What a lucky world!

Chapter 193 Guo Ling Returns
After walking hundreds of miles, they crossed the river and returned to the mountains.

The next morning, Zhang Mu and Shisan Niang said goodbye to Luo Yunxiu, and left the water fort with Han Wanli and others, and rushed to Qianyuan Mountain.

During this trip, Zhang Mu established his reputation as the young leader of Qianyuan Wuzhai with his unquestionable performance. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing depends on how he responds next.

The harvest is also not small.

Shisan Niang had reached some deals with Luo Yunxiu, and Luo Yunxiu also wanted to get close to Qianyuan Wuzhai, so it could be considered a win-win cooperation.

Needless to say, Zhang Mu, after obtaining the Mermaid Pearl, directly broke through to the late stage of the Nourishing Fluid Realm.

Moreover, Luo Yunxiu did not keep the wild dragon's corpse alone. He divided it into several parts, and Bihu Water Village, Qianyuan Mountain, Sanggan Mountain, Chai Mountain and Yanhui Mountain each received a share.

After all, it is a demon in the late stage of Yangye Realm, and it also has the bloodline of a dragon. It cannot be compared with the Mermaid Returning Pearl, but it is also a rare tonic. Bringing it back to the mountain may help more people reach the perfect Tongmai Realm.

But the biggest takeaway...

In Zhang Mu's heart, it was naturally Guo Ling who had the qualities of a great craftsman!

A philosopher once asked a question, which is what is the most expensive!
Of course it’s free… No, of course it’s talent!
Guo Ling is an indispensable professional talent in the development of Qianyuan Wuzhai, and his strategic position is even similar to that of Xuan Ji.

Zhang Mu felt that he should find an opportunity to have a good talk with him.

Coincidentally, after a day's journey, everyone found an inn to rest, and Guo Ling took the initiative to find Zhang Mu.

……

"Is there a copper vein on Lingyan Mountain?" Zhang Mu looked at Guo Ling and asked.

When Guo Ling came to see him, he mentioned straight away that a purple gold vein had been discovered in Lingyan Mountain half a year ago.

Red copper is a relatively rare mineral. If a little purple gold is added when casting weapons and armor, it can effectively improve the toughness of the object.

Of course, the price of red copper is also very high. As the saying goes, one ounce of red copper is worth one ounce of gold, so it is also called purple gold.

"It's not a large vein," Guo Ling explained. "The actual copper needs to be refined from the ore."

"According to the estimate of the old master in the village, it weighs about ten thousand jin."

From the perspective of metal, ten thousand jin is not too exaggerated. If piled together, it may be enough to fill a yard. However, if converted at the price of one tael of copper to one tael of gold, it is equivalent to one million taels of silver.

Whether it is used to forge weapons or armor, or sold as resources, it is equivalent to a windfall for Qianyuan Wuzhai.

But what was Guo Ling trying to achieve by suddenly coming to tell me this?
Is this a token of your allegiance?
Or is it used as bait to force Qianyuan Wuzhai to destroy Yunfeng Wuzhai that follows Shuangyue Mountain first?
Or was it simply a deal, a reward for asking the future Qianyuan Martial Village to help him reopen the Lingyan Martial Village?
Zhang Mu looked at Guo Ling carefully, trying to see what he was thinking.

Although Zhang Mu wanted him to stay in the mountains, he would not force him if they were not on the same journey.

If we cannot share the same heart, we cannot share the same virtue, and we cannot share the same path.

Guo Ling, the son of Lingyan Martial Village's leader, Guo En, was no fool. He understood Zhang Mu's thoughts as he was scrutinized. He gave a wry smile and said, "The purple gold vein is located in a secluded mountain stream. Those people burned down Lingyan Martial Village and probably won't be camping on Lingyan Mountain anytime soon. I suggest we retrieve it first."

After saying this, Guo Ling considered it for a moment before continuing, "I don't have the ability to be a village leader. When my father was alive, he never considered letting me inherit Lingyan Martial Village."

"Young Master, please forgive my abrupt words."

