Volume 1: Reincarnation Cycle First...

  Guo Yan Town, it's a big deal, like Wang Lishou, is originally the star of the town. And in any world, gossip is always an eternal topic for many people.

  Wang Gang and Wang Niansheng's debut show undoubtedly attracted many people to join in the fun, not to mention some who wanted to see what this "outsider" was all about, also to spice up their dull lives.

  Chu Shi Xiu, forge a master-specified weapon, this is something that must be completed independently. Of course, the bellows of the furnace still have apprentices helping to take care of it. Wang Gang and Wang Nian Sheng only need to work alone, forging a guillotine sword within the specified time limit.

  Wang Lihong, Wang Liqing and Wang Lihai also came over, and naturally someone added a few stools beside Wang Lisou, letting the three of them sit down.

  At this time, many onlookers also gradually discovered a problem, that is, in addition to the four great kings of Guazhen, there was another person sitting leisurely, a very young boy. When asked by others, it turned out that this was actually Wài Lái Xiǎo Zǐ Bù Qì (the outsider Xiao Zi Bu Qi). For someone like Ze Nu who didn't even have a surname to sit together with the four great kings, many gossipers couldn't help but discuss it in hushed tones.

  Lu Buqi naturally wanted to watch from the side, after all, iron-making techniques were also something he was very interested in learning. Being able to witness the outstanding performances of two excellent apprentices would definitely be a gain for him.

  By the side of his ear, he heard the rhythmic knocking sounds and the discussions of the residents of Guo Zhen Town. Lu Buqi's face remained calm and unruffled. However, what Lu Buqi did not expect was that Wang Shuangqiao, this little girl, also came to join in the fun, squeezing behind him, panting and exclaiming how hot it was.

  "It's so hot, why did you still run in?" Lu Buqi was somewhat speechless. It was already almost summer, and with the two furnaces burning over there, the temperature in this space must have exceeded 60 degrees. How could it not be hot?

  Wang Shuangqiao wiped the sweat from her brow, smiling in response: "A senior disciple of Lǐ Shòu's coming out is not something you often get to see, how could I possibly not come take a look?"

  Wang Lishou joked on the side: "I think you're just here to see Wang Xiuli, right? And yet you come up with such an excuse..."

  Wang Shuangqiao's already rosy face turned even redder, and she glanced at Lu Buqi's profile with a slight frown. Seeing that he didn't react at all, her small mouth pouted: "It's not like that, Li Shoubo don't talk nonsense, it's not good to misunderstand!"

  "Alright, alright... I won't say anything more, it would hurt the feelings of many young men!" Wang Lishou laughed and Wang Li Hong chimed in: "Exactly! Shuang Qiao is a flower among our fruit trees, many young men have their eyes on her. Aren't you looking for trouble for Buqi, Lishou?"

  Wang Lishou looked at Lu Boyi: "Boyi, are you afraid of trouble?"

  Lu Buqi seemed distracted: "Trouble? That depends on who wants to trouble me!"

  Among the crowd's laughter, Wang Shuangqiao blushed and lowered her face. This little episode undoubtedly gave others even more topics to talk about. Just as everyone was chatting idly, Wang Niansheng and Wang Gangqiang's final performance was also coming to an end.

  When two brand new but unopened guillotine knives appeared in front of Wang Lishou, Wang Lishou carefully examined them and used force to knock, strike, and swing, showing extremely high levels of skill.

  Finally, Wang Lishou handed the two beheading knives to Wang Liqing and others beside him for viewing, before turning to Wang Niansheng and Wang Gangqiang: "I won't comment on your stuff for now, you say it yourself, Niansheng, you first."

  "Master, this beheading knife was forged using the fish scale method. Except for the large hammer used for iron smelting and pounding, it was completed with 19 layers of folding and hammering, totaling 1,376 hammer strikes. The timing of quenching was well controlled, making this knife a top-grade product in terms of both strength and hardness."

  Wang Leshou nodded: "You're quite confident, then talk about your own shortcomings?"

  King Niansheng thought for a moment and replied: "The only drawback is that the physical strength is still not enough, if you can complete twenty consecutive strikes, this knife will be even more useful."

  "Ah, you little scamp..." Wang Lishou chuckled: "Striving for perfection is the most basic quality of our blacksmiths. For a beheading knife to have ten folds is already considered good quality. You managed to complete nineteen folds, which is quite impressive. Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Neither your forging process nor the result has any major issues. From this, it's clear that these years haven't been wasted on you... you've passed!"

