Chapter 168: Chapter 168 - I’ll Take Care of the Yellow-Grade Armament Manual

“Marquis, you’re going to Great Qin?” Yang Hong, who had come to the marquis’s mansion as promised, exclaimed in surprise.

When he met Zhou Shu in the day, Zhou Shu had asked him to come to the marquis’s mansion to talk about a weapon.

Once he got off duty, he rushed over without eating

He didn’t expect to hear this news.

“That’s why we’ll have to wait until I get back to discuss the weapon,” Zhou Shu said apologetically. “I have to prepare for the diplomatic mission, so I can’t help you forge?one.”

“You’re too kind, Marquis. I’m in no hurry,” Yang Hong hurriedly said. He had never expected Zhou Shu to help him forge a weapon. Without any expectations, he naturally couldn’t be disappointed.

“Marquis, are you traveling to Great Qin because of the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament?” Yang Hong asked. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. Why am I asking? “Divine Constable Yang, do you know about it? Zhou Shu smiled. “That’s right. Actually, I don’t know what exactly I’m going there for. Divine Constable Yang, are you interested in coming along?”

“Okay-” Yang Hong blurted out. The next moment, he wished he could give himself two tight slaps.

Yang Hong, oh Yang Hong, did you already forget what happened? Don’t you know that every time you get involved with this master, it becomes a big matter?

You’re just a puny ninth-rank martial artist. What are you trying to do?

“In that case, I’ll ask Great General Meng to transfer you to join the guards.” Zhou Shu laughed.

Meng Bai and Mi Ziwen had both said that the risk of this mission wasn’t high, and it was easy to gain merits. It was considered a lucrative job.

Yang Hong could be considered one of his people. If there was a good opportunity, he should naturally give it to his own people.

“If you’re going with me, you’ll have to equip yourself with a ranked weapon…”

Yang Hong was about to find an excuse to refuse when he suddenly heard Zhou Shu mutter softly.

What?

Going on the diplomatic mission comes with a ranked weapon?

There’s such a good thing?

He swallowed his rejection.

Yang Hong gulped and asked, “Is there really no problem, Marquis?”

“We originally wanted to recruit some divine constables from the Divine Constable Bureau to join the guards. There’s no problem,” Zhou Shu said with a smile. He didn’t know that Yang Hong was asking about the ranked weapon.

But since Zhou Shu said so, Yang Hong didn’t ask too much. “Divine Constable Yang, just wait for the transfer order.”

Yang Hong was both happy and worried as he left. He was happy because he might be able to obtain a ranked weapon in advance, one that didn’t cost much.

What he was worried about was that this marquis had the physique to attract trouble. When had he not encountered any accidents when he was involved? It was fine in the capital. If anything happened, the Divine Constable Bureau wasn’t without power. No matter what, they could take care of matters.

This time, they were going to Great Qin. If something happened, how would they deal with it?

Zhou Shu didn’t know how complicated Yang Hong’s feelings were. Another worker.

Then he entered the forging room. Since he was leaving for Great Qin, he had to make some preparations. In any case, Great General Meng had said that in order for the diplomatic mission to go smoothly, the Imperial Court would reimburse him for all the materials he used to forge.

Zhou Shu would naturally not let such a good opportunity go.

He had already used up most of his forging materials. Now that he had Meng Bai’s promise, he naturally had to do everything he could!

Zhou Shu was busy in the forging room. Outside, Great Xia’s military parade was still ongoing

The parade and the military performance were all major events in Great Xia, and everyone paid a lot of attention to them.

Zhou Shu was probably the only one who didn’t care.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed. The military parade had already ended, and the military performance was also coming to an end.

During this period of time, Yin Chengshan, who had performed spectacularly during the military performance, had specially come to the marquis’s mansion to express his gratitude. But he didn’t see Zhou Shu.

Not only Yin Chengshan, but there were also many people who came to pay a visit to the marquis’s mansion. The steward rejected all of them using the excuse that the marquis was forging

Most people only politely left a message before taking their leave.

Only one person remained.

“Master Shi, I really don’t know when the marquis will come out of seclusion. Why don’t I immediately send someone to inform you after he comes out?” The steward looked at Shi Songtao helplessly.

This master had been waiting here for two days.

He sat in the living room and refused to leave, and he refused to sleep in the guest room arranged for him.

He didn’t refuse to eat and drink.

It wasn’t that the marquis’s residence was unwilling to part with the money for the tea, but it was just that this master had been sitting here all this time. It didn’t feel right.

“I’m fine. I’ll wait here.” Shi Songtao frowned.

