Chương 25: The Forge Manor Quota—The Artisan Hall Demands One

Wang Shan was at his wit's end. A suffocating frustration churned in his chest, leaving him no outlet for relief. To ascend to the fourth rank, he had meticulously prepared two strategies. Now, with Huang Mazi missing, one of those paths was irrevocably severed. Rage boiled in Wang Shan's heart.

"It seems... my only hope now lies with that boy, Yu Yi," he muttered to himself, clenching his fists. Wang Shan was a man of ambition, a calculating leader. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and steadied his emotions. When he opened them again, his resolve was firm. Huang Yuan, Huang Mazi's elder brother, stood nearby, his face clouded with sorrow. He knew his younger brother's nature all too well. Their success to date had relied heavily on Wang Shan's support.

Now, with his brother missing and presumed dead, Huang Yuan could only feel despair.

"Even the valuables in his courtyard are gone," Huang Yuan added gravely. Valuables... gone? Wang Shan frowned, his jaw tightening.

"That's no surprise," he growled.

"Even the treasure manual for the Flood Dragon Technique has vanished. Why would gold and silver remain untouched?"

"Damn it! That was my money! Curse that thief!" A dangerous glint flashed in Wang Shan's eyes—a predatory gleam that spoke of his desire to hunt down and destroy whoever had dared cross him.

"Investigate!" he barked.

"Search every martial artist near the fishing village from these past days. Leave no stone unturned. Let none escape!" Wang Shan's hatred for the thief ran bone-deep, rooted in three unforgivable offenses: First, stealing the treasure manual he had schemed so hard to obtain. Second, cutting off his financial lifeline.

Wang Shan's rise from obscurity to prominence had required significant funding, and his operations relied on covert agents like Huang Mazi, who handled dealings with the River Gang and extorted the local fishing folk. This seemingly minor connection had generated substantial income over the years—income now permanently lost. Third, the audacity. Killing his men so brazenly was nothing short of a direct provocation against Wang Shan himself.

He licked his lips, the gesture grotesque, as if savoring the thought of his enemy kneeling before him, flesh stripped piece by piece, bones ground to powder.

"Understood!" Huang Yuan saluted before retreating from the room. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Wang Shan sighed, shifting his focus.

"The Forge Manor apprentice selection is of utmost importance. With Yu Yi in play, success is almost guaranteed." Feeling slightly reassured by his backup plan, Wang Shan rose and made his way to the Blacksmith Guild's council chamber. The council chamber, one of the guild's three inner sanctums, was strictly off-limits to ordinary disciples and elders without explicit summons. Inside sat Yang Dingtian, the guild master; Wang Shan, head of the Breaking Army Hall; and Sun Tiexin, head of the Artisan Hall.

"Iron Bull," Wang Shan began, addressing Sun Tiexin, "what's so urgent that you called us here?" Yang Dingtian glanced at Wang Shan before turning his attention to Sun Tiexin, who was smiling broadly. The Artisan Hall leader reached under the table and retrieved a gleaming saber.

"Take a look at this masterpiece!" Sun Tiexin announced proudly, handing the weapon to his peers. Both Yang Dingtian and Wang Shan, though not smiths themselves, were well-versed in weaponry.

"This blade... Its cold aura is palpable, and its balance of toughness and sharpness is impeccable. Has Xiao Xunhuan improved his forging techniques again?" Yang Dingtian asked, running his fingers along the blade. A spark of inner energy struck the saber, which sang with a clear resonance.

"Impressive," Wang Shan agreed.

"But why would Xiao Xunhuan or Guo Ju, both capable of forging second-grade weapons, bother with a first-grade weapon?" Sun Tiexin chuckled, his eyes glinting with delight.

"Guess again!" he exclaimed, his booming laughter filling the chamber. The other two exchanged puzzled glances.

"This blade wasn't forged by Xiao Xunhuan or Guo Ju," Sun Tiexin declared triumphantly.

"It was forged by my apprentice—Su Zhe!"

"Su Zhe?" Yang Dingtian and Wang Shan echoed in unison, momentarily confused. Then recognition dawned.

"That's the boy who made a splash during the Bone Resonance Transfer, outperforming even the prodigy Yu Yi!" Wang Shan muttered, his expression darkening.

"Indeed!" Sun Tiexin confirmed.

"This first-grade weapon is nearly at the level of a second-grade weapon. For his first attempt, no less! Su Zhe is a once-in-a-century forging genius!" Yang Dingtian and Wang Shan were stunned.

"First attempt? A genius of this caliber?"

"Impossible..." Wang Shan said bitterly.

"Even Xiao Xunhuan took years of training before achieving this level."

"Are you doubting me?" Sun Tiexin growled, glaring at Wang Shan like an angry bull ready to charge. Yang Dingtian raised a hand to defuse the tension.

"Such talent is a blessing for our guild," he said thoughtfully.

"What is it you wish for him, Sun Tiexin?"

"A third-grade weapon as a reward," Sun Tiexin said without hesitation.

"And... one spot for the Forge Manor apprenticeship!"

"Ridiculous!" Wang Shan exploded.

"The guild has only one recommendation slot. If it goes to Su Zhe, what about my apprentice, Yu Yi? The River Gang has their own prodigies. The Forge Manor values innate talent above all else, and Yu Yi has an A-grade bone resonance!" Sun Tiexin smirked.

"The Forge Manor may prioritize talent, but they've also said they will consider unparalleled forging geniuses. Don't think I'm afraid of you, Wang Shan!" Yang Dingtian sighed, sensing a heated argument brewing. Summoning his inner strength, he silenced both men with a burst of energy.

"A third-grade weapon for Su Zhe is acceptable," he declared.

"As for the Forge Manor slot, there's still time. Let us observe both Yu Yi and Su Zhe further before making a final decision." Sun Tiexin grinned, satisfied.

"Just wait," he said smugly, "until my apprentice earns his place at the Forge Manor. Then we'll see who gets the last laugh!" With that, he stormed out, leaving Wang Shan fuming. Unaware of the brewing storm, Su Zhe remained engrossed in his work at the Artisan Hall. Hammering, forging, quenching, sharpening—each blow of his hammer rang like the sound of coins falling into a coffer. A pile of freshly forged weapons, seven or eight in total, rested nearby. More money... I need more money!

Ever since learning of Huang Mazi's connection to the Breaking Army Hall, Su Zhe felt as though a blade hovered over his head, ready to strike. To secure his future and open his fourth celestial aperture, he needed wealth—and fast.