Chapter 507: The Little Blacksmith's Counterattack!

"Randomly strike the waterfall, the bamboo forest, and the orchard within."

After seeing Xiao En off, Luo Mu returned to the farm along the same path, head bowed, muttering as if talking to himself.

Speaking of the Random Strike Waterfall, it is one of the Ten Great Views of Paldea, located in the land area of "North Province (Area Two)" in northern Paldea, very close to Glaseado Mountain, with the nearest city being "Montenevera."

The Random Strike Waterfall is not the Great Crater Waterfall connecting Casseroya Lake to Glaseado Mountain; although its momentum is not as awe-inspiring as that of the Great Crater Waterfall, it possesses its own unique scenic value, otherwise it would not have been selected as one of the "Ten Great Views of Paldea."

As for the bamboo forest near the Random Strike Waterfall, while the absence of pandas is regrettable, Luo Mu could still recall the representative Pokémon found there.

In the game, a Dark and Steel-type Pokémon named "Bisharp" often roams nearby, along with insect-type Pokémon such as "Scyther," "Lokix," and "Kricketune."

For a Pokémon like Applin, that place should be quite dangerous; it seems the orchard Xiao En mentioned is not in the center, but on the edge.

Otherwise, those Bug-type Pokémon alone would be enough to give the Applins a headache.

Being a "Bug-Dragon" yet being countered by "Bug" types is all the fault of its Grass typing.

With Bisharp present, which resists both Grass and Dragon types, there is absolutely no chance of success.

It is much like Garchomp living in snowy mountains.

Thinking of Bisharp, Luo Mu's movements paused.

"Didn't the Little Blacksmith mention that the reason it settled near the farm was a lack of materials to make a hammer, and that its original hammer was stolen and devoured by a group of fierce-looking fellows in a bamboo forest?"

Luo Mu lowered his head to look at the Luxray beside him and asked.

"Meow-ao."

The Luxray recalled for a moment, confirmed, and nodded.

It seemed there was indeed such a matter.

"Hmm."

Rubbing his chin with his fingertip, after thinking for a few seconds, Luo Mu simply changed direction and proceeded forward.

If he remembered correctly, today the Little Blacksmith had officially begun learning the craft under Lei Guan Wang.

Its best friend Ogerpon, as well as Victini and Volcarona, who were responsible for stoking the fire, were also there.

Mr. Xiao En said that he, his wife, and child would depart by car tomorrow; since the drive from Cortondo to Montenevera takes about half a day, the mass appearance of the Applins would likely continue for at least three more days.

Since he could depart today, he might as well take the Little Blacksmith along.

However, it depended on whether the Little Blacksmith wanted revenge.

Based on Luo Mu's understanding of the Little Blacksmith's personality, he felt the probability of it seeking revenge was extremely high; this fellow was cunning as a human, so its desire for retribution must surely be strong as well.

The farm's boundaries had expanded several times over, now encompassing even the area near the road leading to the small hill.

Taking into account the Little Blacksmith's residence, plus the fact that the dense vegetation in the mountains could efficiently purify any potential pollution.

Luo Mu and Lei Guan Wang had established the future "Artisan Forge" right here.

The entire structure was built using fireproof and high-temperature-resistant materials; furthermore, since there was still some distance to the small hill and the surrounding area was paved with stone slabs, the probability of a fire breaking out was lower than the probability of Luo Mu returning from fishing with an empty catch.

Inside the Artisan Forge, the layout included furnaces for melting iron or metal materials at high temperatures, workbenches, and even quenching pools for cooling.

When Luo Mu and the Luxray arrived, the place was bustling with activity.

In the furnace, flames blazed fiercely as it melted Corviknight feathers along with some metal materials purchased from Montenevera.

Supported by Victini's infinite energy, the firepower released by Volcarona probably was no inferior to that of its evolved form.

Various tools were arranged on the sturdy workbench; these were all crafted by the Little Blacksmith itself, each sized perfectly for its use.

Under Lei Guan Wang's observation, the Little Blacksmith skillfully wielded these tools, performing fine shaping on the still-hot prototype of the hammer.

From time to time, it would pick up its own specialized hammer and strike the piece with effort—one blow, then another—sending bright sparks flying, the rhythmic sound of striking filling the air.

Ogerpon was also eager to try, reaching for its Hearthflame Mask to take a few swings, but it was stopped by Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

Under Ogerpon's questioning, its cheeks puffed out in frustration, yet Cangyan Cangyan Rengui remained stubbornly silent.

