Chapter 325

Compared to his earlier offhand remark, the Third Director's attitude this time seemed considerably more sincere…

After observing the old man with the square head's expression, Li Ang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow thoughtfully, then instinctively glanced behind him.

What met his gaze was precisely the Third Director's fox-like eyes, curved with an enigmatic smile.

"…"

Huh… so everything—from stealing the coffin earlier to just now asking for guidance—was all part of your plan? But how did you know I'd bring up Bull Director, thereby stirring the Third Director's competitive spirit?

…

Regardless of whether this was the Director's arrangement, a master smith's guidance was not to be missed.

Under the arrangement of the square-headed old man… no… the Third Director who loved giving advice to juniors, Li Ang, who had been utterly baffled, stood before the pitch-black cauldron, picked up the large spoon still caked in rust, assumed a forging stance, and turned to face the Third Director, who stood with his hands behind his back on the other side.

"…"

"?"

After waiting a while without seeing Li Ang begin forging, the square-headed old man fell silent, then spoke with unmistakable exasperation:

"Wait… you don't even have practice materials? Do I have to provide those too?"

"Sorry…"

Hearing this, Li Ang nodded, explaining with a shy smile:

"Third Director, I've only been with the Cleanup Bureau for two months—I really don't have anything on hand, so…"

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, the square-headed old man's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Olivia said you joined the Cleanup Bureau last year—so… so you haven't been here over a year, you've only been here two months?"

"…"

Actually, it wasn't even two months—it was less than two months…

Seeing the Third Director's cheek muscles twitching uncontrollably, clearly on the verge of snapping, Li Ang feared that provoking him further would make him refuse to teach—so he nodded and accepted the "two months" claim, replying awkwardly:

"I did join the Virgo Branch last year, but it was right at year-end, so…"

So you're just a beginner, then?

And you've only been in the Cleanup Bureau for two months—how long have you actually been exposed to Anomalous Forging? Sixty days? So you've barely started learning Anomalous Forging, and now you're coming to me, the strongest smith in history, for guidance? What's the difference between this and teaching a newborn how to calculate the sun's angle?

He didn't want to be stuck with this absurd babysitting task, but he'd already made a promise and couldn't back out—so the Third Director scratched his scalp in distress, as flakes of dandruff drifted down, and asked with fading hope:

"Then… how long has it been since you first encountered Anomalous Forging?"

Li Ang paused to recall, then blushed slightly and held up five fingers.

"Fifty days?"

"Last Friday…"

"…"

Are you two here to mock me?

Li Ang's "last Friday" shattered the already crumbling wall of the Third Director's composure—he took a deep, shuddering breath, then stomped his foot hard and pointed furiously toward the cemetery entrance:

"Go! Get out! All of you—get out!!!"

…

"Third Director, please don't rush~"

As if she'd anticipated this exact reaction, the Red-haired Woman smiled sweetly from the side:

"Although Li Ang has only been exposed to Anomalous Forging for a short time, his talent for arcane arts is exceptional—he's already entered the basics of Aquarius' Anomalous Creation Art, besides Bull Line's Anomalous Forging Art."

"What? He learned two arcane arts?"

"Possibly even three—this generation's Pisces Director seems quite interested in Li Ang too."

"…"

"In any case, Li Ang's talent for arcane arts is certainly not lacking."

Watching the square-headed old man's expression soften slightly, the Red-haired Woman smiled and added:

"Besides, Bull Director once said that once she ascends to the Palace, Li Ang could try to succeed her as the next Bull Director—and if she weren't currently in self-seclusion, she might have taught him herself."

You're the strongest smith in the world, yet because you lack the Bull Star Palace's recognition, your results always fall just short—you're only the second-best smith. Don't you feel regret?"

Third Director, think about it: even if you can't be the top smith among the living, if the smith you train becomes the next Bull Director…"

"Stop! Stop! Don't try to manipulate me!"

Shaking his head violently, the Third Director broke free from the mental hypnosis and sneered:

"You're saying all this just to make me teach him, aren't you? No! Even if I wanted to produce a Bull Director, I won't take someone else's leftovers!"

This kid's already been guided by Bull Director—if he becomes the next Bull Director someday, that achievement won't even count as mine… In short, I won't teach him! Absolutely not!"

"Really won't teach?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Third Director, are you afraid?"

"???"

Seeing the Red-haired Woman's skeptical expression, the square-headed old man laughed in irritation, pointing at Li Ang:

"Him? What could I possibly be afraid of?"

"That he'll surpass you~"

The Red-haired Woman tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful:

"Li Ang masters two arcane arts and already has Bull Director's favor—if he learns your forging techniques, he might push the very ceiling of Anomalous Forging forward by a huge margin."

If that happens, you won't be the strongest smith in history anymore—and if he dies and you challenge his soul to a contest, only to lose…"

"You're talking nonsense!"

The square-headed old man snapped angrily:

"Damn it! You're deliberately goading me into teaching him! Do you think I can't see through this?"

"Yes, I am exactly thinking that."

Without any concealment, the Red-haired Woman smiled and asked:

"So—are you going to teach him, or not?"

"I…"

"Li Ang has extraordinary talent—Bull Director even said that if she were to teach him, he'd at least…"

"Shut up! I'll teach him! I'll teach him, alright?!"

The Third Director, furious and flustered, stomped his foot hard, then stormed back to his exhumed grave, pulled out a pile of buried items, and dumped them noisily at Li Ang's feet.

"Take them! Use whatever you want! Damn it! I want to see what kind of trash you can forge!"

"…"

Got it—this trip was a robbery, orchestrated by the Director.

Looking at the pile of materials at his feet—each radiating power no weaker than Snake Tail's, all starting at Saint Spirit grade—and then at the Red-haired Woman winking at him, Li Ang silently picked up one material and tossed it into the cauldron, mimicking the square-headed old man's earlier motions, and began stirring with the large spoon.

It's a bit unfair to trick the old man… but since the Director isn't drunk now, she must have her reasons—I'll trust her.