Mercenaries and Adventurers

The contestants in the arena showed their superb forging techniques one after another, and began to find ways to forge the fiery red iron material on the iron felt platform with various methods.

When, when, when, when. Ding, ding, ding, ding.

"Look, contestant No. 1 heated the iron until it glowed, and then he clamped both ends of the iron with pliers, and then twisted them vigorously. Turn! Turn! Everyone, the iron in his hand seems to be twisted." It’s like dirty clothes with dry water. Now, the No. 1 player then forges the iron material into a flat shape.” The host introduced the latest situation on the field.

"Bordeaux shepherd, what is the No. 1 player doing now?" Mr. Grimm asked on behalf of all the audience.

"The No. 1 contestant read his design drawings and said that he originally wanted to forge a sawtooth machete, but he obviously changed his mind just now. He twisted and rolled up the iron material like this. This method I just introduced Compared with folding forging, it is actually a more difficult forging technology to master. The final result is that the iron material will form a wavy zigzag shape on the left and right and inside. As long as it is successful, generally speaking, the strength will be stronger than other forging The method is much bigger."

"But at the same time, this forging method is also very dangerous."

"Dangerous? Dangerous in that respect?"

"The danger of knife embryos. If the knife embryos of the No. 1 contestant are not forged tightly with each other, the whole machete will be very weak in the end. It cannot be used for chopping at all. Of course, if his technique is good enough, after The iron material that has been rotated and twisted many times can form a very complex internal metal interlayer. As long as the technology is high enough, the final product can form a very good blade structure, and the strength will be greatly enhanced. This technology is actually used in higher performance Good rare metals. Many high-profile weapons have been crafted using similar techniques."

"That's right, thank you for your answer."

Seeing that Bordeaux shepherd's words came to an end, the host continued to introduce the latest situation on the field: "Let's continue to see that player No. 5 has reached the third round of forging. Let me think about it. Ah, then It means that his iron material has six layers of different structures! Although similar folding and forging can be repeated forever, but as the host, I have to remind him. The time of the game is limited, there is no limit Time allows him to continue to forge like this. If he cannot forge a machete that looks complete within the competition time, then his qualifications for the competition will be disqualified and he will not have the opportunity to be evaluated by the judges. So, please pay attention to the competition time .”

Hearing the host's reminder, contestant No. 5 paused to think about it, and finally decided to fold and forge again. His previous experience told him that as long as the number of forged and folded layers reaches more than ten, the strength of the knife blank will be greatly strengthened. And this will be the main feature of his work. As for the assembly and manufacture of the handle and scabbard, he could only save compression time as much as possible.

"Contestant No. 12 is still adding new iron materials to his thick blade. It seems that he still intends to complete the work according to his original plan."

"Let's see, the No. 7 player used different raw materials as the material of the knife blank. He chose a piece of ordinary iron as the outer shell, and he also chose a small piece of lapis lazuli as the inner core. Ask Bordeaux Mushou, what's the plan for player No. 7 to do this?"

"Oh, the inner core and outer layer of the knife blank are made of different materials. This is actually a very normal technology. Of course, this technology may not be used in various metal objects that you usually see. It’s not that it can’t be done, but that it’s not necessary. This kind of technology is actually specially designed for weapons. Other metal utensils often have a single function, simple structure, and low requirements for use. Combat weapons are different, and they often require The harshest conditions of use. Therefore, the technology of covering the inner clip with two materials was invented.

"

"As for the No. 7 player using lapis lazuli as the inner core, this is really a bold choice. When we generally use this technology, we often use iron and steel as the two materials, which are slightly softer but more tough. Wrought iron is used as the inner core, and high-quality steel is used as the outer cladding material. And the lapis lazuli used by No. 7 player as the inner core, I have not seen it in the past few decades. For such a machete, I'm really curious what it's going to look like in the end."

Mr. Grimm said: "I can say a few words about the material of lapis lazuli."

The host said, "Mr. Grimm, please tell me."

