Chu Family Lane

Judging from the way every household here is arranged, this should be one of the settlements of the Chu family members.

After all, only they could afford to burn such expensive incense outside, but not use it themselves.

But this method wasn't without its advantages. He had only passed a few courtyard gates when several rather intelligent black swallows landed on the walls.

From all directions, countless pairs of eyes, no bigger than mung beans and as black as ink, stared intently at him.

He took a step forward, and just as he approached the gate of Chu Liutang's courtyard, he heard the swallows chirping loudly.

Within a few breaths, Chen Lu felt himself being locked onto by several killing intents, making him feel that if he made any further moves, something bad would happen.

In an instant, the atmosphere froze.

Fortunately, Chu Liutang didn't go out for a while. Soon, the courtyard gate opened, and he waved his hand apologetically.

"This is my junior brother! He's an alchemist. It's his first time here, so he's unfamiliar with the rules. Please forgive him."

As soon as he finished speaking, the murderous intent vanished completely, as if it had never existed.

Chu Liutang invited him into the courtyard, then placed some spiritual food outside the gate before closing it.

After everyone left, the scattered swallows took turns landing and sharing the spiritual food.

"Junior Brother Chen, I forgot to tell you before, everyone in this alley is a member of my Chu family under the age of 100."

Outsiders must be escorted by a member of the Chu family to enter; otherwise, they may be mistaken for intruders.

"Why are we following the same rules as the clan?" Chen Lu was annoyed by these rules and subconsciously complained.

Chu Liutang gave an awkward smile.

"The Chu family lived here before they became wealthy. Although they moved away later, this place is still very important, and outsiders naturally cannot enter at will."

"What about those black swallows? Did they live here before the Chu family became wealthy?" Chen Lu glanced at the few black swallows on the eaves, tilting their heads to look at him.

"No, that's not it. So many years have passed, the flocks of birds have long since dispersed."

Those were hired by the family to guard the alley. After all, spirit beasts have a far stronger sense of danger than cultivators, and with them helping to watch over the area, it saves the trouble of having someone keep watch in the alley.

After Chu Liutang finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the swallows scattered. Then he invited Chen Lu into the house.

The interior was very simply furnished, with only a reception table and a quiet room, nothing else.

"By the way, Junior Brother Chen, according to the dates, shouldn't you have just set off from Fenglinfang today?" Chu Liutang asked with some curiosity.

After Chen Lu recounted the events, Chu Liutang indeed looked extremely pleased, just as the divination had predicted. He stood up and paced back and forth excitedly.

"Junior Brother Chen, you've finally come to your senses and are willing to work with your senior brother!"

I promise you, your senior brother will absolutely not treat you unfairly! If I have a bite, you'll have a bite too!

"If we two work together, we'll definitely surprise the family in the future, and let them see that I, Chu Liutang, am not a gigolo who marries into the family!"

Chen Lu looked somewhat embarrassed. He had thought it was just a matter of helping each other out, but he hadn't expected Chu Liutang to value him so much. It gave him the feeling that they were a makeshift team that was going to create something brilliant together.

"Then... Senior Brother Chu, I'll have to ask you to take care of the matter of observing at the weapon-refining workshop. If there's anything I can do to help in the future, I won't hesitate to do so."

Upon hearing the words "weapon refining," Chu Liutang stiffened, slowly sat back down in his chair, and remained silent for a long time without uttering a word.

"Junior Brother Chen, why not consider observing alchemy? As the saying goes, all paths lead to the same goal."

That so-called sharp metal sword intent, perhaps it can be comprehended through alchemy.

After he finished speaking, the two fell silent.

The only thing alchemy and weapon crafting have in common is that they both require fire; otherwise, they are completely different.

Everyone here is a pill refiner, and this skill, no matter how you look at it, has absolutely nothing to do with the word "sharp".

Chen Lu's eyes darted around, and he came up with a plan.

He sighed, stood up, and looked somewhat dejected.

"Then let's forget about it, Senior Brother Chu. Red Bamboo Immortal City is so big, there must be weapon-refining workshops that outsiders can observe."

"My master is such a skilled alchemist; he probably knows a few weapon refiners too. With a little effort, it should be possible to succeed."

Seeing this, Chu Liutang felt somewhat anxious.

He had finally managed to bring together a like-minded ally, and had made so many promises beforehand, but he had stumbled at the very first step. How would Junior Brother Chen view him in the future? How would his family view him?

Although the woman was physically imposing, had a fiery temper, and was more masculine than most men, she... she...

Chu Liutang thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what was so appealing about the woman that he could like.

Seeing that Chen Lu was about to leave the house, he panicked and quickly stood up, saying:

"Alright! The weapon-refining workshop it is! Such a small matter is nothing to me, Chu Liutang!"

Chen Lu turned around, his face showing some difficulty, and said:

"I know that Senior Brother Chu has his reasons, but I don't want to delay Senior Brother Chu's important life event because of my own little matter!"

I'll go find my master; perhaps he has a solution.

"No...no need!"

Chu Liutang felt a little guilty, but what was a little sacrifice compared to keeping his first ally?

"Let's not delay, let's go now!"

After saying that, Chu Liutang hurriedly packed his things, changed into a proud outfit, hung a strange-looking little bronze donkey at his waist, held a black iron fan in his hand, and pulled Chen Lu out of the courtyard.

"This Miss Song is extremely kind-hearted; she'll definitely agree to anything I say!"

Chu Liutang was beaming the whole way, talking non-stop about how he was the only one who could have his way in front of her, but listening to him made her feel a little guilty.

Chen Lu nodded in agreement, but his attention was entirely on the small bronze donkey at his waist.

Others wear jade pendants or long swords when they go out, or at the very least, a sachet. Why is he hanging such a strange thing?

Chu Liutang blushed slightly under the stare, concealed the object at his waist, and headed east.

"The south belongs to fire, and there is a natural cycle of fire generating earth, and earth generating metal. As a family of weapon refiners, the Song family believes that the energy of the south is helpful for weapon refining."

"Look, that small hill by the water to the south of the city is one of the Song family's weapon-refining workshops. The young lady from the Song family, with whom I have a past relationship, often resides there."

Chen Lu listened attentively. Some cultivators valued the Five Elements and Yin-Yang highly. For example, the Chu family was skilled in alchemy, so their workshops were located in the east, because the east belonged to wood, and wood represented vitality, which helped in alchemy.

The two rode horses for half a day and arrived at a beautiful mountain forest.

After informing the steward at the foot of the mountain, the two were led up the back of the mountain.

Although it is a weapon-refining workshop, the place is filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, surrounded by bamboo forests, creating a paradise-like atmosphere.

It was completely different from the dilapidated feeling of the alchemy workshop.

Chu Liutang explained:

"These bamboo groves, vegetation, flowers and birds have all been cultivated in recent decades."

"Look at those bamboos, most of them are new bamboo, they all grew from the rhizomes of the old bamboo transplanted from the Chu family's land."