She curved her lips into a polite smile. "My name is Wu Meng. I've come here precisely to meet your master."
Her words brightened Si Long's face for a moment, but almost instantly a shadow passed over his expression.
He lowered his head and muttered, "Master is in seclusion right now… he's working to make new craft. He won't be available until evening at the earliest."
Wu Meng observed him carefully. The boy's tone carried a trace of disappointment, his straightforwardness reminded her of a young hawk still learning to spread its wings.
Not wishing to let the atmosphere turn heavy, Wu Meng chuckled softly. "Didn't you just boast that you know every corner of this city? Since I must wait until evening anyway, why don't you be my guide and introduce me to Tian Dou's Blacksmith Association and the surrounding streets? Who better than Lou Gao's disciple to give a proper tour?"
Si Long's eyes lit up instantly, his earlier gloom washed away. Straightening his back with a spark of pride, he replied, "If you want a tour, then you've found the right person! I'll show you everything—the forging halls, the ore markets, even the hidden shops that outsiders never find."
Wu Meng allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips. Staying with Qian Renxue all the time had made her a little scheming.
' A disciple of Lou Gao and already so eager. Perhaps this boy will be of use to me in more ways than one.'
As they walked together, Si Long began to chatter enthusiastically, pointing at every street corner and explaining its history, each forge's specialty, and even the rivalries between different smithing families. His excitement was so earnest that it was difficult not to be swept up in it. Wu Meng listened patiently, occasionally asking a question here and there, while silently analyzing both the boy's personality and the undercurrents of the association through his words.
The clang of hammers striking metal echoed faintly from the distance, mingling with the scent of molten iron and heated coal that lingered in the air. The entire district thrummed with life, a testament to the city's beating heart of craftsmanship.
For Wu Meng, the wait for Lou Gao was no longer idle time wasted, but an opportunity to gather information and perhaps, to lay the groundwork for her eventual meeting with the divine craftsman himself.
--
It was as if Si Long had been injected with chicken blood. His eyes shone with excitement, his back straightened, and even his footsteps gained a certain spring. He laughed heartily, his voice carrying a proud resonance as he raised his arm and pointed toward the towering structure before them.
Si Long had forgotten that they had started the tour itself from this place as he was enthusiastically explaining everything to Wu Meng.
"Sister Wu, today you'll witness the heart of the forging world—the Blacksmith Association!"
"The Blacksmith Association is divided into five floors," Si Long began, swelling with pride as if reciting sacred scripture. "Each one holds its own significance. Let me explain before we step in."
He raised his hand, counting off his fingers one by one.
"First Floor: Display of goods by smiths—basic tools, common weapons, and raw metals for sale."
"Second Floor: Trading of rare ores, alloys, and high-level products forged by master craftsmen."
"Third Floor: The registration district—where blacksmiths are evaluated and promoted in rank. Any smith wishing to prove their worth must come here."
"Fourth Floor: The VIP area and the Auction House. Here, priceless works and rare ores exchange hands."
"Fifth Floor: The work area of the Association's leadership. At the very top sits none other than President Lou Gao himself, a Divine Craftsman!"
Si Long's voice lowered reverently at the last sentence, as though merely speaking Lou Gao's name required respect.
Wu Meng gave a slow nod, his eyes flickering with curiosity. "It seems the Association is far more than just a guild for smiths. It's practically the backbone of the forging world."
"Hah! You're right about that!" Si Long laughed again, gripping Wu Meng's shoulder warmly. "Come, let's start from the beginning. No better way to understand it than by seeing it with your own eyes."
--
First Floor:
They entered the Association, and Wu Meng's first impression was of order amidst chaos.
Rows of stalls lined the wide hall, each one displaying wares neatly arranged on iron racks or stone pedestals. Hammer strikes rang from demonstration areas, where smiths proudly tested the sharpness of their blades or the durability of their armour.
"This is the foundation of the Association," Si Long explained as they strolled past. "Many blacksmith, sell their work here. Common goods, basic swords, armour, spearheads—these are forged by apprentices and lower-ranked blacksmiths. Before being sold, each product is inspected by the Association to guarantee quality."
Wu Meng stopped before a stall where a broad-shouldered blacksmith displayed a set of kitchen knives. Their edges gleamed unnaturally sharp. "Even daily-use tools?" he asked.
"Of course!" Si Long chuckled. "A blacksmith doesn't just make weapons. Many start by crafting household tools. In fact, those knives might be sharper than a soldier's blade!"
The stall owner overheard and grinned proudly, slamming a knife down on an iron ingot. With a clean crack, the ingot split in half, drawing gasps from a few onlookers.
Wu Meng raised an eyebrow. "Impressive craftsmanship."