The blacksmith beckoned Lu Hong into the inner courtyard, tossing him a ladle: "If you want water, scoop it yourself."
Lu Hong, somewhat speechless, looked at the ladle in his hand and asked, "Boss, I'm curious, didn't you say you were too busy to take orders?"
"Didn't you mention the price?"
They looked at each other in a standoff, each holding the other's gaze.
"Ahem!" the blacksmith broke the silence, "Blame it on the saintly one paying too little. Now, the whole of Nansha Town knows I'm forging weapons for the saintly one, and no one else is placing orders. I barely make a few coins from forging a batch of his weapons—it's a losing deal."
"Got it." Lu Hong immediately understood. The blacksmith's words were meant for outsiders, signaling that he was still open for orders and indicating the cost of placing orders.
"Bro, you're quite the businessman!"
