Condolences

Translator: AnubisTL

Li Qing woke up almost precisely on time, managing to return to his original world just before dawn.

He had slept soundly, feeling refreshed as if all the fatigue had been washed away. The exhaustion from standing in the horse stance and forging over the past few days had completely vanished.

As usual, Li Qing took two meal bowls to the kitchen to fetch food and then delivered it to Master Gu.

However, as soon as he pushed aside the tent flap, he sensed something was amiss inside.

Silence!

It was eerily quiet. "Master!" Li Qing's hands trembled, nearly dropping the two meal bowls.

He hurried to the bedside and looked at Master Gu, whose eyes were now closed. Li Qing's eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.

Master Gu had passed away.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire Frontier Army, eliciting sighs and lamentations from many.

In the Wu Li Army, Master Gu held a high reputation. Many of the Centurions and even Commanders wielded weapons personally crafted by him. Every piece he produced was of exceptional quality and durability.

Military funerals were typically simple, devoid of excessive formalities.

However, basic etiquette was still observed. Some high-ranking officers who had benefited from Master Gu's craftsmanship came to pay their respects.

The first to arrive at Master Gu's tent was Centurion Chen Meng. This burly man, with a rough face full of flesh, looked solemnly at Master Gu's remains.

"Alas!" Chen Meng sighed, saying nothing more, but patted Li Qing, who was standing guard by the side.

The second to offer condolences was Commander Qian Hong, whom Li Qing had met just the day before. This was somewhat unexpected for Li Qing.

The female Commander remained as spirited as ever. She merely glanced at Master Gu's body before averting her gaze.

Having served in the army for many years, Qian Hong naturally didn't become sentimental over someone's natural passing.

"Master Gu said you've learned about seventy to eighty percent of his craft. Is that true?" Qian Hong looked directly at Li Qing, though this time her tone was relatively gentle rather than imposing.

Upon hearing this, Li Qing shook his head repeatedly. He replied, "Master was being too kind. I've only been learning from him for less than two years. There's no way I could have reached that level."

"True enough. Master Gu chose quite the timing for his passing," Qian Hong said with a hint of regret, shaking her head. She didn't say more and turned to leave the tent.

Next, several Centurions entered, all burly men who immediately began inquiring about Li Qing's well-being, saying a few words before departing.

The second Commander to arrive was named Yuan Xiao. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and a gentle smile often lingered on his lips, making him appear like a kind-hearted man.

If not for Master Gu's warnings, Li Qing might have thought so too.

However, in the army, anyone who rose to the rank of Commander was unlikely to be truly gentle or benevolent.

This instantly gave Li Qing a poor first impression of him, quickly labeling him as hypocritical in his mind.

"Hehe, young man, you must be Master Gu's disciple. Master Gu made significant contributions to the army over the years. If you encounter any trouble in the army, feel free to come to me," Yuan Xiao said with a gentle smile, his eyes still narrowed.

Despite the poor first impression, the act had to go on. Li Qing immediately put on a grateful expression and responded, "Commander Yuan, thank you!"

"Alright, young man, death is like a lamp being extinguished. Don't be too sad," Yuan Xiao said with thoughtful concern.

After speaking, Commander Yuan Xiao left. As he walked out of the tent, his eyes flickered slightly, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.

As the other party left, Li Qing swallowed hard and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

What a deep schemer! Indeed, as Master Gu had said, extreme caution is necessary. It's best to avoid contact with this person in the future if possible.

The Wu Li Army stationed at the border had three commanders in total. Li Qing waited for a long time, but the third commander never came to pay his respects, which made him somewhat puzzled.

"Could it be that the third commander had no connection with Master Gu?"

Perhaps that was the case. Otherwise, why would Master Gu only warn him to be cautious of the other two commanders before his death, without mentioning the third one at all?

That day, Master Gu was encoffined, and the funeral rites were kept simple.

They found a small mound outside the border and buried Master Gu there. Li Qing accompanied the entire process, and after the grave diggers left, he stood alone in front of the tomb, quietly keeping vigil.

Should he run away now? The thought had just surfaced when Li Qing suppressed it. Escaping now wasn't a wise choice.

Wait! Wait until his strength increased a bit more, until he had some ability to protect himself, and until the situation became more chaotic—so chaotic that no one would pay attention to a mere blacksmith's apprentice!

The relentless wind outside the border never ceased, and now it stirred up a vast cloud of yellow sand that filled the sky.

Li Qing gently touched the tombstone and sighed inwardly.

Master Gu's departure was too sudden, yet not entirely unexpected.

Thinking about it, during his time in the army, he had received much care from Master Gu. Although strict, it was all for his own good.

Suddenly, memories of Master Gu's voice and smile echoed in Li Qing's heart.

Ah! As an immortal, he would likely experience many such events in the future, perhaps even having to bid farewell to many juniors.

No wonder the longer one lives, the more detached they become. "Sigh, let's practice!"

With that, Li Qing cast aside his chaotic thoughts and began to practice his stance in front of Master Gu's tomb.

The fierce gale, strong enough to uproot trees, couldn't shake his posture. His stance was as steady as a pine tree.

He didn't know how long he had been maintaining his stance when a hoarse voice suddenly rang out.

"The Ancient Mystic Hammer Art. It seems Old Gu really passed on his family secrets to you!"

Hearing this unexpected voice, Li Qing's eyes snapped open. He hadn't even sensed the slightest movement of the newcomer! "Who?!"

Li Qing scanned the area and immediately saw an old man with a wine gourd and flushed cheeks standing beside the grave mound.

Drip, drip! The old man, who looked like a drunkard, poured some wine from his gourd onto Master Gu's grave.

"Hey, my surname is Guo."

At these words, Li Qing's heart trembled slightly, and he immediately thought of someone.

The third Commander of the Wu Li Army stationed at the border, Guo Zhentong! He was actually an old man, and he looked like a drunkard. "Your humble servant pays respects to the Commander!" Li Qing quickly reacted and immediately prepared to offer his salutations.

Guo Zhentong smiled and said, "Stand up. Continue practicing your stance training. Don't mind me. I'm just here to take one last look at Old Gu."

As the liquor spilled out, the surroundings were filled with a strong aroma of alcohol, so intoxicating that just the smell of it could make one feel drunk.

(End of the Chapter)

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