65: Chapter 65 Winter is Coming

Gao Feng stood at the highest point of the beacon tower, taking in everything in the valley at a glance.

He saw the stretches of thriving wheat fields.

He saw the laborers on the construction site, sweating profusely yet full of energy.

He saw the soldiers training diligently on the drill grounds, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

He also saw the old farmer on the ridge of the field, kneeling and bowing to him from afar.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction and responsibility welled up in his heart.

This was the home he wanted to build.

This was the meaning of his struggle.

He knew that everything he had done was worth it.

Stockade Master!

An excited, slightly distorted shout interrupted his thoughts.

He saw the Old Blacksmith Sun Jiu scrambling up the steps, tripping and crawling as he ran.

His face, blackened by smoke and fire, was filled with ecstasy and disbelief.

Success! Stockade Master! We succeeded!

Steel! Real molten steel! We have smelted it!

He was incoherent with excitement, holding a black, still-warm piece of metal in his hands.

Gao Feng's heart stirred, and he immediately walked over.

He took the metal; it was extremely heavy in his hand.

Although the surface was rough and filled with pores and Impurities, its hardness and density were far superior to ordinary wrought iron.

Good! Good! Good!

Gao Feng said "good" three times in a row, an unprecedented brilliance erupting in his eyes!

This was not just a piece of steel.

This meant that the weapons and equipment of Panshi Stockade were about to undergo a qualitative leap!

It meant that the three-pointed, double-edged blade he had dreamed of finally had the possibility of being forged!

Pass on my orders!

Gao Feng's voice was full of power.

From today on, the Ministry of Works will operate at full capacity! I want you to optimize the process and increase production in the shortest possible time!

Send all the first batch of qualified steel produced to the Weapons Workshop!

I want to equip the most elite warriors of my Panshi Stockade with the sharpest blades and the sturdiest armor in the world!

That same day, Gao Feng personally went to the Weapons Workshop.

He solemnly handed the blueprint of the three-pointed, double-edged blade, which he had drawn countless times, to Sun Jiu.

Uncle Sun, this weapon is of vital importance to me. I require that you personally supervise its forging, using the best steel and the best craftsmanship!

Looking at the divine weapon on the blueprint, with its domineering shape and Aura of slaughter, Sun Jiu's hands trembled with excitement.

Rest assured, Stockade Master! Even if I have to risk my old life, I will definitely forge this divine weapon for you!

Time flew by. The first conquest of Ghost Sees Sorrow had completely ended. The development of the stockade was also on the right track.

The chill of late autumn deepened, and time finally entered the cold winter.

Biting cold winds howled, whipping up snowflakes across the sky.

Within a few short days, the Gui Jian Chou Mountain Range was covered in a thick layer of snow, turning into a world of silver and ice.

The war had completely subsided. Most construction work was temporarily halted due to the freezing weather.

The entire Panshi Stockade entered a rare period of winter hibernation.

People reinforced their houses, stored firewood, and sat around warm stoves, enjoying this hard-won peace and tranquility.

Gao Feng also knew that the time for him to leave had arrived.

This peaceful winter was the best Opportunity for him to venture into the outside world and seek Opportunity.

His Bottleneck at the Peak of the third rank was like a thorn stuck in his throat; he had to remove it.

The future of Panshi Stockade could not always depend on him alone.

But he needed absolute personal martial power to suppress all petty villains!

He had to make the trip himself to find higher-level Cultivation Technique and Alchemy arts.

That night, Gao Feng called Luo Qin and Su Yue into his room.

Inside the room, a warm charcoal fire burned, keeping the chill of late autumn at bay.

Su Yue's belly was already quite prominent. She wore a loose cotton robe, a happy and satisfied smile on her face, as she sewed a small tiger-head hat for their unborn child.

Luo Qin was by her side, helping her organize the silk threads. Under the lamplight, her profile was serene and beautiful.

Seeing Gao Feng enter, both women looked up, their eyes filled with inquiry.

