Chapter 8

Ouyang Ming's movements were extremely swift. Under his forceful hammering, the rough ore quickly deformed.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, marveling at the change. In the past, a few strikes like this would have left him panting, not to mention being exhausted. After all, his age was a factor, and he could not compare to the famous strongmen in the army.

However, today he felt completely different. He had swung the hammer nearly a hundred times in succession, yet he did not even catch his breath.

"Creak..."

The door was pushed open, and Ouyang Ming was taken aback, wondering who would come at this time.

Looking up, he saw the old master and a man in his thirties enter one after the other. The man was extremely robust, a towering giant. His eyes were sharp, like a blade, making it impossible to meet his gaze.

Seeing Ouyang Ming holding the hammer, the old master's face darkened, and he said, "What are you up to, boy? It's so late, and you're not resting!"

Ouyang Ming glanced at the hammer in his hand, speechless.

He had come here originally to destroy the evidence on Zhang Hanru's body. After lighting the furnace, he had only intended to pretend to hammer a few times. But he became addicted and lingered.

"Ha ha, old master, who is this?" The tall man stepped forward, standing beside the old master, protecting him intentionally or unintentionally.

The old master's eyebrows raised, and he said proudly, "General Chen, this is my only disciple, Ouyang Ming."

Ouyang Ming's eyes lit up, realizing that this giant was General Chen Yifan.

Judging from the attitude between the old master and General Chen, they seemed to be quite compatible, but this had nothing to do with Ouyang Ming.

Chen Yifan laughed, "I see." His sharp aura dissipated, and he sized up Ouyang Ming, saying, "Old master, it's a pity your disciple isn't a soldier."

The old master was taken aback, "General Chen, I have already secured a position for him in the camp. He is a soldier now."

Chen Yifan waved his hand, "I mean, it's a pity he isn't under my command."

The old master understood the difference between the two, and he smiled bitterly, "General Chen, you're joking. This boy is an orphan, raised by the community. How could he catch your eye?"

Chen Yifan shook his head, "Old master, I'm not joking. This boy has extraordinary talent and abundant vitality. If he were to train with me, he would make rapid progress."

The old master was speechless, thinking to himself.

What extraordinary talent and abundant vitality? The boy gets tired after a few swings of the hammer. Expecting him to achieve anything in martial arts is a pipe dream.

Although the old master only had a basic understanding of martial arts, he had lived in the camp for most of his life. Even if he hadn't eaten pork, he had seen plenty of pigs run.

Turning to look at Ouyang Ming, who was holding the hammer and looking dazed, the old master was about to speak the truth, but suddenly felt a strange sensation from the boy. Looking at the hammer in his hand, he was surprised again. The boy's strength seemed to have really increased.

Frowning slightly, he said, "Boy, are you still here to build your strength?"

Ouyang Ming, hearing this, suddenly had an idea, "Old master, I need a stronger body. So, I took the opportunity to exercise while you were away."

His face flushed, not because of the exercise, but because of the excitement. However, to Chen Yifan and the old master, it looked like he was embarrassed.

"Ah, you boy," the old master pointed at him, checking him over, and said slowly, "You've been hammering for so long. Have you been exercising all this time?"

Ouyang Ming nodded repeatedly, "Except for resting, I've been here."

In fact, he hadn't been hammering for very long, but because his strength had mysteriously increased, he had achieved a lot in a short time.

The old master didn't know this and still viewed Ouyang Ming with his old perspective, so he miscalculated the time.

Chen Yifan laughed, "Little guy, do you want to build your strength and power? Ha ha, brute force won't work here. Why don't you train with me for a few months? I guarantee you a bright future."

The old master's face changed slightly, "General Chen, he has already used the military fire order." He paused, "Although he hasn't yet activated the military fire, I can already feel the seed of military fire in him. Give him a few more days, and he will surely activate it, becoming a qualified military fire forger."

Chen Yifan looked at Ouyang Ming in surprise, sighing, "What a fine physique, to become a military fire forger, what a waste."

