Chapter 107: The Traitor in the 0th Workshop

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhou Shu sighed in his heart as he felt his cultivation increase dramatically.

The Legendary Armament Canon was good in every way except for one thing. The increase in his cultivation from time to time was without any warning, and it always affected his acting skills.

He clenched his fist, and an explosive sound erupted from his fist.

The Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique eleventh level!

Strength filled his entire body. At this moment, Zhou Shu felt like he could lift a small mountain!

The current him was the strongest after he transmigrated to this world!

Zhou Shu felt that he could kill a third-rank Grandmaster with just his strength alone!

Of course, the prerequisite was that the third-rank Grandmaster didn’t move.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so easy to kill a third-rank grandmaster.

Did war break out in the south? Why are the benefits coming so fast?

Not only did the Huben Sabers kill countless people, but the Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Sabers and the Horse Slaying Sabers also killed many people at the same time.

Even the Spring Embroidered Saber had caused quite a few deaths.

When the army had marched south, Zhou Shu had provided Meng Bai’s army with a batch of Huben Sabers, Hundred Refinements Ring Pommel Sabers, and Horse Slaying Sabers.

As for the Spring Embroidered Saber, he had given one to Sun Gongping.

Not only had the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique broken through to the eleventh level, but his Heavenly Saber Art had also improved greatly. The Golden Bell Shield Technique that he had just broken through once had actually broken through once again to the ninth level!

In comparison, the progress of the Visualization of the Five Mountains’ True Form Technique was almost negligible.

After all, the efficiency of Sun Gongping alone was incomparable to everyone else.

However, Zhou Shu didn’t mind. The Spring Embroidered Saber had already been delivered to the Divine Constable Bureau. In the future, there would be many opportunities for him to receive benefits.

It takes almost a thousand years of cultivation to level up to the eleventh level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique.

Although his body’s aptitude was limited, and his one year of cultivation was probably equivalent to a few days of cultivation for those geniuses, the eleventh level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique was definitely not weak.

He thought about how the King of the Golden Wheel had only reached the tenth level and was almost invincible. Zhou Shu’s current eleventh level was more than twice as strong as the King of the Golden Wheel.

Furthermore, the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique was only one of his techniques. The ninth level of the Golden Bell Shield Technique was another powerful one.

At the ninth level of the Golden Bell Shield Technique, his true qi was extremely dense, and he could hurt people with flowers and leaves. Even sharp weapons could only cut his skin without damaging his muscles. Only by stabbing 1.5 inches from his vital points would it be possible to kill him.

It could be said that the current Zhou Shu had almost no flaws. Even a third-rank Grandmaster would find it difficult to injure him.

The black-robed man still wants to meet me again. The next time we meet, I’ll probably surprise him.

When he fought with the black-robed man yesterday, the black-robed man’s strength was slightly higher than his, but it was still limited.

Compared to yesterday, Zhou Shu was now more than twice as strong. If he encountered the black-robed man again, he was confident that he could kill him!

Yin Wuyou was clearly testing me just now. After taking inventory of his gains, Zhou Shu fell into deep thought. If I had acted subconsciously, I might have already been exposed.

Did she discover something? That shouldn’t be the case. My acting is so good.

Zhou Shu pondered for a moment and felt that he shouldn’t have shown any flaws. Even if Yin Wuyou was suspicious, she definitely couldn’t find any evidence.

Anyway, it’s not me. I’m just a forger.

In the end, Zhou Shu decided not to think too much about it. Yin Wuyou was probably just testing him and might not really suspect that he was the mysterious expert.

The Division has an important mission for me? I wonder what it is. Zhou Shu recalled Yin Wuyou’s words before she left. No matter what, it definitely has something to do with forging. But that’s not what is important now.

Zhou Shu’s gaze landed on the chest containing the weapons he had forged.

Originally, he had thought that the 0th Workshop was very safe, and there was no need for him to hide the weapons he had forged. Thus, he had stored these weapons in the workshop.

Normally, no one would come to his backyard without his permission.

But in reality, there was no defense here. When he wasn’t around, even if someone came in, he wouldn’t know.

