The Prodigies War

Chapter 709: Underestimated

“Let this kid become my assistant? Hehe, impossible!”

When Lin Xun reported to the military workshop he was immediately met with objection.

The speaker was Grandmaster Ying. He was highly respected in the 7th camp, and his words held enormous weight. The rune masters in the military workshop viewed him as their leader.

Meanwhile, he was also the person in charge of the workshop.

Grandmaster Ying was currently seated behind a stack of documents, his eyes slightly narrowed as he expressionlessly read the document in his hand. He did not even raise his head or pay any attention to Lin Xun, who was standing in front of him.

A group of rune masters was watching nearby with their arms crossed. They observed Lin Xun with amused expressions as if ridiculing him.

Outside the workshop, the cultivators that had arrived after hearing the news were astonished. Grandmaster Ying was being far too disrespectful. He had rejected the assignment without any trace of tact.

Young Master Lin was a young heaven pride who had killed a Half-Step King with a single arrow. No one could have imagined that he would meet such strong resistance from Grandmaster Ying.

However, it was understandable when they thought about it. Grandmaster Ying was a highly experienced rune grandmaster who had worked in the 7th camp for many years. Over the years, he had helped repair countless weapons and equipment for the cultivators and was extremely respected and strongly supported by everyone.

Given Grandmaster Yin’s status, it was true that he didn’t need to give face to Lin Xun.

The atmosphere was very stiff for a time.

Lu Wenting, who had brought Lin Xun here to report, felt very awkward. He never expected that Grandmaster Ying’s rejection would be so direct and blunt which made him wish he could hide his face.

Lu Wenting faked a cough and said, “Grandmaster Ying, it’s just an assistant position. I guarantee that Young Master Lin will be up to the task given his capability and will not be a hindrance to your regular operations.”

“Hmph!” Grandmaster Ying icily snorted, not bothering to raise his head this time either.

Being rudely rejected with so many people watching made Lu Wenting’s face burn a little as he became a little angry.

On the other hand, Lin Xun appeared to be completely unaffected. He stood there with his hands behind his back as he looked around with some interest. It was as if none of this was related to him.

However, the atmosphere remained heavy and stifling.

More and more cultivators arrived outside the workshop. They were curious about why a heaven pride like Lin Xun would take on a job at the workshop. What was more ridiculous was that it entailed being Grandmaster Ying’s assistant. The entire affair was just ludicrous and baffling.

However, when they saw Lin Xun encounter firm rejection the moment he arrived, the cultivators could not help but laugh.

In the 7th camp, only a highly respected veteran like Grandmaster Ying would dare to act so fearlessly.

It was a display of confidence in his ability and importance. It was either his way or the highway.

“Ying Xingkong!”

Lu Wenting called him directly by the name in anger, “This matter is of utmost importance and has been personally approved by General Zhangsun. Aren’t you being a little too willful?”

Grandmaster Ying slowly raised his head. Expressionlessly, he stared straight at Lu Wenting and said, “I’m being willful? Aren’t you the one kicking up a big fuss for no reason by allowing a hairless brat to be my assistant?”

“What do you mean by kicking up a fuss?” Lu Wenting was infuriated and felt the old man was being difficult and pigheaded.

Grandmaster Ying calmly said, “Fine, no more nonsense. If you want me to agree to him being an assistant, then I'll leave the workshop!”

The other rune masters paled in alarm. Losing Grandmaster Ying was akin to losing the workshop losing its soul!

“You can’t!” They tried to advise him otherwise.

Even the cultivators outside began to panic somewhat. If Grandmaster Ying left, who would help them repair their weapons and equipment?

By this juncture, even Lu Wenting became hesitant as his expression fluctuated indeterminately. To be frank, he was originally against Lin Xun taking a job at the workshop.

However, he had already agreed, but was now being turned down by Grandmaster Ying. This made him frustrated and embarrassed.

It was also partly why he had fought so hard for Lin Xun earlier. However, the firm stance Grandmaster Ying displayed made Lu Wenting think about giving up.

It wouldn’t be worth it at all if they lost Grandmaster Ying because of Lin Xun.

Lu Wenting asked Lin Xun, “How about…we find another job for you?”

However, Lin Xun chuckled and said, “No, if I can’t even get the job of a rune master assistant, I’ll be too ashamed to face anyone when I return to the empire.”

He was the youngster rune grandmaster in the empire who had even crafted a rune armament. If anyone were to find out that he had been rejected for the position of a mere rune master assistant, he would become the biggest joke of the century.

However, his words sounded especially arrogant and piercing to the others, causing several rune masters to coldly snort.

“Heh, do you think you can do whatever you want just because you killed a Half-Step King? Do you even understand what runes are?”

