Chapter 30: Is the Status of a Grand Craftsman Enough?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Brother Li, that boy surnamed Zhou will come, right?” a middle-aged man with a belly asked with a frown in the 78th Workshop.
“What time is it already? A brat who isn’t even fully grown is really unreliable!”
“Do you think the grand minister saw that he’s a pretty boy, so she…”
“Be careful with your words, Brother Han!” Li Hongyuan said seriously.
!!
No matter how unhappy they were, they couldn’t talk about the princess behind her back!
The fatty surnamed Han gave an embarra.s.sed laugh and didn’t dare to say anything else.
“I think he’s probably scared.” Another workshop superintendent changed the topic. “It’s simply wishful thinking to challenge so many of our workshops alone!”
“That’s right. How could such a brat be on par with us?”
All of the superintendents were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with righteous indignation.
Which one of them hadn’t gone through untold hardships to get to where they were today?
A brat who wasn’t even fully grown had suddenly become a superintendent like them. Just thinking about it made them furious.
“I don’t believe that kid developed the Huben Saber and the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber independently. In my opinion, he might have picked up the two secret forging formulas from somewhere and taken them for himself. Who knows if he stole them!”
“Could someone have given the formulas to him?” a workshop superintendent said weakly.
“Who would be so generous? To be able to take out such forging formulas easily, this person would at least be a Forging Master!”
“What if he has a Forging Master behind him?” the workshop superintendent asked.
Everyone fell silent and looked at each other.
Even though they were superintendents, they were still inferior to Forging Masters.
Forging Masters dealt with ranked martial artists. If a ranked martial artist wanted to obtain an official position, they would be at least a seventh-rank official!
Forging Masters also had ranks.
According to the rules of Great Xia, once someone became a Forging Master, he would obtain the seventh rank, just like a ranked martial artist!
Although he might not have actual power, rank was rank.
If Zhou Shu really had a Forging Master behind him, Li Hongyuan and the others would have to consider whether they could really afford to offend him!
The problem was not Zhou Shu being appointed by the grand minister, Princess Wuyou. After all, it was impossible for the princess to pay constant attention to such a minor character.
“You guys are thinking too much,” Xiao Zongshui slowly said. “Zhou Shu’s three generations of ancestors were all Forging Apprentices in the Forging Division. His family background is very clear. If he was valued by a Forging Master, then there would have been no need for him to stay in the 97th Workshop previously.
“If a Forging Master wants to take him in as a disciple, he can bring him to any of the first thirty-six workshops and groom him.”
Xiao Zongshui’s words calmed everyone down slightly.
This made sense. If Zhou Shu really had a Forging Master behind him, there was no need for him to be an apprentice in a workshop previously.
They were well aware of how arduous the conditions of Forging Apprentices were.
Furthermore, if he really had a Forging Master backing him up, why didn’t he get the Forging Master to come forward and help him demand the apprentices from the other superintendents?
Why did he have to compete with them?
“Brother Xiao, Brother Li, didn’t that kid request someone of importance to be the judge?” one of the superintendents asked. “Who exactly did you invite? It can’t be that even that person’s not coming, right?”
“No,” Xiao Zongshui said indifferently. “Since Grandmaster Zhu has agreed, he will definitely come.”
“Grandmaster Zhu?” Everyone exclaimed.
Grandmaster Zhu was one of the few Grand Craftsmen in Great Xia, and his status was incomparably respected. It was unexpected that Superintendent Xiao could actually invite him.
Xiao Zongshui smiled. “I put in a lot of effort to get Grandmaster Zhu to agree.”
“With Grandmaster Zhu here, that kid will be convinced of his defeat!” Li Hongyuan and the others burst into laughter.
Xiao Zongshui was also very pleased. A mere Forging Apprentice wanted to step on his head? Simply delusional!
“Grandmaster Zhu Chuanfeng has arrived!” Just as they were talking, a shout came from outside.
Xiao Zongshui, Li Hongyuan, and the others all stood up and walked outside.
Zhu Chuanfeng, who looked to be in his forties, strode in with two boys behind him.
“Grandmaster Zhu!” Xiao Zongshui and the rest greeted.
Zhu Chuanfeng nodded reservedly. “Has everyone arrived?”
“The people on our side have all arrived. Superintendent Zhou Shu is not here yet. Maybe he doesn’t take us seriously.” Xiao Zongshui didn’t forget to smear Zhou Shu.
Expectedly, a flash of displeasure appeared in Zhu Chuanfeng’s eyes.
“He doesn’t seem to have much ability, yet he’s quite arrogant,” Zhu Chuanfeng said coldly.
“He’s already the superintendent of a workshop at such a young age. He’s even a forging genius, recognized by the grand minister. It’s normal for him to be a little arrogant.” Xiao Zongshui sighed.
“Genius?” Zhu Chuanfeng snorted. “Nowadays, anyone can be called a genius. Purely modifying a weapon into the Huben Saber, and he’s a genius?
“Her Highness was deceived by him because she’s young and ignorant! I’m here to expose his true colors!”
Xiao Zongshui was delighted, but he said with a troubled expression, “Grandmaster Zhu, that’s not a good idea, right? After all, Superintendent Zhou is someone that the grand minister thinks highly of.”
“Then let Her Highness see that she has made a mistake,” Zhu Chuanfeng said nonchalantly.
