The mind-reading coroner drove the court crazy

Amid the noisy clinking sounds in the blacksmith shop, the shopkeeper suddenly stopped swinging the hammer and rubbed his greasy hands on his dirty apron, his movements somewhat rough and anxious.

He reached out and took the piece of paper from Qin Miaoxi's slender hand. The paper looked particularly thin between his dark and calloused fingers.

He brought the paper closer, squinted his eyes, and looked at it carefully in the dim light. The next moment, he couldn't help but frown.

Qin Miaoxi waited quietly. Time seemed to stand still at this moment. The only sound in the blacksmith shop was the occasional sound of burning charcoal.

After a long while, he slowly spoke in a hoarse and low voice: "Girl, this pattern is quite unusual. It doesn't look like something that ordinary people would use."

Qin Miaoxi was delighted when she heard this and asked, "So you mean you've seen similar patterns, or can create such iron branding?"

Then, he nodded slightly, with a hint of certainty in his tone: "I have indeed made a similar iron brand."

Qin Miaoxi's eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling with excitement. She hurriedly took a step forward and asked, "Do you remember who asked you to make it?"

The shopkeeper shook his head, a trace of apology on his face, and said helplessly: "The person who asked me to make this was a servant. His face was covered with a black cloth, so I couldn't see what he looked like."

"How do you know that he is a servant?" Qin Miaoxi pursued closely.

"That day I was invited to the No. 1 wing of the Yunyin Pavilion. I heard a cough in the inner courtyard, and the servant asked the master of the inner courtyard for permission before handing over the pattern to me." The shopkeeper explained patiently.

Qin Miaoxi stared at the shopkeeper intently, and seeing a hint of hesitation in his eyes, she immediately took out two hundred-liang silver notes from her bosom and said sincerely, "Shopkeeper, this matter is very important to me. If you know anything else, could you please tell me?"

The shopkeeper frowned, his face full of determination. He refused without hesitation, a trace of guilty smile flashed in his eyes: "Miss, I really can't say anything."

Qin Miaoxi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a knowing smile. She knew that anyone who could reserve a top-tier room in Yunyin Pavilion must be someone of high status and wealth. If those people knew that the shop owner had said something he shouldn't have, he would probably be beheaded tomorrow.

She sighed slightly, her expression calm, and silently took the banknote back. Then she slowly stretched out her hand, and a palm-sized wooden sign suddenly appeared in her palm.

She stared at the shopkeeper with a burning gaze, her eyes filled with expectation and temptation, and said softly, "I know you are worried and uneasy. If I give you this, will you tell me the truth?"

At this moment, the shopkeeper's eyes suddenly widened, his pupils suddenly dilated, and his whole body seemed to be cast under a spell, his gaze completely attracted by the wooden sign.

His mouth opened slightly, and he couldn't help but gasp. His face was full of disbelief, and he stammered, "The token of the Blacksmith Alliance."

Hidden in the shadows of the Jianghu, a mysterious organization known as the Blacksmith Alliance exists. With a century of experience, it is home to a gathering of master blacksmiths, including the nation's most exceptional and skilled blacksmiths. The Blacksmith Alliance possesses the most advanced and exquisite forging techniques, enjoying not only the favor and protection of the imperial court but also a prestige within the Jianghu. Each of their finished products becomes a legendary weapon, a prized possession among the heroes of the Jianghu. For all blacksmiths who cherish the dream of forging, the Blacksmith Alliance is a sacred place in their hearts, a place of glory they yearn to reach throughout their lives, and a spiritual sustenance in their pursuit of ultimate martial arts perfection.

There is only one way to enter the Blacksmith Alliance, and that is to hold the Blacksmith Alliance token.

The Blacksmiths' Alliance only grants three tokens every five years, gifting them only to individuals of exceptional philanthropy. The recipient might be a benevolent merchant, a virtuous member of the royal family, or a charitable daughter. The timing of the token's distribution is shrouded in secrecy, and the recipient's identity is closely guarded. Aside from the lucky holder, no one knows when a token will be issued or to whom it will go.

Since Qin Miaoxi holds this token in her hand, she is obviously a good person recognized by the Blacksmith Alliance and will definitely not bear any ill will towards her.

As a result, most of the shop owner's worries were immediately dissipated.

As a blacksmith, he was already yearning for the Blacksmith Alliance, and now he found it even more incredible. He couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you really going to give me this token?"

With this token, he no longer has to worry about being retaliated against by others. He can also show his skills and realize his ambitions in the Blacksmith Alliance. This is something he has been longing for.

Qin Miaoxi placed the token solemnly in front of the shopkeeper and said in a deep voice, "Now, the opportunity is right in front of you."

Seeing this, the shopkeeper no longer had any doubts or concealments. He carefully put the token away, then took a piece of scrap from the shelf and said, "Young lady, you don't know that I not only got this pattern that day, but also a noble person gave me a piece of cold iron."

Qin Miaoxi raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this, and repeated softly, "Han Tie?"

"Indeed, the nobleman ordered me to use this cold iron to make an iron brand. This is the remaining scrap."

Qin Miaoxi examined the piece of cold iron. The Classic of Mountains and Seas mentioned a mysterious substance called "cold water," which existed in the northern mountains. It resembled water, but was extremely cold, and could produce gold and jade. Later, this cold water was believed to solidify into incredibly hard cold iron, making it a top-grade mineral for forging weapons.

That cold iron is extremely valuable and is an excellent material for forging magical weapons. However, that person did not use it to forge weapons, but instead used it to make branding iron. It is really a waste of resources and a pity.

Qin Miaoxi stared at the iron with a complicated expression. After a long silence, she slowly asked, "Shopkeeper, this iron was not easy to come by. Do you know where they found it?"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper shook his head helplessly again and replied, "Miss, we craftsmen never interfere in matters like this."

Afterwards, Qin Miaoxi drew the servant's expression and outline based on his description, and then went to Yunyin Pavilion.

When the shopkeeper of Yunyin Pavilion heard that she wanted to inquire about the guests, he refused without hesitation, "Sir, although we at Yunyin Pavilion only do a small business, we will not disclose the information of our guests. Please go back!"

Qin Miaoxi: "..."

Shopkeeper, do you want to hear what I'm saying? If Yunyin Pavilion is all about small businesses, then what are the other merchants like? Are they selling rice grains?

Knowing it was difficult to get information from the shopkeeper, she took a deep breath and said again, "Shopkeeper, I know you have a know-it-all here. I'll go find him."

The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows immediately. He didn't expect that the little girl in front of him knew so much. He said meaningfully, "Sir, what are you talking about? We are just selling food and clothing. When can we buy information?"

Qin Miaoxi was helpless, knowing that the shopkeeper wanted her to take the deposit. She hesitated and gritted her teeth. After a moment, she took out a jade pendant and said, "I am the wife of the Marquis of Xuanping."

This is the highest status she can offer, but she doesn't know whether Yunyin Pavilion will buy it.

"Sir... No, Madam! Are you the wife of Marquis Xuanping?"

The shopkeeper looked at her in shock, and quickly and respectfully invited her into the inner hall. As soon as she sat down, the waiter brought her tea and cakes. This series of actions made Qin Miaoxi dizzy. When did the title of Marquis Xuanping become so... intimidating?