“Young man, you might have astonishing combat ability and amazing talent, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to perform at his job. Please watch your words!”

“Hurry up and leave if you refuse to take this seriously.”

Several cultivators outside the workshop could not help but speak up as well, “Young Master Lin, it’s okay if it doesn’t work out. You excel in battle, and this job might not be suitable for you.”

As for Grandmaster Ying, he could not even be bothered with Lin Xun and instead turned back to the documents in his hand, displaying a leisurely appearance.

Lin Xun felt that this was strangely absurd. What would the rune masters of the Forbidden City think if they witnessed this?

If he just left like this, it would become an unerasable black spot in his career.

“A'bi, pass me your weapon.” Lin Xun glanced outside and beckoned at A'bi.

“Eh?”

A'bi was somewhat stunned, unsure of what Lin Xun was trying to do. However, since she wanted to support him as a friend, she walked forward and handed her broadsword to him.

Lin Xun was also stunned for a moment before he recalled that the heavy hammer A'bi originally possessed had been destroyed in the battle at Tiger Canyon.

“Okay then, I’ll help you reforge this broadsword.”

Lin Xun picked up the broadsword and observed it for a moment before settling on a decision.

“What, you…you’re going to reforge that sword?” one of the rune masters blurted out, thinking he had misheard.

The others were stunned as well. Reforge a weapon? That was an extremely difficult task for rune masters.

After all, the weapon was already complete, and its rune arrays were fully stable. The amount of effort it would take to reforge it was even greater than crafting a new weapon.

This was common knowledge to all rune masters.

Hence why the rune masters were so astonished by Lin Xun’s words and nearly thought that he had gone crazy.

“Young Master Lin, this…how can such matters be forced? I know that it’s hard to accept but…ugh, come on, let’s just leave it at this.”

Lu Wenting was also alarmed and hurriedly tried to stop Lin Xun. He believed that Lin Xun was merely acting out in anger, but if he were to follow through, it would definitely hurt his reputation and make him a laughingstock.

A rune master icily chuckled. “Heh heh, trying to act capable without the ability to back it up? Young people are so rash and easily triggered.”

Lin Xun smiled and said, “To be blunt, even if a rune grandmaster wanted to be my assistant, I would have to first consider his capabilities and qualifications. However, it’s clear that you guys don’t believe me. Since that’s the case, just watch and see whether I’m boasting or whether you guys have failed to recognize my capability!”

Although his tone was calm and nonchalant, it was akin to a boulder crashing into a lake and creating a huge splash.

Arrogant!

Too arrogant!

Grandmaster Ying was the only rune grandmaster present and Lin Xun was now claiming that even he might not possess the qualifications to be Lin Xun’s assistant. It made him seem overly arrogant.

Even Grandmaster Ying’s expression darkened, unable to maintain his composure any longer. He threw aside the document in his hand and frostily glared at Lin Xun. “Little fellow, runes are completely different from martial arts. What you’ve said is equivalent to a provocation!”

“Lin Xun, please don’t be rash!” Lu Wenting panicked. If Grandmaster Ying was angered, even General Zhangsun won’t be able to placate him.

This was one of the perks of a rune grandmaster. Due to their highly sought-after abilities, even Life Death Stage Kings had to be respectful toward them.

Moreover, rune grandmasters were the most scarce profession in Blood Kill Battlefield, causing their status here to be even higher than normal. They were a group that should never be offended.

Lin Xun merely chuckled. He did not bother to explain and instead walked toward a nearby cauldron. There was also a workbench beside it littered with rune brushes, rune ink, and various materials.

It was a workstation belonging to one of the rune masters that was currently vacant. Without asking for permission, Lin Xun began to work.

“You…” The rune masters had ugly expressions. They had already been respectful enough, but he refused to back down and instead stubbornly persisted, causing them to grow somewhat angry.

This was basically a complete lack of tact.

“Don’t stop him. I want to see what kind of silly game you’re trying to play. Even a rune grandmaster isn’t qualified to be your assistant? Hehe, that’s the most ridiculous joke I’ve heard this year.”

Grandmaster Ying sneered. He clearly believed that Lin Xun was biting off more than he could chew and could not wait to see him make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

“Ugh!” Lu Wenting inwardly sighed. It was over and the resulting mess would be a pain to clean up. General Zhangsun was probably going to be furious again…

Why was this kid such a troublemaker? Did he have to cause a mess everywhere?

Lu Wenting had a headache.

The other onlookers looked at each other. Was Young Master Lin intending to put on a tough act until the end?

Wasn’t he afraid of becoming a laughingstock?

Lin Xun paid them no attention. He stood before the workbench in thought for a while before deciding on a plan and began to work.