It's alright, Lao Niu. When we have money in the future, I'll buy you a small wooden cow carving."
"Moo~ Moo~"
The big black ox immediately understood and happily bellowed twice.
Today is the end of the year, and objects resembling Kongming lanterns slowly rise into the air along the riverbank, carrying the people's best wishes for the coming year, illuminating the entire city of Panning.
This is a custom in Panning City, and the locals call it the Wishing Lantern.
Chen Xun looked up at the sky, a slight smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.
"Old Niu, are you going to let me go or not? We'll have to pay a hefty price!"
"Moo! Moo!"
The big black bull's eyes gleamed; only a fool wouldn't let it go. It had many desires in its heart.
The riverbank was full of ordinary people, and there might even be cultivators among them. In a corner by the river, Chen Xun bought two wishing lanterns, and the two of them, one person and one ox, avoided the crowded areas.
"Old Niu, what's your wish? Let's write it down; I've heard it's more likely to come true."
Chen Xun held up a piece of charcoal and looked at the big black ox. "You can just hold it in your mouth and write. Didn't I teach you how to write?"
Moo!
The big black ox snatched the black charcoal from the lamp with its mouth, a thoughtful look in its eyes, and began to move on the wishing lantern.
"Hehe, it's not a heifer or anything, is it?"
Chen Xun grinned lewdly, looking at the big black ox's wishing lantern. He thought, "When that happens, it'll be like a little heifer sitting on a wishing lantern, so awesome!"
"Forever what?"
Chen Xun frowned. The big black ox's handwriting was crooked and messy. "Follow... Chen".
He was startled, took a deep look at the big black ox, and slowly released the two prayer lanterns, which gradually disappeared into the thousands of prayer lanterns.
"Moo?" The big black ox nudged Chen Xun.
"If you say your wish out loud, it won't come true, understand?"
Chen Xun said mysteriously, and the big black ox was startled. It believed him again and stopped nudging Chen Xun.
The man and the ox began their nighttime tour of Panning City again. Chen Xun took the opportunity to see what jobs were available in the city, as he was now proficient in all kinds of martial arts.
Having already benefited from the speed bonus, Chen Xun continued to allocate this year's growth points to speed, also adding one point to Da Hei Niu.
The next day, Chen Xun went to a blacksmith shop in the city. He entered with an arrogant and domineering attitude, which startled the shopkeeper, who thought he was there to cause trouble.
"Brother, we don't buy cattle here."
"I am naturally strong, and I feel that your blacksmith shop might be missing something without me."
"What do you mean?"
"Boss, is the blacksmith shop still hiring?"
Chen Xun suddenly broke into a wide smile and showed his arm, saying, "One arm is worth two, and with my family's heirloom black ox helping out, I guarantee your business will be booming!"
Bang!
Chen Xun was kicked out, and the blacksmith shop owner spat, "Do you think I'd accept just anyone of dubious origin?"
Moo!
The big black ox was furious. How dare this boss insult people? It spat back.
Chen Xun quickly stopped the big black ox and said coldly, "If this place doesn't want me, there are plenty of other places that will."
The boss crossed his arms, and several blacksmiths came out from behind him. It looked like he was about to take action if Chen Xun said another word.
Chen Xun silently took the reins, said nothing more, and pulled the big black ox away.
"Tch!" The men scoffed and waved their hands before returning to their blacksmithing.
On the way, the big black ox nudged Chen Xun, telling him not to be angry anymore.
"It's alright. I've inquired and found a blacksmith shop on the next street. I heard business isn't good. Let's try our luck there."
"Moo!" The big black ox nodded.
When Chen Xun arrived at the blacksmith shop, he was shocked. It seemed to be on the verge of closing down. An old man was even sitting in a chair, dozing off.
"Uncle." Chen Xun led the black ox in, and there wasn't a single customer in sight.
"Why."
The old man sped off, his eyes clouded, and asked, "Young man, what would you like to buy?"
