Chapter 88

Entering the city, heading to the foundry.

Even in the cold winter, Zhu Minglang maintained his good habit of refining casting arts. Both Xiaobai Qi and Xiaoqing Zhuo could have a set of armor tailored to their attributes, as long as the materials were collected. The rest was a matter of his craftsmanship.

Since the touching romantic love story of their first meeting and mutual affection spread throughout the academy, the citizens' attitude towards Zhu Minglang was no longer as hostile as before. Some even believed it and constantly tried to curry favor with him.

Zhu Minglang usually kept a low profile, unwilling to let these matters disrupt his cultivation. So even when he went to the foundry, he only greeted a few familiar people and then immersed himself in the furnace forging.

The effects of the Spirit Domain Fruit were very significant. Now, Zhu Minglang's spiritual energy was much stronger than before, making it easier to refine armor that required the infusion of spiritual energy.

Long Mother left Zhu Minglang a piece of Azure Reverse Scale, a rare item that might not be found even after killing dozens of dragons.

Unfortunately, this reverse scale couldn't be used to make dragon armor, which required larger scales. Selling it at any price would be a waste, so Zhu Minglang decided to make a piece of Azure Reverse Soft Armor for his own protection.

Zhu Minglang had been working on this Azure Reverse Soft Armor for some time, and recently he realized how much his skills had improved...

The size and scale material had significant discrepancies.

If he forced the use of other materials, it would only result in numerous flaws in the Azure Reverse Soft Armor, and its effectiveness would be extremely limited.

"Zhu Minglang, Zhu Minglang." Outside the foundry, Master Zhao Long knocked on the door, as if he had some good news to tell Zhu Minglang.

"What is it, Master Zhao Long?" Zhu Minglang shouted from inside without coming out.

"Have you heard? Your lady is returning to the city." Master Zhao Long also shouted.

"Ah?? That's great news!" Zhu Minglang replied.

"Why are you still cooped up in there? Why don't you go to the southern part of the city to meet her early?" Master Zhao Long seemed more anxious than Zhu Minglang.

"No need, no need, she..."

"Oh, are you making a love armor for her? I saw you with a half-finished small armor a while ago. I didn't expect that you knew about her return through letters and have been working hard to give her a surprise. You young people are truly romantic!" Master Zhao Long exclaimed, suddenly understanding.

The door opened suddenly, and Zhu Minglang's face was flushed from the heat of the forge.

He glanced at Master Zhao Long.

Zhu Minglang turned to look at the clearly too small Azure Reverse Soft Armor, which he couldn't wear, and thought about Li Yunzi's slender and graceful figure...

Yes, why be so stubborn?

Making a piece of women's soft armor would be perfect.

He had never had the chance to thank Li Yunzi for the admission letter she gave him. How could someone who often fought on the battlefield not have a good piece of soft scale armor?

Moreover, the story of their first meeting and mutual affection, which he had fabricated, had already spread throughout the city. She had been on the southern battlefield and didn't have the time to settle accounts with him...

When the time comes, if he presents this treasure armor to her, she would either be pleased or at least less angry. If she doesn't mind, wouldn't that be even more sweet and fulfilling?

A graceful lady, a gentleman's ideal.

Even if some things are already set in stone, Zhu Minglang felt he should take the initiative appropriately. The final outcome was uncertain, but forming a good connection would be fine.

He continued to work hard, hoping to finish this love treasure armor—Azure Reverse Treasure Armor—before Li Yunzi returned to the city.

Fortunately, he had always been a meticulous man.

If it were another woman's clothing, Zhu Minglang might not have been able to get the size right.

Li Yunzi should be no problem.

...

...

The mountain flowers were brilliant, the forest leaves were serene, and the autumn nan trees had sprouted leaves like cotton. They changed every day, but no one paid attention, watching and savoring the slowly blooming romance.

Under the autumn nan tree, by the light-colored wall, Zhu Minglang stood, dressed in clean clothes, looking up and admiring the autumn nan branches sliding down from the roof tiles.

A woman approached, saw Zhu Minglang, and was somewhat surprised by his composed and clear demeanor, which seemed different from their first meeting, even more refined and gentle.

"Master Zhu, my lady said she likes your gift very much," Shuang'er bowed and said to Zhu Minglang.

"Please convey my regards to your lady," Zhu Minglang nodded in satisfaction.

"Why don't you go and say it yourself?" Shuang'er smiled lightly.

"Isn't she injured and not seeing anyone?" Zhu Minglang asked, puzzled.

"Are you just anyone?" Shuang'er blinked her eyes.

Zhu Minglang's face turned red, clearly the maid had heard the beautiful stories he had fabricated.

Being invited into the courtyard should be a great honor, as the courtyards of noble women never received any men, not even some relatives.

For some reason, Zhu Minglang felt a bit nervous when he stepped into the courtyard.

He recalled the deputy general who had lost an ear...

Would he forget Li Yunzi's sword skills after entering?

...

A thin screen of gauze. Zhu Minglang thought there would be a screen, but Li Yunzi didn't like such complicated etiquette. She invited Zhu Minglang to sit in front of the house, and Shuang'er prepared two cups of clear tea.

Hearing Shuang'er's light footsteps, she must have walked away, perhaps intentionally.

Zhu Minglang drank a cup of tea and looked elsewhere.

He wasn't sure if it was guilt or appreciation for the unique courtyard.

"This time, I feel much better than before. At least I no longer hear those filthy words," Li Yunzi smiled, finding the man in front of her quite good at pretending to be foolish.

"You know, I've always been a good actor," Zhu Minglang slowly smiled.

"Is that so? The night encounter in the bamboo forest and the exchange of tokens of affection were just a show?" Li Yunzi sipped her tea.

Zhu Minglang's smile gradually froze.

There were beautiful stories, but there were also scandals.

Nan Ling's words had been exaggerated, evolving from the gift of a wounded dragon to the exchange of tokens of affection. Even though most people now believed the version of their first meeting and mutual affection, there were still those who said Zhu Minglang was a scoundrel, jumping from one boat to another!