Chapter 1234

Along the way, several smiths asked questions about inscriptions, and Lin Cheng answered each one without hesitation, stopping to explain in detail until they fully understood, before continuing on to the meeting room.

During the afternoon class, there seemed to be even more unfamiliar faces among the attending smiths, but Lin Cheng paid no mind, continuing to vividly and engagingly explain his understanding of inscriptions, occasionally demonstrating enchantments directly on stage and answering questions from the smiths below.

Time flew by, and soon he had finished explaining today's five inscriptions, with the final question also perfectly resolved.

Neither Lin Cheng nor the smiths below felt how quickly time had passed, but class time was already over.

"Alright, that's it for today's class. Tomorrow at 17, I'll explain ten brand-new inscriptions—don't miss it."

"Almost forgot—tonight, Flying Fox Tavern is launching a new dish at half price—don't miss out if you're interested." Lin Cheng didn't specify what the new dish was, nor did he force anyone to go, but since the words came from him, their effect couldn't be ordinary.

His cleverly withheld detail attracted most of the smiths present, especially the few young ones among them. From the class, they had already noticed Lin Cheng was completely different from those old masters—his lessons were lively, fascinating, and utterly novel; perhaps because of their similar ages, they found his words more convincing.

Perhaps Flying Fox Tavern really will have delicious new dishes tonight?

Before leaving the guild, Elder Zhai found Lin Cheng in his carriage, looking as if he wanted to speak but couldn't bring himself to—Lin Cheng grew anxious.

"Elder Zhai, is something the matter?"

"Yes! Right now… won't it disturb you?" Elder Zhai seemed afraid Lin Cheng would refuse, his tone and demeanor hesitant and worried.

"No, just say it outright—I have time." Lin Cheng waved with a smile; class was over, what urgent matter could there be?

It was surely just about going back to taste fried chicken, burgers, and milk tea.

"It's about the mechanical arm—recently, one of my patients came to me due to aging issues with his mechanical arm, but my abilities are limited, so I'd like to ask Master Lin Cheng for your help." Elder Zhai hesitated, then slowly recounted the full story.

Originally, Elder Zhai had planned to approach Lin Cheng after class, but time didn't wait.

The patient had developed severe metal sickness, his condition critical—if they waited any longer, his life might be in danger.

"Then what are we waiting for? Saving lives comes first—let's go immediately." Lin Cheng frowned, stepped straight out of the carriage, and urged Elder Zhai to lead the way.

"Wonderful! With Master Lin Cheng's intervention, the patient will be saved. Please follow me."

Elder Zhai, overjoyed, immediately took Lin Cheng onto his own carriage.

Lin Cheng was slightly surprised—the white-haired youth who had caught his attention during class was, in fact, Elder Zhai's grandson, now driving them to the Zhai family clinic where the patient lay.

This made him curious.

"Elder Zhai, the driver outside is your grandson, isn't he?"

"Yes, that's my grandson Zhai Tianlin. What about it, Master Lin Cheng?" Elder Zhai's mind was entirely occupied by the patient's condition and didn't understand why Lin Cheng had suddenly taken interest in his grandson.

"Nothing much, Elder Zhai." Lin Cheng smiled and shook his head.

"I just noticed Tianlin performed exceptionally well in the inscription class—he has remarkable talent for inscriptions. If he's willing, he could become my disciple."

"That's wonderful! Tianlin would certainly agree—he's been saying you're his idol."

"Really? I'm almost embarrassed." Lin Cheng was delighted—he'd never imagined someone would look up to him as an idol, and his joy burst into a smile.

"Tianlin!" Elder Zhai called out to his grandson outside.

Zhai Tianlin was driving the carriage up front and naturally heard every word spoken inside.

"No need to ask, Grandpa—I'm more than willing!"

His voice brimmed with uncontainable joy, causing him to shout aloud in the street.

"Ohhh! I'm Master Lin Cheng's disciple!"

"This child." Elder Zhai glanced awkwardly at Lin Cheng beside him, hoping he wouldn't mind.

"Haha, I understand."

Lin Cheng himself had been like that—if he suddenly achieved something thrilling, he'd surely shout it out too, desperate for everyone to know.

Hearing his grandson's excited shouts outside, Elder Zhai suddenly seemed older, his heart filled with emotion.

Lin Cheng was so young and already an eighth-rank smith, while he, a man nearing the end of his life, was only a sixth-rank smith—staying with this old man, Tianlin might never rise beyond sixth rank.

Studying under Lin Cheng, Tianlin's achievements would surely surpass his.

Yet, amid the joy, a faint, indescribable sense of loss crept in—as if he were about to lose his grandson.

Once, Tianlin had believed he was the greatest smith in the world, and they had once vowed together to use smithing to restore limbs for all who had lost them—right up until now.