"It's alright, Old Ox. When we're rich, I'll buy you a wooden carving of a little cow."
"Moo~ Moo~"
The big black ox's mind cleared instantly, and it bellowed happily twice.
Today is the end of the year. Along the riverbank, lanterns resembling Kongming lanterns slowly rose into the air, carrying the people's best wishes for the coming year, illuminating the entire city of Panning.
This is a custom of Panning City, called "Wishing Lanterns" by the locals.
Chen Xun looked up at the sky, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.
"Old Ox, are you going to let it go or not? We'll splurge this time!"
"Moo! Moo!"
The big black ox's eyes gleamed. Only a fool wouldn't let it go; it had many wishes in its heart.
The riverbank was crowded with people, perhaps even cultivators among them. In a corner of the river, Chen Xun bought two wishing lanterns, and the two of them, one human and one ox, avoided the crowded areas.
"Old Ox, what's your wish? Let's write it down, I heard it's more effective."
Chen Xun held up a piece of charcoal, looking at the big black ox. "You can write it in your mouth, didn't I teach you to write?"
Moo!
The big black ox snatched the charcoal from its mouth, a thoughtful look in its eyes, and began to move on the wishing lantern.
"Hehe, not a little heifer or anything, is it?"
Chen Xun grinned lewdly, looking at the big black ox's wishing lantern. That would truly be a little heifer sitting on a wishing lantern, incredibly powerful.
"Forever what?"
Chen Xun frowned; the big black ox's handwriting was crooked and messy. "Follow... Chen."
He was startled, giving the big black ox a deep look. The two wishing lanterns slowly took flight, merging into thousands of other wishing lanterns and gradually disappearing.
"Moo?" The big black ox nudged Chen Xun.
"If you speak your wish aloud, it won't come true, understand?"
Chen Xun said mysteriously. The big black ox's eyes widened in surprise, but it believed him again and stopped nudging Chen Xun.
The man and the ox began their nighttime stroll through Panning City again. Chen Xun took the opportunity to see what jobs were available in the city; he was now proficient in all eighteen martial arts.
Having benefited from his speed boost, Chen Xun continued to allocate his longevity points for this year to speed, also adding one point to the big black ox's stats.
The next day, Chen Xun went to a blacksmith shop in the city. He entered with an arrogant air, startling the shopkeeper, who thought he was there to cause trouble.
"Young man, we don't take cattle."
"I'm naturally strong. I think your blacksmith shop might be missing something without me."
"What do you mean?"
"Boss, does the blacksmith shop still hire people?"
Chen Xun suddenly smiled broadly, revealing his arm. "One is worth two, and with my family's heirloom black ox helping out, I guarantee your business will boom!"
Bang!
Chen Xun was kicked out. The blacksmith shop owner spat, "Do you think I hire just anyone of dubious origin?"
Moo!
The black ox was furious. How dare the shop owner insult him? It spat back.
Chen Xun quickly stopped the black ox, coldly saying, "If this place doesn't want me, there are plenty of other places that will."
The shop owner crossed his arms, and several blacksmiths emerged from behind him. Their posture suggested that if Chen Xun said another word, they would fight.
Chen Xun silently took the reins, said nothing, and pulled the big black ox away.
"Tch!" the others scoffed and waved, then went back to their blacksmithing.
On the way, the big black ox nudged Chen Xun, signaling him to stop being angry.
"It's alright, I asked around, there's another blacksmith shop on the next street, but I heard business isn't good. Let's try there."
"Moo!" Big Black Ox nodded.
When they arrived at the blacksmith shop, Chen Xun was shocked. It looked like it was on the verge of closing down. A little old man was even sitting in a chair, dozing off.
"Uncle." Chen Xun led Big Black Ox in; there wasn't a single customer.
"Hey."
The little old man sprang to his feet, his eyes cloudy. "Young man, what do you want to buy?"
"Hehe, I'm naturally strong. Is the blacksmith shop hiring?" Chen Xun chuckled.
"Haha...we'll take you in."
The old man nodded sharply. "It's just that all the blacksmiths in this shop have run away, so there's hardly any money to pay their wages."
