Immortal Refiner

The night in the borderlands always fell swiftly. Just as evening approached, the surroundings were already plunged into darkness, with only the faint glow of oil lamps illuminating the military tents.

That evening, Li Qing promptly grabbed two meal bowls and headed to the kitchen. He keenly noticed that the soldiers lining up for food seemed unusually solemn, the atmosphere far from the usual cheerfulness.

It was likely related to the severely injured men who had returned that afternoon. Their wounds were so grave, their clothes soaked in blood, that survival seemed improbable.

Leaving the borderlands was no simple matter of packing up and leaving. It required careful planning, at least to first understand the surrounding situation. After all, desertion was a serious crime in Maple Country.

With these thoughts, Li Qing followed the crowd into the kitchen.

The cook on duty that day was Wu Chong, a year or two older than Li Qing. Being of similar age, the two had a good relationship within the military ranks.

Seeing the honest and kind-faced Li Qing enter, Wu Chong winked at him and scooped several extra pieces of Red-Braised Pork into his bowl, then covered it tightly with two Coarse Grain Buns.

”Hey, did anyone deliver food to the infirmary today?” Li Qing glanced at his bowl and asked curiously.

As a cook, Wu Chong’s physique matched his role—round and plump, with chubby cheeks that narrowed his eyes into slits.

”Yeah, before it even got dark, someone from the infirmary came to get food and even asked me to add a couple more pieces of meat,” Wu Chong replied with a grin.

”By the way, I was the one who cooked the Red-Braised Pork today. Try it and see how it tastes.”

As he spoke, Wu Chong winked again.

Li Qing couldn’t help but wonder how someone with such a chubby face managed to produce such a variety of expressions.

”You should eat less on the sly. You’re so fat, if a fight breaks out, you won’t be able to run!” Li Qing teased.

”Hehe, if the cook doesn’t steal, the grains won’t yield! Alright, alright, you better get going,” Wu Chong said with a laugh.

Feeling somewhat speechless, Li Qing left the kitchen without another word, carrying the two bowls back to his tent.

However, he didn’t enter his own tent first. Instead, he lifted the flap of the neighboring tent and ducked inside.

”Master, it’s time to eat,” Li Qing said as he entered, placing the bowls on the table beside the bed.

”Cough, cough, cough!”

On the bed, an elderly man on the brink of death coughed incessantly.

It was hard to imagine that in the borderlands, there could be an old man so close to the end of his life.

He was Master Gu, Li Qing’s teacher in the art of blacksmithing and forging.

Master Gu lay on the bed, his aged face now marked with several age spots.

Yet, when he opened his eyes, they still burned with a fierce intensity, like two flickering flames.

Master Gu studied Li Qing’s appearance for a while before finally sighing deeply. He picked up the bowl and began eating heartily, his appetite far from that of an ordinary old man.

Seeing this, Li Qing also picked up the two Coarse Grain Buns and started eating, savoring the rich and glossy Red-Braised Pork with great relish.

Soon, Master Gu put down his rice bowl and looked at Li Qing again.

When Master Gu stared at him, Li Qing felt like a little rabbit being watched by a lion, trembling uncontrollably inside.

Li Qing didn’t even dare to meet his gaze; his master’s stern and intimidating eyes were truly terrifying.

”Er Niu, how long have you been learning blacksmithing with me?” Master Gu called Li Qing by his nickname.

Li Qing quickly swallowed the food stuffed in his mouth and replied somewhat indistinctly, ”A year and a half, Master! It’s almost two years now.”

”Hehe, time flies so quickly. I still remember when you first came here, your legs weren’t even as thick as someone’s arm.” A rare smile appeared in Master Gu’s eyes. At his age, he often liked to reminisce about the past.

”Li Qing is deeply grateful for Master’s teachings!” As he spoke, Li Qing was about to kneel down, his gratitude genuine. Originally, he had been conscripted to serve as a soldier at the frontier, but Master Gu had taken a liking to him and made him his blacksmith apprentice.

”Cough, cough, cough, get up, child.” Master Gu supported Li Qing’s kneeling body and helped him stand up.

Li Qing, who was about to kneel and bow, was surprised. His elderly master’s strength was much greater than he had imagined.

Although Master Gu was a renowned blacksmith in the military, he rarely forged weapons himself after taking Li Qing as his apprentice. Most of the work had fallen on Li Qing’s shoulders.

Li Qing didn’t mind this at all. Forging each weapon allowed him to gain lifespan, so why wouldn’t he be happy about it?

”Er Niu, why do you like blacksmithing so much?” Master Gu asked, still holding Li Qing’s arm.

It was definitely because he could earn lifespan, but of course, Li Qing would never say that out loud. He intended to keep this secret tightly guarded.

In this era, immortality was an unattainable luxury, especially for those in power. To extend their lives, they would do anything.

Not to mention distant examples, just take his own master, who was nearing the end of his life. If he knew that forging weapons could grant lifespan, the currently decent master-disciple relationship would likely turn into something much more fragile.

”Because after forging each weapon, I feel a great sense of satisfaction, like I’m a useful person.” Li Qing’s answer didn’t surprise Master Gu.

”Hehe, it seems you truly enjoy blacksmithing. No wonder your skills have improved so quickly.”

”Cough, cough, cough!”

Master Gu chuckled lightly, then started coughing violently, as if he was about to cough up his lungs.

”This frontier is not a place for nurturing people. War is coming soon. If you get the chance in the future, leave the frontier and head south. The climate there is better for living, and you’ll live longer.” Master Gu spoke between coughs.

Hearing this, Li Qing’s heart trembled again. If his master’s words were overheard, it could mean a death sentence.

Deserting the military was a serious crime!

Even a military blacksmith couldn’t leave easily unless they had performed great deeds.

Li Qing didn’t dare to respond, silently picking up the rice bowl instead.

”Master, I’m going to wash the lunchboxes.”

Master Gu watched Li Qing’s retreating figure and shook his head with a mix of frustration and disappointment. Then, he pulled out a dusty book from under his bed.

”Wait, take this with you.”

Thud! Master Gu tossed the dusty book at Li Qing’s feet, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

Li Qing looked down, feigning confusion, and turned to face his master. Curiously, he asked, ”Master, what is this?”

”Everything I’ve learned in my life is in this book. Take it and study it well... cough cough!”

Hearing this, Li Qing couldn’t help but feel a lump in his throat. He knew his master was essentially entrusting him with his final teachings.

Immediately, Li Qing set down the lunchboxes, knelt, and performed a deep bow.

”Master!”

No matter what, he had received the profound gift of his master’s knowledge. Over this period, Master Gu had taught him everything about blacksmithing and forging without holding anything back, free from the narrow-minded fear of a disciple surpassing the master.

With that, Li Qing tucked the hefty book under his arm, picked up the two lunchboxes, and left his master’s tent.

(End of the Chapter)

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