8 The Weight Of A Knife

The merchant's eyes hardened, and he instantly dropped the false cheer he'd portrayed. This was the face of a man who had lost the two loves of his life mere hours before.

"... Can you do this?"

He looked skeptical. Ding Wei, it must be emphasized, had a very slim figure and seemed to lack any muscle, so it was understandable for the merchant to be uncertain.

"I am in the Inner Opening Level and much stronger than I look. Just Fatty Wan and I were enough to flip your caravan back upright."

That was true and sounded quite impressive. Wei was sure Jin wouldn't mind being left out since he had done nothing more than cheer them on.

Chen Shang nodded. He didn't seem convinced, but a terrifying glint of hatred entered his eye. "If you bring me their heads, I will happily give you all my possessions."

Ding Wei shook his head. "No, no. I don't need all that. I just want some information on cultivation. I don't have a teacher, and there is much I want to know."

"I don't know much, but I'll gladly tell you everything."

"That's enough. Thank you."

"When will you leave?" Chen Shang asked.

"Tonight. I don't know where they're located, so the sooner I move, the more likely I am to find them."

The merchant nodded. "That's wise. I wish I could do more to help, but I was too weak to even save my own family..."

Wei soothed the merchant's nerves and sent him on his way, recommending he take a walk around the village.

Once the three friends were alone again, Fatty Wan addressed him.

"Wei, are you sure you want to do this?"

Directly calling someone by their first name could be considered an insult and was usually only reserved for the closest of friends. Fatty Wan rejected that notion and seemed to call anyone he liked by their first name, almost as soon as they met. It was actually quite endearing, Ding Wei thought.

"Of course. This is my village too, and I won't allow anyone to harm it so casually."

Despite the past five years of pain and betrayal, this village held many precious memories for him. And even with all the troubles, there were still bits of light.

Granny Wu, Liu Yan, Fatty Wan, and Han Jin... Even if it were just to protect them, Wei would do this much.

"Okay. Since it may take you a few days to find them, I'll make sure you have everything you need."

The three headed for Wan's residence. It was a two-story building that served as both a blacksmith shop and a home. The bottom half was a forge, filled with the smells of flame and metal. It was perpetually open, with a wall knocked out on two sides to cool the smith and provide easy access to the villagers. The top floor was a cozy, cramped little home.

Wei and Jin waited outside until Wan bounded down the stairs, holding a large bag.

"Dried food, a pan, flint, and spices. There's also a tent. Everything you'd need to camp outside for a few nights." He said, handing it over.

"Where did you get all this so quickly?"

Fatty Wan shrugged. "My elder brother argues with my dad a lot. Usually, he decides to camp in the forest a few nights out of the month when it gets bad enough."

"Won't he be upset?"

"Eh, he'll get over it. Besides, he had a crush on your mother when he was growing up, so if I tell him you borrowed it, he might even be happy."

Wei grimaced. That... He really didn't need to know that.

"Also... I have this!"

A knife, with a handle carved out of bone engraved with delicate floral patterns, was handed over.

"I'm only allowed to make knives for now, so it's the best I could do…"

"It's great!"

"It's... Amateurish at best. The quench could have been better, and the balance is off. But it's the best I've made so far."

Wei inspected the knife again but could see none of the imperfections listed. In fact, the more he stared at it, the more impressed he became.

It was a truly beautiful weapon. It looked like an art piece and fit his hand comfortably.

"It's perfect, Wan. Thank you."

"It's I who should be thanking you. This is my village too, and I want these bandits gone as much as you."

This seemed too much for Jin, who erupted, sounding confused and upset.

"You're handing him a knife and congratulating him for wanting to murder people!"

Han Jin had been very quiet ever since their conversation with the merchant, which was very out of place for the chatty blonde.

Fatty Wan frowned. "Jin, what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about this! All of this! Brother Wei deciding to- to hunt those bandits all of a sudden, and you going along with it!"

Wei's eyes turned cold. "This world will be a better place without those bandits in it."

"A-are you listening to yourself? Y-you guys, you're talking about k-killing people!" Jin was hysterical, waving his hands madly.

Wei scoffed. "I will never apologize for wanting to kill murderers who would attack innocent women and children. If you have no trouble slaughtering innocent animals for food, then there should be no problem with me killing beasts like these."

Fatty Wan clasped Jin's shoulder firmly. "Jin, we both have idolized cultivators for so long. The reality of cultivation is brutal and bloody. But here we have a cultivator who is willing to stain his hands for the good of the village. And he is our friend besides. Shouldn't we be supportive?"

Jin shrugged his hand off. "I know that! I know... And I don't hold any love for those bandits... But…"

"Then there should be no problem then." Ding Wei turned, adjusting the strap of his bag. His fists were bunched, and his jaw clenched.

"Brother Wei... Be safe…" Jin called. His hands were shaking, and his eyes moist, but he seemed earnest.

Wei's heart softened. He had been upset, thinking that his new friend had thought poorly of him, but it wasn't Jin's fault. Some people were so kind that they couldn't face the cruelty of this world. When faced with things like death and suffering, they didn't know how to process it and lost their grip on sanity.

He didn't turn around, but a smile grew on his face. "I'll be back by tomorrow night. I promised Wan that I'd go with you guys to that dance, after all."