Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Tang San said:

  “You don’t need to know what they’re needed for, I only want to know whether you can make them. They must be made from the highest quality refined iron, ideally forged from iron essence[ (Tie jing 铁精) Doesn’t seem to have a real world counterpart. Google will suggest it’s forge ash, which is supposed to have medical implementations, or hematite powder.].”

  The middle aged man frowned,

  “I’m the boss of this shop. I’m called Tie Xin[ (铁心) “Iron Heart”. So the English equivalent of this would be for a smith named Smith to run a smithy called Smith’s.]. Young man, do you know the price of iron essence? Adding to the manufacturing cost that is no small amount, you’d best ask the adults of your family to come speak.”

  Tang San’s heart suddenly shifted, from the middle aged man before him he could feel the fluctuations of spirit power. Unexpectedly the boss of this smithy was a Spirit Master?”

  “Of course I know the price of iron essence, I won’t hide it from you, I’m also a smith. Only I’m simply not strong enough, I can’t make this many things by myself, therefore I’ve come to you here. The price of iron essence, by weight, one kilogram of iron essence is ten gold spirit coins, sure enough. With the the scale of your place, I trust you should be able to refine iron essence.”

  The middle aged man nodded, saying:

  “You have the price right. But you should know that the toughness of iron essence is far higher than common refined iron, so forging it is naturally much more difficult. When using it to create any goods, the cost of processing it is equal to the price of the iron essence itself. In other words, to use one kilogram of iron essence to forge anything, we have to charge ten gold spirit coins for processing expenses. And the objects on this schematic of yours are also so complex, we must still charge another fifty percent.”

  If an ordinary person was here, hearing the smith speak of forging something unexpectedly weighing the price in gold coins, would certainly be greatly shocked. But Tang San knew that the price this boss Tie Xin spoke of was already unusually fair. In his heart his favourable impression immediately increased.

  “Uncle, your price is no problem. If the quantity I need made is comparatively large, is it possible to have some discount?”

  Although Tang San wouldn’t haggle too much, he would still strive for a necessary discount.

  Tie Xin muttered:

  “Certainly. If you order iron essence to forge these things, even if it’s our biggest customer, the material cost can’t decrease, I can’t lose money. But I can strike off ten percent of the labour cost for you. If your order of iron essence exceeds ten kilograms, then I can go down to eight tenths. The lowest I can go is also eight tenths.”

  Tang San nodded straightforward, saying:

  “Then it’s decided. I will trouble you to make ten according to the plans I gave you. I already calculated it in detail. Each one should require roughly two kilograms of iron essence. Altogether it’s twenty kilograms.”

  Tie Xin looked startled at Tang San,

  “You want so many? This is indeed twenty kilograms of iron essence. Including labor costs it’s five hundred gold spirit coins. Even if I give you the labor cost for eight tenths, it’s still four hundred forty gold spirit coins.”

  Seeing Tie Xin’s appearance, Tang San understood he was afraid he didn’t have that much money.

  “Uncle, you are also a Spirit Master.”

  Tang San suddenly said.

  Tie Xin’s heart trembled, looking at Tang San frowning.

  Tang San said:

  “I would like to speak with you alone, is it possible?”

  More than four hundred gold spirit coins of business, even if it was this Suotuo City’s largest smithy, it was absolutely a large deal. One must know, their whole yearly turnover was only roughly three thousand gold spirit coins.

  Tie Xin nodded, saying:

  “Then please follow me in the back.”

  At once, he brought Tang San to walk towards the back.

  Passing through the separating curtains, Tang San immediately saw an astonishing scene. This smithy’s anteroom was already very large, but this rear work area was even larger, as far as the eye could see, filled with a deep furnace fire red. At least fifty smiths were working simultaneously.

  Tang San’s Purple Demon Eye was exceptionally acute, gaze simply sweeping across these smiths, in his heart secretly nodding. Although the smiths here were not all so robust, whether it was their expressions or their hands they were all extremely calm. Clearly all were senior smiths. Able to support this large smithy, also required the existence of this many outstanding smiths.

