36: Chapter 36 The Thousand-Forged Treasure Blade

It was already deep into the night when Jiang Hanzhou arrived at Old Stork Bay.

However, on the dark river surface, there was a gigantic multi-story ship emitting a blinding light.

That multi-story ship was composed of multiple large vessels; at a glance, five massive ships were linked together by iron chains as thick as a child's arm, forming a mobile fortress on the water.

The hulls were all crafted from dark hardwood and sat very deep in the water, clearly bearing an astonishing load.

The outermost ships were covered with thick iron plating, densely studded with rivets, giving an impression of being indestructible.

The central main ship was the tallest, having five stories.

Above the deck, there were layers of flying eaves and bracket sets, carved beams and painted pillars, with large bronze bells hanging from the eaves; yet, they remained silent in the river breeze, clearly equipped with internal mechanisms.

On both sides of the hull, dozens of square windows were open, currently revealing the roaring orange-red glow of fire, accompanied by the clearly audible "clanging" of iron-working and the "whooshing" of bellows, with a strong rhythm, as if it were the heartbeat of a giant beast.

Even more eye-catching was the top floor of the main ship, where a thick chimney ten zhang high stood, currently puffing out pale gray smoke that blended into the night.

Below the chimney, one could vaguely see complex gears and linkage structures rotating slowly, transmitting some kind of power to each level.

The entire Hundred Refinements Workshop was brightly lit, resembling a furnace mountain burning in the heart of the river, forming a sharp contrast with the quiet river water and the dark mountain shadows surrounding it.

Between the various ships and the Hundred Refinements Workshop, small boats ferried back and forth, transporting personnel and goods in an orderly manner.

Jiang Hanzhou parked his small boat in a shadow a bit far from the Hundred Refinements Workshop and quickly took out his disguise items from his pack.

He used medicinal mud to slightly darken his skin tone, applied an inconspicuous fake scar to his cheek, thickened his eyebrows, and finally put on a half-old felt hat, pulling the brim low.

In an instant, he transformed from a handsome youth into a rough-faced Jianghu traveler with a hint of weathered appearance.

After finishing his disguise, he paid the ferry fee and boarded the outermost reception ship of the Hundred Refinements Workshop.

Seven or eight people were already waiting on the ship, all holding their breath and focusing, gazing at the massive object close at hand, their eyes filled with both anticipation and a trace of awe.

Upon stepping onto the deck of the main ship of the Hundred Refinements Workshop, waves of heat and sound rushed towards him.

The deck was spacious, paved with iron plates, and felt incredibly solid underfoot.

On one side, there was a reception wooden shed where several men dressed in gray short-sleeved outfits with knotted muscles were receiving guests, registering information, and collecting deposits.

Jiang Hanzhou lined up and stepped forward.

When it was his turn, the man in charge of registration did not even raise his head, handing over a piece of rough paper and a charcoal pencil.

"Name, weapon requirements, whether you are bringing your own Materials or using the workshop's, rough budget, and leave a contact address or the time you will return."

The voice was loud and clear, drowning out the background forging sounds.

Jiang Hanzhou took it, pondered for a moment, and wrote down:

【Name: Li Feiyu】

【Weapon: Blade, narrow and long, thick back and thin edge, focused on hacking and slashing while also suitable for stabbing, length around two feet eight inches, must be above Thousand-Refined.】

【Materials: Bringing own main Materials.】

【Budget: One thousand taels.】

【Contact: No fixed address, will come to collect in half a month.】

He put down the pen, took out the one thousand taels of silver notes he had prepared from his bosom, and pushed them forward along with the paper.

Then, from the pack on his back, he took out two items carefully wrapped in oilcloth.

That segment of the Red-Eyed Blood Tiger's spine, with its richest dark gold patterns and full marrow, as well as the four sharpest and sturdiest claw tips, which faintly shimmered with blood-red light.

The moment the oilcloth was uncovered and the two items were exposed under the lamp light in the shed, the air seemed to stagnate for an instant.

