13: To die? Tang Yan: Fortune and wealth are sought through risk, understand?

The deliciousness of the fish and the slight sourness of the vinegared rice mingled in Tang Yan's mouth, and he savored it, finding it indeed had a unique flavor.

Chiya ate in small bites, occasionally looking at Tang Yan. From her understanding of Tang Yan, he rarely savored food, usually just eating until he was full in a leisurely manner.

Seeing him slowly savoring it now, either he was in a very good mood, or it was genuinely delicious.

"Yan, those few tricks you showed this afternoon were amazing! You should have seen the looks on those craftsmen's faces," she giggled, picking up another piece of fish roe sushi.

Zi Luo gulped down a large mouthful of sake, a healthy flush spreading across his cheeks. He then said, "That's natural! How could they possibly see through Yan's abilities! Those guys, at first, dared to look down on us Sunagakure!"

Tang Yan put down his chopsticks, the deliciousness of the sushi still lingering in his mouth.

His small display of skill in the Divine Weapon Hall that afternoon had indeed made those Takumi Ninja look at him with new eyes.

Afterward, he inquired about special metals with Ishida, the manager of the Divine Weapon Hall.

Ishida, impressed by his skill, became much more respectful.

Hearing Tang Yan ask about several unheard-of metals, Ishida pondered for a long time, then lowered his voice.

"Young Master Tang Yan, with all due respect, for the materials you are looking for, perhaps only Master Master Qingmo in the entire Takumi Ninja Village might know a thing or two, or even possess them."

"Oh? Who is this Master?" Tang Yan's heart skipped a beat at the time.

"Master Master Qingmo is a living legend of our Takumi Ninja Village. His knowledge and collection of various rare metals are unmatched. It's just that..." Ishida looked troubled, "He has a very eccentric temper, never sees outsiders, and his workshop is in the deepest part of the Village, heavily guarded. It's very difficult for any of us to get in."

Master Master Qingmo... Tang Yan had firmly memorized this name.

"Speaking of which," Chiya put down her chopsticks, leaned forward, and lowered her voice, with a hint of mystery and excitement, "I also found something good today! A fan that can quickly combine and change forms, and can also be inlaid with various elemental Ninja tools or talismans! It's practically custom-made for me! I plan to upgrade my White Fluff Iron Fan!"

Zi Luo also leaned over, grinning and showing his white teeth: "I also found a material that is said to greatly enhance the flexibility of iron hands without losing strength! It's just ridiculously expensive and the process is troublesome, requiring the material to be crushed and re-melted. I'm currently haggling with the owner!"

Maki watched his three disciples excitedly, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curling up, then gently lowering again. He simply picked up his sake cup and took a sip.

The spiciness of the sake slid down his throat, bringing a hint of warmth and settling his chaotic thoughts a little.

"Playtime is playtime, but don't forget the main task," his voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the three, "We are still on a mission. Although the employer said we could move freely, this is not the Hidden Sand Village, so don't cause any trouble."

Zi Luo said nonchalantly, "Teacher Maki, don't worry! With Yan around, what could possibly go wrong? Besides, we're also doing this to enhance our strength and better complete the mission!" He patted his chest after speaking.

Chiya also quickly nodded in agreement, her eyes cunningly shifting: "Exactly, exactly, Teacher, we all know our limits. Besides, to do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools! If my fan is upgraded, I'll have a few more chances of winning in a fight, right, Yan?" She turned to Tang Yan, seeking support.

Maki glanced at them, his tone becoming serious again, "The craftsmen here, especially the master-level ones, are all very proud. When you interact with them, you must be cautious and not lose the courtesy of our Sunagakure Ninja, and certainly not easily get into conflicts with people."

Maki paused, his gaze sweeping over Tang Yan: "Especially you, Tang Yan. I know you're very interested in those rare materials, but Master Qingmo, if he's truly as Ishida said, probably isn't that easy to deal with. Always prioritize the mission; don't lose sight of the bigger picture for a small gain."

He picked up his sake cup and drained the remaining sake: "In short, although the employer didn't give any strict instructions, it would be bad if we caused trouble and affected the Village's reputation. Be vigilant, all of you."

"Yes!" The three responded in unison. The atmosphere became slightly more subdued than before, but the sparkle in their eyes had not diminished. Tang Yan nodded, already having an idea in his mind.

To see Master Master Qingmo, going empty-handed was clearly not an option.

Back at his lodging, he spread out paper and brush, the pen tip rustling on the paper.

