Upon returning to Forge City, Eugene Smithson held a simple funeral for Louis Hidden. Most of Louis's disciples had already scattered far and wide, as the situation in the Yue Kingdom had become perilous.
The kingdom had never been as strong as Wooland, and with the death of King Charles of Yue, Wooland immediately began massing troops at the border, preparing for a large-scale invasion to annex Yue.
Eugene Smithson seemed to have changed. Unconsciously, he found himself unable to forge anymore; whenever he gripped the hammer, his hands would tremble. Gradually, Eugene no longer picked up the hammer at all.
The Hidden Manor was left desolate, with only a few old servants and Grant remaining. The other disciples had also departed, seeking better prospects where weapons were in demand.
A royal edict was issued, commanding the smiths of Forge City to forge armor and weapons overnight. Marquis Si Ji still bore a grudge from years past. Though he knew of the calamity at Hidden Manor, he nonetheless assigned Eugene and his people an impossible quota of weapons, threatening them with the punishment of dismemberment if they failed.
To everyone at Hidden Manor, this was a bolt from the blue. Such a quantity of armor and weapons would require at least ten smiths working together for a month, but now only Grant remained who could work—and he was just a child.
For three days straight, nine-year-old Grant toiled day and night in the forge. Eugene could only help by smelting ore and adding water; whenever he gripped a hammer, his hands would tremble, as if stricken by some strange illness.
But no matter what, a nine-year-old child could never complete such an order. Eugene knew well that Marquis Si Ji was using the royal edict as a pretext to take revenge for what happened years ago.
Later, Eugene learned that the task of having Louis Hidden forge an unparalleled sword for King Charles of Yue had actually been Marquis Si Ji's idea. He had consulted a fortune-teller and convinced King Charles that a peerless sword could alter the nation's fate.
The entire city was ablaze with frantic weapon and armor production. In desperation, Eugene visited every shop he had ever worked with, seeking help, but all he received were refusals and excuses, forcing him to return empty-handed.
Everyone at Hidden Manor pitched in to help with the forging—even Lucy Hidden joined in. Though she was a young woman, years of exposure had taught her enough to handle some of the blacksmithing work.
Eugene Smithson's heart was bleak. The smiths who had once benefited from his master's kindness now coldly and mercilessly refused his requests for help. This left him bitterly disappointed.
Eugene kept searching. At the home of a smith who owed Louis Hidden a great debt, he finally learned the truth: Marquis Si Ji had been working behind the scenes, sending word through intermediaries and threatening all the smiths in the city. He made it clear—if anyone dared help Eugene, they would face death. Fearful of Marquis Si Ji's ruthless reputation and the consequences for their families, none dared offer assistance.
In the past, Marquis Si Ji hadn't dared touch Louis Hidden because of his connection with King Charles of Yue. But now that the king was dead, he acted without restraint.
A week later, Grant collapsed from exhaustion. Eugene had no choice but to pick up the hammer again, but his trembling hands couldn't control the force or precision needed. Forging weapons or armor was nearly impossible.
Every smith in the city knew that with only two smiths left at Hidden Manor, completing the quota in a month was impossible. Yet no one dared step forward—everyone chose self-preservation.
As the days passed, Eugene hoped to find smiths from outside, but most had already been summoned to the border.
Half a month soon passed. Grant recovered, but not fully. He gritted his teeth and worked tirelessly in the forge, while Eugene could do nothing to help.
"Junior brother... It's all my fault. If only I hadn't..."
"Don't say that, senior brother. Even if your hands were healed, the two of us could never finish such an enormous order. Marquis Si Ji clearly wants us dead."
Even eight-year-old Grant understood this reality. Eugene Smithson felt desolate inside. He considered running, but soldiers now patrolled Hidden Manor day and night. Marquis Si Ji had made sure they couldn't deliver the order—and had cut off any hope of escape.
That night, Eugene drank alone, heavy with sorrow. Watching Grant still hammering away at the forge, he felt even more pained. His junior brother—Louis Hidden had always said—was a different breed of genius. Eugene wished he could see Grant's future, and hoped they could perfect the craft together.
