Translator: AnubisTL
Shengtian, Maple Guard Headquarters.
Qian Hong, dressed in a red gown with a belt cinched around her waist, perfectly accentuated her slim and tall figure.
"Commander Qian, the blacksmith shop on Chiming Street in the city has reopened."
A Maple Guard presented the information, and upon hearing this, Qian Hong's eyes lit up as she quickly walked toward the door.
"Is this true? Has Master Li returned?"
The Maple Guard who delivered the message nodded and said, "The information is accurate."
"Good!" Qian Hong pursed her red lips, her usually cold and aloof expression showing rare emotion.
Just as she was about to head straight to Chiming Street, her footsteps paused again.
Wait!
She wasn't sure if Master Li had any particular taboos, so it might be better to have Zhao Yuan, who had met him before, go and inform him first.
After careful consideration, Qian Hong made this decision.
The divine blacksmith she had been searching for days had finally appeared, and she wanted to ensure every step was executed flawlessly.
"Call Zhao Yuan over for me."
Chiming Street, Li Qing's blacksmith shop.
Since Gu Yu's blacksmith shop opened, the neighbors had basically turned to him for forging their daily ironware needs.
Li Qing was more than happy to enjoy the leisure.
At the moment, he was practicing some moves from the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, with the Little Tiger Cub following behind him, imitating his actions.
Fierce Tiger Claws the Heart!
Whoosh!
Li Qing's palm condensed like a tiger's claw, veins bulging from his wrist. Every move he made not only utilized his own strength but also mobilized the inner strength cultivated through the Turtle Breathing Art.
Each move was extremely lethal, and even the air seemed to tremble faintly.
If someone were to lift Li Qing's clothes at this moment, they would undoubtedly be shocked by his robust physique beneath the loose robe—there was almost no trace of fat, and every muscle was strong and well-defined!
Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain! Fierce Tiger Pounces on Prey!
Although Fan Tong had not yet grown to a level where he could observe and learn martial arts, teaching the tiger cub some moves used in fierce tiger combat unexpectedly benefited Li Qing greatly.
From this, he gained a deeper understanding of the Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, as if he himself had transformed into a ferocious tiger, feeling the urge to roar at the sky and vent his inner spirit.
In the end, he suppressed this impulse because the tiger cub let out a loud roar in his stead.
"Roar!"
Before Li Qing could scold it for disturbing the peace, heavy and slow footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Is Master Li here?"
Li Qing immediately recognized Zhao Yuan's voice.
"Come in."
After saying this, he slowly retracted his stance, ending his practice.
Soon, Zhao Yuan walked in. When he saw Li Qing and the young tiger on the ground, he couldn't help but freeze in place.
For a moment, it seemed as if he saw two tigers, one large and one small, and the blacksmith shop felt as dangerous as a tiger's den.
"What a fierce tiger!"
Zhao Yuan couldn't help but praise, though he didn't specify whether he was referring to the tiger cub or Li Qing's astonishingly lifelike martial aura.
Li Qing withdrew his stance, casually picked up a towel to wipe his sweat, and asked, "Brother Zhao, what brings you here so suddenly?"
At this, Zhao Yuan fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The commander wants to see you."
Still as sparing with words as ever, it left Li Qing somewhat at a loss for how to continue the conversation.
He teased, "Is it for forging weapons? I haven't congratulated you yet on joining the Maple Guard."
Zhao Yuan, catching the implication in Li Qing's words, quickly explained, "Great Master Li, if you don't wish to meet our commander, it's fine. I won't put you in a difficult position!"
Who would believe that!
Qian Hong had wanted to have her sword reforged back in the military camp. After all this time without finding a suitable blacksmith, she definitely wouldn't let this opportunity slip by easily.
Moreover, she was a master of Inner Strength and the commander of the Maple Guard, your superior. How could you have the face to make her not trouble me!
Li Qing inwardly complained, unable to resist rolling his eyes at Zhao Yuan several times before leisurely saying, "Let her come over."
Meeting was unavoidable. Rather than thinking of delaying, it would be better to be direct. Maybe she wouldn't recognize me?
Of course, Li Qing didn't think Qian Hong wouldn't recognize him. Martial arts masters generally have good memories. They might not remember every word, but they should be able to recall people they've met within a year or so.
Zhao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that the young Great Master Li would be displeased with him for informing the commander of his presence.
"Wait a moment, I'll go and inform her!"
With that, Zhao Yuan strode out of the blacksmith shop.
Almost without waiting long, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the door again.
A figure in crimson walked in. Without a word, Qian Hong, upon entering, didn't even take a second look before respectfully bowing and clasping her fists:
"Qian Hong pays her respects to Senior Li!"
Seeing a tall and graceful master of Inner Strength being so reverent left Li Qing somewhat stunned.
Putting on such a humble demeanor? It seems my value is a bit higher than I thought!
Li Qing gave Qian Hong a few teasing glances, then quickly composed himself, coughing a few times before saying seriously, "Ahem, there's no need for such formalities."
Qian Hong, who was bowing, was stunned.
This voice? Why does it sound so young? And somewhat familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere before.
She quickly straightened up, her gaze fixed intently on Li Qing.
The next moment, her rosy lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with unmistakable astonishment and shock.
Clearly, this face and features slowly overlapped with the memory of that honest and sturdy blacksmith apprentice in her mind. The face was the same, but the demeanor was somewhat different.
"It's... it's you!"
After a long while, Qian Hong's chest rose and fell slightly before she uttered the first words of recognition.
Li Qing also chuckled lightly, "Chiliarch Qian, it's been a while."
Finally, Qian Hong managed to compose her shaken emotions.
"When the bandits attacked the camp, you actually survived!"
Qian Hong looked at Li Qing with a peculiar gaze, naturally noticing that Li Qing now possessed a robust Outer Strength, and the calluses on his hands fully indicated that he was undoubtedly a formidable martial arts master.
"Speaking of which, it's quite embarrassing. When the bandits suddenly attacked at night, I was so scared that in a moment of desperation, I thought of my Master and ran towards the graves near the border, narrowly escaping disaster. After wandering for many days, I had some other experiences and gradually lost the desire to return to the army."
Li Qing spoke the excuse he had prepared long ago, his expression and tone utterly convincing.
Qian Hong, on the other hand, didn't give it much thought. She waved her hand and said, "I've already left the Wu Li Army, so there's no need to explain these things to me."
What a joke! The young man before her was the blacksmith capable of forging Peerless Divine Weapons. She wouldn't bother with trivial matters from the army, which had no significant impact and were completely irrelevant.
In the next moment, Qian Hong changed the subject, her gaze filled with anticipation as she looked directly at Li Qing. "Did you forge Zhao Yuan's Silent Blade?"
Without denying it, Li Qing nodded.
"Indeed, it was me."
(End of the Chapter)
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