Chapter 65: If You Say That, Then I’ll Understand

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“You should be glad that this is the imperial capital of Great Xia.” Zhou Shu looked at the middle-aged man indifferently.

The middle-aged man frowned, not understanding what Zhou Shu meant.

He didn’t know that if they weren’t in the busy streets in the capital, Zhou Shu would have sent him flying with a slap.

How dare a mere ninth-rank martial artist be so arrogant in front of me?

I’ve even killed a fifth or sixth-rank martial artist before, okay?

“Superintendent Zhou, you’re a smart person. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. It’s your choice!” The middle-aged man didn’t understand what Zhou Shu meant, nor did he want to understand what Zhou Shu meant.

As he spoke, his fingers crackled, indicating their threat.

Zhou Shu’s lips curled up slightly as he sneered in his heart. “Is that so? I want to see who’s so arrogant.”

Although Zhou Shu wasn’t afraid of this middle-aged man, he didn’t want to make a move in public. If he did, he could easily kill this middle-aged man, but he would expose his cultivation.

Zhou Shu placed his hands behind his back and said coldly, “Lead the way!”

“Hmph, at least you know your place!” The middle-aged man snorted and turned to leave.

He didn’t take Zhou Shu too far away. In a luxurious restaurant on the same street, the middle-aged man led Zhou Shu to a private room on the top floor.

“Master, he’s here,” the middle-aged man said respectfully.

“Come in.” A voice came from the private room.

Zhou Shu vaguely felt that the voice was somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall who it was.

As he pondered, the middle-aged man opened the door to the private room and gestured for Zhou Shu to enter.

Since he was already here, he might as well take things as they came. He didn’t believe that anyone in Great Xia’s capital could directly attack him.

Zhou Shu patted his clothes and walked into the private room.

“It’s you?” The moment he entered, he saw a familiar face.

“Superintendent Zhou, long time no see,” Xiao Zongshui said with a spurious smile.

Long time no see, my ass. We just met two days ago.

Since when did Xiao Zongshui have a ninth-rank martial artist as his follower?

Zhou Shu’s gaze shifted, landing on the figure beside Xiao Zongshui. The doubt in his heart was instantly resolved.

It wasn’t that Xiao Zongshui had a ninth-rank martial artist as a follower but that he wasn’t the master at all.

The master was the person beside him—Grand Craftsman Zhu Chuanfeng!

Upon seeing Zhu Chuanfeng, Zhou Shu immediately understood why his voice sounded familiar.

He had met Zhu Chuanfeng once before. Previously, when the 0th Workshop was just built, Zhou Shu had wanted to use Zhang Yibei and the others. But Xiao Zongshui, Li Hongyuan, and the other superintendents had worked together to obstruct him.

Back then, Zhou Shu had been forced to compete with their Forging Apprentices, and the judge Xiao Zongshui and the others had invited was Zhu Chuanfeng.

Zhou Shu vaguely remembered that Zhu Chuanfeng seemed to hold some enmity toward him at the time. But because Meng Bai was present, he didn’t do anything to target Zhou Shu.

Later, Zhou Shu simply forgot about this person.

So what if he was a Grand Craftsman?

There was no need for Zhou Shu to fawn over him.

“I was wondering who was so ostentatious. So it’s Grand Craftsman Zhu.” Zhou Shu greeted him indifferently.

Zhu Chuanfeng frowned slightly. This kid is too rude.

“Impudent! How dare you speak to Master like that?” the middle-aged man who had led Zhou Shu here shouted angrily.

Zhu Chuanfeng waved his hand, indicating that the person didn’t need to be bothered. He sized up Zhou Shu and said, “It’s normal for someone with skill to have a bit of a temper.

“When I was young, my temper was even worse than yours.”

Zhou Shu was somewhat puzzled. What does Zhu Chuanfeng mean?

I remember him picking on me last time. Why is he so nice this time?

He even praised me?

There must be something wrong!

Zhou Shu raised his guard. He cupped his hands in front of his chest and said, “Grand Craftsman Zhu, may I ask why you have invited me here?”

“Sit down and talk. The food here is not bad. Try it.” Zhu Chuanfeng didn’t answer but pointed at the table.

Zhou Shu’s eyebrows twitched. This Zhu Chuanfeng isn’t easy to deal with. He’s so domineering that even the pace of our conversation has to follow his lead. From the looks of it, he has ill intentions!

Zhou Shu sat down across from Zhu Chuanfeng, but he didn’t move his chopsticks. Instead, he continued, “Grand Craftsman Zhu, if you have something to say, just say it. I don’t have time to beat around the bush.”

The corners of Zhu Chuanfeng’s mouth raised as he laughed, “A straightforward person speaks his mind. Your temper is exactly the same as mine when I was young.”

Zhou Shu was speechless. Is this old fellow trying to take advantage of me? But I don’t have proof.

He wasn’t sure what Zhu Chuanfeng was up to. If Zhu Chuanfeng wanted to cause trouble, then even if he was a Grand Craftsman, Zhou Shu wouldn’t be afraid.

So what if he’s a Grand Craftsman?

Although I’m not a Grand Craftsman, I have a big brother!

His big brother was the successor of Great General Meng and the heir of the Mi family. A Grand Craftsman paled in comparison!