After all, it couldn't exactly say that Ogerpon's strength was too great and that one careless swing might shatter the steel workbench... Under the Little Blacksmith's precise strikes, the new hammer gradually took shape; after using a sharp carving knife to engrave its preferred patterns, the Little Blacksmith used tongs to hold the red-hot hammer and walked straight to the quenching pool.

The clear water in the pool shimmered with ripples, reflecting the Little Blacksmith's face and the glowing red hammer.

It waited quietly for a moment until the temperature radiating from the hammer approached its target, then the Little Blacksmith without hesitation plunged the scorching iron object into the quenching pool.

Accompanied by a "hiss-hiss" sound, white mist immediately rose from the quenching pool, the hammer's temperature dropping rapidly, its texture thereby becoming harder and more durable.

Once the "hiss-hiss" sound completely ceased, the Little Blacksmith counted the seconds, precisely lifted out the hammer once it had fully cooled and its heat dissipated, and placed it on the workbench.

Although many details still needed polishing, this could be considered a major success.

The Little Blacksmith exhaled a breath, turned its head to look at Lei Guan Wang, and waited for its commentary.

As a result, besides Lei Guan Wang, it also saw the figures of Luo Mu and the Luxray.

"Kanu!"

The Little Blacksmith was both puzzled as to why Luo Mu would appear here at this time and delighted that Luo Mu had come personally to watch.

But it still restrained its impulses, nervously watching Lei Guan Wang as it floated forward, picked up the carefully crafted hammer, and examined it closely.

A moment later.

Lei Guan Wang's slightly majestic voice rang out.

"Your skill is excellent; both the workmanship and the precision are visibly good. Although the durability has not been tested in actual use, I have investigated it accordingly with my psychic powers, and it is very impressive."

As a king who once ruled Galar, Lei Guan Wang possessed considerable knowledge regarding cold weapons.

For a hammer forged by the Little Blacksmith, since it lacked any sharp or pointed parts, the most important element influencing the hammer's effectiveness was undoubtedly its durability.

After all, this type of hammer is a blunt weapon; it requires not only indestructible sturdiness but also relies on the user's immense strength.

As a weapon crafted for the Little Blacksmith itself, it was certainly qualified.

However—

Lei Guan Wang's voice paused; before the Little Blacksmith could even display a smile, the next sentence immediately followed.

"But at merely this level, there are countless artisans capable of such work; you are still far too distant from the realm required to reforge the 'Rusted Sword' and the 'Rusted Shield'."

Lei Guan Wang had no intention of belittling the Little Blacksmith, but was stating the facts with utmost seriousness.

The little smith understood this point as well.

Even understanding it, the little smith's nose still tingled with acidity, and tears began swirling in its eye sockets.

Everything Lei Guan Wang said was true.

Its skills were far inferior even compared to the elders of its own clan; for Lei Guan Wang, who had once witnessed the emergence of the sword and shield, giving such an evaluation was only reasonable.

It understood the logic, yet it simply felt unwilling to accept it.

"Sigh—" Seeing the little smith's state, Lei Guan Wang let out a soft sigh; instead of offering comfort, it asked, "I can see your talent, but talent must be realized; to grow and reach the realm I require, you will have to expend great diligence and endure numerous setbacks that could crush your spirit."

"Even so, do you still wish to follow me to study and cultivate?"

"Kanu!"

The little smith wiped its tears dry and nodded firmly.

The purpose of its journey abroad for cultivation was precisely to become a smith stronger than the elders of its clan and to forge the finest hammer!

It was certainly willing.

"Very good."

Lei Guan Wang revealed a faint smile.

"Then I shall, on behalf of that old craftsman, accept you as a disciple and inherit their mantle."

There was no grand disciple-initiation ceremony; Lei Guan Wang merely spoke the words orally, yet the little smith already felt ignited.

Someday, it would definitely forge weapons even more formidable than the sword and shield before they had decayed! Seeing it in this state, Lei Guan Wang shook its head helplessly, made way for Luo Mu, and departed the Craftsman's Forge accompanied by Volcarona and Victini.

Calculating the time, Cosmog should be waking up soon; it was just the right moment to take its two playmates to find it.

Luo Mu did not immediately interrupt the little smith's high spirits; instead, he turned to look at Cangyan Cangyan Rengui and asked with slight curiosity, "Why didn't you go practice swordsmanship today, but came here instead?"

As soon as these words were spoken, before Cangyan Cangyan Rengui could reply, Pecharunt, like a child lodging a complaint, spilled every detail of why Cangyan Cangyan Rengui had come here.

