Da Xuan Martial Saint

"It is but a little more experience, not worthy of Lord Chen's praise."

Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, Yan Guang's expression eased quite a bit. Indeed, Chen Mu was just as the rumors had described: young and exceptionally talented, yet he conducted himself with a calm and peaceful demeanor, showing none of the rashness often seen in youth. He did not criticize all of Yan Guang's arrangements at the outset just to demonstrate the authority of the Metropolitan Commander of the Inspectorate, nor did he rashly make changes.

The more he thought about it, the more Yan Guang wished that Chen Mu had been born into the Xue Family. If only Chen Mu had been a Xie... No, bearing the name Yan would have been even better.

"Lord Yan's arrangements at least saved tens of thousands of households in Jingyu County from the deadly floods. Such achievements are certainly deserving of praise... However, having traveled along the river on my way here, I noticed that the terrain of these two areas is too low-lying. Should there be further disturbances in the Earth's veins, there's still risk of the disaster spreading westward. Thus, the nearest villages here should be temporarily relocated, and men dispatched to monitor this area day and night. Any unusual changes must be reported immediately, so those in the more distant villages can also evacuate to the mountains without delay."

Chen Mu replied briefly, then pointed to the map and tapped a few locations twice.

After evaluating the overall situation in Jingyu County, he did not plan to make any redundant arrangements. Nevertheless, having visited the sites in person, he had a clearer grasp of the actual conditions in various places and could still make many detailed additions.

After glancing at the map, Yan Guang immediately said, "What Lord Chen means is..."

After speaking,

he turned his head towards the County Magistrate of Jingyu County and said sternly, "Well, don't just stand there, get to it!"

The County Magistrate of Jingyu County hurriedly complied and swiftly left the room.

Chen Mu looked at the map again and felt that, given the current situation, there were likely no issues, unless there were other unexpected disturbances in the Earth's veins. However, scouts had been deployed to explore various areas and would report back immediately if something arose.

Jingyu County was the Xue Family's territory, and Yan Guang, being their kin by marriage, naturally took his responsibilities here seriously. As for Pingyu County, which belonged to the Xie Family, based on the information he had received and the situation in Jingyu County, it probably wasn't much different. Even if the details were not all in place, the general response was sound.

"Alright, that will be all for now."

After examining the map, Chen Mu finally stood up.

Seeing this, Yan Guang said, "Lord Chen has worked hard. County Magistrate Zou has already arranged quarters for you to rest in the rear."

"There's no need; I will take a walk around the city."

Chen Mu shook his head.

Then he turned and walked out of the Hall Office.

Yan Guang followed him to the side, escorting Chen Mu out of the County Government and watching his figure disappear into the misty rain before he sighed and returned inside.

...

Chen Mu strode along the streets, surveying his surroundings, and suddenly asked the officials following behind him, "In Jingyu County, is there a famous Smelting Craftsman?"

Since the major affairs had been summarized and there were no new contingencies, there was no need for further intervention. It was now time for him to attend to his own matters, and the first thing that came to his mind was the piece of Mysterious Fire Ore he had obtained previously.

Using the Mysterious Fire Ore to refine the Silverstream Saber into a top-tier Treasured Artifact comparable to Cheng Houhua's Cold Clear Sword would undoubtedly enhance his strength and better prepare him to face the floods and other emergencies.

However, creating such a top-tier Treasured Artifact was not something an ordinary craftsman could achieve. The Yu Family's Smelting Craftsman might barely manage, but the best choice would be the master craftsman from Yu County's Smelting Bureau, 'Fang Yi,' who was said to be the most skilled among all craftsmen in the region.

But since he was currently in Jingyu County, he was too far to simply travel back to Yu City to forge a sword.

"Smelting Craftsman?"

The adjacent official was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Jingyu County does not have a branch of the Smelting Bureau. The craftsmen in the external foundries only refine ordinary blades... Ah, that's right, that person might still be in Jingyu County."

Chen Mu looked at the official, not questioning further, simply waiting for him to continue.

The official quickly explained, "Lord, the master craftsman Fang Yi from Yu County, was once a resident of Jingyu County. In his youth, he worked under a Smelting Craftsman named 'Qi Ge' as an apprentice. After his smelting skills reached a peak, he was taken by the Prefecture City's envoys to the Smelting Bureau. However, it is said that Master Fang Yi returns to Jingyu annually to visit Craftsman Qi, for whom he has great respect."

He hesitated slightly, then added, "Although Master Fang Yi was once an apprentice to Craftsman Qi, it is common for disciples to surpass their masters in the craft of smelting. It's uncertain how advanced Craftsman Qi's skills really are; perhaps it's just that Master Fang Yi, in his younger days, received his care and thus held him in high regard. Moreover, Craftsman Qi is now over seventy years old, has retired from smelting, and whether he still has the finesse he used to have at his advanced age is questionable..."

After listening to the official's description, Chen Mu had a general understanding of the situation.

After a brief reflection, he said, "Find out where this Craftsman Qi lives; I would pay him a visit."

Indeed, as his attendant suggested, Craftsman Qi's smelting skill might not be that high, and his age was considerable, but there was nothing wrong with going to see for oneself.

"Yes."

The subordinate official complied and quickly returned, bowing and saying, "Lord, Craftsman Qi lives in the lower part of Jing Street, not far from here. I can show you the way."

