A while later, a red glowing sword was forged. This time, it did not attract an unusual phenomenon because the Phoenix Blood Gold was only enough to forge a high-tier artifact.
Even though it was not an epic-tier artifact, this red sword had its own unique presence.
Zhang Zhi brought the newly forged sword to the counter. Han Ling’er’s eyes were filled with stars because the sword was beautiful even to a girl, she praised him, “Zhang Zhi, the sword is so beautiful!”
“Beautiful isn’t it? Here, have a look at it.” Zhang Zhi gave the sword to her.
Han Ling’er excitedly took the sword and played with it, she looked exceptionally fond of it either.
The first feeling that Han Ling’er felt from the sword was elegance, because of its clean blade, it looked like an unrivaled beauty with red makeup on. The elegance and beauty could capture an entire city’s heart with a single smile, or a slash in this case.
However, when Han Ling’er infused her spiritual power into the sword, the sword emanated a prestigious and proud aura, as if it was some ancient empress that ruled the world. A single frown from the empress and bodies would pile up like mountains, blood would flow like rivers.
When she regained her senses, Han Ling’er noticed something strange. She asked in shock, “Zhang Zhi, I have a feeling that this sword feels exactly like Flying Swan other than its color and tier.”
“Of course. I forged it using Flying Swan as a reference, it is specially made for you.”
Zhang Zhi sounded casual but those words felt heavy to Han Ling’er. She then looked scared and started to nervously search her body.
She then said with a pitiful gaze, “Zhang Zhi, I… don’t have that much money.”
Zhang Zhi found her reaction amusing. “It’s a present, for you.”
“A present for me?” Han Ling’er almost passed out from the overflowing happiness, but she clenched her teeth and returned the sword to Zhang Zhi.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” Zhang Zhi felt strange, she really looked like she was fond of the sword.
“I like it but it’s too precious. I can’t take it.” Han Ling’er believed that she had received a lot from Zhang Zhi, if she took the sword from him, she would never be able to repay him.
Some thoughts later, Zhang Zhi said, “I said I will give you a present if you made it back to top 10 right? This is that present, I’m just giving it to you in advance.”
“But this is too much.” Han Ling’er thought Zhang Zhi would give her some little toys to reward her, if she knew it was a precious high-tier flying sword, she would never take it.
“Han Ling’er!” Zhang Zhi called her name loudly and it shocked her.
He feigned an angry look and said, “The ranking battle is no joke! Without a handy weapon, you will get yourself killed, are you trying to do that? You are lucky that you only got a cut on your arm. What about tomorrow? If you are unlucky, you might get a cut on your face and when the entire ranking battle is over, you might lose your hands and legs! I don’t want a handicapped girl working for me!”
Han Ling’er was on the brink of crying after being ‘scolded’, she might really break down in tears if he continued.
Zhang Zhi quickly twisted his meaning. “How about this? I’ll lend you the sword and it’s yours to keep if you make it into the top 10; if not, give it back to me.”
Han Ling’er knew Zhang Zhi was doing this for her own good, and since he said that he would take the sword back if she failed, she did not reject it anymore. She took the sword but she could not hold back her tears.
“You’re crying? Come on, don’t cry! I promise I won’t shout at you anymore!” Zhang Zhi was surprised and scared and he quickly consoled her.
“No, I’m just touched…” Han Ling’er wiped her tears away.
Then, she meekly asked, “Zhang Zhi, why are you so good to me?”
Han Ling’er’s sulking look would win the hearts of all men easily. It was untrue that Zhang Zhi did not have feelings for Han Ling’er but he was too dull and stubborn to admit it. He simply brushed her off by saying, “I am your boss, of course, I’m good to you!”
“But…” Even if he was her boss, a boss should never be this kind to the employee.
Zhang Zhi stopped her and added, “Okay, let’s put that aside. Give the sword a name.”
Han Ling’er pouted and grumbled that Zhang Zhi was an unromantic man.
