If he activated Thousand Hammer Refinement, the short blade's completion should reach around 80 points.
But Shen Chu didn't do that.
If he really forged a weapon in a single day that rivaled one made by a master who'd spent decades honing his craft, it would be far too shocking!
If he attracted the attention of someone with ulterior motives, he might bring unnecessary disaster upon himself.
He still had to keep a low profile.
All afternoon, Shen Chu hadn't used Thousand Hammer Refinement even once, yet he'd still completed a full four short blades.
Their completion scores were 44, 46, 48, and 50.
Their quality was about the same as everyone else's, but he'd already made one more than the others.
As his proficiency increased, that gap would only widen.
He just didn't know whether he'd get another chance to work alone at a forge after today.
As Shen Chu waited, he took the opportunity to tidy up the forge, which had already gone cold.
Just then, Steward Li returned from his purchasing trip.
The moment he entered the courtyard, he saw Shen Chu cleaning the forge.
He'd already heard about what happened at noon.
He'd never actually told Shen Chu to apprentice himself to Han Tieshan. He'd only asked Han Tieshan, the man closest to becoming a lower-grade blacksmith, to look after him.
He hadn't expected Han Tieshan to take it upon himself to try to accept Shen Chu as a disciple, then fly into a rage after being rejected and bring the matter to him.
Now things had become rather difficult to handle.
If he protected Shen Chu, Han Tieshan and his people would certainly refuse to accept it.
This wasn't the first time Han Tieshan had done this. Whenever a dispute arose, he threatened to leave.
Steward Li had long been fed up with it, but he couldn't actually let Han Tieshan go. After all, Han Tieshan was highly skilled and had a whole group of disciples under his wing. If they all left, it would be a loss the Li Family couldn't ignore.
And the direct drop in weapon production would also lead to his superiors holding him accountable.
But if he demoted Shen Chu to apprentice just because Han Tieshan said so, it wouldn't just discourage Shen Chu and the other bladesmiths; it would make Han Tieshan and his people even more arrogant.
After that, his words would carry even less weight!
After weighing the options, Steward Li still felt that short-term pain was better than long-term suffering.
Rather than let Han Tieshan and his people keep him in check from now on, he might as well be decisive and act now. Otherwise, Han Tieshan might truly forget who managed this courtyard.
"Shen Chu, Han Tieshan, both of you come over."
Steward Li beckoned them over.
As soon as Han Tieshan reached them, he sneered at Shen Chu. "You little brat, today I'll send you packing back to being an apprentice! You can forget about becoming a full-fledged bladesmith for at least two or three years."
But Shen Chu's expression remained unruffled.
Even if he really had to go back to being an apprentice, he wasn't afraid.
At worst, life would be a little harder and more exhausting. As long as he honed his skills and developed genuine talent, sooner or later the scales in people's hearts would tip in his favor.
"Whether you're demoted isn't up to him. It's up to Steward Li to decide."
Shen Chu turned to Steward Li.
"Steward, you personally promoted me to full bladesmith. Even if you demote me, I won't hold it against you. I ask you to make the decision."
They'd both said their piece, but Shen Chu's words put Steward Li at ease, while Han Tieshan's carried a veiled threat.
That only made Steward Li side even more firmly with Shen Chu. He looked at Han Tieshan, already growing impatient.
"I've heard what happened. It's a trivial matter, so why blow it out of proportion? Master Han, you should learn to rein in your temper."
Those words left not only Han Tieshan but even Shen Chu stunned.
Shen Chu hadn't expected Steward Li to side with a newcomer like him, even at the risk of offending a veteran bladesmith like Han Tieshan.
Han Tieshan hadn't expected Steward Li to take such a hard line this time either. Not only had he refused to stand up for him, he'd even rebuked him in front of the newcomer.
"Steward Li! You really mean to protect this newcomer?" Han Tieshan's old face flushed crimson.
His disciples who'd already become full-fledged bladesmiths all crowded around as well.
As before, they were trying to pressure Steward Li with their numbers.
But Steward Li only grew angrier, and he stood by the decision he'd made.
Short-term pain was better than long-term suffering. If people like Han Tieshan weren't kept in check, the rules would cease to be rules!
This was the Li Family's Sword-Forging Courtyard. He, old Li, was in charge here, not Han Tieshan and his gang of master and disciples.
"I won't take back what I said. If something like this happens again, don't blame me for forgetting our old ties."
"Fine! Steward Li, you said it yourself!"
Han Tieshan pointed at Steward Li, stripped off his Li Family smithing uniform, and threw it to the ground.
His disciples followed suit, taking off their uniforms and throwing them down. One of them even stomped on his.
Steward Li looked at the smithing uniforms scattered on the ground and furrowed his brow. Then he spoke slowly.
"Han Tieshan, what do you mean by this? Are you leaving the Li Family?"
Han Tieshan sneered. "Since Steward Li won't show me any respect, there's no need for me to stay here and take this abuse. I, Han Tieshan, am one of the best-known bladesmiths in this city. Even if I leave the Li Family, there'll still be people eager to hire me!"
With that, he flung his sleeve and strode toward the courtyard gate.
His disciples exchanged glances. A few hesitated, but in the end, they all followed him.
The group left the Sword-Forging Courtyard. After they'd gone some distance, one disciple finally edged up to Han Tieshan and asked in a low voice, "Master, are we really just leaving like this? What are we going to do now?"
The other disciples gathered around too, their faces full of worry.
Han Tieshan stopped and glanced back toward the Li Family compound, a smug smile curling his lips. "What's the hurry? Do you think I left on a whim?"
The disciples stared at him in surprise.
Han Tieshan lowered his voice. "Don't forget, the order of weapons placed by the Zhao Family in the north of the city is due in seven days. It's for three hundred fine-iron long sabers. The few oddballs left in the courtyard couldn't finish them in ten days. If they fail to deliver on time, can Steward Li bear the responsibility? That's a three-thousand-tael deal!"
The disciples' eyes lit up at once.
"Master, you mean Steward Li will have to beg us to come back?"
Han Tieshan snorted without answering directly. He patted the disciple's shoulder and said meaningfully, "Come on. Let's find somewhere to stay for now. In a few days, someone will come begging us to return."
Only then did the disciples fully relax. The clouds of worry lifted from their faces, and they followed Han Tieshan down the road, laughing and joking.
But as he led the way, a glint flickered deep in Han Tieshan's eyes, hidden from those around him.
This was about far more than making Steward Li back down. After all these years working for the Li Family, Han Tieshan had more than just a few hammer tricks up his sleeve!
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