They walked into the innermost part of the blacksmith shop.
There were no other apprentices here; it seemed to be Kuntu’s private reception area.
Numerous pieces of fine equipment hung on the walls, and rows of precious ores were displayed in the cabinets.
Li Xiuman even spotted a square, fist-sized chunk of Red-Faced Square Gold sitting in the highest cabinet.
However, its grade seemed slightly inferior to the batch he held.
Still, it was remarkably precious.
And alongside the Red-Faced Square Gold were over a dozen other types of rare ores and materials.
Truly rich.
Being a blacksmith really made good money.
“Take it out and let this old lady have a look—the Legendary Snow Wolf’s tooth.”
“Materials from a legendary creature... even this old lady hasn’t forged with many of those. I’m quite lucky this time,” Kuntu said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Hearing this, Li Xiuman hurriedly pulled the boxed wolf tooth from his coat.
This Kuntu was indeed a sharp and sensible person.
Even though she was clearly excited, she hadn't shown the slightest hint of emotion when reading about the materials in the letter earlier.
After that, she burned the letter, dismissed her apprentice blacksmiths, and brought him into a private room to continue their discussion.
It seemed he could entrust the synthesis of the Red Dragon Alloy to her as well.
It wasn't that Li Xiuman fully trusted her yet, but rather that she presented the lowest risk.
Besides, with a cabinet full of precious ores like that, she likely wouldn't be tempted to scheme against him over a bit of Red-Faced Square Gold.
Kuntu took the box, opened it carefully, and pulled out the wolf tooth. She then produced a monocle from her coat and placed it over her eye.
“Magnify.”
A flash of magic light flickered across the lens, magnifying the details of the wolf tooth countless times in Kuntu’s sight.
“Tsk-tsk, its completeness and condition are both top-notch.”
“A bit of a shame, though—it’s only from a Tier 7 legendary creature.”
Looking at the wolf tooth, Kuntu accurately identified the tier of its former owner.
“Still, the person who killed it was quite extraordinary.”
“To keep it so intact... it looks like it was yanked straight out of its mouth with bare hands during battle. There isn't a single sword mark or trace of magic erosion on it.”
“This kind of strength... they’re practically a human T-Rex.”
Hearing this, Li Xiuman could only mutter agreement under his breath.
Calling her gaze sharp was an understatement.
“Appraisal complete. It really is a high-grade material, just as Terub said.”
“So, how do you want it forged? This old lady wants to hear your opinion.”
Kuntu turned her gaze to Li Xiuman.
For a blacksmith, a client’s request was important.
However, when facing clients with absurd demands, she wouldn't hesitate to lash out at them.
Especially those foolish, trouble-making nobles who had somehow heard of her reputation and insisted she forge ceremonial swords for them.
How could she be bothered to forge such flashy, useless swords?
What was even more absurd was that those nobles were never satisfied. They would make her revise the design version after version, only to say in the end:
“Let's just stick with the first version.”
She couldn't hold back back then and had delivered a direct punch to their faces.
Because of that, foot traffic to her shop had dropped drastically, though she didn't care in the slightest.
Having too many people come in was annoying to begin with.
Her steady stream of regular customers would come regardless, and her main income came from those regulars anyway.
She was confident that any warrior truly fighting on the front lines who had used her swords would never switch to another blacksmith’s weapons.
“I want a backup sword.”
Li Xiuman spoke up.
He had made up his mind about this before coming.
Although his skeleton sword was very useful, it was too conspicuous. A backup sword would be perfect.
“A backup sword?”
“Fine, this old lady will forge it according to your specifications.”
“What about the shape? Any requirements?”
As Kuntu spoke, she picked up a shiny, cast-iron smoking pipe beside her, brought it to her lips, lit it, took a puff, and exhaled a plume of smoke.
“Ideally, it should be suited for slashing. Thrusting capabilities can be reduced accordingly.”
Because Li Xiuman’s skeleton sword was made of bone, its blade leaned toward being long and slender, much like a bone spike. It was ill-suited for slashing and better for thrusting.
“Slashing? Then why don't you forge a saber?”
Kuntu took another puff from her smoking pipe and blew out a long stream of smoke.
Right, why don't I forge a saber?
Li Xiuman froze.
Probably because... swords looked cooler?
“Do you think this kind of design works?”
Kuntu kicked the cabinet beside her and pulled out a sample weapon.
It was a fine iron weapon. Even though it was made from the most ordinary materials, the blade glinted with a cold light, exuding a sharp edge.
Unlike a standard sword, the tip of the blade was angled, and it had a single edge.
Isn't this just a saber?
A single edge makes a saber, while a double edge makes a sword.
“You think this is a saber?”
“Well, this old lady says it’s a saber too.”
“...”
Kuntu tapped her pipe against the leg of her chair, knocking off the excess ash.
“Take it and give it a try.”
She then tossed the saber to Li Xiuman, who hurriedly reached out and caught it.
He took a few test swings; it felt quite smooth in his hands.
“If you want a backup weapon tailored for slashing, a saber is your best choice.”
“If you insist too much on using a sword for slashing, you’ll just end up forging an awkward monster that's neither here nor there.”
“Unless you want a greatsword, but this wolf tooth doesn't provide enough material for that.”
“Besides, if you forge a greatsword, can it even be called a backup weapon?”
“Of course, everything will be done according to your wishes. This old lady is merely offering advice.”
“The decision is yours.”
After hearing this, Li Xiuman pulled his gaze away from Kuntu and took a few more swings with the iron saber.
The more he swung it, the smoother it felt.
“Let’s forge it as a saber then.”
“Sorry to trouble you. Master Bal, you’re not only pretty, but you also have great foresight. You truly possess extraordinary insight—you’re the most mature woman I’ve ever met.”
Upon hearing Li Xiuman’s compliment, Kuntu’s eyebrow twitched again. She was clearly delighted by the praise. She tapped her pipe against the chair leg and took another puff.
“No matter how much you flatter this old lady, the forging fee won't be reduced.”
“How could that be? I, Xiuman, never lie.”
Li Xiuman knew he had hit the nail right on the head.
Kuntu looked like a little girl, yet she constantly referred to herself as "this old lady" to emphasize her age. She didn't normally carry a smoking pipe around, yet she deliberately brought one out to smoke while receiving guests.
It was obvious she cared deeply about her overly youthful appearance and wanted to project maturity.
For a woman like her, praising her maturity was far more effective.
If she were an ordinary woman, complimenting her maturity might backfire and make her feel like you were calling her old.
Everyone, please be careful not to throw around this kind of flattery carelessly with women!
“Hmph, kid, this old lady isn't so easily won over by a couple of flattering words.”
“Though, you kid are indeed quite pleasing to my eye.”
“The saber won't disappoint you.”
Kuntu carefully put away the wolf tooth and prepared to rise to see her guest out.
Look at her—she clearly enjoyed the flattery.
“Wait, Master Bal.”
“I have another commission.”
“Oh?”
“I wonder if Master Bal knows about...”
“Red Dragon Alloy.”
Rate on N.U.
