Yun Xinghuisheng nodded with deep appreciation. The young man he had chosen was indeed different from the others. Nowadays, when people encountered trouble, they either dared not admit it, made endless excuses, or minimized serious issues. In short, these were all manifestations of cowardice, an inability to shoulder responsibility.

“I killed Lei Yueyue, and the Lei family head attacked me. Uncle Fabredis beat him to death,” Gan Jin shrugged. “The Lei family, just a few days ago, even sought out Lei Guangming, intending to pressure me together at the Rushing Torrent Fortress to completely crush me. If I join the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild now, becoming Lei Guangming’s nominal subordinate… Heh. If I were Lei Guangming, I’d guarantee I’d destroy my enemy!”

“So, this is what you were worried about?” Yun Xinghuisheng smiled, a look of sudden comprehension on his face. “That, you needn’t worry about at all. When I invite you to join the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild, I’m not inviting you to be a member—I’m inviting you to become the Guild Master of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild!”

What? Gan Jin’s composed expression utterly vanished. This news was explosive! The moment he had first met this Blacksmith Guild Master, he sensed that this man was fundamentally different from Lei Guangming, possessing an aura of fervent obsession with forging.

It was precisely for this reason that Gan Jin had decided to display his knowledge of forging before the Guild Master. Lying low only invited contempt and attracted more shortsighted fools to cause trouble. Facing the relentless attacks of the Lei family by simply enduring them was not in line with Gan Jin’s warrior path. If there was an opportunity for retaliation, he would never let it go. He had initially only hoped to establish a connection with this Guild Master, leave a strong impression in his mind, and perhaps, if possible, even secure a respected position as an honorary elder within the Blacksmiths’ Guild.

Unexpectedly! Gan Jin never imagined that this Lord Yun Xinghuisheng was also a ruthless player, offering the very seat of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild Master right from the start! The person currently occupying the Guild Master’s throne was precisely this Lord Yun Xinghuisheng sitting before him! To recruit him, he was willing to give away the seat of the Guild Master?

This… Gan Jin finally understood why, upon first meeting Yun Xinghuisheng, he felt that although the man’s warrior strength seemed weak, he nonetheless exuded an immensely powerful aura. A grand gesture! An absolutely grand gesture! Anyone else might have offered a position as an executor or perhaps Vice Guild Master, promising the position of Guild Master in the future, but this man directly threw the Guild Master’s seat at him.

“As long as you are the Guild Master, then Lei Guangming becomes your subordinate,” Yun Xinghuisheng stated frankly. “At that time, he can only listen to you. Or, he can leave the Blacksmiths’ Guild.”

Gan Jin strove to calm his emotions. Although he was destined to eventually take over Rushing Torrent Fortress and his Uncle Jun Wudao’s Limitless Way Society, preparing himself mentally for leading major factions, the sudden emergence of the Blacksmiths’ Guild still possessed an incredibly potent force. Which of the major powers in Everflow City could one afford to look down upon? These were not just about wealth or combat prowess; every faction possessed vast social networks, relationships far more potent than their apparent surface wealth suggested.

The strength of a single Rushing Torrent Fortress could never contend with a massive force like the Gan family, which was a headache even for the entire Demon Race. Neither a Limitless Way Society nor the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild alone qualified to be noticed by the Gan family. But the Rushing Torrent Fortress combined with the Limitless Way Society and the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild—even if still unable to truly compare to the colossal Gan family—would be a significant force in the eyes of other powers.

Gan Jin pondered briefly, then looked at Yun Xinghuisheng with a trace of doubt. “Lord Yun, can you tell me why? You are offering me the Guild Master’s seat just to recruit me into the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild.”

Yun Xinghuisheng found himself increasingly fond of this young man named Gan Jin. The position of Guild Master for the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild—even if he were to tell the City Lord he intended to give it away, Lord Lyde York would be ecstatic beyond measure. This young man, facing such a monumental offer of leadership over a great power, could still maintain his composure to ask questions.

“Three reasons,” Yun Xinghuisheng extended his right index and middle fingers. “The first reason, you might not know. I investigated you. Ever since my apprentice complained to me, I sent people to look into you. That boy Lei Guangming thinks he’s the only channel I have for gathering intelligence, but he forgot. I am the Guild Master of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild; I have far more intelligence lines than he knows!”

In that instant, the powerful aura of the Blacksmith Guild Master underwent a massive shift. It was no longer the aura of an old blacksmith focused solely on hammering metal, but the overbearing presence of a major figure holding immense authority from a high position.

“My apprentice, he has decent talent in forging. A pity…” Yun Xinghuisheng shook his index finger with an expression of regret. “He never managed to focus solely on forging, always believing I was just some old man who knew how to hit metal.”

“I am quite clear about your affairs,” Yun Xinghuisheng raised an eyebrow. “Your essence is good, and that is crucial. The Blacksmiths’ Guild absolutely cannot fall into the hands of black-hearted individuals. People without moral boundaries might even sell out their nation for profit, supplying weapons and equipment to the Demon or Barbarian Races!”