With regards to the Huben Saber incident previously, the Huben Troops and the Divine Constable Bureau already captured a group of spies. Before Big Brother Mi went out to battle, he even specially executed a group of spies and lured some out. Zhou Shu sighed. Logically speaking, Chang’an should have very few spies left.

Was he already hiding in the Forging Division’s workshops before, or did he only recently infiltrate?

Zhou Shu was now certain Zhu Chuanfeng’s Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber was taken from here!

For someone to be able to take away the Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber secretly, they had to be very familiar with the 0th Workshop. Other than Zhang Yibei and the other Forging Apprentices, Zhou Shu couldn’t think of anyone else.

Although he didn’t want to doubt his subordinates, the truth was right in front of him. If he continued to deceive himself, he would be foolish, not kind.

If he allowed the spy to continue staying in the 0th Workshop, he could use this opportunity to mislead the enemy. But Zhou Shu didn’t have the energy to fight them.

He was just a forger. Why would he care about espionage?

Zhou Shu pondered for a moment before raising his voice. “Zhang Yibei!”

“Here!” Zhang Yibei’s voice sounded from the front.

“Gather everyone in the open area!” Zhou Shu ordered coldly.

…

Fifteen minutes later, in the open area of the 0th Workshop, forty-eight Forging Apprentices lined up neatly.

Compared to the Forging Apprentices in other workshops, the Forging Apprentices in the 0th Workshop were clearly different.

All of them were dressed in clean work clothes. Their backs were straight, and they looked energetic. They clearly had some imposing manner.

This wasn’t surprising. In the 0th Workshop, they only needed to work eight hours a day. The rest of the time, they could cultivate Martial Dao.

After such a period of time, almost everyone had undergone a complete transformation.

When they saw Zhou Shu walk out from the backyard with his hands behind his back, all the Forging Apprentices revealed looks of admiration.

Their current happy lives were all thanks to Zhou Shu. The superintendent was now their god.

“Superintendent, all forty-eight people are here! Please give your orders!” Although there was no official appointment, Zhang Yibei assumed the duties of a supervisor at the 0th Workshop.

Zhou Shu even specially designed a military-style management plan for him, allowing him to be in charge of managing the group of Forging Apprentices.

Zhou Shu looked at him coldly. No matter who this traitor was, Zhang Yibei wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility for his negligence.

… Let alone the fact that he was just a mere Forging Apprentice who had yet to mature.

Since he had taken on this role, he had to take on this responsibility. If he couldn’t do it, then he had to get lost!

Zhang Yibei shivered, not knowing what he had done wrong.

He stepped aside, trembling, and began to reflect on what he had done recently.

Recently, he did seem to have lost focus a little. He thought that the happy life at the 0th Workshop was only natural. He didn’t work hard enough when it came to cultivation and work.

In particular, he was able to sleep for a full eight hours every day before waking up. This was simply a sin!

The more Zhang Yibei thought about it, the more flustered he became. He felt uneasy. That’s right. How could I do this? Being able to sleep for eight hours a day, what kind of person could enjoy this?

Zhou Shu didn’t look at Zhang Yibei again. His eyes flashed as he swept his gaze across the 48 Forging Apprentices.

Everyone here was his companion who had gone through Xiao Zongshui’s exploitation with him.

Everyone had gone through thick and thin together.

However, it was easy to share trials and tribulations, but it was difficult to enjoy happiness together.

There were already people who couldn’t hold themselves back even though they hadn’t achieved much.

Zhou Shu narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming increasingly cold.

No matter how slow their reactions were, the Forging Apprentices realized that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

But none of them dared to ask.

After a long time, just as the Forging Apprentices found it difficult to breathe, Zhou Shu finally spoke. “Some people might not understand what I’m saying, but others do.

He said coldly, “I don’t want to say anything else. I’ll give you a chance. After two hours, come to the backyard and look for me.

“You, or you all, have come to me on your own accord. As long as your wives, children, and parents have nothing to do with this matter, I can spare them.

“But if you think that you’ll be able to escape, then I’m sorry. According to the laws of Great Xia, your wives, children, and parents won’t be able to escape either!”

With that, Zhou Shu waved his hand and turned to walk into the backyard.

The Forging Apprentices looked at each other in confusion. What did the superintendent mean?

