Jinhai, still in shock, added, “This is totally insane! I remember having to pay 30 gold taels to have my Black Red Steel sword made!”
Everyone, including Princess Huangshu and Junior Edina, stood in stunned silence. The ease with which they had extracted one of the rarest metals was mind-boggling. The iron cage, through some mysterious process, had attracted the ore as effortlessly as if it were catching fish.
Princess Huangshu turned to Junior Edina, her eyes wide with amazement. “Edina, this method is revolutionary! How did you come up with this?”
Junior Edina, still processing the enormity of their success, managed a small smile. “It wasn’t entirely my idea. I had guidance. But I’m glad it worked.”
The group stood in awe, realizing that they had just witnessed the dawn of a new era for their region. With this newfound method, they could not only extract Black Red Steel efficiently but also bring unprecedented prosperity and influence to their faction.
Even Senior Edina hadn't been certain that this method would work as well as it did since she had only heard about it in her past life and never used it herself. The reason the Black Red Steel ore was attracted into the iron cage was due to its magnetic properties. In its pure form, Black Red Steel is strongly attracted to magnetic materials. By using qi to charge copper coils on iron rods, they created a magnetic field that drew the Black Red Steel ores from the lake bed into the cage.
This method was previously unknown. When the eastern continent was attacked by demons from the underworld, killing more than half the population, the remaining inhabitants rushed to flee to the western continent in Senior Edina’s past life. This technique was discovered by the demonic sect’s heir, who led the final retreat during the fall. He informed everyone of this method so that every martial artist could mine Black Red Steel from the large mines in the northern mountains efficiently to make powerful weapons to fend off the demons and allow everyone to flee.
It’s astonishing what humans can do when their lives depend on it. Right now, Aunt Li Mei and the Tianlong family are most likely building a dam in the opposite region from Dongu Village to redirect the lake water and mine the ore. This is why it is taking them so long to start their own forgery, but Edina and Huangshu now have the advantage over them.
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The fishermen, still marveling at their haul, began to unload the contents of the cage onto the beach. Pieces of metallic ore, varying in size and shape, glittered in the sunlight. The blacksmiths eagerly examined each piece, discussing its quality and potential uses. Sect Leader Khang’s mind raced with the implications of their discovery. With a steady supply of Black Red Steel, they could produce weapons and tools of unmatched quality, securing their place as a powerful force in the region.
Princess Huangshu then turned to Sect Leader Khang. “I will make sure not a single word is spoken by the blacksmiths or the fishermen, Your Highness! On my honor!” he assured her before she could say anything.
A few hours later, in the guest room of the Blazing Days Sect,
Princess Huangshu and Junior Edina were seated next to each other, diligently writing documents. They had to finish all their official duties before leaving in two days to attend the Shining Blade Sect’s young master’s ceremony.
“I will have my trusted general stationed here, so you won’t have to worry much about security,” Princess Huangshu said, as she wrote the next funding plan for the sect in her book.
Junior Edina nodded. “We need to plan a meeting schedule for once the Shining Blade Sect’s ceremony finishes and you return to the capital.”
Princess Huangshu put down her book and said, “Meeting once every three months seems reasonable enough. What do you say?”
Junior Edina thought for a moment, then agreed. “It does. We also need to finalize a new name for the sect. We can’t have Sect Leader Khang and everyone functioning under the old name.”
Princess Huangshu nodded, pondering deeply. Just as her eyes sparkled with an idea, Junior Edina cut her off. “No references to romance novels.”
Princess Huangshu turned visibly red. “Hmph! If so, you select one then.”
Junior Edina thought for a moment and then suggested, “Iron Claw Sect?”
Princess Huangshu considered it. “It does seem relevant, but do we want to reveal our secret in the name?”
This seemed to be a problem, as they couldn’t agree on a suitable name.
In another guest room,
Jinhai paced around, wrecking his brain over the situation. Mount Hua Sect was in serious trouble now since Princess Huangshu literally had one of the most important metal mines in her hands and could easily mine it. This could overturn the political balance, yet his heart didn’t allow him to send this information back home. He felt completely torn.
Jinhai’s loyalty to Mount Hua Sect was undeniable, but so was his dedication to Princess Huangshu. He had watched her grow from a curious child into a formidable and wise young woman. He remembered her first steps, her first words, and all the times he had stood guard during her childhood adventures. His heart ached at the thought of betraying her trust. She was not just a princess to him; she was almost like family.
He ran a hand through his hair, which was tied back in a neat topknot, and let out a frustrated sigh. The room felt smaller with each passing moment, the walls closing in as the weight of his decision pressed down on him. The flickering candle on the table cast long shadows, mirroring the conflict within him.
He paused by the window, looking out at the serene landscape of Dongu Village. The moonlight reflected off the calm waters of Hin Lake, casting a silver sheen over the entire scene. The tranquility outside seemed almost mocking, given the storm raging within him.