Chapter 39

In Guojian Town, a small town in Longyuan Prefecture of Yunze Kingdom, which is recorded to have only three thousand inhabitants, the population has undoubtedly increased over the years. Excluding the slaves living there, the number of commoners who have increased through normal means, such as reproduction or rewards, is no less than a thousand.

However, a census like this might not be conducted in Longyuan Prefecture for twenty years. As long as there are no major issues, most people are willing to turn a blind eye and live their lives in peace.

Lu Buqi entered Guojian Town. The relatively spacious bluestone ground, the wooden archways on both sides, and the densely packed blue-brick houses gave Lu Buqi a sense of being in an ancient Chinese town. However, compared to the lifeless atmosphere of such ancient towns in his previous life, Guojian Town, despite the night, still exuded a vibrant energy.

The smoke from cooking had dissipated, but the strong scent of life still lingered. Without the initial bright lights, the myriad lights of the town still made the night sky of Guojian Town appear brighter.

The three of them entered the town from the north gate. As Lu Buqi felt the first surprised gaze from a passerby, he heard a sharp and caring voice: "Oh, you dead Qiao'er, where have you been? You said you would go pick mushrooms for your mother, why are you only back now? Don't you know that the dinner I made will get cold?"

"Mother!" Wang Shuangqiao's cry broke even Lu Buqi's heart. No matter how strong Wang Shuangqiao was after the ordeal, she couldn't help but cry out loud when she saw her mother.

"Oh, you dead Qiao'er, what's wrong with you?" The woman holding Wang Shuangqiao, a middle-aged woman with a fierce look, asked: "Did someone bully you? Tell your mother, I'll chop off their hands and make them into meat buns to feed the dogs!"

Lu Buqi and Wang Lishou exchanged glances. Seeing the latter shrug, Lu Buqi understood why Wang Lishou hadn't really taken this widow as his wife yet. She was indeed beautiful, but her personality was a bit eccentric. Who would dare buy her buns?

At the same time, when the widow's gaze fell on him, he felt a chill and a wave of killing intent. Lu Buqi couldn't help but feel sorry for those ten private soldiers. If he hadn't taken care of them, they would have been in even worse trouble if they had angered this widow.

"Hey, you stupid boy, did you bully my Qiao'er?" The widow, holding Wang Shuangqiao, already had a confrontational look.

"Mother... don't scold him, he is my savior..." Wang Shuangqiao said, surprising Lu Buqi and Wang Lishou: "I encountered wild wolves in the Northern Wasteland. If it weren't for Uncle Lishou and Buqi, I probably wouldn't have seen you again, so..."

Lu Buqi and Wang Lishou exchanged a smile. Wang Shuangqiao was indeed a smart and clever girl, and her little lie was very smooth.

"Oh, that's what happened!" The widow's expression suddenly changed, and she looked at Wang Lishou beside Lu Buqi: "Oh, isn't this Brother Lishou? I heard you were staying in Zenu Village. You're back today? Haven't had dinner yet? Why don't you come to my place for some food?"

Wang Lishou grinned: "Sister Baozi, my and Buqi's appetites are quite large. Aren't you afraid we'll eat you out of house and home?"

"Don't say that, you saved our Qiao'er, I'd be happy even if you ate everything!" The widow said generously and warmly invited them: "Besides, can't you eat a little less? Young man, you look very handsome. I misunderstood earlier, don't take it to heart... You must be tired from the long journey, come in and rest, I'll make you two big bowls of hot noodle soup..."

"Sister Baozi, no need to trouble you!" Wang Lishou laughed: "Qiao'er is my junior, I couldn't just let her get into trouble... Buqi and I just got back, so we'll head to the shop first. We'll visit another day!"

Seemingly aware of the potential trouble of inviting two men to dinner as a widow with a daughter, the widow didn't insist: "Alright, we'll have plenty of time. My daughter and I will repay your kindness!"

Lu Buqi, who had been silent, nodded to the mother and daughter, then followed Wang Lishou, carrying a large bag, toward the heart of Guojian Town.

