Section 52: The Downfallen Master Craftsman, Yu Ya, the Needle Heart Artisan
By Gu Zhenren | February 9, 2013
The client who commissioned the task was a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard, a gaunt face, and an air of dejection.
“Greetings,” he introduced himself. “My name is Yu Ya, and I am a weapon refiner.”
Chu Yun was immediately surprised. “Yu Ya? Could you be the ‘Needle Heart Artisan’ from the Talented Person Ranking?”
The rankings, such as the 108 Heroes Ranking, the 72 Talented Person Ranking, and the 36 Peculiar Person Ranking, all listed powerful individuals.
Chu Yun’s own ranking had risen due to his creation of the Ascendant Pill, placing him around 90th on the Heroes Ranking. In his past life’s memories, the man before him, Yu Ya, known by the title “Needle Heart Artisan,” had ranked even higher on the Talented Person Ranking, renowned for his exquisite craftsmanship and skill in creating needle-like weapons.
“Needle Heart Artisan? Heh, that’s all in the past. It’s remarkable that a young man like you still remembers things from over a decade ago,” Yu Ya said, shaking his head and chuckling self-deprecatingly. “More than ten years ago, I was severely injured in an accident, and I’ve never truly recovered. Currently, the spirit energy within me can only control lesser demons. That’s precisely why I’ve been desperately searching for the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill.”
A Monster Tamer’s spirit energy must significantly surpass a Demonic Beast’s to control it. Spirit energy stored in the body and soul diminishes when a Monster Tamer is gravely injured.
Chu Yun’s adoptive father, once known as the Fierce Tiger of Many Stars and seemingly invincible, lost his left arm, causing severe physical trauma and damaging his spirit energy. This greatly reduced his combat power, ending his reign of terror.
Chu Yun paused, recalling how he knew Yu Ya from his past life. With a little effort, he remembered: Master Yu Ya did indeed go through a period of decline, but he reappeared on the Talented Person Ranking a few years later. Eventually, he became the undisputed top weapon refiner on the ranking, highly sought after, with a constant stream of visitors.
“Could it be that I’ve stumbled upon Master Yu Ya during his period of hardship?” he thought with a surge of joy. “Shu Island is currently in need of a master craftsman to forge warships. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could invite Master Yu Ya? He’s down on his luck now, so offering help would be a gesture of goodwill. And as for his severe injuries, perhaps in my past life, he consumed the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill, which restored his spirit energy and led him back to his former glory?”
Beside him, Yan Que’s eyes narrowed. “Since we’re discussing the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill, please elaborate on this commission.”
When the topic of the commission arose, Yu Ya couldn’t help but take a deep breath. His eyes filled with profound confusion and resentment. “My injuries cannot be healed by ordinary pills. For over a decade, I’ve searched for the legendary Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill. Only this heaven-defying divine pill, which can comprehensively improve one’s aptitude, can save me. A week ago, my efforts of more than ten years finally paid off when I obtained the prescription for the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill.”
“I have a close friend named Zhong Qi, who is currently known as the ‘Mad Hammer Artisan’ on the Talented Person Ranking. When I got the prescription, I was naturally overjoyed. I trusted him implicitly and invited him for drinks to celebrate. During the meal, he asked to see the legendary prescription. I knew he had briefly worked as an alchemist in his early years but didn’t find it suited his nature and later switched to weapon refining. Without suspicion, I showed him the prescription.”
At this point, Yu Ya took another deep breath, his eyes turning red with the rage of betrayal. “He was visibly shaken after seeing the prescription. Suddenly, he attacked, knocked me down, and laughed aloud, saying he had put up with me for too long and had finally achieved his goal of obtaining the prescription.”
“I couldn’t believe it was true and immediately questioned him. Zhong Qi pointed at my nose and cursed me, saying he had always resented being overshadowed by me. When I was injured and fallen, he approached me as a friend, actually wanting to revel in my disgrace and suffering. Now that I had found the prescription, he couldn’t bear to see me rise again, so he stole it.”
“I shouted curses at him, but he just laughed, saying, ‘Well said.’ Then he went on a rampage, smashing everything in my shop and stealing my early work, the Star-Fixing Bow. Alas, one cannot judge a person by their appearance. I spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted. When I woke up, my chest was burning with anger. By the time I went to look for Zhong Qi, he had vanished! I had no choice but to come to Tiange Academy for help.”
“Such a despicable person! Truly detestable!” Yan Que, a man of upright character, was furious upon hearing this.
Chu Yun’s expression turned serious. “This complicates matters. If Zhong Qi has disappeared, he’s likely gone somewhere to refine the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill. We have no leads now. We should head to the scene of the incident first and investigate.”
Yu Ya nodded. “I will lead you there now. If you retrieve the prescription, I will gift it to you. If you can recover my Star-Fixing Bow, I will also hand it over. I implore you all!”
Chu Yun quickly waved his hands and smiled faintly. “Master, you are too kind. We will do our utmost.”
“The title ‘Master’ is undeserved,” Yu Ya said with a bitter smile. It seemed that over a decade of hardship and betrayal by a close friend had completely stripped him of his pride.
Three days later, the four of them embarked on a journey to Steaming Cage Island.
Steaming Cage Island was a village-level island, strategically located on a volcanic vein. The island’s high temperatures allowed for the harnessing of subterranean fire, making it suitable for building weapon refining furnaces and attracting many weapon refiners.
