Zong Shou recalled that this major merchant specializing in weaponry was quite famous in later eras. It nearly monopolized nearly twenty percent of the armor and weapon trade in the Cloud Realm, even expanding to other worlds, establishing footholds even in those Spirit Realm worlds.

It was renowned for its high prices and exquisite quality; every high-level martial artist’s first choice when seeking a weapon was this Bao Bing Zhai.

Coincidentally, he currently intended to find some suitable defensive implements for himself in this Gu Ling Market. After only a moment’s hesitation, he strode through the entrance.

The manager here was a man of about thirty years. Just as Zong Shou remembered of the stewards and managers of Bao Bing Zhai branches everywhere, his face was wreathed in smiles, projecting an image of gentle courtesy, steady sincerity, yet possessing the shrewdness unique to a businessman. With just one glance, he discerned that the pair’s attire was extraordinary, clearly not from ordinary wealthy families, and he personally stepped forward to welcome them.

Zong Shou paid no mind, first taking a cursory glance around. The weapons here were all masterpieces, tempered by a thousand fires—relatively high-end, out of reach for ordinary martial artists.

His gaze then drifted toward the corner where various projectile weapons were displayed. After scanning the area, he secretly shook his head. These talisman-spirit armaments had indeed not yet become commonplace in this era.

He felt no disappointment, turning instead to the manager beside him and inquiring, “Can weapons be custom-made here?”

The middle-aged manager smiled upon hearing this, “So long as the demands are not excessive, any weapon, as long as it is one of our Bao Bing Zhai branches, can be custom-made! Does the young master have schematics, or perhaps you could describe what you require—”

Zong Shou offered no verbal reply, walking directly to the counter. He took out two sheets of yellow paper and began drawing.

In moments, a willow-leaf throwing knife and a long needle were rendered onto the paper. Their shapes were common, showing no particular peculiarity, save for some lines inscribed upon them whose meaning was obscure, lending them a distinct aesthetic appeal.

Chu Xue, standing beside him, had been watching curiously but could discern nothing meaningful. Finally, she remarked, “The Young Master’s drawing is quite good, much better than before. Does Linhai Academy also teach art?”

Zong Shou smiled upon hearing this, setting down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, his expression instantly turning cold and concentrated. “The blade length must be two inches, thin as a cicada’s wing. Forged from fine steel, mixed with three grams of blood copper. I require three hundred of these knives! The needles must be of the same material. In lengths of two inches, one inch and three fen, one inch, and half an inch—four specifications, one hundred of each. How long will it take to craft these?”

The manager’s forehead instantly creased with countless fine lines. After a long moment of contemplation, he managed a bitter smile, “Although the items you’ve drawn are small, Young Master, they are extremely exquisite, especially these markings—they must be for talisman weapons, correct? While our branch can forge them, we have too few hands. To ensure every rune is rendered flawlessly will take at least ten days.”

Zong Shou had already anticipated this; ten days was even longer than he had expected. However, he did not have that much time to wait.

“Ordinary blacksmiths, naturally, cannot manage it. But as I understand it, every branch of Bao Bing Zhai hosts a Spirit Forgemaster? I need these items within half an hour!”

The manager looked at Zong Shou with sudden astonishment, then gave a slight nod. “Indeed, we do. Our shop alone hosts three. However, engaging a Spirit Forgemaster to refine these weapons comes at a considerable price. For three hundred talisman willow-leaf knives and four hundred fine steel talisman needles, materials and labor combined, it would be seven thousand pure silver. If refined by a Talisman Master, it would cost at least one hundred and fifty thousand silver marks—”

Zong Shou let out a cold sneer and turned to look at Chu Xue. Since he was penniless, he had to rely on his maidservant.

Given that he could afford the Cloud-Overturning Carriage pulled by sixteen Cloud-Treading Colts, he presumed this amount of money should be easily produced.

She did not disappoint him. She casually retrieved a silk pouch. Inside, over three hundred variously colored crystals clinked, producing a pleasant sound. She then took out just two fiery-red crystals and placed them on the counter.

This made the manager’s eyes instantly gleam, “Third-tier Fire Tiger Beast Crystal, equivalent to one hundred thousand silver marks. Please wait a moment, Young Master. The three hundred talisman knives and four hundred talisman needles can be retrieved in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.”

With that, he turned and departed. Zong Shou, however, was momentarily stunned. He possessed some of these crystals himself, all second or third-tier beast crystals, tucked away in his personal pouch.

But one Third-tier Fire Tiger Beast Crystal being worth one hundred thousand silver marks—what kind of joke was this?

