Legendary Armament Canon Chapter 3

“Did you forge this saber?” a man in his thirties with an average figure inquired, his fingers tracing the saber’s edge.

“Yes,” Zhou Shu responded, somewhat dazed.

His gaze swept across the wooden stake.

He had actually cleaved the wooden stake, approximately half a meter in diameter, right in two?

While this body had been involved in forging from a young age and was considered robust, its strength was merely that of an ordinary adult…

Could it be that the blade’s sharpness was the factor?

This defied logic…

Zhou Shu felt his scientific understanding being challenged. Any blade, regardless of its sharpness, required sufficient force to sever a wooden stake. This was fundamental physics knowledge from middle school…

However, given this was not Earth, perhaps the laws of physics operated differently?

Indeed, this world seemed to host unparalleled experts, capable of traversing the skies and burrowing through the earth…

“Your name is Zhou Shu?” Xiao Zongshui continued his interrogation.

“Yes.” Zhou Shu nodded.

“Your grandfather is Zhou Guangzu, and your father is Zhou Niantong?”

“Yes.” Zhou Shu had no clue what the superintendent sought but answered truthfully.

Xiao Zongshui, the workshop’s superintendent, was Zhou Shu’s superior. Zhou Shu’s fate rested in his hands.

“Both of them were skilled artisans. What a shame,” Xiao Zongshui commented, nodding before proceeding. “You are not too shabby yourself. Although this saber is unranked, it stands as a top-tier standard long saber.”

“A top-tier standard long saber?” Zhou Shu felt a pang of disappointment. Just a top-tier standard long saber? Becoming a Forging Master seemed out of reach with such a weapon.

Yet, his disappointment was fleeting. With the Legendary Armament Canon, achieving the status of Forging Master was merely a matter of time.

How formidable would ranked weapons be if a top-tier standard long saber already possessed such power?

Zhou Shu’s aspirations to become a Forging Master surged with renewed intensity.

Xiao Zongshui assessed Zhou Shu carefully. “Considering your age, forging a top-tier standard long saber without a master’s guidance indicates your aptitude surpasses both your grandfather and father. Perhaps you will indeed become a true Forging Master one day.”

“Then, I must express my gratitude to Superintendent Xiao for your guidance,” Zhou Shu offered, cupping his hands respectfully.

“I have not guided you,” Xiao Zongshui stated, a smile that was not quite a smile playing on his lips as he scrutinized Zhou Shu. “Your father and grandfather did not possess your level of foresight. It is understandable that you could forge such a top-tier standard long saber.”

“You are too kind,” Zhou Shu replied awkwardly. In his previous life, he had never excelled at flattery.

“Enough. Performing your duties diligently is more crucial than pleasantries,” Xiao Zongshui declared, gesturing dismissively. “This top-tier standard long saber is of exceptional quality. Its worth is comparable to several ordinary standard long sabers.

“In the future, one top-tier standard long saber can substitute for three ordinary standard long sabers, provided you consistently forge this caliber of weapon.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Zongshui departed.

Whether intentionally or not, he neglected to return the sharp standard long saber to Zhou Shu, instead taking it with him…

Zhou Shu inwardly cursed after Xiao Zongshui had left.

A sharp standard long saber was on par with ten ordinary standard long sabers. But in Xiao Zongshui’s estimation, it was only equivalent to three.

Zhou Shu gradually regained his composure after venting his frustration.

A sharp standard long saber could replace three ordinary ones. His original monthly quota was to submit 100 standard long sabers. Consequently, his new task was to deliver merely 33 sharp standard long sabers.

The complexity involved in forging both types of sabers appeared similar to Zhou Shu. In simpler terms, his workload had significantly decreased, alleviating the need for overtime in weapon forging.

At the very least, his immediate peril of death had been averted…

Upon returning to his humble quarters, Zhou Shu tossed and turned on his coarse wooden bed, unable to find sleep. After some time spent delving into the intricacies of the Legendary Armament Canon, he resolved to rise. He made his way to the shed and commenced his work.

Shortly thereafter, another sharp standard long saber materialized in his grasp.

Zhou Shu’s face radiated contentment. It seemed he had truly mastered the technique for forging sharp standard long sabers. Even if he relied solely on this method going forward, he could still secure a livelihood within the Forging Division.

While Zhou Shu was admiring his creation, the sound of wind slicing through the air behind him jolted him.

He instinctively lowered his head, and a gust of wind narrowly missed the back of his head, causing his scalp to tingle.

A dull thud echoed from the anvil before him, as if something had struck it forcefully.

