The Path of the Blacksmith

The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays streaming through the small windows of the blacksmith shop. The rhythmic pounding of hammers on iron filled the air, blending with the occasional hiss of steam and the acrid scent of burning charcoal. Within this crucible of heat and effort stood Ye Chen, his figure framed by the glow of the forge.

Today marked a turning point.

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Ye Chen approached the forge with steady, deliberate steps. For weeks, he had devoted himself to perfecting the Three Hammer Technique under Master Li Han's guidance. The technique had cost him countless hours of practice and left his hands blistered and raw. Yet, standing before the blazing forge, his heart pounded—not with trepidation, but with unshakable determination.

"Master Li Han, I want to try forging weapons," he declared, his voice steady.

Li Han, the stoic yet discerning master blacksmith, observed Ye Chen with his ever-sharp gaze. Though his expression betrayed little, a glimmer of approval shone in his eyes.

"Ye Chen," Li Han began, his tone calm but firm, "you've worked hard, and your progress is evident. It's time to test your skills."

He gestured toward the rack of materials beside the forge. "Here are tenth-grade refined iron and jade tempering powder, the base ingredients for crafting a ninth-grade weapon. Remember, forging isn't merely about strength. It's about patience, precision, and understanding the soul of the metal you work with."

Ye Chen reached out, running his fingers along the rough, cool surface of the refined iron. Its weight spoke of untapped potential, waiting to be unlocked. With a deep breath, he steadied his resolve and turned back to his master.

Before allowing Ye Chen to begin, Li Han took up his hammer and demonstrated the famed Diamond Hammer Technique. Passed down through the Li family for generations, the technique was as much an art as it was a skill.

"Watch closely," Li Han instructed.

With a deliberate movement, he struck the iron on the anvil.

Clang! The first strike resonated like thunder, shaking the tools and shelves around the forge.

Clang, clang! The next blows followed in perfect rhythm, forming faint ripples through the iron. Ye Chen's eyes widened as he glimpsed six faint afterimages of the hammer's movement.

Li Han explained, "The Diamond Hammer Technique isn't just about force. It's about controlling the flow of energy through your body. Your legs, waist, and arms must work in harmony, channeling power into each strike. At my level, Xiaocheng, I can form six afterimages. At perfection, there are thirteen."

Handing over the hammer, Li Han gestured for Ye Chen to begin.

The hammer's weight pulled at Ye Chen's arms—a far cry from the lighter tools he had used in practice. He moved to the forge, igniting the fire with careful strokes of the bellows until the coals glowed a bright orange. Placing the refined iron into the flames, he waited patiently as it heated, the color shifting to a brilliant yellow.

Retrieving the iron with tongs, Ye Chen laid it on the anvil. He gripped the hammer tightly, steadying his breath.

"This is it," he muttered.

His first strike landed awkwardly, sending a burst of sparks into the air. The reverberation jarred his arm, making his muscles ache.

"Focus!" Li Han's voice cut through the haze. "Feel the rhythm. Let the hammer do the work."

Adjusting his stance, Ye Chen swung again. This time, the strike was steadier, the hammer's force evenly distributed across the metal. He fell into a rhythm, his movements guided by instinct and training. Each strike bent the iron to his will, gradually forming the rough outline of a blade.

Hours passed as Ye Chen worked tirelessly, folding and hammering the metal. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the grime on his skin. His arms throbbed, and his grip on the hammer faltered more than once. Yet, he refused to stop. Each fold of the metal increased its strength, and each strike brought him closer to his goal.

By the time the blade's basic shape was complete, his muscles were screaming in protest. He paused only to heat the blade once more before plunging it into a trough of water. The sudden hiss of steam enveloped him, obscuring the blade for a moment.

When the blade emerged, it gleamed faintly in the light.

"Not yet," Ye Chen muttered. He coated the blade with jade tempering powder, reheating it to fuse the material with the metal.

As the blade cooled, Ye Chen noticed small imperfections along its edge. Grabbing a smaller hammer, he worked painstakingly to smooth them out, his hands trembling with effort.

The sun had dipped low in the sky by the time Ye Chen finally stepped back to admire his work. In his hands was a simple straight-edged sword, unadorned but functional. He tested it against a wooden block, watching as it cut through with clean precision—though not effortlessly.

"It's not perfect," Ye Chen admitted, a mix of pride and disappointment in his voice.

Li Han approached, taking the weapon in hand. He inspected it with a practiced eye, running his fingers along the blade and testing its balance.

"For a first attempt, this is commendable," Li Han said, his tone carrying a rare note of praise. "You've captured the essence of the Diamond Hammer Technique, but there's still room for growth. Forging is a lifelong journey, Ye Chen. Each weapon you create will teach you something new."

Ye Chen nodded, his determination unwavering. Placing the sword on the rack, he turned back to the forge and picked up the hammer once more.

"This is just the beginning," he said quietly. "I'll forge a weapon that surpasses all expectations."

Li Han watched silently as the rhythmic clang of metal on metal echoed into the night. Ye Chen's figure, illuminated by the glow of the forge, seemed to radiate resolve.

Days turned into weeks as Ye Chen continued to hone his craft. His failures were frequent at first, but each mistake brought valuable lessons. By the ninth day, he successfully forged his first ninth-grade armor weapon—a feat that left even Li Han astonished.

When he presented the weapon to Li Han, the master blacksmith examined it carefully.

"Starting today, you will receive a commission of thirty taels of silver for every ninth-grade armor weapon you forge," Li Han declared. "The materials will be supplied by the blacksmith shop."

Ye Chen accepted the offer without hesitation, already thinking of the next weapon he would create. Though his success rate was far from perfect, and his body often ached from the rigorous work, he felt himself growing stronger with each passing day.

The fire within him burned brighter than ever. For Ye Chen, the path of the forge was only beginning