Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 202 Who is the Master?

As Tang Qingyu’s words rang out, many people also turned their gazes toward Xu Ping’an.

He’s too young!

He looks to be only about 25 years old, right?

Such a young Superior Grade Artifact Refiner?

Impossible, right?

"Hmph, I don’t care where you got that token of a Superior Grade Artifact Refiner from, but the honor of our refiners is not something that just anybody can tarnish. Kid, you’ve been strutting around under our name, which is bad enough, but to think you also dared to deceive Qing Yu, it seems you’ve grown tired of living," Zhao Kaishan tore off his pretense, addressing Xu Ping’an.

A flicker of coldness passed through Xu Ping’an’s eyes.

He turned to Tang Qingyu and said, "Miss Tang, it was you who sought me out for artifact refining. If you believe I am not up to the task, you are free to find someone else. Your friend has repeatedly insulted me; what is the meaning of this?"

"Master Qin, I didn’t mean that," Tang Qingyu hurriedly explained.

"Hmph, I think you’re feeling guilty. If you really were a Superior Grade Artifact Refiner, why would you care about such doubts?" Zhao Kaishan was relentless.

In an instant, Xu Ping’an’s gaze turned to Zhao Kaishan, who was immediately frightened and took a step back.

In the moment of their eye contact, he felt an inexplicable fear of death that chilled him to the bone.

But the feeling soon dissipated.

"It must be an illusion. This guy is just a Third Rank in cultivation; why would I be afraid of him?" Zhao Kaishan muttered to himself.

Xu Ping’an no longer looked at Zhao Kaishan but directed his attention to Tang Qingyu instead.

"Miss Tang, I have said what I needed to say. If you wish to have me refine your artifact, please ensure I do not have to see some people I would rather not. If you’ve changed your mind, then please feel free," Xu Ping’an said coldly.

He wasn’t the least bit polite.

After all, he was a Superior Grade Artifact Refiner, and the idea of being doubted by an Intermediate Grade Refiner was simply ludicrous.

"Qing Yu, let’s go. A fraud—later, I’ll have my master craft for you. It might be a bit late, but the quality will be the best," said Zhao Kaishan.

Xu Ping’an remained silent, his eyes still on Tang Qingyu.

She furrowed her brows, seemingly uncertain.

After a moment, her gaze became resolute, "Master Qin, I stand by my decision. Please take care of my weapon."

"Qing Yu, how can you be so foolish? He’s just a swindler," Zhao Kaishan urgently said.

"Brother Zhao, please leave. I’ve decided to have Master Qin do the refining. Thank you for your kindness, but if there are any consequences, I will bear them myself," Tang Qingyu said coldly.

Zhao Kaishan looked like he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he swallowed his words.

"Hmph, I really want to see how you’re going to craft a Superior Grade Spiritual Artifact in five days. Kid, if you can’t do it, I’ll make sure you have a miserable death," Zhao Kaishan said, looking at Xu Ping’an.

Xu Ping’an ignored him and headed straight for the interior of the Refining Alliance.

Zhao Kaishan’s face was cloudy with rage. Was Xu Ping’an truly ignoring him?

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Kaishan followed. He was intent on seeing what skills this surname Qin possessed.

Many people around followed as well, eager to witness the excitement.

Upon entering the Refining Alliance’s main hall, someone immediately came to greet them.

"How may I assist you?" the maid asked with a smile.

"Give me a Heavenly Fire Refining Room," Xu Ping’an demanded coldly.

"I’m sorry, but the Heavenly Fire Refining Rooms are only accessible to Refiner Masters," the maid replied quickly with a smile.

Xu Ping’an took out the Superior Grade Artifact Refiner token without hesitation.

The maid was momentarily stunned, then looked at Xu Ping’an with surprise, quickly saying, "Please wait a moment, I will confirm this for you."

Xu Ping’an nodded.

"That token can’t be fake, can it?" Zhao Kaishan chuckled from the side.

There was also a buzz of discussion among the people around, with many evidently skeptical about the authenticity of Xu Ping’an’s token.

Soon, the maid returned, accompanied by an elderly man.

The elder exuded an aura of ethereal wisdom, appearing extremely extraordinary.

"A Seventh Rank?" Xu Ping’an’s face showed a slight change.

The old man was a Seventh Rank Expert, and a very strong one among them.

Indeed, the imperial capital is worthy of its name; he had not been there long but had already encountered two Seventh Rank Experts.

"Is that him, Master Yan Wu? He actually came out in person?"