He was going to prepare a special gift - a meticulously drawn design for a miniature repeating crossbow, incorporating the essence of the Tang Clan's mechanism techniques.

The exquisite structure and powerful force of this repeating crossbow would undoubtedly be unique in this world.

He was confident that this item would be enough to open Master Master Qingmo's tightly shut door.

The next day, Tang Yan, alone, holding the scroll with the repeating crossbow design, walked towards the depths of Takumi Ninja Village.

The further he walked in, the quieter it became. The sound of metal striking became sparse, replaced by a more refined grinding sound and faint energy fluctuations.

Master Master Qingmo's workshop was located in an independent courtyard enclosed by high walls. At the entrance, two stern-faced guards stood armed, their gazes like torches.

"Halt! What is your purpose?" One of the guards stepped forward, blocking the way with his arm.

Tang Yan revealed his Sunagakure forehead protector to prove his identity, then spoke in a deep voice: "Tang Yan of Hidden Sand Village, I have come to visit Master Master Qingmo on a matter. Please inform him."

The guard suspiciously scrutinized him up and down. Seeing that he was not old and did not seem like a troublemaker, he turned and entered the courtyard.

A moment later, the guard returned, still expressionless: "Master Master Qingmo says you may enter."

Tang Yan stepped into the courtyard, and his vision suddenly opened up.

Inside the courtyard, various oddly shaped metal materials were casually piled, seemingly chaotic, yet adhering to some hidden pattern.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sulfur and charcoal mixed with an indescribable aroma of special metal.

In the center of the workshop, a huge furnace burned with raging flames, emitting astonishing heat.

A hunched old man, with his back to him, was intently operating a strangely shaped machine, seemingly grinding some tiny component.

The old man's hair was sparse and white, and he wore simple craftsman's clothes, but Tang Yan could feel a profound, mountain-like aura emanating from him. Even just a back view exuded an ineffable sense of pressure.

This, then, should be the legendary Master Master Qingmo.

"Hidden Sand Village brat, what do you want with this old man?" Master Master Qingmo did not turn around, his voice hoarse, with a hint of impatience, seemingly unimpressed by Tang Yan's Sunagakure identity.

Tang Yan was not annoyed. He took a few steps forward and presented the design scroll with both hands: "Junior Tang Yan, I happened to design a mechanism crossbow blueprint. I feel there are some clever ideas within it, so I specially came to ask Master Master Qingmo for guidance."

Master Master Qingmo's movements paused slightly, seemingly a little interested in the words "mechanism crossbow," but he still did not turn around.

"Put it there. This old man will deal with you when I'm finished here." His tone remained cold and distant.

Tang Yan placed the blueprint on a workbench piled with tools, as instructed.

Master Master Qingmo continued grinding for a while longer before slowly putting down his tools, wiping his hands with a worn cloth, and then picking up the scroll.

He casually unrolled it, his gaze falling upon the blueprint.

Initially, his eyes still held their usual scrutinizing and critical look, as if he were looking at an insignificant toy.

But gradually, his brows furrowed slightly, and his gaze became more focused.

His hunched body unconsciously straightened a few inches, and a strange glint flashed in his originally somewhat cloudy eyes.

He extended his fingers, as dry as old tree bark, lightly tracing the precise lines and ingenious structures on the blueprint, occasionally letting out almost inaudible hums of "Hmm?" and "Oh?".

Time passed by, bit by bit. Only the whooshing sound of the furnace burning filled the workshop.

After a long while, Master Master Qingmo slowly raised his head. For the first time, his sharp eyes truly looked at Tang Yan, with undisguised surprise and scrutiny.

"This... this repeating crossbow design, did you draw it?"

"They are some immature ideas from junior's leisure time," Tang Yan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Immature?" Master Master Qingmo snorted, his eyes growing brighter, "Brat, this is more than just... it's simply divine craftsmanship! This activation structure, this feeding method... I've never heard of it, never seen it! Where did you learn these things?"

He stared intently at Tang Yan, as if trying to see through him from the inside out.

As expected, he took the bait.

"Junior's family inherited puppetry, so I know a thing or two about mechanical arts."

Master Master Qingmo stared at the blueprint and examined it carefully for a long time before cautiously rolling it up. His gaze towards Tang Yan had completely changed, losing its previous arrogance and disdain, replaced by a sense of solemnity and seriousness.

"Speak, brat. You went to such great lengths, bringing out a blueprint of this caliber to see this old man. What exactly do you seek?"

