Chapter 131: Master Lu

In the Yuanwu Continent, a blacksmith is someone who forges farm tools, kitchen utensils, and ordinary weapons; the more skilled may also forge Rank 1 weapons.

Of course, they do not engrave magical arrays.

Because blacksmiths are all ordinary people, not cultivators; only cultivators and array masters can engrave magical arrays, and being able to forge Rank 1 weapons already requires strength like an ox.

A forger, however, is a cultivator who specializes in forging weapons and treasure artifacts.

The weapons they forge are all ranked weapons; forgers of Rank 4 and above can engrave magical arrays, while forgers below Rank 4 must seek help from array masters to engrave arrays on weapons.

The lowest rank for a forger is Rank 1, the highest is Rank 9, determined by the rank of weapons they can forge—unrelated directly to their cultivation level, yet intimately connected.

One who can forge Rank 1 weapons may be rated as a Rank 1 forger, typically with Wu Shi cultivation.

One who can forge Rank 9 weapons is a Rank 9 forger, and must at least reach Wu Huang cultivation, otherwise they simply lack the strength to forge Rank 9 weapons.

Additionally, whether one can craft treasure artifacts does not affect a forger's ranking; the ability to craft treasure artifacts is merely a bonus.

Because crafting treasure artifacts is actually the specialty of array masters, and treasure artifact ranks are classified according to the array master's rank, from high to low: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, Huang.

In crafting treasure artifacts, array masters only handle design and engraving of arrays; they do not forge, and this must be done by forgers.

Therefore, array masters who linger in the forging industry generally exist as assistants to forgers, holding a slightly lower status than forgers—unless they have produced exceptionally famous works, but even then, they must at least be able to craft Earth-grade treasure artifacts to be considered famous.

Of course, only high-rank forgers are qualified to have array master assistants.

Master Wang Zhonghu is merely a Rank 3 forger, with no array master assistant; if he wishes to engrave arrays on weapons, he must request help from array masters.

His master is a Rank 6 forger, the highest-ranked forger in Shen Bing Fang; to increase his efficiency, Shen Bing Fang naturally assigned him an array master assistant.

At this moment, Wang Zhonghu stared at Facing Facing Cang Luo's blueprints, utterly stunned.

The armor in the design appeared not to be a single piece, but assembled from individual plates—strange, but that was not why he was stunned.

He was stunned because he had never seen a design so intricate, so complex.

A single plate had been drawn from three different angles, with critical areas individually enlarged and dimensions marked clearly and exhaustively—no wonder so much paper was needed...

Even the mechanical beast blueprints from Mo Family's Mechanic City weren't this intricate or complex, were they?

Which forger master designed this?

Wang Zhonghu felt he could not possibly forge this; even the slightest error would prevent the entire armor set from fitting together.

Only his master, a Rank 6 forger, could be confident of successfully forging it.

At this moment, the manager He Jiu carefully picked up several sheets of blueprint and examined them; though he was not responsible for forging and could not forge himself, years of immersion in this environment had made him an expert—otherwise he would never have become manager of the weapons shop.

After a moment, He Jiu shouted: "Zhang Zi, go fetch Master Lu!"

Master Lu was Wang Zhonghu's master, the Rank 6 forger!

Generally, only Rank 7 forgers may be called "Master," but since he chose to call him that, it was fine.

After all, it's our own forger—why not flatter him a bit?

The apprentice Zhang Zi responded and left; He Jiu hurriedly asked: "Young brother, whose master's design is this?"

Wang Zhonghu also exclaimed excitedly: "Where did you get this design?"

Both immediately thought they must find the armor's designer and hire him at great cost as a forger for Shen Bing Fang.

Then, Shen Bing Fang's strength and reputation would surely rise dramatically.

Yet Facing Facing Cang Luo said: "I drew it."

Both froze. Wang Zhonghu sternly said: "Young brother, you may eat whatever you like, but don't speak recklessly—if others mistake this for stolen designs, your life could be forfeit."

