Chapter 10: Apprenticeship

The next morning.

{Boom...Boom...Boom}

Extremely large tunes started to play in Nian Zhen's mind causing him to jump up from the bed as it frightened him. Seeing that everything was alright Nian Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.

"How much do you like to tease me, Enron?"

[....]

Dressing up, Nian Zhen suddenly remembered a thing. He had completely forgotten how he was gonna earn money. The money his parent's had left behind for him was limited. Completely immersing himself in his own thoughts Nian Zhen went towards the inn's hall.

"Did you hear? Yesterday an old man with his grandson was brutally killed. Nobody knows who is responsible for the slaughter. The two sects are constantly searching for the killer."

"I don't know what is happening anymore. It seems that due to the recent movement of the spirit hall, the whole continent is getting stirred up."

Aside from Nian Zhen, everyone else including Enron were completely listening and discussing the things happening on the mainland.

"Should I try to blacksmith?" Nian Zhen said suddenly, which made Enron shocked.

[The host seems to have something on their mind?]

"Hmm...because our money is limited I thought it would be better if I find a job. A blacksmith seems to be a good choice. It will increase my accuracy, concentration, strength and mentality to a whole new level."

[Would the host like to learn everything related to Blacksmithing?]

"No Enron, I don't want to depend upon you all the time. Only when it is necessary I will ask for your help."

[Yes, Host…]

Nian Zhen, with a clear goal on his mind, drifted towards the city center, searching around for a blacksmith's shop where he could learn basic techniques for blacksmithing.

After 2 hours of search, Nian Zhen finally found a Blacksmith shop. Entering inside, Nian Zhen felt an extremely comfortable warm air surrounding him. Being raised in the Extreme North, Nian Zhen did not feel the Dragon City as cold as people thought it would be. Yet he had also been longing for a natural warm place.

Though the heat is from the furnace it still made Nian Zhen feel satisfied. As he was enjoying the heat, suddenly a tall figure of a man appeared in front of him.

"Who are you?" The man grumbled in a low yet deep voice.

"Hello Master. I am Nian Zhen" Nian Zhen politely greeted the person in front of him. Even though he may not look like it, Nian Zhen was a man of manners.

"....what business do you have? If there is nothing and you just came to get warm you can get out." the man said.

"I don't have any order to make. I just want to learn the basics of blacksmithing. I hope the Master can teach me some things." Nian Zhen said slightly bowing showing his respects.

"Hmm… a boy who has not yet reached teenage years wants to learn blacksmithing?"

"Is there a problem with me being a kid?"

"No. How can a kid who doesn't even have eye's be a blacksmith?"

"Did the old man just jump to the conclusion that I don't have eyes" Nian Zhen whispered to Enron.

[I suggest the host to learn the technique given by the 'Sanctuary']

"Listen you idiot, if i learn everything so easily won't I get too much OP. Let me taste the meaning of working hard from the basics."

[....]

"Master doesn't need to worry about that. Just give me a chance. I myself know something about materials. If I can Identify them then I hope the master teaches me Blacksmithing." Nian Zhen said to the man.

"Interesting. But what would I get from all of this."

"Master will acquire a disciple." Nian Zhen smiled confidently.

"Hahaha! You are one confident boy. Come inside."

Inside the blacksmith shop, the man presented three ores each of different weight, textures and type.

"To qualify you just have to say the weight, name and density of the materials in front of you. If you can't then you fail."

"Is this old man drunk? This type of test will surely fail all the people who want to be a Blacksmith…"

[Does the host want my help?]

"No...I have already memorized most of the materials that my parents kept inside the ring's space while I was practicing with Samsara Eye. These materials are similar to the ones found there and the ones I have read about in the Novel and the Manhua."

[Congratulations to the host. Enron V3 unlocked. Would you like to update?]

"Huh!? How?"

[The requirement for unlocking this version was for the host to not rely on Enron to gain a certain skill.]

"Hold off the update for now"

[Yes]

"Are you ready?" The man's voice came to Nian Zhen's mind.

"Yes."

Nian Zhen picked the first ore and the second ore.

"The First material is a Heart Chilling Iron. It roughly weighs around 1.8 kg. Density must be around 27.25 gm/cm3. The Second material is a Plate Crystal Gold, weighing 0.78 kg with a density of 8.08 gm/cm3."

Surprise flashed in the Blacksmiths face. He did not think that a blind kid would be able to identify the ores. In front of his surprised face Nian Zhen picked up the third material.

"This one is the most common material. It is a tungsten steel weighing around 4kg with a density of 19.25gm/cm3."

"Good, very good!! Hahahaha!!! You were correct. I could not clearly determine the density of these materials yet you easily did it. Good Good. You pass kid. I will pass on my mantle to you.."

The old man was shaking with joy. Due to his clan degrading over the years, the Clans blacksmithing Technique was slowly disappearing from the world. Because the requirement for obtaining the technique needed the receiver to have a clear understanding of some rare materials, it was extremely hard for him to find an apprentice.

"Umm….but I don't know your name?" Nian Zhen asked stupidly. He did not expect the old man to suddenly accept him as a successor.

"Well, I guess it won;t matter as long as I learn some blacksmithing techniques." Nian Zhen thought.

"Ahh...Everybody calls me Gu Lao."

"Apprentice Nian Zhen has seen Master Gu." Nian Zhen said, while arching his hand and bowing respectfully.

"Hahaha!! I am in a good mood today. Let's go drink kid."

"....."

[...]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere near the Dragon City,

A man wearing a dark robe could be seen looking towards the city from a tall tree. As the wind blew the man's figure suddenly vanished from the top of the tree.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Dragon City.

"The Pope. The spirit bone has been acquired from Mu Shan. But did you have to personally deal with him?" a man's voice was heard.

"I had my reasons, Ghost." A cold majestic voice said.

"That old man was one of that man's trusted people. He may have known some information that we still don't know. To ensure that only I know those things I dealt with it myself. Are you happy now?" A chilling voice penetrated Ghost Douluo's ear.

"Sorry for the rudeness pope but-"

"Shut up!" the cold voice cut off Ghost Douluo's voice.

"The pope. Our job is over here. Let's head back to the hall." another voice sounded from the corner of the room.

"No, I still have some things left. You guy's head back first. I will come after I visit Slaughter city."

"Yes Pope"