“What did you say?” Unproblematic?” Zhang Zhi was confused by the soft grumbles.
“Nothing…” Han Ling’er was speechless.
Then, she looked at the sword in her hand and said, “Zhang Zhi, you forged the sword, why don’t you name it?”
“I’m bad at naming. Just look at my Nouveau Riche.” Zhang Zhi was honest with his thoughts.
“Give it a powerful name, don’t embarrass my skills.”
Han Ling’er quivered when she thought of Zhang Zhi naming his sword Nouveau Riche.
A quick hesitation later, she said, “Zhang Zhi.”
“Hmm? What’s the matter?” Zhang Zhi asked.
“I’m not calling you, I’m naming the sword. I’ll name it Zhang Zhi!” Han Ling’er said with a bright smile.
Zhang Zhi was a little confused. He quickly said, “Any other name is better than Zhang Zhi, like Phoenix Sword, Heavenly Bird Sword, why must you use my name?”
“I don’t care, I like naming it Zhang Zhi.” Han Ling’er stroked the sword and said softly, “Zhang Zhi, let’s be friends.”
The real Zhang Zhi was speechless. He finally knew how others felt when he named his own sword Nouveau Riche, he really wanted to knock himself into the wall.
Since it was a gift to Han Ling’er, he could not stop her from naming it whatever she wanted. A quick thought later, Zhang Zhi took out an authentication seal and said, “Give me the sword.”
“Here.” Han Ling’er did not know what Zhang Zhi was trying to do but she did as old.
Zhang Zhi hesitated when he had the sword but he ultimately sighed and stamped his seal on the blade.
Han Ling’er knew what he was doing: the forger was giving his sword a mark.
Zhang Zhi had never stamped any seal on the swords that he restored or refined, so it sparked Han Ling’er’s interest. “Zhang Zhi, what’s that seal about?”
Zhang Zhi reacted strangely. “Have a look.”
Han Ling’er took the sword. She was expecting ‘Made By Zhang Zhi’, ‘Zhang Zhi’s Work’ or something similar but when she had a closer look at the seal, she was stunned.
“Zhang Zhi is handsome?”
“Ahem. I would prefer you to praise me quietly. It might fuel my arrogance.” Zhang Zhi put his hands behind his back and raised his chest. This might be the problem of being handsome.
Han Ling’er was speechless but she chuckled endlessly. The sword’s name was Zhang Zhi, and the seal that the real Zhang Zhi stamped on it stated ‘Zhang Zhi is handsome’. It felt… strange, in a good way.
It was already evening and the blacksmith still did not have any customers for the day.
After Han Ling’er clocked off, the system notified Zhang Zhi, “Notification. All the artifacts forged in the blacksmith, be it a gift or a product for sale, the system will take 90% of the profit as commission.”
“Why? I bought the material myself and forged it myself, why should I give you a commission?” Zhang Zhi refused to comply. The system was saying that even if the sword was a gift, which Zhang Zhi bought and forged himself, the system wanted 90% commission for it.
“The system has the right to take 90% commission for every single item that was forged in the blacksmith,” the system said in a mechanical voice.
The rule did ring a bell but Zhang Zhi refused to comply as well, “What about the epic-tier weapon that I forged, why did you take 90% of it?”
Zhang Zhi immediately regretted his decision because he realized it might be a loophole. He had used up all his high-tier spirit stones.
“The epic-tier flying sword is categorized as a reward, you didn’t need to give me 90% commission for that.”
Zhang Zhi sighed a breath of relief because he still could keep Nouveau Riche. As for the sword for Han Ling’er, the system did not take the spirit stones from him right away. It was not because Zhang Zhi did not have the money, it was because Zhang Zhi told the system he lent Han Ling’er the sword and it would be a gift when she made it into the top 10.
Therefore, it was out of the system’s control to determine the definition of free-use and gift.
