Chapter 211 Great Qin's Recruitment, Iron Smelting Hands Technique vs. Eight Quaint Fire Divine Art
Watching Zhou Shu, Yin Wuyou, and Lu Wenshuang disappear from sight, Yang Hong felt like crying but had no tears.
Thump!
He slapped himself.
Yang Hong, oh, Yang Hong, you clearly know what kind of person this marquis is. Why are you so easily moved?
Now, you've jumped into a huge trap.
Sigh!
If I were given another chance, I… would still choose this!
He looked at the Mo Mei Sword in his hand, and a look of desperation appeared on his face.
For the sake of Mo Mei, death is worth it!
Besides, I might not die, right?
On the way back with Zhou Shu, Yin Wuyou had a strange expression on her face. Although Lu Wenshuang was still expressionless, she couldn't conceal the curiosity in the depths of her eyes.
Yin Wuyou finally couldn't hold back anymore and asked. "Zhou Shu, why did you get Yang Hong to—"
She was a girl who couldn't hide her feelings.
"Don't ask. I won't tell you," Zhou Shu said without turning his head.
"Hmph!" Yin Wuyou stomped her foot angrily. "Fine, don't say it then! I don't care!"
She glanced at Lu Wenshuang. Little Senior Sister Lu, do you know?
If you don't know, how would I know? Lu Wenshuang replied with her eyes.
When he returned to his room, Zhou Shu found that Shi Songtao was still there. "Old Shi, you're still here? What do you want?"
Shi Songtao rolled his eyes. This official envoy really doesn't care about anything!
"Marquis, Great Qin sent someone to notify us," Shi Songtao said. "Tomorrow, the Qin emperor will meet with the ten nations to discuss the final candidates to host the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament."
"That's it?" Zhou Shu smiled. "Did they say how the final candidates will be decided?"
"No." Shi Songtao shook his head. "I think they want all the nations to come to a resolution."
Although Great Qin was the previous host and had the right to decide how to select the next host, their method had to convince the other nations.
Previously, setting up the nine challenges had already made the various nations somewhat unhappy.
If not for the fact that Great Qin was powerful, there would have already been nations that jumped out to oppose it.
Even though no one openly objected to it now, if Great Qin made a similar move again, then things might turn ugly.
"That's it?" Zhou Shu said indifferently. "There's no need to inform me about such a small matter."
Is this a small matter?
Isn't this the reason why we came on this diplomatic mission?
Shi Songtao cursed silently before continuing, "There's one more thing, Great Qin's Weapon Bureau's Grand Superintendent Xu Shi wishes to invite you, Marquis, to attend a banquet.
Great Qin's Weapon Bureau was similar to Great Xia's Forging Division. The Weapon Bureau's grand superintendent was equivalent to the Forging Division's grand minister.
Moreover, Great Qin's Weapon Bureau's grand superintendent's rank was even higher than Great Xia's Forging Division's grand minister's. He was a second-rank official and held great authority. "Oh?" Zhou Shu's heart stirred. He came to Great Qin for one reason: to recruit more workers.
Great Qin's grand superintendent is in charge of Great Qin's armaments. If I make a deal with
him…
Zhou Shu immediately shook his head. If he made a deal with Great Qin's Weapon Bureau's grand superintendent, there would be some risk involved. Would it be considered treason?
Great Xia treated him quite well. It was fine if he threw a few ranked weapons to Great Qin, but it might be too much to get involved with Great Qin's Weapon Bureau.
"Did he invite all the diplomatic missions, or did he only invite us?" Zhou Shu asked.
"It wasn't an invitation to us. It was an invitation to you, Marquis," Shi Songtao said solemnly. "Xu Shu only invited you. He is the most well-known Grand Craftsman in Great Qin. He wants to discuss forging techniques with you."
"Discuss forging techniques?" Zhou Shu frowned slightly. "I'm just a Forging Master. How can I discuss forging techniques with a Grand Craftsman?"
Marquis, are you an ordinary Forging Master? Shi Songtao cursed silently. The top ten weapons of the Yellow-grade Armament Manual are almost all yours. Who would treat you as an ordinary Forging Master?
Even Grand Craftsmen have to respect you!
"Marquis, if you don't want to attend the banquet, I'll send someone to inform Xu Shi," Shi Songtao said.
"Wait." Zhou Shu stopped Shi Songtao. After a moment of silence, he said, "We came from afar as guests, so it wouldn't be good if we directly refused. When is the banquet?"
"Tonight," Shi Songtao said.
"Alright, I'll go then." Zhou Shu pondered. "They didn't say that I have to go alone, right?"
Shi Songtao thought for a moment and said, "The invitation is for you alone, Marquis. But it didn't say that you can't bring anyone along."