“My initial plan was just to see if you truly understood forging, and if suitable, I’d take you on as an apprentice. I didn’t expect…” Yun Xinghuisheng’s smile and tone carried a hint of bitterness. He had actually wanted to take Gan Jin as an apprentice, but Gan Jin’s level of forging surpassed his own by too much; he was qualified to take him as a master.

“If I hadn't realized you would absolutely refuse to take me as a master…” Yun Xinghuisheng’s smile held self-deprecation. “I truly would have liked to become your disciple.”

For someone this old to take him as a master? Gan Jin quickly waved his hands. Although he didn't fully grasp Yun Xinghuisheng yet, based on Li De’York’s attitude toward him, he knew the man held immense prestige. Taking him as an apprentice? Wouldn't his admirers tear him apart? While he didn't fear offending people, there was no need to deliberately provoke everyone like a hedgehog.

“Sparring, exchange…” Gan Jin hastily said. “I gained quite a bit of insight from your Junyang Sword as well. We should exchange, learn from each other, mutually learn.”

Yun Xinghuisheng smiled carelessly. Having lived to his age, he had long since let go of most things, save for grievances like killing children or usurping wives and families. This was especially true in the pursuit of forging techniques, where reputation mattered little. His sole objective was to steadfastly walk the path toward the legendary Divine Craftsman rumored in tales.

“Since that is the case, you shouldn’t call me ‘Master.’ If you respect me, call me ‘Elder Brother’?” Yun Xinghuisheng said calmly. “And I won’t call you ‘Master’ either; I’ll just call you ‘Younger Brother’?”

Gan Jin clenched his fist over his heart and bowed deeply with a smile. “Then I shall take advantage of being your Elder Brother.”

Yun Xinghuisheng accepted Gan Jin’s bow calmly, not returning the gesture falsely. “Besides your character and forging skills, there is actually another matter: the Divine Craftsman Assembly is about to be held again. The Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild has always sent the same people these past few years; there are no newcomers. When I get older, the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild might only retain the qualification to participate, but have no one qualified to sit on the judging panel.”

“Furthermore, the performance of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild at the Divine Craftsman Assemblies these past few years has not been good,” Yun Xinghuisheng sighed. “As a judge, I can hardly enter the competition myself to compare forging skills with others, can I?”

“You want me to compete under the name of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild?”

“No, no,” Yun Xinghuisheng repeatedly waved his hand. “Your skill level, if you were to compete, that would be bullying. I want to bring you along to be a judge. Before that, if you have time, take a moment to visit the Guild and see if there are any talents worth mentoring, guide them a little, and have them participate.”

Bullying? Gan Jin looked down at his hands. He never imagined that in terms of forging, he had reached a level where he could bully others. If Uncle Blake were to take action, would he simply frighten the competing blacksmiths to death?

“If you have no issues, then join the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild,” Yun Xinghuisheng looked at Gan Jin very seriously. “I am old; I don’t know how many more years I can hold on. Although this is our first meeting, I understand you quite well. Young man, even if not for this old man, you should do it for your father, shouldn't you?”

Gan Jin’s body shuddered violently, and he stared in astonishment at the wrinkled master craftsman before him. His affairs within the Gan family must have been thoroughly revealed by Gan Zhanxuan. Only those who had been paying attention from the very beginning would know the details. He never expected this old man to…

“You revealed your forging techniques to me, I assume, to attract my attention as well?” Yun Xinghuisheng raised a hand and lightly patted Gan Jin’s shoulder. “Indeed, you are outstanding. I admit, I was moved both by your skill and by your courage in confronting the Gan family. So many blacksmiths today pride themselves on forging equipment for Bloodline Warriors, but they don’t realize that in the face of weaponry, all warriors are equal!”

Gan Jin stared blankly at Yun Xinghuisheng. This old man, who seemed only capable of burying his head to forge weapons, possessed an aspect others could never imagine. What he had just done now seemed somewhat petty in retrospect.

“You did well,” Yun Xinghuisheng walked alongside Gan Jin, his rough hand resting on Gan Jin’s back. “Doing that for your father is not wrong. If you hadn't done it, that would have been your mistake! Now, can you accept the seat of the Guild Master of the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild without any psychological burden?”

Gan Jin looked gratefully at Yun Xinghuisheng. Besides adding strength to the Everflow Blacksmiths’ Guild, wasn't this old man also deliberately helping him? An elder he had never met was helping him to this extent, while the Gan family, where he had grown up… was…

***: I opened a Weibo on Tencent. If you have time, you can check it out. The Weibo name is (Gāolóu Dàshà), which is hard to search for. It has a verified badge (V certification). The second matter: I have a writer friend, Shi San, who shares a unique connection with me [Original text implies a strong, unusual relationship]. Many friends probably know that we once requested leave on the same day for different reasons, at the same time, for different books we were writing in different places. We have also simultaneously fallen ill and taken leave at the same time in different locations. Such things happen frequently. Now, my friend Shi San has started a new book, Immortal Absolute (, Xiān Jué). It is a very good book. Friends who are running out of things to read will regret not checking this one out.