Drafts being written RN

"Sir, I really can't repair your magic weapon. There's nothing more I can do."

Qin Sang sat in the shop, sipping tea as he waited. After a long time, the shopkeeper emerged from the inner room with the Chilong Sword in hand. He looked helpless, his gaze lingering on the Chilong Sword, as if reluctant to admit defeat.

Qin Sang was not surprised by this outcome.

During this period, he had sought the help of several weapon refiners. One was even said to be a master sent by the Xuling Sect, renowned for their expertise in weapon crafting. However, without exception, the results were the same.

"Do you know where I can find a weapon refiner capable of repairing the Chilong Sword?" Qin Sang asked.

The ebony sword took too long to prepare and could only be used as a trump card. On ordinary days, he needed a reliable magic weapon for self-defense. While the Bibo Sword was functional, it was far inferior to the Chilong Sword.

Qin Sang had entered the Xiuxian Market to find the Song family and simultaneously look for someone to repair the Chilong Sword. Yet, to his frustration, the answer was always the same: it couldn't be repaired.

The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed. "If I may be frank, sir, the refining method of your Chilong Sword is extremely unique. The restrictions on it are mysterious and difficult to decipher. This isn't something an ordinary refiner can handle. Whoever crafted this sword must have been a true master. Despite my efforts, I couldn't even determine the material of this sword. Unless you can find a senior cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage who is proficient in restrictions and weapon crafting, there may be no hope of repair. But even then, the cost..."

Qin Sang understood. Even if he found the kind of master the shopkeeper described, the cost of repairing the Chilong Sword would likely exceed the price of a new top-grade magic weapon.

"Thank you," Qin Sang replied.

He reached out to retrieve the Chilong Sword, but the shopkeeper hesitated, still reluctant to let it go. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "To be honest, if your magic weapon isn't repaired, it won't last much longer. After another use or two, it will be completely destroyed. What a waste! If you're willing, I'd like to purchase it. I'll pay the price of a top-grade magic weapon. What do you think?"

Qin Sang shook his head without much thought and declined.

Several weapon refiners had expressed interest in buying the Chilong Sword, and this shopkeeper seemed the most sincere. However, Qin Sang wasn't short of spirit stones, and he couldn't bear the thought of the Chilong Sword falling into someone else's hands.

Noticing the shopkeeper's lingering gaze on the Chilong Sword, Qin Sang decided to build rapport. He handed the sword back to the shopkeeper, and the two sat down to chat over tea.

As their conversation flowed, Qin Sang casually brought up the mansion across the street. "Friend Wu, I recall that the house opposite used to be the Song Mansion when I visited Wenyuefang Market a few years ago. How did it become the Li Mansion? Did they sell their ancestral home?"

"Ah, that was at least eight years ago," the shopkeeper replied, glancing disdainfully at the Li Mansion. "It's a common story—eating up the family fortune and squandering the inheritance. Mortals and cultivators alike fall prey to it."

Seeing Qin Sang's interest, the shopkeeper elaborated.

"The Song family was once prosperous but declined as their numbers dwindled. Their ancestral home is impressive, much better than what most independent cultivators have. The old head of the Song family and I were acquainted, but it's their family affairs, and I couldn't interfere even if I disliked what was happening.

"The Song couple died young, leaving behind two children—a boy and a girl. The boy, Song Hua, had decent talent and reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage in his teens. The girl, Song Ying, lacked spiritual roots and was an ordinary mortal.

"Fate is unpredictable. Over a decade ago, Song Hua went out traveling alone and never returned. The poor girl was left to fend for herself. A mortal guarding such a fine house naturally attracted covetous eyes.

"After five years with no news from Song Hua, everyone assumed he was dead. Their aunt, who had married into the Li family, took Song Ying under her wing in the name of familial duty. At first, she treated her well. But eventually, her true intentions came to light. She forced Song Ying to marry a sickly man at just fifteen. Soon after, the Song Mansion was renamed the Li Mansion. 

