Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Li Jiwu was also seated at the table.

He wore a polite smile and, along with Li Chengwen, followed Master Li around the table, frequently raising his glass to toast everyone, but inside he felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

But he was, after all, a more thoughtful and calculating person.

After a brief adjustment, he picked up his wine glass and walked over to Sun Ping with a smile.

"Master Sun, congratulations! Jiwu toasts you."

Li Jiwu adopted a very humble attitude, and his words were full of sincerity.

"Master Sun is now a low-grade blacksmith. If you need any help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Ji Wu will definitely do his best to assist you."

Sun Ping quickly stood up, glanced at him, and clinked his wine glass with his.

They did drink, but Sun Ping spoke very politely:

"Young Master, you flatter me. This old man is just lucky. I don't deserve such kindness from you."

Although these words sound polite, the underlying meaning of refusal is quite clear.

Li Jiwu's smile froze slightly, but he quickly recovered and exchanged a few pleasantries before turning to leave.

He then approached Shen Chu with a wine glass in hand, all smiles, about to strike up a conversation, only to find that Shen Chu was engrossed in eating a braised pork knuckle, her mouth dripping with oil, completely oblivious to him.

"This must be Brother Shen Chu, right? He's indeed a promising young man..."

Before Li Jiwu could finish speaking, Shen Chu looked up, mumbled a reply, and then lowered her head to continue gnawing on the pork knuckle, without even putting down her chopsticks.

Li Jiwu's smile froze completely on his face.

This scene was witnessed by Li Chengwen, who was not far away.

Seeing his usually shrewd and charming second brother repeatedly humiliated in front of Sun Ping and Shen Chu, he was overjoyed and strolled over to Shen Chu with his wine glass in hand.

"Brother Shen Chu!"

Li Chengwen plopped down in the seat next to Shen Chu and patted him on the shoulder in a casual manner.

"Come on, let's have a drink! I heard from Manager Li that you've stood out in just a few days entirely on your own merits! Unlike some people who only know how to scheme and form cliques!"

Shen Chu looked up at the round-faced, chubby young master in front of her. Although he wasn't particularly handsome, he was straightforward and generous in his actions.

Compared to the elegant but always suspicious second young master, she was much more approachable.

He raised his glass, grinned, and said, "Young Master, you're too kind. I'll toast you!"

The two clinked glasses and chatted happily.

Sitting opposite him, Li Jiwu watched this scene. Although the smile on his face remained unchanged, the fingers hidden in his sleeves were clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked, and a sinister glint flashed deep in his eyes.

The banquet came to a close amidst a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Sun Ping had been forced to drink quite a bit of alcohol, and he was staggering as he walked, his face flushed. Shen Chu supported him by the arm, half-dragging and half-carrying him back to his room.

He tossed Sun Ping onto the bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep, snoring loudly.

Shen Chu closed the door for him and returned to her own place.

Night had fallen, and the courtyard was quiet.

Shen Chu stretched his limbs, stood still in the courtyard, took a deep breath, and began practicing the Crushing Stone Fist.

Shen Chu's punches and movements were steady and powerful, the wind from his punches cutting through the air with a slight whistling sound.

His understanding of the Crushing Stone Fist had deepened considerably. With each punch, he could feel the faint energy flowing through his meridians. After practicing for about half an hour, he stopped and stood up, a familiar panel appearing before his eyes:

[Introduction to Crushing Stone Fist (90/100)]

Only ten points remain to break through to the Lesser Completion stage.

Shen Chu wiped his sweat, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips. He wasn't in a hurry at all.

Life is peaceful now, and we have no worries about food and drink.

He just needs to focus on gaining experience steadily.

As for the [Swordsmith] class's [Refined Through a Thousand Hammers] skill, it remained at level 1, and he wasn't in a hurry.

One must walk one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time.

With a hammer in hand, there's nothing to fear!

......

After the banquet, Li Jiwu's carriage stopped again in front of that secluded courtyard.

Han Tieshan has been going through an extremely difficult few days.

The news of Sun Ping's promotion to a low-grade blacksmith spread throughout the city, and the embarrassing story of him being kicked out of his job became the talk of the town.

He initially intended to persevere and find another way out, but after visiting several places, they all shook their heads and waved their hands as soon as they heard it was him.

They either imposed an extremely low salary on him, or they wouldn't even let him in the door.

Upon seeing the second young master push open the door and enter, Han Tieshan, as if grasping at a lifeline, knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down his face.

"Second Young Master! Please, I beg you, put in a good word for me! I know I was wrong! I'm willing to go back to the Li family. They offer the best treatment, and besides, I really have nowhere else to go!"

Li Jiwu looked down at Han Tieshan kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with disgust.

This good-for-nothing can't even get a simple task done, and he's so spineless!

What if he goes back and implicates me?

How will I explain this to my father?

No, Han Tieshan must not return to the Li family!

After much deliberation, Li Jiwu made his decision.

He sighed, his face full of worry, and helped Han Tieshan up: "Master Han, it's not that I don't want to help you, but my father is extremely angry about your departure, and it won't be easy for you to go back..."

Upon hearing this, Han Tieshan was struck dumb, and collapsed to the ground.

His disciples behind him panicked even more.

They were just following Han Tieshan around, making a living off him. Their skills were mediocre, and their reputation was worthless. If they couldn't even go back to the Li family, other forging houses would have no chance of taking them in.

This effectively cut off everyone's path to survival!

"Then... what am I going to do...?"

Han Tieshan looked dejected as he gazed at Li Jiwu.

Seeing this, Li Jiwu's disgust intensified.

But he also knew that now was not the time to turn against them.

He then took out a bag of silver from his sleeve, casually tossed it in front of Han Tieshan, and said indifferently, "Keep this money for now. I'll keep an eye on things over there. If all else fails, this money will be enough for you to find another way out."

After saying that, Li Jiwu turned and left without lingering.

Han Tieshan stared blankly at the money bag on the ground for a long time before picking it up with trembling hands.

After the second young master left, the courtyard fell into silence.

The disciples exchanged glances, and finally one of them couldn't help but step forward, whispering, "Master... how about... we go back to the Li family and try? Maybe Steward Li will take us in..."

Han Tieshan suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and cursed, "You bunch of ingrates! I've treated you all well, and now that I'm down on my luck, you want to run away?! Get out! All of you, get out!"

The disciples were so humiliated by the scolding that they couldn't lift their heads. In the end, they gritted their teeth and left one by one.

In the end, only two people remained in the courtyard.

One was named Afu, and the other Alu. They were Han Tieshan's two most beloved apprentices.