He was straightforward, even in front of the old master.

The old master's face darkened, "What do you mean by a waste? You're just an ignorant brute."

However, Chen Yifan was the deputy general of the camp. Although he had just been transferred, it proved he had a powerful backer. The old master wouldn't quarrel with him over a few words.

Ouyang Ming, on the side, was confused, not understanding why the old master was hiding this.

Chen Yifan stepped forward and patted Ouyang Ming's shoulder heavily.

Ouyang Ming's body trembled slightly. If it were the old him, he would have collapsed. But now, although his physique hadn't changed, his resistance to impact was much stronger. His feet trembled but quickly stabilized.

Chen Yifan nodded, "Good boy, even without martial arts training, you have strength and stability. If you're interested, you can come to the West Camp anytime." He turned to the old master, grinning, "For your master's sake, I'll personally train you."

Although he was excited, he wouldn't easily owe anyone a favor. But now, since he needed the old master's help, his attitude was different.

The old master's heart stirred, "Boy, General Chen is being kind. Thank him quickly."

Ouyang Ming bowed, "Thank you, General."

Chen Yifan laughed, waving his hand, "Enough." He turned, "Old master, let's get to business."

The old master walked to a corner of the room, searching through a pile of minerals, and took out an item, "General Chen, how about this diamond with the bloodthirsty stone you found?"

Chen Yifan looked at it for a moment, his eyes filled with joy, "Old master, I knew you had good treasures. Ha ha, if we use this stone to forge a spear, perhaps we can really achieve that attribute?"

The old master pondered for a moment, "I will collect more special items and do my best. If I succeed..." His face flushed, "Perhaps, in my lifetime, I can forge a magical weapon!"

Chen Yifan's eyes also lit up, clearly showing the importance of the magical weapon to him.

Suddenly, his face changed, and he shouted, "Who's there!" As he spoke, his aura surged, creating a terrifying atmosphere that pinned the old master and Ouyang Ming in place.

Ouyang Ming's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, realizing how terrifying a true martial arts master could be.

Compared to Chen Yifan, Zhang Hanru was not even worthy to carry his shoes.

"Cough, General Chen, don't misunderstand, it's me," a slightly flustered voice said, and a man appeared at the door.

Chen Yifan's thick brows furrowed, "Manager Zhang, what are you doing here?"

The man at the door was Zhang Yinfan, who smiled bitterly, "General Chen, I'm here to inspect the inventory of the equipment camp. Why are you here?"

Chen Yifan snorted, "Do I need to report to you when I come here?" His tone was hostile, clearly not respecting Zhang Yinfan.

Zhang Yinfan lowered his head, "I dare not."

Chen Yifan waved his hand impatiently, "I'm discussing matters with the old master. Go inspect what you need to, and don't bother me!"

"Yes," Zhang Yinfan responded immediately, glancing at Ouyang Ming, and then turned to leave.

Chen Yifan's eyebrows raised, as if remembering something, and he called out, "Manager Zhang, the old master will be focusing on forging a weapon for me these days. Arrange his tasks so he doesn't overwork."

"Yes, I understand," Zhang Yinfan bowed and hurried away.

He had not come for an inspection. Upon learning that Chen Yifan had returned to the camp and obtained a special stone, he had made a decision. When the old master left, he had Zhang Hanru secretly attack Ouyang Ming.

With Zhang Hanru's strength, ambushing Ouyang Ming seemed like a sure thing.

But today, he waited and waited, and his nephew never returned.

Thinking of the treasure in his nephew's hands, he became anxious. Finally, he couldn't hold back and came himself, only to run into Chen Yifan.

Even with just a glance, he could tell that Ouyang Ming was in excellent condition, showing no signs of being ambushed.

If Zhang Hanru had really attacked, Ouyang Ming would not be in such a state.

Zhang Yinfan walked around the equipment camp, finding nothing. He looked up at the sky, puzzled.

Where is that brat...?

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