Tang Yan no longer beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose: "Junior wishes to purchase or exchange some special metal materials from Master. I wonder if Master has materials similar to 'heavenly meteorite shadow silver' or 'plate crystal gold' in his possession?"

After speaking, he briefly introduced the characteristics of the two materials.

"heavenly meteorite shadow silver? Plate crystal gold?" Master Master Qingmo's eyebrows shot up abruptly, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Brat, these two things are not easy to find. This old man has only seen fleeting descriptions of what you've described in some fragmented ancient texts."

He paused, then changed the subject, a hint of playfulness in his eyes: "However... as for materials with properties similar to 'heavenly meteorite shadow silver', this old man does have some here. As for that 'plate crystal gold', perhaps... there might be a tiny bit of unformed scrap."

Tang Yan's heart rejoiced, but his expression remained calm: "I wonder if Master would be willing to part with them? Junior is willing to exchange them for items of equal value, or fulfill any reasonable conditions Master proposes."

Master Master Qingmo looked at him deeply, a strange smile spreading across his lips, revealing his yellowed teeth: "Conditions, well... there is indeed one, but I'm afraid you, little brat, don't have the guts to take it on."

"Master, please speak freely."

"Behind our Takumi Ninja Village, there is a forbidden mine shaft that has been abandoned for many years," Master Master Qingmo's voice lowered a few octaves, carrying a mysterious undertone, "Deep within that mine shaft, a peculiar metal ore capable of self-repair is buried. It was later abandoned due to abnormal reasons, and those sent by the Village to investigate all went in and never returned, neither alive nor dead. It should be related to poison."

His eyes sharpened, as if to pierce Tang Yan's inner thoughts: "This old man's condition is simple: if you can enter that forbidden mine shaft, ascertain the cause of death, and bring back a sample of that self-repairing metal, this old man can not only give you a portion of my collection of 'dark star meteorite iron' - which is the material similar to 'heavenly meteorite shadow silver' you mentioned - but also tell you its exact origin. The scraps of 'plate crystal gold' will also be given to you."

Forbidden mine shaft? Self-repairing metal?

This condition sounded full of "surprises"; it was definitely fraught with danger.

But the temptation of "dark star meteorite iron" and "plate crystal gold" was simply too great!

Especially that self-repairing metal, if real, its value would be immeasurable!

"How about it, brat? Do you dare to take on this hot potato?" Master Master Qingmo's eyes held a hint of amusement and scrutiny.

Tang Yan pondered for a moment, then looked up, meeting Master Master Qingmo's probing gaze, speaking each word clearly: "Junior accepts!"

A flicker of appreciation flashed in Master Master Qingmo's eyes, then turned solemn: "Very good. But this old man warns you, that mine shaft is no small matter. Act within your capabilities, don't lose your life in there, it wouldn't be worth it."

Leaving Master Master Qingmo's workshop, Tang Yan immediately found Maki and briefly explained the situation.

Of course, he omitted the overly sensitive information about "heavenly meteorite shadow silver" and "plate crystal gold," only saying that he was assisting the Takumi Ninja Village in investigating an anomaly in an abandoned mine shaft, and the reward would be several rare metal materials.

After listening, Maki's single eye narrowed, and he remained silent for a long time, his knuckles unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

"Abandoned mine shaft? Anomaly? The Takumi Ninja Village's own people can't solve it?" Maki's voice was low, with a hint of inquiry.

"According to Master Master Qingmo, the gas inside that mine shaft is a bit strange, and a master of poison is needed to investigate the cause," Tang Yan explained.

Maki's fingers stopped tapping, as if he was weighing something.

Just as Tang Yan thought he was about to refuse, Maki suddenly spoke: "Alright. Since it's assistance, then go take a look. However, you can't go alone."

He looked at Tang Yan: "Take Chiya and Zi Luo with you, they can also help. Remember, be careful with everything, prioritize your own safety. If things become impossible, retreat immediately, understand?"

Tang Yan's heart stirred slightly. He hadn't expected Maki to agree, and even actively ask him to bring Chiya and Zi Luo.

This was not like Teacher Maki's usual cautious style.

Could there be some hidden reason he didn't know about?

However, since Maki agreed, it was naturally a good thing for him.

"Yes, Teacher Maki!" Tang Yan replied.

His anticipation for that forbidden mine shaft grew a little more.

What secrets were hidden within a place that even Master Master Qingmo took seriously, and that even the Takumi Ninja Village was powerless against?

And that self-repairing metal...

The corner of Tang Yan's mouth habitually curved into an arc.