Chapter 191: Assertion
Since the Artifact Refining Workshop had already been completed and its formations perfected, the Qian family could no longer stir up trouble.
Once the outer walls were enclosed and the formations activated, any thought of sneaking inside would be nothing more than a delusion.
Master Qian glanced once more at the Artifact Refining Workshop and suddenly asked,
"Patriarch, do you know which formations have been used inside this place?"
"Ordinary buildings never go without formations of the earth or wood element. As for the specifics, I am no Formation Master, so I am not sure," Qian Hong replied after a brief pause.
"This formation, Patriarch, is one you have encountered before." Master Qian spoke with a calm and assured tone.
Qian Hong thought for a moment before his eyes brightened slightly. "You mean the formation that was used at the entrance of the spirit ore mine that day?"
"Precisely." Master Qian nodded. "Among First-grade formations, there is one known as the Earth-Stone Array, which fortifies earth and rock to resist external assault. If my guess is correct, the formation on the outer wall of that Artifact Refining Workshop is precisely this First-grade Earth-Stone Array."
Qian Hong frowned, then suddenly came to a realization.
Master Qian continued, "A Earth-Fire Array and an Earth-Stone Array... those were the two formations before, and they are still the same two now. This confirms my earlier judgment. The Formation master among those Demon Hunters does not know many formations, so he can only use these two repeatedly."
He sighed slightly. "Still, that cannot be blamed on him. Learning First-grade formations is no simple task. That he has mastered even these two is already impressive."
Qian Hong gave a small nod. Formation arts were indeed difficult to learn, and mastering a First-grade formation was even more so.
They were difficult to learn, and even harder to counter.
During the battle on Nameless Peak, these very two formations had caused the Qian family immense suffering. Without them, their losses would not have been so severe.
That old scoundrel Yu Changlin and those Demon Hunters would never have walked away with so many spirit stones unscathed.
Each time Qian Hong thought of this, it felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
Master Qian said, "Now that the Artifact Refining Workshop has been completed, there is no need to waste further effort. Patriarch, you can proceed with the plan."
Qian Hong nodded. "Yu Changlin built the Artifact Refining Workshop only to forge spiritual artifacts and compete with our Qian family's business. All we need to do is move faster, produce more and better artifacts, lower the prices, and drive their Refining Workshop out of business. Once they collapse, the matter will resolve itself."
"The key to large-scale artifact production lies in the Refining Furnace." After speaking, Qian Hong asked, "As for that First-grade Molten Fire Array to be used in the furnaces... how goes your comprehension of it, Master?"
Master Qian stroked his beard. "These days, I have studied it day and night, and I have already grasped about seventy to eighty percent of its intricacies. It will not be long before I have fully mastered it."
A gleam of joy crossed Qian Hong's face, and he bowed. "Much obliged, Master."
Master Qian returned the gesture. "Since I am a member of the Qian family and benefit from its support, it is only right that I do all I can to serve it. Patriarch, you are too courteous."
Qian Hong seemed to recall something, hesitating for a moment.
"Patriarch, if something troubles you, please speak plainly," Master Qian said.
Qian Hong frowned in thought. "That formation master among the Demon Hunters... could it be that he also knows the First-grade Molten Fire Array? Otherwise, why would Yu Changlin have gone to the trouble of building a Refining Workshop?"
Master Qian was briefly startled but, after some thought, found the idea plausible. A moment later, he shook his head decisively.
"Impossible. The First-grade Molten Fire Array is unlike any other First-grade formation. Its runes are exceedingly intricate, and its array core is much more complex. It is not something that can be learned easily. If he truly could draw that formation, combined with his mastery of the Earth-Fire and Earth-Stone Arrays, he would already possess the strength of a First-grade Formation Master."
"And a First-grade Formation Master, each one holds a position of high esteem, treated as honored guests by clans and sects alike. How could such a person demean himself by working among a band of rogue cultivators?"
Qian Hong found that reasoning sound but still frowned. "Yet what if he truly does know the Molten Fire Array?"
"Patriarch, rest assured. Even if that formation master can draw a Molten Fire Array, it would be a simplified version containing only five or six array lines, never the authentic First-grade one."
"These past days of study have made me keenly aware of just how difficult this array is to learn. It far surpasses ordinary First-grade formations. That Formation Master could never have mastered it."
Master Qian declared this with complete certainty.
...
In truth, Mo Hua indeed could not yet draw a true First-grade Molten Fire Array.
He had never needed it before, so he had not studied it. Now that he wished to attempt a First-grade Composite Formation involving the Molten Fire Array, he had to begin learning it in earnest.
Upon doing so, he realized it was not easy at all.
The array runes were indeed more intricate, differing slightly from standard fire-type formations, and the mental strength required for the array core was considerably higher. After a day and a half of practice, just as Mo Hua began to make some progress, he noticed Elder Yu looking troubled.
"Elder, did the Qian family cause trouble again?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu shook his head. "No, we are short on artifact refiners."
"How many are we missing?"
"About ten."
"That many?" Mo Hua was surprised. "There should be quite a few refiners in the city. They don't want to come?"
"Exactly." Elder Yu sighed helplessly. "Some already have their own workshops and refuse to move. Some do not want to work under others and be constrained. Others are eccentric by nature and dislike working with people. The reasons vary, but the result is the same, none are willing to come."
"They must also be worried about the Qian family?"
Elder Yu nodded. "That too. They fear the Qian family will cause trouble or that we won't win the conflict, and they'll suffer the consequences with us."
"I see." Mo Hua nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "What about Master Chen? Would he come?"
"Which Master Chen?"
"The one from Chen's Refinery on South Street, next to the small pond. Thin fellow, dark face."
"Oh, him." Elder Yu recalled. "He doesn't want to come either."
Mo Hua put down the half-finished Molten Fire Array he had been drawing. "I'll go talk to him."
"What for? You think he'll listen to you?" Elder Yu looked bewildered.
"Not necessarily, but it's worth a try. I have a good relationship with Master Chen," Mo Hua replied.
Elder Yu looked at the boy, barely ten years old and barely half a man's height, and thought of Master Chen's dark, stern face. No matter how he imagined it, he could not see how the two could possibly be "close."
"Very well, try then. I'll look for some other refiners."
"Alright."
After that, Mo Hua returned home first, asked his mother for some wine and meat, packed them into a food box, and stored it in his Storage pouch. Then he went to Chen's Refinery to find Master Chen.
Master Chen was in the middle of forging with Dazhu and the others, the clanging of iron echoing continuously and sparks flying everywhere.
Mo Hua had to call twice before Master Chen heard him. He told Dazhu to continue practicing, then washed his hands, wiped his sweat, and welcomed Mo Hua into the courtyard.
There were several small stools and tables in the yard.
Mo Hua picked a small stool, sat down, and took out the wine and meat from his Storage Pouch.
"This is for everyone," Mo Hua said cheerfully.
"Oh, this is too much…"
Master Chen protested politely, though his eyes never once left the wine jug.
"No need to be polite," Mo Hua insisted.
Master Chen, feeling no need to act reserved before someone so familiar, laughed. "Alright then, I won't stand on ceremony."
He turned to his apprentices and shouted, "Stop for a while! Come over and eat something!"
The group of refining apprentices immediately cheered, throwing down their tools and gathering around.
Ever since Mo Hua had stepped into the workshop and set the food box on the table, none of them had been able to focus on their work.
Forging consumed tremendous energy, and as growing youths, they were constantly hungry.
Business at the workshop had not been great, and getting a full meal was already a luxury, good food even more so. Thus, when they saw the wine and meat on the table, every pair of eyes shone with excitement.
(End of Chapter)