Even More People Would Be of No Use

"There are two weapons here. You must know this Ghost Head Saber—it was once Ji Ming's weapon. As for my Nine-Ringed Golden Saber, it was broken by this very Ghost Head Saber."

Jiang Dali pointed at the two weapons and said calmly, "Do you have the skill to melt down this Ghost Head Saber, extract the black iron within, and recast my Nine-Ringed Golden Saber?"

"Th-this..."

Blacksmith Zhang was instantly put in a difficult position. With a bitter smile, he said, "Mountain Lord, I'm afraid you may not know this, but the Ghost Head Saber was forged by Master Craftsman Gan Hu. Melting its black iron requires an exceptionally fierce fire.

"With my current abilities, I'm afraid there's simply no way I can melt the Ghost Head Saber and extract its black iron."

"Hmm?"

Jiang Dali frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So, there really is no way at present?"

In an instant, the entire room seemed to grow heavy and oppressive along with Jiang Dali's frown. The atmosphere plunged to freezing point, and even the heat generated by the several furnaces seemed to fall into an ice pit.

Every mountain bandit who had accompanied him, blacksmith included, felt their hearts skip a beat and inwardly cried that things were bad.

The bandit leader who had come along immediately glared and roared, "How dare you! Blacksmith Zhang, you haven't even tried, yet you say it's difficult? The Great Mountain Lord came to you because he thinks highly of you. Don't be so insensible!!"

As he spoke, the bandit leader reluctantly turned to Jiang Dali, who was still frowning, and nervously forced out a smile. "G-Great Mountain Lord, I don't think Blacksmith Zhang is necessarily incapable. Please don't get angry. Let him try first—if he tries, he can definitely do it. Please give him one chance!"

Jiang Dali glanced at the minor leader. Was this fellow imagining things a little too hard?

He had never said he would not let the man try. Was there any need to react so nervously and dramatically?

"Hehehe..."

The minor leader forced his mouth open in a grin, baring his white teeth as he continued smiling. His body trembled faintly of its own accord, his forehead covered in beads of sweat. He was terrified.

How could he not be?

The former boss's corpse had probably been fed to dogs by now.

In front of this big shot, keeping the attitude of an obedient grandson could never go wrong.

Blacksmith Zhang was frightened stiff as well. He immediately took the opening offered to him and forced a smile. "Mountain Lord, it's not as though there's absolutely no way. To be honest, I once studied under a master craftsman and learned a few techniques.

"Though limited by my current conditions, I may not be able to completely melt the Ghost Head Saber, but I can barely manage partial melting. I can alter the Ghost Head Saber's appearance somewhat, shaping it into the form of the Nine-Ringed Golden Saber. That should be close enough."

"Oh?"

A smile that moved everyone with relief appeared on Jiang Dali's face. "So that's how it is. When you said you couldn't do it, I thought you truly couldn't. After all, I've never been one to force others into difficulty."

Blacksmith Zhang said excitedly, "Mountain Lord, one look at you and anyone can tell you're the refined and easygoing sort. I, Zhang Tongwei, am quite good at judging people—I've never been wrong.

"Following a big shot like you is far better than following that temperamental Ghost Blade Ji Ming.

"Haha, now it's great. Ji Ming, that Ghost Blade, has truly become a dead ghost. This little one has finally abandoned darkness and turned toward the light."

"Mhm, not bad. Though you're slick with your words, you are a talent, and you know how to read the situation."

Jiang Dali nodded with a hearty smile.

Although he did not enjoy hearing flattery, the man had been right to call him refined and easygoing. He really was quite good at judging people.

When the surrounding bandits saw Jiang Dali's cold face finally break into a smile, their raised hearts finally settled. They all grinned along with him, pulling their faces into smiles, and the atmosphere immediately became one of joyous harmony.

"Great Mountain Lord, rest assured. Three—oh no, two days! I'll finish the task in two days." Blacksmith Zhang gritted his teeth and smiled.

"Good!"

Jiang Dali waved his hand. His underlings lowered their weapons, and he too left directly, surrounded by the crowd.

Through this test of forging a weapon, he also wanted to see what level this Blacksmith Zhang was truly at.

An intermediate blacksmith was rare at this stage, but he might not amount to much in the future.

However, if this Blacksmith Zhang could truly modify the Ghost Head Saber, it would prove that he still had room to grow. He might even advance into a high-level blacksmith one day, making him worth cultivating.