  Suddenly, Tang San made a small expression of surprise, thinking out loud:

  “Why are you also here?”

  Tie Xin stopped walking, puzzled looking at Tang San,

  “Young man, is there a problem?”

  From in his heart, Tie Xin didn’t have confidence in Tang San, after all he looked like he was too young. But the plans Tang San provided did not have the appearance of a joke. Furthermore, this was a more than four hundred gold spirit coins large order, Tie Xin couldn’t let it slip by because of his suspicions. Although they were Suotuo City’s largest smithy, they were in no way the only smithy.

  Following Tang San’s gaze, what Tang San took note of were two young smiths in the middle of their work. They appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years old, both had leopard eyes, appearing extremely similar, powerfully built, tanned muscles rising like small hills. The forging hammers in their hands were also much larger than other smiths’, forging extremely steadily, even to the extent that they were more efficient than some of the middle aged smiths around them.

  Part 2

  Tie Xin saw Tang San taking note of them, and couldn’t help but chuckle proudly, saying:

  “Those two kids are growing stronger and stronger now. How about it, the smiths here are pretty good, right. Those two are my twin sons, one is Tie Long, the other is Tie Hu. Although they’re young, they’re still following in my footsteps and are the best smiths in the shop.”

  Sure enough, Tang San was looking at these two, it was the Tie brothers he and Xiao Wu defeated last time in the Spirit Arena ring, that Iron Blood Combination. At that time, their All In One Throw ability even injured Tang San.

  Hearing Tie Xin say this, Tang San immediately understood why Tie Xin would have spirit power fluctuations. Judging by the spirit power fluctuations, Tie Xin’s strength wasn’t very powerful, not equal to his two sons’. Clearly, Tie Long and Tie Hu’s spirits had some degree of variation. At their age, already possessing more than twentieth ranked spirit power, even if it was at an advanced Spirit Master academy, they should still be considered good students.

  “If we reach an agreement, then I’d like them to forge these things.”

  Tang San was a smith and a Spirit Master himself, naturally he clearly understood that forging with the support of spirit power was much better than common smiths’ forging. Balancing the degree of strength as well as controlling strength, both were things ordinary people couldn’t hope for.

  Tie Xin looked closely at Tang San, smiling slightly, he said:

  “If we truly reach an agreement, that’s no problem.”

  He directly brought Tang San behind the work area to a room within the room with a desk and seven or eight chairs, as well as a simple wooden bed, it clearly was the office of this boss. Ordinarily it might also be used to rest. From the window the situation in the work area could be clearly seen.

  Tie Xin without speaking immediately walked behind the desk and sat down, at the same time with a gesture inviting Tang San to sit. From his first impression of this youngster, Tie Xin was actually quite fond of Tang San’s style of down-to-earth manners, but if it was about business, he felt it was even more ridiculous. If it wasn’t for the one in ten thousand possibility, he wouldn’t have let Tang San follow him inside.

  What business could a not se
eming more than fifteen years old youngster provide him? Moreover he even spoke about iron essence.

  “Young man, you said you also were a smith?”

  Tie Xin asked.

  Tang San smiled wryly inwardly, he somewhat understood Tie Xin’s attitude, after all he was too young, right now instead of talking business he was interrogating.

  “Yes. I was a smith. My father was also a smith, I learned the trade from him.”

  Hearing Tang San was a hereditary smith, Tie Xin couldn’t help but raise his impression somewhat,

  “So it’s like that. By your accent, you shouldn’t be from around here. Did you move to Suotuo City with your family?”

  Tang San shook his head,

  “No. I came to attend school.”

  “Attend school? Could it be you’re a Spirit Master?”

  Tie Xin looked slightly expectantly at Tang San. Although there were all kinds of schools on the Continent, doubtless the Spirit Master academies were the most notable. Generally speaking, studying other things rarely meant moving, only Spirit Master academies were different. Only major cities had advanced Spirit Master academies.

