Bob

Biodata

Background / History

Bob grew up in the countryside, where he helped his father work the land. By the time he meets Loa, he has spent forty years forging iron and runs Bob’s Anvil, a small, smoke-blackened shop in Cast Iron Alley near the river in southern Fenlai City 32 33 39.

Loa arrives at the shop after accepting a blacksmith’s assistant assignment. Bob tests him by demanding a hundred-fold steel billet, then hires him after recognizing that the finished piece has undergone 120 folds. He offers one silver coin per acceptable billet, deducting material costs for failures. He also provides meals and a cleared-out shed with a bed, charging three silver coins a month for lodging. Loa may use the shop for personal practice and repairs after work, provided he leaves Bob’s workbench untouched 32.

Bob later brings Loa into a thousand-fold steel commission for Tie Yan, deputy commander of the Black Armor Mercenary Group. They spend nearly half a month producing the warblade, with Bob handling most of the delicate finishing work. Tie Yan approves it after testing it with battle-qi and pays a balance of 1,000 gold coins. Bob celebrates by taking Loa to Bishui Paradise, though Loa quickly slips away 37 39 40.

When Loa plans to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Bob warns him about dangerous beasts and, especially, other people. He supplies medicinal and protective powders and promises to keep Loa’s work waiting. These supplies later help Loa survive a venomous snakebite and conceal himself in the forest 45 46 47 49.

Appearance

Bob is a middle-aged, powerfully built man whose broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms reflect his work at the forge 32.

• Thick beard: Covers nearly half his face 32.
• Heat-reddened skin: His face and skin are habitually reddened by the furnace; his eyes are irritated by its smoke 32 33 40.
• Left-arm scar: Bears an old scar from a wound that once cut to the bone; its origin is undisclosed 35.
• Work clothes: Usually wears a worn leather vest or an apron marked by sparks 32 33.

Personality

Bob is blunt, profane, and demanding, frequently threatening to dock Loa’s pay when discussing work. His concern usually appears through practical gestures rather than reassurance: checking Loa for injuries, adding salted pork to his meal before a dangerous assignment, and providing supplies for his journey 33 34 45.

He respects privacy. Although he recognizes that Loa’s swordsmanship has unusual origins, he deliberately avoids questioning him, reasoning that everyone has secrets and that another useful skill improves a person’s chances of survival. He values Loa’s willingness to endure hardship, sound judgment, and good character 35.

Away from work, Bob can be exuberant and boastful. The successful warblade commission brings out an almost childish excitement, and he enthusiastically insists on celebrating rather than remaining beside the furnace 40.

Abilities & Skills

Fire Element Battle-qi

Bob is a Rank 6 Fire Element Warrior, though he admits that he has been stuck at that rank for years. Even after reaching Rank 4, Loa cannot accurately gauge his strength 39.

• Infuses every forging blow with Fire Element battle-qi to help force penetrate the metal and promote fusion 39.
• Combines elemental power with craftsmanship rather than relying on muscular strength alone 39.
• Describes Fire Element battle-qi as volatile and difficult to tame, but highly useful for forging and tempering when properly controlled 39.

Blacksmithing

Bob produces ordinary tools as well as high-grade weapons. His work includes chopping knives, farming implements, repairs, and a thousand-fold steel warblade made from black water iron 33 35 37 40.

• Quality assessment: Evaluates Loa’s test billet through its sound and filings, checking for structural flaws and uneven carbon content 32.
• Thousand-fold forging: Heats and works the billet section by section, controlling temperature, fold quality, and the penetration of each hammer blow 37.
• Coordinated force: Uses the hammer’s rebound and synchronized movement of his waist, shoulders, arms, wrists, and breathing to sustain powerful, precise strikes 37.
• Finishing: Handles most of the warblade’s shaping, grooving, grinding, and hilt-fitting 39.

Observation and Cultivation Guidance

Bob reads physical condition and qi control through posture, muscular movement, breathing, and the rhythm of exertion 33 35 39.

• Detects Loa’s excessive reliance on his right arm and recommends directing roughly thirty percent of his qi through the left to restore balance 33.
• Recognizes when Loa approaches the Rank 3 limit and warns that advancing to Rank 4 requires qi to begin tempering the body more deeply 35.
• Notices Loa’s eventual breakthrough from changes in his muscular relaxation, breathing, and bearing 39.
• Encourages Loa to take the autumn magical aptitude test, opening another avenue for assessing his cultivation prospects 39.

Medicinal and Protective Powders

Bob prepares his own powders for stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation, claiming they work better than shop-bought alternatives. He also supplies Loa with fire powder and other wilderness aids 33 45.

• Antidote: Slows the effects of a Dead Leaf Viper’s venom when Loa takes it after being bitten 46.
• Wound treatment: Helps reduce swelling and supports Loa’s recovery enough for him to walk and exert himself the next morning 46 47.
• Repellents and concealment: His supplies include insect-repelling, beast-avoidance, and scent-neutralizing powders, which Loa uses around shelters and on himself 47 49.
• Limited supply: Loa eventually reserves the remaining medicine for emergencies and supplements it with gathered herbs 49.

Relationships

• Loa — Employee, apprentice, and recipient of Bob’s practical care. Loa calls him “Uncle Bob”; Bob provides work and lodging while teaching him smithing and offering cultivation advice 32 33 35 37.
• Tie Yan — Old acquaintance and customer. Their familiarity shows in their rough greetings, while Tie Yan’s commission demonstrates his confidence in Bob’s craftsmanship 40.

Notable Quotes

“Thousand-fold forging isn’t about brute force.” 37

“Say something when you’re leaving. I’ll keep your work here waiting for you. Don’t go dying out there.” 45