"In that case, come with me. We'll go together and see how capable Great Qin's Grand Craftsmen are."
If Zhou Shu attended the banquet, Yin Wuyou and Lu Wenshuang would definitely follow.
The two of them treated themselves as Zhou Shu's personal guards. Before returning to Great Xia, they would protect Zhou Shu everywhere he went.
In addition, Shi Songtao and Chen Ji also went along
Shi Songtao was an extra, while Chen Ji was also to protect Zhou Shu.
Even though Yin Wuyou and Lu Wenshuang would be there, if there really were enemies that the two of them couldn't deal with, Chen Ji would be useless.
But if they met some rogues, he couldn't possibly let the two ladies fight the rogues.
Xu Shi was Great Qin's Weapon Bureau's grand superintendent, a second-rank official of the imperial court. But his residence was extremely low-key.
Chapter 212 Great Qin's Recruitment, Iron Smelting Hands Technique vs. Eight Quaint Fire Divine Art (2)
They walked into a quiet alley and entered a simple courtyard. It was Xu Shi's home.
His home was not even as big as the courtyard of the residence that Mi Ziwen gave Zhou Shu.
"Marquis Zhou, please excuse my humble home." Xu Shi received a report from the gatekeeper and personally came to the gate to welcome Zhou Shu and the others in.
Zhou Shu sized up Xu Shi. He looked very ordinary. His height was ordinary, his appearance was ordinary, and his aura was very weak.
If one didn't pay attention to him while walking on the streets, one might think that he was just an ordinary person.
But Zhou Shu felt a sense of danger from him.
His heart trembled slightly.
Those whom he could sense danger were at least first-rank experts! With Zhou Shu's current cultivation level, he might not even sense danger from ordinary first-rank martial artists.
It had to be known that Great Wei's Imperial Preceptor Xiao Shunzhi had been defeated and killed by Zhou Shu when he was a first-rank martial artist!
Zhou Shu was now much stronger than before. He had reached perfection in both his Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique and Golden Bell Shield Technique.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if the current Zhou Shu encountered Xiao Shunzhi at his peak, he could easily kill him.
Great Wei's Imperial Preceptor Xiao Shunzhi was not an ordinary person.
He could be considered one of the few first-rank experts in the world.
Zhou Shu even thought that there were only a handful of people in the entire land who could threaten him.
Now, he actually sensed danger from Xu Shi. It was simply unbelievable!
Before coming here, Zhou Shu had specifically learned about Xu Shi.
Xu Shi's reputation wasn't that great. Even though he was Great Qin's Weapon Bureau's grand superintendent, he was still extremely low-profile.
There were rumors that said that his cultivation level was not low, but he had never made a move in front of others, so there were all sorts of opinions about his cultivation level. There was no clear explanation.
Zhou Shu originally thought that Xu Shi was an academic official who focused on forging. Now that he had met him, he realized that Xu Shi was definitely not simple!
He definitely had a first-rank Martial Dao cultivation!
And among first-rank martial artists, he was definitely an expert!
"Lord Xu, you are too polite." Zhou Shu didn't bat an eyelid as he cupped his hands together. "I have long heard of you, Lord Xu. To be able to meet you, I am truly honored."
"I am only a mediocre person, and I don't deserve your kind words, Marquis Zhou." Xu Shi smiled. "Marquis Zhou, you are an elite. The Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Saber, the Horse Slaying Saber, and the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Saber are truly breathtaking." "The Great Qin's dagger-ax, spear, and crossbow are truly unrivaled under the heavens. I, Zhou Shu, am truly inferior." Zhou Shu was also trying to sound him out.
Such events were just occasions for people to flatter each other.
After they took their seats, the guests and host enjoyed themselves.
After all, Xu Shi was a second-rank official. Since he was hosting a banquet, it naturally wouldn't be too shabby.
Various Great Qin delicacies were ceaselessly served to the guests, and there were even various demonic beast meat unique to Great Qin among them.
Although Zhou Shu was used to seeing delicacies, it was still an eye-opener for him. He ate happily.
"Marquis Zhou, are you enjoying the delicacies of Great Qin?" Xu Shi said with a smile.
"They're not bad," Zhou Shu said. "The meat of demonic beasts makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. But let's not talk about this. Whether it is roasted or fried, the taste is quite
good."
"As long as you like it," Xu Shi said with a smile. "Marquis Zhou, what do you think of our Great Qin?"
Zhou Shu ate a piece of demonic beast meat and said casually, "It's pretty good."
"It's not that I'm boasting," he said. "But Great Qin is superior in terms of scenery and people than other nations."
