Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Before Zhu Chuanfeng could finish his sentence, Xiao Zongshui’s and the others’ expressions changed.

Their initial plan was not to do this.

Develop a new standard weapon?

They didn’t know if Zhou Shu could do it, but the Forging Apprentices under them definitely couldn’t!

What a joke. If their Forging Apprentices could develop new standard weapons, why would they fight with Zhou Shu?

They were jealous of Zhou Shu reaching the heavens in a single bound. But ultimately, they were coveting the secret forging formula of the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber.

After all, the Huben Saber had already been taken over by the Huben Troops, so the benefits were limited. But the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber could be supplied to the entire Country Protector Army!

Because of Zhu Chuanfeng, it was almost impossible for them to win.

“What? Are you all questioning my decision?” Zhu Chuanfeng said coldly.

Xiao Zongshui cupped his hands and said with a bitter smile, “Grandmaster Zhu, if neither side can forge a new standard weapon, what should we do to determine who wins and who loses?”

“If nobody can forge one, then consider it my loss,” Zhou Shu said before Zhu Chuanfeng could say anything.

“However, Grandmaster Zhu, Superintendent Xiao and the others do not know this, but you are an expert. You should know that it is not easy to develop a new standard weapon. It will not be accomplished in a few hours.

“Even having a few days is still a little tight. Therefore, should we not extend the time for this competition?”

Zhou Shu had been worried that he wouldn’t be able to find an opportunity to stall for time, but now, he had been given an excuse.

“I naturally know this.” Zhu Chuanfeng nodded. Forging a weapon was not as simple as hammering metals. It was normal to spend even several years developing a new weapon.

Right now, it was just a competition, and there weren’t many requirements. Even so, developing a new weapon wasn’t something doable in a short period.

“But since this is a competition, it cannot be delayed indefinitely. The limit is ten days. Do you have any objections?”

“Ten days?” Zhou Shu calculated in his heart. In ten days, he should be able to complete the limit of the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber.

“Alright, ten days is the limit then!” Zhou Shu said.

Seeing that Zhou Shu and Grandmaster Zhu had settled the matter, Xiao Zongshui and Li Hongyuan felt bitter.

However, they didn’t have the courage to refute Grandmaster Zhu directly.

Zhu Chuanfeng stared at Zhou Shu and said coldly, “This competition is between you guys. To prevent all of you from seeking help from outsiders, nobody is to leave this place for the next ten days. Do you have any problems?”

The older, the wiser.?Xiao Zongshui and the rest thought. They hadn’t thought of this just now.

That’s right. They could ask for external help, right?

Xiao Zongshui’s eyes lit up. He had already come up with a series of plans. He wanted to find a way to develop a new standard weapon. Whether it was good or bad, this wasn’t important. Then he would pass the forging formula to his own apprentices…

He didn’t believe that Zhou Shu, a mere Forging Apprentice, could develop a new standard weapon in ten days!

Therefore, as long as they could forge one, they would definitely win…

Xiao Zongshui and Li Hongyuan looked at each other and saw the smile on each other’s lips. They felt certain of winning!

“There is no problem with not leaving this place,” Zhou Shu said in a low voice. “But I need enough metal materials for testing!”

“Of course.” Zhu Chuanfeng nodded. “If there are no other questions, prepare the contract, Superintendent Xiao.”

“Great!” Xiao Zongshui loudly said. Once they signed in black and white, it would be useless even if Zhou Shu wanted to go back on his word. The Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber would be theirs!

“Old Zhou, I’m here!”

Xiao Zongshui went to draw up the contract when the door suddenly opened and Sun Gongping rushed in.

Zhou Shu rolled his eyes.?You’re only here now. Don’t you think you’re a little late?

“Old Zhou, you can’t blame me this time. Her Highness has gone on a mission under a decree. I can’t do anything about it.”

Sun Gongping ignored everyone and said loudly, “But don’t worry, I’ll hold the fort for you. I’m sure they won’t dare play any tricks!”

Sun Gongping’s gaze swept across Xiao Zongshui and the others, stopping briefly on Zhu Chuanfeng. But it was obvious that he didn’t know Zhu Chuanfeng.

Come to think of it, even if Sun Gongping came from an extraordinary family, he was still too young.

As a Grand Craftsman, Zhu Chuanfeng rarely interacted with youngsters like Sun Gongping.

Sun Gongping’s elders might know Zhu Chuanfeng.

Zhu Chuanfeng also didn’t take Sun Gongping seriously. He was only a ninth-rank martial artist. In his life, Zhu Chuanfeng had seen countless ranked martial artists. Now, he would only take ranked martial artists seriously if they were at least at the sixth rank. The rest…

“You two stay here and watch. Don’t let anyone cheat. I will return ten days later.”

The contract was signed. Naturally, Zhu Chuanfeng wouldn’t wait here for ten days. He left the two boys behind to supervise and left the 78th Workshop.

“Who is this guy? He seems awesome,” Sun Gongping said unhappily as he watched Zhu Chuanfeng disappear.

“Grand Craftsman Zhu Chuanfeng.” Zhou Shu gave him a thumbs up. You’re awesome to say that about a Grand Craftsman.