Gao Feng walked over and sat down beside the two women, gently pulling Su Yue into his arms, while his other hand grasped Luo Qin's slightly cool hand.

He did not speak immediately, just quietly enjoying this moment of warmth.

After a long while, he said in a calm tone, "Yue'er, Qiner, the stockade has just been stabilized, and everything is waiting to be rebuilt. Although external threats have been cleared, our Foundation is still very weak."

There will be a period of steady development ahead, which is also the best time for me to improve myself.

He looked into their eyes and said earnestly, "I have been Cultivating recently and faintly felt that I have touched upon the Opportunity for a Breakthrough. Therefore, I have decided to begin a long period of seclusion starting tomorrow to challenge my Bottleneck."

This seclusion is vital for me and for the entire stockade. During this time, I will not see anyone, and I will need you both to take care of all the affairs of the stockade.

Hearing the word "seclusion," a trace of worry appeared on the faces of Su Yue and Luo Qin.

For a Martial Artist, entering seclusion to challenge a Bottleneck is an extremely dangerous endeavor; the slightest carelessness could lead to the danger of Qi Deviation.

"Husband..." Su Yue's hand subconsciously tightened on his sleeve. "Do you really have to go? Can you... wait a little longer?"

Gao Feng shook his head and gently stroked her warm, pregnant belly, promising softly, "In troubled times, strength is the root of everything. The stronger I am, the safer you and the child will be."

Rest assured, I know what I am doing. By the time I come out of seclusion, our child should have been born, and I will definitely be back.

His gaze then turned to Luo Qin, with an added sense of solemnity in his eyes.

"Qiner, during my seclusion, you will have full authority over the daily affairs of the stockade. I have already drafted a detailed 'Winter Development Plan,' including the repair of farmland irrigation, new recruit training regulations, and the subsequent steps for blast furnace steelmaking. I will give it to you tomorrow morning."

You just need to execute according to the plan. If there are any major matters, you can consult with Military Advisor Liu, but the final decision rests with you.

These words made the intelligent Luo Qin shudder inwardly. She immediately understood Gao Feng's underlying meaning—he was clarifying her status in the household. Although Liu Chengfeng was the Military Advisor, he was ultimately an outside official, and "family" was the Foundation.

"I understand. Husband, please rest assured and enter seclusion; Qiner will take care of everything." Luo Qin nodded sensibly, hiding the reluctance in her heart deep away.

After comforting them, Gao Feng did not keep the two in the dark as he had before.

He knew that his true contingency plan must be entrusted to those he trusted the most.

From his bosom, he took out two exquisite small jade bottles that he had never shown anyone before.

The jade bottles were warm and translucent, containing undiluted spirit spring essence that looked like melted emerald!

Just by taking them out, a rich Aura of life instantly filled the entire room.

This is...

Luo Qin and Su Yue both felt that magical Aura, and their spirits were lifted.

This is my greatest secret, and also our final trump card.

Gao Feng placed the jade bottles into their hands respectively.

Remember my words: this object is a life-saving divine item. No matter how serious the injury, even if only one breath remains, taking just one drop can save your life.

He taught them how to use it, seriously and word by word.

Unless it is a last resort, a life-or-death moment, never show it to anyone, let alone use it! This is the Foundation of our family's survival, do you understand?

Looking at Gao Feng's unprecedentedly serious expression, both women nodded heavily, keeping the small jade bottles close to their bodies as if they were their own lives.

After doing all this, Gao Feng's heart finally truly settled.

He did not summon Liu Chengfeng and Du Wei; trust is based on how people act, not on verbal promises.

He had already planned out the tasks for the entire winter for these two men.

The next day, a "Panshi Stockade Winter Development Outline," written by Gao Feng himself and thousands of words long, was delivered to the desks of Liu Chengfeng and Du Wei.

In the outline, detailed and clear instructions were given for every task over the next three months.

Liu Chengfeng's task was to integrate the household registration and farmland of the newly occupied areas, establish an effective grassroots management system, and utilize the trade route at Three-Forked Crossing to conduct limited material trade with the outside world.