Chen Mu nodded slightly and followed the streets and alleys until, after passing through more than a dozen streets, they arrived in a rather clean and quiet alley, quickly reaching the outside of a courtyard.

At this moment,

the official beside him stepped forward to knock on the door.

Chen Mu extended his hand to prevent further approach and knocked twice on the door. Shortly after, the door cracked open, and a timid boy peeked out. Chen Mu said to him in an even tone:

"Inspectorate Chen Mu, come to pay a visit."

...

The boy didn't speak, quickly shut the door again, and his footsteps receded into the distance.

Not much time passed.

The door was opened once more, and an elderly man with silver hair stepped out, bowed respectfully to Chen Mu, and said, "I, a commoner, greet Metropolitan Commander."

"There's no need for such formalities, elder; do you know who I am?"

Chen Mu looked at Qi Ge calmly, without requiring him to kneel.

He had only given his name as "Inspectorate Chen Mu," yet Qi Ge immediately knew he was the Metropolitan Commander of the Inspectorate. While this would be normal in Yu County, they were, after all, in a County Government below, where not everyone might know the names of higher officials.

Qi Ge respectfully replied, "To answer Lord Chen, not long ago, Fang Yi visited me, and he spoke of some matters from the county."

Chen Mu smiled and got straight to the point, "I've come to request Master Qi to forge a treasured artifact for me..."

As he spoke,

he casually took out the piece of Mysterious Fire Ore and placed it in his palm.

Seeing the ore, the flicker of a glow immediately lit up in Qi Ge's aged eyes, and he said:

"Mysterious Fire Ore."

After uttering these words, he let out a wry smile and added, "I dare not conceal from you that in my lifetime of smelting and forging, I indeed have accumulated some understanding. If it were in my younger days, even my disciple Fang Yi could not match the precision of my forging, but now I am truly advanced in years and, although not incapable of forging a treasured artifact, my skill may no longer surpass that of the current Fang Yi."

In front of others, he often claimed that his skills paled in comparison to Fang Yi's, that Fang Yi had already surpassed the master. In truth, this was merely his way of avoiding the trouble of constant requests for his forging services.

However, Chen Mu was the Metropolitan Commander of the Inspectorate, and Qi Ge was well aware of his esteemed status. Before such a dignitary, he dared not offer excuses but spoke the plain truth.

Having heard this, Chen Mu immediately smiled and said, "I have heard it said that Master Qi often undersells his own abilities compared to Master Fang, and indeed those seem to be modest words. Since there's 'perhaps' still a chance that you are superior, then 'perhaps' you exceed Master Fang's level after all."

Qi Ge let out a bitter chuckle, "Indeed I am older now and may not compare well with Fang Yi anymore."

Clang.

Chen Mu drew the Silverstream Saber he carried with him, handed it over, and instructed, "There's no need for Master Qi to forge from scratch, but rather to refine this saber with the Mysterious Fire Ore, melding it into the blade to endow it with a touch of fiery characteristic."

"Hmm."

Qi Ge reached out to take the Silverstream Saber, then flicked the blade with his finger, eliciting a crisp ringing sound, and commented, "The forging of this saber is already quite exemplary, almost without flaw. Yet it doesn't seem to be the work of my disciple. If it's merely about refining and melding fire, I might still have the confidence to perform slightly better than him."

Chen Mu gave a bow to Qi Ge and said, "I ask Master Qi to please take action."

Qi Ge promptly set down the saber in his hand and said, "Lord Chen, it's too much to have you personally request this of me. Since it is your command, I shall endeavor to comply... though, in a few more years, this old man might indeed no longer have the strength to forge weapons."

"What compensation would Master Qi require?" asked Chen Mu.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Upon hearing this, Qi Ge sighed, "How dare I ask for a reward for serving Lord Chen. Alas, my son, who learned all his skills from me, has not been able to master even a third of them. Even with Fang Yi's support, he cannot secure a position at the Smelting Bureau..."

Chen Mu spoke indifferently, "I will speak to the Smelting Bureau. But to work there, one must start from the bottom. How far he goes will depend on his abilities."

Qi Ge had trained a disciple like Fang Yi; even if his son were less skilled, he would have some level of proficiency worthy of a minor post in the Smelting Bureau. Ordinarily, someone wanting to join the bureau, unless they had skills comparable to Fang Yi, would find it difficult to be accepted, since the position offered better treatment than being a low-level officer in the City Defense Division, and it also allowed one to reside in the Inner City of Yu City.

"Thank you, Lord Chen, for your support. This old man will certainly forge an exceptional blade for you!" Qi Ge knelt once more.

This time, however, Chen Mu did not assist him.

After Qi Ge had paid his respects, Chen Mu glanced over Qi Ge's residence and asked, "Where does the elder plan to do the forging?"

Qi Ge respectfully replied, "The smelting shop on South Street would suffice, but if it pleases Lord Chen, the smelting platforms in the County Government could perhaps be requisitioned?"

"Let's go."

Chen Mu nodded slightly and turned back towards the county office.

It was then that Qi Ge took a deep breath and quietly instructed the boy behind him before cradling Chen Mu's Silverstream Saber and the piece of mysterious ore in his robe, and hurriedly followed.