Chapter 46: The World’s First Wootz Steel Weapon (1/2)
Wootz steel was different from other steel materials in the sense that one mustn’t use the method of ‘water quenching’ on it. Otherwise, the precious metal would be completely ruined.
The plan to obtain Hyderabad plan had major consequences. Wang Chong couldn’t allow it to fall into the hands of others.
Time slowly passed, and the discussion outside the cavern gradually faded away. Wang Chong sat quietly in the cavern with a tranquil heart.
It would have been impossible for Wang Chong to stay out at night previously. However, after the incident by the border, the entire Wang Clan’s impression of Wang Chong had changed completely.
Even Wang Chong’s mother no longer interfered as strictly in his affairs like she used to do.
“It’s about time!”
Suddenly, Wang Chong felt something and opened his eyes. A brilliant gleam flashed across his eyes. He could sense that it was going to be dawn soon.
Standing up, Wang Chong hurriedly walked forward and arranged all of the pine branches Wei Hao had collected in a circle. Sou! The sound of a flintstone striking one another echoed in the cavern and before long, the branches were lit up.
When the pine branches turned bright-red, Wang Chong grabbed the incomplete pitch-black Wootz steel sword and tongs by the furnace. Using the tongs to grab the sword, he buried it within the bright-red pine branches.
Within the course of an incense’s time, the Wootz steel sword gradually grew bright red and eventually, the corners of the sword were set ablaze.
Wang Chong stared at the flames on the sword tensely. At this moment, every single inch of his concentration was devoted into this.
In the tempering process of the Wootz steel, watching the flames on the sword was an important segment.
The reason why Wang Chong chose dawn was because, at this moment, it was easier to identify the progress of the heating process through the shades of the flame.
The different shades of the flame reflected the temperature of the weapon.
If it was too bright or too dark, it would affect the glow of the Wootz steel and, thus, affect Wang Chong’s judgement of the progress of the heating process as well. The quality of the sword would differ depending on what temperature the sword was tempered at.
Just a single degree of difference in temperature could mean an entirely different weapon.
However, it was impossible to measure the temperature of the flames given the technological limitations of the current era. Therefore, the color of the flames had become the most important determining factor.
“Around there!”
The moment the flames on the Wootz steel sword started to take a bright shade of red similar to a strawberry, Wang Chong’s eyes lit up and he picked up the Wootz steel, turned his body along with the sword around, and placed it into the metal trough, which was filled with a beige-color oily substance.
——This was something that Wang Chong had prepared beforehand.
When the bright-red Wootz steel was submerged into the icy-cold oil, the vast difference in temperature caused black smoke to emerge from the surface of the sword.
“It depends on this step whether I’m able to bring it up to the level of a true Wootz steel weapon!”
Wang Chong stared at the metal trough with a tense heart.
From the negotiation to the crafting, then to the inscription, and finally the tempering, he was already at the final step. Even though he had spoke of it confidently, he was actually bearing doubts within.
The oil inside the metal trough wasn’t any ordinary liquid usually used for tempering. It was a mixture of sesame oil, lanolin, butter, asphalt, which was brought over by the merchants of the west, and some other liquids.
This was the crux to forging a true Wootz steel weapon.
In his previous life, the Central Plains did obtain some Wootz steel. However, the weapons forged through it paled far in comparison to those crafted in the Damascus and Abbasid Caliphate. In fact, its outer appearance was incredibly ugly as well. This was all because the Tang Dynasty had failed to grab hold of the tempering method required for the Wootz steel.
In fact, some even suspected that those Wootz steel weapon of the Central Plains weren’t crafted from the Hyderabad ores; they were imitations making use of the name of Wootz steel to be sold.
In reality, it wasn’t because the Sindhis gave fake ores to the Central Plains. Rather, the Central Plains failed to grasp the ‘Hyderabad Tempering Method’.
If one was unable to cleanse the Wootz steel’s natural ornamental marks on the surface, the sharp saws on the edge of the blade wouldn’t emerge. Such a Wootz steel weapon would only be slightly sharper than a top-quality sword, unbefitting of the reputation of the Three Great Weapons in the world!
In his previous life, the Abbasid Caliphate had gained a monopoly over the supply of Wootz steel through the ‘Hyderabad Tempering Method’. However, in this life, Wang Chong was determined to not allow the other party to succeed.
Sssss!
When the black smoke scattered, the Wootz steel sword in the metal trough had completely cooled down, and Wang Chong used the tongs to grab the Wootz steel out of the liquid.
Huala, the liquid splattered around!
At the instant the Wootz steel emerged from the liquid, a bright silver shine spilled forth from the surface of the liquid in the metal trough.
In an instant, the cold gleam, reminiscent of the silver moon, masked the entire cavern with a layer of silver.
“Success!”
Looking at the incredibly elegant silver sword, Wang Chong felt indescribably agitated. The beautiful patterns on the sword looked as though fleeting clouds and rivers, it was an unexplainably beautiful sight. Even at the edge of the sword, one could see a saw-like pattern. The aura it protruded made it feel as though a shark of the deep ocean; merciless, bloodthirsty, but beautiful.
The world’s very first Wootz steel weapon had been created in the Central Plains.
Wang Chong had become the first person to personally finish this emperor of weapons!
At this moment, the disturbance in Wang Chong’s mind couldn’t be calmed.
Huala!
The curtains behind opened. Upon hearing the movements in the cavern, Wei Hao rushed in alongside Wang Chong’s little sister.
“Sss! What is that weapon?”
Barely taking a few steps in, Wei Hao saw the beautiful weapon in Wang Chong’s hands and gasped in shock.
Wei Hao had never seen such a weapon. Its body was as bright as mercury, and there were mysterious natural patterns graved on the blade. Even so, it couldn’t conceal the radiance of the weapon.
What that attracted one’s attention was the edge of the sword. It seemed so sharp that it could harm one’s eyes by just looking at it. With a single glance, Wei Hao was bewitched. He could no longer remove his gaze.
“What a beautiful and fearsome weapon!”
Wei Hao muttered.
Born in the family of a duke, he had seen many different things. However, he had never seen such a savage and beautiful weapon. It felt as though it was created for the sole purpose of murder, which made it terrifying. Yet, at the very same time, it exuded indescribable elegance and beauty.
With just a single glance, Wei Hao was captivated.
“How pretty!”
A child-like voice echoed by the side. Wei Hao wasn’t the only one who was bewitched by the weapon. Wang Family’s little sister stared soullessly at the sword.
Suddenly, the light darkened. Wang Chong had placed the completed Wootz sword in a wooden sheath. Then, he took another black cloth and wrapped the sword with it.