"Shall we test the sword's edge?" Liang Xiao asked.
Gongsun Jing pointed to a weapon rack in the corner, "Try it on some metal, and by the way, demonstrate your sword-drawing technique that beheaded Dugu Ling."
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Liang Xiao walked to the weapon rack and looked at the two iron rods, each an inch in diameter, placed there.
"Swish!"
Liang Xiao drew his sword in an instant, as swift as lightning, and slashed at the iron rod!
"Clang~"
A sound rang out, and everyone was shocked!
An iron rod as thick as an inch had been cleanly cut into two by Liang Xiao's sword!
Gongsun Jing mused, "Could it be true, as Xiao Qin Wan said back then... perhaps he is the True General himself?"
Jian Nanfeng had taught her swordsmanship, and she knew exactly the incredible strength and speed required to draw and cut through that iron rod in one fluid motion! Trying to cut the rod with the Fly's Wing Sword directly would be much harder; only a head-on collision like this could achieve it.
Even Liang Xiao was somewhat surprised. Could such a thin sword blade truly cut through iron like mud? And the blade of the Fly's Wing Sword was completely undamaged!
Liang Xiao's earlier suspicion was reinforced; there were special materials in this world that he didn't understand, possessing exceptional hardness and toughness. Even so, the blade of the Fly's Wing Sword was still too thin. If he could find a more suitable sword, he wouldn't plan to use the Fly's Wing Sword in battle.
"This Fly's Wing Sword was repeatedly refined by a renowned craftsman family from Xichuan over thirty years. It was completed seventy years ago. Legend has it that they broke over a hundred hammers in the process. This sword coincidentally came into her father's possession and is now Qin Wan's dowry," Gongsun Jing said with a smile.
Jian Qin Wan, standing beside them, looked at Liang Xiao with sparkling eyes.
Dowry!
Qin Jiu added, "Young Master Liang the Second, the Sword Saint also possesses a sword called the 'Sword of All Beings' (Cang Sheng Jian). It is immensely powerful and a ferocious weapon. When he meets you, he will personally gift it to you. While the Fly's Wing Sword is a marvel of exquisite craftsmanship, the Sword of All Beings is straightforward and direct, capable of cutting iron like mud."
Liang Xiao rejoiced inwardly and nodded solemnly. Perhaps the Sword of All Beings would be his battlefield sword, and the lightweight Fly's Wing Sword could be used for daily wear, which would be perfect!
After the Fly's Wing Sword was sheathed, Gongsun Jing opened the second large rosewood chest, revealing its contents. Lying on a bed of golden silk was a longbow, as red as a blazing flame, occasionally flashing with a starlight-like golden sheen. Its length was nearly Liang Xiao's height! This was the legendary Sunset Bow, ranked first among famous bows, the signature weapon of the founding marquis of the Great Qian Kingdom, the Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation.
Gongsun Jing spoke with a solemn tone, "This Sunset Bow is crafted from the world's last remaining Sacred Crimson Goldwood. Because the wood is so hard that even tools made of sharpened iron cannot cut it, a master craftsman eventually devised a method to wear it down day and night. Even so, his family spent a hundred years to forge the bow's body."
Liang Xiao stared at the Sunset Bow, a fresh wave of doubt washing over him. The fiery red bow body did indeed faintly shimmer with a natural golden light, but Liang Xiao did not recognize this sacred wood at all.
"Even the Fly's Wing Sword and the Sword of All Beings could not cut this Sunset Bow," Gongsun Jing stated with certainty.
"How does Master know?" Jian Qin Wan asked with surprise.
"I had your father test it with all his might," Gongsun Jing replied without hesitation.
The onlookers were speechless, unable to help but admire Gongsun Jing's boldness. To test such a precious bow with two renowned swords capable of cutting iron like mud? However, this also indirectly proved the Sunset Bow's sturdiness and gave Gongsun Jing ample confidence.
Liang Xiao suppressed his surging joy and asked, "Master, what is the material of the bowstring? Will it degrade after being preserved for a hundred years?"
