Chapter 353: Chapter 354: Blade and Sword

Ancient Wen Heng took the box from Ming Feng and held it out to Zhou Shixiong with both hands. "Take these with you. They’re a token of my regard as your brother."

"What is it?" Zhou Shixiong accepted it heartily and began opening the box as he spoke. "I won’t stand on ceremony with you, but if it’s too valuable, there’s no need. I really have no use for—"

"No use for them?" Ancient Wen Heng reached out as if to take the items back.

"They’re definitely useful! These are great." Zhou Shixiong immediately crouched down, placed the box on the ground, and took out one of the items. "A fine blade."

Ancient Wen Heng also crouched down and explained, "This is a military bayonet I came across by chance. It can easily cut through tough armor. It’ll be perfect for you to defend yourself with, Brother Zhou."

’Back then, to prepare for the apocalypse, Jin Qianqian had scoured for and stockpiled a large number of cold weapons. She had bought quite a few foreign military-grade products like these.’

Ancient Wen Heng then picked up the replica Mo Ye Sword from the bottom of the box. It was a product of modern technology, forged from refined steel, and had already been sharpened.

Zhou Shixiong’s warrior spirit ignited. He even plucked two hairs from his head, blew them toward the blades, and watched as they were cleanly severed in mid-air. He exclaimed "Fine blade, fine sword!" several times.

(No joke, some modern cold weapons really can cut a hair that’s blown against the edge. I’ve seen it myself. You can even buy them for collections, but sharpened ones have to be registered, if you know what I mean.)

Gazing at the blades gleaming with a cold light, Zhou Shixiong’s eyes were practically glued to them. "These are too valuable. I cannot accept them."

Blades like these could be passed down as family heirlooms. As much as he loved them, he didn’t dare claim them for himself.

He reluctantly placed the blades back in the box. "You should take them back, Wenheng. I appreciate the thought."

"A hero deserves a great sword. Besides, a scholar like me has little use for such things. If you have them, Brother Zhou, you can kill a few more invaders and protect our people from foreign aggression."

Ancient Wen Heng knew Zhou Shixiong was devoted to his country and trusted his character. Otherwise, he never would have dared to reveal these items.

"I have just one request, Brother Zhou," Ancient Wen Heng said, looking at the box. "I happened to buy these blades in Sea City. There are only these two, and I hope you can help keep them a secret. I really have no way of finding any more."

"But... since ancient times, great swords have always had a known origin. This would be unfair to you, Wenheng."

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. ’Can I really tell you they’re from the future?’

"You must acquire a lot of spoils from each battle, Brother Zhou. If you mix these in, no one will be able to look too closely into their origins. With their protection, you’ll surely be able to drive back even more pirates."

Zhou Shixiong caressed the scabbards, unable to put them down. "I’m taking advantage of your kindness again. When I return, I’ll bring you back plenty of local specialties."

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t dwell on it. "Then I’ll be waiting for your local specialties. Are you leaving early tomorrow morning?"

Zhou Shixiong replied, "Yes. Those pirates have recently attacked several of our small villages. But they’re too cunning, always launching surprise attacks at random times and places.

"I fear this is a probing action on their part. I’ll only feel at ease once I’m there standing guard."

Ancient Wen Heng had seen the geographical maps. The border Zhou Shixiong was currently guarding should be somewhere beyond the Black Province region, near what would later be called the Sikhote Mountain Range. The invaders coming from that direction were the Japanese, a people Ancient Wen Heng despised above all others.

The thought of the atrocities they would commit in the future made Ancient Wen Heng suppress the urge to call for their total annihilation. He gritted his teeth and asked, "Brother Zhou, have you considered launching a preemptive strike?"

Zhou Shixiong sighed. "Of course I’ve considered it. But with the vast ocean between us, we don’t know where their main base is. I simply don’t dare risk the lives of my men on such a gamble.

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"Furthermore, our soldiers are trained for land warfare. We lack well-built ships, and our men are not skilled sailors. We had to abandon the idea."

’Otherwise, they wouldn’t have suffered from these raids for so many years. They would have attacked long ago and solved the problem once and for all.’

Ancient Wen Heng rubbed his fingers together, knowing this wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight. It would require long-term planning.

...

After seeing Zhou Shixiong off, Ancient Wen Heng received an invitation from the Huang family.

Recalling the unpleasant incident involving Jin Qianqian at their residence last time, Ancient Wen Heng’s first thought was to find an excuse to decline.

"Mr. Gu, did you receive an invitation as well?" Ning Yuchen approached at that moment, also holding an invitation. "Perfect. We can go to the banquet together."

Ancient Wen Heng glanced at the time written on it. ’Such short notice,’ he thought. ’It’s for this evening.’

"This invitation is very sudden. I already have other plans this evening."

"What plans could be more important than this? This is an invitation personally sent by Lord Huang, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice! You can’t possibly be planning to slight him, can you?"

A flash of displeasure crossed Ancient Wen Heng’s mind. ’What exactly is Ning Yuchen implying with those words?’

"Look at the time on the invitation. It’s far too sudden and genuinely conflicts with my plans." Ancient Wen Heng looked down at the paper. ’Normally, invitations are sent days in advance. Who sends one just a few hours beforehand?’

"Even if you have something else, you can just postpone it.

"In a little while, I can just catch a ride in your carriage to go over." Ning Yuchen had clearly forgotten that Ancient Wen Heng’s official rank was now several levels higher than his own, yet he was still ordering him around.

Ancient Wen Heng said coolly, "Lord Ning, I don’t believe my affairs require your arrangement, do they?"

The frigid tone made Ning Yuchen feel as if the air around him had frozen. His scalp tingled as he stammered, "I... I was just looking out for you. Who knows, we might end up working under him someday."

Ancient Wen Heng set the invitation aside. "If there’s nothing else, Lord Ning, you may leave. I still have many case files to attend to."

"Then I’ll come find you later, Mr. Gu." Hearing this clear dismissal, Ning Yuchen’s pride burned. He hadn’t expected to fail his objective, but he steeled himself and forced the words out.

Ancient Wen Heng ignored him and went back to his work.

He thought that would be the end of it, but when it was time to go home, Ning Yuchen was already waiting at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy.

Ancient Wen Heng grabbed He Nan, who was about to hurry past him. "Where are you off to in such a rush?"

"I need to send word back to my residence and let my wife know I can’t accompany her to her family’s home for her little nephew’s birthday celebration today." He Nan also hadn’t expected such a sudden invitation. The carriage from his estate should have arrived to pick him up, so he needed to inform them first.

Ancient Wen Heng held onto him. "Coincidentally, I also need to send a message to my wife. How about this? I’ll ride in your carriage, and I’ll have my driver go deliver the message."

He Nan was confused. This fellow’s carriage was much more comfortable than his own. ’What is he playing at now?’

Ancient Wen Heng tightened his grip slightly, his eyes flicking toward Ning Yuchen, who was peering around at the entrance. He Nan understood instantly. "Of course, that’s fine. Does your wife need the carriage today? Mine is a bit smaller, but there’s definitely room for you."

He Nan had long been annoyed with Ning Yuchen. Lately, he was the one who had been gossiping about them the most behind their backs.

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