Just as Eugene Smithson had anticipated, a few months later, as Maya was about to give birth, Gavin sent his men, demanding that Eugene forge swords—legendary blades that would make his name known throughout the world.
Eugene smiled with joy.
After Eugene received Gavin's decree, Grant was deeply worried. Gavin, having destroyed the Wu Kingdom, was now unstoppable—he had annexed countless vassal states, doubling the territory of Yue. Gavin had also killed many of his meritorious ministers; Wen Zhong, who once offered the beauty scheme, was among the first victims.
The lives of the common people were no better; harsh taxes and oppression had begun. Behind closed doors, everyone cursed Gavin as a petty man and a cruel ruler.
The scene of Louis Hidden leaping into the sword furnace was something the two brothers never forgot for a moment. Yet Eugene was not in a hurry; he decided to go elsewhere, to a mountain range called Zhanlu. He'd heard about it from his master—its terrain was treacherous, but the climate was excellent, and the water and minerals were purer than those of Smithfather Mountain.
It wasn't far from Forge City. Grant planned to go and help Eugene forge swords, but Eugene refused repeatedly. His daughter Maya had just given birth, the family needed care, and his wife Lucy Hidden was already old.
But Grant had made up his mind. He knew this time was a matter of life and death for his father-in-law, Eugene Smithson.
The two arrived at Zhanlu Mountain, and sure enough, it was almost untouched by humans. After hiring many locals to help carve out a mountain path, it took half a year before they could begin forging swords.
The climate here was exceptional, and their swordsmithing skills improved even further. Although Gavin had sent word demanding swords, he hadn't specified a number.
Eugene Smithson understood Gavin's intentions well. Gavin surely planned to present these legendary swords to his generals, and to boast about them at meetings with neighboring lords.
"This is our chance. Rumor has it that King Cyrus of Chu loves legendary swords. If we can get him to know about the swords we've forged, Chu will surely reach out. Then, we can secretly move the whole family to Chu."
Eugene Smithson said this, and Grant nodded happily.
Over the course of a year, Eugene forged five legendary swords: Zhanlu, Titan Edge, Virtuebane, Fishgut, and Specter Hook. Each blade was razor-sharp and uniquely shaped.
When Gavin received them in his palace, he praised the swords incessantly, keeping Zhanlu for himself and gifting the other four—Titan Edge, Virtuebane, Fishgut, and Specter Hook—to his four most meritorious generals.
"Eugene Smithson, I ask you—what do you plan to do in the future?"
Eugene and Grant knelt before Gavin. Grant's heart raced with anxiety.
"Your Majesty, in the future, Eugene Smithson will continue to forge swords for you, praying for the prosperity of your kingdom."
Eugene's words delighted Gavin, who rewarded him with gold, cloth, and livestock, released him, and ordered him to continue forging swords.
But as soon as Eugene returned to Forge City, he was immediately placed under surveillance—by Gavin's men.
Over the next year or two, Eugene kept forging swords for Gavin, but none gained the fame of the first five legendary blades.
One night, after Eugene Smithson and Grant finished their work and were about to rest before descending Smithfather Mountain the next day, a group of men in black arrived—they were sent by King Cyrus.
Eugene smiled with joy. The day he'd waited and planned for had finally come. After negotiating with King Cyrus's envoys, Eugene resolved to forge swords for King Cyrus—blades that would surpass those made for Gavin.
A month after forging began, King Cyrus sent word: if Eugene would forge three legendary swords, he would send enough men to ensure the safety of Eugene's entire family and help them reach Chu unharmed.
With Grant's help, Eugene poured his heart and soul into forging the first sword. To pray for the prosperity of Chu, he engraved a delicate but clear dragon motif on the blade and named it Dragon Abyss.
When Eugene presented it to King Cyrus, the king was overjoyed and immediately began planning Eugene's family's escape route.
The second sword, called Tai Ah, was forged by Eugene and Grant together over six months. Its blade was broad and golden, radiating a regal aura.
The last sword, Gongbu, seemed rather ordinary, but its plainness exuded a sense of peace, like a reflection of the common people.
