Derek then turned his gaze back to the shopkeeper.
"Unless someone brings shame to the shop’s name after buying a sword from here, there shouldn’t be any problem, right?" he asked calmly.
The shopkeeper frowned slightly but replied, "No, there isn’t."
"Then there shouldn’t be a problem even if I’m a cultivator," Derek said, his tone steady. "As long as I don’t bring any disgrace to Sword’s Heaven’s name after buying a sword... right?"
"Huh!" The shopkeeper let out a sharp snort, his face twisting with disdain. "A cultivator with a sword? What else could you possibly do other than bring shame to it?"
Derek didn’t flinch. "Alright, I get it, you don’t believe me. And that’s understandable." He paused for a moment, then continued steadily, "How about this? I’ll speak to just one blacksmith. If I fail to convince him, I’ll leave without another word. But before that, I’ll pay for a sword at one of the highest prices you have. But if I succeed, I’ll buy a sword from that particular blacksmith properly. Either way, you won’t lose a thing. And if I fail, you get to keep the money. How does that sound?"
It was less of a plea and more of a challenge, a bet wrapped in calm confidence.
’It’s normal for him to react this way,’ Derek thought silently. ’After all, who would believe a cultivator could wield a sword? Even I would’ve doubted myself not too long ago. But as far as I remember... he’ll take the bait. He always loved the idea of easy money.’
"Derek, are you sure about this?" Arthur asked, pulling him slightly to the side. "I have full confidence in you, but most of the blacksmiths here are ridiculously arrogant. The moment they find out you’re a cultivator, they won’t even bother to test your potential," he said thoughtfully. As an Auran himself, Arthur had more experience dealing with such people... or at least, that’s what he believed.
"I’m confident, brother," Derek replied with a reassuring smile. "I know I’m putting a lot of money on the line, and if I can’t convince him, it’ll be a huge loss. But I’m certain I can make a blacksmith see my worth."
Arthur hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I... is that so? Alright then. Let’s see what happens." He finally nodded, deciding to trust Derek’s judgment. He didn’t know why, but he felt like he could trust what Derek was saying.
Meanwhile, Martha and Daisy, standing near the counter, exchanged uneasy glances. Money wasn’t a major issue right now, but they didn’t have the luxury to throw it away either. Still, neither of them wanted to discourage Derek, especially not after everything he had accomplished in the test. His growth had earned their confidence, but even so, what he was attempting now felt a little too reckless. Content orıginally comes from 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥
The other customers in the shop were whispering similar thoughts. "He’s letting that test get to his head. Does he really think he can do anything? Being talented is one thing, but trying to wield a sword as a cultivator? That’s nothing but daydreaming."
The shopkeeper, on the other hand, was grinning inwardly. The moment Derek mentioned a bet, his eyes had gleamed with greed. But when Arthur pulled Derek aside to talk privately, the man’s face fell, thinking his chance at easy money had just slipped away.
But the gleam in the shopkeeper’s eyes quickly returned when Derek and Arthur came back.
"So," Derek said firmly, "are you okay with this or not?"
The man raised a brow, feigning hesitation. "Hmm? Are you sure you want to go in and try your luck under these conditions? You realize that when you fail, I won’t be merciful. I’ll take the money without hesitation. You understand that, right?"
"Yes," Derek replied without even a hint of doubt. "I’m sure."
"Alright then." The shopkeeper’s grin widened as he turned to the others. "Everyone here heard it clearly, right? These people will pay me for a sword even if they don’t take it if he fails to convince a blacksmith."
His loud voice echoed across the room, making sure everyone present heard it clearly.
Several people answered, some nodding, others watching with pity. To them, Derek was just a foolish kid throwing away money his family couldn’t afford to lose.
"Good," the shopkeeper said, rubbing his hands together. He had done it so that he could use them as witnesses later on if required. "Then follow me to the underground." He gestured toward a door in the left corner of the room and began walking.
Derek glanced back at his family. "Mother, brother, sister, wait for me here. I’ll be back soon."
With that, he turned and followed the man.
"Shouldn’t we go with him?" Martha asked anxiously.
"No, Mother," Arthur said gently. "Only the person who wishes to buy a sword is allowed inside."
"But what if they do something bad?" Daisy added, her tone sharp with concern. "What if Derek succeeds but they deny it?"
Arthur shook his head. "Don’t worry, sister. They may be unreasonable and arrogant, but they’re not scammers. They take their reputation seriously. Cheating a customer is the least of our concerns."
"Oh..." Daisy murmured, though the worry in her eyes didn’t fade completely.
Meanwhile, Derek followed the shopkeeper into the side room. When the door opened, a narrow staircase descending underground came into view. Without hesitation, Derek stepped in.
They walked down the stairs, and soon the space opened up into a vast, cavern-like hall beneath the building. The air was thick with the scent of metal and heat.
Anyone else would’ve been stunned by the sight, but Derek’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He had seen this place before.
The shopkeeper, who had been expecting the boy’s jaw to drop in awe, blinked in surprise. The calm on Derek’s face unsettled him just a little. But he soon recovered.
"Now, let’s go meet a few blacksmiths so you can choose whom you want to show what you have got," the shopkeeper said as he began walking forward.
But Derek’s calm voice stopped him in his tracks.
"That won’t be necessary," Derek said evenly. "I already know who I want to talk to."