As one of the few Grand Craftsmen in Great Xia, Zhu Chuanfeng had the confidence to face even a princess of Great Xia!
“Are you talking about me?” A voice suddenly rang out as Zhou Shu’s figure appeared at the door.
Zhou Shu had deliberately changed his clothes today. His white clothes fluttered in the wind, giving him an outstanding appearance.
His appearance in this life was actually quite outstanding. His eyebrows were thick and straight, and his eyes brimmed with radiating vigor.
In the past, he had always worn the Forging Apprentice uniform, and his head and face were filthy with grime. Now that he dressed up, his poise was immediately revealed.
Xiao Zongshui, Li Hongyuan, and the others all snorted unhappily. Who is he trying to impress with his attire? Who hasn’t been young before?
Zhu Chuanfeng glanced at Zhou Shu, his expression extremely cold. “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”
“Wait!” Zhou Shu said. “I also invited a judge. Let’s wait a little longer before we start.”
What the heck is Sun Gongping doing? Why isn’t Yin Wuyou here yet?!
“Superintendent Zhou, we agreed on the time yesterday. Grandmaster Zhu is already here. How much longer do you want to delay?” Li Hongyuan snorted. “Do you know how precious Grandmaster Zhu’s time is? He can’t waste a single minute! Who do you think you are?”
“I’m just the superintendent of a small workshop.” Zhou Shu glanced at him, then looked at Zhu Chuanfeng and cupped his hands. “May I ask who this Grandmaster Zhu is?”
Coldness flashed through Zhu Chuanfeng’s eyes as he snorted.
A boy behind Zhu Chuanfeng took a step forward and shouted proudly, “My master is Grand Craftsman Zhu Chuanfeng!”
Those who didn’t know would have thought that he was the Grand Craftsman.
“Zhu Chuanfeng? I’ve never heard of him. I don’t know who he is,” Zhou Shu said.
This Grandmaster Zhu, who had his eyebrows raised and eyes narrowed since I entered, is most likely with Xiao Zongshui’s gang.
In that case, why should I give him face?
So what if he’s a Grand Craftsman?
I’m not begging you, so why should I lower my head?
Zhu Chuanfeng narrowed his eyes, his gaze icy. “Very good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a hot-tempered youth.”
“How dare you! Zhou Shu, if you’re waiting for the grand minister, then let me tell you, you don’t have to wait anymore. The grand minister isn’t in the capital today!” Li Hongyuan said coldly.
Zhou Shu’s heart sank.
Yin Wuyou isn’t in the capital?
d.a.m.n it. Why didn’t Sun Gongping inform me beforehand!
Yin Wuyou isn’t coming, and this judge, Grandmaster Zhu, is with Xiao Zongshui and the others. What should I do?!
If it was a public compet.i.tion, Zhou Shu wasn’t afraid. The problem was that this was his opponent’s home ground. Who knew how Grandmaster Zhu would judge the compet.i.tion?
“Superintendent Zhou, Grandmaster Zhu is a Grand Craftsman. Do you think that his status is not enough?
“Or do you think that the eyes of Grand Craftsmen can’t judge a compet.i.tion between Forging Apprentices?” Xiao Zongshui said with a fake smile.
This was a trap. If Zhou Shu said no, he would be offending Grandmaster Zhu to the core.
A Grand Craftsman was almost at the pinnacle of the Forging Dao.
Without a Divine Craftsman, who could compete with a Grand Craftsman?
The number of Divine Craftsmen on the entire land could be counted with one hand. Ordinary people wouldn’t even be able to see their faces.
It was already beyond the standard to invite a Grand Craftsman as the judge for a compet.i.tion between Forging Apprentices.
“Hmph, let’s begin.” Zhou Shu’s mind raced. I can’t think of any solutions for the time being, so I can only take things one step at a time. This Grandmaster Zhu has to save some face. He can’t lie through his teeth, right?
“Do you want to compete one by one or together?” Zhou Shu saw more than ten people dressed as Forging Apprentices standing behind Xiao Zongshui and the others. These people should have been selected to compete with him.
“How long is it going to take if we compete one by one?” Zhu Chuanfeng said. “I don’t have that much time to waste with you.
“Compete together.”
“Then, let’s compete together.” Xiao Zongshui smiled obsequiously.
“I have no objections,” Zhou Shu said calmly.
“Tell me. How do you want to compete? Whether it’s forging old weapons, modifying weapons, or developing new weapons, I’ll accompany you to the end.”
Everyone frowned. Develop new weapons?
Was he bluffing, or was he really confident?
Surprise flashed across Zhu Chuanfeng’s face, but he quickly regained his composure.
He was a Grand Craftsman. To him, modifying a standard weapon was a piece of cake. In fact, developing a new standard weapon wasn’t too difficult.
However, even a Grand Craftsman would have to put in some effort to develop a decent standard weapon.
After all, the current standard weapons were already more or less perfect. Very few Grand Craftsmen, and even Forging Masters, would put in too much effort on standard weapons.
If they had the time, they would have gone to study ranked weapons.
Is this Zhou Shu really a genius? He just developed the Huben Saber and the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber. Could he possibly develop a new weapon? Zhu Chuanfeng was a little curious.
“Since you’re so confident, I’ll give you this chance.
“The compet.i.tion this time is to see who can forge a new standard weapon! If everyone can, then the results will be determined by the power of the weapons!”