“Are you saying that I’m lying to you?” Old Craftsman cast a cold look at him.
“Oh, come on, Old Man, why would I doubt you? But, but…” Kang Weibo waved his hand, then stomped his foot hard. “Did Little Brother Ouyang really smith this Attribute Military Sword?”
Old Craftsman scoffed. “Do you know that General Chen sent his men to the Supply Division to retrieve ten precious ores for me?”
Kang Weibo responded quickly, “I know, I know. Everyone in the military camp knows that you’re smithing a weapon for General Chen.”
The Supply Division was the real supervisor of the military’s logistics. Although the Armament Camp had its Material Department too, the real precious raw materials were stored at the Supply Division, and only someone mighty in the military could withdraw materials.
“Sir Kang, you guessed it wrong this time. General Chen didn’t retrieve the ten precious ores for me.” Old Craftsman laughed out loud.
“Old Craftsman, don’t, don’t lie to me!” Kang Weibo was so dumbfounded that he stammered.
“Okay, take the saber to the young fellow. I’m very occupied now, so don’t disturb me anymore.” Old Craftsman glared at him, then closed the door and returned to his workshop.
Kang Weibo’s eyelids twitched when the door was closed. He smiled bitterly as he felt helpless against the extremely talented blacksmiths in the camp, and it made him think that his post as the Armament Camp’s supervisor was meaningless.
Nevertheless, he would not give up his post no matter what.
Kang Weibo’s eyes glowed when he looked at the Attribute Military Saber in his hands as though a golden path was laid out in front of him. He would have to judge if the path was a short one or a long one.
Subsequently, he left in a hurry with the treasure sword.
※※※※
Ou Yangming was frowning in his room.
Since he had been under Old Craftsman and Chen Yifan’s care lately, he did not bother about anything else apart from practicing the martial-art squat and the technique to control the Military Fire. As such, he neglected the matter of Zhang Yinfan and his nephew.
After making a trip to the equipment depot, he heard the frightening name again.
It was then when he came to a sudden realization that a venomous snake was still lurking.
If Zhang Hanyu had not attacked Ou Yangming, Ou Yangming would not have killed him. In that case, when General Chen Yifan got involved, Zhang Yinfan and his nephew would let Ou Yangming go or even try to be friends with him.
The instant Ou Yangming killed Zhang Hanyu, he knew that the resentment would be unsolvable.
Zhang Yinfan was only holding back at the moment because he was fearful, but if he were to take his revenge in the future, it would be impossible for Ou Yangming to guard against him.
Nonetheless, Ou Yangming did not have a solution to the problem.
All of a sudden, there was a knock on his door, which really shocked him.
Ever since Zhang Hanyu’s sneak attack, he had been more alert. Besides, Zhang Yinfan was still the Provision Camp’s assistant supervisor, so he dared not let his guard down although Zhang Yinfan had not messed with him yet.
“Who’s there?” Ou Yangming shouted.
“Haha, Ou Yangming, it’s me, Kang Weibo!”
Ou Yangming was stunned. ‘One doesn’t visit a temple without a cause, why is he here?’
Kang Weibo was the Armament Camp’s supervisor, such that everything in the camp was under his care, but the Armament Camp was different from other camps. It housed the highest number of skilled people, especially the old masters with superb craftsmanship. As such, the camp was well-known and the commanding general valued it very much.
Therefore, even though Kang Weibo was the camp’s supervisor, he behaved well in front of the old masters, especially Old Craftsman.
Needless to say, he showed a different side of him to the normal craftsmen.
Since Ou Yangming was valued by Old Craftsman and was appointed as his helper, Kang Weibo treated him well, to the extent that he arranged a small single room for him.
Despite that, that was the most Kang Weibo could do to show his sincerity. After all, there was a huge difference between their ranks, thus Ou Yangming could not figure out why the Armament Camp’s supervisor was here to visit him.
While Ou Yangming was dubious, he opened the door. “Sir Kang, what’s the matter?”
Kang Weibo laughed out loud, then cupped his hands at him. “My boy, you hid it from me so well!”
Ou Yangming was puzzled. ‘What did I hide from him?’
