Chapter 351 - Superior
Chapter 351 Superior
Ou Yangming moved at the speed of light. After leaving the Woo residence, he made his way to the capital’s Blacksmiths Headquarters.
This was every blacksmith’s shrine, where countless great blacksmiths were born. For generations, more than half of the capital’s Superior Blacksmiths came from here.
Ou Yangming spotted a few familiar people once he entered the place. Nonetheless, he did not know their names because he had only seen them several times during the Blacksmiths Assessment or the Myriad Treasure Meet.
Though he did not recognize the people, they knew him very well.
One of them was startled after seeing Ou Yangming, and he only shouted after he was sure he was not seeing things. The noise caught everyone’s attention, causing the other people to notice Ou Yangming too. With that, those with certain statuses surrounded the young fellow at the same time, and they greeted him with flattering smiles. “Master Ou, welcome, welcome!”
“Master Ou, we’re honored by your presence. Do you have any requests?”
“Master Ou, are you planning to smith a piece of equipment? Do you need an assistant?”
Ou Yangming was almost flooded by passionate and fervent looks.
Even though he had seen many similar scenes, he was still shocked. The young fellow had to admit that the capital’s blacksmiths were much more enthusiastic than the ones from Changlong County, they would do anything to seize an opportunity without giving up at all.
Perhaps this was pressure from competition. After all, the competition in the capital was more intense than anywhere else.
Ou Yangming looked around and released a spine-chilling aura.
It was the killing intent he fathomed from a fight. He did not give his all, but it was more than enough to face the situation at the moment.
Consequently, everyone who swarmed toward him could not help but shudder. From their perspectives, Ou Yangming, who initially looked like a delicious steamed bun, had become a fearsome big devil king.
The crowd could not understand the peculiar change, but their senses and their rationales were telling them not to advance further.
Therefore, a group of people surrounded Ou Yangming from a few meters away. They smiled embarrassedly but were lost for words.
Ou Yangming asked coldly, “Who’s in charge here?”
The other people looked at each other and suddenly turned to look in the same direction. They were staring at the stairs, where footsteps were heard at that moment.
A middle-aged man walked out after a brief moment. He was startled after seeing the weird scene in the main hall.
Someone from below instantly approached him and whispered to his ear. Following that, the man’s face changed right away, and he also cast an ardent look at Ou Yangming. He hurried toward the young fellow and introduced himself, “Greetings, Brother Ou. I’m Chen Yihe.”
Ou Yangming was struck with a thought, so he asked, “Chen Yihe? Are you the Chen family’s blacksmith?”
“That’s right. When Yifan-my worthy little brother-and I wrote to each other, he spoke highly of you, but…” Chen Yihe laughed out loud and continued, “You’ve made yourself known in the whole capital, and you’re much greater than what he said about you!”
“Brother Chen, is General Yifan well?” Ou Yangming waved his hand and asked.
“My dear little brother? He’s doing well, but life in the military camp is boring. I wonder when he’ll return to the capital,” Chen Yihe answered.
Ou Yangming could tell from Chen Yihe’s answer that he was not aware of the changes in the immense forest.
“Brother Ou, I have a bad habit; I can’t stop once I start talking,” Chen Yihe immediately noted after he saw the strange look on Ou Yangming’s face. He later slapped his forehead and said, “It’s quite rare that you’re here, so order away, and I’ll get everything done for you as long as it’s within my capability.”
The young fellow was undecided at first, but he decided not to tell Chen Yihe about the news. He asked, “Brother Chen, I participated in the Blacksmith Assessment when I first arrived at the capital. Do you know about that?
“Of course.” Chen Yihe’s eyes lit up. “The assessment is worthy of being recorded in the history of blacksmiths. A full set of Fine Grade Rank Five equipment. Hehe, you’re amazing!” There was something he did not mention; Ou Yangming’s performance during the assessment was remarkable, but it was nothing compared to the magic tools he smithed.
Although the rumors about Ou Yangming being able to smith magic tools sounded marvelous, very few people witnessed the processes. Chen Yihe firmly believed in it, but he could not discuss the matter without restraint in public.
Ou Yangming asked with a smile, “I’d like to use the venue for some time. May I?”
Chen Yihe was struck dumb, then he questioned, “Brother Ou, why do you want to
use it?”
“I’d like to smith a few pieces of equipment there.” “Brother Ou, if you want to smith pieces of equipment, we have better places for you,” Chen Yihe advised with a frown.
Who knew, Ou Yangming shook his head and asked, “I like it there, so may I?” His tone was not heavy, but he sounded unusually resolute. It was evident that he had already decided and would not change his kind.
