Cultivating a Failure

Falling Star let out a grunt at Mister Sloth's comment. "Maybe I will have to talk to father."

"Don't be like that," the rotund man said slowly. "Right, the matter you've had me looking into has hit upon a lead. We should move to a more private location to discuss it." After saying as much, the rotund man meandered to the end of the counter and lifted up the end portion to make a passage to the back. "I assume you'll want the young man to accompany you?"

"Will there be a problem?" Falling Star asked seriously.

"So long as you consent to him hearing the information there will be no problems, after all you are the one paying for it."

"Good." Falling Star led Yu Chang by the hand and followed behind the rotund man.

Mister Sloth guided them to a windowless office in the back of the shop. This office was filled with countless vaults and dusty manuscripts, as one would expect from a renowned information broker. This room was filled with the highest priced information that he had painstakingly gathered over many decades. Ushering the two to a table, he sat down and got straight to the point. "Rumor has it that there will be a dead weapon at the upcoming Secret Auction, I've been unable to ascertain the validity of this rumor as the auction managers are very tight-lipped at this time."

"What's a dead weapon?" Yu Chang asked glancing at Falling Star.

"A dead weapon is a weapon that has been sealed or is no longer usable. Many are just the ordinary magical weapons refined by cultivators. These magical weapons will eventually wear down if not maintained by a refiner who knows the making of them. However sealed weapons while useless in their present state can be unsealed. This is not only limited to magical weapons, but can also be the weapons of legend that I'm currently hunting. This is one of two life quests I've undertaken at present. In order to reach the final level of cultivation you have to not only complete the final tribulation, but you also have to achieve completion in a life quest. I've taken up two and I've been considering a third recently. When the time comes, I'll help you decide on a life quest." Falling Star's voice was filled with pride at that last statement, helping Yu Chang decide his life quest is something she was extremely looking forward to. "Right, is this the only lead you have currently?" She turned back to Mister Sloth as she asked this question.

"Unfortunately, yes. There are always whispers but investigation has disproven them. I've currently started probing a new whisper related to the myths of Ireland's Child of Light. If fruitful, I may have a lead on Gáe Bolg, one of the few most notable legendary spears. I will contact you again if I have any positive results. In the meantime, this should get you into the Secret Auction when the time comes." He pulled out a sealed envelope from a drawer in the table and slid it across to Falling Star. "When the time comes, it should be sufficient for you to be bring multiple guests."

Falling Star smiled and nodded. "Thank you Mister Sloth, you've gone above and beyond this time, what do I owe for the entry paperwork?"

"So long as you inform me of the details afterwards, that should be more than sufficient. Now that that is handled, is there anything else I can help you with?"

"I have two additional requests," Falling Star replied. "The first is a bit unusual. Can you keep tabs on anyone inquiring about me or Little Yu here and not only sever their information networks, but also inform me of the individuals? The next few weeks there are bound to be many individuals looking into both of us and I want to shut it all down completely. I'll pay double the usual rate for this one. The other is more of a personal favor. I was hoping you could treat any requests from Little Yu as if they were requests from me from this point forward. Naturally, I will front the bill at that time, but I know how stubborn you are about your clients."

"The first is a simple matter, don't worry about paying extra, the normal rate will be sufficient and you can transfer the payment at your convenience. The second I will consider your precious disciple's requests when the time comes. If they are even half as interesting as the requests you make I'll help him out. If that concludes our business I'll see you out."

Mister Sloth got up and held the door of the office open for Yu Chang and Falling Star. As they were nearing the door, Yu Chang stumbled unexpectedly and caught himself on the door to one of the vaults. As his hand hit the vault door a strange buzzing could be faintly heard inside the vault. At this time, the rotund gentleman finally showed more than just a smile on his face. His puffy face looked as if he had seen a ghost.

"Sorry about that," Yu Chang said sheepishly. "I hope I didn't damage anything."

"No need to worry, there is nothing breakable in that vault. You to head on, I'll check on the contents. Mister Sloth ushered them out of the room quickly and then locked the door behind him. As soon as Yu Chang left the room, the buzzing noise stopped. Mister Sloth slowly unlocked the vault and peered inside. The only object sitting in the vault was an ancient blade of dignified appearance. To some this blade was referred to as The Brave Blade, but it also has another name the Yu Chang blade. "Is he the one? After nearly sixteen years did I finally cross paths with the rightful owner?" Mister Sloth sighed. Approximately sixteen years ago, a mysterious couple had left this blade with him, paying an enormous price and leaving him with very simple instructions.

"When the time comes, the rightful owner will seek information on this blade. If the blade activates in his hand give it to him."

Along with the blade, the couple left a sealed mystical storage treasure that was to be handed over at the same time.