He Jiu also said: "Young brother, we mean no harm. We are awed by the master's work and only wish to meet the master, to pay our respects."

They refused to believe this armor was designed by Facing Facing Cang Luo—a mere outer disciple of Xuantian Sect, seemingly only at Wu Jiang cultivation—how could he possibly design such intricate and complex armor?

Facing Facing Cang Luo frowned slightly, his mind racing.

The weapon design industry on the Yuanwu Continent seemed backward—could he exploit this?

Open a weapon and armor design studio?

He had an incredibly powerful logistics team—design blueprints were limitless...

No.

Too conspicuous—it might attract trouble. What if a powerful cultivator kidnapped him and forced him to design weapons?

Better wait until his strength increases before making plans.

After thinking, Facing Facing Cang Luo scratched his head sheepishly: "Actually... actually, it was my master's design. I only drew the pictures—whatever my master said, I drew."

Upon hearing this, He Jiu and Wang Zhonghu immediately wore expressions of "as expected," but then they were stuck.

He was an Xuantian Sect disciple—his master was likely also from Xuantian Sect. Was he an elder?

Could they get an Xuantian Sect elder to work as a forger at Shen Bing Fang?

He'd never come.

He Jiu quickly asked: "Young brother, who is your master... an elder of Xuantian Sect?"

Facing Facing Cang Luo did not answer immediately—he needed to carefully invent a nonexistent master...

As Facing Facing Cang Luo pondered how to deceive them, a tall, imposing white-haired old man suddenly stormed into the shop, followed by the apprentice Zhang Zi.

"He Jiu! Don't you know I'm busy? If this isn't important, I'll peel your skin off!"

The moment the old man appeared, he launched into a furious tirade at Manager He Jiu.

He Jiu didn't mind—and dared not mind—immediately rushed forward with Facing Facing Cang Luo's blueprints and bowed respectfully: "Master Lu, please look at this!"

The old man was none other than Shen Bing Fang's only Rank 6 forger, Master Lu Zheng!

When Wang Zhonghu saw his master arrive, he quickly poured a cup of tea and offered it.

Lu Zheng had no time for tea—he was staring wide-eyed at the blueprints. He immediately recognized the drawing was not armor, but didn't know what it was; yet he didn't care, because what it depicted didn't matter.

What mattered was that he realized how ingeniously the armor plates connected—every joint used mortise-and-tenon structures; if forged with perfect precision, they would fit flawlessly.

He had never before seen mortise-and-tenon joints applied to weapons or armor—though not difficult, no one had ever thought of it.

It seemed... it seemed the armor could even transform?

Random assembly?

This idea... is quite unique!

How did I never think of designing weapons this way?

After a long while, Lu Zheng exclaimed in surprise, "Whose hand crafted these design drawings?"

He Jiu pointed at Facing Facing Cang Luo and whispered something in his ear.

Lu Zheng nodded slightly, looked at Facing Facing Cang Luo, and asked with a smile, "Young friend, could you introduce your master to this old man?"

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed a stack of blueprints in Facing Facing Cang Luo's small bag, so he asked again, "Young friend, are those in your bag also design drawings? May I take a look?"

Facing Facing Cang Luo nodded and handed over the blueprints for the long spear and the three-edged flying dagger with both hands.

He dared not refuse; the other party was very strong. When they approached, a wave of heat rushed toward him, suppressing him until breathing became difficult.

Is this what a powerful expert is like?

A Rank 6 Smith should also possess Martial Sovereign cultivation, right?

Facing Facing Cang Luo guessed correctly; Lu Zheng was at Martial Sovereign Stage 2. After taking the drawings, he examined them closely once more.

Moments later, he frowned and said, "Is this a spear? The shape is somewhat peculiar. What is the purpose of the grooves on the spearhead?"

Facing Facing Cang Luo immediately replied, "This is called an air blood groove!"

"Air blood groove?" Lu Zheng looked utterly confused; he could not see any relation between the grooves on the spearhead, the air, and blood.

