From He Jingfeng's introduction, it was learned that every fire kiln's opening site is carefully chosen.

Being by the mountain and near the water is the primary requirement.

Typically, the kiln site is built at the mountain's foot, the kiln head is located at the base, and the kiln body extends upwards following the terrain. Once the first fire is lit, blazing red light and thick smoke billow successively. From afar, it looks like a fire dragon coiled.

It is said that during the beginning of summer, the three fire kilns - Qinghua, Inch Gold, and Big Punishment - open simultaneously, resembling three dragons entwined, with firelight soaring into the sky, visible from miles away.

"Eight steel knives, at most ten refinements level, yet they take half a month."

Bai Qi squinted his eyes, murmuring in his heart:

"Even if it were another blacksmith's shop, it wouldn't take this long. There must be something peculiar inside."

...

On the other side, He Jingfeng frowned tightly, sitting silently by the window with a basin of fire at his feet, emitting faint smoke.

For this Seventh Young Master of the He Family, Wagang Village a hundred miles away was nothing more than a remote countryside, naturally unable to afford all the Zhu family's silver bone charcoal.

"The Zhu Family is also here? Uncle Yang, why didn't you tell me about this matter?"

The tea cup in He Jingfeng's hand splashed down, instantly extinguishing the pine charcoal with a sizzling sound.

He couldn't stand this choking smell; it would be better not to light it at all, leaving it clean.

"Seventh Young Master, Second Miss Zhu Zhu Ling'Er has long been in Black River County. Zhu Wan from the Divine Hand Sect, his wife is a branch of the Zhu Family."

Uncle Yang bowed slightly, standing with hands hanging:

"Initially thought it might just be a visit from her maternal family, didn't overthink. But received news yesterday that Zhu Family's fifth member sneaked to Wagang Village and stayed quietly for many days, likely targeting Fire Kiln Master Li."

He Jingfeng furrowed his brows:

"Zhu Family's fifth member? Zhu Shou Rang? Remember that kid and I were once called 'one jackal, one wolf, the two notorious young ruffians'?"

Uncle Yang's eye twitched; such words he dared not respond to.

The reputation of this Seventh Young Master in County City needed no elaboration.

Sons from several affluent families of the Thirteen Rows were once beaten by him.

If not for the First Lady's indulgence, along with the support of the Eldest and Third Young Masters, he would've suffered a major setback sooner or later.

Otherwise, why would he be hired from the Celestial Water Prefecture to be Seventh Young Master's steward and follower, never leaving his side?

"His elder brother, Zhu Shouwen, just like my elder brother, is about to participate in the Dao Trial at the Daoist School.

His appearance here is so timely, most likely to request Master Li to forge a magical artifact blank? Annoying!"

He Jingfeng, somewhat irritable, still remembered, before leaving home, he patted his chest and assured his elder brother he would definitely accomplish this task.

Now, with the sudden emergence of the Zhu Family, the unexpected complication becomes troublesome.

"Master Li, being eccentric, known for his reputation, and abides by the rules.

He has no children, his lifelong wish is to forge a Divine Soldier! To be appointed as a Divine Craftsman by the Dragon Court!"

Uncle Yang pondered for a moment:

"Seventh Young Master initially planned to gradually lure, separately commissioning the Big Punishment Kiln to forge the Wind-listening Saber of ten, hundred, thousand, and ten thousand refinements, Master Li's young apprentice couldn't handle beyond hundred refinements.

By then, the Young Master would then offer a significant reward and set up the fire kiln, with no worry of Master Li not showing up, everything negotiable.

But now things have changed, with the Zhu family's unexpected involvement, Big Punishment Kiln can't even deliver the ten refinements Wind-listening Saber... In my opinion, even if we wait three more days, it's unlikely there'll be a response."

After contemplating for a long time, He Jingfeng said:

"Zhu Shou Rang surely hasn't seen Master Li, otherwise, by now, he'd have come to boast and insult me.

What are they waiting for? Master Li emerging? Quickly find out, see what trick this kid has up his sleeve!"

...

The Big Punishment Kiln situated amidst mountain forests, clinging to steep terrain, was arduously established.

Everyone at the fire kiln knew, back then, Master Li traversed various places around Yihai Prefecture, finally choosing Black River County, establishing his business here.

It was under the guidance of a Feng Shui Daoist, claiming there was an anomalous fire underground, which if led into the kiln entrance, there was hope to forge a Divine Soldier.

Li Yuan resolutely followed, spending heavily, and drove nearly five thousand laborers to dig day and night, finally glimpsing a thread of bright flame after half a year.

He went through great efforts to use it as a fire source for the big furnace, which never extinguished and burned ever hotter over years.

Weapons that underwent this burning and annealing process were much tougher and lighter than ordinary ones.

Thus the legend of the 'Wind-listening Saber slashing silently' emerged.

Buzz!

A hand grasped the shiny steel saber, slashing forcefully, and cut heavily onto the solid iron anvil!

Its speed was swift like a gust of wind, barely emitting a sound.

Boom!

A burst of sparks scattered!

The recoil force caused arm muscles to tighten, twisting like massive entwined pythons.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Boom——

Four more consecutive slashes!

The eardrum-piercing sound waves instantly overwhelmed the rhythmic hammering of iron sounds.

"Good saber!"

Lu Shiping, who arrived, couldn't help but praise.

This Wind-listening Saber was light and fast, with a thin blade, not heavy, leaving an inch-deep mark on the iron anvil, yet the blade remained intact.

It was of remarkable quality.

At least fifty refinement forges had been done.

The rarest part was that the artisan who forged this Wind-listening Saber was very young, just over twenty, possibly only eighteen or nineteen years old.

With thick eyebrows, big eyes, an ancient bronze complexion as if cast from pig iron, his physique was exceptionally sturdy.

Striking the anvil with full force five times, he didn't even break a sweat, showing his immense stamina.

"Pity..."

Lu Shiping shook his head; regardless of how exceptional this individual was, the fire kiln already had a junior apprentice.

Apprentice intake was limited to three, a rule set by the master as advised by the Feng Shui Daoist.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com