"I have come into contact with the material of lapis lazuli when I was doing business in the past years. Although it is called stone, it is actually metal. It's just that this metal is azure in natural conditions, and its color and feel are very similar to stone. So later, everyone called it lapis lazuli. This metal material is often associated with ordinary iron ore. Although the output is not large, it is also very common. Lapis lapis is very tough as a whole, and it cannot even be used under natural conditions. Iron pickaxes are used to mine, and the whole raw ore can only be mined and calcined at high temperature. It can be used as a material after heating. It seems that the No. 7 player intends to choose the strength and toughness of this material. Use it as the inner core of the knife embryo, Bordeaux Shepherd, Do you think that's okay?"

"According to what you said, um, it should be feasible. Although the blacksmiths in Kendall City are not used to using lapis lazuli, but if this competition, the work of No. 7 player can achieve a better result, then I believe More people will use this new material."

The topic of lapis lazuli came to an end, and the host continued to introduce the situation on the field.

"Be careful, the hammer of contestant No. 10 suddenly dropped out of his hand. It was very dangerous. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The environment on the scene is still very hot. All contestants, please pay attention to the sweating on your body. If possible, please use thick linen gloves. Avoid the sweat on your hands and slippery hands, and you will not be able to grasp the forging tool."

"We have prepared a lot of small clay pots on the side of the competition field, which are full of light salt water. Please use them as much as possible when you are exhausted. The competition is still long. Please pay attention to maintaining your physical strength during the competition."

"The No. 3 contestant who has the fastest progress in the competition has completed the knife blank, and now he is going to undergo the heating and quenching process. This process is a very important part of the forging process. The surface metal material of the weapon that has not undergone the quenching process is soft. , it is often impossible to carry out fierce fighting and confrontation. The quenching process is also very dangerous. Reasons such as temperature inconsistency will cause various damages to the weapon itself. Cracks, breaks, and peeling off of the skin will occur in various situations. None of them are Easy fix."

"As in previous years, we have only prepared one position for oil quenching, and the rest are prepared for traditional water quenching. The lead of the third player has once again paid off, and now he can use oil quenching to quench his machete first The blade is finished. The other contestants have not forged their blades yet. Please work harder, all contestants."

Contestant No. 3 came to the oil quenching seat after fully heating the finely forged machete blade that he had carefully crafted. No one can grab it from him, and no one can grab it.

The first one to use a clean oil-quenched blade, which can prevent the impurities in it from affecting your work.

In fact, for an experienced blacksmith like him, quenching is actually not as exaggerated and dangerous as the host said. After all, he is an old blacksmith, so how could something go wrong in such a place.

Because it is a machete forging competition, the place for oil quenching is a tall and thin wooden barrel standing upright. The wooden barrel is made of refractory wood, which is completely resistant to the blade being heated to high temperatures.

Many inexperienced players tend to lose their sense of proportion during the competition, and often heat their works to a very high temperature in the stove in a panic, and then directly quench them. But because of the simple principle of thermal expansion and cold contraction, such blades are often amplified by the low-temperature quenching oil of the relative blade, and many hidden cracks accumulated during the forging process.

The number three player will never make such a mistake again, since he made this low-level mistake because of nervousness in the first round of competition, after that incident, he has never had any problems in the quenching process .

A perfect blade that has been forged does not need to be heated to a very high temperature, after the blade is heated to glow. Contestant No. 3 pondered for a while, and silently read the names of his wife and children in his heart, and then felt that it was okay based on his experience, so he clamped the back half of the handle of the knife with pliers, and slowly immersed the entire blade in the quenching oil.

The surface of the quenching oil burned, and the high-temperature heat surged upwards. But the third player had already put on the fireproof gloves in advance, and this glove was also a tool that only the best forging table had.

Slowly, all the blade parts have been completely immersed in the quenching oil. Contestant No. 3 stood still, allowing the fiery blade to cool down in the quenching oil and become firmer.

Both the Bordeaux shepherd and the host on the wooden platform praised, as did some other blacksmiths onlookers, and even some other players on the field also praised.

"The whole quenching process is really just right!"

"Yes, it is indeed a good hand."

