Chapter 143: Overwhelming Praise

As time passed, the speed of the moving lights and shadows slowed down. Yet the cheers grew louder and more enthusiastic, the opposite of what happened to the lights and shadows.
The moment Li Jiancheng stopped, panting heavily, the atmosphere reached its peak. Roaring cheers and praises filled the entire hall.
The four legitimate daughters-in-law stood up one after another.
“Father-in-law truly is the bravest warrior under the old general. His spear skills are fierce and domineering; on the battlefield, he has the presence of a man who can hold back thousands of enemies alone.”
“Yes! Even in his sixties, he remains so brave. If he were younger, who knows how even more formidable he could be.”
“Naturally, no one can compare to him. These spear skills are just ordinary ones used in the army. If it were his signature technique, the Hundred Stabs Spear, I wouldn’t believe anyone else could surpass him.”
“I think, with his current strength, there are surely only a few in the army who can defeat him.”
After the four legitimate daughters-in-law, in order of age, praised his unmatched bravery and spear skills, the eldest grandson, concubines, grandchildren… except for the young children who didn’t understand, they all stood up one after another to praise Li Jiancheng, including Li Yunfeng.
Seeing that no one else stood up, Jin Taifu glanced at Lin Dong before rising with a flattering smile. “It’s a great fortune for me to witness such extraordinary spear skills up close. I’m afraid I’ll never forget this in my lifetime.”
“Where’s that? Your Black Dragon Spear also shines brighter because of it.” Looking at the admiring expressions in the hall, Li Jiancheng nodded and stroked his beard. Though he appeared reserved, it was clear he was extremely pleased.
“A divine spear paired with a hero—in the hands of ordinary people, even the best spear is just scrap metal,” Jin Taifu said repeatedly, shaking his head. “Our lord is skilled in governance and capable of bringing peace to the country. Only in his hands can the Black Dragon Spear truly shine.”
This flattery made Li Jiancheng feel extremely comfortable and reminded him of another guest—Shopkeeper Lin.
After Jin Taifu’s evaluation, it was time, according to hierarchy, for Shopkeeper Lin.
Li Jiancheng turned to look at Lin Dong.
Lin Dong smiled back, seemingly having no intention of commenting on these spear skills.
Jin Furong, as if she had found a treasure, hurriedly said, “Does Shopkeeper Lin think Father-in-law’s spear skills aren’t good?”

Lin Dong shook his head, reviewing his thoughts, before replying, “The spear technique is powerful and swift, like the wind and fierce as a tiger. Especially that sweeping strike—perfectly natural, domineering, and sharp enough to astonish heaven and earth. If used against the enemy, it would surely intimidate the entire army. Next is Your Excellency’s twenty-third move, the diagonal spear thrust, whose movements are inscrutable…”
The more they listened, the more astonished they became. Just a few slow spear strikes, yet each one could be analyzed in detail, with clear distinctions between strengths and weaknesses. This Manager Lin was indeed an accomplished person.
Lin Dong continued unabatedly, recounting his impressions of Li Jiancheng’s spear technique before suddenly becoming serious and changing tone, “But…”
Li Jiancheng, who had been listening with great pleasure, felt a sense of tension upon hearing this and pressed, “But what?”
“Well…” Lin Dong hesitated.
Li Jiancheng knew his own strength and understood that most of these praises were exaggerated, but since Lin Dong had analyzed every move, it still sounded pleasing. He asked, “Manager Lin, please speak freely. If there are any flaws in my spear technique, I’m not someone who won’t listen to harsh truth.”
“Your Excellency’s spear technique is flawless,” Lin Dong said slowly, shaking his head as he looked at the Wulong Spear in Li Jiancheng’s hand. “However, I still think that though you remain vigorous, you should adopt a lighter and more agile style. This would not only save energy but also suit your status and refine your temperament—achieving three goals at once.”
Li Jiancheng frowned thoughtfully, stroking his long beard. After a moment, he nodded slowly. “That makes sense. Indeed, it does. It seems I must start practicing lighter weapons from now on.”
Everyone was stunned. Others might not understand, but they knew Li Jiancheng hadn’t truly practiced martial arts in over a decade. They assumed these words were just for show, and Li Jiancheng wouldn’t take them seriously.
But it seemed he was genuinely considering it, ready to start training again.
Jin Furong grew anxious. If Li Jiancheng really did this, wouldn’t the value of the Wulong Spear plummet?
In a flash of inspiration, she hurriedly said, “My lord, among all the light weapons in your collection, there isn’t a single good spiritual weapon. If you really abandon heavy weapons for lighter ones as Manager Lin suggests, you’ll not only lose your existing skills but also struggle to find a suitable weapon. The Wulong Spear is a third-tier spiritual weapon and also your preferred weapon—it would be a shame to replace it.”
“Only by discarding the old can one progress further. As for that Wulong Spear…” Lin Dong said slowly, “It’s just a third-tier spiritual weapon.”

