"What? Black Tiger Gang Leader Zhao Xuan?"
"Could he suspect that Wu Heng's death last night had something to do with our shop?"
The blacksmiths present were all startled. They exchanged uneasy glances, and the courtyard fell into dead silence.
When they first heard of Wu Heng's death, everyone had felt a rush of satisfaction, as if the pent-up anger in their hearts had finally been released. But once they calmed down and thought about it, Wu Heng had come to the shop yesterday and taken that Thirty Refinements Weapon by force and plunder. That very night, he had died at home.
Anyone would suspect the Iron Shop.
Thinking of how the Black Tiger Gang operated, everyone present felt that they were in for a rough time today.
Su Mu was the only one who didn't think so. Judging by the footsteps, Zhao Xuan had come alone. If he had come to demand an explanation for Wu Heng's death, he would have brought at least a dozen Black Tiger Gang members, even if he hadn't surrounded the shop outright.
But if Zhao Xuan hadn't come to demand an explanation, why had he come?
Su Mu was perplexed, just as confused as the others.
"Quick, go get the shopkeeper."
When Shopkeeper Li Tie appeared and learned that Zhao Xuan had arrived, he forced himself to remain calm. "Quick, invite Gang Leader Zhao in. We'll have a talk."
Before long, a middle-aged man in a blue scholar's robe, wearing a smile, entered the Iron Shop's inner courtyard. Several blacksmiths stared at Zhao Xuan in a daze.
Could this refined, scholarly man, who looked to be around thirty, really be the vicious man who ruled the Black Tiger Gang, whose very name was said to stop children in Qingshui Town from crying?
The thought seemed unbelievable, but everyone knew that no one in Qingshui Town would dare impersonate Zhao Xuan.
Even though Zhao Xuan had come alone, all the blacksmiths tensed up. They were even more nervous than they had been when Wu Heng had brought twenty men to the shop that day.
"Gang Leader Zhao."
Li Tie greeted him with a heavy heart. He and Su Mu had reached the same conclusion: since Zhao Xuan had come alone, and in broad daylight, he probably wouldn't attack them outright. They should hear what he wanted first.
Zhao Xuan took in the way everyone stood as if facing a great enemy and gave a soft chuckle. "Shopkeeper Li, it's been a long time. I heard you no longer forge things yourself, but your shop has produced an extraordinary young blacksmith. Congratulations."
As he spoke, Zhao Xuan cast an approving glance at Su Mu.
Li Tie, Zhou Shan, and the other blacksmiths instinctively stepped forward, shielding Su Mu behind them. "You flatter me, Gang Leader Zhao. I'm old now. You, on the other hand, are as impressive as ever."
Zhao Xuan's face was as gentle as a spring breeze. "I still remember that when I first came to Qingshui Town, you personally forged my first long saber. Five years ago, you forged me a sword as well. I still use both of them today, and they remain as sharp as ever. I've always admired your shop's forging skills. That day, Wu Heng came to the shop without telling me..."
"Wu Heng was too reckless and offended your shop. Now that he's dead, I hope you and the others won't take it to heart. Let's put the matter behind us."
At his words, the people in the courtyard froze in place. The Black Tiger Gang's leader, Zhao Xuan, had come to their door today not to cause trouble, but to seek reconciliation?
The blacksmiths first found it hard to believe, but soon they realized what lay behind it.
"Zhao Xuan must think that the hero who killed Wu Heng yesterday had something to do with our Iron Shop." The thought immediately surfaced in Li Tie's mind.
He didn't believe a word of Zhao Xuan's earlier talk. The man had always been ruthless; otherwise, he never could have built the Black Tiger Gang into the largest faction in Qingshui Town.
Li Tie guessed that the righteous hero who had acted yesterday was incredibly powerful—powerful enough to make even Zhao Xuan wary, afraid that the man might target the Black Tiger Gang again.
If that happened, the Black Tiger Gang would inevitably suffer heavy losses. That wasn't something Zhao Xuan wanted to see, which was why he had come alone today to propose a reconciliation.
Li Tie's guess was right. That was exactly what Zhao Xuan had been thinking. He had spent a sleepless night turning the matter over in his mind, and could only conclude that Wu Heng had met his end because he had offended the Li Family Blacksmith Shop.
He absolutely refused to believe that it was mere coincidence that Wu Heng had seized the Li Family Blacksmith Shop's weapons during the day, only to be tortured to death in his own home that night. Zhao Xuan had even investigated the matter last night and learned that Wu Heng had secretly ordered men to kidnap people from the shop.
In short, Zhao Xuan had already concluded that the mysterious Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist was closely connected to the Iron Shop. Now that Wu Heng was dead, Zhao Xuan simply pinned all the blame on him to settle the grudge between them.
Li Tie looked burly, but he was a careful man. He didn't answer at once, instead pretending to ponder for a moment before speaking. "Gang Leader Zhao, you're too kind. Our shop didn't suffer much loss. Please accept our condolences."
