Section 059: Strange Shadow Appears at the Blacksmith’s Shop

Luo Shixin chuckled and said, "There's another important matter—Qin Qiong is strong too, but he's not as formidable as I am!" With that, he paid no mind to Li Dong’s reaction and burst out laughing, his demeanor full of pride.

Who wouldn't be pleased to outshine others in skill? Especially Luo Shixin, whose nature was simple and sincere, utterly without guile.

The absence of Qin Qiong’s mother from the smithy raised a troubling possibility: was she ill? Li Dong pondered this repeatedly. When he stood before the money shop the previous day, he had seen no trace of sorrow on the faces of the father and son. Perhaps some urgent matter had arisen at home, or perhaps she was visiting relatives. Illness remained only a conjecture, to be tested when the opportunity presented itself.

As he was leaving, Qin Qiong asked what he had seen, which was encouraging—it showed he had confidence in his own craftsmanship, though Li Dong had left him somewhat puzzled. After all, Li Dong had come a long way with his ox cart, stood outside the smithy for a considerable time, yet neither commissioned any work nor inquired about prices, simply observed and then departed. Qin Qiong wondered whether Li Dong had taken a liking to his craft, hence his question: What did you see before you left?

In other words: among all these ironwares, what caught your eye that made you turn away?

Li Dong replied, "I saw what I wished to see." This implied he had found what he was seeking and so departed. That would prompt Qin Qiong to carefully consider whether Li Dong had indeed admired his handiwork.

Perhaps tomorrow, things would come to fruition.

The next day, Li Dong and Luo Shixin rose early, hitched the ox cart, and made straight for the Qin family smithy.

When they arrived, the smithy was still closed. They waited patiently for a long time, and only when the sun was high did the father and son amble over from the distance. By then, a crowd had gathered at the door, eager to collect or commission goods.

Qin Qiong and his father walked directly to the ox cart. The middle-aged man tapped gently on the peculiar stone atop the cart, producing a muffled "thud-thud."

"Qin’s skills are not as refined as others; I cannot take on this task. Please seek out another master elsewhere," said Qin’s father, his eyes fixed on his toes, not once looking at Li Dong, uttering the words with calm detachment.

Li Dong bowed in reply: "The Qin smithy is renowned far and wide. The crowd before your shop yesterday is testament enough to your skill. If you cannot accept this commission, I fear there is no second craftsman in all the land who would dare."

Qin’s father opened the smithy’s shutters one by one, replying without turning his head, "You have a talent for jest, sir. Times change, moods shift, and so too does the craft."

Qin Qiong blinked at Luo Shixin as a greeting, but paid Li Dong no heed.

Once the shutters were removed, the smithy was open for business. Some entered the display area and began to select goods.

Luo Shixin hurried to help Qin’s father carry the heavy boards inside, placing them securely in a corner, then asked directly, "Last time I visited, there was another person here. Did Madam Qin not come today because she is ill?"

Qin’s father froze momentarily, but quickly regained composure. He busied himself arranging firewood and lighting the forge, replying, "And what if she is? And what if she isn’t?"

Qin Qiong, dressed in old clothes, spoke with some displeasure, "Father…"

Li Dong, standing nearby, spoke tactfully: "Have you summoned a physician? May I ask what illness afflicts Madam Qin? I have some knowledge of medicine; perhaps I might be allowed to examine her."

Qin Qiong was overjoyed, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Li Dong: "Please, sir, do not withhold your guidance!"

According to Qin Qiong’s account, Madam Qin was indeed gravely ill, bedridden for a long time, despite countless physicians and much medicine, her ailment remained a mystery.

Qin Qiong was a devoted son. When his mother’s serious illness was mentioned, he spared no detail, explaining everything thoroughly.

Li Dong listened, pondered for a moment, and said, "Your description alone is insufficient for a diagnosis. I must see her in person to determine the nature of her illness."

Qin’s father, coldly, interjected, "We’ve summoned every renowned physician, yet they were powerless. Judging by your age—barely fifteen or sixteen—what could you possibly know?" His tone was full of disdain.

Both physicians and teachers share a trait: the older they are, the more experienced and famous, and thus the more respected. Even if Li Dong’s family had practiced medicine for generations, at his age, he would be little more than an apprentice, helping to prepare herbs and powders. The depth of traditional medicine is vast; none dare claim mastery. How could someone so young possess profound medical skill?

Qin Qiong, however, believed that since Li Dong dared speak so boldly, he must be confident. Without true ability, who would dare challenge the odds? With his mother’s illness lingering so long, why not let him try? Perhaps there might be improvement.

At Qin Qiong’s insistence, Qin’s father could not object further. In truth, he wished to avoid owing Li Dong any favor. If Li Dong cured Madam Qin, would he then have to accept the commission for the strange stone on Li Dong’s cart? If he accepted and failed to satisfy, would that not ruin the reputation of the Qin smithy?

Learning to refuse is a way to simplify life and avoid unnecessary troubles—wisdom only age brings. Young men like Li Dong and Qin Qiong, full of vigor, cannot yet understand.

During their conversation, Luo Shixin stood outside by the ox cart, keeping watch over the peculiar stone.

Li Dong glanced back frequently, worried that with so many people passing before the smithy, someone might realize the stone had fallen from the heavens and cause some unforeseen trouble—an outcome he dearly wished to avoid.

On one such glance, Li Dong noticed a man in his thirties mingling among the common folk. The man’s expression was stern, unsmiling, and he lingered aimlessly before the smithy, his gaze sharp and furtive.

At first glance, he seemed upright, but with careful observation, his motives appeared concealed.

Others, when arriving, went straight to the display area to check their commissioned items or pick out satisfactory wares.

This man, however, kept his eyes fixed intently on Qin’s father.

A light breeze outside lifted his outer garment, revealing a blue tunic beneath, and seemingly a sword at his waist.

Hmm… Li Dong’s suspicions grew.

The man’s attire suggested he was a minor official, yet why was he concealing his identity and loitering here? Could the county office require a large batch of weapons? If so, why not simply issue a decree and summon the Qin family?

There could be only one conclusion—the man carried a hidden purpose and was scouting the situation.

Until the weapons were forged, the Qin family could afford no mistakes or mishaps, else all would be lost.

With this in mind, Li Dong resolved to probe the man’s true identity and uncover his intentions.