Hua!

In the room, w.a.n.g Chong rolled open a three chi long xuan paper. Dabbing the brush in ink, he started to contemplate over the design of the second Wootz steel sword he was going to forge for the auction.

The commanders of the Imperial Army weren’t fools. Those who were able to climb through the ranks were people possessing true abilities. Even though they gave their money to w.a.n.g Chong generously, their expectation of the sword was extremely high.

The swords that w.a.n.g Chong forged has to satisfy their demands.

“It’s fortunate that the design of the swords in this world is still quite plain, I still have a huge variety of choices to choose from!”

w.a.n.g Chong thought.

In this generation, despite the numerous swordsmiths in the capital, as people were more concerned with the sharpness of their weapon, they neglected the appearance of the blade. As such, most of the swords forged were of the same design.

In comparison, w.a.n.g Chong seemed to be a grandmaster in this aspect!

‘A good tavern didn’t fear being buried in the deep alleys’, a good packaging was important in all commercial activities. For example, alcohol stored in the porcelain bottle would be much more conspicuous than alcohol stored in a normal jar.

A sword with a beautiful outer appearance was entirely different from a plain-looking sword.

“Since I’ve already tried forging a sword, maybe I should go for a saber for the auction.”

w.a.n.g Chong thought.

Saber was always one of the Two Kings of Weapons. Even though most of those in the Central Plains preferred to use swords, the standing of saber was still above that of the other weapons.

As it was much more difficult to wield a saber, if one wasn’t a top-notch expert, it was difficult to bring out the true strength of a saber. Even so, w.a.n.g Chong knew that there were quite a few saber experts in the Imperial Army.

If w.a.n.g Chong wanted to solidify his standing as the number one swordsmith in the world, he must be more than capable of smithing swords. More than that, he has to prove that he was unrivaled in the art of saber crafting as well.

There wasn’t a single commander in the Imperial Army that wasn’t picky. An ordinary saber wouldn’t satisfy them.

As w.a.n.g Chong mused over the matter, something appeared in his mind.

Of the publicly renowned Three Great Swords, other than the Wootz steel sword, there was also the katana of j.a.pan as well.

The j.a.panese katana originated from the Great Tang’s modao, but it was much more suited for hacking moves than the modao. However, in this world, j.a.pan didn’t exist.

w.a.n.g Chong didn’t intend to simply replicate the katana, but rather, he hoped to design a new sword using the katana as the fundamental blueprint.

After contemplating for a moment, the brush started moving around the xuan paper.

A moment later, an entirely new sword unlike any other in this world appeared on the paper. This sword was shaped similar to the j.a.panese katana, but it was more than a single fold longer, reaching around 6 chi to 7 chi long!

(6 chi -> 2 meter)

The blade was extremely slim and long, and following suit, the hilt was the same as well.

It was impossible for an ordinary human to use this kind of sword, given that it was of the equal height as them. However, w.a.n.g Chong paid no heed to the matter.

The 6 chi weighed around 60 jin, making it impossible for ordinary humans to wield it. However, for the martial artists who possessed unparalleled strength, the design of the sword, which made it suitable for hacking movements, could unleash the true destructive might of the Wootz steel.

w.a.n.g Chong was certain that this weapon would bewitch the saber experts of the Imperial Army.

“… However, I’ll need more materials for the crafting. At the very minimum, I will require 2 jun!”

w.a.n.g Chong thought.

w.a.n.g Chong has spent just a single jun of Hyderabad ore to craft the first Wootz steel sword. However, crafting this blade would require at least 2 jun. Even though the cost has increased significantly, w.a.n.g Chong believed that the price would rise proportionately as well.

w.a.n.g Chong would only earn greater profits from the sword.

“Hu!”

Just as w.a.n.g Chong was musing over the matter, the slight sound of the wind suddenly reached w.a.n.g Chong’s ears. Frowning, w.a.n.g Chong abruptly stopped all actions.