  "Too good!" Wang Niansheng was so excited that he almost jumped up, the 26-year-old young man looked like a 13 or 14-year-old boy.

  Wang Gang looked at him with envy, and when Wang Lishou turned around, he replied in a low voice: "Master, the way I hit is the same as Nian Sheng's. I also completed 19 times of layered hitting, totaling 1318 hammers. However, the timing of quenching seems to be not very good, affecting the strength of the knife, but the impact is not great, and the durability may be reduced by about 10%..."

  "The durability has decreased by 10%, you didn't estimate wrong, but this also means the impact isn't that big?" Wang Lishou furrowed his brow: "A customer buys a knife, spends all their money but only gets to use 90% of it, can you really be at peace with that?"

  Wang Gang's heart skipped a beat, and he hastily replied: "Master, I didn't mean it that way. It's just... today is such an important day, I'm a bit nervous, so I hesitated, normally I wouldn't be like this!"

  "You were my first disciple to enter the door, and you are also Nian Sheng's senior. However, all along, your level has been slightly lower than Nian Sheng's, not because your foundation is not solid enough, but because your mental quality is not high enough." Wang Lishou said seriously: "I've said it before, forging iron is actually the same as cultivating martial arts, one must be completely focused and unaffected by external influences in order to achieve the best results."

  Wang Gang's head hung down: "Master... I... I've tried very hard, but it's just..."

  "I understand that you also have some hesitation in your personality and lack strong self-confidence!" Wang Lishou nodded: "In this aspect, you can learn more from Niansheng. Today's debut show..."

  After a pause, amidst Wang Gang's increasingly dejected expression and the crowd's astonishment, Wang Lishou smiled: "It passed too. After all, as my disciple, even if only 90% good, the weapon forged is still top-notch!"

  Wang Gang was taken aback at first, then his eyes widened and he let out a loud roar, tears bursting forth. This burly man couldn't contain his excitement, and he knelt down in front of Wang Lishou, sobbing like a child.

  Gently stroking Wang Gang's head, Wang Lishou smiled and said: "Gang, you've made progress, I won't keep chasing after you saying this and that. Hope you'll continue to work hard, find your own position soon, and become a confident blacksmith!"

  Witnessing this scene, Lu Buqi's heart was deeply moved. The persistence in Wang Gangzhong's heart resonated with him. He could imagine the great efforts Wang Gangzhong had made to overcome his inner weakness.

  Wang Leshou is indeed a renowned master, with great influence on his apprentices in terms of both skills and character. Even as an apprentice, he was already impressive in speech and behavior, leaving others with nothing to criticize.

  "These two knives hold extraordinary significance for you both, take good care of them yourselves!" Wang Lishou handed the executioner's knife back to the two: "When you feel that you truly qualify as an excellent blacksmith, then sharpen it."

  "Yes, Master!" Wang Niansheng also knelt down, together with Wang Gang, and accepted the sword, thus accepting a kind of skill and spiritual heritage.

  After the two of them kowtowed, Wang Lishou helped them up, clapped his hands together, and looked around at everyone with a loud laugh: "Today, my disciples Gang and Nian Sheng are coming out of their apprenticeship. Everyone has come to witness this ceremony, and I am deeply grateful. To express my gratitude, everyone present can choose one thing for free!"

  "Free!?" The crowd erupted in cheers, almost rushing to grab things. Wang Lishou hastily shouted: "Everyone, don't tear down my shop! Ordinary people, don't blindly pick, choose one household item from the shop and take it away. As for martial artists, choose a weapon! Gang Qiang, Nian Sheng, you two are in charge of giving out gifts. Lu Bi Zi, you guard the door, don't let anyone who didn't attend the ceremony come in to grab things. I'd be cleaned out even if I had a mountain of gold!"

  Wang Lishou's words naturally caused another burst of laughter, and then a harmonious scene unfolded. The great reputation of Wang the Ironworker would once again spread throughout Guozhen Town.

  Wang Laiqing also chose a long gun with a connected rod, which was also made of fine iron. A smile of taking advantage hung on his face: "Haha... I originally came to buy a gun, now it's good, got it for free!"

  Wang Lihong chose a pair of steel claws, while Wang Lihai picked a single-edged sword. Both were undoubtedly top-notch weapons from the Wang Lishou shop, and they both seemed quite satisfied.

  "My goodness, you guys are really good at picking a fight!" Wang Lishou made a gesture of being depressed and looked at the three of them: "It's so noisy here, let's go out for a walk, just in time to tell you about the good thing that happened this morning at the Da Guan Shi Fu!"