Chapter 23

"Fair enough son, I hate to ask you to do such a thing since I am still the head of our family, but before long I am sure that you will surpass me. I may not look like much, but I was still able to cultivate myself to Elementary level three in body refinement. If I did not enjoy being a blacksmith so much, I would have gone into the mercenary business." Arthur told his son as he continued to guide the horses forward.

The average cultivator in the region was Elementary level six and considering that it was the weakest region within Bark Kingdom, it could be said that his father could almost be considered a not even beginning his path of cultivation. The only good thing about Arthur being Elementary level three in body refinement, was it allowed him to work nonstop as a blacksmith due to his physique and constitution.

Since his mother's horses were a much better breed compared to the Patriarch of the Flamed Root clan's horses, their family only needed to stop once before reaching Boulder Village. The irony of the name was that there was a massive boulder sitting next to the village. It was possible for a Master stage cultivator in body refinement to move it, but the village enjoyed building next to it to avoid any potential attacks since it seemed impossible to even climb up!

As the carriage got closer to Boulder Village, Timothy's father ordered their new guard to remain close to Timothy's mother and his youngest son. If something strange were to occur where he couldn't react in time, he at least wanted to make sure that they would remain protected.

When they passed the large wall that separated the regions, Timothy was fortunate enough to scout out a guard who was down on his luck. The guard did not even have a set of basic armor on and looked to be dying of hunger. However, the guard's cultivation was higher than his fathers and so he hired the guard and gave him some extra equipment that he had in his storage ring that he cloned.

After only a single day, the guard looked completely different and only cost Timothy three hundred and fifty gold pieces for one year which was a low price, considering that the guard's cultivation reached Elementary level five. According to his calculations a better off cultivator at that level would have cost a minimum of five hundred gold pieces.

"And what is your business here in our Boulder Village?" asked a guard who was guarding the entrance to the village. She was slightly respectful but her words and demeanor were very stern. It was as if something not too long ago had occurred to cause unrest to some of the guards.

"I am a level three blacksmith and I wish to make Boulder Village my new home along with my small family. Is there a toll to enter?" Timothy's father asked the guard as he withdrew a pouch of gold pieces from within his own storage ring. "If possible, I would be very interested in speaking to a higher up in this village to make the proper arrangements."

"Oh?" the female guard who originally was very cold towards Timothy's father's mood shifted immediately as her eyes began to brighten up. "I apologize our Boulder Village was attacked by demon beasts last week and although we were able to fix all of the damage which was caused, our village has been on high alert since Mist City hasn't officially sent out a team to investigate yet."

"If you are willing, I am sure there is plenty of work for you to work on, if you are genuine about making Boulder Village your new home. Most of the weapons and equipment the citizens wore to help assist us guards in the front lines of the battle ended up becoming damaged and unusable in most cases."

"So, are you willing to help our village in our time of need?" the guard asked Timothy's father as the other two nearby guards who were obviously lower ranked compared to the female guard overheard and felt as if a miracle had come out of this tribulation their village had experienced not too long prior.

"If you can make the proper arrangements for my family and I, I am willing to give a rather steep discount to all of the citizens for the time being. It is surprising that no other blacksmiths in the area were willing to help. Is there a reason for this?" Timothy's father asked the female guard as he gestured for everyone to exit the carriage. It was indeed rather abnormal for Boulder Village to receive nearly no help at all even from nearby townships.

"Please follow me, our mayor will explain everything to you and if you still choose to remain here in Boulder Village, we will accept you with open arms." the female guard told Timothy's father as she led them into the village personally, leaving the other two guards to hold their positions.

"Mayor, this is Arthur and his family. Arthur is a level three blacksmith and wishes to make Boulder Village his new home with them. He also told me that he would be willing to give a very big discount to everyone who's equipment and weapons were damaged last week." the female guard said as the group entered into the main hall of the village's building where the mayor spent majority of his time along with several elders who were leaders of the more influential clans within the village.