Clang!
As Li Qing brought down the final hammer strike, the scythe on the forge had already taken shape, its blade glowing a deep red, symbolizing high temperatures. He carefully immersed the newly forged scythe into the water, and in an instant, the surface of the water began to boil, bubbling vigorously.
Once the quenching was complete, a notification indicating an increase in lifespan quickly appeared.
[Successfully forged agricultural tool: Black Iron Scythe, reward: one day of lifespan!]
Yes, only one day!
Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was forging an agricultural tool, the reward for lifespan was quite meager, a pitiful single day. However, he had forged twenty-three scythes in one go, successfully earning twenty-three days of lifespan.
In the past, it would have taken at least three days of work; now, he had completed all these scythes in just one day, and each one was of quite good quality.
"Although it's just a tool for cutting black mushrooms, this scythe is sharper than many weapons. Just one day as a reward is a bit stingy!" Li Qing muttered to himself, then carefully stored the scythe, which was gradually cooling down.
Night was approaching, and he didn't plan to keep these scythes in his tent for too long. He intended to transport them to the Eternal Night World to report in once the night was deep and quiet.
After tidying everything up, Li Qing let out a breath and closed his eyes, feeling the qi and blood surging within him.
Having forged iron for many years, his physique was already quite good. Coupled with the extra meals provided by Wu Chong from the kitchen, his muscles had become very solid. Now that his stance training had just begun to take shape, the flow of qi and blood throughout his body was much smoother than before.
In the past, after a day of high-intensity forging like this, he would have been too exhausted to even lift a hand. Now, however, he still felt energetic, his physical stamina having increased significantly.
Putting down the hammer, Li Qing, as usual, took two bowls to the kitchen.
Tonight, the cook on duty was another chef, a portly man with a shiny, oily face, looking quite prosperous.
Li Qing, who originally wanted to find Wu Chong to inquire about the current military news, immediately abandoned that thought. His current persona was that of a diligent blacksmith apprentice; caring too much about matters outside of forging could easily draw attention from others.
He filled both bowls with food in silence and left the kitchen.
However, soon after, he heard several footsteps nearby, accompanied by soft conversations.
"Damn those bandits, they actually ambushed the grain convoy. It seems we have no choice but to fight."
"Commander Yuan from the Ming Division has already begun to muster the troops. This grievance is something our Wuli Army will definitely not swallow."
"Sigh, keep your voice down. Our hundred-man commander said not to spread this around, fearing it might affect morale."
Li Qing, always attentive, caught every word.
Yet, his expression revealed nothing unusual as he walked towards his tent with a calm demeanor.
After delivering food to his master, Li Qing noticed that Master Gu's aura had begun to weaken, his breathing becoming faint.
With every cough, Li Qing felt as if his master was on the brink of collapse, a sign that life was nearing its end.
"I can't eat anymore. You've started practicing martial arts; you should eat more. From now on, this meal is yours," Master Gu said weakly while lying in bed.
Li Qing's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. He replied, "Master, how can that be!"
However, Master Gu didn't even glance at him, continuing to speak to himself, "Not eating is a waste. The Wuli Army is about to engage in battle with the bandits, and it seems the Liang Kingdom will also get involved. This area is hard to defend."
"Master." Li Qing was momentarily at a loss for words, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Seeing Master Gu in such a state at the end of his life, he resolved to live longer. Previously, he thought living to a hundred years was good enough, but now he realized that ambition was too small.
For a martial artist, reaching old age was truly a sorrowful matter.
He didn't want to experience such a fate; he wanted to live longer and remain youthful and strong forever!
Just as Li Qing felt sorrow for Master Gu, the latter suddenly opened his eyes wide and said in a deep voice, "Who!"
Someone?!
Li Qing's heart skipped a beat, having sensed nothing unusual.
Soon, a magnetic female voice rang out from outside the tent.
"Truly worthy of Master Gu; even bedridden, he can grasp the military's affairs so thoroughly."
The curtain was lifted, and a tall figure clad in light armor stepped inside.
She was very tall; Li Qing estimated her to be around one meter eighty, the tallest woman he had ever seen. Her long hair was tied up, her features were striking, and her thighs were firm, exuding a refreshing and heroic demeanor with every movement.
"Cough, cough, cough, this old man has met you, Lady Qian!" Master Gu said with difficulty as he tried to rise to pay his respects.
Lady Qian? And she's a woman?