"Hehe, I'm naturally strong, is the blacksmith shop still hiring?" Chen Xun laughed.
"Haha... Confess!"
The old man nodded suddenly, "It's because all the blacksmiths in this blacksmith shop have run away, and there's hardly any money left to pay their wages."
"It's alright, boss, just give us a place to stay."
"Okay then."
The old man said happily, "You can stay in the backyard of this blacksmith's shop as you like."
The two hit it off immediately. Chen Xun and Da Hei Niu tidied up their pots and pans, while Da Hei Niu searched for a place to hide the rice.
"This world is just so vast."
Chen Xun remarked with a sigh, "Such a big store, even Big Black Bull can move around freely."
An hour later, he and the big black ox began to work together to forge iron. The blacksmith shop was filled with clanging sounds, making the old man's eyelids twitch. They were really strong.
"Young man, judging by your technique, have you ever worked as a blacksmith before?"
The old man's eyes gleamed, his hands clasped behind his back. "But the technique was a bit rough."
"Of course, sir. To be honest, I have five years of work experience. Whoever hires me will definitely be making a profit."
Chen Xun boasted that he really enjoyed blacksmithing, as it was a way to control power, but he hadn't yet reached the level of finesse required.
"You can't forge iron like that."
The old man shook his head, having wasted too much energy. "Let me show you something."
Wow, what a master! Chen Xun watched the old man's blacksmithing style, which was completely different from the blacksmiths in the village. But in no time, the old man was panting heavily.
"I'm getting old, I'm getting old, young man, come here."
The old man waved his hand and looked at the big black ox. This ox really was intelligent.
Okay.
Chen Xun also learned the old man's method, and it actually worked. It seemed that his control over his body strength was gradually getting stronger.
For the next year, Chen Xun led the big black ox to forge iron every day, while the old man gave him pointers from the side, and also gave the big black ox some pointers.
Whether one is a cultivator or a mortal, everyone has their own strengths and wisdom, and Chen Xun benefited greatly from this blacksmith shop.
"Old Sun, our blacksmith shop's business is getting better and better."
Chen Xun, shirtless, laughed. Now that the shop was starting to make money, he and Da Hei Niu had some savings, which the latter had hidden in the soil in the backyard.
The old man's name was Sun Kaile. He once had a son, but the son died tragically while searching for immortals in the Ningyun Mountains. He had been living alone all these years.
"Hehe, very good."
Sun Kaile smiled and said that he had been smiling more often since Chen Xun came to the blacksmith shop.
Chen Xun's blacksmithing speed and quality were much higher than those of other blacksmith shops. Word spread quickly, and people often came to order ironware, leaving with satisfied looks in their eyes.
"Chen Xun!"
A loud shout came from the street, and a burly man led two people, carrying a long knife.
"Brother Zhang is here."
Chen Xun greeted him with a smile, "Just tell Brother Zhang what you want to build."
Brother Zhang's real name is Zhang Jiang. He is the senior disciple of a martial arts sect. He is a generous man who often visits the blacksmith shop and invites his fellow disciples to come here as well.
Zhang Jiang stepped forward and shouted, "One hundred broadswords, can you take them?"
"A big order!" Chen Xun's eyes lit up as he continued forging: "Take it! When does Brother Zhang need it?"
"If it's completed within one month, I'll pay more," Zhang Jiang grinned.
"Why would you need to add any more 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, aren't we? Come pick it up around this time next month."
"Great job! You see, Brother Chen Xun really knows how to do business."
Zhang Jiang shouted and looked at the two people behind him. The two people behind him also clicked their tongues and nodded. They, as people in the martial arts world, liked Chen Xun's type.
"Brother Chen Xun, don't go and eat that big black ox behind you. These days, it's rare to see such a smart old ox."
"This is a family heirloom, I can't finish it all," 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 and looked at the big black bull behind him. "Black Bull, let's go. I'll see you off, Brother Zhang."
"Moo!" The big black ox turned its head and actually let out a moo.
"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.