"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, not objecting.
Along the way, through casual conversation, she learned that Han Li had come here to find Lou Gao, and it seemed to be for something rather important. She didn't want to delay him with her matters.
After changing into less conspicuous appearances, the two headed toward the bustling city, which shimmered with a metallic glow.
As soon as they entered the city gates, the enthusiastic shouts of vendors and the constant clanging of metal filled the air. The main avenue was lined almost entirely with blacksmith shops on both sides.
Even though it was already evening, the blacksmiths showed no sign of slowing down. The hammering seemed even more vigorous under the glow of the furnaces.
"The atmosphere here is nice," Han Li remarked. He could sense that while he couldn't speak for everyone, most of the people here truly loved blacksmithing. You could tell just by the smiles on their faces—real iron enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, it wasn't his passion. Of course, if someone were to forge a Gundam, that would be a different story.
After wandering around casually with Zhu Zhuqing, the two headed to a hotel, which, naturally, was owned by the Chamber of Commerce as part of their business empire.
Presenting a badge from the headquarters, they were given the best room. The soundproofing was excellent, and the constant clanging of metal finally faded away.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, after having breakfast, they didn't rush to the Blacksmith Association. Instead, they sent a visiting card under the name of the Chamber of Commerce's business.
There were no divine craftsmen here, and showing up unannounced to demand a meeting with Lou Gao might have been seen as stirring up trouble.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon, the local head of the business guild arrived, accompanied by a man dressed in black robes, approaching Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Hello, my name is Si Long. My teacher sent me to fetch you," Si Long introduced himself, speaking faster than the guild head, leaving Han Li momentarily stunned—such enthusiasm?
The guild head stepped up to Han Li, whispered something in his ear, and then resumed his position.
This man doesn't read reports. Otherwise, he wouldn't be reacting this way. Now, he was even more respectful, likely realizing that anyone who asks to meet Lou Gao must be a significant figure.
After hearing the explanation, Han Li nodded. He finally understood Si Long's enthusiasm.
Since the Seven Mysterious Guild had set up shop here, they had become one of the Blacksmith Association's largest clients, accounting for nearly 40% of their revenue from metal and daily goods purchases. That's not even considering what they bought from other shops.
With that in mind, it made sense that Lou Gao would send his disciple to greet them after receiving their visiting card—though it might also have been due to the Blacksmith Association's proximity.
Here, Han Li's identity as a representative of the Seven Mysterious Guild's business seemed even more advantageous than his title as Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. Han Li chuckled inwardly at the thought as he stood to return the courtesy.
The exchange of pleasantries was brief as Si Long led them toward the nearby Blacksmith Association.
Along the way, Si Long enthusiastically introduced various metals and the products made from them, trying to probe into Han Li's identity.
Unfortunately for him, Han Li wasn't interested. He responded with little more than a polite smiles, and Si Long, realizing this, sped up their pace.
On the fourth floor, a large metal door came into view.
Si Long hurried ahead, knocking skillfully before turning back to Han Li to explain, "The fifth floor is the private forging area for masters. My teacher is waiting for you upstairs."
Han Li nodded but had already quietly extended his spiritual sense through the metal door to probe beyond.
Not bad. The alloy used for the door could effectively block spiritual sense from anyone below the Titled Douluo level, and even a Titled Douluo would have limited range.
It seemed the Blacksmith Association had some real skill. The question now was, how much of this alloy could they produce?
As Si Long completed his knock, the door groaned as metal components ground together, slowly revealing a staircase leading upward.
"You wait here," Han Li instructed the business guild head, then ascended the stairs with Zhu Zhuqing. Si Long glanced at the guild head, who had no objections, and quickly followed them up.
The fifth floor had a simple layout, consisting entirely of forging rooms. At the moment, only one room was active, and the noise coming from it belonged to Lou Gao's forge.
Si Long led them into a partially open room that had been converted into a reception area. He apologized somewhat awkwardly, "I'm sorry to make you wait. My teacher must have gotten carried away while working. I'll go fetch him now."
"No need to worry. I admire Master Lou Gao's passion for forging," Han Li smiled, unfazed. He was secretly hoping Lou Gao was the type to get lost in his work.
"Thank you for your understanding."
Si Long bowed and quickly left, his hurried steps indicating he was off to call his teacher.
Han Li casually looked around the reception room, his gaze pausing on an item hanging on the wall. It was something he was very familiar with.
