Chapter Fifty: The Long Spear, Soaked in Blood

Today marked the seventh day since Brother Yuan Tianci’s passing. Du Gu Ling knelt before Yuan Tianci’s memorial tablet. He looked up at the solemnly inscribed characters of Yuan Tianci’s name, and tears slid uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.

...

That day, when Ouyang Chi led his men to the location Du Gu Ling had described, it was already too late. Brother Yuan Tianci’s body lay quietly in the alley.

Ouyang Chi slowly approached Yuan Tianci, crouched down beside him, and saw two long wounds on either side of Yuan Tianci’s chest. The blood on the ground had already begun to congeal. Ouyang Chi looked closely at Yuan Tianci’s face and found that it still bore a faint smile from the moment he fell. Presumably, in his final moments, he was glad to have saved his beloved daughter and sworn brother.

Ouyang Chi sighed softly, then gently closed Yuan Tianci’s eyes and ordered his men to carry the body away.

...

Du Gu Ling kowtowed three times before Yuan Tianci’s memorial. His hands slowly clenched into fists, for he could still recall the day of the burial—how Yuan Shanshan had wept as if her soul would leave her body, and the look she gave him, full of scorn, fury, and hostility.

Only Foster Father Yuan Longba treated him as before, but Du Gu Ling often glimpsed the sorrow that flickered in Yuan Longba’s eyes. After all, for an old man to bury his own child—a white-haired man sending off a black-haired youth—no matter how open-minded Yuan Longba might be, it would be impossible not to grieve.

Du Gu Ling’s knuckles cracked as he squeezed his fists. “Tu Men Fu,” he spat out the name with venom. He wished that man nothing but a wretched end, to be torn to pieces. Du Gu Ling bit his own lip hard, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

After finishing his rites at Yuan Tianci’s memorial, Du Gu Ling took out the Nine Yin Darksteel he had acquired at auction. He had also found time to retrieve the money from selling the rare treasures that day. Yet he had not seen Sima Miaomiao; rumor had it that since Yuan Tianci’s death, she had not met with anyone.

At this thought, Du Gu Ling sighed. Who would have thought that Sima Miaomiao, known as a siren who bewitched men everywhere, would prove to be so devoted and loyal? Perhaps some things are only truly cherished when they cannot be attained. It is often said that actors are heartless, that courtesans are faithless, but perhaps it is only such people who truly know what it means to treasure, to teach us the meaning of true love.

Gazing at the Nine Yin Darksteel in his hands, Du Gu Ling made his way to the forge. This forge was different from the one in the outer hall—reserved for crafting valuable items, and not open to just anyone. Originally, Brother Yuan Tianci would have assisted him in this task, but now he would have to complete it alone. The thought stabbed at his heart.

Du Gu Ling opened the furnace. This chamber drew fire from the earth’s second layer, its heat capable of elevating the quality of any artifact forged within.

The Nine Yin Darksteel, according to legend, was a rare material tempered in the celestial winds above the nine heavens—a necessary component for crafting high-grade magical weapons. Its formidable metal memory meant that no ordinary artifact could break a weapon forged from it, as it could restore itself.

This time, Du Gu Ling intended to forge a spear—a weapon of strength and reach. He planned to use the Nine Yin Darksteel for the shaft, and a century-old Blacksteel for the spearhead. Thus, the shaft would be both flexible and strong, the head sharp and unyielding—a weapon without equal.

Having settled on a plan, Du Gu Ling set to work. He placed the Nine Yin Darksteel and the century-old Blacksteel into the earth-fire furnace to melt. Forging was a process that could not be rushed—melting was only the first step, followed by molding, tempering, annealing, and more.

Days passed one after another. Since stepping into the forge, Du Gu Ling had not taken a single step outside.

“Master, Master Yuan Tianci? Brother Du Gu has been inside the forge for ten days now. He hasn’t touched the food we’ve left by the door these past days. Could something have happened?” The blacksmiths of Iron Ox Forge, worried by Du Gu Ling’s refusal to eat or drink while working so tirelessly, hurriedly summoned Old Master Yuan Longba to check on him.

Supported by the anxious smiths, Yuan Longba came to the door of the forge. He listened to the steady, powerful hammering from within. After a while, he waved his hand and told everyone to disperse. “There’s nothing wrong. Go back to your work.”