That segment of the spine was as thick as a baby's arm and about one and a half feet long, presenting a deep, dark golden color throughout, with fine, naturally formed spiral patterns on the surface, and light seeming to flow within the marrow cavity.

The four claw tips were even more chilling, with a point of dark red at the tips like congealed blood that did not disperse, cool to the touch, yet faintly feeling the violent Qi and blood contained within.

"Huh?!"

The man who had been burying his head in registration suddenly raised his head, his eyes locked onto the spine and the sharp claws, an unbelievable gleam erupting in his eyes.

He carefully picked up the spine, brought it close to his eyes to examine it, tapped it lightly with his finger, listened to its resonance, and the look of shock on his face grew even more intense.

"This... this texture, this bone quality, this marrow luster... and this blood-evil Qi on the claw tips!" The man gasped, suddenly looking at Jiang Hanzhou, "Guest, this... could this be... the spine and blood-evil claws of a Red-Eyed Blood Tiger?!"

His voice was not quiet, immediately attracting the attention of several waiting Martial Artists nearby, who all cast surprised glances.

Jiang Hanzhou nodded slightly, his voice deliberately lowered and carrying a hint of hoarseness: "Obtained by chance. Can it be used to forge a blade?"

"Yes! Absolutely!" The man was so excited he almost jumped up, "With such top-grade main Materials, combined with our Hundred Refinements Workshop's secret techniques and auxiliary Materials, it is enough to break through the threshold of Thousand-Refining! Guest, please wait a moment. For such a major matter, I must ask the Workshop Master to make the decision personally!"

After saying this, he hurriedly gave instructions to his companion beside him, then cradled the spine and sharp claws and turned to walk quickly into the cabin.

Not long after, a figure with an exceptionally tall and burly build, like an iron tower, followed the man out with a dragon-like, tiger-like stride.

The person who arrived was about fifty years old, bare-chested, revealing a set of well-defined, bronze-colored, robust muscles, covered with scars left by burns and sparks, like medals.

His hair was half-white, casually draped, with a full beard, and a pair of large, bronze-bell-like eyes radiating brilliance, possessing an intimidating aura in every glance.

It was the Workshop Master of the Hundred Refinements Workshop, "Old Hammer" Iron Madman.

Iron Madman's gaze fell immediately upon the spine and claw tips in front of Jiang Hanzhou, his eyes erupting with an even more intense light than the man's.

He strode forward, without wasting words, reached out directly to pick up the spine, closed his eyes to focus, carefully stroked the texture with his fingertips, and sensed the lingering rhythm of Qi and blood within with his palm.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, exhaled a long breath, his voice like a booming bell: "Good! What a fine piece of Red Tiger spine! These four claw tips even contain hidden ferocity and are incomparably sharp! Using this as the main Material, paired with the 'cold iron essence' I have treasured as the spine, supplemented by 'Cloud Pattern Copper' and 'Star Meteor Sand' for blending, and then personally forged by me using the 'Stacked Wave Forging Technique' a thousand times... it will surely produce a true Thousand-Refined Precious Blade! The day the blade is completed, it will be incomparably sharp, possessing the ability to break Qi barriers with blood-evil, and it will even faintly resonate with the wielder's Qi and blood, doubling its power!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, his gaze toward Jiang Hanzhou filled with the burning intensity of someone who had found a rare treasure: "Little Friend Li! I will take this business! I won't add a single cent to the one thousand tael deposit, I only ask to forge it personally! I only hope that after the blade is completed, you will allow me to observe the test of the blade for three days to perfect my forging insights, how about it?"

Jiang Hanzhou was also happy in his heart; to be able to get such a promise from this forging Great Master, and to have it supplemented with the treasured "cold iron essence", the quality of this blade would likely far exceed expectations.

He immediately cupped his hands: "Many thanks, Workshop Master! It shall be as you say."

Iron Madman laughed loudly, just about to order someone to register it into the warehouse and sign the contract.

Suddenly, a commotion came from the direction of the pier.