Chapter 158
"This young master Lu, is a distinguished guest of the Wei family. He is quite interested in forging and wants to visit the best blacksmith shop in the county. So I brought him here to Master Lin's workshop," Wei Dazongguan introduced.
"Greetings, Master Lin," Lu Qing slightly bowed in greeting.
At this moment, his vision displayed information about this old blacksmith.
[Lin Tiechui: Master of Heartforge Workshop, a highly skilled old blacksmith with a straightforward personality.]
[Cultivation Level: Postnatal Tendons and Bones Realm, proficient in hammer techniques.]
What a down-to-earth name, Lu Qing thought to himself.
"No need for such flattery, Wei Dazongguan. If old Wang next door heard this, he would challenge me to a duel," Master Lin said modestly, though his face couldn't hide his happiness.
Wei Dazongguan smiled faintly without saying more. Everyone in the county knew about the rivalry between Master Lin of Heartforge Workshop and Master Wang of Iron Weapon Workshop. He had no interest in getting involved.
"What would Young Master Lu like to see?" Master Lin, knowing Lu Qing was a distinguished guest of the Wei family, did not dare to neglect him.
For someone who could have Wei Dazongguan personally accompany him, his status must be extraordinary.Although Master Lin did not go to the city gate yesterday, he felt the bursts of terrifying power within the city. Later, he heard that a young man, with his peak Tendons and Bones Realm, had defeated a martial arts grandmaster at the peak of the Internal Organs Realm.
Seeing Wei Dazongguan's attitude, could this young man be the one? Thinking of this, Master Lin's attitude became even more respectful.
"I actually want to rent your workshop's forge to make a weapon for myself. Is that possible, Master Lin?" Lu Qing asked directly.
"You also understand the art of forging, Young Master?" Master Lin was very surprised.
Lu Qing's demeanor didn't resemble a blacksmith's at all. His hands were smooth without any calluses, not like someone skilled in forging.
"I understand a little, but I am not proficient and need more practice."
Master Lin understood immediately. Lu Qing wasn't skilled in forging but had an interest and wanted to try making a weapon for fun. He had encountered such young masters before, so it wasn't too surprising.
"Of course, which forge would you like to use? I can clear it out for you," Master Lin said.
If it were anyone else making such a request, Master Lin would be very displeased. But Lu Qing was a distinguished guest of the Wei family, accompanied by Wei Dazongguan, and likely a powerful martial artist who could defeat a grandmaster. In front of such a figure, everything could be accommodated.
"Master Lin, please choose a forge for me. One with strong firepower," Lu Qing said.
"Then use Forge Number One. Its airflow is the strongest, and the temperature the highest. It can even forge volcanic steel, which should meet your requirements," Master Lin said after some thought.
"Then I'll rely on Master Lin's choice."
Lu Qing knew about volcanic steel, a type of mystical steel with a very high melting point, usually found near volcanoes. If even such mystical steel could be forged, then Forge Number One's firepower must be very strong.
Soon, Master Lin cleared out Forge Number One.
"Young Master Lu, please. What kind of weapon would you like to forge?"
"No rush. I'll practice and familiarize myself with the process first."
Hearing this, Master Lin was even more convinced that Lu Qing was here for fun. If he wasn't even familiar with the forging process, how could he possibly make a good weapon?
"Master Lin, if you're busy, you don't have to stay with me," Lu Qing smiled.
"No problem. Recently, there aren't any special orders. I'm free and can observe Young Master's forging techniques," Master Lin said. How could he let Lu Qing tinker alone? If he got injured, Master Lin wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.
However, he did disperse the onlookers and apprentices to avoid disturbing Lu Qing.
Lu Qing smiled, understanding Master Lin's intentions. He didn't point it out, stepped forward, and after some selection, chose a medium-sized hammer.
"Master Lin, may I use some materials from your workshop?" Lu Qing asked.
"Please use them freely," Master Lin immediately replied.
The materials on the forge were just ordinary iron bars. Even if they were damaged, he wouldn't mind.
Lu Qing saw that the materials were indeed ordinary iron bars and used them with peace of mind. He took the hammer in his right hand, used tongs to retrieve a red-hot iron bar from the carbon furnace with his left hand, and placed it on the anvil.
He then activated his ability, entering a learning state. The hammer technique from the Li Huo Sect's inheritance flowed through his mind, and various insights surfaced.
Ding! Lu Qing struck the iron bar with a crisp sound.
Master Lin's heart jumped at first, then his face showed understanding. As expected, this young master Lu wasn't skilled in blacksmithing. The force of this strike was decent, but the technique was lacking, and the force was misapplied, making it seem very unfamiliar.
With such strikes, it would be difficult to hammer out the impurities from the iron. However, he didn't offer any advice, just watched silently.
After a few strikes, Lu Qing realized something was wrong. He paused and quietly thought. Seeing him remain still for a while, Master Lin considered offering some pointers, but then Lu Qing raised the hammer again.
Ding! Lu Qing struck again. This time, Master Lin couldn't help but open his eyes slightly, showing a hint of surprise.
Because this strike from Lu Qing was completely different from the previous random strikes. The force was applied very appropriately and skillfully, just enough to hammer out the impurities in the iron bar. Even his disciples might not be able to achieve such a strike.
"Was it luck?" Master Lin wondered.
But he quickly realized he was wrong. Lu Qing felt the difference after the strike, knowing he had found the right direction, and smiled.
He continued to raise the hammer and struck again.
For the next period, Lu Qing kept hammering the iron bar, one strike after another.
During this process, Master Lin's eyes opened wider and wider, becoming ultimately wide with astonishment.
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