Chapter 276 - Ice-cold Military Fire (1/2)

“What? You want to learn the path of equilibrium?” Wu Hongxi was stunned.

“Yes. Senior, your path of equilibrium is the truth and the way, so I must learn from you if I’d like to advance further in smithing art.” Ou Yangming nodded seriously and did not look like he was joking at all.

Wu Hongxi and the other people looked at each other as they found it funny.

Although Ou Yangming was only an Advanced Blacksmith, he successfully smithed a longsword at the peak of Fine Grade Rank Five using black steel, and he completed the task at an unbelievable speed in front of everyone. As such, the other proud Advanced Blacksmiths present became more compliant. They respected Ou Yangming because of his skills.

Perhaps they also regarded Ou Yangming to be on par with Jin Shengjie and Wu Hongxi, such that they thought he was qualified to be a Superior Blacksmith too.

Nonetheless, they suddenly heard Ou Yangming humble himself in front of Wu Hongxi, where he admitted defeat and even requested to learn Master Wu’s lost study.

If the same scenario took place between two martial arts powerhouse, it would seem like one was conceding defeat in front of the other martial artist.

Everyone exchanged glances as they were confused; they would never do something like that if they were as capable as Ou Yangming. After all, Wu Hongxi did not emerge victorious in this smithing challenge.

Even if Wu Hongxi’s longsword seemed perfect, Ou Yangming used black steel and smithed much faster than Wu Hongxi did.

Jin Shengjie kept quiet for some time before he suddenly asked, “Brother Wu, you became a Superior Blacksmith 30 years ago, am I

right?”

Wu Hongxi was startled because he did not understand why Jin Shengjie brought up the matter, but he still responded, “Yes, it was 30 years ago…”

“Ah, it feels like it was just yesterday. If I hadn’t witnessed you smith a full set of equipment at the peak of Fine Grade Rank Five during the a.s.sessment, I would’ve never believed that someone can achieve that in this world.” Jin Shengjie sighed.

Ses

“Big Brother Jin, you’re overpraising me. Besides…” Wu Hongxi smiled bitterly and glanced at Ou Yangming. “The younger generation will surpa.s.s the older!”

Jin Shengjie laughed out loud. “You should say that you now have a worthy successor.”

Wu Hongxi was slightly dumbfounded. He pondered and said, “Big Brother Jin, you’re saying…”

Master Jin nodded. “We take in disciples because we want our greatest skills to be pa.s.sed on so that they won’t vanish. You’ve accepted many disciples over the years, but how many of them can inherit your skills?”

Wu Hongxi glanced at the other people in the room. Other than the Advanced Blacksmiths from the imperial family, the others were his disciples.

Nevertheless, his disciples including Tan Yangping-his first disciple-and Yuan Lexin

– his second disciple-lowered their heads embarra.s.sedly.

They were obviously excellent and talented to be able to become Wu Hongxi’s disciples; in fact, a few of them were especially fit to learn the path of equilibrium. Unfortunately, as said by Jin Shengjie, after all these years, none of them imitated at least 50% of Master Wu, let alone having perfectly inherited the master’s skills.

If that was not the case, Wu Hongxi would not be the only Superior Blacksmith in the Wu residence.

Tan Yangping had an incredible smithing standard, so much so that he could potentially become a Superior Blacksmith in a few years.

Despite that, he paved a path that belonged to himself, and he greatly disappointed Wu Hongxi in terms of his grasp in the path of equilibrium.

Jin Shengjie stroked his long beard and mumbled, “Judging from our age, how many more years can we live? I won’t be resigned if I die together with my skills!”

Wu Hongxi raised his eyebrows and finally sighed. “Lil’ Friend Ou, please come with

me.”

Ou Yangming was elated. He nodded at Jin Shengjie gratefully.

A white-haired elder suddenly blurted, “Master Wu, what about our task?”

Wu Hongxi was displeased. “I’m still in the residence! Hmph, I’ll only be away for a while, so seek help from Master Jin if you encounter any problem.”

Jin Shengjie’s eyes lit up. “That’s right. I’m extremely interested in smithing magic tools too. You won’t mind if I join you, right?”

The Advanced Blacksmiths from the imperial family smiled bitterly at each other, but n.o.body dared to object to Jin Shengjie’s request. Whether it was his reputation or his skills, Master Jin could suppress the other blacksmiths, to the extent that they could not even turn their bodies around.

Wu Hongxi brought Ou Yangming away from the room and walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

“Lil’ Friend Ou, what’s your thought after seeing my sword just now?”. Ou Yangming gathered his thoughts and constructed a sentence in his head before he answered, “The integration of Heaven and man is probably the key for the path of equilibrium.”

“Many people have said that.” Wu Hongxi grinned and questioned after a pause, “Do you know what the integration of Heaven and man is?”

Ou Yangming’s body trembled a little as he released his consciousness and entered an exceptionally mysterious state. His body and breathing seemed to have become one with the world at that moment.

Wu Hongxi was stunned, and his eyes glowed. “The integration of Heaven and man—you grasped it too, Lil’ Friend Ou.”

“I feel ashamed; I fathomed the integration of Heaven and man during a smithing process, but due to various unforeseen events after that, I gained a deeper understanding of the state in martial arts instead.” Ou Yangming smiled bitterly