“Intruders!”

w.a.n.g Chong immediately realized what was going on. He might have lost the incredible cultivation he possessed in his previous life, but his experience and keen senses were still present.

That was the sound of a robe battered against strong wind.

——Someone has sneaked into the w.a.n.g Family Residence!

“Hmph, if you think that you can enter and leave the w.a.n.g Family Residence as and when you please, you are sorely mistaken!”

w.a.n.g Chong’s lips curled up coldly.

Regardless of whether it was the 600,000 gold taels present in the residence or the Wootz steel sword, many people would definitely be blinded by greed. As the saying goes, ‘possessing a treasure is a cardinal sin’, if w.a.n.g Chong wasn’t guarded against such thieves, he would truly be unbefitting of an ex-Grand Marshal.

Pu!

Extinguis.h.i.+ng the candle flame, w.a.n.g Chong immediately grabbed the Wootz steel sword hanging on the wall. Jiya, he discreetly pushed open the window and sneaked out.

At the forge of the Wei Clan, w.a.n.g Chong crafted a total of four swords. However, he only decorated a single one of it, embedding agates and gemstones on the hilt of the sword and plating the sheath with gold, making it look both extravagant and elegant.

As for the other three, he didn’t add any additional ornaments to them. Besides, w.a.n.g Chong didn’t intend to sell them. As such, he has been keeping them in the residence all along.

Beneath the frosty moonlight, w.a.n.g Chong could clearly see the nimble movements of the black figures from the roofs, on the ground, and by the walls, as they rushed straight toward the treasure vault of the residence.

“They seem to be well-aware of the layout of the residence! They must have been spying during the day.”

w.a.n.g Chong thought.

Every single residence has their own treasure vault which stores gold, silver, and important treasures. The people who sneaked into the w.a.n.g Clan seemed to have clear goals. Their movements precise and exact; clearly, they had scouted the compounds of the w.a.n.g Family Residence during the day, giving them a clear idea of the layout and the structure of the residence.

The entire w.a.n.g Family Residence was silent, as if the place where the black-clothed men entered was an abandoned mansion. Not a single maid, guard, or nanny was alarmed by their presence.

Standing in the darkness, w.a.n.g Chong sneered coldly as he silently gazed at them.

Even though there was a strict restriction on the size of a private army that a general or minister household could have, there was more than sufficient people within the residence to deal with them.

“It’s about time!”

Just as they were about to reach the treasure vault of the w.a.n.g Family Residence, a gleam flashed across w.a.n.g Chong’s eyes as a thought appeared in his mind.

“Roar!”

Everything happened so quickly. Just as the group was about to enter the treasure vault, a furious roar broke the silence of the night. As though the rumbling of thunder, the bellow echoed in the skies of the entire w.a.n.g Family Residence.

“Who is it!”

Along with that roar, the air in the surroundings trembled, and black-colored ripples from a powerful explosion burst out from the w.a.n.g Family Residence’s treasure vault. The group of black-clothed men was caught off guard. As though a kite snipped at the strings, they flew backward.

“Who dares to cause trouble on w.a.n.g gongzi‘s residence!”

Amidst the lion-like roar, two lean but powerful figures rushed out.

These words weren’t spoken through the language of the Central Plains, but in Sanskrit. However, it was a pity that no one understood their words.

“They’re finally out!”

Seeing Arloja and Ablonodan rus.h.i.+ng out, w.a.n.g Chong chuckled. This was what you called a true partners.h.i.+p. w.a.n.g Chong didn’t spend the 80000 gold taels yesterday for nothing.

w.a.n.g Chong expressed his intentions of wanting the duo to help protect the w.a.n.g Family Residence so as to prevent the Hyderabad ores and the few hundred thousand gold taels from being stolen. Without a single word of complaint, the duo immediately agreed.

At this moment, w.a.n.g Chong was a collaborator of Sindhu. How could they allow someone to steal the money earned from the sales of the ore? Without any additional persuasion from w.a.n.g Chong’s part, the duo immediately took up the responsibility.