Zhang Zhi immediately realized the culture and customs of the vast Chinese history was deep and endless. The definition of lent did not include a duration, meaning he could lend her a day or lend her for life.
It seemed like the system still had a lot to learn.
However, Zhang Zhi did not plan to report the loophole because it might be useful one day. Playing the brain game with the system was actually fun.
On the second day, Zhang Zhi almost fell down when he tripped on something round beside his bed. He was shocked when he looked at the big ‘ball’. “What the heck are you?!”
The armadillo burped and extended its claws at Zhang Zhi, as if it was saying, “Master, it’s me!”
“Holy sh*t! I thought a boar came into my room! Aren’t you scared of over-drinking?” Zhang Zhi realized the ball was actually the armadillo, the little guy must have drank the Five-colored Water last night.
The armadillo rolled its eyes white at Zhang Zhi. It moved its bloated body to a comfortable corner and started snoring.
Zhang Zhi did not care about the armadillo, he went to the blacksmith and started his day.
Meanwhile, in Lingtai Sect, Han Ling’er’s second match was starting.
Worried, Tang Tang asked Han Ling’er, “Ling’er, you are matched with Chen Guang. He used to be in the top 10 as well, you must take your Flying Swan back!”
Han Ling’er had a glance at her father and senior brother further away and shook her head. “It’s fine.”
Han Ling’er was never competitive nor jealous, which made Tang Tang anxious.
Then a thought appeared in her mind and she gave her own sword to Han Ling’er. “Here, take mine instead.”
“Thank you, but it’s really okay. You have your own match later as well,” Han Ling’er rejected with a shake of her head.
“You don’t want to take your sword back, you don’t want to take my sword, are you trying to get yourself killed?” Tang Tang was even more anxious than ever.
“Erm…” Han Ling’er knew Tang Tang meant well, so she said with a mysterious tone, “Tang Tang, I have a secret weapon up my sleeve.”
Tang Tang immediately thought of Zhang Zhi. “Zhang Zhi lent you his Nouveau Riche?”
“He did not…” Han Ling’er shook her head. Zhang Zhi did not only give her a new sword, but it was also a high-tier flying sword!
However, Tang Tang got it wrong and it made her mad. “That scrooge, I went all the way to his blacksmith to tell him about what happened, hoping that he might forge you a new sword or lend you his Nouveau Riche! He’s really stingy!”
“Zhang Zhi isn’t as stingy as you think…” Han Ling’er said.
“Ling’er, you are really too kind! Argh! I’m so mad!” Tang Tang pulled her hair and bellowed.
It was then the judge called names for the next match. “Han Ling’er, Chen Guang, your match is next. Be prepared.”
Han Ling’er said to Tang Tang, “Okay, it’s my turn now. Just sit back and watch!”
“Watch you get your ass kicked?” Tang Tang ridiculed.
Every single ring was guarded by a Golden Core expert to prevent accidents. Even though the matches were not life-threatening, injuries were bound to happen.
Despite the assurance, Tang Tang was still worried about her friend, she really hoped that Han Ling’er could overcome this match.
When Han Ling’er got into the ring, Chen Guang was already there waiting for her.
He looked at Han Ling’er with a sinister gaze. “We meet again.”
During last year’s ranking battle, Han Ling’er defeated Chen Guang and got into the top 10 ranking.
For the past year, Chen Guang devoted himself to cultivating to redeem himself and his position.
Other disciples were viewing from outside the ring.
“Did you guys know that Senior Brother Chen had mastered the technique Flying Immortals! Han Ling’er would never make it through three turns!”
“Flying Immortals? The sword technique that less than 10 people had mastered in the sect’s history?”
“I think only Li Xingchen could defeat Chen Guang now but unfortunately, Li Xingchen withdrew from the battle because he was cultivating to ascend into Golden Core. Chen Guang is unrivaled now!”
Those words were heart-wrenching to Tang Tang. Without Flying Swan, it would not end well for Han Ling’er.