Shen Yuan approached the gate of his mansion and opened it slightly, glancing amidst the crowd to spot Wan Ling, Chen Yue, Ling Mei, and Zhao Lian.
He waved his hand towards them in an inviting gesture with a smile.
“Senior Brother Shen Yuan!” Wan Ling called out, her face lighting up as she saw him.
“Glad you all could make it,” Shen Yuan said warmly. “Come inside first; I might need a little help here.”
The four young women exchanged curious glances but eagerly made their way through the crowd to join him.
As they slipped inside, murmurs rose amidst the other disciples waiting outside.
“Why are they allowed in first?”
“Maybe they’re helping him set up?”
Shen Yuan closed the gate momentarily and led the girls toward the garden where the weapons were displayed.
The area was neatly arranged with racks showcasing swords, spears, daggers, and other weapons, each tagged with a price.
Chen Yue’s eyes widened. “Senior Brother, did you make all of these?”
Shen Yuan nodded humbly. “I’ve been practicing my blacksmithing skills.”
Ling Mei picked up a slender sword, testing its balance. “This is impressive craftsmanship. I didn’t know you were skilled in forging weapons.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” Shen Yuan replied with a playful smirk.
Zhao Lian examined a spear inlaid with intricate designs. “These are high-quality weapons even by market standards. The Inner Sect’s disciples will be thrilled.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Shen Yuan said. “I was hoping you could help me manage the disciples as they come in. Answer their questions, help them find what they’re looking for.”
Wan Ling beamed. “Of course! We’re happy to help.”
“And as a thank you,” Shen Yuan added, “I’d like to make custom weapons for each of you.”
Their faces lit up with excitement.
“Really?” Chen Yue asked.
“Absolutely,” Shen Yuan confirmed. “Consider it a token of my appreciation. Though you can ask for the weapon later as well since the Sect has rewarded you with a chance to have the blacksmith forge your weapons; his skills should be greater than my current skills.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Zhao Lian said softly.
“Alright, let’s get started,” Shen Yuan said, heading back toward the gate.
He pulled it open wide, revealing the eager crowd outside.
“Welcome, everyone!” he announced. “Please come in and take a look at the weapons I’ve crafted for you all.”
The disciples began to file in, eyes wandering over the beautifully arranged garden and the gleaming weapons.
One of the disciples nudged her friend. “See, told you it was worth coming here.”
Her friend shrugged. “We’ll see about that.”
As the crowd dispersed among the displays, the four girls moved smoothly between them, offering assistance.
A group of Inner Sect disciples, dressed in finer robes, approached a rack of swords.
One of them, a tall girl with sharp green eyes, picked up a Tier 1 sword and scoffed, “Tier? I expected better from the Genius Shen Yuan.”
Her companion smirked. “Perhaps he’s only capable of beginner-level work.”
Wan Ling overheard them and approached with a polite smile. “If you’re looking for higher-tier weapons, we have some excellent Tier 2 and Tier 3 items over here.”
The tall girl raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Lead the way.”
Wan Ling guided them to a display of Tier 3 weapons.
The girls’ expressions changed as they examined the finely crafted swords closely.
“This is… quite good,” the tall girl admitted, testing the weight of a sword. “The balance of this sword is also very good.”
Her companion nodded, tracing the intricate patterns on a spear. “I can feel the Qi flowing smoothly through it.”
Nearby, a high-ranking Inner Sect disciple named Liu Ying was examining a pair of daggers.
She was known for her discerning taste; she rarely found weapons that met her standards in the sect market.
Ling Mei approached her cautiously. “Senior Sister Liu, can I assist you with anything?”
Liu Ying glanced at her before returning her gaze to the daggers. “Who made these?”
“Senior Brother Shen Yuan crafted all the weapons here,” Ling Mei replied.
“Interesting,” Liu Ying murmured. “These daggers are finely balanced and the craftsmanship is superb. Even the intricate design of the daggers helps to smooth out the flow of the Qi.”
She looked across the garden to where Shen Yuan was helping another disciple.
“I didn’t expect such quality from an Inner Disciple,” she said.
Meanwhile, some disciples couldn’t help but make disdainful remarks.
“Look at this,” a girl sneered, holding up a Tier 1 sword. “I wouldn’t use this to cut vegetables.”
Her friend giggled. “Maybe he’s still learning.”
Chen Yue approached them with a calm smile. “That sword is designed for beginners or Outer Sect Disciples focusing on foundational skills. Perhaps you would be interested in something more suitable to your level?”
The girls exchanged glances. “Fine, show us what else you have.”
As Chen Yue led them away, Shen Yuan walked over to where a group of disciples were admiring a Tier 3 spear.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked with a soft smile.
One of the disciples looked up. “Did you really make this? The craftsmanship is on a higher level than what the blacksmiths in the sect market make.”
Shen Yuan chuckled. “I did. I’m glad you appreciate it.”
Another disciple hesitated before asking, “Are you taking commissions? I’d love a custom weapon.”
“No, not for the time being,” Shen Yuan replied. “I will begin taking in commissions once my skills have been improved to an appropriate level. You can then commission a weapon.”
The disciple felt disappointed at his reply but thanked him nonetheless. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”
…
As the afternoon wore on, more and more disciples expressed interest in his work.
Even those who had been skeptical were won over by the quality of the higher-tier weapons that he had crafted in under a week.
“He’s got real talent for blacksmithing,” a senior disciple remarked to her friend.
“I heard he only started blacksmithing recently,” the friend replied.
“Unbelievable.”
Zhao Lian found herself surrounded by disciples asking questions about the weapons.
“What’s this blade made of?”
“How did he achieve this finish?”
“Will he make more weapons?”
She answered as best she could, her confidence growing with each interaction.
Wan Ling caught Shen Yuan’s eye and gave him a thumbs-up. He smiled back, pleased with how things were going.
‘Hmm, now should I call Big Sisters to invite a few Inner Sect Elders here?’ he thought to himself as his weapons were as good as sold with so many Inner Sect disciples showing interest in them.
All he needed was for two Inner Sect Elders to come and look at his work.
At one point, an Elder who got wind of the news about Shen Yuan’s blacksmithing curiously came into his mansion.
“What’s all this?” she asked.
Ling Mei bowed respectfully. “Elder Hua, Senior Brother Shen Yuan is showcasing the weapons he’s crafted.”
Elder Hua picked up a sword, her eyes sparkling as she examined it. “This is impressive work for someone so young.”
She approached Shen Yuan. “You have quite the talent, young man.”