"If Qianyuan Martial Village can defeat Shuangyue Martial Village next, I hope you can agree to allow me to re-establish Lingyan Martial Village. I don't care whether it is a subsidiary of Qianyuan Martial Village or who becomes the village leader, but please preserve the history of Lingyan Martial Village."

"I hope that the people of Lingyan Wuzhai in the future will know that they had a village chief named Guo En."

After saying that, Guo Ling bowed deeply towards Zhang Mu.

Zhang Mu looked at Guo Ling for a moment, then reached out and helped him up. He nodded and said, "I can make the decision on this matter. I promise you."

"What about yourself? What are your thoughts?"

"Myself?" Guo Ling was stunned at first, then shook his head. "I'm not as blessed with martial arts as the young village chief. I'm twenty-six years old now. Although I've reached the Perfect Meridian Opening Realm, my combat skills are mediocre." "I'm just obsessed with forging and refining."

“Without being modest, my craftsmanship is pretty good.”

"If the young fortress leader is interested, I would like to become a forger in Qianyuan Wuzhai, specializing in forging all kinds of weapons and armor. What do you think?"

Zhang Mu was quite surprised by Guo Ling's answer.

But if you think about it carefully, you can understand Guo En's choice.

He was willing to follow me up the mountain because he was moved by my previous statement that there would be a battle between Qianyuan Martial Village and Shuangyue Martial Village.

If Qianyuan Mountain eventually loses to Shuangyue Mountain, then there is nothing to say. When the nest is overturned, all the eggs will be broken. He will probably die in a bloody battle.

But if he wins, it means Qianyuanshan has avenged him, and he is repaying Qianyuanshan in his own way.

Zhang Mu's eyes softened slightly, and after a moment of thought, he shook his head: "I disagree."

Guo Ling was startled, looked at Zhang Mu, and said, "Young Master, don't you believe in my craftsmanship?"

"Once we get back to the mountain, I can start forging..."

"No, that's not what I meant." Zhang Mu shook his head. "Qianyuan Village doesn't lack a skilled blacksmith!"

Without waiting for Guo Ling to continue, Zhang Mu continued, "You must first break through to the Yangye realm!"

"Only those who have reached the Yangye realm can create combat soldiers."

Hearing this, Guo Ling was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "I've been stuck at the Tongmai Realm for two years now, and I haven't felt the slightest bit of a breakthrough..."

Zhang Mu smiled and said, "Just like you are quite confident in casting, I also have some experience in practicing."

"You have already reached the Perfect Meridian Opening Realm, but you haven't been able to break through in two years. This shows that there are obstacles in your comprehension of martial arts."

"After returning to the mountain, I will study it carefully and discuss it with you."

Guo Ling's comprehension has now reached 70, and with the guidance of this human-shaped Jingwu Hall, he doesn't believe that he can't push Guo Ling to the Yangye realm.

Seeing Guo Ling about to refuse, Zhang Mu said directly, "Even if the actual combat is ordinary, if you are at the Yangye Realm, you should have no problem dealing with the Tongmai Realm."

"When the war breaks out, don't you want to avenge this blood debt with your own hands?"

"I believe in your talent, and I am willing to fully support you in your breakthrough!"

"If you feel you have owed me anything, then please help me more in the future!"

"Why don't we make a pact."

"What agreement?" Guo Ling asked.

"In the future, if you become a master craftsman, how about taking Lingyan as your name? Lingyan Master Craftsman, that sounds good!"

Hearing Zhang Mu say this, Guo Ling trembled all over.

Ever since he witnessed the fire on Lingyan Mountain, he had been on edge, telling himself not to be weak. But at this moment, his defenses were finally broken by the words of the young man in front of him who looked much younger than him.

The discomfort, self-blame, and guilt hidden deep in his heart had long frozen his heart, but at this moment, because of Zhang Mu's words, he felt a little warm again.

The Master Craftsman of Lingyan?
That sounds really good.

"Thank you..." Guo Ling said softly. Then, he clasped his fists again and bowed deeply. "Lingyan Guo Ling, I am willing to die for the young leader."

(End of this chapter)