Just as he was about to walk over and examine it more closely, footsteps echoed from the doorway.
"So, you're the one from the Seven Mysterious Guild's headquarters? What brings you to see an old man like me?"
Han Li turned to look at the speaker, a short, stocky elderly man.
He was about 1.6 meters tall, with a waistline likely just as wide. He had large ears, small eyes, and a messy head of short hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in days, giving him a peculiar appearance.
The man wore a large robe, freshly changed, but his hands habitually scratched at his clothes, making them dirty again. His chubby face was smeared with what seemed to be metal dust, and his constant scratching only made him look more comical.
"Greetings, Master Lou Gao."
Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing both stood to greet him, maintaining proper manners despite Lou Gao's disheveled appearance.
Lou Gao squinted at them with his small eyes, then turned to his apprentice, Si Long.
"Alright, Si Long, go downstairs and handle things. I'll take care of this."
Si Long hesitated for a moment, but upon meeting his teacher's stern gaze, he nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
Once Si Long's footsteps had faded, Lou Gao turned back to Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Now that we're alone, why don't you tell me your real identities?"
"It seems Master Lou Gao isn't as indifferent to things outside of forging as the rumors suggest," Han Li said with a smile. He wasn't surprised—after all, Lou Gao was the president of an association. Even if his rank wasn't the highest, he still had to interact with other powers.
"I've lived many more years than you, and with age comes experience and understanding," Lou Gao replied.
"But let's make one thing clear: if you're here for forging, we can talk. If it's about anything else, don't bother. The Blacksmith Association doesn't get involved in other matters."
Lou Gao shook his head quickly, his chubby face wobbling with the motion.
"Rest assured, Master Lou Gao. We're only here for forging—nothing else," Han Li said, smiling brightly. He had no intention of dragging Lou Gao into any larger schemes. Right now, all he needed was someone to assist with the work. Taking over the Blacksmith Association wasn't on his agenda at the moment.
"Good. Now, tell me what you need me to forge. Oh, but you still haven't told me who you are."
Hearing that it was purely a forging request, Lou Gao straightened up. When it came to his craft, he feared no one.
"As long as Master Lou Gao is confident, that's all that matters. As for my identity, I am Han Li."
A faint light flickered around Han Li's head as he deactivated his disguise. He did this deliberately for Lou Gao to witness, even though it wasn't entirely necessary.
Soon, Lou Gao saw a rather handsome face appear before him.
"The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall? It's you."
Lou Gao wasn't unfamiliar with this face. As the head of an organization, he had memorized the appearances of key figures in the Spirit Hall leadership.
"That's right. But surely this won't affect my request for forging, will it?" Han Li asked, his smile still gentle.
"Of course not," Lou Gao replied, though his chubby face twitched slightly. He realized he might have agreed too hastily. This was the kind of situation that should have gone through official channels. If word got out, it would be hard to explain.
"Relax, Master Lou Gao. This won't leave this room. I have even more reason than you to keep it quiet," Han Li said calmly.
"It better stay that way. So, what do you need me to forge? Or do you have specific requirements? I'll need to hear those first."
Lou Gao took a deep breath and looked at Han Li. The man had already said enough, and pushing further might come off as disrespectful. Moreover, losing the business of the Seven Mysterious Guild would be a blow the Blacksmith Association couldn't afford.
"Oh, my apologies. Let me show you."
Han Li gave Lou Gao an apologetic smile as he flipped his left hand, producing a stack of papers—blueprints he had meticulously replicated for hidden weapons.
"Hmm, not this one."
"No, not this one either."
"Ah, here it is."
Han Li pretended to sift through the papers, allowing Lou Gao to catch glimpses of the blueprints for the Flying God Claw and the Sleeved Arrow before placing them at the bottom of the stack. The blueprint he presented was for the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus.
"Master Lou Gao, is something the matter?"
Han Li looked up to see Lou Gao staring intently at the blueprint in his hand, occasionally glancing over at the wall.
"Your Highness, look over there," Zhu Zhuqing spoke up, pointing to the wall of the reception room. She did so at Han Li's subtle instruction.
"Hmm?"
Han Li followed her gesture and was momentarily stunned. Then, his expression darkened.
His voice, filled with barely restrained anger, turned toward Lou Gao. "Master Lou Gao, I believe you owe me an explanation, don't you?"