novelraw Chapter 48 Craftsmen Are Hard to Find
Chapter 48 Craftsmen Are Hard to Find
"The Nightingale Knight is still in seclusion, so I have to make the trip to Maple Leaf City myself. After all these years, Rose City is still too small for me." Lin Wei wiped the sweat from his face. The sun was high in the sky, baking the earth until it was scorching hot, and even the stone pavement under his feet felt faintly hot. He quickened his pace, his boots clattering.
……
"I need to establish a foothold in Maple Leaf City from now on. It's time to put my forging skills and disguise techniques to good use." Lin Wei walked into the inn. The room was somewhat dim, with several faded paintings hanging on the walls. He dusted himself off and sat on the edge of the bed to analyze the future.
"Moreover, we should be able to find more clues related to wizards in Maple Leaf City. It's time for me to make contact with people of higher levels, such as princes." Lin Wei's eyes were firm as he clenched his fist.
After settling in, Lin Wei strolled around Maple Leaf City. The streets were bustling with people, and the cries of vendors filled the air. He learned that there would be an auction soon, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Then I'll rest for a few days and wait for the auction. Maybe I'll find the spellcasting materials I need." Lin Wei found a shady spot to stand and pondered.
After waiting for a few days, Lin Wei arrived at Maple Leaf City's largest auction house. Outside the auction hall, crowds thronged, and guards maintained order with serious expressions. Unlike Rose City, where auctions were held in underground boxing gyms, Maple Leaf City's auctions were openly conducted, open to both commoners and knights, for a fee of one thousand gold coins.
"Just by holding an auction, they can collect hundreds of thousands of gold coins just from ticket sales." Lin Wei couldn't help but gasp as he looked at the crowd queuing up.
Lin Wei looked around and saw that there were hundreds of people in the auction hall, including nobles and knights.
Lin Wei followed at the back of the group, using his disguise technique to become an ordinary middle-aged man with a simple and honest smile on his face.
After entering the hall, he sat in an inconspicuous corner, his body slightly hunched over.
The entrance ceremony was naturally a song and dance performance, a favorite of the nobles. Even the knights were not immune to this. They cheered and applauded as they watched the beautiful ladies showing off their dance moves on stage. Some nobles even stood up and clapped excitedly.
"It's boring." Lin Wei closed his eyes slightly and continued practicing the breathing technique, not wasting a moment and not even frowning.
After the song and dance performance ended, the auction officially began, and five or six figures appeared one after the other in the first row of seats.
In an instant, the crowd erupted in commotion, with people craning their necks to look.
"Wow, these are all princes."
"Swan Prince, Blood Frog Prince, Dragonfly Prince, Cheetah Prince... and the one in the middle is Maple Leaf Prince, the master of Maple Leaf City." A knight with a curious expression explained to the person next to him, his face full of excitement.
"This trip was worthwhile. To be able to see a Grand Knight-level expert from afar, I have no regrets in this life," a nobleman said, his eyes gleaming.
This conversation naturally reached Lin Wei's ears as well. He was startled and looked at each person's voice with wide eyes.
"The Swan Prince looks very menacing, the Blood Frog Prince is a super fat man, the Dragonfly Prince wears glasses... and the Maple Leaf Prince is just average-looking," Lin Wei muttered to himself. "However, I've heard that the Maple Leaf Prince has a very good reputation, which is rare among princes."
"Welcome everyone to Maple Leaf City for the auction. I hope everyone gets what they want. Please begin." Prince Maple Leaf spoke calmly, yet his voice clearly echoed throughout the hall.
The host rushed onto the stage, his forehead covered in sweat, and began introducing the items to be auctioned.
"He's also a standard knight, and he's even cultivated a fifth-level breathing technique." Lin Wei made his judgment, a hint of surprise on his face. "No wonder this is a big city; even the hosts are such strong individuals."
"It's a pity I didn't bring much money. I'll see if I can bid on one or two items. Although I'm not worried about cultivation resources, I don't have spare money to spend lavishly at auctions." Lin Wei shook his head helplessly.
Lin Wei was self-aware.
The auction started as a special session for nobles, mostly featuring gold and silver jewelry. The knights present weren't very interested and patiently waited, some even yawning out of boredom.
After waiting a while longer, it was finally the knights' turn. The first item caught Lin Wei's attention.
The host presented a small piece of black iron and explained, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a small piece of meteorite iron, carried by celestial fire. The seller had treasured it for decades, but due to financial difficulties, he had no choice but to put it up for auction."
"This meteorite-forged item likely has significantly increased penetrating power; it's a rare and excellent material." In the dimly lit auction hall, Lin Wei sat in a corner, his eyes fixed on the meteorite displayed on the stage. He frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Heavenly fire? You mean a meteor, right?"
"If the penetrating power is excellent, I can use this meteorite iron to forge arrows." Lin Wei thought about it more and more and found it feasible. His eyes lit up and he was very tempted. His fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest lightly.
The knights were equally interested, but one of them stroked his chin, frowned, and said, "This meteorite iron is incredibly hard; only a seasoned blacksmith can forge it. It's already failed to sell at auction several times, otherwise it wouldn't be the first piece to be put up for auction. Most importantly, it not only requires the skills of a seasoned blacksmith, but also the strength of the forger himself; he must at least be a standard knight."
"Who among you would study forging during a break from training? That's putting the cart before the horse," another knight said dismissively, curling his lip.
The knights nodded, their faces showing helplessness. This thing was like a chicken rib—it was only good for looking at but not for using.
The host on stage looked embarrassed, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He quickly announced, "The starting bid for this small piece of meteorite is 200,000 gold coins, and the minimum increment is 10,000."
The room fell silent; no one intended to participate in the auction.
Just as the auction was about to end, a middle-aged man's voice came from a corner.
"I'll take the 20; I'll treasure it as a keepsake."
Everyone turned to look. It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, dressed simply, with a faint smile on his face. No one recognized him.
"Who's that? He's got a lot of money. He looks like a down-on-his-luck old nobleman." Someone muttered under their breath, a look of disdain on their face.
"I don't know, 20 is no small amount, it's a huge mistake." Another person chimed in.
"Whatever, we can't forge this meteorite iron anyway."
"20 once, 20 twice, 20 three times, congratulations to this gentleman."
The host happily brought down the gavel, his face beaming with smiles, as if afraid the middle-aged man might regret it.
"20 is a bargain price. It's a pity that even the best blacksmith in Maple Leaf City can't forge this meteorite iron, otherwise it could have been made into a fine weapon." Prince Maple Leaf also paid attention and shook his head with a sigh.
"Knights are easy to find, but master craftsmen are hard to come by. Even my Leopard City can't forge one," Prince Leopard chimed in, his brow furrowed.