Li Qing woke up almost precisely on time, returning to the original world before dawn broke. After this sleep, he felt refreshed, as if all the fatigue in his body had dissipated, erasing the exhaustion from days of standing and forging.
As usual, Li Qing took two bowls to the kitchen to fetch food, then delivered it to Master Gu. However, upon pushing aside the curtain, he sensed something was amiss in the tent.
Quiet! It was far too quiet!
“Master!” Li Qing's hand trembled, nearly dropping the two bowls to the ground. He hurried to the edge of the bed, looking at Master Gu, who had already closed his eyes. His own eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.
Master Gu had passed away. This news quickly spread throughout the border army, evoking many sighs and lamentations.
In the Wuli Army, Master Gu held a high reputation. Many of the hundred-man leaders and even thousand-man leaders had weapons crafted by him personally; each weapon he produced was exceptionally fine and durable.
When handling funerals in the army, everything was generally kept simple, without excessive formalities. However, basic rituals were still observed, and many high-ranking officers who had received Master Gu's favor came to pay their respects.
The first to arrive at Master Gu's tent was Hundred-Man Chen Meng. This burly man, with a face full of rough flesh, cast a serious glance at Master Gu's remains.
“Alas!” Chen Meng sighed, saying little more, instead patting Li Qing, who stood by.
The second to come to pay respects was Thousand-Man Qian Hong, whom Li Qing had met just the day before! This was somewhat unexpected for Li Qing.
This female thousand-man leader still exuded her usual heroic spirit; she merely glanced at Master Gu's body before retracting her gaze. Having served in the military for many years, Qian Hong naturally wouldn’t feel overly sentimental about one person's natural passing.
“Master Gu said you learned his craft quite well; is that true?” Qian Hong's gaze fixed on Li Qing, though this time her demeanor was not as imposing, adopting a relatively gentle tone.
Li Qing shook his head repeatedly, responding, “That was Master’s exaggeration. I’ve only studied under him for less than two years; how could I have learned to such an extent?”
“Indeed, Master Gu chose a good time to pass,” Qian Hong said with a hint of regret, shaking her head slightly, and she said no more before turning to leave the tent.
Next, several hundred-man leaders entered, all of them burly men. They greeted Li Qing warmly, exchanged a few words, and then departed.
The second thousand-man leader to arrive was named Yuan Xiao. His eyes squinted, and a gentle smile often graced his lips, making him seem like a good-natured person.
If it weren't for Master Gu's warnings, Li Qing might have thought the same. However, anyone who could reach the position of thousand-man leader in the army could not possibly be merely a kind-hearted individual.
Thus, Li Qing's first impression of him soured, and he mentally labeled him as hypocritical.
“Ha ha ha, little brother, you must be Master Gu's disciple. Master Gu made significant contributions to the army over the years. If you encounter any troubles in the army in the future, feel free to come to me,” Yuan Xiao said with a squint and a gentle tone.
Despite his poor first impression, Li Qing knew he had to play along, immediately displaying a grateful expression, responding, “Thank you, Thousand-Man Yuan!”
“Alright, little brother, death is like a lamp going out; don’t be too sad,” Yuan Xiao said with concern.
After saying this, Thousand-Man Yuan also left. Once outside the tent, his gaze flickered slightly, making it difficult to discern his thoughts.
With the departure of the others, Li Qing swallowed hard, feeling a sense of lamentation rise within him.
Such deep schemes! As Master Gu said, one must be extremely cautious. It would be best to avoid contact with this person in the future.
There were three thousand-man leaders stationed at the border, and after waiting for a long time, Li Qing still did not see the third thousand-man leader come to pay respects, which left him somewhat puzzled.
“Could it be that this third thousand-man leader had no connection with Master Gu?”
Perhaps that was indeed the case; otherwise, why would Master Gu only caution him about the other two thousand-man leaders and not mention the last one at all?
That day, Master Gu was laid to rest, and the rituals were kept simple. They found a small mound of earth outside the fort and buried Master Gu there. Li Qing accompanied the entire process, and after the workers left, he quietly stood guard at the grave.
Should he make a run for it now?
The thought had just emerged when Li Qing suppressed it; fleeing at this moment was not a wise choice.
Wait! Wait until his strength increased, until he had some self-defense capability, and until the situation became chaotic enough that no one would notice a mere blacksmith apprentice!
The wild winds outside never seemed to cease, and at this moment, they whipped up clouds of yellow sand, engulfing everything.
Li Qing brushed his hand over the gravestone, sighing inwardly. Master Gu's departure was too sudden, yet it was not entirely unexpected.
Thinking back, he had received considerable care from Master Gu during his time in the army. Although Master Gu had been strict, it was all for his own good.
Suddenly, the image of Master Gu's voice and smile echoed in Li Qing's heart.
Alas!
As a long-lived being, such events would likely be experienced many times in the future, and he might even have to bid farewell to many juniors.
No wonder those who live longer become more indifferent.
“Alas, time to practice!”
Immediately, Li Qing cast aside his chaotic thoughts and stood in a stance before Master Gu's grave.
Even the fierce winds of level eight could not shake his form; he stood firm like a pine tree, incredibly steady.
He did not know how long he maintained this stance, but just as he continued, a weathered voice suddenly resonated.
“Ancient Hammer Technique, it seems Master Gu truly entrusted his legacy to you!”
Startled by this sudden voice, Li Qing opened his eyes wide, not even sensing the approach of the speaker!
“Who?!”
Li Qing scanned his surroundings and immediately spotted an old man, rosy-cheeked and holding a wine gourd, standing by the grave mound.
Drip, drip!
The wine-drinking old man poured some of the liquor from his gourd onto Master Gu's grave.
“Hey, I am surnamed Guo.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qing's heart jolted, and he immediately recalled a person.
The third thousand-man leader of the Wuli Army at the border, Guo Zhentong!
He was actually an old man! And he looked like a drunkard.
“Your subordinate pays respects to Thousand-Man Guo!” Li Qing quickly reacted and prepared to bow.
Guo Zhentong smiled and said, “Stand up; continue practicing your stance. Don’t mind me; I’m just here for one last look at Master Gu.”
As the liquor spilled out, the surrounding air filled with a strong aroma of alcohol, intoxicating just from the scent alone.
(End of Chapter)