Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

After returning to Guobei County, Cao Xiong did not go home immediately, but went to the blacksmith's shop.

The original scabbard of the Evil-Sniffing Blade had been corroded beyond recognition. This time, after slaying the wolf demon, the skin of the wolf demon was used to make the scabbard.

Regarding the Evil-Sniffing Longsword, Cao Xiong also wanted to ask Old Lu, the blacksmith, if he could determine the material and characteristics of the Evil-Sniffing Longsword.

The blacksmith shop that Cao Xiong went to was inconspicuous, located at the deepest part of a secluded alley in the eastern part of the outer city.

The blacksmith's surname was Lu, and he claimed to be a descendant of Lu Ban. Cao Xiong preferred to call him Old Lu.

Cao Xiong had known the blacksmith Lao Lu for many years and knew that the man was indeed highly skilled in forging.

When Cao Xiong arrived at the blacksmith shop, he saw the two crooked characters "Lu's" written on the signboard.

"Ugly handwriting, ugly person~"

For so many years, Cao Xiong has always been able to find a way to complain whenever he comes.

"Old Lu, open the door!"

"Bang bang bang~"

Cao Xiong pounded on the door, and the old wooden door creaked loudly.

A moment later, Cao Xiong heard a series of light footsteps coming from behind the gate.

A bald man poked his head out from inside the door.

"Lord Cao, please come in."

The one who opened the door was Tie Zhu, Old Lu's apprentice. He had a dark face, was muscular, and had a simple and honest personality, completely the opposite of Old Lu.

"Hmm, what's your master doing?"

Cao Xiong led the horse into the courtyard and handed the reins to Tie Zhu.

"My master is still forging iron in the backyard."

Cao Xiong nodded and walked towards the backyard.

"Turn the fire up a bit more! Haven't you eaten?"

You hear his voice before you see him.

Cao Xiong couldn't suppress the smile on his lips; Old Lu was one of his few good friends.

He has a very outgoing and even somewhat shameless personality.

"Old Lu, why do I always hear you cursing every time you come here? Can't you change this bad temper?"

Hearing Cao Xiong speak, Lu Qing didn't even look up, just rolled her eyes, "You think you have a good temper? Who's as cunning as you?"

"Lord Cao has been promoted to the rank of Commander-in-Chief. Your presence at my humble abode is truly an honor for the blacksmith shop."

"Hurry up and get busy, I need to talk to you."

Cao Xiong sat down unceremoniously under a tree in the courtyard and brewed himself a pot of tea.

Nearly an hour later, Lu Qing finished his work and sat down opposite Cao Xiong.

"Say it, what do you need my help with?"

Cao Xiong took out the Evil-Sniffing Longsword and tossed it, scabbard and all, to Lu Qing. "Take a look."

Lu Qing glanced at Cao Xiong with considerable surprise. "Where did you find this antique? I must say, although it's a bit worn out, the material of this scabbard seems to be a very rare type of sea animal hide."

"What a pity~"

"Swish~"

Lu Qing drew the Evil-Sniffing Longsword, his first glance showing disdain.

However, after he flicked the knife with his finger, his eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance.

"Is this extraterrestrial meteorite iron?"

"A fine knife, a truly fine knife."

"What a pity~"

In just two or three minutes, Lu Qing's expression went from disdain to excitement, and then to disappointment.

Seeing that Lu Qing was already engrossed in studying the Evil-Smelling Blade, Cao Xiong quickly interrupted him.

"Have you seen enough?!"

"Cough cough~"

Lu Qing awkwardly touched his goatee, which was now curled up from the smoke.

"I've never seen this before. This longsword has a good foundation. It's made entirely of meteorite iron from outer space. Although it's corroded and rotten, you can still extract some meteorite iron by melting it down."

"I'll get you a new one later."

"Clang~"

"Oh my god."

The Evil-Sniffing Blade suddenly emitted a soft hum, startling Lu Qing so much that he almost dropped it.

