Chapter 192: Invitation
Master Chen lightly tapped the table. "Before eating, thank the person first."
The Forging Hall disciples all said in unison, "Thank you, Brother Mo!"
Mo Hua smiled and waved his hand. "No need, no need!"
Master Chen nodded. "Line up, don't rush."
Mo Hua had brought a generous amount of beef, enough for each person to have a portion. While it wouldn't fill them completely, it could satisfy hunger and cravings.
The disciples queued and took the meat one by one, then devoured it ravenously.
Master Chen tasted a piece, sipped some wine, and his expression instantly brightened, his eyes sparkling with delight.
The strong liquor warmed and invigorated him, and he said contentedly,
"Speak. What brings you to me?"
"To invite you to eat meat and drink wine," Mo Hua replied.
Master Chen chuckled, "If you don't say anything, I'd just eat and drink for free."
Mo Hua grinned. "Well, there's a bit of a reason."
Master Chen raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Bribing me with wine and meat? Must be something important. Go ahead, tell me."
Mo Hua said directly, "Elder Yu has built a large Artifact Refining Workshop. Have you considered going there?"
Master Chen looked puzzled. "You're close with Elder Yu too? Acting as his messenger?"
"Very close," Mo Hua nodded.
Master Chen's eyelid twitched. This little kid's connections were surprisingly bold, he even knew a Foundation Establishment elder.
Normally, Master Chen focused entirely on artifact crafting, barely concerned with the outside world, only hearing fragments of information from others. How this child had gotten acquainted with Elder Yu was beyond him.
Curious, he asked, "Does this Refining Workshop have anything to do with you?"
"All the formations inside… I drew them!"
Mo Hua patted his chest proudly.
Master Chen was astonished.
He knew Mo Hua's formation skills were excellent, but he hadn't expected it to reach this level. A whole large Refining Workshop, and all the formations inside were drawn by this child, it was truly remarkable.
After a moment of thought, Master Chen said decisively, "Alright, I'll agree."
Mo Hua was stunned. "Huh? You agreed so quickly?"
He had prepared a whole speech, yet Master Chen had already agreed before he said a word.
Master Chen laughed. "I'm not close with Elder Yu, so naturally I wouldn't go at his request. My Forging Hall has been hard-earned. Though it's a bit shabby and business slow, it's enough to make a living, support my disciples, and teach them the craft."
"But since you asked, it's different. Not to mention, you helped us draw many formations without charging much, this is a huge favor. Though I don't know Elder Yu well, I trust you completely."
Mo Hua felt slightly embarrassed by the praise.
Seeing Master Chen so agreeable, he continued, "Do you know other artifact crafters you're familiar with? Could they come too?"
Master Chen was slightly taken aback, then laughed. "You're really… not shy at all."
Mo Hua chuckled, "We're friends now. No need for formalities."
Master Chen also laughed. "I don't mind going, but persuading other crafters is different."
"What's different?"
"I'd need a reason to convince them. Otherwise, they wouldn't abandon their own business to help Elder Yu craft artifacts."
"There are plenty of reasons!"
Mo Hua's eyes brightened. He had been worried that no one would listen to his arguments, but now he had the perfect chance.
"This Artifact Refining Workshop may appear to belong to Elder Yu, but in reality, it's for all the Demon Beast Hunters, maybe even for all the independent rogue cultivators in Tōngxiān City. If everyone helps, any profits will be distributed according to their contribution."
Master Chen was surprised. "Really? That's possible?"
Though a local rogue cultivator making a living through artifact crafting, he had rarely hunted beasts in the Great Black Mountain. While he interacted with Demon Beast Hunters, it was mostly about trading spirit tools, so he knew little of their internal operations. This was the first time he'd heard of such profit-sharing.
He had thought Elder Yu, even if stingy, would take the lion's share as a Foundation Establishment elder. But now it seemed the seemingly frugal Elder Yu had a much larger vision than he imagined.
Master Chen nodded involuntarily.
Mo Hua added, "Once in the Artifact Refining Workshop, at the very least, three meals a day are guaranteed. Not luxurious, but enough to fill your stomachs. Dazhu and the others won't go hungry."
Master Chen felt moved.
Though usually strict, he cared for his disciples. Seeing them hungry was painful for him.
If these kids could eat their fill, then all the effort would be worthwhile.
"I'll tell them," Master Chen agreed. "But I can't guarantee they'll agree."
"Mm." Mo Hua nodded. "I'm not finished yet. There's one more thing."
Master Chen was startled. "Not finished? What else?"
Mo Hua glanced at Master Chen's artifact furnace and quietly asked,
"Master Chen, don't you think the fire on this furnace is a bit small?"
The question sounded familiar.
Frowning thoughtfully, Master Chen grew alert. "Are you eyeing my artifact furnace again?"
"No, no!" Mo Hua hurriedly denied.
Master Chen didn't believe him. "This furnace's fire may be small, but it's enough. Don't think about dismantling it!"
"Not going to, not going to."
Still suspicious, Master Chen's face showed doubt.
Mo Hua said, "This time I really won't dismantle it. But don't you want a new furnace?"
"A new one?"
"Yes, a bigger one, with stronger firepower and higher quality!"
Bigger, stronger, higher quality?
Master Chen frowned, suddenly astonished. "You mean… a First-grade artifact furnace?"
Mo Hua nodded. "Not just a First-grade furnace. If we also draw a First-grade formation on it, the furnace's firepower would reach a whole new level…"
A First-grade artifact furnace with a First-grade formation.
Just imagining it made Master Chen's heart race.
In his life, he had no other wish but to own a First-grade furnace, even just using it to craft a few spirit tools would satisfy him.
But First-grade furnaces were extremely expensive; the materials and construction would cost far more spirit stones than he could afford.
If Elder Yu could really get one, he would have no choice. And with a First-grade formation drawn by Mo Hua on it…
Master Chen thought it over, then suddenly realized something, eyes wide in shock.
"A First-grade formation? You can draw a First-grade formation?!"
(End of Chapter)