Chapter 39: The Fenghua Arrows and an Unexpected Bond

Her tsundere demeanor, he wondered where she had picked it up. This once elegant Saintess had unexpectedly transformed into such a person.

Zhang Luan could only sigh helplessly. He truly had no idea which dashing, charismatic gentleman had caused such a drastic change in her; what a sin, what a pity.

When the blacksmith returned from the backyard, he cast a peculiar glance at Nan Fenghua, whose face was etched with grievance, and at Zhang Luan, who wore an amused expression. He wondered if he had missed something significant in the few minutes he was gone, something that had led to their current state.

Seeing the blacksmith’s return, Zhang Luan’s playful smile vanished. He gazed at the quiver, as large as a beer barrel, that the man held in his arms, and spoke:

“Is that all?”

“Yes, custom arrows are quite troublesome to make,” the blacksmith replied. “There are three hundred in total, and you can rest assured about their quality. They were made exactly to your specifications: heat-resistant, blast-resistant, dissolution-resistant, with an energy slot, and preferably a helical arrowhead.”

He drew out an arrow and handed it to Zhang Luan. The arrow’s information immediately appeared before his eyes for perusal.

[Arrow] (Unnamed)

Tier: Advanced

Effect: [Energy Storage]: Stores a certain amount of energy, exploding upon striking a target.

[Helical Acceleration]: Increases helical arrow power by 15%.

Description: Heat-resistant, blast-resistant, dissolution-resistant, crafted by the Sealed Mountain Artisan.

****

Having reviewed the information, Zhang Luan was immensely satisfied. True to the reputation of a Sealed Mountain Artisan, they had managed to produce custom arrows in such a short time. While three hundred might seem a bit few, it was certainly enough to sustain a battle against opponents of equal strength.

“How is it?”

The blacksmith sounded a little worried. It was his first time crafting arrows since his recovery, and he lacked some confidence.

“Excellent. I like them very much. Thank you.”

Upon hearing Zhang Luan’s words, the blacksmith’s hanging heart finally eased, and a simple, honest smile spread across his face.

“As long as Your Highness, the Holy Son, likes them. Um…”

“What is it? Just say it directly.”

Rubbing his bald head, the blacksmith chuckled.

“Well… we’ve run out of materials for making arrows. Perhaps, Your Highness, the Holy Son, could help us resolve that?”

Indeed, the materials required for custom arrows were far more wasteful than those for other items. As consumables, it was hardly surprising that the stock had been depleted.

“The material issue is easily handled, Fenghua.”

Nan Fenghua, who had been glumly reading at the side, instantly brightened upon hearing Zhang Luan call her name. She happily wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, exclaiming joyfully:

“Big Brother Luan, this is the first time you’ve called me that! So happy! (/≧▽≦)/”

Ignoring the foolishness of her words, Zhang Luan raised his hands, pinching her cheeks, and gently pulled.

“When we return to the temple, find a few people to liaise with the blacksmith. The temple will supply the materials, alright?”

“Ouch, that hurts! Yes, I can do that, but I need to inform the Matron, otherwise she’ll be angry.”

“Whatever. Alright, give me the arrows. I’m heading back to the temple.”

The blacksmith handed him the barrel of arrows. Zhang Luan promptly placed them into his system inventory and, taking Nan Fenghua with him, prepared to leave.

“Your Highness, the Holy Son, I almost forgot to ask you something.”

Just as they stepped out the door, the blacksmith rushed after them. Zhang Luan turned around, awaiting his next words.

“These arrows don’t have a name yet.”

“Just name them whatever you want. It doesn’t matter.”

This suggestion was met with the blacksmith’s firm refusal. He stated very seriously:

“A Sealed Mountain Artisan never names the items they craft themselves. Therefore, the name can only be chosen by you.”

Zhang Luan scratched his head. He was terrible at naming things. He could come up with a few chuunibyou-sounding names for his own techniques, but naming arrows?

‘It’s not really necessary, is it?’

He was clearly unenthusiastic, but Nan Fenghua, by his side, was very interested.

“Big Brother Luan, let’s call these ‘Fenghua Arrows’! It sounds nice and fun, ehe.”

“Whatever, let’s go with that.”

Zhang Luan waved his hand; he genuinely didn’t care.

“Alright, then they shall be called Fenghua Arrows. I’ll be heading back now, Your Highness the Holy Son, Your Highness the Saintess. I will visit the temple to pray another day.”

Zhang Luan stroked his chin, then pulled out a scripture from his inventory that he had casually ‘borrowed’ from a priestess at the temple earlier. He handed it to the blacksmith, saying:

“Big oaf, here, take this. Consider it payment for the arrows.”

Upon seeing the scripture, a complex emotion flickered in the blacksmith’s eyes. He took it, cradling it in his arms.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s what I should do.”

On the way back to the temple, Nan Fenghua was exceptionally happy. This time, there were no annoying guardians around, nor was the Matron nagging her. It was just Zhang Luan, accompanying her as they ate, drank, and played to their hearts’ content.

By the time they reached the temple gates, her hands were still laden with several bags of snacks—sweets that Ye Ying had previously forbidden her from eating.

Finally returning to his room, Zhang Luan collapsed onto his bed. He was quite tired. Nan Fenghua noticed his exhaustion and ceased her antics, instead gently using a blessing spell to quietly alleviate his fatigue. Then, she softly retreated, no longer disturbing him.

He slept for a long time. When Zhang Luan opened his eyes, it was already the evening of the next day. Regardless, a significant loss of vitality was an uncomfortable experience for someone who had yet to achieve a higher tier advancement. After that restorative sleep, he felt much better.

Taking out the Coin of Choice, he observed that ever since Aruola had entered it, the coin’s other side had transformed into her likeness. He supposed she must be slumbering within it now.

As he scrolled through his panel, Zhang Luan suddenly discovered that he had one unsubmitted quest. Opening it, he realized it was the A-rank quest [Secret of the Ancient Mage] that he had triggered in the Mage Tower earlier.

He had nearly forgotten about this quest. He clicked ‘Submit,’ though he didn’t hold much hope for anything good, given that it was merely a rare magic-type item.

[Quest Completion Reward for [Secret of the Ancient Mage]: Bond Card ×1]

“???”

Zhang Luan stared at the thin card in his hand, his face a mask of confusion. He had never seen such a card before.

[Bond Card]

Tier: Rare

Effect: Used on a single target. After use, both parties gain a bond talent. The specific effect is determined by the relationship between the two parties. If used on a target with whom you have no connection, no bond will appear.

Description: A thin card containing the bond between you and me. Friendship, love, kinship—these bonds have shaped who you are today. They are an indispensable part of your world.

****

Zhang Luan couldn’t help but crack a smile as he looked at the thin card in his hand. He truly hadn’t expected such an effect. This item essentially granted a talent. Regardless of whether the talent was strong or weak, any talent was better than none.

Moreover, if one genuinely shared a particularly strong bond with someone, that talent would undoubtedly be powerful.

‘What kind of strong bond could I establish right now?’

Nan Fenghua’s foolish yet endearing image surfaced in Zhang Luan’s mind.

‘Holy Son and Saintess?’

‘Sounds pretty good.’