"As for Song Ying, her husband died shortly after the marriage, and her in-laws cast her out. With no family to rely on, she's had a tough life."

...

Qin Sang left the shop and went to the Wenyue Market administrator to pay a sum of spirit stones, renting a small house to live in while he cultivated and continued his inquiries.

Wenyue Market was large, but finding a mortal wasn't difficult.

In a few days, Qin Sang located Song Ying and learned of her struggles. There was no news that any member of the Li family had joined Shaohua Mountain.

Half a year after Song Hua disappeared, their aunt took Song Ying to the Li family, initially treating her kindly. But as time passed, and with no news from Song Hua, their patience wore thin.

The Li family, opportunistic as ever, married Song Ying to a terminally ill young man from a connected family, hoping to bring good fortune. When the man died three days after the wedding, Song Ying was branded as a bad omen and driven out.

To survive in the Wenyuefang Market, she lived a reclusive life, doing odd jobs and wearing a veil to avoid unwelcome attention.

...

One evening, Song Ying returned to her small courtyard with a basket of food and wine. Inside, an elderly man greeted her, leaning on a cane.

"Uncle Zhou, it's cold tonight. I bought some wine to warm you up," she said, offering him a gentle smile.

The old man grasped her hand, tears in his eyes. "Miss, you've suffered so much. I failed you and your family. I can never face the old master or young master again..."

Song Ying comforted him, though her own heart ached. After helping him settle, she sat alone in her modest home, gazing at the empty walls.

"Brother," she murmured softly, "where are you?"

...

From a distance, Qin Sang watched Song Ying's courtyard, deep in thought.

The Song family's ancestral tomb was said to hold the sword intent and inheritance of their forebears, but it was likely protected by a bloodline restriction. Helping Song Ying reclaim her ancestral home might be his best chance at unlocking its secrets.

However, the Li family was no ordinary opponent. Two of their members were cultivators at or above the tenth level of the Qi Refining Stage. At his current strength, Qin Sang wasn't ready to challenge them.

Just then, a drunken young man sauntered down the street, his gaze fixed lecherously on Song Ying's courtyard. Though he looked like a common thug, the faint spiritual energy emanating from him revealed his status as a second-level Qi Refining cultivator.

"Bang! Bang!"

The courtyard door was suddenly knocked. The master and servant were having dinner, and their faces tensed.

Zhou Bo stood up abruptly, furious. "That scoundrel is here again! I'm going to fight him this time!"

Song Ying quickly held him back. "Zhou Bo, don't be rash. Just let him speak a few words. In the market, he wouldn't dare to truly harm us mortals. Keep the gong close. If he tries anything, let him suffer the consequences."

Zhou Bo beat his chest and stamped his feet. "But, Miss, your life is being ruined because of this!"

Song Ying put on her veil. She knew it wouldn't truly shield her from a cultivator's eyes, but she had always maintained a modest and reserved demeanor. Despite her caution, her beauty had been exposed to a cultivator who now harassed her regularly.

Thankfully, the strict rules of Shaohua Mountain and Song Ying's modest background meant he didn't dare to escalate his behavior. Yet, Song Ying knew this couldn't continue. The imbalance between immortals and mortals left her powerless, so she had endured his advances quietly to avoid provoking him further.

"Squeak."

Song Ying opened the door, surprised to find the man standing there with an unexpectedly serious demeanor.

Although he still reeked of alcohol, his eyes lacked their usual lewdness, and he refrained from any indecent remarks. Instead, he bowed respectfully and spoke: "Miss Song, I was blind before. Please forgive me and give me a chance to reform. I swear never to appear before you again. If I do, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!"

Song Ying was stunned. She couldn't understand why this unruly man had suddenly undergone such a transformation.

The man swore solemnly, then turned aside and bowed again. Smiling nervously, he asked, "Senior, is this acceptable?"

From the shadows, Qin Sang stepped forward and said in a cold voice, "Leave. If I see you again, I'll flay you alive."

"Yes, yes, I'll leave immediately!" The man scampered off, not daring to look back.