"Come to think of it, in my memories, there are some renowned blacksmith players and NPCs who can be recruited. The same goes for apothecaries—I can start recruiting them now."

After leaving the blacksmith's room, Jiang Dali pondered inwardly.

In the Comprehensive Martial World, martial strength was not the only thing that reigned supreme.

Capable craftsmen and skilled artisans could likewise earn the respect of many.

Among them, blacksmiths and apothecaries were especially important.

Some miraculous pills and medicines refined by apothecaries could restore qi and blood, even internal force. That alone was enough to increase a person's ability to continue fighting.

A major force needed talents like these even more.

Time quickly passed.

Another half hour later.

The players who had died earlier had finally all made it back to Tuoshui Mountain Stronghold.

Yet at the same time, another bandit force arrived at the foot of Tuo Mountain, flying the banner of Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold.

"Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold? Feng Sihai came personally to pay a visit?"

Listening to his underling's report, Jiang Dali nodded thoughtfully and said with a faint smile, "Bring him up the mountain."

At the foot of the mountain.

Upon receiving Jiang Dali's summons and audience, the Swift Wind bandits all changed color.

"Big Brother, you mustn't go up the mountain. We're fine down here, but if we really go up there and Jiang Dali harbors any ill intent, then even if we grew wings, we wouldn't be able to escape."

Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold's Second Boss, Wei Suowei, said anxiously.

Feng Sihai was furious inside, but none of it showed on his face. After pondering for a moment, he smiled. "Since Great Mountain Lord Jiang has decided to receive me, that is a good thing. He is giving me, Feng Sihai, face. How could I not go?"

"Big Brother!?" Wei Suowei grew anxious.

"No need to say more." Feng Sihai waved a hand. "This is clearly Great Mountain Lord Jiang giving Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold an opportunity. If others give us face, then we must accept that face as well. Otherwise, we would be refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit.

"Tell me—if I do not go up the mountain this time, and Great Mountain Lord Jiang leads men to attack Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold, who among us could stop him?"

The bandits were left speechless, their faces ugly.

The Black Wind Stronghold Master had single-handedly taken down several Inner Qi Realm experts, including Ghost Blade Ji Ming and Pingfengchan Gu Sun.

If he truly led men to attack Swift Wind Mountain Stronghold, he would indeed slaughter gods if gods blocked him, slaughter Buddhas if Buddhas blocked him. No one could stop him.

"Bring the congratulatory gift for Great Mountain Lord Jiang. Yun Liang, you four brothers will come up the mountain with me!"

Feng Sihai pointed at Sky Wolf Dawn Moon, the unconscious player who had been bound up like a rice dumpling.

"Big Brother, I'll go with you too!" Second Boss Wei Suowei hurriedly said.

Feng Sihai laughed heartily. "Good brother, there is no need for so many people. Even if all our brothers went up the mountain, what could we do? So there is no need for so many. Wait down here."

Wei Suowei sagged dejectedly.

That was right. With a fierce man like Jiang Dali having emerged in Hui City's underworld, what difference did it make whether a few of them went up the mountain or a whole crowd did?

Feng Sihai had never met Jiang Dali.

He had only ever heard the name, heard the title of Black Wind Stronghold Master.

A few days ago, that title had meant little to him.

But now, because of Jiang Dali himself, that title had become weighty indeed.

Before meeting Jiang Dali, he had imagined the other man's appearance countless times.

Yet when he entered the Hall of Righteousness in Tuoshui Mountain Stronghold, he was still startled.

Jiang Dali!

He truly lived up to his name—powerful and martial. Sitting there, he was like a mountain, and anyone who entered seemed to be facing that mountain head-on—lofty mountains inspire awe!

He wore a fitted black outfit. Every patch of flesh not covered by clothing bore a strange hue, seemingly bronze, yet also touched with black and gold, brimming with power.

His gaze was calm yet sharp. His lips were pressed tight, and his resolute chin seemed to radiate confidence.

At the sight of him, the few men behind Feng Sihai seemed to stop breathing altogether, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Though Feng Sihai wore a smile, his facial muscles had already stiffened, and sweat beaded on the tip of his nose.

Brothers, vote with recommendation tickets!!! I posted an easter egg chapter, but it couldn't pass review. What a headache. Forget it.