Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Master Li became increasingly satisfied with what he saw, nodding repeatedly with a look of approval on his face.

He then turned to Li Chengwen, his tone somewhat reprimanding: "Look at your brother, and then look at yourself! Aren't you going to thank Jiwu? If it weren't for him cleaning up your mess, how would you have gotten out of this situation!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengwen's anger flared up instantly.

He straightened his back and said loudly, "Father! There's something I have to say!"

Upon hearing this, Master Li was immediately taken aback.

"Alright, alright, you tell me!"

Master Li replied irritably, and Li Chengwen continued, "The reason Han Tieshan left was because he was jealous of talent and couldn't tolerate the newly promoted swordsmiths in the workshop, so he left in a huff. You can keep someone like that physically, but not emotionally; he'll be a problem sooner or later! After he left, Master Sun Ping in our swordsmithing workshop was no longer under pressure, and today he just personally forged a low-grade short sword!"

As he spoke, Li Chengwen took out the short knife from his sleeve and handed it over with both hands:

"Father, look! With this low-grade short sword in hand, even if the Zhao family loses a hundred of their three hundred long swords, this low-grade short sword as compensation will be enough to shut them up! The Zhao family is in the arms business; they know better than anyone the value of a low-grade weapon!"

"Now that Master Sun Ping has forged a low-grade short sword, he has become the fourth swordsmith in my Li family capable of producing low-grade weapons. With such a master in the family, why bother to humbly beg Han Tieshan to come back?"

After saying this, Li Chengwen turned his head provocatively and raised his chin at Li Jiwu.

Li Jiwu was taken aback at first, then a gentle smile appeared on his face. He politely nodded back, then lowered his head, looking down without saying a word.

Master Li took the dagger, examined it carefully for a long time, and became more and more satisfied with it, his face gradually showing a look of surprise.

He naturally knew the significance of a swordsmith capable of forging low-grade weapons.

Such a person can be considered a top expert in the sword-forging courtyard. Although Han Tieshan has many apprentices and is also a skilled sword forger, he has never forged a single low-grade weapon!

"good!"

For once, Master Li gave Li Chengwen a look of approval.

"Boss, you handled this matter well! Go back and thoroughly investigate that Sun Ping. Once you've confirmed that his skills are indeed outstanding, I'll personally host a banquet to celebrate his promotion to a low-grade weapon forger!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengwen felt as refreshed as if he had drunk ice water on a sweltering summer day. His chin practically floated to the sky as he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Father, rest assured, your son will handle this matter perfectly!"

Li Jiwu, who was standing to the side, also stood up at the right time, smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Father, congratulations, Elder Brother. Our Li family has gained another capable assistant. It is truly a cause for celebration."

Seeing that his second brother was so tactful in offering his congratulations, Li Chengwen, unusually, did not make any sarcastic remarks, but simply snorted, acknowledging the gesture.

Seeing the two brothers getting along so well, Master Li felt quite gratified and nodded repeatedly while stroking his beard.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two brothers took their leave and left the study.

Li Chengwen walked with his head held high and belly puffed out, his arrogant demeanor suggesting he had already accomplished something extraordinary.

Li Jiwu followed behind him at a leisurely pace, his face always bearing that gentle and refined smile, watching his elder brother's figure disappear into the distance.

Only after Li Chengwen's figure had completely disappeared from sight did the smile on Li Jiwu's face gradually fade away.

He stood there in silence for a moment, then raised his hand to beckon a servant and said indifferently, "Prepare the carriage, I need to leave the manor."

......

The carriage drove through several streets and alleys before stopping in front of a secluded courtyard.

"Young master, there are a few homeless people at the gate. Please wait a moment."

The coachman reminded him from outside the carriage.

When the refugees saw someone approaching, they didn't linger and left immediately.

Li Jiwu then got out of the car, straightened his clothes, pushed open the courtyard gate, and went inside.

In the courtyard, Han Tieshan was lounging in a chair, legs crossed, cracking sunflower seeds.

Upon seeing the second young master arrive, he immediately dropped the melon seeds he was holding and scurried over to greet him, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

"Second Young Master! You've finally arrived! As you instructed, I've taken everyone I could. Now the Eldest Young Master is in real trouble!"

He became increasingly smug as he spoke, completely oblivious to Li Jiwu's gloomy expression.

"By the way, have you finalized everything? When can I return to the forging compound?"

Seeing his foolish appearance, Li Jiwu could no longer contain the anger he had been suppressing all the way.

He suddenly raised his hand and slapped Han Tieshan hard across the face.

Snapped!

The crisp sound echoed in the courtyard. Han Tieshan was so struck that he spun halfway around on the spot, clutching his face and staggering several steps before regaining his balance.

"Go back to your mother!"

Li Jiwu cursed through gritted teeth, his usually gentle and refined face now contorted with rage.

Han Tieshan covered his burning cheek, still in a daze from the beating.

He stood there stunned for a long while before stammering, "Second...Second Young Master...what happened? Why are you so angry?"

Li Jiwu stared coldly at him and recounted in detail what had happened in the study.

"This...this is impossible?!" Han Tieshan's eyes widened, his voice trembling.

"That old man Sun has been forging blacksmiths for decades and has never produced a single weapon with a grade. Why now of all times..."

"How should I know!"

Li Jiwu let out another low growl.

But after that slap, his emotions gradually calmed down.

He paced back and forth in the courtyard a couple of times, then said in a deep voice, "Don't act rashly. Maybe Sun Ping just got lucky and happened to forge a low-grade short sword. There are precedents for this kind of thing in the weapon-forging industry. A blind cat catching a dead mouse might happen once or twice, but it can't happen every time, can it?"

Han Tieshan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! It must be luck! It must be luck!"

Although they said that, they both knew in their hearts that the possibility was slim.

But given the current situation, they can only cling to this sliver of hope and console themselves.

However, reality soon gave them a resounding slap in the face.

In the following days, with Shen Chu's help, Sun Ping seemed to have a breakthrough and forged a total of five low-grade short swords!

Each one was personally inspected by Master Li to confirm its authenticity.

The Li Family Forging Courtyard thus officially announced that Sun Ping had been promoted to the fourth low-grade forging master in the Li family.

Master Li was overjoyed and immediately ordered a grand banquet to be held, inviting many colleagues to celebrate Sun Ping's promotion.

The banquet was held in the main hall of the Li residence, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the atmosphere was lively with toasts and laughter.

Sun Ping changed into a brand-new brocade robe and sat in the main seat, beaming from ear to ear. Shen Chu was also arranged to sit in a side seat, with all kinds of delicacies laid out in front of her.