Chapter 50

In Guojian Town, which is not very large, Wang Lishou was originally a star figure in the town. In any world, gossip is always a major topic for a large part of the population.

The debut performances of Wang Gangqiang and Wang Niansen undoubtedly attracted many people to come and join in the fun. Besides, some people wanted to see what kind of "outsider" this young man was, which could also add some spice to their monotonous lives.

The debut performance required the creation of a weapon designated by the master, which had to be completed independently. Of course, the bellows for the furnace were still tended to by apprentices. Wang Gangqiang and Wang Niansen only needed to work alone to forge a decapitation sword within the specified time.

Wang Lihong, Wang Liqing, and Wang Lihai also came over, and naturally, a few stools were added next to Wang Lishou for them to sit down.

At this moment, many onlookers gradually noticed a problem: apart from the four major figures of Guojian Town, there was another person sitting leisurely, a very young boy. When asked, they found out that this was the "outsider" Buqi. For a slave without a surname to sit with the four major figures, many gossips could not help but start discussing it.

Lu Buqi naturally had to attend the ceremony, as he was very interested in learning blacksmithing. Being able to witness the debut performances of the two best apprentices would certainly be beneficial to him.

Amidst the rhythmic hammering sounds and the chatter of the Guojian Town residents, Lu Buqi maintained a calm expression. What he did not expect was that Wang Shuangqiao, the girl, also came to join in the fun, squeezing behind him and exclaiming how hot it was, her face flushed with sweat.

"Are you still coming in when it's so hot?" Lu Buqi was speechless. It was almost summer, and with two furnaces burning, the temperature in the space was definitely over sixty degrees. How could it not be hot?

Wang Shuangqiao wiped her sweat and laughed, "Uncle Lishou's top apprentice's debut is not something you see every day. How could I not come and take a look?"

Wang Lishou teased, "I think you came to see Buqi, and you're just making an excuse..."

Wang Shuangqiao's already red face turned even redder. She frowned and glanced at Lu Buqi's side face, seeing that he had no reaction, she pouted, "That's not true, Uncle Lishou, don't say such things and cause misunderstandings!"

"Alright, alright... I won't say it, to avoid hurting the hearts of many young men!" Wang Lishou laughed, and Wang Lihong also chimed in, "That's right, Shuangqiao is a flower of Guojian, and many young men have their eyes on her. Uncle Lishou, aren't you causing trouble for Buqi?"

Wang Lishou looked at Lu Buqi, "Buqi, are you afraid of trouble?"

Lu Buqi seemed to be distracted, "Trouble? It depends on who wants to cause trouble for me!"

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Wang Shuangqiao shyly lowered her head. This little episode undoubtedly gave the onlookers more topics to talk about. As everyone chatted, the debut performances of Wang Niansen and Wang Gangqiang were nearing the end.

When the two new but unsharpened decapitation swords appeared before Wang Lishou, he carefully examined them, tapping, striking, and swinging them, displaying his extremely high level of expertise.

Finally, Wang Lishou passed the two decapitation swords to Wang Liqing and others for their inspection before looking at Wang Niansen and Wang Gangqiang, "I won't comment on the quality of your work for now. You tell me your feelings, Niansen, you go first."

Seeing his master point at him, and with many people watching, Wang Niansen was not at all nervous, "Master, I forged this decapitation sword using the fish-scale method. Apart from using a large hammer for the initial forging and hammering of the fine iron, I used a small hammer for the subsequent 1,376 hammer strikes after 19 layers of folding. The timing for quenching was well controlled, and this sword, in terms of both strength and hardness, can be considered top-notch."

Wang Lishou nodded, "You are quite confident. Now, tell me your shortcomings?"

Wang Niansen thought for a moment and replied, "My shortcoming is that my physical strength is still not sufficient. If I could complete 20 layers of folding, this sword would be even better."

"You little guy..." Wang Lishou laughed, "Striving for perfection is the most basic quality of a blacksmith. However, a decapitation sword with 10 layers of folding is already considered good. You completing 19 layers is indeed impressive. Alright, I won't trick you. Your forging process and the result are both excellent. It shows that you have not wasted your years. You... have passed!"

