Chapter 524: Invitation
Inside the Ni residence in Changlong City.
The Military Fire danced in Old Craftsman’s hands, and the sways of the flames made it seem like the fire had become integrated with nature.
This was the integration of Heaven and man. Regardless of one’s trade, one who arrived at the state would have a bright future. In actual fact, even among the Superior Blacksmiths in the capital, there were barely any that comprehended the state.
Inside the casting workshop, apart from Old Craftsman and Ni Yunhong, there were also several blacksmiths. They were reputable figures in Changlong County; 2 of them had gone to the capital before and obtained the Advanced Blacksmith title.
Figures like them would be outstanding talents respected by many in the capital, and they did not need to worry about life anymore. Even so, they returned to Changlong City and settled down there. At this moment, they watched Old Craftsman with admiration. Putting aside everything else, the old man’s unique smithing skill through the integration of Heaven and man was enough to leave any blacksmith in awe.
From the perspectives of the other blacksmiths, Old Craftsman was already considered a Superior Blacksmith even though he had not earned the title.
“Ding…”
At last, Old Craftsman curbed his Military Fire and knocked the finished military saber against the casting table, causing a loud clash between metals to be heard.
The military saber won the acclaim of the others because they could tell that it was the finest Fine Grade equipment. Sure enough, items smithed by Old Craftsman were unordinary.
Nonetheless, Old Craftsman shook his head and sighed after he studied the weapon closely. In fact, he even seemed gloomy.
Ni Yunhong asked carefully, “Old Craftsman, are you unhappy about something?”
The military saber was considered perfect to the young man. Unless it contained a God-given attribute, its quality was already at the top in terms of normal attributes for a saber.
Old Craftsman smiled bitterly, “Ah, this saber still couldn’t break through the limit to become a magic tool.”
The people behind him were stunned at first, then they began to have strange looks on their faces. Even Ni Yunhong, who was close to the old man, could not help but curse internally.
‘Were you trying to smith a magic tool?’
Nevertheless, everyone in the world knew Master Ou Yangming had the official right to produce magic tools. Other than him, nobody else could smith such treasures; the Superior Blacksmiths from the capital could not do it even if they joined hands.
‘Aren’t you… Indulging in a wild idea by wanting to smith a magic tool by yourself?’
Despite what they were thinking, they did not show it on their faces.
This was because they knew Ou Yangming, who was known as the greatest blacksmith since the beginning of history, was taught by the old man, who was unwilling to admit defeat.
Ni Yunhong expressed after some thought, “Old… Old Man, you’re demanding too much from yourself.”
Old Craftsman rolled his eyes. “Brother Yun, how many times have I told you? You can just call me Old Craftsman. Don’t call me meaningless names; they’re stifling!”
Ni Yunhong’s mouth twitched. “Old Craftsman, why didn’t you say that to my younger sister when she called you Old Man? Aren’t you showing favoritism by only putting on airs in front of me?”
Two new blacksmiths exchanged glances and thought, ‘It’s true—this elder dislikes being addressed as Old Man and insists that other people call him Old Craftsman.’
Old Craftsman responded snappily, “Your younger sister is obviously different. I recognize her as my daughter-in-law, so it’s only right for her to call me Old Man!”
Ni Yunhong sighed. He was speechless toward the old man.
Having said that, not to mention Old Craftsman had the support of Ou Yangming, who could not be offended, even if he was by himself, nobody would offend him because of a trifling flaw. After all, he was a blacksmith that achieved the integration of Heaven and man.
Old Craftsman picked up the military saber and inspected it carefully, then he passed it to the second person.
The blacksmiths present studied the saber one by one and only complimented the old man. Some of them were followers of the rich and powerful, but most of them were blacksmiths with legitimate skills, hence they were convinced after witnessing Old Craftsman’s smithing art using the integration of Heaven and man.
When they appraised the military saber in their hands, they could better sense its profoundness, thus they kept singing praises. They wanted very badly to keep the saber for their own, so they could slowly appreciate it.
All of a sudden, someone hurried into the workshop.
Ni Yinghong furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s the matter? Why are you panicking!”
The person that entered was a servant in the residence. He was usually rather steady but was somehow flustered at the moment.
He immediately bowed and answered, “Young Master, someone outside wants to meet Old Craftsman.”
“Who’s that?” Ni Yunhong was displeased. “Old Craftsman’s a noble person, so how can he be met by ordinary people!”
Old Craftsman cleared his throat and noted, “Brother Yun, you’re not quite right. I’m nothing but a military man, so how am I noble at all?”
Ni Yunhong replied to the old man with servility but thought, ‘Putting aside the fact that you’re a blacksmith expert, even if you’re a good-for-nothing, as long as Ou Yangming’s around, you’re a living Buddha that can’t be offended at all…’
The other people looked at each other. They felt like the identity of a military man was far from who Old Craftsman was but when they thought it over, they realized that it was true.