Upon seeing his confused look, Kang Weibo quickly retrieved a military saber and asked, “Look, what’s this?”
Ou Yangming immediately identified that it was the Attribute Military Saber that he smithed earlier.
He instantly realized why Kang Weibo was treating him with such warmth.
“Sir Kang, isn’t this just a military saber? It’s not a big deal.” Ou Yangming chuckled.
Kang Weibo’s face darkened. “My boy, tell me, did Old Craftsman smith this saber, or did you smith it?”
Ou Yangming shrugged. “Of course I did.”
Kang Weibo took a deep breath when he saw Ou Yangming answering so casually. “General Chen retrieved ten precious ores for you, right? Are, are you confident about smithing two Attribute Equipment?”
Ou Yangming could not help but laugh. He figured that Old Craftsman told Kang Weibo that he smithed an Attribute Equipment, but did not inform him of the truth.
By using only three of the ten precious ores, he produced two pieces of Attribute Equipment. Even if the remaining seven ores were discarded, he already made two finished products.
He nodded. “If I only have to make two, I’m confident.”
Kang Weibo’s eyes shone as he laughed. “My boy, you have such a heroic spirit, and I respect you for that.”
‘Isn’t it just a twenty percent criterion? What does it have to do with a heroic spirit? You’re being too obvious about flattering me,’ Ou Yangming said to himself.
However, he did not know that the twenty percent criterion was only normal for him and Old Craftsman. On the other hand, it was an unsurpassable moat for the other Military Fire Blacksmiths in the military camp.
Kang Weibo stopped laughing. “My boy, why didn’t you come to report it if you’re already a Military Fire Blacksmith?”
Ou Yangming slapped his forehead. “Ah, I forgot, sorry.”
In actual fact, he did not forget about it because Old Craftsman hid the truth on purpose to disguise the specific date.
The number of people in the military camp who knew that he incited the Military Fire were numbered even if Old Craftsman and Chen Yifan were included.
‘Little master, it’s true that you’re guided by Old Craftsman. Although you haven’t learned all of his skills, you managed to pick up his strange character as well,’ The muscles on Kang Weibo’s face twitched as he thought to himself.
The most powerful thing in the Armament Camp was not one’s power, but a blacksmith’s craftsmanship.
Therefore, those with genuine talent could definitely get on well.
“Hehe.” Kang Weibo was struck with an idea, so he smiled as he said, “My boy, how about I discuss something with you?”
Ou Yangming replied seriously, “Sir Kang, let me know if you need me to do anything, I’ll do it for you.”
Kang Weibo was the Armament Camp’s supervisor, whereas he was only a little helper, thus he had no room to negotiate.
“Ah, please don’t say that. We’ll discuss anything that happens in the future,” Kang Weibo responded enthusiastically. After a short pause, he continued, “Since you can smith Attribute Equipment, I’ll arrange a smithing workshop for you. Two in ten, will you accept the condition?”
Ou Yangming was taken aback. “Out of the ten precious ores, I only have to hand two pieces of Attribute Equipment?”
“Yes, only two,
and all materials will be provided by the camp.” Kang Weibo nodded, then added after he pondered for a while, “Let me know if you need anything, but you must fulfill the condition.”
Countless thoughts crossed Ou Yangming’s mind at that moment. He asked carefully, “Sir Kang, what if I’m so lucky that I’m able to smith a third Attribute Equipment?”
“Haha, if you’re so capable, only two in ten will be taken by the Armament Camp regardless of the finished products,” Kang Weibo answered right away, and wondered, ‘With a twenty percent passing rate, even if you seek help from Old Craftsman, it’ll only increase to thirty percent? Hehe, you should work hard for another eight to ten years, but you probably won’t be in the Armament Camp anymore then, so you don’t have to consider that.’
Ou Yangming nodded. “Okay, I’ll follow your order, Sir Kang.”
Feeling elated, Kang Weibo pulled him by his hand. “My boy, come with me.”
“Where are we going?” Ou Yangming was shocked.
“Of course we’re going to the equipment depot!” Kang Weibo laughed. “Retrieve the materials you need in the future as you wish, I’d like to see who has the courage to stop you!”
Chapter 24
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
While being in a daze, Ou Yangming was brought by Kang Weibo to the equipment depot.
