Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

No matter how much Cheng Xiao tried to persuade her, the girl remained unmoved, seemingly filled with confusion and fear about the future.

"How can you repay General Huaiyan for his kindness and guidance!"

"Waaaaah, I...I'm so sorry, Master."

"Do you really want to let those incompetent fools' mockery come true?!"

"Waaah, I...I don't want to, but I'm afraid...I'm afraid I really can't do it."

Cheng Xiao hadn't expected Ying Xing to be such a timid girl. But looking at her miserable appearance, he couldn't bring himself to be angry.

"Let's start over. Let's introduce ourselves first. My name is Cheng Xiao, and yours is Cheng Xiao?"

"Yingxing..."

"Very good, Yingxing, a very nice name. From the moment I heard this name, I knew that your achievements would be immeasurable."

"Why...why?"

"No rush, let me ask you another question: how much time has it taken you since you started learning forging?"

Three years.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiao gasped in astonishment. Three years?! He became a master smelter in just three years?

Looking at Ying Xing's delicate and tender appearance, where would she get the strength to forge her?

This means that Yingxing arrived at the Immortal Ship at the age of eleven or twelve, as a short-lived species and an outsider. If it weren't for Huaiyan's appreciation, Yingxing would have been a rootless duckweed.

What could a young, naive girl possibly know? She was just a girl who desperately lacked a sense of security.

Cheng Xiao felt extremely indignant at the thought that those older, long-lived craftsmen had conspired to mock and pressure a minor girl.

"Yingxing, I'm very familiar with this name. There was someone with the same name in my hometown once. He was a true master, and I believe you will be one too!"

"Why? Because you've achieved in three years what those mediocre people take three hundred years to become master blacksmiths!"

"They say you're short-lived? Look at the world-renowned genius club; it's full of short-lived geniuses, but they left an indelible mark on the world during their brief lives!"

"Each of your years is worth more than a hundred times more than those who waste their endless lives! The reason they band together to criticize you is because they fear you; they fear that your short life will negate everything they have gained through longevity!"

"So, be confident! Hold your head high. You are General Huaiyan's apprentice. When you're out in the world, General Huaiyan is proud of you because you are outstanding."

Cheng Xiao's long string of praise left Ying Xing completely bewildered. She had never been praised like this before. Her master's encouragement was also heartwarming, but this kind of recognition was unheard of.

"Can...can I really do it?"

"What are you afraid of? If they dare to say anything bad about you again, just fight them! I'll stand up for you!"

"real?"

"Absolutely! General Huaiyan has been very good to me. How could I stand by and watch his beloved disciple be bullied? There are many of your senior brothers and sisters in the Bureau of Works. If it weren't for those villains instigating them, they wouldn't have abandoned you."

Yingxing dared not look directly into Chengxiao's burning eyes, and could only let out a soft "hmm" as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

For the next three days, Cheng Xiao kept his promise and began to go out with Ying Xing, going to work together, eating together, and going home together, except that Cheng Xiao lived next door to Ying Xing.

Many people around noticed the unusual situation, and various rumors and gossip began to circulate.

Some say this is a friendly interaction between two geniuses.

Some say this is a battle of fate between long-lived and short-lived species.

Some say it's the bond that attracts geniuses.

Anyway, opinions were divided, and Yingxing and Chengxiao quickly became a hot topic.

Every time Yingxing walked on the street, she felt uncomfortable being stared at by so many eyes, so she could only move closer to Chengxiao to seek a sense of security.

"Why...why are they all staring at us?"

"It's just mediocrity's admiration and jealousy of genius; why do you care?"

"Is...is that so? I understand."

Huaiyan had also checked on Yingxing's condition these past few days and found that his beloved disciple had a better appetite, was sleeping well, was in good spirits, and had recovered his forging skills. He was overjoyed.

"Cheng Xiao, you little rascal! I knew I hadn't misjudged you! No wonder those girls in Jingliu are so energetic every day; you're really good at taking care of people! If I had a granddaughter, I'd entrust her to you to look after!"

Cheng Xiao smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing. Did they really think he was a babysitter?!

Yingxing recovered well, so the originally planned three days of companionship were extended to seven days. During this time, Chengxiao began to forge with Yingxing, and Yingxing also became aware of the shortcomings in Chengxiao's forging techniques.

"I didn't expect you to have such strength, you're amazing!" Ying Xing's eyes flashed with a strange light.

"It's just some physical talent. But you, with your delicate skin, can actually wield a hammer. That's real skill."

Yingxing was a little embarrassed by the praise: "I also have physical talent. My master said that my muscle density is naturally higher than that of ordinary people, so I need more energy."

Cheng Xiao suddenly realized: "Then you need to eat more! No wonder you couldn't unleash your full potential before. Those bastards must have affected your appetite. Eating more is good for your health. No matter how troubled you are, you can't neglect yourself."

After learning about Yingxing's special constitution, Chengxiao suddenly had a whim and used his unique skills.

"Yingxing! Look, this is a bone broth I specially made, and also a kiln-roasted chicken. They're both very nourishing, eat more."

"Hmm... Is it Cheng Xiao's cooking?"

Yingxing's eyes widened after just one bite, and then he didn't say a word, only making ravenous chewing sounds.

"How is it? Delicious, isn't it?"

Yingxing lost his manners in front of Chengxiao for the first time, and looked at Chengxiao with a mixture of satisfaction and resentment.

"Cheng Xiao's culinary skills are unmatched."

"Hahaha, thank you for the compliment~"

Huaiyan noticed that Yingxing had eaten a large meal, which was unusual for him, so he asked her why. After trying Chengxiao's cooking, he joined in.

"Alas! You brat, Cheng Xiao, you've been secretly hiding your culinary skills, are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for this general?"

"I'm innocent!"

"You just focus on cooking; I'll take care of the ingredients."

"I also want to learn forging!"

"How much time does it take to cook a meal? Enough nonsense! I'll give you 30% more on the military supplies from Luofu!"

"I guarantee the general's appetite will be satisfied!"

The ingredients provided by Huaiyan were all tonics, and most of them ended up in Yingxing's stomach.

Despite this, Yingxing was still somewhat resentful, since her master had joined the food-grabbing frenzy, leaving her with less to eat.

With Cheng Xiao's lavish upbringing, Huai Yan extended the mission duration to half a month, which was exactly the time Cheng Xiao would leave.

"General, you're really putting me in a difficult position."

"Kid, who told you to hide your talents? You've shot yourself in the foot!"

"It's clearly you, General, who are too fickle!"

"Hmph! This general's word is law. Over the years, I've forged countless rare treasures. I have plenty of money! Enough talk, I'll increase the supplies to Luofu by another 50%!"

"General, you are truly wise! I have wandered aimlessly for half my life, yet I have never met a wise ruler. I hope you will accept me as your disciple!"

"Go away! Don't try to get close to me."