"That’s right, it’s Master Yan Wu, the Vice Alliance Hierarch of the Refining Alliance, the second-ranked refiner in the entire empire and the one most likely to become the second Immortal Instrument Master. Even Eighth Rank Strongmen treat him with immense respect; his status is extremely high."

"It’s said that Master Yan Wu can now craft Semi-Immortal Artifacts, and he’s not far from becoming an Immortal Instrument Master himself."

"What does Master Yan Wu want by coming out here? Does it mean that this guy’s token is fake, and the Refining Alliance has come to hold him accountable?"

"It’s very likely, the Refining Alliance values its reputation above all. Once someone pretended to be a junior Artifact Refiner and was discovered by the Refining Alliance. They executed him on the spot. If this guy is impersonating a Superior Grade Refiner, I don’t dare imagine the consequences."

The people around kept discussing non-stop.

Zhao Kaishan, however, displayed a self-satisfied smile.

This guy is dead meat!

To dare impersonate a Superior Grade Refiner, and now with Master Yan Wu himself stepping in, I want to see how he can get out of this one.

Xu Ping’an was sizing up the elder, so this is the Master Yan Wu?

The soul power is indeed strong, stronger than any ordinary Seventh Rank Peak Expert, truly an Artifact Refiner.

"Master Yan Wu, this man has impersonated a Superior Grade Refiner and falsified a Superior Grade Refiner’s Token. I plead with Master Yan Wu to punish him severely," Zhao Kaishan hastily stepped forward and said.

A chill flashed in Xu Ping’an’s eyes instantly.

Zhao Kaishan is courting death.

The people around looked at Xu Ping’an with eyes full of pity.

Who else to offend if not Zhao Kaishan, he’s widely known as a scoundrel.

"Humph, Zhao Kaishan, what do you mean by this? How dare you slander my master?"

However, just at that moment, an extremely cold voice rang out.

Then, a stunning woman in a crimson red dress walked out from the crowd.

Xu Ping’an was startled, he hadn’t expected her to be here?

And how did she recognize him?

He had changed his appearance and aura.

But soon Xu Ping’an smiled, that’s right, it was because of that token.

The Superior Grade Refiner’s Tokens are not numerous, naturally one could trace its origin, and the Tianlong County branch of the Refining Alliance had only issued one such token.

So, without doubt, one would know Xu Ping’an’s true identity.

Indeed, the person who had arrived was Xu Ping’an’s quasi-disciple, Song Lingxue.

As Song Lingxue stepped out, everyone showed their surprise.

"Is it her? Song Lingxue?"

"Yes, it’s her. She’s now the treasure of the Refining Alliance. Just a few days ago, she passed the Intermediate Grade Artifact Refiner’s assessment, and she’s only twenty years old now. A twenty-year-old Intermediate Grade Artifact Refiner, even younger than Zhao Kaishan."

"Really?"

"Of course it’s true. They say Master Yan Wu personally assessed her and gave her a very high evaluation, saying Song Lingxue’s Intermediate Grade Refinement is almost approaching the level of High Grade Artifact."

"Not only that, it’s said Master Yan Wu wants to take her as his Closed-door Disciple."

"That’s incredible, she truly is a Refining genius."

One by one, they were astounded. And as for the master Song Lingxue referred to, they assumed it was Master Yan Wu.

"What do you mean by that, Song Lingxue? When did I ever question Master Yan Wu? I was talking about this swindler," Zhao Kaishan said coldly.

He knew Song Lingxue too. Though he was resentful toward her, he had to admit that Song Lingxue’s talent for Artifact Refining was higher than his.

So when he saw Song Lingxue, he instinctively felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Zhao Kaishan, if you dare to slander my master again, I won’t let you off," Song Lingxue was indeed relentless.

"What are you trying to say, Song Lingxue?" Zhao Kaishan looked frustrated.

What’s gotten into Song Lingxue?

When did I ever speak ill of Master Yan Wu?

The others were also puzzled.

"Ahem, I am not Lingxue’s master, although I wished to take her as my disciple, she refused me," said Master Yan Wu in that moment.

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Then who was the master mentioned by Song Lingxue?

Could it be...

Zhao Kaishan was also taken aback, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

"Humph, how could this old man be worthy of being my master? My master is this man. Master, I knew you hadn’t lied to me, you really did come to the Imperial Capital," Song Lingxue said excitedly, hugging Xu Ping’an’s arm.

The people around were as stunned as if struck by thunder.

It really was him.