It turned out that...

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui had come to the Craftsman's Forge to borrow the top-grade whetstone that Lei Guan Wang had brought back for the little smith, intending to properly sharpen the Cangyan Great Swords on both its hands.

The sharpness of the Cangyan Great Swords directly affected Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's combat power.

Although Luo Mu usually personally maintained Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's armor and also sharpened the Cangyan Great Swords...

... this situation was slightly different; not long ago, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui had received a challenge from Iron Valiant, who had not appeared for a very long time.

The location was set near the mine where Iron Valiant had first discovered Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, that is, the mining mountain near Cave Town.

Unlike before, this time Iron Valiant used its sword edge to convey to Cangyan Cangyan Rengui that this arranged duel would be the final one.

If it defeated Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, that would prove its program contained no errors.

If Cangyan Cangyan Rengui defeated it again, then this individual entity would have no reason to exist and would be left entirely to Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's disposal.

Through Pecharunt's gesticulations and its "Boni Boni" sounds, supplemented by Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's helpless expression, Luo Mu understood everything.

But was this some kind of samurai duel?

Sasaki Kojiro versus Miyamoto Musashi?

With what felt like ten thousand retorts stuck in his throat, Luo Mu forcibly swallowed them down, then looked at Cangyan Cangyan Rengui and asked, "So, what time did Iron Valiant arrange with you?"

"Siluo."

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui shook its head.

No time had been arranged; the opponent had said it would wait there for him indefinitely.

Once he went there, it would signify accepting the invitation and engaging in the final duel with Iron Valiant.

He had originally intended to discuss this with Luo Mu later, who would have thought Pecharunt, having witnessed the entire scene, would spill it all out immediately.

"... Fine."

Luo Mu nodded slightly; he had no intention of speaking out to stop Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

During this period, he had witnessed Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's progress with his own eyes.

Whether it was more proficient swordsmanship or, with Victini's assistance, strength far greater than at the beginning of the year.

As long as Iron Valiant's power had not improved to an absurd degree over these few months, there should be no major problem.

Seeing that Luo Mu had agreed to let him go to keep the appointment, the ghostly flames on the surface of Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's pupils flickered slightly, and its heart was deeply moved.

With Luo Mu's support, it believed it could definitely be invincible.

At this moment, the little smith seemed to recover from its blood-boiling excitement; noticing this, Luo Mu changed the subject.

"However, the precondition of my agreement is that I take you there, rather than you going to the appointment alone; is there no problem with that?"

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui was naturally willing.

"Very good."

Luo Mu nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at the little smith, who was watching this side with confusion; crouching down, he asked in a tempting voice, "Young lady, do you want to become a magical girl? Do you want revenge?"

"Kanu?"

The little smith gripped its new hammer and blinked.

"Kanu! Kanu! Kanu!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! As the little smith shouted with vigorous energy, the hammer in its hand suddenly slammed onto a sturdy rock considerably larger than itself, emitting loud striking sounds.

Yet after merely swinging the hammer down three times, the theoretically extremely sturdy rock first cracked in half, then exploded into a sky-full of gravel.

The three Garganacl sitting in a row looked at each other and scratched their heads.

This little fellow was truly fierce; its strength was so great.

This was rock they themselves had created; they knew its quality all too well—it possessed a hardness sufficient to drive Pokémon specializing in physical attacks to the brink of collapse.

Yet now it had been smashed to pieces by the little smith's three hammer strikes.

Fortunately, they had already been shocked before; with Pecharunt, that super-strong little girl, setting the precedent, the little smith's commotion counted as minor.

Meanwhile, Pecharunt, whom the Garganacl were gossiping about, hoisted its "Thorn Vine Club" covered in sharp spikes onto its shoulder, looking every bit like a delinquent girl.

Egui Peng was monitoring her best friend's training, or rather, this emergency extra session was requested by Little Tinker herself.

Since both she and Egui Peng wielded handle-shaped weapons and relied on strength, training alongside Egui Peng was perfectly suitable.

There was only one reason Little Tinker was training so fervently—

She would soon get her revenge! During the time Luo Mu managed the farm affairs, she still had a period for this temporary extra training.

She swung her hammer down with Repeatedly Heavy force again, shattering the rock completely in a single strike; with a boom, even the Meng Lei Gu leisurely basking in the sun on the other side of the small hill heard it clearly.

Little Tinker's eyes were filled with determination.

Just you wait, you bastards who stole my precious hammer!

This is the counterattack of me, the Great King Little Tinker!

(End of Chapter)