Chapter 158: Blows and Balance
The forge loomed ahead, a squat building exhaling thin plumes of smoke into the frigid air. Its doors were cracked open, spilling a warm orange glow that flickered against the snow-covered ground. The rhythmic clang of metal striking metal carried through the cold, mingling with the muted crunch of boots on snow as I led the second-class disciples toward it.
“Here we are.” I said, gesturing to the forge with a grin.
The forge's heat was a welcome reprieve from the biting cold outside. Inside, Master Qiang stood at his anvil, his powerful arms swinging a hammer with practiced precision. Sparks flew as he struck a glowing piece of metal, shaping it with a precision that belied his gruff demeanor. Wang Jun stood nearby, his hands stained with soot as he inspected a row of freshly forged blades laid out on a workbench.
“Master Qiang! Wang Jun!” I called out over the clamor, stepping into the forge. Both men looked up, their faces breaking into smiles at the sight of us.
“Kai,” Wang Jun said, wiping his hands on a cloth. His gaze flicked to the disciples behind me, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Brought company, I see.”
“Thought it was about time they saw what you’ve been working on,” I said, motioning for the disciples to follow. “Everyone, meet Master Qiang, our resident blacksmith, and Wang Jun, his apprentice and Gentle Wind’s soon-to-be best blacksmith.”
“Soon-to-be?” Wang Jun quipped, raising an eyebrow. “You mean I’m not already?”
"Not while I'm alive, you ain't!" His master barked out.
The disciples chuckled politely as they stepped further into the forge, their eyes scanning the weapons lined up on the workbench. Swords, spears, and daggers gleamed under the forge's light, their designs simple but sturdy. Some were smaller, clearly intended for younger hands, while others bore the heft and length of weapons meant for adults.