No.
What about quenching?
And the lacquer?
It was supposed to take three months.
How did it get done in just half a month?
And am I really supposed to handle something that just came out of the furnace as a mere low-level martial artist?
Liang Qu was completely confused.
He had no idea why the long spear, initially said to take three months to craft, was done in just half a month.
He probed cautiously, "Senior Brother, did you perhaps forget something?"
Lu Gang paused, glanced at the spear, and then seemed to realize something.
"Indeed."
Liang Qu felt relieved, knowing his suspicions were right.
He then saw Lu Gang fetch a red tassel from the table and attach it to the spearhead before handing it over again.
"Now it's complete. Technically, this isn't exactly a spear since the head is too long. It should be more like a lance. But there's no strict distinction between the two, and the tassel adds a nice touch that can stop blood."
"That's not the issue."
Liang Qu sighed and straightforwardly asked, "Senior Brother Lu, didn't you previously say it would take two more months to apply the lacquer? What kind of lacquer were you talking about?"
"That was the ordinary crafting method. Originally, I didn't plan to make a spirit weapon, so I hadn't thought about using shadow beast hide. When coated with shadow beast hide, there's no need for regular lacquer. The two meld perfectly together, like bark growing onto a tree, so it's all set."
"And what about quenching? Is that unnecessary too?"
"Spirit weapons don't require quenching. They can self-repair and adjust their durability, hardness, and even balance."
Lu Gang grasped the spear, spun it around with a flourish.
"This spear of yours is full of spirit, practically flawless with a tungsten steel spearhead, ivory whitewood shaft, Scarlet Fire Plume Spirit, and shadow beast hide as lacquer. It's the finest weapon I've ever crafted. Holding it feels like a living entity resides within."
Hearing this, Liang Qu could only marvel at the wonder of the world.
For this spear, Senior Brother Lu must have invested a lot of his own materials.
The favor he owed was immense!
There are many precious metals in the Marshlands of Jianghuai.
Senior Brother Lu might like them—perhaps Ah Fei and the others could search for some in the future.
He reached out with both hands to take the large spear seriously.
Lu Gang released his grip, and Liang Qu's arms slightly sagged.
So heavy!
It must weigh nearly a hundred pounds!
Ordinary spears would be about two to five pounds, and only some might would use thirty-pound spears.
Legends say Guan Er Ye's weapon weighed eighty pounds, but by today's calculations, it was actually about thirty pounds.
This spear was heavier than those wielded by the great generals of old!
Staring at the long spear before him, Liang Qu felt a mysterious resonance.
The spearhead was a full twelve inches long!
The blade length of a standard one-handed sword is just twenty-one or two inches.
This spearhead was almost like half a sword!
Its form was distinctive.
One could call it either a spear or a lance since there was never a serious definition of them.
Soft shafts, hard shafts, spearheads—they were all later distinctions, and all could be countered by ancient texts.
Under the midday sun, the faint dark gold luster shimmered on the spear blade.
Coiled around the spear neck was a dragon tiger, its body like flowing clouds, claws gripping the shaft, its mouth biting the blade.
Those tiger eyes almost seemed to gleam with cold light.
This craftsmanship was beyond human ability, achievable only with shadow beast hide.
Liang Qu took a deep breath, gently stroking the spear shaft.
The ivory whitewood was supposed to be delicate and milky, but with the beast hide overlay, it turned a dark purple akin to sandalwood, with a feel much like solid rubber, unlikely to slip from his hand.
"The entire spear is seven and a half feet long. The spearhead is strictly twelve inches. Including the extended metal part, it's two feet six, weighing about ninety-six pounds. Given your current strength, it might seem long and heavy, but not unusable."
All the materials were handled by Lu Gang, who knew their precise measurements without a scale.
The weight and length were in consideration of Liang Qu's growth.
Liang Qu nodded.
Close to a hundred pounds wasn't too heavy for him, not tiring, but for a weapon, it was entirely different.
A typical adult managing a two-pound one-handed sword might be incredibly skilled.
Luckily, spears don't rely heavily on arm strength.
A balanced spear felt like an extension of one's body.
As a martial artist, the Marsh Spirit's enhancement made Liang Qu stronger than the average warrior.
With the Bow Force Technique's aid, he could barely wield it.
"My backyard has some wood stakes. Want to give it a try?" "Sure!"
When Liang Qu was young, he was already causing havoc with just a stick.
Now, possessing such a divine weapon, he happily agreed.
In the backyard, several stout wooden stakes bound with straw stood, with many broken pieces nearby, evidently a testing ground for weapons.
Liang Qu took a deep breath, channeled his strength, and swung the two and a half meters long spear at the wood stake.
Chop, strike, intercept, block, lift, swirl, lead, thrust, smash, stab, lift—this spear's design posed no problems for any move.
Half a stake fell to the ground with a dull thud.
What power!
Liang Qu almost cursed in shock.
He felt no resistance as he swung down, as if cutting through air!
Amazing, Senior Brother Lu, my hero!
One swing, and it could easily cleave someone in half!
If he had this spear when facing the mountain spirit yesterday, even without hitting its weak spot, a mere chop might've severed its head!
In the future blood sacrifice, he would lead the charge!
Lu Gang, unaware of Liang Qu's thoughts, silently retrieved three stakes, bundling them together.
With just his palm, he pressed them into the ground by a third.
"Try it again."
Liang Qu swung the spear again, feeling slight resistance but not enough to stall—three stakes lopped off one third in height.
Lu Gang mysteriously produced a thick iron rod and set it in the ground.
"Try it again."
"This," Liang Qu felt a pang of concern.
"Nothing to worry about. A spirit weapon with material can self-heal. Go for it!"
Liang Qu reconfirmed his thoughts—his mindset still hadn't adapted.
He swung the large spear, slicing down at the iron rod.
This time he didn't completely cleave it, severing only two-thirds.
He applied a bit of force, and the rod snapped.
Checking the spearhead, it was untouched.
If chopping was so powerful, what of a thrust?
The Crab Monster's steel-like shell would likely be pierced right through!
With this outcome, both Liang Qu and Lu Gang were very satisfied.
One with his weapon, the other with his creation.
Returning inside, Lu Gang provided a long wooden box for the spear and a small leather box.
Inside the smaller box were a small piece of tungsten steel, a sliver of ivory whitewood, a vial of golden oil, and a piece of smooth silk.
"The shadow beast hide, upon absorbing blood, self-repairs. For the other parts, you'll need matching materials for repair. I've included two. Also, after every battle, always use the sword oil to upkeep and shine it, to prevent tarnish—all provided inside."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lu! I come from a poor background so repaying such a debt is difficult. If you ever have tasks for me, don't hesitate!"
Liang Qu knew his Crimson Mourning Feather had cost Senior Brother Lu heavily.
Many expensive materials were added solely to enhance the spirit weapon, thrice or four times the material costs.
But receiving such a gift, he could only accept his debt.
Lu Gang chuckled, doubting Liang Qu could readily help him but didn't refuse.
"Alright, if I need you, I'll not be shy."
Liang Qu bowed deeply, carefully tucked the treasures in the wooden box, and left holding both boxes.
"Good, after busying half a month, I can finally take a break. You go on."
(End of Chapter)