"Great!" Wang Niansen was so excited that he almost jumped up. The 26-year-old young man looked like a 13- or 14-year-old boy.

Wang Gangqiang looked at him enviously. When Wang Lishou turned to him, he responded solemnly, "Master, I used the same method as Niansen. I also completed 19 layers of folding, totaling 1,318 hammer strikes. However, the timing for quenching was not quite right, which affected the strength of the sword, but not significantly. The durability might be about 10% lower..."

"10% lower durability, you didn't estimate it wrong, but is that not a significant impact?" Wang Lishou frowned, "A customer buys a sword, pays full price, but only gets 90% of the quality. Can you live with that?"

Wang Gangqiang's heart sank, and he quickly replied, "Master, that's not what I meant. I was just... today is too important, and I was a bit nervous, so I hesitated. I usually don't have this problem!"

"Gangqiang, you are my first apprentice, and you are Niansen's senior. However, your skills have always been a notch below Niansen's. It's not because your foundation is not solid, but because your mental fortitude is not strong enough," Wang Lishou said seriously, "I've said before, blacksmithing is like martial arts training. You must be fully focused and not be influenced by external factors to achieve the best results."

Wang Gangqiang lowered his head, "Master... I... I have tried very hard, but..."

"I understand, you tend to hesitate and lack strong confidence," Wang Lishou nodded, "You should learn from Niansen in this aspect. Today, your debut performance..."

He paused, and as Wang Gangqiang's expression became increasingly dejected and the crowd looked on in surprise, Wang Lishou smiled, "You have also passed. After all, as my apprentice, even if you only achieve 90% of the quality, the weapon you forge is still top-notch!"

Wang Gangqiang was first stunned, then his eyes widened, and he let out a deep roar, tears streaming down his face. The burly man could not contain his excitement and knelt before Wang Lishou, crying like a child.

Patting Wang Gangqiang's head, Wang Lishou smiled, "Gangqiang, now that you have passed, I won't keep nagging you. I hope you continue to work hard and find your place, and become a confident blacksmith!"

Seeing this, Lu Buqi was deeply moved. Wang Gangqiang's persistence resonated with him, and he could imagine the great effort Wang Gangqiang had put into overcoming his inner weaknesses.

Wang Lishou, a master blacksmith, had a strong influence on his apprentices, both in skills and character. Even in a debut performance, his words and actions left no room for doubt.

"These two swords are significant to you. Keep them well!" Wang Lishou handed the decapitation swords back to them, "When you feel you are truly an excellent blacksmith, then you can sharpen them."

"Yes, Master!" Wang Niansen also knelt down, and together with Wang Gangqiang, they received the swords, symbolizing the passing of skills and spirit.

After the two bowed, Wang Lishou helped them up, clapped his hands, and looked around at the crowd, laughing, "Today, my apprentices Gangqiang and Niansen have passed. I am deeply grateful for your presence. To show my gratitude, everyone here can choose one item for free!"

"Free!" The crowd cheered, almost ready to grab things. Wang Lishou quickly shouted, "Don't tear my shop apart! Ordinary people, don't pick randomly. Choose any household item from the shop. As for martial artists, choose a weapon. Gangqiang and Niansen, you are responsible for giving out the gifts. Lu Yazi, guard the door, don't let those who didn't attend the ceremony take anything. Even if I had a mountain of gold, it would be taken away!"

Wang Lishou's words naturally caused another round of laughter, and a harmonious scene ensued. Wang Lishou's reputation for generosity would surely spread again in Guojian Town.

Wang Liqing chose a long spear with a fine iron shaft, smiling with satisfaction, "Ha... I was planning to buy a spear anyway, now I get it for free!"

Wang Lihong chose a pair of steel claws, and Wang Lihai picked a single-edged sword, all of which were top-notch weapons from Wang Lishou's shop, and they were clearly very satisfied.

"Damn, you guys really know how to pick!" Wang Lishou pretended to be upset, looking at the three, "It's noisy here, let's go for a walk. I'll tell you about the good news that happened at the head steward's house this morning!"

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