That could only be the female Thousand-Man Commander from the army! She was a true heroine, said to be as brave on the battlefield as any man.
Li Qing had expected a woman with thick arms and a waist as wide as a barrel, but he was surprised to find her quite attractive, with long, narrow eyes that radiated a unique charm.
Immediately, Li Qing prepared to bow, but Qian Hong interrupted, "Alright, there are no outsiders here, so no need for excessive formalities."
Saying this, Qian Hong walked to Master Gu's bedside, her bright eyes scanning both Master Gu and Li Qing.
"I don't know..."
Before Master Gu could finish his question, Qian Hong said seriously, "I have come this time to ask Master Gu to help forge the Qinghong Sword again."
Upon hearing this, Master Gu was momentarily stunned, then he trembled as he asked, "In the mine, did they excavate that special ore again?"
Qian Hong nodded gravely and replied, "Yes, but the quantity is small, only enough to forge one weapon. I nearly came to blows with two other thousand-man commanders to obtain it."
Master Gu sighed bitterly and said, "Lady Qian, do you see my current state? Do I look like someone who can lift a hammer?"
"There are other blacksmiths in the army; I think it would be better if—"
"Hmph! Those blacksmiths may have brute strength, but their forging skills cannot compare to yours. I don't trust them to forge this special ore," Qian Hong said with a cold snort.
Li Qing, who was trying to minimize his presence, felt a tremor throughout his body, his qi and blood slightly agitated.
This female Thousand-Man Commander could influence his qi and blood with just a cold snort, which surprised Li Qing.
She was definitely a powerful martial artist; otherwise, it would be impossible for a woman to hold the position of Thousand-Man Commander. It seemed she even had the upper hand over the other two commanders.
Standing beside her, Li Qing felt like a little rabbit next to a lion, only able to tremble in fear.
"Cough, cough, cough, then let my disciple give it a try. He has learned most of my skills; perhaps he can manage," Master Gu said while coughing.
Li Qing's heart raced, and he quickly waved his hands, "No way, Master! My meager skills are not enough to forge that!"
His first instinct was to refuse; this involved a Thousand-Man Commander's treasured sword, something of great importance, and it required some unknown special ore.
Regardless of whether he had the ability to forge it, he didn't intend to take on this task.
Although successfully forging it might earn him a considerable amount of lifespan, he didn't want to enter the sights of these powerful Thousand-Man Commanders. It was better to remain low-key.
Fortunately, Qian Hong had no intention of having Li Qing forge it. She raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down.
Finally, she withdrew her gaze and shook her head, saying, "Forget it, I'll find someone else in another state to forge it. This kid looks even weaker than you."
With that, Qian Hong sighed and walked out of the tent.
Hearing this, Li Qing's face flushed slightly.
Having forged iron for many years, he had developed a solid physique, yet he was described as weak and frail, even less than an elderly man on the verge of death.
However, Master Gu laughed, "Haha, don't be upset, kid. Lady Qian is a master of the Hundred Battles Realm with inner strength; she could crush you with one hand. Saying you're weak and frail isn't an exaggeration."
Upon hearing the terms Hundred Battles Realm and inner strength, Li Qing perked up and quickly asked, "Master, what is inner strength? What is the Hundred Battles Realm?"
Tonight, Master Gu seemed to be in a good mood as he explained, "In the path of martial arts, there are three levels: first is external strength, second is inner strength, and third is transformation strength."
"In the martial world, external strength experts are called Body Refinement Realm, inner strength experts are known as Hundred Battles Realm, and those who can cultivate transformation strength are martial arts masters!"
Li Qing swallowed hard, his eyes filled with eager anticipation as he casually asked, "Master, what level am I at now? Am I considered an external strength expert?"
Master Gu couldn't help but roll his eyes and said, "You’re not even close to being an external strength expert; you’ve only been standing in stance for a few days!"
No wonder he felt a shiver when Lady Qian glanced at him; the gap was so vast.
"Sigh, it's a pity you couldn't establish a connection with Lady Qian today. If you had volunteered to help her forge the Qinghong Sword, she might have appreciated you in the future," Master Gu said wistfully.
However, Li Qing didn't feel the slightest bit regretful. He scratched his head and said honestly, "Master, I'm doing just fine now. I can eat my fill every day and forge iron; that's enough for me."
"Fool! Cough, cough, cough!" Master Gu finished speaking and began to cough again, finally waving his hand to dismiss Li Qing from the tent.
(End of Chapter)