Chen Yifan gave up the thought of persuading the young fellow. “Okay. Since you’ve taken a liking to that place, it belongs to you, and you may use it however long you want.”
The other people in the main hall nodded. Many of them had gleaming eyes, which made it clear that they were ready to head to the venue to watch Ou Yangming.
It was worth noting that the square was meant for the Blacksmith Assessment, and if oneeven an Advanced Blacksmith-wanted to use it, one might not be permitted. Despite that, while Ou Yangming only had the Advanced title, the experts knew very well that he was superior to all Superior Blacksmiths in the capital combined.
After all, he was the only one who could smith magic tools.
Hence, nobody objected to it when he said he wanted to borrow the venue. Even if a big meet like the Blacksmith Assessment was going to be held there, they would have to empty it for him.
This was the power of magic tools; they were irresistible items for blacksmiths.
Since Ou Yangming could smith magic tools, he was like a king to the blacksmiths and was worth everything Ou Yangming expressed his gratitude and left with a smile. On the other hand, Chen Yihe looked around and ordered, “I have an important matter to attend to. Hey, you, go inform the next Advanced Blacksmith on duty to replace me now!” Subsequently, he strode away and vanished in the blink of an eye.
The other people in the main hall looked at each other for a short while, then they dispersed in a flash. Apart from the blacksmiths on duty, the rest rushed toward the same place, afraid of lagging behind.
****
Ou Yangming arrived at the massive square. It belonged to blacksmiths but was normally opened to the public as the capital’s tourist attraction. In particular, the place was crowded during the Blacksmith Assessment and could attract almost everyone’s attention.
Several people were seen visiting the place at the moment. They dared not enter the high platform nor did they have the guts to touch the stage in the middle, but they enjoyed looking from the periphery.
All of a sudden, they noticed a young man walking arrogantly into the square and was heading toward the high platform.
The people were dumbfounded, and they thought, ‘Where did this young fella come from? Does he know the rules?’
A Force Grade martial artist’s face changed, and he renounced the teen, “Who are you? Quickly come out!”
Ou Yangming stopped and turned to ask with a smile, “Why?”
The martial artist shouted fiercely, “This is a place for Advanced Blacksmiths only. If a little kid like you wants to be an Advanced Blacksmith, you’ll have to go home and practice hard. Get down now and don’t violate the shrine!”
‘Ah, not everyone recognizes me,’ Ou Yangming rubbed his nose and thought.
He had been quite popular in the capital, where he caused sensations during the Blacksmith Assessment and the Myriad Treasure meet.
That said, while he was the most reputable person in the capital for the time being and many people saw him, it would be too impractical to have everyone recognize him.
The Force Grade martial artist, who was diligently carrying out his duty, was the perfect example. He had never seen Ou Yangming and was not aware of the teen’s real identity.
Ou Yangming was naturally not going to be calculative about it. He chuckled and asked, “As long as one’s an Advanced Blacksmith, one can go up?”
“Of course.”
“I seem to be an Advanced Blacksmith.” Ou Yangming nodded and pointed at his nose.
The martial artist was stunned, and he looked infuriated. It was not that he failed to recognize a great person, but no matter how brainy he was, he could not have associated the young fellow with an Advanced Blacksmith.
Just as he was going to rage and capture the young fellow, hurried footsteps were heard coming from behind him.
He turned and noticed Chen Yihe-a prestigious Advanced Blacksmith-running toward the square.
The martial artist looked at the blacksmith master with respect at once. An Advanced Blacksmith was an esteemed figure in the capital, and he knew one word from such a figure could change his future.
Nevertheless, Chen Yihe did not spare him a glance. The blacksmith master dashed toward the young man instead and flashed a flattering smile.
“Brother Ou, if you’re going to smith pieces of equipment, let me be your assistant!” ‘Brother Ou? Be an assistant?’
The Force Grade martial artist was stupefied, and he was lost for words. It took him some time before he recalled that Master Ou Yangming, who was rumored to be the best blacksmith in the world, was around the same age as the teen in front of him.
‘I offended Master Ou, oh God…’
Just as he felt that the world darkened, Ou Yangming turned to smile at him. “You’re a dutiful man, you did great.”
Chen Yihe was taken back. He glanced at the martial artist with a look of approval and noted, “You did well. Come and look for me later.”
The martial artist widened his eyes in disbelief. He no longer looked dejected, and he became high-spirited as he was hopeful of his future again. He roared, “Yes, Master Chen!” Ou Yangming turned around and lamented, ‘A superior can determine one’s future and fate with a few words; the books were right.
‘I’ve unknowingly become a superior to most people.’