Zhao Xuan had noticed Li Tie's reaction just now. So it was as he'd thought. He untied the long saber at his waist and held it out.
"Shopkeeper Li, you're magnanimous. In that case, this long saber should return to its rightful owner."
Li Tie accepted the saber, his heart lifting with joy. He had actually written another letter these past few days, intending to give it to Su Mu so he could go to the Weapon Forging Workshop. Now that the saber had been returned, he wouldn't need to.
The two continued exchanging pleasantries in the courtyard. Anyone watching might have thought they were old friends of many years.
"Take care, Gang Leader Zhao."
After Zhao Xuan left, Li Tie and the others all let out a long breath. The tension in their brows eased, and smiles appeared on their faces.
"Masters, don't discuss Wu Heng's matter in the shop anymore. Let's put it behind us. Everyone, get back to work."
"Understood."
The others answered and returned to the forging rooms.
"That Zhao Xuan can't be trusted. He's a Smiling Tiger... But Shopkeeper Li saw the doubts in Zhao Xuan's heart. That pause of his just now might keep the shop safe."
Wu Heng's matter had been put aside for the time being, but the Black Tiger Gang was still a major threat in Su Mu's eyes.
The foremost man in Qingshui Town, the only Eighth Rank Bone Forging Realm Martial Artist, had actually been willing to lower his head. Su Mu had also heard that Zhao Xuan and Wu Heng had been very close. All in all, a Smiling Tiger like Zhao Xuan was frightening.
It wasn't that Su Mu hadn't considered wiping out the Black Tiger Gang for good. He only needed to keep a low profile and train for a while longer, bringing Tiger Subduing Fist to perfection and Rock Shattering Fist and Startled Sparrow Steps to mastery. Then he would likely have a chance to reach the realm of refined strength.
By then, he would be confident he could deal with Zhao Xuan. But Su Mu didn't have much time left. He couldn't stay in Qingshui Town any longer; he had to go to Qingyun City as soon as possible.
His desire to leave grew stronger. I'll talk to the shopkeeper about leaving after work today... He should let me go, right?
If going to Qingyun City can cure the Gu Poison in my body... I'll have plenty of chances to come back and deal with Zhao Xuan later.
Clang!
With one last swing of the hammer, Su Mu let out a quiet breath and set down the Forging Hammer. He tidied his tools with practiced ease, then sealed the furnace.
The sun was sinking in the west. Li Tie had been waiting outside the forging room for some time, and he beckoned Su Mu over.
"Su Mu, come with me for a moment."
"All right."
Su Mu was a little puzzled. The shopkeeper was actually waiting for him, too.
"Su Mu, how long have you been at our shop?"
"About a year and seven months."
Li Tie looked astonished. "Just a year and seven months... In such a short time, Su Mu, you've surpassed everyone in the shop at forging, myself included."
"That's thanks to Master Zhou Shan and the other masters. They've taught me well." Su Mu answered modestly, but he meant it. Zhou Shan in particular had not only taught him forging skills, but had also given him the Prescription for Three-Complete Body Strengthening Soup. Without it, Su Mu's progress in martial arts would never have been so astonishing.
Su Mu was grateful. He was the sort who responded to kindness, not force; he would remember anyone who treated him well.
Li Tie nodded as he listened. "Su Mu, you have a great talent for forging. I don't think someone with your gifts should be buried in a little Iron Shop like ours."
"Have you heard of Qingyun City?"
"I've heard of it."
Su Mu was surprised. Did Shopkeeper Li mean to suggest that he go to Qingyun City to seek his fortune?
"There's a Weapon Forging Workshop in Qingyun City. Its forging skills are famous throughout Qingyun County, and it's more than ten times the size of the Li Family Blacksmith Shop. I used to be one of its members."
"Su Mu, I've already written you a letter of recommendation. This Thirty Refinements Long Saber was actually the Weapon Forging Workshop's test for you. Take this letter and the saber to Qingyun City. You'll find a much wider world there."
"I hope that one day you'll become a true Forging Master who can forge Ranked Weapons. You're the pride of the Li Family Blacksmith Shop!"
"Shopkeeper Li..."
"If you don't mind, you can call me Uncle Li."
"Uncle Li!"
Beneath the locust tree at dusk, their shadows stretched long and crooked. The young man's expression was complicated, shame mingling with gratitude. At last, the older man smiled in satisfaction and gently patted him on the shoulder.
"Little Mu, I'll tell the other masters at the shop tomorrow. We'll celebrate together."
"Young people should get out and see the world. Who knows? One day, the Li Family Blacksmith Shop might live on in glory because of you. Then Uncle Li and everyone else will be able to bask in a little of your reflected glory."
Beneath the locust tree, the young man nodded, but in his heart, he quietly made a decision: one day, he would return to Qingshui Town and rid the shop of Zhao Xuan, that menace.
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