"This knife has come to life? Where did you find this weird contraption?"

"You see, it's not that I don't want you to forge weapons for me, it's that my sword is unwilling."

"This knife is a bit strange!"

Lu Qing calmed himself down and wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead.

"Is it weird? There's something even weirder."

While talking to Lu Qing, Cao Xiong glanced at Er Gouzi, who was serving in the courtyard.

Er Gouzi is the young man who was helping Lu Qing forge iron just now.

He was thin and weak, an unwanted and unfortunate child who had followed Lu Qing since childhood. He was not good at blacksmithing, but he was very clever.

Lu Qing instantly understood Cao Xiong's meaning. "Er Gou, there's no need to do this here. Your Uncle Cao and I have something to talk about."

"Yes, Master."

After Er Gouzi respectfully bowed to Cao Xiong and the other man, he left the backyard.

"Hey Old Lu, how old is Er Gouzi? You'd better hurry up and give him a proper name so he can get married and start a family in the future."

Lu Qing didn't care. "What do you know? Er Gouzi is naturally weak, but he's easy to raise."

"Nonsense!"

Cao Xiong took the Evil-Sniffing Longsword from Lu Qing. "Yesterday, I took this sword to Chiping Slope and killed more than ten gray wolves and a wolf demon."

"All the gray wolves that were struck by this long sword had their flesh and blood drained instantly."

"So I suspect that this long sword might be used by cultivators."

Lu Qing's casual expression vanished, his eyes turning deep and unfathomable. "Impossible. The magical artifacts used by cultivators are all powered by spiritual energy."

"Without spiritual power, a magical artifact is just a piece of scrap metal."

"Fine, just make me a new scabbard for my longsword."

"I'll use the wolf demon skin I brought."

Lu Qing quickly took the wolf demon skin from Cao Xiong's hand.

"Wow, buddy, you're so rich after breaking through to the Bone Forging Realm!"

"Let's make it clear first, I'll forge you a scabbard, no problem, but the rest of the wolf pelts are mine."

Cao Xiong nodded without hesitation. If it weren't for forging a scabbard, he wouldn't have bothered with the wolf demon pelt.

After Lu Qing measured the size of the Evil-Sniffing Longsword, Cao Xiong left Lu's Blacksmith Shop. It was already evening.

……

……

……

On the other side of Guobei County, in the western part of the outer city.

Dark as ink.

This is a gathering place for the poor and disaster victims; hunger and robbery are a daily occurrence.

Death is insignificant here.

In a dimly lit alley, three men dressed in embroidered gang uniforms were supporting each other and swaying from side to side.

"Brother Hua, what kind of person is this old man Qin? He dares to refuse the woman that our Seventh Master has his eye on."

"If it weren't for Seventh Master trying to appease Miss Qin, I would have killed him with two stabs long ago."

"Hehe, absolutely."

The man called Brother Hua had a scar on his face that ran from his left eyebrow to the right corner of his mouth, making him look ferocious and terrifying.

"We had a really good time tonight. Once Seventh Master becomes a martial artist, we'll definitely be able to dominate this West District."

"Brother Hua is right!"

Just as the three of them reached the middle of the alley, they suddenly noticed a dark figure appearing in front of them.

"Damn it, who! Who dares to scare you, Master Hua?"

Hua Ge was startled by the sudden appearance of the dark figure, which sobered him up considerably.

The dark figure slowly approached, stopping when it was about ten meters away from the three people.

"Damn it, dressed all in black and wearing a black straw hat at night, what are you pretending for? I'll slap you to death."

Hua Ge broke free from the arms of his two companions, raised a hand, and slapped the man in the straw hat.

"Bullying the old and weak, they deserve to die!"

"Ah~"

A scream pierced the night sky.

A moment later, the man in the straw hat and black clothes emerged from the alley, carrying three bloody heads. Only three headless corpses remained in the original spot.