“Zhou Shu, right? In just a few short months, you’ve developed four new standard weapons. You’re not bad.” Zhu Chuanfeng acted as an elder as he nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied. “I think you’re capable of greater things. It’s a waste that you are only the superintendent of a small workshop.

“Zhou Shu, are you willing to learn the art of forging from me?” Zhu Chuanfeng stroked his beard.

Zhou Shu was a little stunned. What does this mean?

He didn’t call me here to cause trouble but to accept me as his disciple?

“Congratulations, Superintendent Zhou.” Xiao Zongshui chuckled. “Now that you’ve become Grand Craftsman Zhu’s personal disciple, becoming a Forging Master is only a matter of time. Your future is limitless.”

Zhu Chuanfeng smiled reservedly, seeming to agree with Xiao Zongshui’s words.

He was a Grand Craftsman. Taking a Forging Apprentice as his disciple was definitely a great gift to them.

Zhou Shu looked at Zhu Chuanfeng and then at Xiao Zongshui. The two of them were singing the same tune, and their coordination was quite good.

“Superintendent Zhou, there was a small misunderstanding between us in the past. Since you’re already Grand Craftsman Zhu’s disciple, we’re on the same side.” Xiao Zongshui chuckled as he raised his glass. “Let me toast you first. I apologize for what happened in the past.”

Xiao Zongshui raised his glass and drank the wine in one gulp.

“Wait.

“I don’t think I’ve agreed yet,” Zhou Shu said.

Zhu Chuanfeng frowned, displeasure flashing across his face.

Xiao Zongshui was slightly stunned. “Superintendent Zhou, you’re a Forging Apprentice. Don’t tell me you don’t know what Grand Craftsman means? Grand Craftsman Zhu is one of the top craftsmen in Great Xia. Those who want him to accept them as his disciples can line up from here to the border!”

“The grandmaster saw that you have some talent and didn’t want your talent to go undiscovered, so he was willing to take you in as his disciple. Don’t misunderstand!” Xiao Zongshui’s expression turned cold as he stared at Zhou Shu.

Zhou Shu was somewhat speechless. He finally knew where the middle-aged man had learned his rudeness and arrogance.

So if Grand Craftsman Zhu wants to take me as his disciple, I have to kneel down in gratitude and worship him?

Shouldn’t this be a two-sided affair?

No matter how great a craftsman you are, no matter how brilliant your forging skills are, it doesn’t mean that I have to cry and call you my master.

Zhou Shu ignored Xiao Zongshui. Instead, he cupped his hands toward Zhu Chuanfeng and said politely, “Grand Craftsman Zhu, thank you for your kindness. However, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any intentions of becoming your disciple.”

He would definitely not acknowledge anyone as his teacher. But since the other party wanted to accept him as a disciple, it couldn’t be considered malicious intent. Even if his attitude was a little arrogant, there was no need to fall out with him directly.

“You rejected me?” Zhu Chuanfeng frowned.

“Do you know what it means to you to acknowledge me as your master?

“Do you think that by becoming a workshop superintendent from a Forging Apprentice, you will rise to the top?”

Zhu Chuanfeng’s tone was not particularly harsh, but it was full of an imposing aura.

Without waiting for Zhou Shu to reply, Xiao Zongshui continued, “A workshop superintendent is just a lowly official. Compared to the disciple of a Grand Craftsman, the difference is like heaven and earth!”

“Zhou Shu, don’t be fooled by your talent. Whether or not you can become a Forging Master is another story. If you become Grandmaster Zhu’s disciple, under his guidance, it will be as easy as flipping your hand for you to become a Forging Master! How can the future of a small workshop superintendent compare to that?”

Xiao Zongshui no longer addressed him as Superintendent Zhou and directly called Zhou Shu by his name.

“You should be thankful that Grandmaster Zhu is willing to take you in as his disciple! If I were you, I would definitely give up everything I have to repay Grandmaster Zhu’s kindness!” Xiao Zongshui practically pointed at Zhou Shu’s nose as he spoke.

Zhou Shu rubbed his nose and said to Xiao Zongshui, “That’s good. Superintendent Xiao, why don’t you take Grand Craftsman Zhu as your master?”

“You…” Xiao Zong was exasperated.

“Grand Craftsman Zhu, I appreciate your kindness,” Zhou Shu said as he looked at Zhu Chuanfeng. He stood up and cupped his hands. “However, I do not have any intentions of becoming your disciple. Farewell!”

“Wait!” Zhu Chuanfeng said in a low voice, “Taking someone as your master is not child’s play. Perhaps you haven’t thought it through yet. Since you’re a promising talent, I can give you another chance.

“Go back and think about it for a night. Give me an answer tomorrow morning.”

“Zongshui, Zhen Cai, send Superintendent Zhou back.”

Zhu Chuanfeng waved his hand. “You must ensure that Superintendent Zhou carefully considers the pros and cons of this matter and not let any external factors affect his thoughts. Understood?”

Xiao Zongshui and the middle-aged man bowed at the same time. “Yes, we will definitely let Superintendent Zhou think it through.”

Zhou Shu: “…”

What is the meaning of this? A blatant threat? Sending two people to help me think through the pros and cons?

Do you think I don’t understand what you mean?

Zhou Shu, who had just gotten up, turned around and sat back down.. He stared at Zhu Chuanfeng and said, “Grand Craftsman Zhu, I understand now that you’ve said that.”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.