Divine Blacksmith-Mo Heng

The next day, at Murong Mansion.

After waking from his dream, Murong Huai began his daily training. His long sword danced in his hand, carving another sword mark through the air. Swordlight flashed, and sword intent ran rampant, giving him quite the air of a Grandmaster.

An hour later, Murong Huai lowered his sword and slowly let out a breath of stale air.

"His Highness the Holy Son's swordsmanship grows more refined by the day. It seems it won't be long before he comprehends the next sword technique." Tu Zhen, Ju Qinglan, and Gui Mei praised him from the sidelines.

As for Yue Guan, he had dragged Dugu Bo off to help detoxify Dugu Bo's son.

Murong Huai looked at the three of them and considered it. For now, the people at his disposal—Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Dugu Bo—were enough. So he said:

"Ju Qinglan, Tu Zhen, my physique has now reached a level comparable to that of a Soul Emperor. You two don't need to keep following me. The great battle at Spirit Hall has only just ended, and there are many wounded. Healers are in short supply right now.

"Ju Qinglan, go help treat Spirit Hall's soldiers."

"Yes, His Highness the Holy Son." Ju Qinglan cupped her hands in reply. Then Murong Huai turned to Tu Zhen and said:

"As for you, Tu Zhen, the Black Flame Army is recruiting new soldiers. They're short a chief instructor. I've already discussed it with my father and teacher. If you're willing, go join the Black Flame Army."

Hearing Murong Huai's words, Tu Zhen was delighted. Joining the Black Flame Army had always been his dream, so he hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

"This subordinate thanks His Highness the Holy Son."

The two then left Murong Mansion. Murong Huai turned to Gui Mei and instructed him:

"Gui Mei, prepare a carriage. I'm going to the Engineering Department."

"Yes, Holy Son." Hearing this, Gui Mei turned and left to make preparations.

Murong Huai entered his room and went over to the table. Four stacks of blueprints lay on it, each a different height. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He stored them in his Soul Tool, then turned and left the room, heading outside Murong Mansion.

Gui Mei had already prepared the carriage. The two of them set off for the Engineering Department.

...,

The Engineering Department.

Murong Huai and Gui Mei arrived at the Engineering Department and made their way to the main hall. The craftsman at the front desk was Zhang Wu, whom Murong Huai had met last time. The moment Zhang Wu saw Murong Huai, he hurriedly rose and stepped forward to salute him.

"This subordinate pays his respects to His Highness the Holy Son."

At Zhang Wu's words, the others who were working turned to look. Murong Huai's name had become famous throughout the Engineering Department. The Red Barbarian Cannon had earned praise from all the master craftsmen, and even the department's chief had come to regard him with new respect.

"Good heavens, that's His Highness the Holy Son!"

"I heard His Highness the Holy Son designed the Red Barbarian Cannon..."

"He's so young..."

"..."

Hearing the chatter around him, Murong Huai furrowed his brow. Seeing this, Zhang Wu hurriedly barked at the others.

"What are you all staring at? Have you finished the tasks in your hands? Anyone who keeps staring and gossiping can go dig for ore!"

At Zhang Wu's scolding, everyone hurried back to work. Although Zhang Wu was only a craftsman, he was one of the top people at the front desk.

"His Highness the Holy Son, this subordinate has failed to keep his people in line. I beg your forgiveness." Zhang Wu hurriedly bowed and apologized to Murong Huai.

Murong Huai waved a hand. "It's fine. Find a quiet room and call over a few master craftsmen. I have several things I need them to make."

"Yes, His Highness the Holy Son."

...,

They soon arrived at a quiet room. They had barely sat down when several men slowly pushed open the door and entered. The man leading them was burly, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a red-and-gold robe. When he saw Murong Huai, surprise flickered in his eyes, but he still bowed and cupped his hands in salute.

"Mo Heng, chief of the Engineering Department, pays his respects to His Highness the Holy Son."

"We pay our respects to His Highness the Holy Son," the others said, hurriedly cupping their hands in salute as well.

