Parting Ways

If he were to utilize Thousand Hammer Refinement, the completion rate of this short blade could likely reach around 80 points.

But Shen Chu did not do so.

If he were to truly forge a weapon in a single day that rivaled the decades of hard work put in by a veteran master, it would be far too shocking!

Should he attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, it might invite unnecessary disaster.

He still had to keep a low profile.

Throughout the entire afternoon, Shen Chu did not use Thousand Hammer Refinement even once, yet he still managed to complete four short blades.

Their completion rates were 44, 46, 48, and 50, respectively.

In terms of quality, they were on par with the others, but in terms of quantity, he had already produced one more than anyone else.

As his proficiency increased, this gap would only continue to widen.

He just wondered if, after today, he would still have the opportunity to keep a furnace station all to himself.

While waiting, Shen Chu took the time to tidy up the furnace station that had already gone cold.

Just then, Steward Li, who had been out on errands, returned from outside.

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Shen Chu cleaning the stove.

He had already heard about the incident at noon.

In truth, he had never explicitly told Shen Chu to take Han Tieshan as his master; he had only asked Han Tieshan, the person closest to being a low-grade blacksmith, to look after the boy.

He had not expected Han Tieshan to take it upon himself to try and force Shen Chu into an apprenticeship, only to fly into a rage when rejected and bring the matter to him.

Now, the situation had become rather difficult to handle.

If he protected Shen Chu, Han Tieshan and his faction would certainly not stand for it.

This was not the first time for Han Tieshan; every time a scene was made, he threatened to quit.

Steward Li had long since grown weary of it, but he could not truly let Han Tieshan go. After all, the man possessed superb craftsmanship and had gathered a group of disciples around him. If they all left, it would be a loss the Li Family could not afford to ignore.

A direct drop in weapon production would also lead to his superiors holding him accountable.

Yet, if he demoted Shen Chu to an apprentice just because of a word from Han Tieshan, it would not only chill the hearts of Shen Chu and the other bladesmiths, but also make Han Tieshan's group even more arrogant.

If that happened, his own words would carry even less weight!

After weighing his options, Steward Li decided that it was better to suffer a short pain than a long one.

Rather than being held hostage by Han Tieshan's group in the future, it was better to be decisive now; otherwise, Han Tieshan would truly forget who was the steward of this courtyard.

"Shen Chu, Han Tieshan, come here."

Steward Li beckoned the two over.

As soon as Han Tieshan reached them, he sneered at Shen Chu, "You yellow-haired brat, today I'm going to make you crawl back to being an apprentice! Don't even think about becoming a formal bladesmith for another two or three years."

Shen Chu's expression, however, remained calm.

Even if he were truly sent back to be an apprentice, he was not afraid.

It would be nothing more than a harder, more tiring life. As long as he could hone his true skills in the future, the scales in people's hearts would eventually tip in his favor.

"How this is handled is not up to you, but for Steward Li to decide."

Shen Chu looked at Steward Li.

"Steward, I was promoted to a formal bladesmith by your own hand. Even if you demote me back, I will harbor no resentment. Please, make your decision."

Though both had spoken, Shen Chu's words put Steward Li at ease, while Han Tieshan's words hid a veiled threat.

This made Steward Li lean even further toward Shen Chu. He looked at Han Tieshan, already somewhat impatient.

"I have heard about the matter. It is nothing more than a trivial trifle; why make such a mountain out of a molehill? Master Han, you really ought to restrain your temper."

Once these words were out, not only Han Tieshan, but even Shen Chu was stunned.

Shen Chu had not expected Steward Li to speak up for a newcomer, risking offense to a veteran bladesmith like Han Tieshan.

Han Tieshan had not expected Steward Li's attitude to be so firm this time; not only did he refuse to back him, but he even scolded him in front of the newcomer.

"Steward Li! Are you truly going to protect this newcomer?" Han Tieshan's face flushed a deep red.

His disciples, who had already become formal bladesmiths, all gathered around as well.

As they had done in the past, they attempted to pressure Steward Li in this manner, but Steward Li only grew more incensed. He remained steadfast in the decision he had made.

Better a short pain than a long one. If people like Han Tieshan were not suppressed, rules would cease to be rules!

This was the Li Family's bladesmithing courtyard, and the one in charge was him, old Li, not Han Tieshan's master-disciple clique.

"I will not take back what I said. If there is another incident like this, don't blame me for not remembering our past ties."

"Fine! Steward Li, you said it yourself!"

Han Tieshan pointed at Steward Li, ripped off his Li Family smithing uniform, and threw it on the ground.

His disciples followed suit, stripping off their uniforms and tossing them down; some even stomped on them fiercely.

Steward Li looked at the discarded uniforms on the ground, his brows knitting slightly before he spoke slowly.

"Han Tieshan, what is the meaning of this? Are you intending to leave the Li Family?"

Han Tieshan sneered, "Since Steward Li won't give me face, I have no reason to stay here and take this abuse. I, Han Tieshan, am at least a bladesmith of some standing in this city. Even without the Li Family, there are plenty of places that would invite me in!"

With that, he flicked his sleeves, turned, and strode toward the courtyard gate.

His disciples looked at one another; a few hesitated, but they all followed him out.

Once the group had exited the gates of the bladesmithing courtyard and walked a short distance, one disciple finally could not help but lean in toward Han Tieshan and ask in a low voice, "Master, are we really just leaving like this? What will we do from now on?"

The other disciples crowded around, their faces full of worry.

Han Tieshan stopped, looked back in the direction of the Li Family courtyard, and a smug smile curled his lips. "What's the rush? Do you think your master left on a whim?"

The disciples were taken aback.

Han Tieshan lowered his voice. "Don't forget, in seven days, the batch of weapons ordered by the Zhao Family in the north of the city is due. That's three hundred fine iron longswords. Relying on the few useless scraps left in the courtyard, they won't even finish half in ten days. When they fail to deliver the goods, can Steward Li bear the responsibility? That's a deal worth three thousand taels of silver!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples' eyes lit up.

"Does Master mean... that Steward Li will have to beg us to come back?"

Han Tieshan hummed, not answering directly, but patted the disciple on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Let's go, find a place to stay first. It won't be many days before someone naturally comes to invite us back."

The disciples finally set their hearts at ease, the clouds of worry on their faces swept away, and they followed Han Tieshan forward with laughter and chatter.

However, deep in the eyes of Han Tieshan, who walked at the very front, a flash of cold light flickered, one that others would find difficult to notice.

This matter went far beyond simply making Steward Li bow his head. Having worked for the Li Family for so many years, what he, Han Tieshan, held in his hands was far more than just the skill of a few hammers!