https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-157-Meteorite-from-Beyond-the-Heavens-Zhu-Xin-Fang/13688325/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-159-Practice-Piece-Hundred-Fold-Sword-Blank/13688327/
Chapter 158: Just a Little Knowledge
“This is Lu Xiao Langjun, a distinguished guest of the Wei Family Residence,” Wei Da Zong Guan said. “He has a keen interest in forging and wishes to visit the finest blacksmith shop in the county town. That’s why I brought him to you, Lin Jiangshi.”
“Good to meet you, Master Lin,” Lu Qing said with a polite bow.
In his vision, a prompt appeared, displaying the following information:
【Lin Tiechui: Master of Zhu Xin Fang, a master blacksmith of exceptional skill, known for his bold and straightforward nature.】
【Cultivation Level: Post-Natal Sinew and Bone Stage, Fully Developed. Expert in hammer techniques.】
The name was refreshingly down-to-earth. Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel a flicker of amusement.
“Ah, please, no need for such formalities! You’re going to make me blush—though if Old Wang next door heard you say that, he’d surely challenge me to a match right here and now,” Lin Jiangshi chuckled, though his joy was plainly visible beneath the surface.
Wei Da Zong Guan smiled faintly, saying nothing. The long-standing rivalry between Lin Jiangshi of Zhu Xin Fang and Wang Lao Jiangshi of the nearby Tie Bing Zhai was common knowledge throughout the county town. He had no interest in getting drawn into it.
“What exactly would you like to see, Master Lu?” Lin Jiangshi asked, now more attentive.
Now that he knew Lu Qing was a guest of the Wei Family Residence, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Anyone accompanied by Wei Da Zong Guan personally was clearly of great importance.
Last night, though he hadn’t been at the city gate, he’d felt the tremors of immense power rippling through the city.
Later, he’d heard rumors of a young man who had stunned everyone—defeating a Nei Fu Man Yuan Wu Dao Zong Shi with the Jin Gu Jing Wan Man Jingjie technique.
Could this be the very youth who had done it?
The thought made Lin Jiangshi’s demeanor grow even more respectful.
“In truth,” Lu Qing said without preamble, “I’d like to rent your forge’s furnace for a while. I’d like to craft a weapon of my own, one that fits my hand perfectly. Would that be possible, Master Lin?”
“Master Lu… do you actually know how to forge?” Lin Jiangshi asked, genuinely surprised.
Lu Qing’s bearing gave no hint of a blacksmith’s life—his hands were smooth, unblemished, without a single callus. There was no sign of a craftsman’s touch.
“Just a little,” Lu Qing replied with a light smile. “Not quite skilled yet. Still learning.”
Lin Jiangshi nodded, understanding at once. This wasn’t a master—just a nobleman playing at forging, perhaps out of curiosity.
He’d seen such young gentlemen before. Nothing unusual.
“Of course,” Lin Jiangshi said immediately. “Which furnace did you have in mind? I’ll clear it right away.”
Normally, such a request would have annoyed him. But Lu Qing was a guest of the Wei Family Residence, and Wei Da Zong Guan himself was here. More importantly, this young man might very well be the one who had defeated a Wu Dao Zong Shi.
In the face of such a figure, every concession was warranted.
“Let you choose for me,” Lu Qing said. “I’d prefer one with strong heat.”
“How about Furnace No. 1?” Lin Jiangshi considered. “It has the strongest draft and the highest temperature. Even Huo Yan Gang can be smelted in it. Should suit your needs perfectly.”
“Then I’ll leave it to your judgment,” Lu Qing said.
He knew about Huo Yan Gang—its melting point was extremely high, typically found near volcanic regions. If this furnace could handle that, it was indeed powerful enough for his purpose.
Within moments, Lin Jiangshi had cleared Furnace No. 1.
“Master Lu, please. May I ask what kind of weapon you’re planning to forge?”
“That can wait,” Lu Qing replied. “First, I’d like to warm up—get a feel for the process.”
Hearing that, Lin Jiangshi was even more certain: this was just a pastime.
Someone who didn’t even know the basics wouldn’t be able to craft a proper weapon.
“Master Lin,” Lu Qing added with a smile, “if you’re busy, you’re welcome to attend to your own work. No need to stay and watch me.”
“Not at all,” Lin Jiangshi said. “No urgent orders lately. I’ve nothing better to do. I’d be honored to observe your technique.”
He couldn’t let Lu Qing work alone—what if something went wrong? He’d be responsible.
Still, he gently shooed away the apprentices and assistants who had gathered to watch, to avoid distracting the young master.
Lu Qing smiled, understanding the old man’s concern.
He didn’t call it out, though. Instead, he walked over and selected a medium-sized hammer.
“Master Lin, may I use your materials?” he asked.
“Be my guest,” Lin Jiangshi said at once.
The iron bars on the furnace were just ordinary scrap—nothing valuable. Even if they were ruined, he wouldn’t mind.
Lu Qing glanced at the iron rods, confirmed they were basic raw iron, and relaxed.
With his right hand gripping the hammer, he used his left to pull a glowing red bar from the charcoal furnace and placed it on the anvil.
Then he activated his Abilities, entering a state of learning.
In his mind, the techniques of the Lihuo Sect Heritage flowed like water—forging knowledge surged through him, insights blooming like fire.
Clang!
Lu Qing brought down the hammer.
A sharp, clear ring echoed through the forge.
Lin Jiangshi’s heart gave a sudden leap—then he relaxed, a knowing look spreading across his face.
Of course. This young man had no real skill.
The strike was powerful, but the technique was clumsy. The force was misapplied—awkward, unrefined.
At this rate, the impurities would never be properly driven out.
But he said nothing. He simply watched.
After a few more strikes, Lu Qing paused.
He stood still, thinking.
Lin Jiangshi was about to speak when he saw Lu Qing raise the hammer again.
Clang!
This time, Lin Jiangshi’s eyes widened slightly—just a fraction.
It was unexpected.
A master blacksmith with decades of experience, Lin Jiangshi could tell a flaw in technique by sound alone. He didn’t even need to look.
And this strike—this one was utterly different from the earlier clumsy blows.
The force was perfectly balanced, just right. It cracked open the iron’s impurities with precision.
Even his best apprentices couldn’t have delivered such a blow.
Was it luck?
The thought flickered in Lin Jiangshi’s mind.
But then he saw Lu Qing’s expression.
A small, satisfied smile.
He’d felt it too—the right rhythm, the correct timing.
He wasn’t guessing anymore.
Without hesitation, Lu Qing raised the hammer again.
Clang!
Then again.
Clang!
And again.
For the next several minutes, he hammered—fold, hammer, fold, hammer—repeating the motion again and again, refining the iron with each strike.
And Lin Jiangshi?
His eyes grew wider and wider—until they were fully wide, his jaw slack, utterly stunned.
(End of Chapter)
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