"Dong, dong, dong."
The metal door panel was knocked, and the sound was dull and heavy, like someone beating on an upside-down pot lid.
The room grew quiet for two seconds, and then Yuan Hua's signature thick voice came through, carrying the hoarseness of a lifetime of blacksmithing: "The door's unlocked, come in."
Xiao Cheng pushed the door open and entered.
Yuan Hua sat behind the desk, a thick stack of files spread out before him. Holding a pen, he raised his head and swept a glance over Xiao Cheng, his gaze sliding from the top of Xiao Cheng's head to the soles of his feet as if he were appraising a block of raw ore.
"Oh, the busy man has arrived," Yuan Hua said unhurriedly, putting down his pen. "I thought you'd forgotten the threshold of my association. I heard you've been running around playing in matches everywhere lately. Your schedule is busier than mine, and I'm a God Craftsman!"
"Teacher, stop teasing me." Xiao Cheng walked over honestly and placed the osmanthus pastry on the desk. "I came here as soon as I had free time, and I even brought your favorite."
Yuan Hua glanced at the box of osmanthus pastry, snorted, and didn't take it, but his tone softened by half a notch: "Looks like you still have a bit of filial piety."
He stood up, walked to an inconspicuous decorative panel on the wall, and pressed it casually.
With a soft click, the decorative panel slid open quietly, revealing a flight of stairs leading underground. A slightly cool airflow rushed up to meet them along the steps.
"Follow me down."
Xiao Cheng quickly followed, walking down the stairs. The moment his feet touched the bottom, the space suddenly opened up.
This underground forging room was at