novelraw Chapter 66
Chapter 66
The atmosphere in the entire weapon room froze in an instant.
Everyone could tell that Hall Master He’s dissatisfaction with Room Master Zhang had been ignited at this very moment. His gaze was razor-sharp, his expression like a predator about to bite.
In the past, this would have been unthinkable.
Because the Yulong Gang had only one blacksmith master.
Only Room Master Zhang could forge Hundredfold Steel weapons.
The upper ranks of the Yulong Gang had always shown Room Master Zhang the greatest possible patience and tolerance.
But now, things were different.
Su Wangchuan’s arrival meant the Yulong Gang’s weapon room had a second blacksmith.
Moreover—
For the past several days, everyone had been watching the weapon room closely.They all knew that the newly arrived Master Wangchuan was easy to talk to, treated the people below him well, and possessed extremely strong ability in forging Hundredfold Steel weapons…
Most praised of all was that he rose early and slept late. He had none of the airs of a weapon room master, and he worked with meticulous dedication.
Meanwhile, the matter of Room Master Zhang trying to trick Su Wangchuan in secret had already spread.
When the two were compared side by side, anyone could see it clearly: Room Master Zhang had issues with his character. His eyes held only money. He schemed and maneuvered, and he was not particularly attentive to the gang’s weapon tasks.
Originally, none of this was a big deal…
Considering that Room Master Zhang was an old hand in the Yulong Gang, even if he had no great merit, he at least had endured hardship. They had not planned to hold him to account.
Yet who would have thought that even when a simple task assignment came down, he would be so disappointing, giving a response completely opposite to Su Wangchuan’s.
Room Master Zhang, too, sensed that Hall Master He was already extremely dissatisfied with him. Under the pressure of a martial artist’s stare, his stress surged. Cold sweat immediately ran down from his temples as he explained, “Hall Master He, I still have several tasks in hand…”
“All tasks will be set aside for now. Prioritize the armor-piercing arrows and arrows first.”
Hall Master He stepped forward, staring into Room Master Zhang’s eyes that did not know where to settle. He spoke each word slowly and clearly.
“Within three days, you and Master Wangchuan will each forge two hundred and fifty armor-piercing arrows and two thousand five hundred ordinary arrows. If Room Master Zhang fails to deliver on time, do not blame me for showing no mercy. I will request the gang leader’s permission to punish you.”
Hmph.
After speaking, Hall Master He turned and left.
Room Master Zhang glared resentfully at Su Wangchuan, then turned and roared at the apprentices under him.
“What are you staring at? Get to work!”
“Two thousand five hundred arrows. You few will take turns. You must finish within three days!”
Then he personally stepped onto the forging table and began forging Hundredfold Steel arrowheads.
By contrast, Su Wangchuan already had more than twenty finished Hundredfold Steel arrowheads. If he maintained his current pace, he would need only a little over two days to complete his share.
Room Master Zhang, however, could not alternate arms while forging, and he also had not reached the One-Breath Quadruple Strike pace. At most he could forge fifty Hundredfold Steel arrowheads in a day. In the time remaining, it was impossible for him to finish.
“That bastard He.”
“Making me lose face in public!”
“So now there’s a newcomer, the old one gets thrown away!”
“If this place won’t keep me, there are other places that will!”
Room Master Zhang hammered in a fury, sparks flying wildly, completely without rhythm or discipline.
Even Su Wangchuan could not help frowning when he saw it.
The task had been split in half, but if Room Master Zhang’s failure affected the Yulong Gang’s upcoming action and harmed the gang’s foothold in Huishui County, that would be bad.
Su Wangchuan called Chen Ergou over and spoke two quiet sentences. Chen Ergou nodded and sprinted out of the weapon room.
Not long after, Fei Zai strode in and announced loudly.
“This task concerns major matters. Hall Master He has specifically ordered me to come supervise the weapon room’s work. Everyone, you must hurry.”
Room Master Zhang’s heart tightened.
He had no choice but to forge quietly and properly.