Upon seeing Supervisor Kang, everyone at the depot greeted him quickly, but they looked at Ou Yangming strangely, including Xiong Gaoan.
They could not understand why Sir Kang was pulling Ou Yangming by his hand, and they seemed to be conversing happily. In fact, Sir Kang treated him respectfully and was very friendly.
Actually, the expression on Sir Kang’s face was not rare at all, because that was how he usually welcomed top-notch Military Fire Blacksmiths in the camp.
However, Ou Yangming was not a big master like Old Craftsman as he was only a little helper. Though the little helper was personally appointed by Old Craftsman, who was the chief of Military Fire Blacksmiths, they did not think that Sir Kang had to humble himself to get acquainted with him.
Kang Weibo glanced at the others, then winked at Xiong Gaoan.
While Xiong Gaoan was indeed Kang Weibo’s confidant, he could not figure out what the wink meant.
Subsequently, Kang Weibo’s angry voice was heard. “Officer Xiong, why did you obstruct Little Brother Ouyang earlier when he came to retrieve some materials?”
Xiong Gaoan was startled, and he finally realized what the wink meant, but he could not understand why Sir Kang was doing this.
Whether he understood it or not, he had to cooperate since Sir Kang made his choice, or his position as the accounts officer would fly away.
After bowing at Ou Yangming, Xiong Gaoan replied, “Brother Ouyang, please don’t blame me. I’m only a small accounts officer, and I dare not disobey the order given by the Provision Camp’s superior!”
Kang Weibo scoffed. “Orders from the Provision Camp must be obeyed, but the way they’re executed differs from person to person. What are you doing? You’ve been living for nothing!”
“Yes, yes.” Xiong Gaoan dared not defend himself. “Sir, don’t worry, I’ll definitely allow Old Craftsman to withdraw materials in the future.”
Kang Weibo widened his eyes. “Nonsense!”
“Huh?” Xiong Gaoan was dumbfounded because he did not know what he did wrong.
Kang Weibo pointed at Ou Yangming. “From now on, if anyone brings Little Brother Ouyang’s personal letter here, the materials he requests will be approved! Hmph, those that are available should be given to him immediately, and those that aren’t available must be requested from the Supply Division! I don’t care how you do it, but you must do it well.”
Xiong Gaoan and the others looked at each other as they wondered if they heard him wrongly.
If Kang Weibo was pointing at Old Craftsman, nobody would object to it, but he was pointing at Ou Yangming… They wondered, ‘He’s just a little helper, so why does he get to enjoy this treatment?
‘Won’t the other old blacksmiths be displeased if they know about this?’
“Why? You can’t hear me?” Kang Weibo questioned coldly.
He was extremely polite to Old Craftsman and Ou Yangming, but showed his threatening aura to his followers, which caused Xiong Gaoan and the others to shiver.
“Yes, we’ll obey you,” Xiong Gaoan responded, then said to Ou Yangming, “Brother Ouyang, I’ll assign a help… Oh, an errand boy for you. If you need anything in the future, just give an order!”
Xiong Gaoan initially wanted to say that he would assign a helper for Ou Yangming, but Ou Yangming was a helper himself, so how could he assign a helper for him? Luckily, he was smart enough to change the term quickly.
Nonetheless, Kang Weibo laughed. “What do you mean by an errand boy? Gaoan, Little Brother Ouyang is already an official Military Fire Blacksmith, so you should arrange a personal smithing workshop and a new accommodation for him. Mm, you should do it according to Old Craftsman’s standard!”
“What?” This time, Xiong Gaoan exclaimed, and he looked at Ou Yangming for some time before he smiled bitterly. “Brother, you’re already a blacksmith! Oh, you hid it very well!”
He finally understood why Kang Weibo was being so friendly.
Ou Yangming became an official Military Fire Blacksmith at such a young age, so he would definitely have a bright future. When should Xiong Gaoan and Kang Weibo become friends with him if not now?
In spite of that, Xiong Gaoan felt that the investment made by Sir Kang was too big because Sir Kang asked that he refer to the treatment given to Old Craftsman, which confused him.
On the other hand, Ou Yangming had been feeling like an outsider the moment he arrived.