“Old Zhang, what does the superintendent mean?” a Forging Apprentice asked Zhang Yibei.

“How would I know?” Zhang Yibei said. He was also confused. The superintendent didn’t tell him.

“Why do I feel like one of us has committed a crime?” Sixth Brother Wu said weakly.

“How is that possible? What could we have done when we just stay in the workshop all day?” a Forging Apprentice refuted.

“Not necessarily. It doesn’t mean you won’t commit crimes if you stay in the workshop. Have you forgotten—” Halfway through his words, he was suddenly stunned. After a while, he continued, “Do you think that someone betrayed the superintendent?”

“Who?” The Forging Apprentices got worked up. “The superintendent treats us so well, yet someone has betrayed him? Have they lost their conscience?”

The crowd was so worked up that no one noticed that a few people in the crowd looked a little dazed.

“Enough!” Zhang Yibei shouted impatiently. “No matter what happened, the superintendent just said that some people should know what’s going on.”

His expression turned cold as he said, “All of you better do as the superintendent says. Now, everyone, return to your rooms! Within two hours, those who are not involved are not allowed to come out!”

In the courtyard of the Forging Division’s 0th Workshop, Zhou Shu was sitting with an Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber resting on his knees, his face expressionless.

Two hours was neither long nor short.

Seeing that two hours were almost up, Zhou Shu looked at the entrance to the backyard, and disappointment flashed in his eyes.

It seems like there are still people who hope they’ll be lucky.

Don’t blame me for being ruthless then.

As he was thinking, a figure suddenly appeared in Zhou Shu’s field of vision. Soon after, two more figures appeared.

Zhou Shu’s pupils suddenly contracted!

“You… you!” Zhou Shu was truly somewhat angry.

Although the 0th Workshop had not been established for a long time, he felt that he was quite kind to these Forging Apprentices.

Food and lodging were provided, and there was not much work to be done.

Moreover, he also provided guidance for them to advance. Not everyone was qualified to come into contact with martial arts!

Greed was a scary thing.

He had given them so much, but they were still not satisfied!

There were actually five traitors!

There were only forty-nine people, including himself, yet there were actually five traitors!

10%!

“Why?” Zhou Shu suppressed his anger and said coldly. “Tell me why!

“Is there anything I have done wrong to you?”

Crack!

The armrest of the chair was forcefully broken by Zhou Shu.

“Superintendent!” The five Forging Apprentices knelt on the ground and cried.

“Shut up!” Zhou Shu said angrily. “Who are you crying for? Tell me. How have I let you down!”

“No, Superintendent, you have done us no wrong. We were blinded by greed and let you down!” a Forging Apprentice said with tears all over his face. “Superintendent, please kill me. I am too embarrassed to continue living!”

“Superintendent, please kill us!” The other apprentices also knocked their heads against the floor.

“Do you think I don’t dare to kill you?” Zhou Shu said angrily. “If I hadn’t found out, do you think you could have gotten away with it?

“What benefits did those people give you that you dared to do this?”

He treated others sincerely, yet these Forging Apprentices treated him like a fool. They deserved to be killed!

“We have let you down, Superintendent. We are bastards. We are no better than animals!”

The five apprentices kept kowtowing. Their foreheads were bruised, and blood flowed down their faces. They looked extremely pitiful.

But Zhou Shu didn’t feel the slightest bit of pity. He had pitied the situation of the Forging Apprentices previously, which was why he had done so much to help them.

However, not only were these people not grateful, but they had even betrayed him!

If they could steal the Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber now, would they take Zhou Shu’s head another day?

“Tell me. Who is the other party? What benefits did they give you to betray me so easily?” Zhou Shu said coldly. No matter the reason, stealing the Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber was a capital offense.

This wasn’t a matter of offending Zhou Shu. The Autumn Anatidae Plume Saber was a military secret. In any country, stealing military secrets would result in the same outcome.

What Zhou Shu could do was let their families go if they were uninvolved. If it was the Divine Constable Bureau or someone else, they would definitely be implicated.

“Superintendent, will you really spare my family if I tell you?” An apprentice suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhou Shu.

Zhou Shu narrowed his eyes, and a white light flashed before his eyes.