"It's alright, boss, just give us a place to stay."
"Sure thing."
The old man said happily, "You can stay in the backyard of this blacksmith shop."
The two hit it off immediately. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox tidied up their pots and pans, while Big Black Ox searched for a place to hide rice.
"This world is truly vast."
Chen Xun remarked. Even Big Black Ox moved around freely in this huge shop.
An hour later, he and Big Black Ox began working together, the blacksmith shop resounding with clanging sounds. The old man's eyelids twitched; they had incredible strength.
"Young man, look at this technique, have you been blacksmithing before?"
The old man's eyes gleamed, hands behind his back. "But the technique is a bit rough."
"Of course, old man, to be honest, I have five years of experience. Whoever hires me is definitely making a profit."
Chen Xun boasted. He loved blacksmithing; it was a way to control strength, but he hadn't yet reached the level of finesse.
"You can't blacksmith like that."
The old man shook his head, realizing he was wasting too much energy. "Let me show you."
Wow, a master! Chen Xun watched the old man's blacksmithing style; it was completely different from the village blacksmiths. But in no time, the old man was panting heavily.
"I'm getting old, I'm getting old. Young man, you do it."
The old man waved his hand, looking at the big black ox. This ox really seemed to have a spirit.
"Alright."
Chen Xun also tried to imitate the old man's technique. And it actually worked! He felt his control over his body's strength was slowly improving.
For the next year, Chen Xun and his black ox worked as blacksmiths daily, with the old man offering guidance and even giving the ox some pointers.
Whether cultivators or mortals, everyone has their own strengths and wisdom, and Chen Xun benefited greatly from this blacksmith shop.
"Old Sun, business at our blacksmith shop is getting better and better!"
Chen Xun laughed, shirtless. Now that the shop was making money, he and his black ox had accumulated some savings, which the latter had hidden in the dirt in the backyard.
The old man's name was Sun Kaile. He had once had a son, but the son had died tragically while searching for immortality in the Ningyun Mountains. He had lived alone all these years.
"Hehe, very good."
Sun Kaile smiled. Since Chen Xun came to the blacksmith shop, he had smiled much more often.
Chen Xun's blacksmithing speed and quality were significantly better than the other blacksmith shops. Word spread quickly, and people frequently came to order custom-made ironware, leaving with satisfied eyes.
"Chen Xun!"
A loud shout echoed through the street, and a burly man led two others, each carrying a long sword.
"Brother Zhang's here!"
Chen Xun greeted him with a smile. "What do you want to be made? Make sure Brother Zhang knows."
Brother Zhang's real name was Zhang Jiang, a senior disciple of a martial arts sect. He was known for his generosity and frequently visited the blacksmith's shop, even inviting his fellow disciples to come.
Zhang Jiang stepped forward and shouted, "One hundred large swords, take it!"
A big order! Chen Xun's eyes lit up, his hands still busy forging. "Sure, when do you need them, Brother Zhang?"
"Within two months. If it's finished in a month, I'll give you extra money," Zhang Jiang grinned.
"No need for extra money, Brother Zhang, you're too kind. I'll arrange everything for you within a month."
Chen Xun gave Zhang Jiang a reproachful look. "We're brothers, after all," he said. "Come pick it up this time next month."
"Great! You see, Brother Chen Xun really knows how to do business."
Zhang Jiang shouted, looking at the two men behind him. They clicked their tongues in agreement; they, the江湖人 (jianghu people), loved Chen Xun's style.
"Brother Chen Xun, don't bring that big black ox behind you to eat. Such intelligent old oxen are rare these days."
"It's a family heirloom, I can't eat it." Chen Xun quickly waved his hand.
"Alright, I'll be going now. If anyone dares to cause trouble at the blacksmith shop, let Brother Zhang know."
Zhang Jiang laughed, looking at the big black ox behind him. "Black ox, goodbye, see your Brother Zhang off."
"Moo!" The big black ox turned its head and actually bellowed.
"Hahaha..."
Zhang Jiang led the two away, and behind them came Chen Xun's farewell voice. He raised one hand and waved, his figure disappearing into the street.