Seeing Yuan Longba so composed, everyone assumed Du Gu Ling was fine and left. Inside, Du Gu Ling was immersed in the fire and sweat of forging his spear. The massive black iron hammer danced in his hands, striking with a force like a tiger’s roar. Blow after blow, the spear gradually took shape.

Three more days passed.

That day, even Yuan Longba’s patience wore thin. Though he had heard the ceaseless, vigorous hammering, which suggested nothing amiss, it had now been thirteen days since Du Gu Ling had last eaten or drank—a span that would be fatal to any ordinary man.

Yuan Longba and the smiths now stood anxiously outside, waiting. Yuan Longba had resolved: come sunset, he would go in no matter what and make Du Gu Ling eat and rest.

The group waited, as the sound of hammering continued uninterrupted from inside. Thirteen days without food, water, or sleep—how could a normal person endure it? But our protagonist was no ordinary man.

Suddenly, the hammering ceased. Everyone exchanged worried glances. Yuan Longba’s heart leapt in alarm—had something gone wrong? Just then, a shout came from inside: “It’s done!”

Relief washed over Yuan Longba. The door swung open, and Du Gu Ling stood in the threshold, spear in hand.

The spear was seven feet two inches long, and with Du Gu Ling’s height—well over six feet—it reached just to the top of his head. The shaft was jet black, the spearhead gleamed silvery white—a weapon of unmatched craftsmanship.

As the onlookers marveled, Du Gu Ling tossed the spear into the air, then pressed his right palm to his chest and spat a mouthful of heart’s blood onto the weapon. The droplets seeped into the shaft, forming scarlet spots that glowed fiercely in the sunset.

Du Gu Ling caught the spear as it fell. As his hand closed around it, an unfamiliar sensation surged through his palm, as if he and the spear were now one.

He gazed at the bloodstains. He had done this to remind himself, always, to avenge Brother Yuan Tianci. Stroking the shaft, he whispered, “Since you now bear this mark, let your name be Bloodbane—never let me forget retribution for Brother Yuan Tianci.”

Now, Du Gu Ling stood gripping his spear in the glow of the setting sun. His white hair fluttered in the breeze, his eyes shone black and bright, muscles taut and powerful, and the spear in his hand glimmered with an eerie, blood-red luster—he looked the very image of a ruthless, unyielding war god.

All those present were mesmerized by Du Gu Ling’s innate, awe-inspiring presence, unable to react for a long moment. At that instant, Cangcang hovered silently behind Du Gu Ling, staring in astonishment at the spear in his hands. She muttered in disbelief, “How is this possible? The embryonic form of a weapon spirit? How can a mere earth-grade spear possess a weapon spirit’s prototype?”

She stared at Du Gu Ling in shock. “Who are you, really? This is impossible.” She repeated herself, just as she had when Du Gu Ling’s eyes had turned red before. Who exactly was Du Gu Ling? What other secrets did he conceal? With one last glance, Cangcang quietly slipped back into the ring.

“Ling’er, how is it? Is the weapon finished?” Yuan Longba stepped forward to ask.

“Yes, it’s done,” Du Gu Ling replied respectfully.

Yuan Longba took the spear, surprised by its weight—he nearly dropped it. “This is heavy indeed.” He examined the weapon, then looked at Du Gu Ling. To think that his adopted son, after thirteen days without food, water, or sleep, could still wield such a heavy spear with ease.

“This must be an earth-grade weapon. Does it possess any special properties?” Yuan Tianci inquired. It seemed Du Gu Ling had lived up to expectations, successfully forging this earth-grade spear. Earth-grade and higher artifacts often possessed unique effects, but these could not be known until the forging was complete.

Du Gu Ling glanced skyward. In truth, he hadn’t been entirely sure of success during the process. Brother Yuan Tianci, was it your spirit’s blessing that allowed me to forge this spear? he wondered inwardly.

“Because of the Nine Yin Darksteel, the spear’s greatest property is its ability to withstand magical weapons of the same level without being damaged,” Du Gu Ling answered solemnly.

“What?” Old Master Yuan exclaimed.

Typically, a weapon could only withstand attacks from others of its own grade; a single higher-grade weapon could destroy it. Yet this spear could stand firm even against weapons two grades above its own—truly a miraculous property.

Old Master Yuan nodded in satisfaction. So many years had passed, and at last, Iron Ox Forge had produced another earth-grade weapon. “What will you name this spear?” Yuan Longba asked.

Gazing at the flecks of blood on the shaft, Du Gu Ling thought of the departed Yuan Tianci and replied with solemn gravity, “Bloodbane.”