Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Quenching is a process in which metal is heated to a high temperature and then rapidly immersed in a cold liquid. This rapid cooling alters the internal structure of the metal, making it harder and more wear-resistant.

The ability to quench a blacksmith's work reflects the level of his skill.

This step may seem simple, but each company has its own tricks, and a slight difference can lead to a huge error.

Li Lin instructed his apprentices to distribute the prepared iron billets, and the blacksmiths then went into their workshops, selected their own furnaces, and began quenching the iron.

These pre-prepared iron billets eliminate the need for blacksmiths to fold and forge them; they simply bury the billets in charcoal fire to heat them, and then they can be quenched directly.

Zhou Yuan was also given a piece of iron. He found a furnace, put in the fire, and while pulling the bellows at a steady speed, he stared at the furnace with his eyes wide open, not daring to be distracted at all.

The first step in quenching is to observe the color of the flame.

In this world where there are no thermometers, blacksmiths can only judge the temperature of iron billets by observing their color.

Dark red, crimson, bright red, bright white...

This step relies entirely on the blacksmith's experience; even a slight difference in temperature can drastically alter the final product.

The whooshing sound of the bellows echoed in the courtyard as Li Lin walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, occasionally pausing for a moment in front of a stove.

Soon, a hissing sound rang out, and a thick cloud of white mist rose from a shed.

Someone has already been tempered.

This was an exam, and when someone handed in their paper early, others immediately panicked.

Several blacksmiths hurriedly took the iron billets out and put them directly into the cold well water.

Li Lin shook his head at the sight.

These blacksmiths have developed too many bad habits from their daily work; it would be easier to train a new person from scratch than to correct them.

If it weren't for the government's urgent pressure, he really wouldn't want to select apprentices from these blacksmiths.

To put it bluntly, if these blacksmiths were truly talented, they would have made a name for themselves in this trade long ago.

A first-rate blacksmith, at the very least, doesn't have to perform corvée labor himself.

A top-notch blacksmith could never possibly not earn enough to buy his freedom.

Of course, good talent is hard to find, and he didn't expect to select top-notch talent from these blacksmiths; he just wanted someone who was passable.

Just then, Li Lin suddenly stopped in front of Zhou Yuan's stove.

His pupils suddenly contracted as he watched Zhou Yuan's movements.

Zhou Yuan steadily picked out the bright red iron billet and quickly inserted it into the bucket of water.

laugh!

Accompanied by a piercing sizzling sound, Zhou Yuan's arm twitched up and down slightly.

Li Lin was an expert and could naturally see through Zhou Yuan's intentions.

By gently pulling the iron parts, moisture can be prevented from enveloping them, thus avoiding incomplete quenching.

Of the dozens of blacksmiths serving in the entire courtyard, only Zhou Yuan could grasp this point!

"Who would have thought I'd actually stumbled upon such a hidden gem?"

Li Lin sized up Zhou Yuan, looking at his young, even somewhat immature face, and was secretly delighted.

Youth means potential for development, and refined craftsmanship signifies talent.

He actually found it?

"What's your name?"

Seeing that Zhou Yuan had finished quenching, Li Lin said in a gentle voice.

"Greetings, Master Li. This is Zhou Yuan."

Zhou Yuan bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

Li Lin nodded secretly, quite satisfied with Zhou Yuan's respectful and polite attitude.

"Would you like to become my apprentice?"

Li Lin asked.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding blacksmiths all looked over, their faces full of envy.

Zhou Yuan was also overjoyed. He had just shown off his intermediate blacksmithing skills without reservation, just for this opportunity.

I do!

Before Zhou Yuan could utter those three words, someone suddenly cut in from the side, blocking his way between him and Li Lin.

The newcomer was none other than the foreman, Gao Dazhuang.

"Master Li, may I speak to you in private?"

He was tall and strong, his voice deep and tinged with anxiety and annoyance.

"Wait, let me finish taking on my apprentices first."

Li Lindao.

"can not wait!"

Gao Dazhuang said urgently, "Master Li, it won't make a difference if it's just a little while longer."

Although Li Lin was somewhat displeased, Gao Dazhuang represented the government after all, and he was also the county magistrate's brother-in-law, so he didn't want to offend him casually.

Stepping out of the workshop and keeping a few steps' distance from the blacksmiths, Li Lin said, "What is it? You can tell me now, right?"

"Master Li, you can take anyone as your apprentice, except for Zhou Yuan."

"Gao Dazhuang said in a deep voice."

"Oh?"

Li Lin looked at Gao Dazhuang, his brows furrowing slightly. "Why is Zhou Yuan the only one who won't do? Brother Gao, you know better than I do who is suitable to be my apprentice."

Li Lin's tone already carried a hint of anger.

It would be more appropriate to have my tall, strong brother-in-law teach him how to do things!

"It wasn't me."

Gao Dazhuang shook his head repeatedly, lowered his voice, and whispered, "It's Young Master Liu—Young Master Liu spent a lot of money to make Zhou Yuan die from forced labor. Master Li, you don't want to ruin Young Master Liu's plans, do you?"

