The servant and master each washed away the dust of their journey before they stepped out. They stopped at a small stand for two bowls of wontons before making their way to Li's Blacksmith Shop.
As they approached, they saw a burly woman grips a piece of iron with tongs in her left hand on an anvil, while her right hand wielded a hammer, rhythmically striking the iron and sending sparks flying. Beside her, a basin of charcoal burned red-hot.
It was none other than Lady Li who was forging the metal.
She clamped the iron into the burning coals, then removed it and plunged it into a nearby water basin.
Upon contact, a puff of steam rose from the basin, and bubbles roiled to the surface.
This process of quenching was a common step in blacksmithing.
"Lady Li," Wufu greeted with a smile as they approached.