You’re fine, but we’re not, the steward cursed silently. It would be rude to leave the guest here alone.

The steward was helpless. He could only apologize and run to Zhou Shu’s forging room, hoping to find an opportunity to report to Zhou Shu.

“Steward! Steward!”

The steward had just arrived outside the forging room when he heard Zhou Shu shouting inside.

“Yes!” the steward replied excitedly. “Take this list to the Forging Division and get them to send the materials on the list to me as soon as possible. If the Forging Division doesn’t have them, get them to look for Great General Meng.”

The door creaked open, and a piece of paper filled with words flew out.

“Yes, Marquis. I’ll send someone.” The steward picked up the paper and hurriedly said, “Marquis, Master Shi Songtao came to look for you. He has been waiting for two days, but he’s refused to leave…”

“Shi Songtao?” Zhou Shu’s voice sounded. “What is he trying to do? Is he here to find trouble?”

The steward thought for a moment and said, “I don’t know why he’s here, but he’s not looking for trouble. He’s just sitting there, refusing to leave. He wants to wait until you come out of seclusion, Marquis.”

“Forget it. I’ll go see him,” Zhou Shu said after a moment.

The door of the forging room opened, and the steward seemed to see a mess in the forging room. There were several weapons lying around, but before he could take a closer look, the door closed again.

Zhou Shu looked at his clothes. They were a little dirty and messy. After thinking about it, he didn’t return to his room to change.

Anyway, Shi Songtao isn’t a beauty, so why do I have to care about my image?

After meeting him, I will have to come back to forge. It’s a hassle to keep changing clothes!n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Brother Shi, why are you looking for me?”. Zhou Shu quickly walked to the front hall. Before he arrived, his voice had already arrived.

Shi Songtao’s expression was somewhat weak. Hearing Zhou Shu’s voice, he stood up.

“Marquis, I admit defeat. Here is the Heaven Refining Stone I’ve promised.” Shi Songtao took out a small piece of Heavenly Refining Stone and handed it to Zhou Shu.

“Just because of this? Couldn’t you just leave it here? Why did you wait here for so long?” Zhou Shu laughed.

Recently, he had been working hard in the forging room and didn’t pay attention to the changes in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual. He didn’t even know that he had defeated Shi Songtao.

If Shi Songtao hadn’t come to find him, he would have forgotten about the bet.

Wasn’t it just three hundred grams of Heaven Refining Stone?

Zhou Shu really didn’t think much of it.

“By the way, Brother Shi, what’s my ranking in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual?” Zhou Shu asked curiously.

He hadn’t looked at the Heavenly Mirror for the past few days, so he was really unclear about this.

Shi Songtao’s expression darkened. I’ve already admitted defeat. Do you still want to humiliate me?

“Light Bearing, Shadow, and Night Practice are ranked second, fourth and seventh respectively!” Shi Songtao said hoarsely. His newly forged sword did not even make it into the top ten! Even his Songtao Sword was squeezed out of the top five, almost falling out of the top ten!

“They’re considered three separate swords?” Zhou Shu mumbled, but this was normal.

The name ‘Three Swords of Yin Tianzi’ had originally been used to trick Emperor Yuan Feng, who was eavesdropping that night.

The three swords actually didn’t have much of a connection to each other.

Seeing that Zhou Shu didn’t seem satisfied, Shi Songtao’s heart sank.

Are you not satisfied with the rankings?

You took up three spots in the top ten of the Yellow-grade Armament Manual. You’re still not satisfied?

The Yellow-grade Armament Manual is almost all yours!

Shi Songtao felt a little better when he thought about how the first position in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual seemed to be unshakable.

Fortunately, first place isn’t his.

“Brother Shi, I’ll accept the Heaven Refining Stone. I still need to continue forging, so I won’t be entertaining you any longer…” Zhou Shu stood up to see him off.

He really didn’t have time to chat with Shi Songtao. Mi Ziwen and the rest had said that the diplomatic mission of Great Xia would depart in a few days. He still had to prepare more weapons for his workers. Right now, he didn’t even have enough time. He couldn’t waste a single second.

“Please wait, Marquis,” Shi Songtao said with a black face. When had he, Shi Songtao, ever been despised like this?

He had been treated like a VIP wherever he went in the past.

Unlike now, after waiting for two days, Zhou Shu looked like he was unwilling to talk to him.

“Speak your mind. I’m really busy,” Zhou Shu said.

Shi Songtao took a few deep breaths. He had to maintain his demeanor! “Marquis, I’ve come for the matter of Great Qin.

