Great Rock City, Falling Stone Street.
No one noticed that a blacksmith shop had suddenly appeared on this street.
Clang, clang, accompanied by the sound of metal striking, Li Qing arranged the finished farming tools, sickles, and rudimentary weapons on the shelves.
Having just arrived, Li Qing still habitually opened a blacksmith shop, temporarily hiding in the city.
The shop was rented by Miao Qi for him. Although Great Rock City was the largest city in the Black Wind Region, its population was still not very large.
There were still quite a number of vacant buildings in the city, and renting a shop as a blacksmith did not cost much at all.
The ordinary weapons and farming tools filled on the shelves brought Li Qing about a year and a half of lifespan.
After finishing all this, Li Qing found himself with nothing to do and suddenly felt relaxed.
Taking advantage of his free time, he focused on practicing the Shadow Seeking Step he had just learned.
This light skill, combined with the Light Luo Leg, indeed had some unexpected effects; he didn’t need to deliberately refine the qi and blood in his legs.
Having practiced the Light Luo Leg, he already had a foundation for learning this light skill.
Coupled with Li Qing's current mastery of internal strength, which allowed him to temporarily control his entire qi and blood, his progress in this light skill became rapid.
Thus, while practicing the light skill, he passively collected information from the city, and time quickly passed.
In Great Rock City, apart from the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, the two top forces, there were still many gangs of various sizes beneath them.
For example, the street where Li Qing was located was the territory of a gang called the Sand Crocodile Gang. Every time the black wheat mushrooms matured, his shop had to provide some food or two money crystals to this gang.
It wasn’t much, and Li Qing had no objections at all; as long as the members of the Sand Crocodile Gang came to collect the money, he would hand it over without fail.
Unfortunately, what surprised Li Qing was that even with many gangs, Great Rock City was as tranquil as a stagnant pool.
The anticipated gang wars and turf wars had not occurred at all.
Moreover, the two top forces, the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce and the City Lord's Mansion, were also living in harmony, and their relationship was unexpectedly good, with no disputes whatsoever.
This left Li Qing somewhat helpless; if life continued to be this peaceful, would he really just be a blacksmith here?
“Could it be that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce is really just an ordinary merchant association? Why are they so vigorously collecting beasts from the Age of Sunlight?”
Li Qing muttered to himself, his eyes flickering slightly.
What concerned him the most was, of course, the peculiar species known as the Armored Pig.
He would not believe that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce was collecting beasts to ensure the integrity of the species; who in this world would have the leisure to do such a thing?
After waiting for nearly a month, the stagnant Great Rock City finally stirred with some unusual activity.
One day, several members of the Sand Crocodile Gang came to Li Qing's blacksmith shop.
“Master Li, how have you been lately? Is business doing well?”
A few young men with a rogue appearance walked into Li Qing's shop, and he recognized them at a glance as the lower-level ruffians of the Sand Crocodile Gang.
Li Qing had always looked down on these thugs who only knew a few basic skills.
However, he still had to put on a show: “Oh, thanks to you all, I can barely make ends meet.”
“I remember it’s not time to pay the usual fees yet; what brings you here?”
The next words from the ruffians made Li Qing's heart stir.
“Hehe, we’re not here to collect money; we’re here to do business with you today.”
“That's right, our Sand Crocodile Gang is preparing to order a batch of iron tools from you.” Li Qing calmly replied, “Oh? What kind of iron tools? What are they for?”
“Bring it over, let Master Li take a look.” The leader waved his hand.
Soon, a rusty and dilapidated beast trap was placed in front of Li Qing.
It was evident that this beast trap had some years on it, covered in dust and hard to identify.
“How about it, Master Li? Do you recognize this thing? It’s called a beast trap. Can you make it?” The leader looked at Li Qing with anticipation.
Li Qing's answer certainly did not disappoint him; he said, “Hmm, looking at the structure, it shouldn’t be too difficult. I can give it a try; I should be able to make it.”
Hearing this assurance, the members of the Sand Crocodile Gang immediately expressed their satisfaction: “I told you, this newly opened blacksmith shop definitely has some skills; it’s not like other shops that only forge farming tools.”
“Master Li, name your price. We need about ten of these beast traps. Can you make it cheaper?”
Name a price?
For these leeches who lived off collecting protection fees, Li Qing felt no sense of agreement at all. He directly opened his mouth and said, “Considering the cost of trying to make it, hmm… fifteen money crystals each!”
He didn’t ask for an outrageous price; he merely raised it slightly based on the usual cost.
Under the pretext of including the cost of trying, he charged them a total of one hundred and fifty money crystals, which was no small sum and could barely buy an Armored Pig sold by the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce.
The members of the Sand Crocodile Gang hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed.
“Alright, it’s a deal. Once you’re done, let us know to come pick it up. Try to be quick!”
After saying this, the members of the Sand Crocodile Gang left Li Qing's blacksmith shop.
Li Qing watched their departing figures, his eyes flickering for a moment.
“Making beast traps? Are they planning to go hunting?”
Currently, there was a stable supply of Armored Pigs in the city; although they were a bit pricey, they were definitely a good source of meat.
Spending one hundred and fifty money crystals to order a batch of beast traps was quite a significant initial investment.
It should be noted that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce typically spent around three to four hundred money crystals to acquire a beast from the Age of Sunlight.
If they failed to catch anything, it would be a pure loss, especially since these beast traps were not valuable items and would rust and break!
Just as Li Qing was about to inquire about what had been happening in the city recently, an unexpected person entered his blacksmith shop.
Miao Qi rushed in, saying, “Big Brother Li, our gang leader sent a letter recently. He wants me to stay in Great Rock City and cooperate with all your actions. Just let me know what needs to be done.”
Li Qing looked at Miao Qi in surprise, then immediately smiled.
It was truly a case of a timely arrival; this was just what he needed.
“Perfect timing! Can you gather intelligence? Recently, the Sand Crocodile Gang ordered a batch of beast traps from me. Help me find out their intentions.”
“Remember to be clever about it; don’t be too obvious.”
Miao Qi's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, “No problem, leave it to me!”
After saying this, he quickly left the blacksmith shop, his body trembling slightly as he walked away.
Could it be that the gang leader decided to extend their reach into Great Rock City?
Back then, Li Qing had devised a plan to take down the Yan family, securing the entire Obsidian City for the Yi Gang; he was very familiar with that incident.
Could it be that he finally had the chance to participate in such an important operation?
Thinking of this, Miao Qi clenched his fists, as if he could see the broad road that belonged to him in the future.
(End of Chapter)