Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Early morning, Changping County

The mist had not yet dissipated.

The area in front of the Li family's gate was already crowded with people.

Most of these people were dressed in rags, emaciated, and had empty, lifeless eyes.

They were all refugees who had recently fled to Changping County.

The reason we came to the Li family's door was because of a notice posted by the Li family:

Any young or middle-aged man can apply to be a guard at the Li family's residence.

For these refugees, this announcement was undoubtedly the last straw before they starved to death.

As long as you become a guard for the Li family, you will have a place to live and food, and you will not have to worry about the bandits and rebels running rampant outside, and you can live peacefully!

Shen Chu, who was in the corner, was also one of this group of people.

Just two weeks ago, he was a newly graduated game designer.

Although I lost my job, at least I received sufficient compensation, so I spend my days at home playing video games, occasionally going out to get a foot massage, which is quite pleasant.

Unfortunately, because he stayed up all night washing his feet, he unexpectedly transmigrated into the body of Shen Chu, a person with the same name and even the same appearance as him, and became a refugee who was fleeing from disaster.

As a modern person, although he had seen short videos on his phone about "how to survive if you traveled back to ancient times,"

But when it was his turn to do it, he realized just how difficult it was.

Want to make salt?

The world already had methods for salt production, which were controlled by the government; private salt production was a capital offense.

Want to make paper?

Papermaking had also become widespread!

Although unregulated, it has long been monopolized by wealthy businessmen from various regions.

Even martial artists and demons, things that only appear in fantasy novels, exist in this world.

Faced with lurking demons and a chaotic army behind him, struggling to survive, he had no choice but to join a group of refugees and arrive in Changping County, which had not yet been affected by the war.

Upon seeing the notice from the Li family seeking a caregiver, he rushed over.

For Shen Chu now, the only way to survive is to become a guard.

He could only consider other things after he had survived.

At this moment, Shen Chu was staring intently at the brand-new, lacquered red door.

As they waited anxiously, the door finally opened.

A woman dressed in a white dress and with a beautiful face walked out, accompanied by a group of servants.

She glanced indifferently at the refugees outside the mansion, her gaze as if they were weeds, even showing disdain at the thought of approaching them.

She gave an order to a burly guard behind her, who then stepped forward and shouted at the refugees:

"Anyone who wants to be a guard in the Li household, come and line up!"

With his loud shout, everyone lined up obediently in order to save their lives.

Shen Chu was unlucky and was pushed to the back of the line.

The line was very long, and some people in front were even turning sideways to look ahead. Shen Chu couldn't see what was happening in front of her at all; she could only hear the burly guard's rough voice.

"Ding Xiagengu, you can leave now!"

"Ding Shang, let's go too."

"Ci, stay behind."

One after another, displaced people left, looking lost and dejected.

These familiar lines reminded Shen Chu of a fantasy martial arts web novel she had read.

Is this some kind of physique test?

In the setting of fantasy novels, there is a concept called "innate talent" or "bone structure."

The higher one's physical constitution, the easier it is to cultivate martial arts and the faster one can break through barriers.

According to the information provided by the nurse, the innate talents of this world can be preliminarily divided into A, B, C, and D.

Presumably, those with the worst physical constitution are those ranked Ding.

Reaching the C level is enough to qualify as a guard in the Li household.

The A and B above C have not yet appeared.

I wonder what kind of innate talent I will have?

Shen Chu was both anxious and apprehensive.

As time went on, the number of people in front dwindled, while more and more people left.

Nearly 80% of the total number of people have left.

Shen Chu was becoming increasingly panicked.

So many people weren't selected, which clearly shows that even a grade C talent is extremely rare.

What if he doesn't get elected? Wouldn't that mean certain death for him...?

Just as Shen Chu was feeling a little panicked, it was already his turn in the line.

The burly guard merely glanced at him before his expression turned impatient. He casually patted the guard's thin body and gently squeezed his shoulder.

A sharp, bone-deep pain pierced through her, but fortunately, Shen Chu endured it without crying out.

But his face was already flushed red.

The next second, the burly guard waved his hand as if shooing away flies: "Ding Zhong, next."

The refugees behind her immediately stepped in to take her place, and Shen Chu was pushed to the side, a chill running through her heart.

"I didn't get elected, that's it!"

Just as Shen Chu was in despair, she didn't notice a curious gaze fixed on her face.

It was the woman in the white dress whose status was even higher than that of the guards.

She glanced at Shen Chu, then chuckled lightly, "Your natural talent is quite lacking; you're unlikely to become a guard. But you're quite decent-looking and honest-looking. Would you be interested in joining the Li family's forging workshop?"

Before arriving, Shen Chu had heard that the Li family was famous for forging swords, and a single sword used by a martial artist could even sell for a hundred taels of silver.

Although the swordsmith spends his days with the scorching furnace and is not as leisurely as the guard, for him, this is already a narrow escape from death!

"Thank you so much, sister! Of course I'd be happy to!"

Unexpectedly, in the end, it was still her face that mattered. Shen Chu thanked the woman in the white dress excitedly, which made the woman's smile deepen.

"Then you should go to the forging workshop and report for duty. There are master craftsmen there to teach you."

Having said that, she waved, intending to ask Shen Chu a few more questions.

The guard in charge of testing bone structure suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "It's actually a bone structure of the upper rank!"

Upon hearing this, the woman in the white dress instantly lost interest in talking to Shen Chu, turned around and quickly walked to the front of the line, where a very tall young man was standing.

He was diagnosed with an epiphyseal plate!

Shen Chu's feelings were mixed. He was just about to lean closer and try to get more friendly when this person interrupted him.

Before Shen Chu could even get a good look at the man's face, a servant stepped forward:

"What are you standing there for? I'll take you to the forging room."

Shen Chu had no choice but to follow.

Once inside the Li residence, Shen Chu realized just how grand it was.

The pavilions and waterside terraces are all complete, with green tiles and red eaves shining brightly.

As the servant walked, he explained the rules of the manor to him.

"As a swordsmith, one can only move around in the sword-forging courtyard and cannot walk around freely."

"When you meet the master, madam, young master, or young lady, you must bow and not look them directly in the eye."

......

After memorizing all these tedious rules, Shen Chu was taken to the so-called sword-forging courtyard.

The courtyard was indeed very large. As soon as you arrived at the gate, you could hear the clanging of blacksmiths striking the ground or the sizzling of blades being quenched.

The air was filled with the unique smell of iron.

The servant led him through the door and into the room. A wave of scorching heat hit him, making Shen Chu's lips dry.