Chapter 104: The Blind Old Man Who Sells Swords

With Xu Mo’s guidance, Qin Mutou finally chose a bronze mirror adorned with a mythical beast and grapevine motif, priced at five guan.

The so-called mythical beast grapevine pattern combined rare ferocious beasts, grapes, birds and poultry, and flowering branches into a lively, diverse scene full of vitality.

The entire picture was densely packed, leaving almost no empty space; even the gaps were interwoven with vines and leaves, with birds and butterflies fluttering among them.

Moreover, the mirror’s carving employed high-relief technique, creating a vivid sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

Even a simple bronze mirror reflected the grandeur and splendor of the prosperous Liang dynasty.

Just as Qin Mutou was about to pay, Xu Mo handed the shopkeeper a ten-tael silver ingot.

“Please wait a moment, Young Master. I’ll get your change right away,” the shopkeeper said.

He then went behind the counter, clipped the ten-tael ingot into two halves with scissors, and weighed them on scales.

Qin Mutou hastily produced some small silver coins, saying, “Master, I have money.”

Xu Mo only smiled, not intending to take Qin Mutou’s money, but Qin Mutou insisted on returning it.

Xu Mo finally said, “Alright, keep that money for yourself and buy some decent clothes. You can’t keep wearing such shabby rags—it makes me look bad.”

Qin Mutou thought for a moment and said, “Fine, Master, then consider this money a loan. You can deduct it from my wages later. Along with the three guan from repairing the bronze hammer last time, I owe you eight guan in total now.”

Xu Mo replied casually, “Okay, I got it. Just remember it, pay me back when you can.”

In truth, Xu Mo never expected Qin Mutou to repay him; he believed the young man would soon become his brother-in-law. Spending money on family was no burden.

After a short while, the shopkeeper returned five taels of silver change to Xu Mo, then carefully packed the bronze mirror into a wooden box wrapped in a cloth bag and handed it to Qin Mutou.

Qin Mutou hugged the box with a radiant smile, looking as if he had acquired some precious treasure, though unaware outsiders might only see it as a simple mirror.

Upon leaving the Mirror Studio, the two no longer felt like browsing, so they retraced their steps toward the Perfume Specialty Shop.

After walking for a short while, Qin Mutou suddenly asked with curiosity, “Master, just now the shopkeeper said a crystal mirror costs five hundred taels of gold—is that true?”

Xu Mo paused, then nodded, “Maybe. After all, finding a single large piece of crystal to grind and polish is quite difficult and rare, so such a high price is understandable.”

“I wonder what a crystal mirror looks like, and if it’s really that useful,” Qin Mutou said, glancing at the wooden box in his arms.

Xu Mo smiled and said, “Mutou, mirrors aren’t that hard to make. When we get back, I’ll study it carefully. Once I manage to make glass, making mirrors won’t be far behind.”

“Master, what exactly is glass?” Qin Mutou asked, puzzled.

Xu Mo thought for a moment and replied, “Do you know about glazed tiles?”

Qin Mutou answered, “Yes, my master mentioned them, but I’ve never seen one.”

Xu Mo nodded and carefully explained, “Glass is very similar to glazed tiles, but with higher transparency and luster, no bubbles, and it never changes color. With good craftsmanship, it can even be perfectly clear.”

“Glazed tiles are different. They have lower transparency and luster, and bubbles form during firing. But they shimmer with changing colors and are very beautiful to look at... Have you heard of the Five-Color Stone? That’s just another name for glazed tiles.”

Though Qin Mutou listened attentively, terms like “transparency” and “luster” were hard for him to grasp, causing his brow to furrow.

Xu Mo laughed softly, “It’s alright if you don’t understand now. When I make glass, you’ll see for yourself and understand immediately.”

Qin Mutou quickly said, “Master, you’re so capable, I’m sure you’ll succeed!”

In truth, ever since crossing over, Xu Mo had often missed glass windows.

In Liang, only wealthy families used oiled paper for windows; ordinary people usually covered windows with cloth.

Poorer families had no coverings at all—like Xu Mo’s previous family, who had lost everything.

Patting Qin Mutou on the shoulder, Xu Mo smiled, “Alright! When I make glass, I’ll replace all the windows at home... including yours... with glass!”

“You don’t know how good glass windows are—transparent, windproof, rainproof, and beautiful. Truly high-class!” Xu Mo grew more excited, eager to start making glass right away.

As they walked, Xu Mo kept extolling the virtues and uses of glass. Qin Mutou found it fascinating and listened eagerly.

Suddenly, Xu Mo heard a voice, “Hey, old blind man! Are you crazy for money? Just a broken sword without a sheath, and you want fifty guan for it!”

Looking toward the voice, Xu Mo saw an elderly man with white hair sitting by the roadside, his eyes covered with black cloth—he must be blind.

In front of the old man lay a broken sword, seemingly for sale.

The remark had come from a passing man who, curious about the unusual sword, asked its price, only to be met with a steep fifty guan demand, prompting his angry retort.

The blind old man impatiently said, “Go on, go on, I’m in a hurry. Stop making noise in front of me!”

The man shook his head in disdain and stormed off angrily.

Once the man left, the blind old man called out loudly, “Sword for sale! A matchless sword!”

Xu Mo couldn’t help but laugh—calling a broken sword “matchless” was quite a boast.

With curiosity, Xu Mo led Qin Mutou to the blind old man.

As soon as Xu Mo stopped, the old man sensed him and asked, “Young sirs, interested in buying a sword?”

Xu Mo was surprised that the old man could tell they were young without them saying a word.

“Sir, how do you know we’re young?” Xu Mo asked curiously.

The blind old man smiled, “I can tell by your breath. When one’s eyes go blind, the ears become sharp. I know roughly how old you are just from your breathing.”

Xu Mo was amazed and looked at Qin Mutou, asking, “Is that really possible?”

Qin Mutou nodded, “Yes, Master.”

The blind man said, “Judging by this young man’s breath, he’s probably a martial artist?”

Qin Mutou replied, “Yes, sir, I’ve been training under my master since childhood.”

“Good, good! Since you’re a martial artist, you should recognize that this sword isn’t ordinary,” the old man said proudly as he touched the broken sword.

Qin Mutou said, “Sir, I train with a hammer, not a sword, so I can’t tell what’s special about it.”

The old man had hoped to meet a connoisseur but was disappointed to find another novice.

“Go on, go on, get lost! Don’t waste my time selling swords,” the blind man snapped, waving them away impatiently.