“I wonder what your thoughts are on this trip to Great Qin? Do you have confidence in letting Great Xia host the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament?”

“I have no thoughts nor confidence,” Zhou Shu said straightforwardly.

He was going to Great Qin for a holiday, and he was also going to look for a few workers.

As for other things, he knew nothing about them.

Professional matters were left to the professionals. As for diplomacy, Great General Meng had said that there were professionals in the diplomatic mission.

He was very clear about his own status. In the Great Xia diplomatic mission, he was a mascot…

“Marquis!” Shi Songtao said seriously. “This matter is of great importance. Please don’t joke around, Marquis!”

“I’m not joking. By the way, you’re a deputy envoy of the diplomatic mission. What do you think?” Zhou Shu remembered something.

Shi Songtao took a few deep breaths again. “Marquis, I want to ask you what weapon you’re planning to forge this time.” “What do you mean?” Zhou Shu asked curiously.

“Marquis, do you really not know anything about this diplomatic mission?” Shi Songtao was a little confused. He even felt that he was speaking to the wrong person. Is this person really the envoy of the diplomatic mission? He hadn’t been able to sleep well for the past few days because of the diplomatic mission, yet this person was so ignorant?

“Do I need to know?” Zhou Shu asked.

Shi Songtao: “…” He was completely speechless.

“Marquis, do you know how the hosting country for the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament is decided?” Shi Songtao said patiently.

This diplomatic mission was extremely important to him. If he could make great contributions, as a vice envoy, he could also advance further. “Isn’t it about who’s stronger?” Zhou Shu said. Isn’t this like the Olympics of my previous world?

“Yes, it depends on who’s stronger. But how is it decided? Great Qin is the strongest among the ten nations. Does it mean the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament will always be held in Great Qin? If that’s the case, then what meaning would there be for us to make an appearance?” Shi Songtao said.

“Oh.” Zhou Shu understood. He didn’t care about politics, but it didn’t mean he was a fool. “You’re saying that the venue of the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament is decided through the use of forging?

“It’s just like us making a bet. Whoever wins will host the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament?”

“The method used is different every time. This time, it is indeed decided through forging.”

Shi Songtao was already powerless to complain. With such a capable person as the envoy, what else could he do?

“According to tradition, the content of each competition is decided by the host of the last Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament. This time, Great Qin has decided that the competition is related to forging weapons.”

Shi Songtao did his best to explain to Zhou Shu. This mission needed everyone’s cooperation to complete. He didn’t want Zhou Shu’s actions to affect this mission.

“Comparing whose weapon is stronger?” Zhou Shu asked. “In that case, we have to send a Grand Craftsman. A heaven-grade weapon is definitely stronger than a yellow-grade weapon.”

Furthermore, wasn’t it very easy to compare weapons?

They just had to compare which nation had the most number of weapons on the armament manuals.

Was there a need to go on a diplomatic mission?

But then again, if they really competed like this, Zhou Shu could take on all the other nine nations at once based on the Yellow-grade Armament Manual!

He alone occupied four of the top ten in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual. Was there a need to compete?

“Of course not.” Shi Songtao shook his head. “Great Qin has set up some checkpoints regarding forging for all the nations to solve.”

“Is that so? Then, why are you asking me what weapon I’m going to forge?” Zhou Shu said unhappily. “Why are you so worried since we don’t know anything now?”.

“No, no matter how Great Qin sets up the problems, we will definitely have to forge weapons in the end. As the saying goes, ‘If we don’t make preparations beforehand, everything will be ruined’. If we don’t make preparations beforehand, how can we return victorious?” Shi Songtao said anxiously.

“Say, Brother Shi, you’re thinking too much. There’s also a saying, ‘We’ll deal with soldiers as they come’. Do you understand?” Zhou Shu patted Shi Songtao’s shoulder. “It won’t be too late for you to worry after you find out what checkpoints Great Qin has set up.

“I don’t have time to think about these things now.

“I plan on letting my weapons take up all the top ten spots in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual first. I won’t send you out. Bye.”

While speaking, Zhou Shu was already leaving, his back facing Shi Songtao as he waved his hand.

Shi Songtao was a little confused. Why aren’t you taking this seriously? You are the official envoy of Great Xia, right?

If we succeed, your contribution will be the greatest. Why should I worry! Also, what do you mean by letting your weapons take up all the top ten spots in the Yellow-grade Armament Manual?

Could it be that you’ve forged more amazing yellow-grade weapons? Are you really that productive?