Chengwen and Jiwu

Shen Chu had just opened his mouth to offer a few modest words when Steward Li waved a hand and continued,

"That old fool Han Tieshan was blind to quality. He had such a fine seedling right in front of him, yet he insisted on throwing down his burden and leaving. I nearly got led astray by him too and almost wronged you. Enough, let bygones be bygones. Just focus on being a blade-forger. There's no need to bring up this apprentice business again."

With that, Steward Li picked up the low-grade short blade and clutched it tightly to his chest as though he were holding some priceless treasure. Then he hurriedly turned and headed out,

muttering as he walked, "I need to hurry and deliver this blade to the Eldest Young Master..."

Shen Chu watched Steward Li's back vanish through the courtyard gate. Before he could give it much thought, someone patted him on the shoulder.

When he turned around, Sun Ping was standing behind him with a beaming smile, his face glowing red as though he had become several years younger.

"Little Shen,"

Sun Ping rubbed his hands together, grinning from ear to ear.

"I've already discussed it with Steward Li. From now on, just work at ease under me. I won't boast about anything else, but as long as I'm here, I guarantee you'll learn real skills!"

Shen Chu grinned at Sun Ping and clasped his hands. "Thank you for cultivating me, Master Sun! I'll definitely work hard under you from now on!"

Sun Ping waved his hand cheerfully. "Don't say that. If you hadn't helped hammer out those pieces of material, I'm afraid I'd never have even touched the threshold of low-grade weapons in this lifetime. When all's said and done, I ought to be thanking you!"

Shen Chu remained polite on the surface, but inwardly he found it rather amusing.

Sun Ping really was an honest man.

Shen Chu had pretended to be muddleheaded, but his eyes had seen everything clearly.

One of those two pieces had a progress bar of (99/100), while the other was (100/100).

Sun Ping's limit, meanwhile, was (98/100)!

Don't underestimate that mere one or two points. Sometimes, that one or two points was the difference between heaven and earth!

Sun Ping had only managed to forge a low-grade short blade because of that piece of iron he had already hammered to its maximum value. Without that piece, even if Sun Ping forged for another ten years, he would likely only barely touch the edge of low-grade weapons.

Naturally, Shen Chu would not say any of this aloud.

He also secretly let out a sigh of relief.

He would not have minded being an apprentice or anything of the sort, but if he could live well, why should he wrong himself?

He and Sun Ping had each gotten what they needed.

Sun Ping gained fame and status, while Shen Chu gained a stable foothold. As for Steward Li, he preserved his dignity and had an explanation for those above him. All three parties were delighted.

As for Han Tieshan? To hell with him!

With that thought, Shen Chu's mood lightened considerably.

Meanwhile, Steward Li tucked the low-grade short blade into his clothes and hurried all the way to an inner courtyard.

He waited in the side hall for about the time it took to drink a cup of tea. Then the curtain lifted, and a fat young master in brocade robes, with a bulging belly, walked in.

This man was the Eldest Young Master of the Li Residence, Li Chengwen.

Steward Li hurriedly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Eldest Young Master."

Li Chengwen, however, wore no pleasant expression. He plopped down in his seat and immediately launched into a furious scolding.

"Steward Li, you really know how to make me look good! Word of Han Tieshan taking his men and walking out has already reached my father's ears! How exactly have you been managing your people? The Zhao Family's goods are due in a few days. If the business is delayed, then when my father holds someone accountable, who will bear the responsibility? Are you trying to let the Second Brother's side laugh at me?!"

Steward Li was scolded so thoroughly that he was drenched from head to toe in abuse. He repeatedly bowed and apologized. "Please calm your anger, Eldest Young Master, please calm your anger! This humble one came precisely to report this matter to you."

He hastily pulled the low-grade short blade from his robes and presented it with both hands, smiling ingratiatingly. "Please take a look, Eldest Young Master. Though Han Tieshan has left, another Sun Ping has emerged in our Sword-Forging Courtyard, and we have also gained a newly appointed blade-forger. That boy is extremely talented as well! Moreover, Sun Ping forged a low-grade short blade today. It is genuine through and through, with absolutely no fraud! With such skill, we will naturally have an easy explanation for the Zhao Family. As for Han Tieshan..."

Steward Li chuckled, his words meaningful. "It is good that he left. Think about it, Eldest Young Master—has Han Tieshan truly been of one heart with us these past years? His backside had probably long since settled on the Second Young Master's side. Now that he wanted to leave of his own accord, it saved us the trouble of dealing with him, lest he cause even greater disaster in the future."

Li Chengwen had initially been full of fury, but upon hearing this, his expression gradually changed.

He picked up the short blade and examined it carefully. A glint flashed through his eyes. After pondering for a moment, he slowly nodded. "Mm... you do have a point."

He tucked the short blade into his sleeve, rose to his feet, and his expression softened considerably. "You handled this matter well. Once I report it to Father, your reward will not be lacking."

Overjoyed, Steward Li hurriedly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Eldest Young Master! Thank you, Eldest Young Master!"

Li Chengwen said no more. Gripping the low-grade short blade, he turned and strode swiftly toward the inner courtyard,

in the direction of Master Li's study.

Li Chengwen panted heavily as he hurried to the door. Just as he was about to knock, he heard laughter and conversation coming from inside.

His brows immediately furrowed, and he abruptly reached out and pushed open the door.

Sure enough, beside the tea table in the study, Master Li was seated across from a young man, chatting with him merrily.

The young man looked around seventeen or eighteen. His face was as fair as polished jade, and he wore a long robe. His every movement carried an air of refined elegance.

He was the Li Family's Second Young Master, Li Jiwu.

The moment Li Chengwen saw this scene, his chest felt clogged.

Every time he came to see his father, the Second Brother was always there, chatting about everything under the sun and coaxing Father into smiles. Meanwhile, he, the eldest son, always seemed to stand at the side like a servant.

Still, he forced himself to be patient. He stepped forward and bowed to Master Li. "Father, your son greets you."

The smile on Master Li's face visibly faded the instant he saw Li Chengwen. He gave a perfunctory response, his tone clearly impatient. "You came at the right time. I was just about to speak with you."

Li Jiwu also rose at this point. He politely clasped his hands toward Li Chengwen and smiled. "Big Brother is here."

Li Chengwen shot him a glance and gave a perfunctory nod in response.

At once, Master Li's expression darkened, and his tone grew harsher.

"Eldest, how have you been managing your subordinates? What is going on with that Steward Li? A perfectly good Sword-Forging Courtyard has been turned into a smoky, chaotic mess, to the point that even an old hand like Han Tieshan was forced to leave! If Jiwu had not received the news in time and stepped in to settle matters with Han Tieshan, the Li Family's business with the Zhao Family would have been ruined by you!"

Li Chengwen froze, then abruptly looked at Li Jiwu.

Li Jiwu hurriedly waved his hands and smiled modestly.

"Father overpraises me. This is what your son ought to do. How can the Li Family's affairs be divided into yours and mine? So long as the family business is not delayed, it is worth it for your son to run about and spend a few words."