Du Wei's task was to be responsible for the winter training of the new recruits, using the stricter and more scientific training manual provided by Gao Feng to forge all the new recruits into qualified warriors.

At the same time, he was also responsible for the security of the blast furnace steel plant.

This outline was clear and visionary, making Liu Chengfeng and Du Wei admire the Stockade Master's foresight while also completely extinguishing any other thoughts they might have had.

They had too much to do and simply had no time to think of anything else.

And the stockade would continue to develop at a high speed along the trajectory he had set, under Gao Feng's "remote control."

This was the true art of imperial governance. No need for suspicion; just firmly control everything within one's own plan.

Just as Gao Feng had arranged everything, packed his bags, and was about to leave, a piece of good news lifted his spirits.

The Old Blacksmith Sun Jiu, with a few of his most capable Disciples, arrived outside the gate of Gao Feng's courtyard, carrying a long object wrapped in thick felt, his expression excited yet exhausted.

Stockade Master! I have not failed your mission! The divine weapon you wanted... is finished!

Sun Jiu's voice sounded a bit hoarse due to days of continuous labor and excitement, but the pride from the bottom of his heart could not be concealed.

Gao Feng was overjoyed and immediately went out to greet them personally.

When the layers of felt were removed, a divine weapon with a domineering shape lay quietly on the wooden rack, appearing before everyone.

Everyone present, including the knowledgeable Luo Qin, could not help but gasp.

The weapon was about nine feet long, forged entirely from the newly smelted refined steel, through thousands of hammerings and repeated folding and forging.

The body of the weapon presented a deep, dark cyan color, its surface covered with flowing, fine, and mysterious forging patterns, flowing with a soul-stirring cold light under the sunlight.

At the very front was a triangular armor-piercing spear tip, incomparably sharp, as if it could easily pierce through the sturdiest armor in the world.

Beneath the spear tip, forged as a single piece, were two crescent-shaped blades curving upwards. The edges were razor-thin, sharp enough to sever a hair blown across them.

This gave the entire weapon both the piercing lethality of a spear and the slashing power of a saber, perfectly combining rigidity and agility.

At the end of the weapon was a heavy iron butt-cap, engraved with anti-slip patterns. It not only ensured balance but could also serve as a blunt weapon to deliver a fatal blow at close range.

"Good! What a divine weapon!"

Gao Feng stepped forward, reached out, and gripped the cold body of the weapon.

The feel was immensely heavy, at least seventy or eighty catties!

For an ordinary Martial Artist, just lifting it would be difficult, let alone wielding it.

But for Gao Feng, this weight was just right, allowing him to unleash his strength to the limit.

With a flick of his wrist, he lifted the three-pointed, double-edged blade from the wooden rack.

"Hum—" A clear, long, resonant hum echoed in the air, sounding like a dragon's roar.

It was a sound that could only be produced by the finest materials forged to perfection.

Gao Feng caressed the cold blade, unable to put it down, feeling the perfect texture that matched exactly what he had envisioned in his mind.

He walked to the open space in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and began to practice slowly.

At first, his movements were still a bit stiff.

But this weapon seemed born for him.

Within moments, he found his rhythm.

The three-pointed, double-edged blade in his hand seemed to come alive, becoming an extension of his arm!

At times, he moved with wide, sweeping motions, the blade spinning like a wheel, bringing up a howling gale and swirling the fallen leaves on the ground, fully displaying the peerless dominance of the Hegemon Spear Technique!

At other times, he shifted his body, and the saber technique became agile and unpredictable. The two crescent blades carved out tricky arcs, which was the very essence of the Bloody Battle Saber Technique!

Thrust, hack, slash, lift, hook, sweep...

Countless attack methods flowed from his hands like moving clouds and flowing water, without a hint of hesitation.

At that moment, he felt that he and his weapon had completely merged into one!

His combat power, bolstered by this divine weapon, had increased by at least thirty percent out of thin air!

"Hahahaha! Good! Excellent!"

