Chapter 98 Red Sun: What Kind of Person Is She?

"Then do you even know who she is?"

Ajiu shook her head blankly, "I don't even know who I am, how dare I presume to guess who Your Majesty thinks of. Your Majesty, you overestimate Ajiu."

Mu You knew he was putting him in a difficult position, so he abruptly changed the subject and said, "Then tell me about your mother. What kind of person is she?"

Ajiu's eyebrow twitched involuntarily, and Mu You keenly noticed this fleeting expression. "My mother passed away when I was very young, and I don't remember what she looked like anymore. Whenever I think back, I just feel that... she was just like the red sun in the sky, able to illuminate everything around her."

“Yes,” Mu You sighed, “she was like the sun in the sky. When she walked towards me, her strides were full of grandeur; when she smiled at me, it was like the most brilliant midday sun, so dazzling that I couldn’t open my eyes…”

"Your Majesty?" Ajiu asked in surprise, "Who...are you talking about?"

“Yes…” Mu You shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, “She has left me, she is a dream that I do not want to wake up from.”

Ah Jiu seemed to be thinking, "No matter where she is, whether she is alive or dead, she will feel gratified knowing that the Emperor cares about her."

“If she could think like you…” Mu You smiled bitterly, “then the one who would feel gratified is me.”

Seeing that Ajiu was confused, Mu You didn't want to dwell on it anymore. "Do you like the fish-shaped tally I bestowed upon you?"

Ajiu took out the fish-shaped tally from her bosom, carefully wiping it as she said, "It is a gift from the Emperor, more precious than life itself. Ajiu will cherish this favor."

Mu You chuckled softly and beckoned Ajiu to his side. "It's just a small fish-shaped tally, something even the Crown Prince's Eagle Guards have. How could it be more important than your life?" Seeing Ajiu hesitate, seemingly afraid to get too close, Mu You continued in a deep voice, "Ajiu, from this day forward, you are no longer just a lowly swordsman from Xingguo Ward. Your life is far more precious than you think. Do you understand?"

Ajiu, his eyebrow trembling in shock, was bewildered and didn't understand the meaning behind Mu You's words. Seeing him like this, Mu You felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. Mu You was almost certain that Ajiu was the person he had been thinking of. Although there was no real evidence, his drifting and unknown background, his almost identical appearance to Mu Chenbi, and... the way he almost overlapped with that person when he tested the sword... it was him, it must be him.

"A-Jiu?" Seeing A-Jiu standing there like a statue, Mu You called out loudly again, "Did you hear what I just said?"

Ajiu shook her head in a daze, took a few steps forward, then hurriedly retreated, her knees buckled, and she knelt down again, "Ajiu... I dare not."

"What wouldn't I dare!" Mu You suddenly stood up and walked towards him, his thick palm pressing heavily on his shoulder. He straightened A-Jiu's lowered head and stroked the deep scar on his brow bone with his thumb. "From this day forward, I will be behind you, A-Jiu, A-Jiu..."

As Ajiu stepped out of Chengen Hall, he couldn't help but look back. Mu You, his eyes warm, nodded slightly to him. Ajiu turned around and saw Cui Jin, a shadowy figure in black robes, staring at him from under the palace wall. Cui Jin narrowed his single eye, and a sinister smile suddenly spread across his face. Ajiu felt a chill run down his spine and dared not linger any longer. He met Cui Jin's gaze at him from the corner and unconsciously tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.

In Xingguo Ward, Guan Ye was already practically a master craftsman. Her skills were not as refined as those of Huangpu Ying and other blacksmiths, but anyone who had seen her work would marvel at her talent. Guan Ye only needed to see a little bit of something to be able to use seven or eight tenths of it. Most importantly, she seemed to have a dabbling in every nook and cranny of the weaponry trade. She was fearless in discussing and exchanging ideas with others, and her speech and actions were completely unpretentious. Every gesture she made exuded the air of a master craftsman.

