Chapter 281 - 280: Treasure Artisan

"Honorable Knight, do you think the Viscount will agree to see me?"

Outside the small castle in Chishan Town, Feng Si waited anxiously.

He wasn’t from Chishan Town, but his excellent craftsmanship allowed him to forge high-quality weapons and armor. As a result, he had met and collaborated with many lords and Knights.

Hahn Knight was one of them.

Over the years, the two had collaborated hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

Feng Si had earned quite a few Gold Coins from Hahn.

This time, he had come to Chishan Town to deliver a shipment to Hahn and visit other Knights to see if he could drum up more business.

Feng Si had expected this to be a pleasant trip, just like the many before, but he never imagined the Polante Thief Gang would attack Chishan Town.

Not only was Hahn Knight killed in the fighting, but even merchants and travelers like him who were staying in Chishan Town were all captured by the Thief Gang.

He was relatively lucky. Thanks to his status as a Master Level Blacksmith, the members of the Polante Thief Gang didn’t harm him, merely forcing him to forge weapons day and night without rest.

His son, however, who had been out and about, was unfortunately dragged to the mines to work as forced labor.

By the time he found his son, Paul was already covered in wounds and breathing his last.

For days, they holed up in their little smithy. They finally held out until the Noble Alliance Army from Wushan Castle drove the bandits away. But Paul’s injuries didn’t improve; instead, they worsened, and it looked as if he wasn’t going to make it.

Left with no other choice, Feng Si, as a father, could only come and petition the Viscount of Wubei, who was staying in the castle, as a last resort.

"Don’t worry, Artisan Feng Si. The Viscount has always valued skilled people like you. He’ll definitely see you."

Tom had followed Ronin for a long time and had a good grasp of his lord’s personality and preferences. He knew very well how much Ronin admired artisans of all kinds.

After all, his own mother, Leia, had earned the Lord’s favor precisely because of her excellent tailoring skills.

This man, Feng Si, was a Master Level artisan, just like Dan the Carpenter from Wubei Territory. He was certain to be received favorably.

Soon, David returned. "Artisan Feng Si, you’re in luck. The Viscount happens to have some time. Come with me to see him."

"The Seven Gods be praised! This is wonderful!"

In the castle’s great hall, Ronin met the middle-aged man with short red hair and dark skin.

After a few questions, he understood the reason for the man’s visit.

"So, you want me to save your son?"

Feng Si nodded immediately, bowing as he spoke. "My Lord, I had my son late in life. He’s the only one I have. I can’t just stand by and watch him die!"

He looked up, his words utterly sincere.

"My Lord, if you can save him, I am willing to give you all of my wealth!"

If a commoner wanted a noble’s help, they had to pay.

"I have a Light Attribute Mage under my command. He should be able to save your son."

Ronin said with a smile, "However, you might not know this, but a grievously wounded person can only be saved with a Strong Healing Skill. A Magic Scroll for that skill costs six thousand Gold Coins on the market. Do you have that kind of money?"

’How much?’

Feng Si was stunned. He had thought two or three thousand Gold Coins would be enough, but he never expected Ronin to open with a demand for six thousand.

"My Lord... I don’t have that many Gold Coins..."

His expression fell, but with hope so close, he couldn’t give up.

He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I beg you, venerable Viscount, save my son! If you are willing to help, I will do anything for you!"

Ronin nodded slowly.

’Feng Si is from Wushan City, so he must have heard when I was recruiting artisans. The only reason he didn’t go to Mountain Forest Town was because he looked down on Wubei Territory. After all, a man with his skills can make a good living anywhere.’

’If I want him to work for me willingly, I’ll have to be clever about it.’

"I hear you’re a Master Level Blacksmith?"

Hearing a potential opening, Feng Si replied excitedly, "Yes, my Lord! And I’m confident I can become a Grand Artisan within two years!"

’A Grand Artisan Level Blacksmith... a craftsman who can manipulate Extraordinary Materials and forge Extraordinary Weapons. They’re incredibly sought after.’

’It would take a blacksmith of at least that level to have any chance of forging my Dragon Scale Armor.’

The more Ronin looked at Feng Si, the more he liked what he saw.

"I have a Master Level Carpenter in my territory, and he believes he’ll never become a Grand Artisan. Why are you so confident?"

"My Lord, I have a feeling I can break through and become an Advanced Level Knight within six months."

"You’re an Intermediate Knight?"

’Perhaps it’s a preconceived notion,’ Ronin thought, ’but I subconsciously assume that all Professional Knights choose a life of combat. On second thought, some people just aren’t suited for it, like Horn Knight in my own territory.’

’But to hear him tell it, breaking through to become an Advanced Level Knight is the key to becoming a Grand Artisan. That’s very strange.’

"Becoming a Grand Artisan is related to one’s strength?"

"Of course."

Feng Si explained, "A Fire Attribute Advanced Level Knight has much more precise control over their Fighting Qi. When forging a weapon, they can use their own Fighting Qi to slightly alter the material, enhancing its Fighting Qi Affinity."

"At that point, by using ordinary refined iron, a certain amount of mithril, and my self-created Blacksmith Breathing Method, I’m confident I could forge an Extraordinary Weapon."

"Blacksmith Breathing Method?"

Ronin’s sharp senses picked up on something unusual.

"It’s similar to a Fighting Qi Secret Scripture, in that it aids one’s training. By coordinating with this breathing method while smithing, you not only train, but you can also better control your Fighting Qi to enhance the power of the weapon."

Ronin was inwardly shocked.

’A Fighting Qi Secret Scripture is easy for me to obtain, but for a commoner, it’s something that’s difficult to buy even if you have the money. The nobility has a near-total monopoly on them.’

’For Feng Si to create his own... he’s a true genius!’

"Artisan Feng Si, please rise."

Ronin stepped forward and helped the man to his feet. "I admire your mastery of forging, and the fact that you created your own Blacksmith Breathing Method is even more astounding!"

"Thank you for your praise!"

Feng Si had said all this to display his value to Ronin, hoping it would convince him to save his son.

"My Lord, if you just lend your aid, I am willing to offer you this Blacksmith Breathing Method with no reservations!"

But Ronin slowly shook his head.

Feng Si was stunned for a moment. ’Even this isn’t enough?’

’Are all nobles this greedy?’

"I don’t need your Gold Coins, and I don’t need your Blacksmith Breathing Method. I only need you to do one thing for me."

Feng Si’s eyes widened, hope suddenly blooming in his despairing heart. He nearly blurted out, "My Lord, just name it! I’ll do everything in my power!"

"I need you to serve me from this day forward, as the personal Artisan to me, the Viscount of Wubei."

Ronin stated his terms. "Of course, I’m not asking you to be my slave. On the contrary, I will pay you an additional salary commensurate with your abilities, and I will grant you and your family farmland in Wubei Territory."

"No problem!"

Feng Si agreed with almost no hesitation.

Not only was Ronin not taking the savings he had spent decades accumulating, he was even granting him land. Under these circumstances, Feng Si would have agreed even if Ronin had asked him to work for free.

"In that case, Artisan Feng Si, welcome to Wubei Territory!"

Ronin was beaming with joy.

’I happen to have a chest of mithril from Shore City in my Space Ring. I was just worrying about not having an Advanced Level Blacksmith to work for me, and Feng Si practically delivered himself to my doorstep.’

"My Lord, what about my son?" Feng Si asked, a little anxious.

"Don’t worry." Ronin looked to Elron, who was standing to the side.

"Let’s go, Artisan Feng Si."

Elron’s voice was exceptionally gentle, easing Feng Si’s anxiety.

"The Light will watch over your son."