Before coming, Murong Huai had familiarized himself with the Engineering Department's general situation, especially its chief, Mo Heng. His Martial Soul was the Thousand Mechanism Hammer, which had many special functions. It could transform into all kinds of forms, such as an engraving chisel, a rock-boring drill, or a diamond drill. After receiving Spirit Hall's support, he had reached level seventy-eight Soul Power.

He also had another identity: he was one of the only two divine blacksmiths on Douluo Continent. Murong Huai had been rather surprised when he heard this, but quickly came around. After all, this was Spirit Hall. Having a divine blacksmith stationed here wasn't all that unusual.

After all, even Tai Tan, the old ape of the Strength Clan under the Clear Sky Sect, would go on to become a divine blacksmith. Mo Heng, with Spirit Hall's resources behind him, was all the more suited to the title.

"Chief Mo, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Please, sit." Murong Huai nodded and gestured for them to take their seats.

"I'd long heard that the designer of the Red Barbarian Cannon was none other than the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. I've wanted to meet you for ages. I never expected His Highness the Holy Son to be so young. Truly, heroes emerge in youth!"

Murong Huai was quite pleased by Mo Heng's words. Smiling, he said:

"Chief Mo, you flatter me. I'd also long heard of your reputation as a divine blacksmith. It certainly lives up to the name."

At this, Mo Heng beamed. Then he said:

"Your Highness is too kind. My little skills are nothing worth mentioning. May I ask what brings you here today...?"

Hearing Mo Heng's question, Murong Huai stopped making polite small talk. He took the four stacks of blueprints from his Soul Tool and set them on the table.

"Chief Mo, I've come to have these several things made. Take a look."

Mo Heng grew interested at once. He hurried over to the table and picked up one of the blueprints, studying it. Before long, his eyes lit up.

"My, what ingenious workmanship!"

"What is this? It can pull..."

"Rifling, a magazine..."

After setting it down, Mo Heng picked up another set of blueprints and immediately exclaimed:

"Excellent! This weapon may be small, but it's cleverly designed..."

At last, he picked up the final two sets of blueprints. A puzzled look came over his face.

"Your Highness the Holy Son, what are these two things? They're so small, and they even require gunpowder?"

Hearing this, Murong Huai smiled but didn't answer him directly. Instead, he asked:

"Chief Mo, you'll find out what they are later. Do you think you can make two of each within half a month?"

At Murong Huai's words, Mo Heng didn't ask anything further. He thumped his chest and declared:

"Rest assured, Your Highness the Holy Son. I guarantee I'll deliver the finished products within half a month."

Murong Huai nodded. "Good. By the way, remember that when making the last two items, there must be no open flames. The room mustn't be too dry, and there can't be any lint around. Otherwise, static electricity could ignite the gunpowder and cause an explosion. I'll explain what static electricity is another time."

"Yes, Your Highness the Holy Son." Hearing this, Mo Heng cupped his hands in reply.

"Good. In that case, I'll await your good news, Chief Mo."

With that, Murong Huai rose to leave. Seeing this, the others hurriedly bowed.

"We certainly won't disappoint the Holy Son."

After Murong Huai and Gui Mei left, Mo Heng and the master craftsmen crowded around the blueprints, praising them one after another.

"Good grief, what on earth is this..."

"Good heavens, why is this weapon so strange..."

"What a treasure, what a treasure!"

Hearing their astonished exclamations and seeing the way they looked at the blueprints as if they were their own wives, Mo Heng hurriedly said:

"Shoo, shoo! Don't mess up the blueprints. Listen up, get every master craftsman here and have them make these things with everything they've got!"

"Uh, Chief, most of the master craftsmen are on leave right now..."

"Damn it, what leave? Call them all back! As long as they get these things made, I'll even let my wife warm their beds!"

"Yes, Chief."

"Hey, Chief, don't you even have a thing yet?"

"Don't make me slap you while I'm in the best mood of my life!"

"Oh."