Chapter 118 Quitting? Kitchen Crisis and a Late-Night "God-Level Forging"!

"How about we go to the southern border and have some fun?"

Su Changqing's wine glass, which he had been holding in mid-air, suddenly stopped. The satisfied smile on his face lasted for less than three seconds before collapsing at a visible speed.

He slowly placed the wine glass back on the table, making a soft "click" sound.

The epic atmosphere of boundless pride, commanding the world, and witnessing the rise of a new generation of heroes vanished instantly with that soft sound.

Su Changqing's gaze swept across the faces of the three passionate young men, Xiao Se, Lei Wujie, and Wushuang, and a look of heartache, like that of a capitalist seeing outstanding employees resign en masse, gradually appeared in his eyes.

"Wait... what were you saying just now? You're all leaving?"

Su Changqing pointed at Lei Wujie, then at Wushuang, and finally at Xiao Se, "I can understand Boss Xiao going to the border to grind dungeons, accumulate reputation, and awaken his True Dragon Aura. After all, he's going to be an emperor someday, so he needs some impressive military achievements. What are you two doing going along to join in the fun?"

"Brother-in-law, we're brothers! How can I, Lei Wujie, stand idly by when my brother is in trouble?" Lei Wujie patted his chest, looking every bit the righteous hero.

"I'm going there to hone my swordsmanship!" Wushuang echoed earnestly, "The Vermilion Bird of the Ming Dynasty needs the blood of the strong to sharpen its edge, and the masters of the Southern Manual are just the right fit!"

"Suitable my ass!"

Su Changqing slammed his hand on the table, causing the red oil from the hot pot to jump up.

"If all three of you leave, how am I supposed to keep my Changqinglou Tianqi flagship store open?! Huh?!"

Su Changqing pointed at them with a pained expression and launched into a frenzied rant:

"Lei Wujie! You're now our restaurant's 'top waiter'! Your 'mysterious tray-carrying steps' have become a spectacle in Tianqi City. How many dignitaries come to eat every day just to watch you carry the dishes? If you leave, who will carry those dozens of tables of food during the lunch rush every day? You're going to fight enemies in the Southern Border, are you expecting me to run my legs off in the lobby?"

"And you, Wushuang!" Su Changqing turned his attention to the boy carrying the sword box. "Your 'Carved Radish Sword Intent' has just reached its peak, and the potato shreds you cut are enough to thread a needle! Who's going to cut those two hundred pounds of potatoes, three hundred pounds of radishes, and five hundred pounds of onions in the kitchen? Are you expecting your sister to go and cut them herself? If she goes into the kitchen, our Taiji Hall will have to be rebuilt tomorrow, believe it or not?!"

Li Hanyi, who was drinking tea nearby, suddenly turned pale and stomped hard on Su Changqing's foot under the table. But this time, Su Changqing didn't even cry out in pain and continued to stomp on his foot.

"The most infuriating one is you, Xiao Se!"

Su Changqing pouted and tapped Xiao Se's nose with anguish. "You're our store's financial director! You've only learned a third of that modified version of 'Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art,' and you've barely scratched the surface of mental arithmetic! If you leave, who will check those mountains of ledgers every night? Every noble in Tianqi City is a shrewd person. If we replace you with someone slow at accounting, how much gold will we lose every day?!"

Su Changqing grew angrier and angrier as he spoke, finally letting out a long sigh and roaring to the sky, "You're trying to kill me! I just want to be a quiet, hands-off parent, spending my days basking in the sun and taking care of the kids, why is that so hard?!"

Seeing Su Changqing's "miserable" appearance, as if his family's wealth had been emptied, the three teenagers looked at each other. Their original enthusiasm was instantly dampened, replaced by a deep sense of guilt and shame.

"Um... brother-in-law, I'm so sorry..."

Lei Wujie scratched his head, lowering it like a child who had done something wrong. "But the war in the Southern Border is really critical. I heard from several Vice Ministers of War who came to dinner today that Nan Jue has assembled an army of 300,000, and there are also many evil sects from the martial arts world helping them. It's really too dangerous for Xiao Se to go alone..."

"Yes, sir." Xiao Se also stood up and bowed respectfully. "I will forever remember the kindness of Changqing Tower. But with the nation in peril, as a prince of Beili, I cannot cower here. Once the southern border is pacified, I will surely return and settle accounts with you for the rest of my life!"

"Settling accounts for a lifetime? I can't afford to hire you, Your Majesty the Future Emperor."

Su Changqing rolled his eyes and waved his hand. "Alright, alright, I was just kidding. Do you think I, Su Changqing, need you three to do hard labor? Since you've made up your minds, then eat and drink well tonight. Tomorrow morning, get out of here and don't hang around in my sight."

Although he spoke with disdain, a hint of gratification, like that of an elder watching a younger generation embark on a long journey, was clearly hidden in Su Changqing's eyes.