A cold sweat immediately drenched Zhou Shu's back. The sound made it clear the object was incredibly heavy. If he hadn't dodged with haste, it would have struck his head instead of the anvil!

"Who's there!" Zhou Shu yelled out, abruptly whirling around.

"It's best if you don't move," an ominous voice echoed near Zhou Shu's ear. "Don't force my hand. I don't wish to take your life."

Standing opposite Zhou Shu was a lanky man, tall and thin. A hammer was clutched in his hand, and he glared at Zhou Shu with eyes like tempered steel.

The hammer was as large as an adult's head, and its handle was nearly as tall as the man himself. If he were to swing that thing... Zhou Shu envisioned his head being obliterated like a ripe watermelon.

A tremor ran through his entire body, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the sharp standard long saber he held. Only then did a sliver of security wash over him.

"Who are you? What do you want?!" Zhou Shu shouted, attempting to draw the attention of the other apprentices with his voice.

Regrettably, his tactic failed. As if his words had fallen on deaf ears, the surrounding clanging noises persisted unabated.

A mocking grin spread across the face of the tall, thin man facing Zhou Shu. "There's no need to waste your breath. Before dawn breaks, no one will take notice even if you shriek until your throat gives out."

Zhou Shu's heart gave a startled leap. He couldn't fathom the man's certainty, yet he understood that rescue was unlikely to arrive anytime soon.

"The money is concealed under the bed. If you desire it, take it!" Zhou Shu exclaimed, gesturing towards the wooden bed within the room.

"I have no interest in mere money!"

"Hand over the forging formula for the top-tier standard long saber, and I shall spare your life," the tall, thin man declared, a sinister glint flashing in his triangular eyes.

As he advanced towards Zhou Shu, the tall, thin man brandished his hefty hammer. He showed no apprehension towards the long saber in Zhou Shu's grasp.

Regardless of a weapon's quality, its effectiveness rested solely on the wielder. The tall, thin man clearly held Zhou Shu in low regard. Zhou Shu's heart sank.

The revelation of the sharp standard long saber's cutting prowess surpassed Zhou Shu's expectations. He would not have ventured to the testing grounds to try it out had he foreseen its remarkable sharpness.

Furthermore, he had not anticipated the news spreading with such alarming speed. Not only had the superintendent, Xiao Zongshui, appeared and confiscated the saber, but now this individual, who appeared to be a Forging Apprentice, had arrived to rob him!

Zhou Shu fixed his gaze upon the tall, thin man. This person was a stranger to him. The Forging Division comprised a total of 108 workshops, and the 97th Workshop alone boasted hundreds of apprentices. It was impossible for him to have encountered everyone before.

Even if they had crossed paths, this tall, thin man likely wouldn't be concerned with any established relationship.

The tall, thin man's enormous hammer impacted the ground with a heavy thud.

Despite his gaunt appearance, the man possessed considerable strength. The massive hammer seemed as light as a feather in his grasp.

"Is the formula for an unranked weapon truly worth this risk?" Zhou Shu inquired, clutching the sharp standard long saber and scrutinizing the tall, thin man intently.

"Hmph!" The tall, thin man scoffed. He would not dare to attempt theft of a ranked weapon's forging formula.

Only Forging Masters and those above possessed the capability to hold onto the forging formulas for ranked weapons. Even if he managed to acquire one, retaining it would be impossible.

However, Forging Masters would scarcely concern themselves with the formula for this superior standard weapon, yet its value was substantial enough to uplift one's fortunes. This was the ideal target for an ordinary Forging Apprentice!

The tall, thin man harbored no inclination to offer explanations to Zhou Shu. Grasping the hammer's handle firmly, he fixed his gaze upon Zhou Shu like a hawk. "Deliver the secret formula to me!" he commanded harshly.

"The secret forging formula is right here. Come and claim it yourself if you seek it!" Zhou Shu declared, pointing to his own head.

In a flash, both his hands were on the handle of the sharp standard long saber, and he initiated an assault on the tall, thin man.

Zhou Shu lacked martial arts training, but he possessed youthful vigor and strength. Coupled with a formidable weapon, his brute-force attack carried immense power.

The tall, thin man's expression was etched with disdain. Despite both being Forging Apprentices, a hierarchy clearly existed among them.

His ancestor had received expert tutelage, acquiring a complete martial arts system. Though its legacy had diminished over the years, the tall, thin man's combat prowess significantly surpassed that of ordinary individuals. Among the Forging Apprentices, he was considered unrivaled.

A regular person would falter before Zhou Shu's charge. But was he an ordinary person?