His face changed only when Kang Weibo gave his order. “Sir Kang, you mustn’t do that!”
“Why mustn’t I do that? Don’t worry, I’ll bear all the responsibilities.” He laughed, then tossed a military saber to Xiong Gaoan. “This was made by Little Brother Ouyang, so store it in the depot, and keep it well before handing it to the Supply Division at the end of the month.” Following that, he pulled Ou Yangming outside. “My boy, let’s take a look at the smithing workshops and the courtyards, you must pick the one you like.”
Xiong Gaoan and the others felt like they were dreaming when they saw them leaving happily.
Sir Kang actually brought Ou Yangming over, scolded his followers, and told them that Ou Yangming was a blacksmith. Additionally, he asked that they give him the same treatment given to Old Craftsman.
The change was so big that they found it hard to accept it.
Xiong Gaoan sighed. “Everyone, this is Sir Kang’s order, so listen well. From now on, if Ou Yangming comes, you must welcome him properly.”
The others responded to him. Even though they could not understand it, they would execute it since it was Sir Kang’s order, and they would try their best to understand it.
“Go, record this.” Xiong Gaoan handed the military saber in his hands to a person beside him.
The person was about to leave when Xiong Gaoan suddenly called out to him, “Wait!”
Everyone else turned to look at him. He had taken the military saber back to check it out.
A brief moment later, someone asked him carefully, “Officer Xiong, is there something mysterious about the saber?”
Xiong Gaoan did not bother, and he channeled a hint of his essential Qi into the saber. At once, a light flashed, and it was as if lightning struck although there was only a glimpse of it. It lit the pitch-black earth, and it was unforgettable.
“This, this is an Attribute Military Saber!”
“Who, who was it that Sir Kang said… Made the saber?”
The others fell silent as they looked in the same direction. They knew at once that the Armament Camp had a new master who could not be offended from now on, but the master was too young to be one.
※※
※※
After an hour, Ou Yangming was touched when he looked at the courtyard that he was assigned to.
The courtyard was simply luxurious as compared to the single room that he used to stay in. Not only did it have a master bedroom, but it also had a side bedroom, a living room, a guest room, a kitchen, a dining room, a garden, etc. Besides, the rooms were already decorated with fine materials.
Nevertheless, it was somewhat scary that he was the only one living in the huge courtyard.
Once Kang Weibo left, Ou Yangming did not stay in his new courtyard for long as he went to find Old Craftsman.
The old man was still in deep thoughts in the smithing workshop, so much so that he only smiled at Ou Yangming when he arrived, then continued thinking.
Ou Yangming scratched his ears and cheeks for half an hour before Old Craftsman finally sighed. “Can’t you just behave well. You’re already a master who has a personal smithing workshop, yet you’re still unsteady.”
“Old Man, you know already?” Ou Yangming was surprised.
Old Craftsman chuckled. “Since Kang Weibo knows that you can smith an Attribute Equipment, he’ll definitely do anything he can to flatter you. Hehe, if I guessed it right, you have a personal smithing workshop and a courtyard now, right?”
Ou Yangming nodded. “Old Man, you guessed it right!”
“What’s the split ratio he set for you?” Old Craftsman pouted his lips indifferently.
“Two in ten.” Ou Yangming dared not hide the truth.
“Two in ten, hmph, he’s so wicked,” Old Craftsman commented as he was displeased, “Among the twenty over Military Fire Blacksmiths in the Armament Camp, other than three of them, the ratio given to the others is one in ten.”
Ou Yangming was startled. “Sir Kang really thinks highly of me…”
Old Craftsman laughed. “It’s not you whom he thinks highly of, it’s me.”
“I understand, he must think that I’ll seek help from you if I can’t do it.” Ou Yangming quickly realized what was going on.
“Not bad. The standard set by the Supply Division for the Armament Camp is one in ten. Above that, it’ll be considered as the Armament Camp’s benefit, so blacksmiths who can achieve two in ten have a high status. Hehe, Kang Weibo thinks that he took advantage of us!” Old Craftsman nodded, and he looked wise and sly as though he could see through everything.
Immortal Path to Heaven c1-725 Page 15