In this perilous world of martial arts, fledglings that haven't experienced life-or-death battles can never transform into soaring eagles. Changqing Tower can protect them for a time, but it cannot give them true dominance.

"Thank you so much, brother-in-law!"

"Thank you, sir!"

The three boys were overjoyed, raised their glasses, and drank them down in one gulp.

"Daddy, where are Big Brother Dahong and the others going? Aren't they going to play with Nuonuo anymore?" Little Nuonuo put down the big crab leg in her hand, her mouth full of oil, and looked at the three older brothers with a hint of reluctance in her big eyes.

"They're going to a very far place to fight monsters."

Su Changqing wiped his daughter's mouth with a silk handkerchief and said gently, "After they drive the monster away, they'll come back and bring Nuonuo some fun toys. Nuonuo, be good, let's wish our big brother and the others a safe journey, okay?"

"Okay!" Little Nuomi raised her chubby little hand, which was covered in oil stains, and shouted in her childish voice, "Big Brother Dahong, Big Prince Brother, Wushuang Brother, you have to do your best to fight the monsters! If you can't beat them, run back to my daddy, and my daddy can flatten them all with one slap!"

Children's innocent remarks caused everyone in the room to burst into laughter.

The initial sadness caused by parting vanished with Xiao Nuomi's innocent words.

This "farewell dinner" lasted until the moon was high in the sky.

The leftover food on the table had been removed and replaced with several pots of fine tea. The three teenagers, having drunk quite a bit of Su Changqing's specially brewed "spiritual wine," were now slumped over the table, snoring loudly.

Li Hanyi carried the sleeping Xiao Nuomi and tiptoed back to the inner room on the second floor.

Inside the spacious hall, only Su Changqing remained, sitting quietly in a rocking chair.

The night sky outside the window was exceptionally clear because of the extraordinary thunderstorm a few days ago. Countless stars twinkled like shattered diamonds embedded in the black canopy.

Su Changqing looked out at the starry sky and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of the rocking chair.

"The Southern Jue army... 300,000..."

He murmured softly, an unknown light flickering in his deep eyes.

He knew that the war in the Southern Border in the original story was an extremely brutal meat grinder. Xiao Se and Lei Wujie had survived countless hardships and near-death experiences there before finally securing victory.

Although he wanted to send them to gain experience, as a fiercely protective boss and the behind-the-scenes mastermind of the brothel, how could he really watch his "top employee" go to his death unprepared?

"Fine, consider this your farewell gift. So you won't embarrass Changqinglou in public."

Su Changqing sighed and slowly stood up.

Without alerting anyone, he swayed and disappeared into the night like a ghost.

……

The basement of the Taiji Hall was originally an ice cellar used by the palace to store ice, but now Su Changqing has transformed it into an extremely secluded seclusion room.

The place is equipped with an extremely complex soundproofing and defensive array, so that even if a Buddha's Wrath Lotus were detonated inside, no sound would be heard outside.

Su Changqing pushed open the heavy iron door and went inside.

In the center of the ice cellar stood a huge black stone platform.

Su Changqing walked to the stone platform and flipped his wrist.

"Splash—"

A crisp sound of metal colliding.

A large pile of materials emitting various strange lights appeared out of thin air on the stone platform.

These materials were the treasures of past Demonic Sect leaders that he had previously looted in the ice cave of the Forbidden Land of Outer Heaven through a "zero-dollar purchase"!

A massive iron ore, pitch black and radiating a chilling aura—the Netherworld Cold Iron.

A red crystal, like a burning sun, radiating terrifying heat—the Crimson Sun Soul.

There was also a translucent tendon as thick as an arm, shimmering with a faint blue light—that was the main tendon of the ancient beast, the deep-sea demon whale, that he had pulled out when he tore it apart in the East China Sea!

Looking at these three materials, which would be considered rare treasures even in the world of cultivation, Su Changqing's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"What should I get for these three boys...?"

He stroked his chin, his mind racing.

"That kid Lei Wujie cultivates the art of fire scorching, which is powerful but lacks restraint. Although he swallowed that demonic soul bead and forcibly raised his cultivation level, if he doesn't control it, he's likely to suffer a backlash from the karmic fire and go into qi deviation."

"In that case, let's create a support magic weapon for him that can absolutely suppress and purify the flames."

Su Changqing's gaze fell upon the "Crimson Flame Sun Soul".

He stretched out his right hand, palm up, and a ball of pure golden flame instantly rose up!

Phoenix Fire!

This is the ancestor of all flames in the world, possessing the terrifying power to burn everything and also to be reborn from the ashes!

"go!"

Su Changqing flicked his finger.

The golden flames shot out like an arrow, instantly enveloping the enormous Crimson Flame Sun Soul.

"Hiss hiss hiss—"

The Crimson Flame Yang Soul was originally an extremely yang substance, incredibly hard, but under the tempering of the Phoenix True Fire, it was like a piece of rock candy placed in boiling water, rapidly melting!

