Chapter 61

As dawn broke, the pale blue sky still held a few scattered stars.

"Everyone go back! I’m not leaving forever!"

It was early August, and the mornings and evenings were slightly cool. At the gate, Wu Fan, dressed in a long-sleeved robe, turned to the couple, Tong Jian and his wife, and Tong Rui, who had come to see him off. His tone was a bit impatient.

"Son! When you're out, listen to your uncle, and don’t be stubborn!"

They say a mother worries when her son travels far. Zhang San Niang, though petty and sharp-tongued, was the most heartbroken at this moment because Tong Wei was leaving with Wu Fan. No matter how harsh she was to others, she couldn’t be so to her own flesh and blood!

Wu Fan glanced at Zhang San Niang, who was fussing over Tong Wei’s clothes, and smiled, "Sister-in-law, you can’t protect him like this forever. When will he ever grow up if you always watch over him? Alright, alright! Leave him to me! I’m his uncle; I’ll take good care of him." He looked up at the sky and continued, "It’s about time! The curfew should be lifted. We’re leaving. We’ll send you a letter when we arrive to let you know we’re safe!"

As he spoke, Wu Fan led the warhorse he had obtained from the Thousand Households Office and took a few steps ahead.

Seeing Wu Fan walk far ahead, Zhang San Niang wiped her tears and waved for Tong Wei to follow.

Tong Wei had just turned fifteen, a young boy with no real sense of sadness. Following behind Wu Fan, he felt a bit excited. The only thing out of place was his legs, which still ached from practicing horse stances, causing him to walk with a wobbly, duck-like gait.

Passing by "Ke’s Blacksmith Shop," Wu Fan stopped.

"Old Ke! How’s my knife coming along?" Wu Fan shouted, "Hey! Are you awake?"

Old Ke, who was old but still strong, had risen early and was already working at the forge. Hearing Wu Fan, he put down his tools and came out.

"What are you shouting for?" Old Ke said impatiently, "Is your ass on fire? You said to come back in five days. It’s only been three."

Wu Fan tapped his forehead, "I can’t help it! I’m heading to Yingyang and won’t be back for a while."

Old Ke shook his head, "Even if you’re in a hurry, you can’t take the knife. It’s not ready yet!" He smacked his lips, "A blade has its own structure. Your knife’s structure is broken and needs to be recast. It’ll take some time. Didn’t you say you have a spare? If you trust me, leave the knife with me, and I’ll recast it properly."

Wu Fan thought for a moment, handed the reins to Tong Wei, and said, "Wait a moment!"

He put his arm around Old Ke’s shoulder and walked into the blacksmith shop. His eyes darted around, as if he was planning something.

Old Ke, though old, was still sharp and could tell Wu Fan had something to say. He asked, "What’s up? If you have something to say, say it. My furnace will go cold if I wait too long!"

Wu Fan rubbed his hands together with a smile, "I want you to... add something to my knife!"

Old Ke was taken aback, not quite understanding.

Wu Fan didn’t stop, taking out the purple-gold short blade from the fourteen-form knife case and smiling proudly, "Purple gold! Can you do it?"

"Whoa!"

Old Ke sucked in a breath. He knew exactly what purple gold was; otherwise, he wouldn’t be a blacksmith!

He took the purple-gold short blade from Wu Fan, examined it, and whistled, "You’re really wasteful! Using pure purple gold to forge a short blade?" He looked at Wu Fan, calculating, and continued, "It’s definitely possible. But purple gold is ten times more valuable than gold. This short blade weighs two pounds, equivalent to twenty pounds of gold! Aren’t you afraid I might...?"

Wu Fan grinned, "Unless you can run to a place I’ll never find! You should know what I do!"

Old Ke laughed, "Alright! Leave it to me!"

"Wait! Hold on!" Wu Fan called out as Old Ke turned to leave, "Do you have paper and a pen? I’ll draw you a diagram. I have high standards for this knife! I need to add something!"

After drawing the diagram and agreeing on a price, Wu Fan continued on his way.

Horses couldn’t be ridden at full speed within the city of Luoyang unless it was a special situation. Wu Fan and Tong Wei led their horses slowly. Fortunately, they bought some Hu cakes on the way, eating as they walked, which made the journey less tedious.

When they reached the city gate and just passed through the grand city gate...

"Over here! Hey! Over here!"

The sudden voice made Wu Fan glance over, immediately thinking, "What is he doing here?"

Despite his thoughts, Wu Fan had to approach.

The man who called Wu Fan was dressed in a bright red robe, with black hair cascading over his shoulders and a jade headband on his smooth forehead. His features were exquisite, especially his almond-shaped eyes, which were mesmerizing.

So much so that...

Wu Fan noticed out of the corner of his eye that Tong Wei’s face was as red as a monkey’s bottom, and his eyes were shining. In summary, four words: breathtaking beauty!

Sighing inwardly, Wu Fan approached, clasped his hands in a salute, and bluntly revealed the truth, "Lord Man! What are you doing here?"

Man... Lord... Lord...

"Crack!"

In the distance, Wu Fan seemed to hear the sound of a heart breaking.

Wu Fan really wanted to tell Tong Wei, "Child, first love is always bitter!"

Though he thought it, he couldn’t say it. Wu Fan smiled and patted Tong Wei’s shoulder, signaling him to come back to his senses, and introduced him to the eunuch Man Ning, "This is my nephew, Tong Wei, also known as Tong Dalang! Dalang! Haven’t you met Lord Man yet?"

Tong Wei, trying to suppress his disappointment, clasped his hands in a salute, listlessly, "I have... met Lord Man..."

"Hehe! This boy is only fifteen and doesn’t understand much. He was overworked from practicing martial arts yesterday, so he’s a bit weak. Lord Man, please don’t mind," Wu Fan smoothed things over and asked again, "What are you doing here? Didn’t you say you were going back to Chang’an with Lord Luo?"

The eunuch Man Ning pouted, looked up at the sun, and grumbled, "Let’s get going! I’ll tell you on the way! Ugh! This is so troublesome... Hurry up! Humph!"

...

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