Gao Feng sheathed his blade and stood tall, laughing heartily, his joy evident on his face.

He turned around and looked at Sun Jiu, who had deep-set eyes and had lost a significant amount of weight due to forging this blade, as well as the few artisans behind him who were also clearly exhausted, and solemnly cupped his hands in a salute.

"Uncle Sun, masters, thank you for your hard work!"

"Serving the Stockade Master is not hard work! Not hard at all!" Sun Jiu and the others were flattered and quickly returned the salute.

"Merit must be rewarded!" Gao Feng declared loudly.

"Come here! Take one hundred taels of gold and one thousand taels of silver, and reward all the masters in the Ministry of Works who participated in forging this blade!"

"Uncle Sun, you have the greatest merit, and you shall be additionally rewarded with one precious medicinal herb and ten mu of fertile land!"

Such a heavy reward made Sun Jiu and all the artisans tremble with excitement, and they all knelt down in unison.

"Thank you, Stockade Master, for your grace!"

Gao Feng helped Sun Jiu up, patted his shoulder, his eyes filled with approval.

He knew that with these dedicated artisans, the future of Panshi Stockade would be even stronger.

...

Three days later, on a deep, snowy night.

The entire Panshi Stockade had fallen into a deep sleep amidst the wind and snow.

Gao Feng enjoyed a warm and sumptuous dinner with five women: Su Yue, Luo Qin, Luo Qi, Luo Shu, and Luo Hua.

After the meal, he announced that he would begin his seclusion from tonight onwards.

He did not return to the secret chamber specifically prepared for him deep within the beacon tower, but instead remained in his own bedroom.

When the night was deep and quiet, and he had confirmed that everyone was fast asleep.

Gao Feng changed into an inconspicuous black martial outfit and shouldered a prepared pack filled with dry rations, water, and a large amount of gold.

He carefully wrapped the newly acquired three-pointed, double-edged blade in thick oilcloth, layer by layer, and carried it on his back.

He pushed open the bedroom door, and the cold wind, mixed with snowflakes, rushed into his face.

He turned back to take one last look at the stockade, which was filled with his concerns and hard work.

He looked at the warm bedroom that belonged to him and the women.

A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but it was instantly replaced by determination.

A brief departure was for a longer-lasting protection.

He unleashed the Following Wind Willow Catkin Movement Technique, and his whole body seemed to lose its weight.

His figure, like a wisp of untraceable blue smoke, silently melted into the vast wind and snow.

He did not even leave a clear footprint on the snow.

He sped towards the unknown, vast world outside the mountains.

His first destination was Qinghe County, which was closest to Ghost Sees Sorrow.

He was going there to gather information, purchase supplies, and more importantly, to seek the... Opportunity that would allow him to break out of his cocoon and become a butterfly.

When Gao Feng stepped into the territory of Qinghe County, a heavy snowstorm that had lasted for three days had just ceased.

The entire county was shrouded in a desolate silver-white.

Thick snow had accumulated on the eaves and by the streets. When the cold wind blew, rustling snow dust fell, cold enough to make people shrink their necks.

There were not many pedestrians on the streets, and they all walked in a hurry, with an lingering sense of tension and vigilance on their faces.

Even the air seemed to be permeated with a faint smell of rust mixed with blood.

On Gao Feng's back, the three-pointed, double-edged blade, wrapped in thick oilcloth, appeared exceptionally heavy and conspicuous.

His expression was calm, his steps steady. Every step he took on the thick snow made a "crunching" sound, which felt out of place with the oppressive atmosphere of the county.

The goal of his trip was very clear.

To find a more advanced Cultivation Technique that would allow him to break through to the Fourth Rank.

He first found an inn that looked reasonably clean and stayed there, asking for a superior room.

The waiter saw that he was burly and had an extraordinary Aura, so he did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and provided extremely attentive service.

After settling down, Gao Feng did not rush into action for the next two days.

He acted just like the most ordinary, newly arrived Martial Artist from out of town.