A moment later, understanding dawned upon him. Spiritual energy was sparse in this era, so such beast crystals were likely very rare. Scarcity dictated value; it was only natural that they would be worth more than in later ages.

‘His’ family background, he mused, must not only be extraordinarily noble but also possess considerable martial might.

With the throwing knives and needles ordered, he still lacked a sword. His personal fine steel sword, though sharp, was still lacking somewhat.

However, he did not need to custom-order this sword. This Hundred Weapons Gallery had several talisman swords displayed at the very front, regarded as treasures of the establishment and meticulously forged.

Standing before the weapon rack, Zong Shou hesitated for a long while before taking a gleaming Pine-Pattern Wind Sword into his hand.

Among the talisman swords, this one was not outstanding. But the wind element could increase speed and offer better defense. It was extremely light, requiring little exertion of his physical energy, perfectly meeting his requirements.

He swung it casually a few times; it was passable.

Su Chu Xue, standing nearby, had already knitted her delicate brows, hesitating, “Young Master, these talisman swords are difficult to wield without true qi to channel spiritual energy. It might be better to use ordinary weapons—”

Zong Shou offered no reply, simply guiding the streams of qi from his Qi Sea into the body of the Pine-Pattern Wind Sword. Just as the talisman runes were about to activate, Su Chu Xue suddenly spun around, leaning slightly forward, her eyes sharp with killing intent, vigilantly fixed on the doorway.

Simultaneously, a laugh reached Zong Shou’s ears, “What a small world; where does one not meet an acquaintance? I did not expect to run into my cousin in such a remote place as Gu Ling Market. Wasn’t Brother Shou studying the techniques of spiritual channeling at Linhai Academy? Why are you here?”

At the shop entrance, a graceful young man sauntered in with a light smile. He was equally handsome, and his words and demeanor were as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Zong Shou instinctively flinched backward. Instinctively, he felt fear toward this man, accompanied by a faint thread of hatred. In the next moment, his gaze sharpened slightly; he recognized it as a residual instinct of the body he now occupied.

In this era, apart from the very few beings situated high above the masses, even those reclusive Heaven-Rank experts, he was confident he could handle them calmly. What right did this person have to inspire such dread in him?

He bypassed the youth, casting his sight past him to those following behind. Behind this man trailed two robust figures, following closely. Their expressions were blank, their auras deathly still, like shadows cast by the youth.

Yet, in his eyes, these two were like swords hidden within silk—their sharpness impossible to conceal, utterly dangerous.

Both the youth and his two attendants possessed formidable martial prowess, in no way inferior to Chu Xue.

However, he did not recognize any of the three. The one addressing him as cousin only brought forth a few fragmented memories in his mind. He could only turn around, adopting a look of complete bewilderment.

The youth played along perfectly, glancing at Zong Shou before squinting with a smile, “After three years at the academy, you don’t recognize me anymore. When we were children, you often called me Brother Yu, do you remember?”

Zong Shou then displayed an expression of sudden realization, but Chu Xue let out a cold snort, her killing intent flaring hotter. “Hypocrite! Among the Young Master’s dozen brothers, only you, Zong Yu, are so deceitful! The people Uncle Yin and I have killed these past few days—were they not all sent by you? Assassinating the Heir Apparent is a crime punishable by clan extermination! His Majesty will surely execute all you disloyal wretches sooner or later!”

Zong Yu remained unperturbed, instead bursting into loud laughter. “Well said, execution of all! It’s been a long time, Xue’er, you are still as adorable. Zong Yu is almost reluctant to kill you. Heh heh, had this been a few months ago, I, Zong Yu, would never dare harbor any rebellious thoughts? But now that my uncle has been confirmed deceased, what can others do to me even if I take Brother Shou’s life?”

Chu Xue’s face immediately turned pale, her figure swaying, and she sneered, “What nonsense are you spouting? Only a fool would believe that—”

Zong Yu let out a cold chuckle, seemingly too lazy to argue with Chu Xue, and continued addressing Zong Shou. “The position of Demon King is now vacant. Within, there are treacherous individuals harboring ill intent; outside, formidable enemies are watching. Are we truly going to let this good-for-nothing ascend the throne?”

Looking at Zong Shou, Zong Yu let out another cold laugh. “I came here only to inform Brother Shou. We are brothers after all. If you are willing to surrender the Heir Apparent’s position, I, Zong Yu, can spare your life. If not, then don’t blame your Brother Yu for being ruthless and unforgiving. This is not like when we were children; back then, a plea for mercy from you would have seen me let you go—”

With that, he swept his sleeves and departed. Inside the Hundred Weapons Gallery, Chu Xue’s expression was ashen, while Zong Shou remained deep in thought.