  In addition, Tie Xin saw that although Tang San’s clothes and appearance were ordinary, his style of conversation clearly surpassed those of his age. Obviously he had seen some trading, which was why he asked this question. He naturally hoped Tang San was the student of some Spirit Master academy. Although by his age he only appeared to have just entered an intermediate Spirit Master Academy, a Spirit Master’s status was after all different, all were recorded at Spirit Hall. Doing business with Spirit Masters, he only had to see the counterpart’s Spirit Master rank and verify it with Spirit Hall, and he no longer had to worry that the counterpart would play any tricks.

  Tang San nodded, saying:

  “Yes, I just now enrolled in an academy. Do you still have any questions?”

  Tie Xin spread the plans on the desk, once again carefully looking them over, then saying:

  “From looking at the plans, the things you want are all extremely elaborate. Forging them isn’t at all easy. Moreover, the fee isn’t small. Although our Smithy has a certain scale, four hundred forty gold coins is still a very large sum to us. How do you intend to collaborate with us?”

  Tang San had already properly thought through the method for collaboration on the way,

  “Uncle Tie, like this will be fine. I will first pay an initial payment, and trouble you to make one set of these things. If there’s no problem with the quality, we’ll proceed with manufacturing at once. I will at first be able to pay about one hundred gold spirit coins or so.”

  Tie Xin frowned, saying:

  “Young man, since you already are a smith, you should know that very many meticulous things require making molds. These molds are also the largest manufacturing cost. If it’s only making one, let alone me being unable to give you a discount, I’ll even lose money. Although one hundred gold spirit coins is sufficient for an initial payment, I hope you can add a guarantee. Since you are a Spirit Master, is it possible for you to let me take a look at your Spirit Master letter? As long as I confirm there is no problem, our collaboration can begin.”

  Hearing Tang San would first pay a hundred gold spirit coins, Tie Xin already somewhat believed this youngster, however he had run this smithy for many years, and he couldn’t recognize these things Tang San wanted made, consequently, for dependability, he of course first wanted to get a feel for Tang San. As long as Tang San’s Spirit Master status was no problem, he would at once dare continue with this large deal.

  As for the Spirit Master letter, that was provided the first time one received a stipend at Spirit Hall, it could be called a Spirit Master’s symbol of status, on it was recorded the Spirit Master’s information, and Spirit Hall’s special serial number. Just relying on this number, for a certain fee one could contact Spirit Hall and verify whether this Spirit Master was the same person.

  Tang San didn’t hesitate, swiping his right hand over Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges, he took out his Spirit Master letter. It was nothing shameful to him, and he also hoped to be able to complete this arrangement, so naturally he first had to gain the other party’s trust.

  The Spirit Master letter wasn’t paper or silk, but a palm sized disk of metal. Reportedly only Spirit Hall had this kind of metal, and it was very difficult to counterfeit. The metal selected for use with Spirit Master letters was also in order to prevent damage, after all, under ordinary circumstances this letter would follow the Spirit Master through his life.

  On the palm sized metal object was engraved each time the Spirit Master advanced, altogether ten lines. On the first line was engraved the time and place of registration as well as the Spirit Master’s spirit. From the second line on were engraved the times of advancement as well as the spirit master levels. On the other side of the Spirit Master letter was carved Spirit Hall’s first insignia, a long sword. This side of the letter was the same for all Spirit Masters, only people from Spirit Hall would have some variations.

  Watching Tang San take out the Spirit Master letter and hand it over, Tie Xin hastily stood up and walked out from behind the desk, solemnly using both hands to receive it. The Spirit Master letter was a Spirit Master’s symbol of status as well as advancement record, and ordinarily would not easily be shown. As important as the Spirit Master’s dignity. Even though Tang San looked young, Tie Xin still didn’t dare slight him.

  Holding the ice cold metal disk, Tie Xin carefully looked at the surface, first to enter his eyes was the topmost line of small characters. These engraved characters were all specially created by Spirit Hall’s, no matter which Spirit Hall, the font was always the same. On the top could be seen written:

  ‘Name: Tang San, Gender, Male, Douluo Calendar Year 2637, registered at Nuoding City Spirit Sub-Hall, Spirit Blue Silver Grass.’