Gongsun Jing replied, "Rest assured, like the bow body, it will not decay for a hundred years. It is said the string is made from dragon sinew, but in reality, no one knows its true material; it is merely spoken of with awe. Regardless, a second string of the same material cannot be found in this world. The Fly's Wing Sword and the Sword of All Beings cannot cut this string either."
"Master, you didn't have my father test it again, did you..."
"Correct."
The crowd: ...
Gazing at the Sunset Bow in his hands, Liang Xiao's heart almost leaped out of his chest. Without firearms, the Sunset Bow was equivalent to his firearm here!
Jian Qin Wan, seeing Liang Xiao's eyes almost bulge out, couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. It was just like when the flower thief saw the Heavenly Dragon Piercing City Halberd that day.
Qin Jiu interjected, "The way one looks at a weapon is the same as how one looks at a person; it cannot be hidden. Young Master Liang the Second, the look in your eyes when you gaze at the Sunset Bow is just like the look Qin Wan gives you."
Jian Qin Wan's pretty face flushed. This time, she didn't blame Qin Jiu, merely pouting her small lips slightly, not denying it. After all, she and Liang Xiao had "married" here. Master and Qin Jiu were both sharp observers, and the flower thief and Yue Lian also knew her feelings. There was no point in pretending...
Liang Xiao finally regained his composure and chuckled, "May I try it?"
Gongsun Jing pointed to several bags of arrows on a nearby table, "A good bow needs good arrows. Only the Dragon Tooth Arrows specially made by the Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation's estate can match the power of the Sunset Bow. The material cost for a single Dragon Tooth Arrow is ten taels. When Dragon Tooth Arrows are unavailable, 'Wind and Rain Arrows,' which are gaining popularity in the Great Qian Kingdom, can be used as a substitute."
Liang Xiao casually picked up a Dragon Tooth Arrow and examined it, nodding slightly. The arrowhead was incredibly sharp and streamlined, designed to reduce air resistance. The shaft was made of a light yet sturdy wood, and the fletching was from the finest golden eagle feathers. Two sections had been hollowed out on the sides of the fletching. This was a very scientific design, as the airflow within the recessed grooves could maintain the arrow's stability in flight. For most people, ten taels for a single Dragon Tooth Arrow would be too extravagant to use. But Liang Xiao was different; he had money and was willful!
Gongsun Jing smiled, "The Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation's estate will equip you with a large supply of Dragon Tooth Arrows. Only bows with a draw weight of two stones or more can effectively use these arrows. When you go to Jinling, the Sunset Bow can be left here for safekeeping. You can pick it up on your way back to the capital."
Liang Xiao happily agreed.
Jian Qin Wan looked shyly at Gongsun Jing. Having spent so much time with her master, how could she not understand her master's intentions? She simply wanted Liang Xiao to bring her to Tianqin Mountain, their "second home," for a visit!
Liang Xiao, carrying the Sunset Bow and a bag of Dragon Tooth Arrows, led everyone out of the treasury and to a training ground at the foot of the mountain.
"Marquis An Guo has finally returned!"
The martial artists of Mount Tian, who were practicing swordsmanship in the training ground, exclaimed with surprise and joy, stepping forward to greet him.
Qin Jiu reminded them, "Marquis An Guo wishes to test the power of the Sunset Bow."
The others understood and immediately brought targets from the training field for Liang Xiao. Liang Xiao had already put on the finger guard for drawing a bow. With such a powerful bow, without a finger guard, a cut on the skin would be the least of it; the bowstring might be so strong it could sever Liang Xiao's finger!
However, Liang Xiao did not immediately aim at the target. Instead, he took out a Dragon Tooth Arrow and shot it towards the mountainside. The moment he drew the string, Liang Xiao's expression changed! It was more difficult to draw than the Sunset Bow; this was far beyond the pull of a two-stone bow. Even the Tremor Heaven Bow was not this difficult to draw. An ordinary person would absolutely not be able to draw it!