Qin Sang turned to Song Ying, who looked confused and anxious. He asked kindly, "Miss, are you Song Ying?"

Song Ying clutched the door tightly and replied, "I am Song Ying. Thank you for driving away that scoundrel. I am deeply grateful."

Her gratitude was tinged with fear. The man who had frightened the scoundrel could easily have ill intentions of his own. She had no means to resist him if that were the case.

Noticing her whitened fingers gripping the door, Qin Sang offered a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid, Miss Song. I bear you no ill will. Song Hua is my benefactor, and I came here specifically to find you."

"Song Hua? My brother?" Song Ying exclaimed, her fear momentarily forgotten. She stepped forward anxiously. "Immortal, is my brother still alive? Where is he now?"

Qin Sang glanced around. "Miss Song, may we speak inside?"

The three sat opposite each other.

As the elderly Zhou Bo embraced Song Ying, both weeping, Qin Sang sighed inwardly. He had no need to hide the truth, as he didn't know much about Song Hua beyond their brief encounter.

Reaching into his robe, Qin Sang retrieved a colorful brocade bag and placed it on the table. "This is Song Hua's mustard seed bag. I was rescued by him and narrowly escaped danger. I swore to return it to the Song family if I had the chance. The bag originally contained eight spirit stones. Since you can't open it, I'll give you these spirit stones separately and can help retrieve the items inside."

He placed twenty spirit stones beside the bag.

Song Hua's mustard seed bag was more advanced than those issued by Kuiyin Sect or Yuanzhao Sect, boasting a larger capacity. However, Qin Sang was not attached to it. He had already memorized its contents and was returning it to its rightful owners.

What surprised Qin Sang was how quickly Song Ying regained her composure after her initial grief. Gazing at the items on the table in silence, she eventually stood and said, "Uncle Zhou, it's late. Let me help you to bed first."

As Song Ying's figure disappeared into the next room, Qin Sang reflected on her resolve and smiled wryly.

"Immortal," Song Ying called upon her return. She sat across from Qin Sang, her expression composed. "I don't know if you've read our family records. My ancestor was once a disciple of Shaohua Mountain. For his contributions, the sect gifted him a Sword Intent Decree. The decree allows any descendant of the Song family to directly join Shaohua Mountain. The decree is currently sealed in my ancestor's tomb."

"Miss Song, you know about the Sword Intent Decree?" Qin Sang asked, intrigued. "What are you suggesting?"

Song Ying nodded. "My brother left in haste and managed to leave me a letter. He revealed this secret and told me to safeguard it. I've waited for his return, but since he's gone… there's no point in keeping this secret. Immortal, if you're willing to accept the Sword Intent Decree, I'll retrieve it for you."

Qin Sang, having sought the decree, appreciated Song Ying's candor. "What do you want in return?" he asked.

Without hesitation, Song Ying replied, "I have two requests. First, please take us away from Wenyuefang Market and settle us in a mortal kingdom where we can live peacefully. Second, if I ever have a child with spiritual roots, I ask that you accept them as a disciple. We'll sign a contract, witnessed by the market's manager."

These requests took Qin Sang by surprise.

He had expected her to ask for help reclaiming the Song family estate. Instead, she sought a way out of the immortal world altogether.

Reading his surprise, Song Ying explained with a bitter smile, "Even if the Song residence is restored, how could we mortals protect it? To immortals, we're no different from livestock. I've decided to live a peaceful life in the mortal world, where I at least have the means to defend myself."

Her pragmatism impressed Qin Sang. After considering for a moment, he agreed solemnly. "Both requests are reasonable. I promise to fulfill them. If your child proves talented and I achieve foundation establishment, I'll guide them to Shaohua Mountain."

Three days later.

Qin Sang escorted Song Ying and her companions to Wenyuefang Market's manager.

Accompanying her was a young man, Song Ying's secret lover, who was now openly committed to her. He cared nothing for her past misfortunes and was willing to leave the immortal world to live by her side.

Under the manager's witness, the group signed a contract. As agreed, the matter of the Sword Intent Decree was never mentioned.