The night in the border region always descends quickly. Just as evening approaches, darkness envelops the surroundings, with only a few oil lamps in the military camp casting a dim yellow light.
That night, Li Qing hurriedly took two food bowls to the kitchen. He keenly noticed that the soldiers in line for their meals wore serious expressions, and the atmosphere was not as cheerful as usual.
It was probably related to the few severely injured soldiers who had returned in the afternoon. Their injuries were so grave that blood had soaked through their clothes; they probably wouldn't survive.
Leaving the border was destined to be no simple journey. This matter required careful consideration, and at the very least, he needed to gather information about the surrounding situation. After all, deserting the military was a serious crime in the Maple Kingdom.
Li Qing thought this as he followed the crowd into the kitchen.
The cook on duty today was Wu Chong, who was a year or two older than Li Qing. Due to their similar ages, the two had a good relationship in the military.
Seeing the honest and simple-faced Li Qing enter, Wu Chong winked at him and then scooped several pieces of braised meat into the food bowl he brought, covering it with two coarse grain buns.
"Hey, did anyone from the infirmary come to deliver food today?" Li Qing glanced at his food bowl and asked curiously.
As a cook, Wu Chong's figure matched his role well; he was round all over, with chubby cheeks and eyes squinted into slits from the fat.
"Yes, before it got dark tonight, someone from the infirmary came to get food and even told me to add more meat," Wu Chong replied with a grin.
"By the way, I cooked this braised meat today, so let me know how it tastes when you get back."
As he spoke, Wu Chong winked again.
At this, Li Qing felt a bit curious about how someone with such a chubby face could express such a variety of emotions.
"You should eat less, you're already this fat. If a fight breaks out one day, you won't be able to run!" Li Qing teased.
"Hehe, a cook doesn't steal, and the grains don't harvest themselves! Alright, off you go," Wu Chong said with a laugh.
Li Qing felt a bit speechless at this and said nothing more as he left the kitchen, carrying the two food bowls back to his tent.
However, he didn't enter his own tent first; instead, he lifted the curtain of the adjacent tent and bent down to walk inside.
"Master, it's time to eat," Li Qing said as he placed the food bowls on the table beside the bed.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
On the bed lay an old man who was nearing the end of his life, coughing incessantly.
It was hard to imagine that in this border region, there was still an old man whose half-body was almost in the ground.
He was Master Gu, Li Qing's mentor in blacksmithing.
Master Gu lay on the bed, his aged face marked with several age spots that had appeared at some unknown time. Yet when he opened his eyes, they still shone with vitality, as if two candles were burning in his pupils.
Master Gu scrutinized Li Qing's appearance for a while before he sighed and picked up the food bowl, eating heartily. His appetite was far from that of an ordinary old man.
Seeing this, Li Qing also picked up two coarse grain buns and began to eat, savoring the rich and shiny braised meat.
Soon, Master Gu set down the food bowl and looked at Li Qing again.
Under Master Gu's gaze, Li Qing felt like a little rabbit being eyed by a lion, his heart trembling uncontrollably.
Li Qing didn't even dare to meet his gaze; the imposing look in his master's eyes was simply too terrifying.
"Er Niu, how long have you been learning blacksmithing with me?" Master Gu called out using Li Qing's nickname.
Li Qing hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth and replied, somewhat unclear, "It's been a year and a half, Master! Almost two years."
"Hehe, time flies, doesn't it? I still remember when you first came, your legs were thinner than other people's arms," Master Gu said, a rare smile appearing in his eyes. At his age, he often liked to reminisce about the past.
"Li Qing thanks Master for the imparting of skills!" As he spoke, Li Qing was about to kneel down, his gratitude genuine. Initially, he had been conscripted to the border as a soldier, but later Master Gu took a liking to him and accepted him as an apprentice blacksmith.
"Cough, cough, cough, get up, child." Master Gu helped Li Qing up from his kneeling position.
Li Qing, who was about to kneel in respect, was surprised by the strength of his aging master, which was greater than he had imagined.
Although Master Gu was a renowned blacksmith in the military, since Li Qing became his apprentice, he had rarely forged weapons himself; most of the work had fallen to Li Qing.
Li Qing was quite happy with this arrangement; every weapon he forged granted him longevity, so why not enjoy it?
"Er Niu, why do you like blacksmithing so much?" Master Gu asked after helping Li Qing up.
It was certainly because he could earn longevity.
Of course, Li Qing would never say this out loud; he intended to keep this secret tightly guarded.
In this era, longevity was an unattainable luxury, especially for those in power. To extend their lives, they would do anything.
Not to mention, just look at his aging master, who was nearing death. If he were to find out that Li Qing could gain longevity from forging weapons, their currently good master-apprentice relationship would likely turn into something plastic.
"Because after forging each weapon, I feel a great sense of satisfaction, as if I am a useful person," Li Qing replied, which did not surprise Master Gu.
"Hehe, it seems you truly enjoy blacksmithing. No wonder your forging skills have improved so quickly."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Master Gu chuckled lightly, then began to cough violently, as if he were about to cough up his lungs.
"This border region is truly not a place for nurturing life. War is about to break out soon. If you have the chance, leave the border and head south. The land there is more nourishing, and you can live longer," Master Gu said between coughs.
Hearing this, Li Qing's heart trembled again. If his master’s words were to spread, it would likely lead to execution.
Deserting the military was a serious crime!
Even a military blacksmith could not leave easily unless he achieved great merit.
Li Qing dared not respond, silently tidying up the food bowls.
"Master, I’ll go wash the bowls."
Master Gu watched Li Qing's retreating figure, shaking his head in disappointment, then pulled out a dusty book from under the bed.
"Wait, take this with you."
With a slap, Master Gu tossed the dusty book at Li Qing's feet, sending dust flying everywhere.
Li Qing looked down, feigning confusion as he turned back to his master and asked curiously, "Master, what is this?"
"Everything I have learned in my life is in this book. Go back and study it well. Cough, cough, cough!"
Upon hearing this, Li Qing's nose couldn't help but feel a bit sour; he knew that his master was entrusting him with his legacy.
Immediately, Li Qing set down the food bowls and knelt down, performing a deep bow.
"Master!"
No matter what, he had received this imparting of skills, and during this time, Master Gu had indeed taught him everything without reservation, showing none of the narrow-mindedness of a teacher who feared his student would outshine him.
Thus, Li Qing left his master's tent, holding the thick book and carrying the two food bowls.
(End of Chapter)