During the day, he would go to the largest restaurant in the county, "Listen to the Wind Tower," order a pot of the cheapest liquor and a plate of fennel beans, and sit in the most inconspicuous corner for the whole afternoon.

In the restaurant, people of all walks of life gathered, making it the best place to gather information.

He soon realized that his previous assessment had been too optimistic.

In this world, the monopoly on knowledge, especially high-level martial arts, was far more severe than he had imagined.

He heard more than once from the bragging and complaining of those Jianghu travelers.

The truly good things, such as Cultivation Techniques that could allow one to Cultivate beyond the Fourth Rank "Bone Refining Realm," were all firmly held in the hands of those high and mighty forces.

The armory of the Great Qian Dynasty.

The core Legacy of various major Sects.

The Secret Manuals of aristocratic families that had been passed down for hundreds of years.

Ordinary people, let alone obtaining these things, did not even have the qualification to take a look at them.

Money, in transactions at this level, appeared pale and powerless.

Gao Feng had also been to the black market in the county.

It was an underground market hidden in a dark corner, controlled by local Gangs.

There were indeed Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals for sale, but most were just unranked, shallow skills.

He spent some silver to find a vendor who seemed the most resourceful, but the best item the other party brought out was only a Third Rank Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique, and it was incomplete, with its authenticity difficult to verify.

To get good things, there were only two paths.

Either join those major forces, climb up step by step, and exchange merit for them.

Or, one could only steal or rob.

Gao Feng sat in the corner, his knuckles unconsciously tapping on the table, calculating rapidly in his heart.

Stealing and robbing were too risky and too passive, making it easy to expose himself.

Then, it seemed that the only remaining path was to "join."

Just then, the voices of a few men at the neighboring table, who were flushed from drinking, caught his attention.

"Have you heard? The Flying Dragon Gang is fighting with the Golden Sand Gang again!"

"Hey, what kind of news is that? Which day in the last half month haven't they been fighting? I heard that Liu Chongshan, the leader of the Flying Dragon Gang, somehow got lucky and his martial arts improved greatly, suppressing the Golden Sand Gang until they can barely breathe!"

"But the Golden Sand Gang is backed by the Four Seas Merchant Guild. Is Liu Chongshan not afraid of the Four Seas Merchant Guild taking action by doing this?"

"Tsk, what do you know! I heard from my cousin who works in the Merchant Guild that the higher-ups of the Four Seas Merchant Guild cannot be bothered with the affairs of our small county right now!"

"Oh? How so?"

"It is said that their backer, the famous Wind and Thunder Sword Sect, had a traitor who stole a treasure from the Sect and fled south. The experts of the Merchant Guild have all been sent out to track down the thief! How would they have the time to care about the life or death of these two mud-legged Gangs!"

Wind and Thunder Sword Sect. Four Seas Merchant Guild. These two names made Gao Feng's eyes narrow slightly.

A thought gradually became clear in his mind.

Forcing his way in was a bad strategy. Borrowing power was the best strategy.

If he could find a way to join this "Four Seas Merchant Guild" and then perform meritorious service, perhaps he would have the Opportunity to come into contact with the high-level martial arts of the "Wind and Thunder Sword Sect."

This seemed to be, for now, the most stable and feasible path.

Just as he was deep in thought, a burst of rapid footsteps and chaotic shouting suddenly came from outside the restaurant.

"Damn it! You Golden Sand Gang scum, stop right there!"

"Don't let them run! Catch one, and there's a reward of ten taels of silver!"

Immediately after, with a loud "bang!", the heavy wooden door of the Listen to the Wind Tower was kicked open from the outside!

Two blood-covered members of the Golden Sand Gang, holding steel sabers, scrambled in, their faces full of terror.

And behind them, seven or eight men wearing black martial outfits, with a ferocious flying dragon pattern embroidered on their chests, stood grinning, blocking the door.

The leader was a bald man with a face full of flab. He licked his lips, his eyes sweeping over the terrified diners in the restaurant like a beast.

"The Flying Dragon Gang is conducting business!"

"Bystanders, if you don't want to die, get out of the way!"