Volume One, Chapter Six: A Bountiful Return

Since Liu Feng had come, he would not leave easily without getting what he wanted.

“Master, how about this: I’ll give you three taels of silver, but I have one condition. I want to select some other daily necessities from your shop on credit.”

“Of course. If one day I truly manage to kill a tiger or spear a wild boar, you won’t have to pay me anything. But if I fail, I’ll pay double. We can put it in writing—how does that sound?”

The blacksmith looked thoughtfully at the lean, tall man.

“Alright, I agree. Give me the three taels of silver, no need for a contract. You can take whatever else you need from here, but remember your word— a man’s word must be kept.”

Liu Feng nodded with satisfaction.

Sometimes, a bit of provocation really works.

He then searched the shop and found a fine axe, its cold gleam sharp and piercing.

Though heavy in appearance, the axe was extremely practical—usable both as a weapon and for daily tasks such as hunting and chopping wood.

Liu Feng also picked out some arrowheads. Even without a strong bow, the one at home would suffice; the arrowheads were the most crucial.

Of course, he didn’t forget other iron goods needed for everyday use.

While the blacksmith was busy crafting a refined steel spearhead, a process requiring at least two hours, Liu Feng thought of the two women at home whose clothes were worn and tattered. Though he couldn’t afford fine silk and brocade, he could still buy a few bolts of patterned cloth.

He also purchased cotton for winter, though pure cotton was too expensive, so he mixed in kapok and straw. Most importantly, he bought pots, bowls, and pans.

After all was gathered, Liu Feng tallied his expenses and found he had spent nearly ten taels of silver.

Though hunting could provide enough meat to avoid hunger, the body still needed certain nutrients. So he bought some rice and flour to survive the winter.

When spring came, he planned to cultivate the land, aiming for a better life.

At the grain store, he finally understood why grain was the foundation of ancient life.

Even coarse grains cost a staggering thirty qian per dou; clean white rice went for a hundred qian, and fine flour was sixty qian.

Coarse grains were unpleasant to eat, barely passable, but for survival, he gritted his teeth and bought some along with white rice and fine flour.

Finally, he visited the pharmacy. Hunting in the mountains inevitably led to scrapes and bruises, and both women at home had injuries.

If they didn’t heal well and left lasting ailments, what would he do?

He still dreamed of harmony and joy at home, nights filled with music and laughter.

Though last night had been wonderful, due to the women’s injuries and weakness, many intimate moments had to be forgone.

Such things were intolerable for a man.

There was no excuse for going hungry.

When the time came, Liu Feng returned to the blacksmith’s shop.

The blacksmith laughed heartily upon seeing him. “Young brother, you’ve come at the right time. Come, take a look at this spearhead.”

With that, he pulled out a gleaming refined steel spearhead.

It was a three-edged spearhead, each edge sharp and clearly defined.

The blacksmith had carefully made a wooden shaft.

Liu Feng was stunned.

This was no mere refined steel spearhead—it was an exquisite spear.

Eagerly, he grasped the spear. Its weight—nearly five jin—felt substantial but perfectly balanced.

He swung it around.

The blade’s edge was honed to razor sharpness, seeming capable of slicing through the air with ease.

The shaft was straight as a sword but with greater length and power. Smooth and crafted from premium hard mountain wood, it could withstand brutal impact.

Truly a deadly weapon.

For convenience, the shaft was split into two halves connected by iron rings, each ring internally threaded.

“Master blacksmith, how did you forge this spearhead like this?” Liu Feng asked curiously.

Given current techniques and steel-smelting technology, such strength was almost impossible.

“Well, it’s a coincidence,” the blacksmith replied. “I chose a fine steel billet today, but it cracked during forging.”

“With no other option, I added some pig iron and re-smelted it. Unexpectedly, by some twist of fate, this spear was born.”

“Seems it was destined to find you. Otherwise, where would such luck come from?”

Liu Feng was very pleased; this truly was the pinnacle of the era’s craftsmanship.

He hadn’t expected the blacksmith to have accidentally unlocked alloy forging.

Liu Feng understood, but he had no intention of revealing this secret. He planned to develop his own enterprise and didn’t want to expose his technology.

If the blacksmith was perceptive, he would figure out why such a spearhead was made.

If not, then it was fate.

For Liu Feng, acquiring such a fine spear was a serendipitous gain.

“If you like it, that’s good. Honestly, I also admire your spirit,” the blacksmith said warmly.

A craftsman loved no praise more than appreciation of his work.

And he truly admired this young man.

The blacksmith handed Liu Feng a cloth bag, then took out several arrowheads.

“These are made from the leftover refined steel from the spearhead. You’ll find them useful.”

Liu Feng split the spear into two and slung it behind his back. The length was just right.

Holding the arrowheads in his hand, their weight was solid and cold, giving an almost chilling sensation.

In the twilight’s glow, they shimmered with a sharp, frosty gleam, as if one could hear the arrows tearing through the void.

Generally, arrows were disposable.

If an arrow only grazed the skin, it could be recovered and lightly repaired for reuse.

But if it struck stone or pierced the bones of large beasts, even an iron arrowhead would dull and require remelting.

However, these refined steel arrowheads would never suffer that fate.

With a good bow and sufficient force, they could penetrate deeply, inflicting severe wounds even on brown bears or tigers.

Next, it was time to return to the village. But carrying all these goods alone was impossible.

Following the blacksmith’s advice, Liu Feng rented an ox cart.

Only then did he slowly trundle back to the village with his haul.

Though the ox cart wasn’t much faster, it was far quicker than traveling on foot.

Before nightfall, Liu Feng arrived home.

His return was like that of a celebrity coming back to his hometown, drawing a crowd of villagers.

The villagers already knew of his hunting exploits in the mountains.

Having long suffered from lack of food and clothing, their eyes gleamed covetously at the abundance of supplies.

But besides drooling behind the ox cart, what could they do?

Liu Feng endured their scornful looks but had no intention of charity.

The two sisters gazed at the loaded ox cart filled with food and daily necessities, their eyes sparkling with delight.

Their husband was truly wonderful. With these supplies, they would never worry about food or drink again.

The sisters were joyful, but the assembled villagers began chattering and clamoring, even crowding around to beg.

Liu Feng would not indulge them.

He stepped into the crowd and spoke slowly and deliberately, “If you want grain, it’s simple. Make the men in your families go to the mountains. Whatever they bring back, I want it. Bring it to my yard, and I’ll give you grain.”

“Also, I’m the one in charge here.”

“If I hear any more obscene or disgraceful words, beware—I’ll pull out your tongues.”

The crowd dispersed after Liu Feng’s stern words.

None had expected the once uneducated Liu Feng to be so commanding.