At a time like this, if he truly tore his face with the Yulong Gang and Hall Master He, delaying the gang’s major plans, the higher-ups would skin him alive and hang him in a lantern.
Three days passed.
Room Master Zhang endured until deep into the night each day, fighting nonstop for three consecutive days. At last he forged more than one hundred and eighty Hundredfold Steel arrowheads, but he was still far short of the required two hundred and fifty.
On Su Wangchuan’s side, he had steadily forged three hundred Hundredfold Steel arrowheads, then late at night he filled in the remaining shortfall. That very night, Hall Master He came to inspect and accept the goods.
“Hmph!”
“Room Master Zhang is truly impressive. A dignified old master, yet you’ve been left so far behind by Master Wangchuan, a younger rising talent.”
“In the same three days, Master Wangchuan forged more than three hundred, yet you couldn’t even reach two hundred.”
“In my view, from now on this weapon room should be handed over to Master Wangchuan to manage.”
With a single sentence, Hall Master He stripped Room Master Zhang of his position.
Room Master Zhang had already guessed it would come to this, but being criticized and humiliated in public still made him grind his teeth in hatred. He stood there without saying a word.
“Given that you failed to turn in enough armor-piercing arrows on time, Room Master Zhang, this time you will receive no payment. The twenty-five taels of silver will all belong to Master Wangchuan.”
With a wave of his hand, Hall Master He tossed a money pouch into Su Wangchuan’s hands.
Su Wangchuan accepted it and cupped his fists.
“Thank you, Hall Master He.”
At least it was not a loss.
Hall Master He gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.
“I heard from Fei Zai that to make up the five hundred armor-piercing arrows, Master Wangchuan forged late every night. That is the breadth of mind of someone who truly considers the bigger picture. Not like certain people who spend all day thinking only about petty scheming and filthy little tricks.”
Among the helpers in the weapon room, not a single person stepped forward to speak for Room Master Zhang.
The apprentices on Su Wangchuan’s side would not speak.
And the apprentices on the other side had long been resentful. Naturally, they would not defend Room Master Zhang either.
With Hall Master He mocking him in front of everyone, Room Master Zhang was utterly disgraced and felt exhausted to the bone.
Room Master Zhang stepped forward with clasped fists.
“Hall Master He, Zhang feels unwell. I intend to temporarily leave the gang and return home to recuperate for a time.”
Hall Master He frowned.
“You want to leave the Yulong Gang?”
The moment those words fell, even Fei Zai standing to the side revealed a hostile look.
Room Master Zhang hurriedly explained, “I would not dare. Zhang only feels slightly unwell and wishes to rest for a period.”
“Go fetch Physician Liao and have him examine our Room Master Zhang.”
Hall Master He’s tone was cold.
Room Master Zhang’s expression changed. He clearly had not expected Hall Master He to be so strict.
Soon, a thin old man with a goatee and the scent of herbs clinging to him arrived, carrying a medicine case.
“Hall Master He.”
“Physician Liao, examine Room Master Zhang’s pulse and see what the problem is,” Hall Master He instructed.
Physician Liao did not understand why, but he went forward and took Room Master Zhang’s pulse as ordered.
After a long moment, Physician Liao looked slightly puzzled and said to Hall Master He, “Room Master Zhang’s pulse is strong, his blood and Qi are vigorous. Aside from some agitation of mood, there doesn’t seem to be any problem.”
“Did you hear that, Room Master Zhang?”
Hall Master He gestured for Physician Liao to withdraw, then walked up to Room Master Zhang.
“Since your health is fine, you will stay in the weapon room properly. You are not going anywhere. The Yulong Gang has cultivated you for so many years. You cannot simply leave whenever you want.”
As he spoke, he turned and ordered, “Fei Zai, keep an eye on Room Master Zhang. When we return from the Nu Tao Gang’s water stronghold, we will decide Room Master Zhang’s future.”
“Yes!”
Fei Zai cupped his fists and accepted the order.
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