Facing Facing Cang Luo chuckled, sounding somewhat show-offish, "The air blood groove has two functions. First, it can increase the spearhead's strength while reducing weight, acting like a spine or skeleton."

Second, when the spearhead pierces an enemy's body, it will not get stuck due to blood being too viscous or tension being too high; simultaneously, it functions to drain blood and destroy the wound."

After Facing Facing Cang Luo finished speaking, Wang Zhonghu and He Jiu looked completely baffled, understanding very little.

Lu Zheng, however, wore an expression of "so that's how it is," indicating he understood.

He did indeed understand, except he could not comprehend what 'tension' was; he had never even heard of this term.

He was too embarrassed to ask; asking would make him look incompetent and show he didn't understand, yet he was a Rank 6 Smith, with Martial Sovereign cultivation.

In some sects, one could become an Elder with such qualifications.

Lu Zheng nodded slightly and said, "This... the design of the air blood groove is excellent. Its blood-draining function is far superior to serrations, and it can also drastically increase the power of the qi attached to the spearhead!"

As he spoke, he pointed at the blueprint for the three-edged flying dagger and smiled, "This hidden weapon also features an air blood groove, and the tail has arrow feathers, presumably to increase accuracy?"

However, this old man has discovered a design flaw in the arrow feathers; they do not seem very sturdy!"

After finishing, Lu Zheng looked at Facing Facing Cang Luo with an air of profound mystery.

Heh, you've been caught by this old man finding a design flaw, haven't you? Look how show-offish you were just now...

Facing Facing Cang Luo shook his head lightly and smiled, "This hidden weapon is called the Three-Edged Flying Dagger. The arrow feathers on the tail are called tail fins. They are not unsteady, nor are they a design flaw, because the tail fins are movable."

"Movable? For..." Lu Zheng froze, wanting to ask why but quickly stopping himself.

Facing Facing Cang Luo continued, "The design of the movable tail fins utilizes the principles of aerodynamics. Its function is to allow the Three-Edged Flying Dagger to change direction during its throw, making it impossible for the enemy to defend against!"

Lu Zheng: "......"

What in the world is aerodynamics?

How do air and power get connected?

Why does attaching several movable tail fins resembling arrow feathers allow a hidden weapon to change direction? There are no arrays inscribed, nor is any external force applied; can it really make the hidden weapon change direction?

Earth's science left Lu Zheng utterly perplexed, and the steward He Jiu and apprentice Wang Zhonghu behind him were even more lost in the clouds.

They understood a little, but completely failed to grasp the underlying principles.

However, what they could tell was that the designs for the young brother's long spear, hidden weapons, and armor seemed incredibly formidable!

Didn't they see Master Lu frowning and pondering deeply?

After a long while, Lu Zheng cleared his throat, restored his masterly demeanor, and smiled, "Young brother, is your master Elder Luo, the senior from the Precious Weapon Pavilion of the Profound Tianmen?"

In his mind, these weapons required at least a senior Rank 7 Smith to design.

Since the other party is an outer sect disciple of the Profound Tianmen, his master should also be someone from the Profound Tianmen.

And the Profound Tianmen has only one Smith above Rank 7, which is the Institutional Elder of the Precious Weapon Pavilion.

Rank 8 Smith Luo Tan!

Luo Tan is no simple figure; not only is he a Rank 8 Smith, but he also possesses the attainment of a Earth-Rank Array Master, capable of producing Earth-Rank arrays with ease and crafting Earth-Rank treasures independently.

Furthermore, he himself possesses Martial King Stage 9 cultivation, merely one step away from Wu Huang.

After becoming a Wu Huang, with his abilities, he might even be able to forge Rank 9 weapons.

The Profound Tianmen is an Imperial Sect; if the sect could produce a Smith capable of forging Rank 9 weapons, forging a Rank 9 weapon for every Elder...

Lu Zheng dared not think further; a Wu Wang wielding a Rank 9 weapon, with just three of them, could fight a Wu Huang!

By then, the Profound Tianmen would truly be like a tiger adding wings!