The blacksmith shops were numerous, appearing every few steps, forming a unique landscape.
Led by Yu Ya, Chu Yun and the other two arrived at an extremely dilapidated blacksmith shop.
The shop was deserted, without a single customer, a stark contrast to its bustling neighbors.
Inside, the blacksmith shop was in disarray. Unfinished ironware lay scattered on the floor. The black furnace had long since gone cold. Simple tables and chairs were the only recognizable furniture.
It was evident that Yu Ya had not been in the mood to tidy up before leaving.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go to the village to get some food and wine,” Yu Ya said with a sudden smile and left again.
Jin Bihan looked around and remained rooted to the spot. Princess Dunhuang frowned slightly, wondering if there was even a place to sit.
“Let’s clean up,” Chu Yun sighed and said.
Even after cleaning, Yu Ya had not returned.
“You all wait here. I’ll go look for him,” Chu Yun said helplessly and also went out. He asked a passerby where to buy food and wine and headed in that direction.
In front of a shop, he found Yu Ya negotiating with a stout farmer.
“Please, ma’am, I’ll owe you half a Disha Stone Coin for this. Let me put it on credit for now. I’m anxious to entertain my guests. Please, I’ll repay you another day!” Master Yu Ya pleaded humbly. A penny saved is a penny earned, but a penny short could still stump a hero.
“Absolutely not! If everyone asks for credit, how can my business survive? Do you think I don’t know? Your blacksmith shop was smashed to pieces, what money do you have to repay me? Hmph, people from the Jia family have already come to collect your rent. You’d better think about how you’re going to pay it!” the stout woman sneered at Yu Ya dismissively.
“You…” Yu Ya’s face flushed red as he was about to speak when a hand reached out from behind, fingers holding three Disha Stone Coins.
“Here are some Disha Stone Coins. Bring the food and wine,” Chu Yun’s voice followed from behind him.
“Ah, it’s you, young friend,” Yu Ya said, looking embarrassed.
Chu Yun smiled and patted his shoulder. As he took the food and wine from the busy farmer, he said, “When I was a child, I often stared at the food and wine in shops. Back then, I was short of money and could only sniff the aroma, drooling and gazing longingly. Heh heh heh.”
His words immediately closed the distance between them.
Yu Ya asked in surprise, “Aren’t you the young island master of Shu Island? How could you have had such an experience?” Chu Yun’s reputation was widely spread among the higher echelons. Master Yu Ya, in his fallen and ordinary state, belonged to the lower strata of society. He had only vaguely heard of a very capable young island master from the Shu family, but knew nothing else.
“I am an adopted son, not born to the island master. However, the island mistress has two biological sons,” Chu Yun said with a faint smile.
“I see. No wonder I sensed an unusual aura about you,” Yu Ya nodded, his good impression of Chu Yun deepening. He continued, “I’m truly sorry to have made you spend money. I will repay you for this!”
Chu Yun knew he was in financial straits, but he didn’t refuse. It concerned a man’s dignity. He nodded respectfully and added sincerely, “Actually, I’ve always been interested in weapon refining. I even took a weapon refining course at the academy and have some questions I’d like to ask you, senior.”
“Oh? Tell me, I may not be able to answer everything, but I will certainly do my best,” Yu Ya readily agreed.
Yu Ya truly lived up to his reputation as a capable individual on the Talented Person Ranking. Even in his current fallen state, his insight remained sharp. His answers were often precise and to the point, directly addressing the core of the issue.
However, the greatest gain was not the answers to his questions, but the development of Chu Yun and Yu Ya’s relationship.
With his past life memories, Chu Yun didn’t possess the arrogance of his peers and knew how to build rapport with others.
By the time they returned to the shop, he was already calling Yu Ya “Uncle,” while Yu Ya addressed him as “Little Yun.”
The food and wine were not particularly lavish, but the four of them ate with relish. They were indeed hungry since disembarking.
Bang!
During the meal, the shop door was suddenly kicked open.
“Yu Ya, you’re back! Pay the rent, pay the rent now! Hand over the money.” A group of people barged in. The leader, with a shifty appearance and dressed as a retainer, was extremely arrogant.
“Rent? Wasn’t it agreed that it would be collected at the end of the month? There are still six days left,” Yu Ya stood up.
“Six days? Do you think I’m an idiot?! Pfft! After six days, you’ll have long vanished. With your dilapidated blacksmith shop, what kind of business can you possibly get? Hand over the money! If you don’t, I’ll cripple you!” the leading retainer yelled, with over a dozen men behind him jeering.
Yu Ya’s face turned grim. He gritted his teeth. “You’re taking advantage of my situation!”
“We are taking advantage of your situation, so what?” the retainer leader raised his head, looking sideways. “The entire Steaming Cage Island belongs to the Jia family. You’re a mere blacksmith, daring to defy the Jia family? Daring to owe the Jia family money?”
Yu Ya opened his mouth to speak, but Chu Yun stopped him. “Enough, why bother with such a lackey?”
“Lackey?! Oh ho, you dare insult your elder?! Brothers, attack! Tear that brat’s mouth off! Then smash this shop and search it thoroughly!” the retainer leader roared, beside himself with fury. He added as an afterthought, “If you don’t find money, arrest them all and sell them as slaves! You dare owe the Jia family money?! No way!!”
[ . b . m ]
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