But Eugene felt that this scene was something he would never witness.
"Junior brother, you should rest. I'll have the materials smelted by morning."
Eugene said, but Grant stubbornly shook his head.
"I believe what Master always said—perseverance through countless trials. Senior brother, maybe there's still hope for us."
Eugene smiled. He liked Grant—his resilience was just like his own, strong and unyielding. There was a stubborn pride in his expression.
"Lucy, what brings you here?"
It was Lucy Hidden in the distance, carrying food and drink. She hurried over, whispered a few words into Eugene's ear, leaving him wide-eyed. Then she set down the food and urged Grant to eat.
In the backyard, Eugene was stunned to find Quentin Owens and his wife, accompanied by thirty or forty robust men—all blacksmiths.
"Quentin Owens..."
Eugene choked up as Quentin Owens came over and quickly covered his mouth.
"Keep quiet. Marquis Si Ji's men are still outside. We all came in secret."
Only then did Eugene realize that many of the blacksmiths were from the city—most had once benefited from Louis Hidden's kindness. Eugene raised his hands and bowed deeply to them.
Dawn was approaching, and after some discussion, they agreed that the smiths could only work at night. During the day, Marquis Si Ji's men often came by.
Once the plan was set, Eugene led the blacksmiths to the forge. Grant was so surprised he could hardly speak.
Everyone got to work, and by noon they hurriedly packed up and hid in Louis Hidden's old residence.
Sure enough, at midday, Marquis Si Ji sent people over. Most of the finished weapons were hidden behind the kitchen.
The visitors urged them to hurry, then left with sinister smiles. This secret had to be kept from Marquis Si Ji's men—otherwise, he would sabotage them. When the quota was met, Marquis Si Ji would surely come with many men, publicly accuse Eugene of failing the royal edict, and have them executed.
The servants watched the perimeter of the courtyard, keeping an eye on everything outside. The blacksmiths could only work slowly during the day, but at night, though Marquis Si Ji's men kept watch, they paid little attention to the sounds coming from inside.
For several days and nights, with the help of the blacksmiths, more than half the quota was completed. Marquis Si Ji's men suspected nothing.
On the day the weapons and armor were due, Marquis Si Ji made a public announcement to the whole city. Hidden Manor was the last to deliver.
The forge was piled high with weapons and armor, exceeding the quota. When Marquis Si Ji entered, his expression darkened, and he slapped one of his attendants several times.
"Master, I came every day. They only stockpiled a little—surely it's not enough."
Marquis Si Ji ordered his men to count as they moved the goods. Not only was the quota met, but there were dozens of extra sets. Marquis Si Ji was humiliated—furious and resentful, but unable to lash out.
"Eugene Smithson, the quota is met—but I suspect you made them carelessly. If these weapons fail, do you expect me to take the blame? Guards!"
Using this excuse, Marquis Si Ji detained Eugene's entire family, planning to wait until the war ended. Eugene was furious—he knew Marquis Si Ji was determined to kill them one way or another. Once imprisoned, any charge could mean death.
At that moment, voices rose all around—the city's blacksmiths knelt and begged to be imprisoned alongside Eugene.
Now Marquis Si Ji panicked. Though the weapons and armor were delivered, more would be needed as the war continued.
Unexpectedly, King Goujian defied expectations—rather than the coward of legend, he led the Yue army in a bold counterattack.
"Marquis Si Ji, Hidden Manor is the finest forge in Forge City. If you doubt the quality of their weapons and armor, then imprison us all. None of us can match their skill."
Marquis Si Ji was livid, but the weapons and armor needed to be delivered immediately, and he had to oversee the transport himself. Helpless, he released Eugene's family.
"Eugene, once again, you've saved your master."
At that moment, Quentin Owens stepped forward from the crowd and spoke to Eugene. Surrounded by cheering blacksmiths, Eugene couldn't hold back his tears.