“Young Master, it’s Sir Governor who came,” the servant said with a bitter smile.
Ni Yunhong was dumbfounded, and he mumbled, “Why is he here?”
Although the Ni family and the governor from Changlong County had not had a bitter fall-out with each other unlike Canghai City, they had different thoughts after the Humans disaster. Therefore, they had not contacted each other for some time.
“Young Master, the great ancestors have already gone to receive him. They asked me to pass on the message to see if Old Craftsman would like to meet them or not.”
Ni Yunhong raised his eyebrows and understood right away.
Deng Xiyuan was certainly not finding Old Craftsman for anything good, but the Ni family’s Three Great Ancestors could not act on their own because it was related to the old man. If not, Old Craftsman and Ou Yangming would both be dissatisfied.
However, if Old Craftsman did not want to meet the governor, the Ni family’s great ancestors would not hesitate to turn down the visitation request.
Who knew, Old Craftsman was quite interested. “The governor must’ve come to find me for something important. Did something happen to the Rune Equipment? I should go to take a look.” He cupped his hands at the others and left in a hurry.
He put in his utmost effort to smith the Rune Equipment, thus he was always worried about it.
Once he hastened to the main hall, he noticed Deng Xiyuan, Ni Jingshen, and the others. His eyes lit up when he looked further. “General Chen, why have you come?”
A person walked out from behind Deng Xiyuan. It was Chen Yifan, who was one of the commanding generals in the Immense Forest Military Camp.
Ni Jingshen’s heart skipped a beat, and he thought, ‘He didn’t come with good intentions!’
He was aware that General Chen Yifan had always been quite good friends with Old Craftsman and Ou Yangming, and he would definitely welcome the general warmly if he visited. That said, Chen Yifan pretended to be one of Deng Xiyuan’s servants. As sharp-eyed as the great ancestor was, he could not have recognized him from 100 strange faces.
Chen Yifan laughed out loud and walked out calmly. “Old Craftsman, I was previously injured, but I’ve now recovered, so I’m here to meet you and Master Ou.”
Back when he met Ou Yangming, he could still pride himself on being a senior but now… He could only address the young fellow as Master Ou.
Old Craftsman replied to the general with a smile, “General Chen, look at what you’re saying. If you’d like to meet us, you could’ve sent us a letter, and we’ll go over to you instead.”
Chen Yifan was startled for a while, and he smiled bitterly. “Old Craftsman, please don’t joke around. I dare not do that.”
Ni Jingshen’s heart sank deeper as he listened to their conversation. It was evident that the general and the old man were much closer than he had imagined.
After a brief moment, Cheng Yifan suddenly said, “Old Craftsman, I actually came by His Majesty’s order.”
“His Majesty?” Old Craftsman was struck dumb.
“Yes,” Chen Yifan noted seriously, “His Majesty wants to smith a magic tool but failed to acquire one even after assembling every blacksmith in the capital for the task. His Majesty initially wanted to ask to reach out to Master Ou but heard that he’s still going places for the Humans’ disaster, so His Majesty could only settle for the alternative; Old Craftsman, you’re invited to the capital to cooperate on the great undertaking.”
Old Craftsman pointed at his nose and asked, “Are you saying that His Majesty wants me to go to the capital to join the great undertaking of the smithing of a magic tool?”
“That’s right. Old Craftsman, I know it’s difficult for you, so I won’t force you if you’re not willing to go,” Chen Yifan answered.
Ni Jingshen scoffed and thought, ‘Try and see if you’re able to force him to go.’
The general continued, “But think about who groomed you before you became successful.”
Old Craftsman fell silent. He frowned as if he was deeply troubled.
Seeing as the situation was unfavorable, Ni Jingshen quickly states, “Hehe, General Chen, Master Ou instructed us to take good care of Old Craftsman while he temporarily stays in our humble residence. Now that Master Ou hasn’t returned, we can’t let Old Craftsman leave just like that.”
Deng Xiyuan let out a hollow laugh but before he could say a word, Ni Jingshen waved his hand and uttered, “Anybody? Please see our visitors out.”
The great ancestor was a decisive person, hence he made up his mind at once. He would send the two visitors away, then he would talk to Old Craftsman.
They were at the Ni residence, after all, and the local tyrant was so powerful that they could not be resisted by Deng Xiyuan and the others. While the guests were reluctant to leave, there was nothing they could do.
Nonetheless, when Ni Jingshen turned around and looked at Old Craftsman, he noticed unusual colors in the old man’s dull eyes.
Ni Jinghsen’s face changed, and he felt an intense bad omen.
He realized that some things seemed to have gone beyond his control and were leaning towards the dreadful side.