Guojian Town was not a major transportation hub, so the town's streets were not particularly well-connected. The town was laid out from north to south, with the main street being a slightly curved north-south road. There were also some smaller streets running east to west.

Wang Lishou's blacksmith shop was in the southern part of Guojian Town. Due to the noise and clamor, there were fewer residences in the southern part of the town, and the largest meat market was also located here.

"Master is back!" As the first clear voice echoed through the night sky of Guojian Town, Lu Buqi saw a scene that had always been etched in his memory. Suddenly, over a hundred people poured out from a large courtyard, each with a joyful and eager expression, a strong emotion of welcoming their leader back.

The youngest among them was around ten years old, and the oldest was about Wang Lishou's age, all men. Most called Wang Lishou "Master," some called him "Boss," and a few called him "Big Brother." Undoubtedly, Wang Lishou was the pillar of these people's hearts.

Every time he saw these men who had fought alongside him, Wang Lishou felt a surge of ambition: "Have you all eaten?"

"We're eating, Lishou, you're finally back..." At this moment, a person Lu Buqi recognized pushed through the crowd and walked over: "If you don't come back soon, I'll probably be roasted and eaten by your disciples!"

This person was Wang Lihong, who was often entrusted by Wang Lishou to help manage the shop. Wang Lishou laughed: "Your meat isn't that good. I tell you, I had a great time on the road, I even ate the meat of seven or eight different beasts!"

Since many of the blacksmith apprentices and workers didn't know what "spiritual beasts" were, there wasn't much of a stir. However, Wang Lihong was clearly shocked: "This... you're joking, right?"

"Believe it or not, ha ha..." Wang Lishou didn't bother to explain further and patted Lu Buqi's shoulder: "Buqi, are you hungry? Let's eat first."

Lu Buqi nodded and, under the varied gazes of Wang Lihong and the others, walked steadily into Wang Lishou's base, the Guojian Town blacksmith shop, carrying the large bag.

Just as Lu Buqi hadn't expected Wang Lishou to have so many apprentices, the blacksmith shop was much larger than he had imagined, almost like a primary school. The open space was probably two to three hundred meters in circumference, and there were over a dozen buildings around it.

Lu Buqi was very hungry, as it was already past the usual dinner time. So, he didn't hesitate to start eating heartily, focusing mainly on the dough balls and vegetables. After more than a decade, finally eating noodles made him consider them the most delicious food in the world.

Lu Buqi's ravenous eating certainly drew the attention of the others, and his appetite sparked much discussion. In no time, he had already eaten twenty dough balls, each weighing about half a kilogram, and he still looked like he could continue.

As Wang Lishou gradually slowed down his eating, a sturdy, handsome young man with a faint scar above his left eyebrow looked at Lu Buqi with a hint of disdain: "Master, I heard you stayed in the forest to teach a slave from Zenu Village a force technique. Is this the slave?"

This was Wang Lishou's most talented disciple, Wang Niansen, who was twenty-six years old. Whether in terms of force technique cultivation or blacksmithing skills, he was the best among the dozens of disciples.

Wang Lishou smiled and replied: "Yes, his name is Buqi, from a wealthy family in the Northwest. Don't be fooled by his strong build; he's only thirteen, just like Luyazi."

Luyazi, a slender young boy who was Wang Lishou's apprentice, squeezed over and naturally compared his and Lu Buqi's builds: "Master, really? He looks like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old!"

"Living in the forest is harsh, and not growing tall means you can't fight wild beasts. Buqi isn't just tall; he's also very capable. Don't underestimate him," Wang Lishou said, glancing at Wang Niansen and casually picking his teeth. "Those who underestimate him will be in for a bad time."

A teacher knows his students well, and Wang Niansen immediately chimed in: "No matter how capable he is, how much can he really do? I see he eats a lot. If he doesn't have any skills, we won't keep idle people in our shop."

Wang Niansen clearly had some influence among the apprentices, and many people echoed his words. This made it clear to Lu Buqi that he wasn't very welcome here.