Ordinary blacksmiths use heavy hammers weighing over ten pounds, but Guan Ye found them too cumbersome, so she had one forged for herself weighing seven or eight pounds. Not only was it easier to use, but she could also forge delicate little things. Guan Ye said that it is true that most of the people who use weapons and ironware are men, but not all men are burly and strong. Besides, women can also practice martial arts and do handicrafts. The usefulness of tools does not depend on their weight, but on their skill. What female craftsmen excel at is that they understand the essence of skill.

Everyone nodded in agreement, showing utter admiration for Guan Ye and developing a sense of unfathomable mystery about Xingguo Fang as a result.

During a break from their work, the swordsmith brought food to the blacksmiths. Guan Ye picked up a steamed bun, broke it open, added some vegetables and meat, wrapped it up, and took a bite. The meat juice was plentiful, and Guan Ye chewed it heartily, speechless with delight.

Not far away, Huangpu Ying stared at Guan Ye's eating habits, holding the steamed bun in his hand for a long time but unable to put it into his mouth.

"What are you looking at?" Someone waved their hand in front of Huangpu Ying's eyes, and following his gaze, saw him staring blankly at Guan Ye. They suddenly realized, "Guan girl? What, are you thinking about your daughter back home?"

Huangpu Ying snapped out of her reverie and slowly brought the steamed bun to her lips. "Guan Ye...she also has the surname Guan..."

"What's so strange about that?" A blacksmith chimed in while eating. "There are a few masters in the inner workshop with the surname Guan. It's not a rare surname... Or are you thinking of someone?"

Someone suddenly realized something, staring at Huangpu Ying with their mouth half-open, "Don't you dare say it out loud... you thought of... him?!"

Anyone who has ever worked in the weapons trade knows who the "he" Huangpu Ying was referring to is. This name is stuck in their throat, but no one dares to say it out loud anymore. This man is responsible for hundreds of lives and disappeared overnight. He has been wanted for more than ten years but has not been brought to justice. He is a thorn in the side of all the weapons blacksmiths. Whenever he is mentioned, some people curse him, some people regret it, but most people are puzzled.

"Speaking of which," someone lowered their voice, "Brother Huangpu, you know him..."

Huangpu Ying nodded, "Speaking of which, I was lucky. I almost went to Tianhu Workshop back then. When they were recruiting workers, I had a short knife forged, and it was Guan Xiaotian who appraised it for me."

"He didn't appreciate your skills?"

Huangpu Ying shook his head self-deprecatingly, "Guan Xiaotian is an honest man. He told me to go back to my hometown, train hard for three years, and then come back to Tianhu Workshop. At that time, he will definitely guarantee my entry into the workshop."

"Three years? Why?"

Huangpu Ying continued, "I was only a teenager then, my body hadn't fully developed yet. He saw that I was struggling to swing the hammer and told me to go back and grow for three years before coming back. Who knew that in just one year... disaster would strike..."

"That really did save your life," the crowd exclaimed in unison.

Huangpu Ying still remembers Guan Xiaotian's appearance. He held the short knife he had forged himself and even brandished it a few times in public when he was in high spirits. That day, when the food was delivered, Guan Xiaotian picked up a steamed bun, put a big piece of meat on it, and handed it to the young man who came to take the exam. He said, "You haven't grown up yet. Go back and eat more and practice more. When you're taller and stronger, come back to Tianhu Workshop in three years and just mention my name, Guan Xiaotian."

Looking back, the arms trade was thriving in the past, with the five major workshops flourishing. But now, the industry is lacking in skills and talent is scarce. Huangpu Ying can't help but sigh.

"Master Huangpu." Guan Ye swallowed the last bite, dusted her hands, and walked into the group of masters. "This afternoon, the Salt and Iron Bureau will send someone to deliver some more iron ore. Please take stock of what the workshop is still lacking and tell the masters who are escorting the goods to go back and report to prepare the materials as soon as possible."

"Alright." Huangpu Ying, whose thoughts had been interrupted, hurriedly responded. Just as he was about to say something more, he saw Guan Ye roll up her sleeves, pick up a pinch of smelted black iron, and examine its color against the sunlight.