Just another third-tier spiritual artifact! Jin Furong was instantly furious and said unhappily, “Shopkeeper Lin, do you even know what a spiritual artifact is? Surely you’re not telling me you also have a third-tier spiritual artifact?”
“Madam’s ears probably need to be checked by a doctor,” Lin Dong said with a sigh, shaking his head. “I just said that I don’t have a third-tier spiritual artifact.”
Everyone in the room was shocked, even Li Yunfeng felt her heart jolt. If she had said such things, it would at most be considered a dispute between sisters-in-law. But when said by an outsider, it would likely cause dissatisfaction throughout the Li family.
After all, for an outsider to dare mock the young lady of the Li family was no different from slapping everyone in the Li family.
Li Jiancheng’s expression turned cold, and his gaze toward Lin Dong carried a hint of hostility.
But Lin Dong ignored him, turned to Li Yunfeng, and said nonchalantly, “Madam, didn’t you tell me last time that Lord Li’s birthday was approaching and asked me to look around for a suitable gift? When I was young, I liked to travel around, so I knew quite a few blacksmiths. By chance, a blacksmith friend came by to catch up, and since he knew Lord Li liked to collect weapons and armor, he stayed to help me forge a long sword. Since Lord Li wants to rise from destruction, the sooner he starts, the better. What do you think? How about giving it to Lord Li first?”
Li Yunfeng looked confused, but she knew to nod in agreement.
Lin Dong bowed to Li Jiancheng and asked, “I wonder if Lord Li is interested in swords?”
Li Jiancheng frowned slightly, finding it hard to believe Lin Dong’s words. Everyone else also looked puzzled, unable to understand why Lin Dong would say such things.
Just a inn owner—how could he know blacksmiths who could forge spiritual artifacts?
In the Great Han Kingdom, the methods and materials for forging spiritual artifacts were in the hands of the alchemy sects. There were indeed blacksmiths who could forge spiritual artifacts, some with ancestral alchemy techniques, but they were extremely rare, and most of them had been recruited by the Tianwei Pavilion.
Even if this Shopkeeper Lin encountered such a blacksmith, as he said, it was just the blacksmith coming by to catch up and then staying to help forge a sword. That meant the sword was forged while the blacksmith was away.
Could an inn afford the materials to forge a spiritual artifact?
If it was just bluffing, wasn’t he afraid of being exposed? Could it be that this Shopkeeper Lin really didn’t know what a spiritual artifact was, thinking it was just a high-quality weapon? Otherwise, why would he only mention a long sword and not a spiritual sword?
Jin Furong and Jin Taifu immediately burst into laughter, while the other three daughters-in-law glanced at Li Yunfeng meaningfully.
If the shopkeeper was embarrassed, this young sister-in-law would likely be embarrassed too.

Under the gaze of dozens of pairs of eyes, Lin Dong remained calm and composed, not drawing the Qinghong Sword. He was waiting for the right moment to use it to intimidate all of Li Yunfeng’s legitimate daughters-in-law at once. Otherwise, drawing the Qinghong Sword would be meaningless.