Chapter Thirty-Six: The Blacksmith's Workshop

The area was about the size of three or four wooden houses, yet there was no enclosing wall—only a few tall pillars supporting a roof that was neither entirely like tiles nor quite like mud. Beneath the eaves, long mats were rolled up. Inside the forge, tools of every sort abounded: a blacksmith’s furnace, tongs for gripping the heated billets, anvil, iron hammers, grindstones, and more. There were even three separate furnaces, each with its own bellows, beside which some burly men strained with all their might.

With each powerful pull, the bellows sent gusts of air roaring into the flames, making them leap and crackle; the heat could be felt even from outside. The men’s faces were flushed scarlet, sweat trickling down their chests. Well over a hundred men, stripped to the waist, worked within, hammering billets with heavy mallets, or sifting through materials for suitable pieces.

Outside the forge, a special stall stood half a man’s height, displaying finished implements. From time to time, burly men came and went, haggling spiritedly with the sellers stationed at the entrance. The entire place thrummed with energy.

A newly forged billet, red-hot, was plunged into water, sending up a sharp hiss as steam spiraled into the air.

“So this is a blacksmith’s workshop?” Li Le stood beside the stall, watching the bustling scene, her gaze filled with wonder. She could not help but murmur, “What a grand scale! And so many people!”

She was no longer the naïve girl she once was; she understood well how precious human life was in this harsh world, where death came easily and population growth was a struggle. Seeing so many strong men working here, she realized just how important this place must be.

“Blacksmithing is indeed vital. It makes sense there are so many people here,” she mused, unconsciously squeezing the small bundle in her palm.

“Haha! Whose little cub has wandered in to play? Is this your first time in a forge? Want me to show you around?” A booming voice rang out beside her, powerful as a bell, full of spirit.

Li Le was startled, turning toward the sound, and inwardly praised the sight before her—a veritable dragon among men! The man stood nearly two meters tall, with a scruffy beard and an aura of robust energy. His back rose and fell like a great beast’s, his bare torso radiating a strength that was almost intimidating. In his hand, he gripped a heavy spear. Several scabbed wounds marked his body, and he seemed oddly familiar.

At that moment, he was laughing heartily at her, his voice thunderous but not unkind. Li Le touched the gray cloak around her shoulders, realizing it must be the cloak’s privilege at work: gray marked her as a minor within the district, and in any era, those with the promise of youth were the hope of their people. Especially in this perilous world, being a minor meant she was afforded extra kindness and help.

“I’ve come on behalf of my elder brother, Bai Ye, to look at some weapons,” Li Le replied, seizing the opportunity to invoke Bai’s name.

The burly man was momentarily surprised, then clapped his forehead and broke into a genuine smile. He studied Li Le for a moment, then laughed loudly: “So that’s who you are! The district chief Bai’s little sister—no wonder. It’s a rare sight indeed.”

Li Le sensed that this man must have some connection with her brother. His booming voice drew attention; several men, busy with their work, looked over.

“A girl?”

“The district chief’s sister?”

“The same little cub he’s always talking about?”

“She looks so small—wonder how strong she really is?”

Their voices were not quiet, and their looks were full of curiosity and warmth, as if regarding one of their own.

Come on now—I can hear you, you know! Li Le’s face was hidden beneath her hood, but she couldn’t help touching her nose at their speculation about her strength.

Noting her expression, the burly man turned and shouted at the others with good-natured reproach, “Get back to work, all of you! If you mess up your tasks in front of the lady, where will you put your pride?”

Li Le couldn’t help but smile, the corner of her mouth lifting beneath the hood. Suddenly, she recalled why the man looked familiar: just a few days ago, she and Lie had glimpsed him among the hunters from District Two at the city gate.

At that time, he’d still borne fresh wounds—she was surprised at how quickly they’d scabbed over, allowing him to return to work. Her suspicions were confirmed by the words of another sturdy man nearby.

“Man! If it weren’t for that injury to your waist, you’d be swinging a hammer instead of loafing around!”

The burly man pumped the bellows with a noisy whoosh, his face smeared with soot, but his grin flashed white as he laughed and retorted.

They seemed to be enjoying their work quite a bit.

Watching the group’s antics, Li Le mused silently, her lips curving in amusement.

“Don’t listen to their nonsense! Since you’re the district chief’s sister, just call me Big Brother. Anything you want to see, I’ll show you myself!” The man laughed heartily, his chest booming like thunder, and his gaze was full of sincere care for his junior.

Li Le enjoyed dealing with straightforward people—they were uncomplicated; there was no need to guess at their thoughts. A genuine smile touched her face beneath the hood as she said, “Very well, then. Please show me the weapons my brother usually uses, so I can bring back a report for him.”

“Good! You’re a spirited girl. But this little ‘Firefly’ of yours seems a bit timid—maybe she shouldn’t come inside. Why not leave her by the stall and fetch her after?”

He praised her first, then, seeing the small bundle in Li Le’s hand, scratched his messy hair.

Li Le smiled, glancing at the creature dozing contentedly in her palm. She extended her hand slightly to reveal a bit more of it, and said, laughing, “No worries, Big Brother. This little one is quite bold—she’s sleeping soundly and won’t be frightened. Besides, she has a temper. If I leave her outside, she’ll probably make a scene at your stall when she wakes!”

Her eyes sparkled with mirth—how could she entrust her belongings to someone else?

The man had meant only to remind her, and seeing the little creature fast asleep, he was surprised but unconcerned; he laughed and said, “All right then! Let Big Brother show you around the forge and tell you all about the weapons your brother uses…”