Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, casting its glow upon the humble rooftops of Blackstone Town.
From the stables, Ed’s boisterous voice could be heard, occasionally interspersed with Xiao Rhino’s discontented grunts.
Lei Luo pushed open the door, and a warm gust of air, mixed with the scent of fodder and livestock, wafted towards him.
Ed was clumsily trying to brush a Xiao Rhino, which clearly wasn’t appreciative, twisting its sturdy body and nearly knocking him over.
“My Lord, you’re awake!”
Ed saw Lei Luo, a simple, honest smile appearing on his face, one hand still gripping the brush. “These two little guys are full of energy! They were fed fodder and given water last night, and they slept quite soundly.”
Lei Luo approached, looking at the two Xiao Rhinos, which now appeared even darker and shinier. They seemed to have adapted to their new environment, no longer as startled as they were last night, merely a bit impatient with Ed’s “harassment.”
“Hmm, they look good.”
Lei Luo nodded. “You continue to look after them. I’ll go for a walk in town.”
“Alright!” Ed responded.
The number of Sand Rats was increasing, so Lei Luo had Old Buck organize the townspeople to carry out rat extermination. He checked early this morning and found that the simple tripwire traps were still not very efficient.
Perhaps he could ask Huke, the town’s blacksmith, for ideas to forge more intricate and durable rat-catching devices.
This was a good reason to visit Huke, the blacksmith who possessed the dwarven forging techniques.
The blacksmith’s shop in Blackstone Town was located west of the town center, a low stone house with a chimney constantly spewing black smoke.
From a distance, one could hear the “clink-clank” of hammering.
When Lei Luo approached, Huke was shirtless, revealing his bronze, muscular physique, wielding a heavy sledgehammer, smashing it repeatedly onto a red-hot iron block, sending sparks flying.
He looked to be around forty, with a rugged face and focused eyes.
“Master Huke, busy?”
Lei Luo stood at the doorway, waiting for his current round of forging to end before greeting him.
Huke put down his hammer, picked up the nearby dipper, and gulped down several mouthfuls of water before turning his head and wiping sweat with a dirty towel hanging around his neck.
“My Lord?” Huke was a bit surprised, not expecting the Lord to visit in person.
“I’d like to ask Master Huke for a favor.”
Lei Luo walked in; the blacksmith’s shop was filled with scorching air mixed with the smell of coal smoke and metal.
“The town has been hit by a rat plague recently. The townspeople made some simple traps, but the effect is mediocre. I wanted to ask you if you could forge some sturdier, more sensitive rat traps?”
Lei Luo said, his gaze sweeping across the blacksmith’s shop.
In a corner, some farm tools, horseshoes, and a few half-finished weapons were stacked. Their craftsmanship looked a bit better than that of an ordinary rural blacksmith.
His gaze finally landed on a half-finished short axe next to the anvil. The lines of the axe blade were smooth, faintly revealing a sense of heaviness, slightly different from ordinary ironware.
“Master Huke’s craftsmanship looks quite extraordinary,” Lei Luo said as if casually.
Huke’s eyes flickered. He picked up the short axe and flicked its surface with his finger, producing a clear, resonant hum.
“A craftsman’s skill should at least look the part,” he said in a flat tone, but his confidence in his craft could be heard in his voice.
Lei Luo took a few steps closer, pointing to an inconspicuous hammer mark on the axe body: “This forging method, I seem to have only seen similar patterns on some ancient dwarven relics.”
Huke’s grip on the short axe tightened abruptly, and his gaze towards Lei Luo instantly sharpened, filled with vigilance: “You understand forging?”
“A little,” Lei Luo smiled. “I’ve seen some of the world while adventuring outside.”
He didn’t directly expose it but waited for Huke to speak himself.
Silence fell in the blacksmith’s shop, with only the occasional crackle of the furnace fire.
Huke’s voice was somewhat low as he said, “When I was young, I worked as a miner deep in the Black Stone Mountain Range. Once, the mine collapsed, and I was trapped. I accidentally stumbled into a collapsed… dwarven secret chamber that had been exposed.”
He paused, as if recalling that experience: “That place was very old. Inside, besides some damaged tools and armor, there were also some stone tablets with dwarven forging techniques carved on them. I was trapped for a few days and memorized the forging methods on the tablets. After I was rescued, I left the mining team and came to Blackstone Town to open this forging shop.”
Just as expected.
“Dwarven forging techniques…”
Lei Luo repeated softly, his tone carrying just the right amount of admiration and longing. “That’s a lost treasure. Master Huke, guarding such a skill, only forging farm tools and horseshoes in this small town, don’t you feel… it’s a waste of your talent?”
A hint of bitterness appeared on Huke’s face: “What else can I do? Dwarven things are too conspicuous and easily attract trouble. Moreover, many advanced forging techniques require special materials and tools, and even assistants. I’m alone; I can’t get them, nor can I do them.”
He sighed, “It’s good enough to be able to make a living by blacksmithing here peacefully.”
“What if,” Lei Luo looked into Huke’s eyes, his tone becoming solemn, “Master Huke, what if you are willing to pledge allegiance to me? In return, I will provide you with the best conditions, allowing you to become a truly respected forging master, not just a blacksmith in a remote town.”
Huke’s chest heaved violently, clearly undergoing an intense internal struggle.
On one side was a stable but mediocre life; on the other, an unknown but fulfilling opportunity.
He looked at his rough, calloused hands, then at the short axe that embodied his efforts but couldn’t be perfected.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, “Good! My Lord, I’ll follow you! Just tell me what you need me to do!”
Years of suppression and unwillingness found an outlet at this moment.
No man wants to remain forever unknown.
“My Lord, if possible, I have a request…” Huke said.
Having gained Huke’s allegiance, Lei Luo was in a great mood and laughed, “Master Huke, just speak your mind. I will not refuse.”
“I have a son named Huba. If possible, I hope he can also become your squire and learn knightly skills.”
Huke pulled the young man who was assisting him and made him kneel before Lei Luo.
Lei Luo smiled and said, “Master Huke, I agree to accept Huba as my knight squire.”
Huke was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to thank Lei Luo.
Lei Luo chuckled and helped the father and son up.
“Ed, Huba is my first squire. Before he becomes a knight, he will follow you to learn knightly skills. You must teach him everything you know and help him grow into a formal knight as soon as possible.”
Lei Luo said to Ed, who was behind him.
Ed quickly accepted the order.
“Very good.”
Lei Luo revealed a satisfied smile. “I will have Mayor Buck arrange manpower. Master Huke, you will be responsible for teaching them, helping you while also passing on the skills you possess. You don’t need too many people, a dozen or so will suffice, but choose young people who are clever and willing to endure hardship.”
“No problem!”
Huke immediately agreed, his whole being seemingly re-energized.
“My Lord, I will teach them everything I know!”
“Forging rat traps isn’t difficult; it’s a good way to let these apprentices practice.”
“Don’t worry, leave it to me!”
Huke patted his chest, assuring him. Both he and his son had a bright future, and he was now full of vigor.
Having resolved matters with Huke, Lei Luo was in a good mood.
A blacksmith who possessed dwarven forging techniques was invaluable.