The names, shapes, and symbolism of the three swords delighted King Cyrus. He stationed many men in Yue, preparing to help Eugene's family escape.
Whenever Gavin demanded Eugene hand over more swords, Eugene delayed, claiming old age and illness. Many swords were co-forged with Grant, but Eugene never mentioned it; everyone knew Eugene's skill, but few realized his son-in-law Grant's prowess.
Grant understood his father-in-law's intentions well. If anything went wrong, Eugene would shoulder all the blame alone, ensuring Grant and Maya's happiness.
To ordinary people, most of Grant's work seemed like common swords—not as good as Eugene Smithson's. This was exactly what Eugene wanted Grant to keep secret.
When everything was ready, Eugene's family waited quietly for the right moment. As the lords of various states were discussing trade, Eugene decided it was time to act.
Before leaving, Eugene hoped to take Belle with him as well. This sword, impossibly sharp and chilling, was sealed in a cave at Smithfather Mountain's sword pool.
Eugene brought his family up Smithfather Mountain, planning to meet King Cyrus's men. Once they retrieved Belle, they'd leave. Publicly, Eugene claimed he was going up the mountain to forge swords for Gavin, so no one suspected a thing.
At the sword pool, Eugene and Grant shivered—the water temperature was higher than outside, yet thin layers of ice had formed. Belle, submerged for years, remained razor-sharp and chilling, its very presence inspiring fear.
Both reached out and lifted Belle from the pool. Suddenly, a cold wind rose out of nowhere, carrying bursts of eerie laughter.
"Mr. Smithson, bad news—Yue soldiers have started searching the area. Many of our people are already dead."
Eugene's heart trembled. He looked at his daughter Maya and his infant grandson, his face deeply conflicted.
"Grant, Maya, Lucy, all three of you—come here."
Eugene spoke, his face resolute. He smiled, but Grant saw something in his eyes and immediately protested.
"Let's go together, Father-in-law..."
With a swish, Grant chopped down a nearby tree, which crashed to the ground.
"Sir, please, tell your men to spread the word—Eugene Smithson is forging swords here at Smithfather Mountain. Please."
King Cyrus's men left, but Grant, Maya, and Lucy refused to go. Eugene told them that as long as they disguised themselves as mountain villagers, even if questioned, Yue soldiers wouldn't harm them.
"Old man, if you're not leaving, then I'm not leaving either."
Lucy stood by Eugene's side, though Eugene felt helpless. He hoped Grant would take his mother-in-law away, but Grant and Maya had no intention of leaving.
"Grant, this sword—one day, it will sever the rotten chains created by swords. You must go. Have you forgotten what our master taught us? 'Forge and temper, over and over.' Pass these words down for generations. If not for yourself, then for your grandson and Maya."
Eugene's voice brimmed with heroic resolve. Grant's face was conflicted, and Maya cried out. In the end, Grant and Maya knelt, bidding farewell to their parents before descending the mountain.
Lucy remained, helping Eugene draw water despite her age. Eugene lit the sword furnace, and a roaring fire sprang to life.
The clang of hammer on iron echoed through the mountains. Eugene kept forging, with Lucy quietly by his side, as if they'd returned to their youth.
"Old man, all these years, you've been obsessed with sword forging. But now, at last, we have some time together. Being with you—I've never regretted it."
"Ah, yes, Lucy, I'm sorry. My lifelong obsession has brought me back to where I started."
As Eugene spoke, he gently took Lucy's hand and smiled. Suddenly, commotion rose from below the mountain, and soon Eugene was surrounded.
"Eugene Smithson, you are a traitor! How dare you forge swords for the enemy? The king commands you to come with us."
"Old man, all these years you've been obsessed with forging swords. But now, finally, we have a little time together. Being with you—I've never regretted it."
"Yes, Lucy. I'm sorry. My lifelong obsession has brought me back to where I began."
A great fire raged on Smithfather Mountain. Eugene and his wife died together on the mountain. The flames roared for three days and nights, and none of the hundreds of soldiers sent to capture them returned alive.
"Lucy, I've never done much for you in this life. But now, I want to protect you—even if only for a moment."
No one knows where Eugene and his wife's bodies disappeared to.