CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 144: LOYALTY, CHARCOAL, AND THE ENGINEERING TEAM_2

"I will go alone to prove it to you with my actions."

Chris answered firmly, with no hint of hesitation in his gaze.

"Very well."

Luo De nodded in satisfaction.

He enjoyed talking to smart people like Chris.

Chris going alone meant leaving his wife and child in Frost Leaf Town.

Luo De wasted no words, a slight smile at the corners of his mouth, "I give you a week’s leave to bid farewell to your family."

"Thank you for your trust, my lord."

Chris replied respectfully.

...

...

Chris stepped back, and Luo De also breathed a sigh of relief.

Successfully and peacefully utilizing a talented slave is a comforting thing.

Luo De planned to take this moment of comfort to return to his workshop and meditate for a while.

Luo De didn’t have a crystal ball to measure spiritual strength, but after each meditation and rest, he could feel a refreshing clarity, as if seeing the world more distinctly.

And his control over that blaze of energy in his body became more adept.

Just as Luo De got up, the Guard walked in.

"Sir, the blacksmith Beduo requests an audience."

"Beduo?"

Luo De thought for a moment.

Then he remembered, this blacksmith was the one who could forge Sea Pattern Magic Iron.

"Let him in."

"Yes, sir."

The Guard responded, then brought Beduo in.

Thud!

As soon as blacksmith Beduo entered, he knelt down with both knees in front of Luo De.

Luo De was taken aback.

Why is everyone kneeling today?

"What’s going on?" Luo De asked.

"I’m sorry, my lord, I didn’t succeed..."

Beduo said with a mournful face, showing guilt, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"I’ve tried many methods these past days, but this Sea Pattern Magic Iron simply can’t be melted."

"Last night, I thought about it all night, and it suddenly came to me in a dream that my master said this kind of Sea Pattern Magic Iron can’t be smelted with ordinary charcoal; it requires black stone as fuel to melt!"

Beduo’s trembling voice was full of regret,

"I’m sorry, my lord, it’s all my fault for wasting your precious time!"

"Mistakes are not a problem; what’s important is how we resolve these issues."

Luo De gestured for him to rise.

There was no reproach in his tone.

Then, Luo De asked, "What is this black stone you mentioned? Do you know what it looks like?"

"I’ve never seen it, but my master talked about it."

Blacksmith Beduo seemed prepared and described, "It looks like a pitch-black stone, somewhat similar to charred wood, but harder, with a metallic ringing sound when struck."

"Also, my master said that when black stone burns, it has a blue-white flame, very beautiful!"

"Only such a beautiful flame can smelt Sea Pattern Magic Iron!"

Blue-white flame?

Why does that sound familiar?

Luo De frowned, thinking deeply and recalling according to Beduo’s description.

Isn’t this coke?

The so-called coke is a product of coal coking, also known as anthracite.

Coal, due to its high sulfur content, cannot be used directly for smelting iron, or it would make the iron very brittle.

But when coal is converted into coke through high-temperature distillation, it becomes a high-carbon fuel, and the burning temperature is also higher.

But how did the Sea Race get coke?

Could it be that during the era of Wizards and gods, they already mastered the knowledge to process coal mines?

Luo De was somewhat surprised.

But on second thought, it wasn’t impossible.

People from the Dawn Society always boasted that wizards were the pioneers of knowledge.

"I understand."

Luo De said calmly, "You don’t need to blame yourself too much; I’ll find a way to solve the problem of the black stone you mentioned."

Luo De reassured the blacksmith.

He was not too harsh on those who worked earnestly.

"But remember, if you encounter a problem, report it promptly, don’t delay this long."

Luo De’s voice became stern, "If this happens again, you’ll be punished."

"Thank you for your mercy!"

Beduo breathed a sigh of relief, responding happily, "Please rest assured, I will report promptly next time!"

"You should go back and deal with other matters with Hammer."

Luo De waved his hand, "Also, remind Hammer to submit the standardized samples to me as soon as possible."

"Yes, my lord!"

Beduo responded respectfully and immediately withdrew.

Luo De did not linger and sent someone to summon Lawrence to the manor’s hall.

As soon as Lawrence bowed in greeting, Luo De asked,

"How is the coal mine going?"

"Reporting, my lord, the workers’ houses are built, and the coal mining has begun as per your instructions."

Lawrence answered cautiously, "As you ordered, the coal is being aired and the exact amount hasn’t been recorded yet."

"If you need, I can arrange it now."

"Yes, and not only record it, but also arrange for people to bring the coal back."

Luo De instructed.

Initially, Luo De wasn’t in a hurry, but now that coke was needed for experiments, it had to be arranged quickly.

"Also, get the Snow Rabbit People’s manager... Xue Rui to come over."

"Understood, my lord."

Lawrence responded and went to arrange it. Before long, Xue Rui appeared in the hall.

It was the second time the Snow Rabbit People saw Luo De, and he felt a bit nervous.

Life had been comfortable lately; they just needed to work, and their food and lodging were taken care of by specific staff.

They had seen the slaves’ food, which was better than their usual meals.

The better life got, the more they feared losing it.

So Xue Rui was more nervous now than last time.

"How have you been these days?"

Luo De noticed Xue Rui’s nervousness and tried to speak in a calm tone.