Chapter Eight: Weapons!

"Young master, we've got it all figured out. A moment ago, Jin Wu escorted four people out; they went that way!"

When Jin Wu left Baozhi Hall with Qin Feng, he made no attempt to conceal himself, so Chen Yunhu’s four subordinates quickly caught wind of it.

"Let’s go, after them!"

Chen Yunhu, Lei Lie, and the others swiftly gave chase in the direction Qin Feng had taken.

"Please, come inside, honored guest!"

"Honored guest, please step inside!"

"Is there anything you’re looking for today?"

"These are all fine blades and swords—essential for those who travel the martial world and need to protect themselves!"

As soon as Qin Feng stepped into the shop, a middle-aged man hurried over, speaking rapidly.

Clang!

Qin Feng casually picked up a sword, flicked its blade with his finger, and a clear note rang out. Next, he picked up a long saber, gave it a few swings, but his face betrayed a trace of disappointment; he shook his head and put it back.

"Is this all you have?"

Qin Feng asked, regret in his tone.

Though the swords and blades here were not bad, none caught his eye.

Qin Feng knew well enough—anything truly valuable would never be displayed openly.

"Indeed, sir, you have a sharp eye," the shopkeeper said, putting away the weapons. "These are ordinary blades. We do have some finer arms in the shop, but the price…"

Liu Hai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he appraised Qin Feng, a faint smile on his lips.

"No need to worry. If something can satisfy me, money is no object," Qin Feng replied, taking out three hundred taels in banknotes from his robe.

"Please, this way," Liu Hai said, leading Qin Feng, Wang Fu, Wang Bao, and Wang Hu into the interior of the shop.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Liu Hai led Qin Feng and the others into the back, where in the courtyard several burly men were hammering away at iron.

"Here, honored guest—you’ll find our true quality wares. See if any please your eye," Liu Hai declared, leading Qin Feng into a room, pulling open the window to let in the sunlight.

Inside the room were a longbow, seven long sabers whose edges shimmered with a keen light, and five long swords.

"The quality is good," Qin Feng murmured.

After trying each of the dozen or so weapons, Qin Feng’s disappointment was plain. He shook his head.

They were all sharp enough, but none suited him.

Too light—every last one too light!

Though his martial cultivation had just stepped into the realm of manifest strength, the power within his body could easily surpass fighters at the covert strength level.

His greatest advantage was brute force. Lightweight weapons would only hinder his ability to unleash his full strength, diminishing his combat power.

"Well," Liu Hai began, "do you have any particular requirements, sir?"

"I do: just one. Heavier is better," Qin Feng replied coolly.

In his mind, the ideal weapon was the legendary halberd, the Fangtian Huaji. But that weapon demanded a master craftsman, and he lacked funds. Besides, renowned smiths rarely took on commissions lightly.

"Sir, we do happen to have one heavy weapon in stock, but I fear it may not suit you," Liu Hai said, recalling a weapon commissioned three years back that had sat untouched in storage ever since.

"May I see it?" Qin Feng’s eyes brightened.

"Of course, right this way," Liu Hai said, leading him outside.

"That weapon was commissioned by a covert strength-level expert. But after it was forged, it turned out to be too heavy for him and was promptly returned—it’s been in storage ever since," Liu Hai explained as they walked.

They had built it strictly to the specifications provided by that expert, and by rights should not have accepted its return. But how could they refuse the request of a covert strength master?

"There it is, sir," Liu Hai said, pointing ahead as they entered the storeroom.

He had little hope Qin Feng would actually want it. The weapon was so heavy even a covert strength expert couldn’t wield it, let alone a youth as slim as Qin Feng.

"What a fierce design!"

Qin Feng’s eyes lit up the moment he saw it.

The weapon’s appearance was intimidating: about two meters long, resembling an iron staff, but the head was shaped like a date pit, studded with iron spikes as thick as a finger—like a wolf’s fangs.

It was a wolf-tooth mace.

"So heavy!"

Qin Feng stepped forward, gripped the iron shaft, and hefted it—feeling its immense weight.

"Sir, this wolf-tooth mace is six feet long, with a hammer head nearly two feet. It weighs four hundred sixty jin," Liu Hai said gravely.

"Four hundred sixty jin—excellent!" Qin Feng’s eyes shone with delight.

No wonder that covert strength expert had to return it—he couldn’t manage it. Even those with six hundred jin of force would struggle to wield it as they wished.

"Up!"

Qin Feng braced his waist, let strength surge through him, and lifted the wolf-tooth mace, swinging it powerfully through the air.

He looked truly formidable; the mace’s cruel spikes made it a fearsome sight.

"This... this... this..." Liu Hai stammered in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Wang Bao and Wang Hu stared wide-eyed, astounded that their young master possessed such strength.

Wang Fu, however, had long suspected Qin Feng’s power and did not appear surprised.

Qin Feng stopped swinging. The mace was incredibly heavy—even he felt its pressure. Yet that very weight allowed him to bring his full strength to bear.

"Not bad. I’ll take it," Qin Feng declared, setting the mace down with a thud that shook the storeroom.

"Sir, this wolf-tooth mace is forged not only of iron, but rare minerals as well—hard as can be. Three years ago, the covert strength expert left a deposit; if you want it, only two hundred taels of silver are needed," Liu Hai said, now looking upon Qin Feng with awe and respect.

To Liu Hai, a covert strength expert was already a person of significance. Qin Feng’s might had clearly surpassed that level—he could not fathom what manner of extraordinary man stood before him.

"Very well. And I’ll ask you to deliver it to my home. The address is..."

Seeing Liu Hai’s awed expression and awkward posture, Qin Feng knew he would not be cheated.

"Rest assured, sir—we’ll have it delivered today!" Liu Hai promised eagerly.