Translator: AnubisTL
Huh? A female commander? Waiting eagerly?
Upon hearing this, Li Qing was instantly stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
"Boss Fang, why would the female commander of the Maple Guard be waiting eagerly for me?" Li Qing asked with a look of suspicion.
"You better explain this clearly! You'll be held accountable for any careless words!"
He didn't even need to think back—his short life of less than twenty years had definitely not involved any entanglements with women. He hadn't even visited a brothel once.
As for a woman who could become the commander of the Maple Guard, that was even more unimaginable. He couldn't recall anyone like that in his memory.
Boss Fang smiled and said, "Commander Qian Hong of the Maple Guard has been waiting for you for quite some time now."
Bang!
It was like a stone causing ripples across a thousand waves—this was the absolute truth of Li Qing's inner reaction upon hearing the name Qian Hong.
Fortunately, he was accustomed to keeping his emotions in check. Though shocked, his face remained calm and natural.
Qian Hong?!
Wasn't she a chiliarch of the Wu Li Army? How did she become the commander of the Maple Guard?
Ah, that's right. When the Maple Guard was first established, some personnel were transferred from the Wu Li Army, and Qian Hong must have been among them.
But why would she be waiting for me? Could it be that my past identity as a blacksmith apprentice in the Wu Li Army had been exposed?
Impossible. That made no sense. He had never mentioned it to anyone.
And even if it had been exposed, so what? Back then, when the border bandits attacked, countless people went missing. How could a mere blacksmith apprentice like him attract the attention of a master of Inner Strength like her?
With this thought, Li Qing's heart gradually calmed. He looked at Boss Fang calmly and asked, "Why is Commander Qian Hong waiting for me? Is there something urgent?"
"Hahaha, Master Li, Master Li, I don't know if you're pretending to be clueless or putting on an act, but this isn't fun anymore!"
Boss Fang laughed heartily and continued, "Of course, she wants you to forge a Divine Weapon for her. Commander Qian has even prepared the materials. Unfortunately, after searching all over Maple Country, not a trace of those blacksmiths capable of forging Peerless Divine Weapons could be found."
"Coincidentally, on the day you left the capital, the Maple Guard held a martial arts competition. The Silent Blade you forged for a warrior named Zhao Yuan became famous in one battle!"
"So, Commander Qian Hong learned of your existence and is eager to have you forge a Peerless Divine Sword for her."
After hearing Boss Fang's rough explanation of the situation, Li Qing more or less understood the whole story.
So, it wasn't about his past in the Wu Li Army. It was Zhao Yuan who had inadvertently revealed his secret.
But there was nothing he could do about it. After all, he couldn't expect everyone to be as low-key as he was, wielding a Magical Weapon yet still working as a blacksmith on the streets.
"So that's how it is... I understand!" Li Qing let out a long breath in his heart and then continued, "Boss Fang, actually, the reason I came to see you today is because I need a favor."
Upon hearing that he could earn another favor, Boss Fang couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile. He said cheerfully, "Master Li, no trouble at all! We're all neighbors here, so feel free to ask for anything you need!"
"It's like this," Master Li began, "I have a senior brother whose family is planning to settle in Shengtian. I was hoping you could help find a suitable residence and shop for them. Could you keep an eye out for something appropriate?"
Before Master Li could even finish his sentence, Fang Long eagerly patted his chest and took on the task. "Consider it done! It's a small matter, and I'll handle it for you."
Indeed, when it came to buying property and setting up businesses, the local connections worked with astonishing efficiency. In less than a day, the necessary deeds and documents were presented to Li Qing.
Thus, for a total of over two thousand taels of silver, the ownership of a residence and a shop was transferred to Li Qing. When Li Qing produced the equivalent amount in gold, even Boss Fang couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
After a moment's thought, it made sense—Li Qing was a blacksmith capable of forging Divine Weapons, so it was only natural that he had such financial means. No wonder he had asked Boss Fang to keep an eye on the blacksmith shop before leaving—he must have hidden a fortune there.
Of course, these thoughts were fleeting. Boss Fang was well aware of the situation and had firmly decided to maintain a good relationship with Master Li.
After purchasing the residence, Gu Yu walked in, still looking somewhat disbelieving. He gazed at the building constructed with blue tiles and stone bricks, feeling as if he were in a dream. Having traveled all the way from Qingzhou to Shengtian, he had only ever imagined such a life in his dreams. Yet, today, it had become a reality.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Gu Yu immediately wanted to kneel before Li Qing to express his profound thanks. Fortunately, Li Qing was quick to react and firmly supported his nominal senior brother.
"Senior Brother Gu, you mustn't do this! You're putting me to shame. Please stand up!" Li Qing held Gu Yu's body, refusing to let him kneel.
"Junior Brother Li," Gu Yu said, somewhat sheepishly, "I'll call you that, if I may. You've pulled my family out of the dire situation in Qingzhou, and now you've bought us such a precious residence and shop. I know my own limitations—I could never repay this kindness in my lifetime."
Li Qing shook his head firmly. "Master Gu was greatly kind to me, but unfortunately, he passed away before I could repay him. These actions are merely a small expression of my gratitude. As for kneeling, that is absolutely unnecessary. Please, Senior Brother Gu, stand up."
And so, Gu Yu and his family of three moved into the residence at the heart of Chiming Street. Their joy was beyond words. From that day forward, they had officially established themselves in Shengtian.
Before leaving, Li Qing also left them a sum of silver that would sustain them for a long time. With this, he felt he had fulfilled Master Gu's final request to the best of his ability.
Returning to his blacksmith shop, Li Qing reclined on his bamboo chair, resting his hands behind his head, feeling utterly content. The young tiger beside him was sound asleep, and a gentle breeze occasionally wafted into the shop. Such a life was truly a thing of beauty.
"The remaining silver isn't much, just about seven or eight hundred taels, plus a few gold bars. For now, I don't need to worry about money," Li Qing muttered to himself as he lay back in his chair, pondering his future.
"Now that word has spread about my ability to forge magical weapons, I'm bound to have people coming to me for help in crafting arms. I'll need to plan this carefully."
He knew he would still have to forge divine weapons, but he couldn't do so without restraint. He needed to control the frequency and quantity. He had already thought of an excuse to give to the public: forging a divine weapon required the right timing, location, and harmony, and he himself had to be in a good state to succeed.
After all, rarity increases value. If certain powerful factions found out that he could forge a peerless divine weapon in just a few days, things could get complicated.
"I'll need to add more restrictions, like requiring people to bring their own rare and special materials."
Sigh.
Ultimately, it all came down to his lack of strength. If he could break through and reach the level of an Inner Strength expert, he wouldn't have to worry about these things. In this era where grandmasters are absent, Inner Strength experts are already top-tier in the mortal world.
Soon, as soon as the medicinal liquor is ready to be opened, his Martial Path realm will advance by leaps and bounds.
Just moments ago, he had checked, and the two jars of medicinal liquor he brewed were still intact, untouched. Even the strands of hair he had placed in the door crack were still there, a sign that no one had entered.
Boss Fang's character is trustworthy.
(End of the Chapter)
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