"Everyone, please learn the quenching operation of contestant No. 3 in a while. The quenching operation of contestant No. 3 is really smooth and perfect. Now let us see the specific situation of his blade."

Take out the quenched blade from the quenching oil. It doesn't look good if the cooled blade is stained with oil. But contestant No. 3 slammed the blade lightly with iron tongs, and the blade made a crisp crashing sound when it was hit.

Ting, Ting.

With a satisfied smile, contestant No. 3 then wiped the blade with a clean sackcloth to check whether there are any cracks on the surface of the blade, whether it is cracked, whether the blade is straight or bent.

The situation was completely within his expectations, and the entire blade was completely flawless. He has brought out the best in the performance of simple raw materials. Unless he uses a special forging method or uses better materials. But that was inconsistent with his plan, because the use of other materials and technologies would have the risk of overturning and failure. Only by planning the design of the machete simply, using simple materials, using simple techniques, and going through a simple process, can we finally create an extraordinary work.

Next, he tested the hardness of the blade surface with a hard grinding rod. He was satisfied with the result, and next, he was going to make a handle for the blade.

"Let's see, contestant No. 3 has a satisfied smile on his face. It seems that he is still very satisfied with his work. He will continue to make handles. Competitors, please don't be nervous, there is still time Sufficient. It's not that everyone's rhythm has slowed down, but that the forging process of No. 3 player is very fast. Please keep calm and continue to create excellent works."

The host said that's what he said, but all the other contestants speeded up their work one after another.

Hammers flew and clanged.

The shepherd of Bordeaux was talking to Knight Crowe and Mr. Grimm in a low voice, and he temporarily canceled the magical spell of amplifying the sound.

"Hey, I can feel that the hearts of all the contestants have been disturbed just by listening to the voice. They were disrupted by the speed of No. 3 contestant."

"Well, indeed. It sounds like the voice just now, and it really doesn't have the rhythm just now." Knight Crowe shook his head and said in the same low voice: "This is actually the same as our battle. Once in the battle, it is disrupted." Mentality. The rhythm of the footsteps is gone, the breathing will be affected, and the strength of the arms will not be the same. Even the eyes will wander, and there will be no concentration at all. It is very dangerous to lose the state, even if you have 100% of your strength. , and will not be able to spend one or two percent."

Mr. Grimm asked in a low voice: "Then is there any way? In fact, we business people also have this situation." He continued: "When doing business, the two chambers of commerce will attack each other. Frustrated, this kind of situation often happens. That is really being killed by the other party's chamber of commerce! Once the mentality is unstable, frequent random moves, impetuous temper, and tantrums are trivial things. The real thing is that you completely lose your temper. Judgment. In that kind of situation, people often have no other ideas and will only go to the end with one tendon. The slickness, cunning, and smoothness of the past are gone. Hey."

Knight Crowe pondered for a while, and after Mr. Grimm finished speaking, he continued: "There are two methods. Usually, you need to do training to stabilize your mood and mentality. Once the combat mentality becomes unstable, I will let you That person withdraws first, and let him slowly calm down his mentality according to the previous training. Another way is to use potions. Just drink a bottle of tranquility potion. After that, you can just stun him. When you wake up, you are guaranteed to be a brave warrior again."

Both the shepherd of Bordeaux and Mr. Grimm laughed, and it was all right to knock people out. If there is no prior explanation, when people wake up, they will have to settle accounts with you. Who dares to use this method, it is too rough. On the contrary, the method of tranquilizing potion is okay.

What Bordeaux Shepherd thinks is that during the critical forging process in the future, a certain amount of tranquility potion can be provided to blacksmiths, so that they will not be disturbed by their mentality.

What Mr. Grimm thinks is that in the future critical business battles, he can provide a lot of tranquility potions to his stewards, so that they can maintain a calm mind and face the offensives of other chambers of commerce.

Both of them thanked Knight Crowe for the solution in a low voice. Then the shepherd of Bordeaux once again blessed himself and Mr. Grimm with divine magic.

The little discussion on the stage was not noticed by others, because something unexpected finally happened in the competition field.