Chapter 295 — Second in All the World
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
Shen Mu hastily demurred, "The Vice Minister overpraises me, overpraises me. I only learned to strike iron, to strike iron—I dare not claim to be first under heaven!"
Ling Yuxiu and Si Yunxiang blinked, looking at this cowherd from the Wasteland, thinking, "He always boasts so loudly, and now he actually knows humility—how rare..."
"At most, second under heaven."
Shen Mu said modestly, "I am no match for Grandpa Mojiang in our village. Grandpa Mojiang is the best blacksmith for ten li around. At the market, when my cleavers and his cleavers were set side by side, his always sold first."
Shan Youxin sighed. "To think such divine blades existed—I would love to buy them and study them, keep them in my collection. To think they were hidden away in a small village market. I truly wish I could buy them all up. Hierarch, this time in improving the Superintendency Works, you must teach us. Please!"
They escorted Shen Mu into the Superintendency Works like stars surrounding the moon. Behind them came Ling Yushu, Ling Yuxiu, Si Yunxiang, and the Minister of Works. The four exchanged wide-eyed glances, all somewhat taken aback.
The Minister of Works sighed and said, "The Hierarch of the Dark Demon, the Grand Academy's first Grand Scholar, the renowned Divine Physician Shen, and now second under heaven in forging and treasure-refining—this Grand Scholar truly is full of surprises. What other talents does he have that no one knows about?"
Ling Yuxiu suddenly remembered and hastily said, "He paints very well! He once painted a picture for me and stamped it with a talisman seal, saying that without the seal, the me in the painting would come to life and walk right off the canvas and run away."
Si Yunxiang also remembered. "Our escape from Long Jiaonan's hands was also thanks to his painting. He painted a sea storm, and a ship breaking through wind and waves, and then an identical storm appeared on the sea, and a ship appeared as well, carrying us away!"
Ling Yushu looked at the Minister of Works. "Does the Pavilion of the Painting Sage have such ability?"
The Minister of Works shook his head. "The talents of the Pavilion of the Painting Sage can only paint what looks like what—some with spirit and charm, some with skill of brush—but none can paint something and have it come to life. The Hierarch of the Dark Demon truly is..."
He shook his head. "Truly too surprising. How can one person simultaneously attain such profound mastery in so many crafts? And still remain so humble? Such virtue is astonishing."
"Is the cowherd humble?" Ling Yuxiu did not quite understand. The cowherd was clearly arrogant, carrying himself as though he were second under heaven.
Si Yunxiang was also rather unconvinced. Their Holy Hierarch had never had anything to do with humility. When she wanted to challenge him, he would wear an expression that said you cannot beat me, you need more practice.
"He is already very humble."
The Minister of Works said with feeling, "If I had even one or two tenths of his skill, I would boast myself to be first under heaven. Yet he never proclaims it, never shows off. Only when others ask does he speak the truth—not claiming to be first under heaven, but second. I have never seen such a humble man!"
Ling Yushu was also astonished beyond measure. This Hierarch of the Dark Demon was more outstanding than he had expected: "Such an exceptional youth—my sister seems..."
He now actually worried whether his sister was worthy of such an exceptional Hierarch of the Dark Demon, then hastily shook his head: "What am I thinking? That brat had better not try to get close to my sister!"
They walked into the Superintendency Works and saw Shen Mu and the others measuring the structure of the great furnace. The Ministry of Works officials brought out all manner of calculating tools—some measuring, some calculating, bustling to and fro, paying them no heed.