“What? Grand Craftsman?” Sun Gongping stared at him. “Why didn’t you say so earlier!

“Grandmaster Zhu, wait for me!” Sun Gongping sprang up and chased after him. “Grandmaster Zhu, could you help me forge a weapon…”

Sun Gongping shouted while chasing after Zhu Chuanfeng. Zhou Shu was speechless.?What happened to holding the fort for me?

“Superintendent Zhou, the contract was witnessed by Grandmaster Zhu. It’s definitely effective.” Xiao Zongshui put away the contract that both parties had signed and smiled. “Our competition will begin now.”

“Didn’t it start long ago?” Zhou Shu snorted. “Smelting furnaces, forging hammers, metal materials, I hope you won’t play any tricks!”

“Don’t worry. We aren’t so despicable,” Li Hongyuan said. “We have enough materials. Superintendent Zhou, if you can’t forge a new standard weapon by then, don’t blame the 78th Workshop for not providing good materials.”

“Quoting you, I, Zhou Shu, am not so despicable,” Zhou Shu said coldly.

“Haha…” Li Hongyuan laughed. “In that case, we won’t delay you from developing your new weapon. We’ll come back in ten days. Hopefully, we’ll hear good news.”

After he finished speaking, he, Xiao Zongshui, and the others looked at each other, and everyone laughed loudly.

Laugh, laugh. I hope you can still laugh when the time comes.?Zhou Shu pursed his lips. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sun Gongping return dejectedly.

“Did you get snubbed?” Zhou Shu said. He knew that Zhu Chuanfeng wouldn’t help Sun Guangping forge a weapon. It was obvious that Grandmaster Zhu wasn’t an easy person to deal with.

No matter what, he was a Grand Craftsman. Forging a weapon used by a mere ninth-rank martial artist was not worth his time.

“Hmph, so what if he’s a Grand Craftsman? Sooner or later, I will become a third-rank Grandmaster! At that time, he will have to beg me to use his weapon!” Sun Gongping said unhappily.

“Alright, you will succeed.” Zhou Shu replied perfunctorily. Although a Grand Craftsman was not as strong as a third-rank Grandmaster, it was impossible for a Grand Craftsman to bow down to a third-rank Grandmaster.

There was a slight possibility that a Grand Craftsman would suck up to a second rank. Being a first rank would increase the possibility.

However, it was obvious that Sun Gongping was more rational. He didn’t dream of becoming a first rank.

“Our competition will last for ten days. Do you want to stay here, or do you want to return after ten days like those people?”

Zhou Shu looked around. The two boys Zhu Chuanfeng had left behind obviously had no intention of talking to him. The other Forging Apprentices would also not talk to Zhou Shu.

They were now rivals.

Sun Gongping also looked at the people around him. “Am I such a disloyal person? I said I would help you hold the fort. Of course I’ll stay here!

“If I leave, who’s going to protect you? These guys don’t look nice. It’s not safe for you to be alone.

“I will reluctantly stay here for ten days.”

The apprentices were angry but didn’t dare to speak. But Zhu Chuanfeng’s boys were not afraid of Sun Gongping and glared at him.

“Is it alright with the Divine Constable Bureau?” Zhou Shu asked.

This was not just a day or two. This competition would last for ten days.

Zhou Shu didn’t want Sun Gongping to be punished because of him.

Sun Gongping waved his hand and said casually, “It’s fine. I’m going out to investigate a case. It’s fine if I don’t go back for half a month.”

This works??Zhou Shu felt a wave of envy after hearing this. He was the superintendent of a workshop, yet he couldn’t have so much freedom.?Is a divine constable’s life so good?

They didn’t even have to stay in a place to work and had such a high salary. They didn’t even seem busy. This job was simply too awesome.

“Is the Divine Constable Bureau still recruiting people?” Zhou Shu asked.

“What? Are you thinking of coming to the Divine Constable Bureau? No way! You should just obediently forge weapons. Our Divine Constable Bureau only wants ranked martial artists. If you go to the Divine Constable Bureau with your scrawny arms and legs, are you going to capture people, or will people capture you instead?” Sun Gongping looked at Zhou Shu with contempt.

Zhou Shu rolled his eyes.?If I don’t hold back, I can beat you to the ground with a single slap. How dare you look down on me?

If the Divine Constable Bureau doesn’t want me, I don’t want to go. What’s the big deal!

Zhou Shu was only asking. He was doing quite well in the Forging Division, and he had no intention of job-hopping.

“Do as you please. I’m going to get to work.” Zhou Shu rolled up his sleeves.

“Old Zhou, you’ve played big this time. If you lose, you have to hand over the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber. Do you know the value of the secret forging formula of the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber?”

“I’m a professional. Do you think I don’t know?” Zhou Shu was well aware of how profitable it was to own a patent.

“You know it, yet still dared to do this. Are you sure you can forge a new standard weapon?” Sun Gongping said.

Even if he didn’t know how to forge weapons, he knew how difficult it was to develop a new standard weapon.

“Great Divine Constable Sun, I’ve just said that I’m a professional!

“Professionals never do anything they’re unsure of.

“I, Zhou Shu, am never weaker than others in forging!”