If I remember correctly, the Liu family purchases several hundred taels of silver worth of weapons from you, Master Li, every year, right?

"Zhou Yuan has a grudge against the Liu family? No, Zhou Yuan is just an ordinary craftsman, how could he have offended the Liu family?"

Li Lin frowned.

"hey-hey."

Gao Dazhuang chuckled twice; he clearly knew the reason, but he didn't explain.

"Master Li, you know Young Master Liu's character. If you insist on taking Zhou Yuan as your apprentice, that's fine. I'll just return the money to him at most."

But Master Li, you might be in some trouble later.

Young Master Liu is petty...

Gao Dazhuang said in a low voice, "For the sake of an apprentice, you've offended Young Master Liu. Master Li, please reconsider?"

Li Lin frowned. He came from a humble background, and his current status was due not only to his skills but also to his shrewd and sophisticated way of doing things.

If he didn't have long-term orders from government officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants, where would he get the money to make a living and improve his skills?

Although Zhou Yuan has some talent for blacksmithing, there are many talented young people out there, and he offended a major client because of him...

"Since you've spoken up, Brother Gao, I may not give face to Young Master Liu, but I'll definitely give face to you as well."

Li Lin pondered for a moment and said, "It's just an apprentice. What difference does it make who I take on?"

But Brother Gao, can you tell me why Young Master Liu insists on killing Zhou Yuan?

I didn't mean anything by it, I was just curious.

"I'll tell you a secret."

Gao Dazhuang looked around, then leaned close to Li Lin's ear and whispered, "Young Master Liu has taken a fancy to Zhou Yuan's fiancée. How can he take that girl if he doesn't kill Zhou Yuan?"

Gao Dazhuang let out a lewd chuckle, and Li Lin's eyes flashed with a fleeting anger.

…………

"Mr. Li has inspected your quenched finished products. Now I will announce the list of those who have passed the assessment."

Li Lin returned to the workshop and ignored Zhou Yuan, instead directly inspecting the works of the blacksmiths.

Zhou Yuan looked at Li Lin from afar, then at the burly foreman standing next to Li Lin, Gao Dazhuang, and his heart sank to the bottom.

Gao Dazhuang, what grudge do I have against you that you're trying to block my path as an apprentice?

"Guo An, Fang Si, Li Shitou..."

Li Lin announced several names, and unsurprisingly, Zhou Yuan's name was not on the list.

Those blacksmiths who heard their names were overjoyed, while those who were not chosen were dejected.

"Master Li, may I ask where my quenching technique falls short?"

Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and raised his voice.

He was unwilling to lose the opportunity just like that.

If he misses this opportunity, where will he go to learn martial arts again?

Moreover, Gao Dazhuang's murderous intent towards him was growing stronger and stronger, almost to the point of being undisguised. If he could not become Li Lin's apprentice, he didn't know if he would even have the chance to practice martial arts.

He believed his blacksmithing skills were no worse than those of the selected blacksmiths, and he had to fight for this opportunity!

"presumptuous!"

Li Lin flew into a rage, walked a few steps to Zhou Yuan's side, and slapped Zhou Yuan on the back three times.

"Does Li need to explain his actions to a mere blacksmith like you?"

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Lin turned and went back to his private work shed.

The blacksmiths all wore expressions of schadenfreude.

"Zhou Yuan, Master Li has his own standards for selecting people. The reason you were not selected is that you still need to practice."

One of the selected blacksmiths spoke in a mocking tone, then walked arrogantly toward Li Lin's workshop.

Becoming Li Lin's apprentice changed his life completely.

"A toad trying to eat swan meat."

Gao Dazhuang, whipping his left hand with his right, approached the group of blacksmiths and said, "Master Li didn't take a liking to you, so this is your fate."

Stop standing there, get to work! Are we not making any ironware today?

Zhou Yuan, make me ten shovels today, and go help out on the river tomorrow.

The crowbars and rammers used for repairing the river need fixing. You think you're really good at blacksmithing? Then go show off your skills on the river!

Upon hearing this, the blacksmiths' mocking gazes immediately turned into sympathy.

Serving in the work shed was tiring, but at least we were protected from the wind and rain, unlike on the river.

Not only is it exposed to wind and sun there, but if something happens on the embankment, there is also the risk of falling into the river and dying.

Anyone with eyes can see that Gao Dazhuang is determined to destroy Zhou Yuan.

Whose fault is this? Who told you, Zhou Yuan, to question Master Li?

The blacksmiths dispersed, heads bowed, like quails.

No one spoke up for Zhou Yuan, and no one comforted him.

Zhou Yuan remained silent, walked to the stove, and began to forge a tall and sturdy shovel.

Nothing happened that day. Zhou Yuan finished forging ten shovels. It was already 9 PM when he returned to the communal room. The blacksmiths were already snoring loudly.

After lying there with his eyes open for a while, Zhou Yuan quietly got up, crossed the empty courtyard, and went straight to Li Lin's window.

A crack was left in the window.