Boom!

From afar, Arloja and Ablonodan looked like ferocious tigers. Rus.h.i.+ng into the group of black-clothed men, they destroyed everything that was within their reach. Even though they were severely outnumbered, they managed to ward off all of the enemies’ attacks. The billowing black waves they exuded sent these black-clothed men flying away as though sheets of paper, smas.h.i.+ng them into the walls or the ground.

“Come out! There’s an attack!”

At the same time, the voice of the two Sindhi monks alarmed the guards of the w.a.n.g Clan. From w.a.n.g Chong’s mother’s living quarters, the lounge, and the quarters where the maids, nannies, and servants lived, countless guards of the w.a.n.g Family Residence charged out.

‘Preparedness ensures success, and unpreparedness spells failure’, since w.a.n.g Chong expected that someone would make an attempt on the 600,000 gold taels, the Wootz steel sword, and the Hyderabad ores, how could he possibly not make any preparations in advance?

From his mother’s room to the quarters of the maids… w.a.n.g Chong has a.s.signed guards to all important locations. If not, how could w.a.n.g Chong be so relaxed as to sit idly by the side and watch as intruders invaded his residence?

“Kill them! ——”

The group of w.a.n.g Family’s guards charged across the corridors toward the black-clothed men. The swords in their eyes gleamed beneath the moonlight. In just a moment, the two groups immediately clashed together in the garden.

The guards of the w.a.n.g Clan numbered one of the least among the generals and ministers’ households. Even so, they still outnumbered the black-clothed men by several times.

Ding ding, the sound of metal resounded by the ears. The cold gleam of metal could be seen be seen all around the courtyard.

“Un? Someone is rus.h.i.+ng toward me?”

Suddenly, w.a.n.g Chong’s ear twitched. He heard the movement of cloth once more, and it seemed like the treasure vault wasn’t their only goal. Even w.a.n.g Chong’s study was one of their targets.

Xiu!

Everything happened faster than words could describe. Just when w.a.n.g Chong realized that someone was headed toward him, the cold flash of metal gleamed in the darkness and several machetes spun furiously toward w.a.n.g Chong.

“Young master, be careful! ——”

Upon seeing that sight, Shen Hai and Meng Long, who was guarding w.a.n.g Chong’s study, went pale, and swiftly charged forward.

Weng!

Klang, Meng Long’s sword deflected one of the Charax Spasinu machetes, creating the resounding reverberation of metal. Even so, there were still a few other machetes which were flying straight toward w.a.n.g Chong at an incredible speed.

“Not good!”

In a moment, these machetes appeared right before w.a.n.g Chong. The sharp blades seemed as though they would split w.a.n.g Chong’s head from his neck. The faces of the duo paled, and cold sweat trickled down their back.

Weng!

Even though w.a.n.g Chong’s cultivation was lacking, his reaction wasn’t slow at all. At that very instant when the machetes were right before him, w.a.n.g Chong’s body flew backward into the air, doing a backflip. With just a simple “Basking of the Tortoise”, he dodged the consecutive strikes.

The ease and simplicity of the movement left the two masked Charax Spasinu a.s.sa.s.sins stunned!

In their view, w.a.n.g Chong’s martial arts was weak to the point that it was negligible. They could have never imagined that w.a.n.g Chong could use such a simple movement to dodge their sure-kill attack so easily.

As much as I hope to translate everything, there are just some terms which are reflected in hanyu pinyin in Wikipedia. Thus I’ll explain it here.

I’ve mentioned the Three Great Swords in Chapter 15

Wootz steel sword = Damascus sword

Nihonto is a general term for j.a.panese swords. Katana falls under that category.

There is no wikipedia page for modao, but there is an extremely similar changdao. It’s said that both weapons are the same, except that changdao is single-edged while modao is double-edged. (Meaning, there isn’t a blunt side to the blade)

The modao is an extremely long two-handed sword, similar to the katana. If you know what’s kendo, it is pretty alike to the sword they use in there.