After spending a few minutes exining the rapport system to Zhao Kai and emphasizing how to behave with the NPCs, Zhao Kai finally understood why the vigers were friendly with him.


    "No wonder the vigers were willing to interact with you." Zhao Kai sped his hands and eximed. "You were respectful and friendly to them."


    "Not just that," Xu Feng shook his head.


    "You also need to make sure to integrate yourself with them, meaning you want them to feelfortable and take you as one of them." He corrected him.


    "But how''s that possible? We just entered the vige and you already became one of them?" Skeptically, Zhao Kai raised his eyebrows and looked at him.


    "Isn''t that thanks to your outrageous behavior?" Xu Feng scoffed.


    "Thanks to you, it made things easier for me to be the good guy while you are the…" He added, not bothering to finish thest word as it was pretty obvious what it was going to be.


    "Tsk, so I became your stepping stone." Zhao Kai clicked his tongue, feeling displeased that he was used.


    Unfortunately, he could only me himself for it.


    Who told him to act so rashly and paid no mind to the vigers from the start?


    However, as he pondered further, he realized this mishap wouldn''t have urred if Xu Feng had warned him earlier?


    ''I''ve been yed for a fool!'' Like a thunderbolt had struck upon him, Zhao Kai realized this was Xu Feng''s revenge for his earlier scheme of frustrating him on purpose.


    ''Damn, how petty can he be?''


    Sometimeter, they arrived at the cksmith store.


    "So this is the Forgefire cksmith Shop," Zhao Kai muttered, ncing at the exterior of the shop.


    The building''s exterior was marked by arge, intricately wrought iron sign that disyed an anvil and hammer, symbolizing their craft.


    Thick, wooden beams reinforced the stone walls, and a wide, open doorway allowed the sounds of nging metal and the warm glow of the forge to spill out onto the cobblestone street.


    "Do you remember what to do when we entered?" Xu Feng asked, not paying much attention to the shop''s details.


    After all, most cksmith shops had simr designs, especially the hammering sound. Though that didn''t mean the quality was the same, given different cksmiths could produce different products.


    Some cksmiths were proficient at weapons, while some were proficient at armor, etc.


    "Rest assured, Feng. I''ve kept your words in mind." Patting his chest, Zhao Kai reassured Xu Feng that he wouldn''tmit the same mistake twice.


    Nodding, Xu Feng extended his hand as a gesture of telling him to enter first.


    With an air of confidence and pride, Zhao Kai calmly entered the Forgefire cksmith Shop.


    What greeted him immediately was a woman in the center of the forge.


    Her auburn hair pulled back in a braid and green eyes focused intently on the glowing metal she hammered with precision.


    She was d in a leather apron over soot-streaked work clothes, and her muscr arms moved skillfully, as each hammer strike resonated with dedication.


    Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, highlighting the intense effort required for forging.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Kai began ncing around the interior for another few seconds, wanting to see if there was anyone else in the shop, only to realize it was just the woman. He turned his head to Xu Feng, seemingly trying to ask him for advice through expression.


    However, Xu Feng merely shrugged his shoulders in response as he had no idea either.


    He might know a bit more than the average yer, but that didn''t mean he knew everything.


    If that was the case, then why would he even bother working hard?


    Knowing that Xu Feng wasn''t going to help him, Zhao Kai mustered up his courage and asked, "Hello, I''m looking for a cksmith named Thorin—"


    Swoosh!


    Before Zhao Kai could finish his question, a hammer whizzed past him, missing him by mere millimeters before crashing onto the floor with a loud ng.


    He swallowed a mouthful of saliva upon realizing he had just escaped death. His body remained perfectly still, most likely stunned by the sudden action.


    As for Xu Feng, he quietly took a few steps back, drawing a clear line between him and Zhao Kai.


    Just from the impact of the hammer on the floor, Xu Feng was able to determine the strength of the woman and that she was not to be underestimated.


    Hence, he was totally not going to get involved in it when it was Zhao Kai who provoked thetter.


    ''cksmiths are indeed temperamental people when working.'' He concluded.


    ''You really screwed me over here, Feng!!!'' Meanwhile, Zhao Kai was on the verge of tears, feeling like he had been yed by Xu Feng again.


    Even after a few seconds had passed, he didn''t dare to move a muscle, afraid of another hammer whizzing by, and this time, on him and not just by a few millimeters.


    Luckily, the hammering onlysted for a few minutester, before the woman stopped and turned her attention to the two neers.


    "Speak, who are you and why do you want to see my father?" She held her hammer and pointed at them, asking for their appearance.


    "Umm, we are–"


    "Not you!" The woman snorted when Zhao Kai attempted to introduce themselves.


    She then pointed her hammer at Xu Feng, "You tell me and why are you here at Willowbrook Vige?"


    ''I see… it''s because we''re strangers and unfamiliar people here.'' Xu Feng quickly deduced, understanding the reason for her hostility.


    Two unknown individuals showing up unannounced in a secluded vige would naturally raise rms. That was especially true when they were cksmiths, with their skills and expertise probably desired by many.


    "Please don''t be rmed, Miss cksmith. We''re here to deliver a letter to Mister Thorin on behalf of someone, and hence how we were able to arrive here." Xu Feng kept a calm expression and exined.


    He made sure to be careful of his demeanor, so as to not rm the woman and cause her to attack them. ''This is unreal. A cksmith is even deadlier than some wolves.''