go to Qian Lianyun to discuss renting the shop that originally belonged to Xu Baichuan.

Of course, at this moment, Lou Yun was unaware that the reason Qian Lianyun had been able to secure the position of Tianrang City Lord was entirely due to the patronage and promotion of General Breakthrough, Qin Luoyuan.