A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 133 - 117: Never More Than Three Disciples, A Pair of Hundred Refinements Hands

The head of the Cyan Flower Kiln is Master Li's eldest apprentice, named Lu Shiping.

Spending years in the kiln firing ceramics, smoked and roasted by fire, it naturally means he doesn't have a fair complexion or delicate skin.

This man is over eight feet tall, with a round face and large ears, straight nose and square mouth, a face as red as fire, and bristly sideburns standing upright like steel needles, at first glance, he's clearly a straightforward fellow.

It's hard to believe that this Lu Yaotou is actually engaged in the delicate work of firing ceramics.

Those big hands, like a fan, seem more suited to blacksmithing rather than handling clay.

"Young Master He, what brings you here personally today?"

Lu Yaotou rubbed the hardened clay in his palms and walked over with big strides.

At the time, the day was still early, and he was directing his men at the kiln, transporting the casks containing the fired embryo blanks.

Starting from the kilns near the chimney, they were stacked row by row, until the required kilns were fully filled.

By noon, the kiln doors would be bricked up, and then the kiln workers would feed wood into the fire from both sides, starting the firing process by segment and by kiln.

Once the fire started, it couldn't be interrupted, lasting at least half a day or up to seven or eight days.

It's quite a laborious task.

"Your junior apprentice promised to deliver the goods to me; how long has it been now? There's been no sign of them."

Facing the apprentice of Ninghai Zen, He Jingfeng wore a gracious smile, but with Master Li's apprentice, he had no such attitude:

"Is Li Yuan Master Craftsman's reputation built over half a lifetime going to be ruined in the hands of apprentices?"

Lu Shiping hesitated for a moment, then immediately thought of his junior apprentice's recent plight, and quickly offered a smile:

"Young Master He, that's nonsense; the Big Punishment Kiln has indeed run into some trouble recently, inadvertently causing delays."

He Jingfeng frowned slightly, snorted lightly, displaying the arrogance typical of nobility from Yihai Prefecture:

"So you're saying that while running a kiln business, you create a mess, can't solve it, and let the customers suffer the neglect?

When I dine in a city restaurant or listen to opera, I've never heard of a cook whose father died or a singer who lost their mother use that as an excuse to not work.

Taking on the He Family order and not delivering goods on time, and you still want me to be understanding?

Lu Yaotou, you are truly inconsiderate."

Lu Shiping broke out in sweat listening to this; He Jingfeng's words were gentle yet pointed, clearly accusing them of taking advantage of customers due to their kiln's size.

Master highly values reputation and never allows even a speck of dirt to mar the Li Family Kiln.

He bent his waist, sincerely saying:

"Please give us three more days, and we will certainly deliver!

These days, the Cyan Flower Kiln has been busy with the Zhu Family's orders. We haven't had a chance to check on the Big Punishment Kiln, so I'm unaware of our junior apprentice's exact situation!

But regardless, I guarantee personally that Young Master He, your goods will be prepared!"

It's not easy to earn a trade's reputation.

Firstly, you need to defeat peers and make them acknowledge their inferiority, which is called gaining fame.

Secondly, you must win over merchants and clients so they always give you thumbs up and only recognize your brand, that's called establishing oneself.

Only by gaining fame and establishing oneself can one be considered a prominent figure in the trade, rather than an unknown novice.

Lu Shiping knows this can be a big or small matter, so he is doing his utmost to cover for his junior apprentice.

Otherwise, if it reaches Master's ears, it will surely cause a fit of anger.

"Three days? Fine, three days it is! Master Li spent a lifetime forging weapons, even Zhao Bianjiang of Celestial Water Prefecture praised him to no end, and ultimately, it must not be destroyed by apprentices."

He Jingfeng with hands behind his back, not pushy, turned away with a smile.

This guy deliberately put on airs...

Bai Qi narrowed his eyes, his heart realizing what was crystal clear, He Jingfeng clearly had something to ask of Li Yuan Master Craftsman, yet seized upon the junior apprentice's delay in delivery as a pretext.

First, to arrange a meeting with Master Li himself, and second, because if he lowered his stance initially, he might be underestimated, and things may not get done.

First hold up the stance, and when timing is right, then show a friendly side for better effectiveness.

Many successful Brother Fus from well-off families have conducted business this way in past generations, putting up airs before a deal, and lowering the stance after the deal is secured.

"Adapting to circumstances in business is a must." Bai Qi chuckled faintly to himself. If Lu Shiping were replaced by Master Li, He Jingfeng surely would wear a different expression.

"Brother Bai, why don't we stay here a few more days?"

Parting with the hurried Lu Shiping heading to the Big Punishment Kiln, He Jingfeng walked leisurely out of the kiln yard:

"There's a nearby village with inns, convenient for resting and eating, consider it a relaxing outing.

Being shut in practicing all day can be stifling; seeing the scenic landscapes can really refresh the mind and body."

Bai Qi nodded but didn't speak; they've come this far, there's no way to travel a hundred miles alone and then return to Black River County.

He gazed out at the Cyan Flower Kiln, thinking about the annual income of one hundred thousand taels of silver.

If all that flowing wealth could fall into his own pocket, how great that would be.

He had yet to obtain the demon blood and the vital medicines required for his second practice!

Leaving the kiln yard, the group arrived at the nearby Wagang Village.

The Seventh Young Master He, flush with funds, immediately booked eight or nine top-class wing rooms, tossing out two ingots of snowflake silver.

Such lavish behavior was treated by the shopkeeper like a living god of wealth, fearing neglect, even insisting the staff clean the beam thoroughly.

With money, you can make the devil turn a mill, let alone people.

After the noon meal, to escape He Jingfeng's entanglement, Bai Qi found an excuse to rest, hurriedly slipping into the spotless and relatively spacious top-class wing room.

He opened the window to gaze afar; the Cyan Flower Kiln had already ignited the first fire. The glowing flames illuminated half the sky, quite spectacular.