菠萝漫画

Geng Zheng inquired.

Through the process of Su Changkong forging the pig iron just now, Geng Zheng knew that Su Changkong’s forging skills were exceptional. He also hoped that Su Changkong would join the Casting Department; this was simply a customary confirmation.

“I’m not afraid of hard work or fatigue!”

Su Changkong answered without hesitation.

Seeing this, Geng Zheng nodded in satisfaction, “Then follow me. I’ll help you with the registration, and we’ll go through the procedures.”

“Thank you, Lord Geng!”

Su Changkong expressed his gratitude, set down the hammer, and followed Geng Zheng to handle the procedures.

The procedure was quite simple, just basic information such as family address, household circumstances, and the like. Naturally, Su Changkong had prepared in advance and filled in some false information; even if it were to be verified, it would take months to get here and back.

Not to mention that Su Changkong was merely a blacksmith and not assuming an important position among the Dafeng Iron Cavalry. Nobody would have the leisure to investigate his identity and background in detail!

Once the procedures were completed, Geng Zheng arranged housing for Su Changkong and issued him an identity waist tablet. With this, he became a member of the Dafeng State City Casting Department.

“Tailai, you’ll officially start your job tomorrow. Your salary is three taels of silver per month, but if you perform well, it’s not a problem to see your salary increase several times. I have high hopes for you!” said Geng Zheng, patting Su Changkong on the shoulder with a look of approval after finishing the process.

“I will work hard!” declared Su Changkong, filled with motivation. He didn’t care about the salary. He had come to the Dafeng Iron Cavalry camp only to lay low, not to mention a few taels of silver—even if there wasn’t a penny in it for him, it didn’t matter.

Now officially a part of the Casting Department, Su Changkong breathed a sigh of relief but remained on guard: “I must be cautious… it’s not yet time to let my guard down completely.”

The Mu Family certainly wouldn’t let Mu Jin’s death go unanswered, and they would probably arrive at Dafeng State City within the next few days.

Su Changkong suppressed the Wood Snake Seal with his True Qi, which only allowed the Mu Family to sense a general area. Even though the Mu Family might know that the murderer could be hiding within the military camp, it wouldn’t be easy to root him out.

This is Dafeng State City, and the lord of this place is Pei Yang, the State Governor. He wouldn’t tolerate outsiders acting recklessly within his domain.

Su Changkong’s decision to pick Dafeng State City had been deliberate. Unlike other cities, it was the center of a state and not comparable to other places.

If Su Changkong had hidden in some other prefecture-city or even a town, the Mu Family would probably not have much concern and might even resort to slaughter. Since they could not pinpoint the culprit, they might just kill everyone!

A regular person would not do so, but people from great houses often seem crazy, and Mu Jin was no exception, with thinking that was far from ordinary, very much insane!

But here in Dafeng State City, especially within the military camp, even the offspring of great houses wouldn’t dare indulge in a massacre!

Not to mention that the four hundred thousand Dafeng Iron Riders are not to be trifled with; if someone truly dared such a thing, it would amount to a direct challenge to the Great Flame Empire. Even with the Mu Family’s strong influence, they would struggle to maintain a foothold within the Empire.

Of course, all of this was predicated on the assumption that the information given to him by Blood Thirteen was true.

However, upon careful consideration, Blood Thirteen should have had no reason to deceive him. Blood Thirteen’s initial intent was to draw Su Changkong into the Blood Smoke Tower. He would be inclined to describe the Wood Snake Seal as more threatening, to corner Su Changkong into feeling he had no choice but to join the Blood Smoke Tower for a way out.

Therefore, Su Changkong decided to rely on his own strength to get through the difficulty, rather than placing his hopes in someone else’s hands.

“Now, it’s all about waiting,” Su Changkong mused silently. He had done all he could. When the enemy came, he would meet them; when trouble arose, he would cover it. He needed to remain composed and not disrupt his own formation.

“Dang dang dang!”

After tidying up his living quarters, the morning bell chimed the next day in the barracks, signaling the start of a new day. All members of the Dafeng Iron Riders rose early for their daily morning drills.

Su Changkong washed his face and, after breakfast at the mess hall, headed to the Forging Room to begin work.

“Ding ding dong dong!”

The Forging Room of the Casting Department was enormously vast, with several hundred to nearly a thousand blacksmiths busily at work. The items being forged were primarily weapons. Not only that, since they were made for the members of the Dafeng Iron Riders, they were crafted from the finest materials. Depending on one’s identity and status, the weaponry and armor provided differed as well.

“You’re new here, right? I’m Liu Zhuang, the leader of this group. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me,” said a dark-skinned man, smiling at Su Changkong, knowing he had just joined.

“Sure, I’ll be bothering Big Brother Liu then,” Su Changkong nodded in response.

Liu Zhuang arranged for Su Changkong to start forging standard issue sabers. Liu Zhuang watched and instructed from the side.

To Liu Zhuang’s surprise, Su Changkong glanced at the blueprint only once before focusing intently on forging. His practiced movements seemed as if he had crafted weapons not for the first time.

“Looks like we’ve got a promising newcomer.”

Liu Zhuang nodded to himself in approval.

In the Casting Department, each group must produce the required items on time and in full each month. Finishing early means earlier rest, but failing to do so would necessitate working overtime to catch up.

And with Su Changkong joining them, their work would undoubtedly be a lot easier.

“It’s a good opportunity to practice forging.”

Having come to the military camp, Su Changkong had to be careful with his martial practice, but he did not intend to stay idle. His forging had already reached the 7th realm, and ever since leaving Black Iron Manor, he had seldom had the opportunity to use his forging skills.