Steward Li

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Steward Li (李管事)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Family; Sword-Forging Courtyard
Occupation/Role	Steward and administrator of the Li Family's Sword-Forging Courtyard
Status	Deceased 13
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Appearance

Steward Li is a middle-aged man whose refined clothing and manner give him a scholarly air despite his administrative role in a forge courtyard. 3

• Handlebar mustache. 3
• White robe decorated with bamboo patterns. 3
• Initially presents himself as busy and businesslike; his expression becomes notably friendlier toward capable craftsmen. 3

Personality

Steward Li is pragmatic and highly conscious of the Sword-Forging Courtyard's output, reputation, and internal discipline. He quickly recognizes Shen Chu's promise after inspecting his first short blade, treating the newcomer as a valuable talent rather than leaving him on coal-hauling duty. 3

He is willing to stand against established craftsmen when their demands threaten his authority. Although Han Tieshan's departure places him under severe pressure, Steward Li refuses to demote Shen Chu merely to appease Han's clique. 6 However, he is also prone to displaced anger: after Han leaves, he privately holds Shen Chu responsible for the resulting crisis. 7

His support is fundamentally tied to the Li Family's interests. He promotes workers who can strengthen the courtyard, uses Sun Ping's newly forged low-grade weapon to reassure Li Chengwen, and later advises the Eldest Young Master to win over the courtyard's craftsmen. 8 9 13

Duties and Authority

• Oversees personnel and work arrangements in the Sword-Forging Courtyard, including assigning apprentices to miscellaneous labor and approving formal blade-forger status. 3
• Provides better housing and meal privileges to formally recognized blade-forgers. 3 4
• Obtains the Stone-Shattering Fist manual for Shen Chu after Shen explains that martial training will improve his stamina without interfering with forging. 4
• Assesses the courtyard's production capacity and bears responsibility for major orders, including the Zhao Family's order for 300 refined-iron longswords. 7 8
• Reports directly to Li Chengwen on courtyard affairs and uses valuable finished weapons to defend his management decisions. 9

Background / History

Steward Li first encounters Shen Chu shortly after the latter completes his first short blade. He initially assigns Shen Chu to transport coal, but reverses course after finding that the newcomer forged a blade approaching the standard of established courtyard smiths. He promotes Shen Chu to a formal blade-forger, assigns him a private room, and assures him that the Li Residence is safe. 3

After Shen Chu asks to practice martial arts, Steward Li worries that a person with poor bone structure would waste time pursuing the martial path. Once Shen clarifies that he only seeks greater stamina for forging, Steward Li personally procures the guards' Stone-Shattering Fist manual. 4

Steward Li later becomes caught between Shen Chu and Han Tieshan. He had only asked Han to look after Shen, not to forcibly take him as a disciple. Faced with Han's attempt to pressure him into demoting Shen, Steward Li chooses to uphold his own authority and rebukes Han rather than yielding. Han and his disciples subsequently resign from the Li Family. 6

The resignation leaves Steward Li facing an imminent production shortfall on the Zhao Family order. He briefly considers seeking Han's return, but Sun Ping's successful forging of a low-grade short blade—made possible with Shen Chu's assistance—gives him a way to address the crisis. Steward Li acknowledges Shen's contribution, abandons the idea of reducing him to apprentice status, and presents the weapon to Li Chengwen. 8 9

Afterward, he encourages Li Chengwen to improve relations with the Sword-Forging Courtyard's masters, arguing that prior neglect had enabled Li Jiwu's influence and contributed to the Han Tieshan incident. 13 That same evening, Steward Li is found dead in an alley near the Li Residence. His body has no visible injuries, but his terrified expression leads observers to question whether the death was supernatural. 13 His body is sent to the Public Mortuary, and Zhao Dezhu is later installed as the courtyard's new steward. 14 18

Relationships

• Shen Chu — Initially assigns him coal-hauling work, then promotes him after recognizing his forging talent; later defends his formal blade-forger status against Han Tieshan, though he briefly blames Shen for the resulting crisis. 3 6 7 8
• Sun Ping — A courtyard smith whose breakthrough into low-grade weapon forging allows Steward Li to stabilize the Zhao Family order crisis. 8 9
• Han Tieshan — A troublesome senior bladesmith who repeatedly used resignation threats as leverage. Steward Li ultimately refuses his demand to demote Shen Chu, prompting Han and his disciples to leave. 6
• Li Chengwen — Steward Li serves under the Eldest Young Master, reports on courtyard affairs, and advises him to cultivate support among the craftsmen. Li Chengwen mourns Steward Li's death deeply. 9 13 14
• Li Jiwu — Steward Li considers Han Tieshan aligned with the Second Young Master's side; Li Jiwu privately views the steward's death as a major advantage against Li Chengwen. 9 13
• Zhao Dezhu — Becomes Steward Li's successor as steward of the Sword-Forging Courtyard after Li's death. 16 18

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recognition of Shen Chu

Steward Li's promotion of Shen Chu establishes Shen's position in the Sword-Forging Courtyard. His material support—including improved lodging, food access, and a martial arts manual—gives Shen the stability to develop as both a bladesmith and martial artist. 3 4

Conflict with Han Tieshan

His refusal to bow to Han Tieshan's clique triggers the group's departure and creates an immediate crisis in weapon production. The decision establishes that the courtyard's rules and authority belong to its steward, not to Han's faction. 6

Zhao Family Order

With the Zhao Family order endangered, Steward Li nearly chooses to seek Han Tieshan's help. Sun Ping's low-grade short blade changes the situation, allowing him to preserve both the courtyard's reputation and his own position before Li Chengwen. 8 9

Death and Succession

Steward Li dies under unexplained circumstances after advising Li Chengwen on managing the craftsmen. His death removes Li Chengwen's key supporter in the courtyard and opens the way for Zhao Dezhu's appointment. 13 16 18

Notable Quotes

“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.” 6

“What are you looking at?! Don't you have work to do?! Do you all want to leave too?!” 7