During this process, the trace of dark impurities unique to the demonic sect that was originally mixed in with the Crimson Flame Yang Soul was completely purified by the Phoenix True Fire, turning into a wisp of black smoke and dissipating.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The fist-sized Crimson Flame Yang Soul was purified and compressed into a drop of dark red liquid the size of a soybean, yet radiating a terrifyingly high temperature that seemed capable of melting the void!

"Freeze!"

Su Changqing flicked his ten fingers in rapid succession, forcefully injecting extremely complex array runes, each containing the essence of the universe, into the drop of liquid.

"Buzz—"

As the last rune disappeared, the drop of liquid instantly cooled and solidified, turning into a crystal-clear crimson sword pendant that seemed to seal a miniature red lotus inside!

"This pendant is called 'Crimson Lotus Calamity,' and it hangs on the Killing Fear Sword. As long as Lei Wujie doesn't act recklessly, this thing can not only absorb the excess raging karmic fire in his body, but also compress and release the absorbed karmic fire at critical moments. It's like giving him another trump card."

Su Changqing put the sword pendant away with satisfaction.

Then, he turned his gaze to the huge piece of "Netherworld Cold Iron".

"That kid Wushuang, although his sword control technique is exquisite, that 'Great Ming Vermilion Bird' is too evil. That is a real demonic sword. With his current mental state, if he forcibly draws the sword, he will definitely be corrupted by demonic energy and become a sword slave who only knows how to kill."

"Since he practices flying swords, let's forge a scabbard for him that can lock in demonic energy while nurturing his sword intent."

Su Changqing resorted to the same old trick.

Golden phoenix fire erupted once more, enveloping the Netherworld Cold Iron weighing over a thousand pounds.

This Netherworld Cold Iron is even more troublesome than the Crimson Flame Yang Soul. It has been nurtured in the extreme cold for thousands of years. Even the Phoenix True Fire took a full half hour to slowly melt it into a lump of pitch-black molten iron.

Su Changqing made a grasping motion with both hands, and the ball of molten iron was pulled and shaped in mid-air, eventually transforming into an ancient, profound black scabbard with natural ice cracks on its surface.

To ensure absolute safety, Su Changqing even forced out a trace of his "righteous energy" from "Ten Thousand Gods Tribulation" and sealed it at the bottom of the sword sheath.

"With this righteous aura suppressing it, let alone the Great Ming Vermilion Bird, even a true ancient demon god wouldn't be able to cause any trouble."

Su Changqing placed the completed "Netherworld Sword Sheath" aside.

Finally, his gaze fell on the main tendon of the demonic whale that was emitting a blue light.

"That kid Xiao Se... he's a bit troublesome."

Su Changqing stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"Although his hidden meridians have recovered and he has awakened the Imperial Dragon Qi, stepping into the half-step Divine Realm, he used to rely too much on the Heaven-Slaying Sword. Now he is used to using a staff. Although the Limitless Staff is exquisite, it ultimately lacks a trace of the emperor's domineering power and unstoppable killing force."

"On the southern battlefield, you'll face thousands of troops. Staff techniques are suitable for defense, but to take the head of a general amidst the chaos, you'll need weapons of mass destruction."

Su Changqing looked at the main tendon of the demonic whale and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"Got it!"

He grabbed both ends of the main tendon of the demon whale with both hands and pulled it sharply to both sides!

This tough sea beast tendon, strong enough to pull a ten-thousand-ton ship, was stretched several times longer under Su Changqing's terrifying physical strength, becoming extremely thin, yet radiating a chilling, eerie blue light.

Su Changqing then rummaged through his storage space and found a scrap of top-grade purple-gold thunder bamboo.

This was a rare item he won in a lottery in the system shop, and he hadn't been willing to use it. The Purple-Gold Thunder Bamboo naturally contained the power of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, making it incredibly hard and extremely spiritual.

Under the tempering of the Phoenix True Fire, the Purple Gold Thunder Bamboo was sculpted into an ancient yet imposing longbow core!

The bow-shaped body is entirely purple-gold in color, with natural lightning patterns on its surface.

Su Changqing used the thinned main sinew of the demon whale as a bowstring, firmly fastening it to both ends of the bow.

"Buzz—!!!"

The moment the bowstring was nocked, the longbow seemed to come alive!

It emitted a resounding roar like a dragon's cry or a tiger's howl, and even arcs of purple and blue electricity crackled across the bowstring! The air inside the entire ice cellar was forced to retreat in all directions by this violent spiritual power!

"A fine bow!"

Su Changqing gripped the bow and gently plucked the bowstring.

"Zheng—"

A visible crescent-shaped sonic blade sliced ​​a massive ice block ten feet away in two! The cut was as smooth as a mirror!

"This bow doesn't need physical arrows; it only requires condensing Imperial Dragon Qi or the spiritual energy of heaven and earth at the fingertips, transforming it into arrows. A single arrow fired is as powerful as thunder, enough to shatter a thousand armies!"

"Let's call it... 'Thunderclap'."