The Unlikely Swordsmith

Capricious Sword

Three months after the Master passed away, the town experienced rare light snowfall. On this day, an old friend of his entered the forge. How did I know he was the master's old friend? Because he began with, "Little brother, where's the old iron?" The master's surname was Tie, but everyone usually called him Blacksmith, as there was only one blacksmith in the small town. Those who called him "old iron" were usually his friends.

"My master passed away three months ago. I buried him in the plum forest south of the city," I told him. He might be the shabbiest of all the master's friends I had ever seen, ragged clothes, a face covered in dirt, and with snowflakes melting into mud on his face. He had lost one eye and had red, frostbitten feet. I added some firewood to the stove and fetched a stool for him. "Sit and warm yourself; it's cold." He sat by the stove, and I fetched a set of old clothes for him. "Put these on." He didn't say much, silently changing into the clothes and shoes, continuing to warm himself by the fire.

After a while, he spoke, "I want Blacksmith to forge a sword, a killing sword." "Blacksmith is no longer here. Since you're his disciple, help me craft it." I shifted my gaze from the burning fire to his face, illuminated by the flickering flames. Despite the vibrant display, I could sense the hatred in his eyes. "I don't know how to forge a sword. My master never taught me." He glanced at the items in the forge. Everything was there except for a sword. "I only know swordsmanship and an unnamed inner technique." His voice sounded melancholic. "Someone harmed my wife and daughter, and I want revenge."

"If you can help me, I swear to serve you like an ox or horse." He stared at me intensely, grabbing my hand, and I noticed how skeletal he had become. However, soon he fainted from the overwhelming emotions. I moved him to the bed, summoned a doctor, who attributed his condition to irregular meals, overexertion, and overall physical weakness. The doctor prescribed some tonic medicine. When he woke up, I told him that although I couldn't help him, I could inquire at inns and courier stations about skilled swordsmiths who might assist him. He nodded, didn't mention forging the sword again, and ended up living with me for six months, helping me in the forge while I tended to his health.

News of skilled swordsmiths was scarce, and those available were mostly mediocre. However, I learned about another piece of information. There was a swordsman known as the "Luo Shen Sword," handsome and extraordinary in swordsmanship, who had a beautiful wife and a clever daughter. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when the Jiang City's young master took an interest in Luo Shen Sword's wife. Taking advantage of his absence, he defiled Luo Shen Sword's wife, who, with strong will, took her own life. Their daughter witnessed it all, attempted to escape Jiang City to find her father, but was caught. The henchmen of the young master violated and killed her. Luo Shen Sword learned about this tragedy half a year later, finding his home in ruins upon his return, leading him into madness. Seeking revenge, he attacked the Jiang mansion, killing many but failing to slay the young master. In the process, he lost his martial skills, had one eye blinded, and was thrown into the river.

The friend of the master never mentioned his origins to me, but now I knew—he was the once-renowned "Luo Shen Sword." On the day of his wife and daughter's death, it was his birthday. Therefore, on his birthday, I brought him to the master's grave. "This is where I buried the master," I said. Every month, on a day off, I brought the master's favorite wine and dishes to pay my respects. "The master didn't have many friends, but all of them were true friends. He said he was fortunate to have such friends to accompany him in drinking and chatting." "I cannot forge a sword, and I am not skilled in martial arts. I cannot help you seek revenge." I crouched in front of him, tying a long belt around his waist. It took me three months to craft the belt, made from gold bird feathers, white wolf fur, and thin strands of mysterious black iron.

"I heard today is your birthday, so I prepared a gift for you and brought you to the master's grave. Perhaps you can share everything in your heart with him." After securing the belt, I stood up, bowed to the master's grave, and said, "Master! He is your friend. I won't disturb your reunion. I'll come back next month to see you." The wind rustled the plum forest, and the leaves whispered. It was as if the master was telling me, "Got it, you rascal. Now get lost." I turned and left, but before leaving, I glanced back. Luo Shen Sword had tied up his hair, sitting in front of the master's grave, pouring a cup of wine in tribute.

The next day, when I woke up, Luo Shen Sword had already left, leaving behind a letter. The gist of the letter was a thank-you for my care during this time, gratitude for the gift, and some deep reflections after speaking with the master. However, he still had revenge to fulfill, and our agreement remained intact. "Your master has a good disciple," were his final words in the letter. Three months later, my backyard gained three boxes filled with gold and silver treasures. The central box had a note: "In gratitude for forging the sword of revenge." Later, I heard a story about a lone-eyed swordsman wielding a flexible sword,his swordsmanship fierce yet elusive. He fought against formidable opponents from all directions, ultimately slaying the Young Master of the Jiang family in Jiangcheng, avenging the Great Swordsman Luo Shen. Because of the interwoven black and white patterns on the soft sword he carried, people began calling him the "Capricious Sword." He took lives of wrongdoers and sought revenge for the righteous. I don't know if this is true or false, but I gained a new neighbor, and my shop attracted more frequent customers. Occasionally, he even helped me out.

"I heard that you funded the repair of the roads in town. Did you use the money I gave you?"

"At that time, the money appeared inexplicably. I found it very strange, so I donated it all."

"...Didn't I leave a message?"

"But I haven't forged any swords."

"..."

"Oh, by the way, Auntie Niu next door gave me a batch of orders. I made over twenty farming tools, earned quite a bit of money, so today, I'm treating everyone. Want to join?"