Xu Shi continued proudly, "The most important thing is that Great Qin rules the country by law. If there is merit, there will be rewards."
Zhou Shu glanced at Xu Shi confusedly. What is the point of telling me this?
You didn't ask me to come because you wanted me to hear you brag about how great Great Qin is and how strong it is, right?
Yin Wuyou, sitting next to Zhou Shu, narrowed her eyes. She had a bad feeling in her heart. Xu Shi seems to have another purpose.
Xu Shi glanced at Yin Wuyou, Shi Songtao, and the others and said casually, "Marquis Zhou, since you think Great Qin is good, then why don't you consider staying in Great Qin in the future?"
Thump! Yin Wuyou was enraged. She slammed the table and was about to get up.
Zhou Shu grabbed her wrist and shook his head.
As Zhou Shu held her wrist, Yin Wuyou felt the heat coming from his large hand. The fury in her heart suddenly vanished, and her entire body began to heat up. She could no longer stand up. "Lord Xu, you're being too careless," Zhou Shu slowly said. "I am the official envoy of the Great Xia diplomatic mission. You are speaking like this in front of my colleagues. Do you want to get me into trouble when I return?" "Marquis Zhou, you have misunderstood." Xu Shi shook his head. "I am sincerely inviting you.
"With your abilities, Marquis Zhou, if you stay in Great Qin, we will make you a duke."
Yin Wuyou, Lu Wenshuang, Chen Ji, and Shi Songtao frowned at the same time.
The meaning behind Xu Shi's words was that with Zhou Shu's abilities, he could be a duke in Great Qin. But Great Xia only gave him the title of a marquis. Was Great Xia treating Zhou Shu unfairly?
"Is that so?" The corners of Zhou Shu's lips curled up slightly, "Duke, that sounds good."
"Zhou Shu!" Yin Wuyou was a little anxious.
Zhou Shu tightened his grip on her wrist and smiled as he shook his head.
Xu Shi noticed Zhou Shu's actions and smiled. "Young and full of affection, Marquis Zhou, you are also a romantic. Great Qin has two princesses, and they are twins. They are sixteen years old and beautiful. Marquis Zhou, if you are willing to stay in Great Qin…" "Shut up!" Yin Wuyou shouted angrily, unable to stand it anymore.
Clang!
Lu Wenshuang was even more straightforward. She had already unsheathed the sword on her back and pointed it across the table at Xu City.
Xu Shi's expression didn't change as he smiled at Zhou Shu.
"Don't be rash." Zhou Shu pulled Yin Wuyou back to her seat and said to Lu Wenshuang.
"Lord Xu, your plan to sow discord is a little overboard," Zhou Shu said. "If you continue to say such things, then I will take my leave."
"Let's not talk about it." Xu Shi smiled and raised his wine glass. "I'm getting old, and I like to spout nonsense. Sorry for offending
you."
He downed his drink in apology.
Later, Xu Shi didn't mention anything about recruiting him. Instead, he chatted with Zhou Shu about forging. Xu Shi was a Grand Craftsman, so he was quite knowledgeable and had rather a good chat with Zhou Shu.
The more Yin Wuyou looked at Xu Shi, the angrier she became. What does Xu Shi mean? First, he used wealth and status, and then he used a honey trap. Now, he's trying to get into his good books?
Old thief!
If you piss me off, I'll stab you to death!
"Marquis Zhou, Great Qin has a secret cultivation technique called the Eight Quaint Fire Divine Art." Xu Shi smiled. "This cultivation technique is a match made in heaven for forgers like us.
"By cultivating the Eight Quaint Fire Divine Art, you can produce True Fire within your body. There's no need to use a furnace or True Fire seed. You can forge weapons anytime, anywhere."
"Oh?" A look of surprise appeared on Zhou Shu's face. "There's such a cultivation technique?"
"Yes." Xu Shi nodded. "I am cultivating this divine art now."
He raised his hand, and with a whoosh, a foot-tall flame rose from his palm.
The flame was three inches away from his palm, seemingly burning out of thin air. "Fire control?" Zhou Shu said with a strange expression. "What a coincidence. I also have a cultivation technique. Lord Xu, take a look at its effects."
Zhou Shu raised his right hand. As he did so, his palm began to turn bright red.
Xu Shi was slightly stunned. What kind of cultivation technique is this? Why does his palm seem to have turned into lava?
Zhou Shu gently clenched his scarlet-red palm and faced it up.
The flame on Xu Shi's palm suddenly flew toward Zhou Shu's palm.
He was greatly alarmed. Just as he was about to activate his cultivation technique, the flame had already landed in Zhou Shu's palm. On his palm, it constantly transformed into different shapes.
And he could no longer sense this flame!