Guan Ye, from Xingguo Ward, was exceptionally talented and kind. The way she scooped up steamed buns did indeed bear a resemblance to Guan Xiaotian from back then. However… Huangpu Ying gulped down a mouthful of cold water. Guan Ye came from Canglang Island; how could she possibly be related to Guan Xiaotian, whose fate was unknown? Guan Xiaotian had been missing for nearly twenty years; he was probably long gone somewhere. Huangpu Ying, oh Huangpu Ying, please don't make wild guesses, lest you cause Guan Ye any trouble.

"Ah Jiu?" Outside the foundry, a familiar figure gradually approached. A craftsman recognized the person and said, "Ah Jiu, you went out with the workshop master early this morning, and you're back already?"

Guan Ye looked up at the sound and stared at the person who walked into the foundry. Her eyes lit up and then she was stunned. It was because Mu Chenbi looked so much like Ajiu. The new workshop master was not familiar with Ajiu. It was normal to mistake him for someone else at first glance.

Mu Chenbi didn't correct the blacksmiths who had mistaken him for someone else. He looked at them and nodded to each of them. Ajiu was aloof and cold. Apart from her companions, the swordsman and Guan Ye, she wasn't close to anyone else. It was rare for the blacksmiths to see Ajiu being so polite to them, so they quickly nodded back as a greeting.

"Why are you here?" Guan Ye looked around and, seeing that no one noticed anything amiss, lowered her voice and asked.

Mu Chenbi smiled slightly and said, "I walked in confidently, and no one stopped me along the way. Everyone calls me Ajiu."

Guan Ye looked him up and down. Mu Chenbi was dressed in a black brocade robe with a black belt around his waist. He even had a rare sword with him. His figure was similar to A Jiu's. If you didn't look at his smooth brow bone, you would look like A Jiu from Xingguo Ward at first glance.

Guan Ye peered behind him, but couldn't find the Eagle Guard anywhere. Before Guan Ye could speak, Mu Chenbi leaned close to her ear and said, "Last time, Luo Yichen was no match for him, so how dare he come again?"

Guan Ye chuckled. Seeing that she was finally smiling at him, Mu Chenbi felt more at ease. Looking around at the bustling scene in the foundry, he couldn't help but admire Guan Ye's ability to quickly recruit everyone in the inner workshop for Xingguo Workshop's use.

"I understand." Guan Ye realized something. "You're worried about us, so you've secretly come to supervise the work."

Mu Chenbi unsheathed his sword and raised it at Guan Ye, saying, "With a sword like this, why would I need a supervisor? With you here, I feel at ease."

Guan Ye recognized that the sword he carried was the one she had forged. She reached out and took it, drawing the blade against the sunlight. She squinted her starry eyes and examined it closely. "I promised you, and I will definitely keep my word. What do you think of this sword?"

The radiant sun cast a soft golden glow upon Guan Ye's upturned face. Gazing at the sword she had forged with her own hands, Guan Ye's narrowed eyes sparkled, their brilliance mirroring the sun's glow.

Mu Chenbi stared intently at Guan Ye's slightly smug face, "I like it very much."

Guan Ye sheathed her sword, noticing the burning gaze in Mu Chenbi's eyes, and turned her back to him, saying, "Are you kidding me? What kind of fine sword haven't you seen? And you... really like it?"

“I really like…the sword you forged.” Mu Chenbi flashed in front of Guan Ye. “The sword is engraved with two blades, I understand.”

"What do you know?" Guan Ye was amused by his serious expression. "I made a mark on the sword I forged." As she spoke, she gestured with her hands. "It's like this." After saying that, she handed the sword back to Mu Chenbi. Seeing that he didn't move, Guan Ye nudged his shoulder with the sword, tilted her head and raised her eyebrows.

Mu Chenbi silently accepted it. He had many things he wanted to say to Guan Ye, but he didn't know where to begin. The sparks flying from the foundry were just like the surging fire in his heart, burning yet helpless.