  Reading this line, Tie Xin couldn’t help but be somewhat disappointed. Although his own talent wasn’t high, right now he was only twentieth something rank, part of Spirit Grandmasters forever unable to break through thirtieth rank. But he still had vision and naturally knew of Blue Silver Grass, this standard for useless spirits, could it be that even with a Blue Silver Grass Spirit it was possible to become a Spirit Master?

  With doubt in his heart, Tie Xin turned his gaze to the second line of the Spirit Master letter.

  ‘Tenth ranked Spirit Master, registration time, Douluo Calendar Year 2637. Registered at Nuoding City’s Spirit Sub-Hall.’

  Tie Xin rubbed his eyes, it wouldn’t be a mistake, right, why still year 2637, was Blue Silver Grass Spirit truly able to cultivate to the Spirit Master realm? Wasn’t this record wrong?

  Tie Xin looked at Tang San with a doubtful gaze,

  “Young man, isn’t there a mistake in the records on this Spirit Master letter, why is your registration for becoming Spirit Scholar and Spirit Master unexpectedly the same year?”

  Tang San smiled slightly,

  “No, it’s no mistake, since I had innate full spirit power.”

  Innate full spirit power? Tie Xin was gobsmacked, his gaze at Tang San immediately changed, regardless of what his spirit was like, the words ‘innate full spirit power’ were sufficient to shock him. At least among the Spirit Masters Tie Xin knew, there still wasn’t anyone with innate full spirit power. ‘No wonder, no wonder he would become Spirit Master in the same year, how could I have expected, he even has these kinds of circumstances like innate full spirit power. An innate full spirit power Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master, this is still too surprising.’

  Somewhat eagerly he looked at the Spirit Master letter’s third line, since he previously saw that the Spirit Master letter altogether had three lines.

  ‘Twentieth ranked Spirit Grandmaster, registration time, Douluo Calendar Year 2639. Registered at Nuoding City Spirit Sub-Hall.

  On the Spirit Master letter wouldn’t be recorded spirit abilities and levels of spirit rings obtained at different levels, those were af
ter all a Spirit Master’s secret. Even Spirit Hall’s own record would at most only have the spirit ring levels. As for spirit abilities, those would not be lightly revealed by Spirit Masters.

  Part 3

  2637, 2638, 2639. With only three years of time, he was already a Spirit Grandmaster? A Spirit Grandmaster over rank twenty? He didn’t look over fifteen, but it was year 2643, which meant he broke through rank two to four years ago.

  This time, Tie Xin was thoroughly surprised. Ignoring the useless blue silver grass spirit and just judging by spirit power, he definitely was a prodigy, so much more outstanding than his two sons.

  “Uncle Tie, have you finished looking?” Tang San asked politely.

  Iron Heart silently gave the Spirit Master letter back to Tang San. He had already memorized the serial number on it and could verify it at anytime.

  “Spirit Grandmaster Tang San, I apologize for the offense earlier.” Tie Xin said solemnly.

  Tang San smiled while shaking his head, “It’s nothing, it’s hard to do business. If it was me, I might be even more suspicious. After all, I am quite young.”

  Tie Xin couldn’t help but ask, “Can you tell me how old you are?”

  Tang San didn’t keep it a secret, “I’ll be thirteen in a few months.”

  Tie Xin sucked in a cold breath. Not even thirteen, which meant he was only twelve, and it was four years ago, which meant he became a Spirit Grandmaster when he was only eight. Was this real? Was it possibly real?

  “Spirit Grandmaster Tang San, I still have one last request. Can I see your spirit rings?”

  A twelve year old Spirit Grandmaster, to Tie Xin, was an absolutely unbelievable thing. After all, there were only seven of Shrek’s monsters, and it wasn’t something normal people could understand.

  When Tie Xin said this, even he felt it was a bit excessive, a bit too paranoid, his face slightly apprehensive.

  Tang San however didn’t mind. He needed a long term cooperation with the smithy. Getting their trust was obviously very important. Tie Xin’s every action was steady, and combined with the size of this smithy, everything was very satisfying.