While everyone was discussing, the door to the forging room was knocked again.
Si Long went to open it. Outside stood none other than Zhao Tieshan, the City Lord of Gengxin.
Zhao Tieshan scanned the people present, surprised to see a child as young as Su Ming there. Before he could say anything, he spotted Chen Xin. His face showed great shock, and he bowed in salute.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Chen Xin nodded slightly.
Zhao Tieshan breathed a sigh of relief and straightened up.
"City Lord Zhao, with such a matter happening now, you still have time to come to our Blacksmiths Association?" Zhu Jiuyang raised an eyebrow.
Zhao Tieshan forced a bitter smile.
"President Zhu, esteemed guests, let's not beat around the bush. Your Association is about to cooperate with Spirit Hall. For this to happen in the interim, you must also be urgently looking for the culprit. Why don't we join forces?"
"Does City Lord Zhao have any leads?"
Zhao Tieshan took a deep breath.
He didn't question why they weren't sharing their clues first. With Chen Xin sitting here, he was already at a disadvantage and didn't dare adopt any tough attitude.
"Regarding this assassination, I feel it might be targeting me."
"Targeting you?"
Everyone present frowned and looked at Zhao Tieshan, not understanding his meaning.
"Could City Lord Zhao explain in detail?" Lou Gao said.
"It still starts with your Association. You understand what kind of upheaval the twelve pieces of Spirit Metal you auctioned will cause, right? I am the City Lord of Gengxin. Countless people are eyeing my position, not subordinates, but people from outside."
"The forces interested in the Spirit Metal you auctioned off probably all want to remove me and take the position of City Lord of Gengxin."
"Exactly!"
Si Long smacked his right fist into his left palm.
"You also think someone is targeting my position?"
Zhao Tieshan didn't expect this group of blacksmiths from the Association to be so sharp-minded, able to deduce this far.
Actually, he was overthinking it; it was just that what he said now complemented the Association members' earlier speculation.
"If the Star Luo royal family acted, then even if they anger us, even if Spirit Hall ultimately doesn't hold the Association accountable, and cooperation between the Association and the Heaven Dou Empire is still promoted, they still wouldn't lose. Because the Association is in Gengxin City. Once the City Lord of Gengxin is replaced by them, they directly administer the Association itself," Si Long murmured.
Zhao Tieshan looked bewildered.
What?
The one who wants to seize my position is His Majesty?
Si Long's words made a lot of sense, but the premise for all this was that the Association would continue to stay in Gengxin City.
However, would the Association continue to stay in Gengxin City?
Yes, but not solely in Gengxin City.
Su Ming's reforms were based on the future Blacksmiths Association. He would inevitably choose the same development path as in the future: multiple Associations established, the Association being a single entity yet dispersed across various cities.
If the Star Luo Empire truly intended to firmly control the position of City Lord of Gengxin to extract benefits from the Association, they were certainly overthinking it.
"Now that we can basically confirm the culprit's origin, how should we explain this to the envoy from Spirit Hall?" Si Long said with a pained expression. "We still don't even know who Spirit Hall sent as their envoy."
"First, confirm the identity of that Titled Douluo. It's best to ferret him out before the Spirit Hall envoy arrives. Then, we won't need to headache over how to explain it," Zhu Jiuyang said.
His method was simple and direct.
The others looked at each other, a flicker of reluctance in their eyes.
Zhu Jiuyang could say this because he was a Spirit Douluo and seemed to have other cards up his sleeve. The others were not Spirit Douluos and had no so-called trump cards.
After learning from the others that Miles's assassin was actually a Titled Douluo, Zhao Tieshan felt like withdrawing. He thought he should slightly relax the lockdown on Gengxin City and quickly let that Titled Douluo leave.
If they really pushed him into a corner, who knew what he might do?
What if he himself happened to be the one who crossed his path?
He took a slight step back.
Noticing Zhao Tieshan's movement, Su Ming immediately became displeased.
Scared?
That won't do.
The main forces for capturing the Titled Douluo this time were the city guards and the people from the Spirit Hall Main Hall. How could Zhao Tieshan, as the City Lord, shrink back?
He spoke directly.
"City Lord Zhao, we have almost analyzed the culprit's identity. Can we begin the search?"
As his voice sounded, everyone turned their gaze to him.
Although Su Ming was only eleven years old, he was the true founder of the blacksmithing system and the real driving force behind the Association's reforms. Those who knew this naturally would not underestimate him.
The only one present unaware of this was naturally Zhao Tieshan.
Zhao Tieshan looked expressionlessly at Su Ming. He had already been wondering why such a young child was present at this meeting, and now he was even more suspicious.
A kid who understands nothing, truly dares to say anything.
He showed an expression of anger.
While he was annoyed, Su Ming acted as if he didn't notice his expression and continued, "If the city guards are short-handed, they can cooperate with the people from the Spirit Hall Main Hall. I think the Spirit Hall Main Hall will also put great effort into finding that culprit."
"Kid, you're too naive," Zhao Tieshan sneered.
Put great effort?
Who isn't afraid of death?
It would be strange if they could handle it.
Even the Platinum Bishop was killed. Who among the remaining people in the Spirit Hall Main Hall would dare to investigate seriously?
"Getting the cooperation of the Spirit Hall Main Hall is actually very simple. You just need to tell them that a Titled Douluo Elder from Spirit City will arrive in Gengxin City within two days."
"What?"
Zhao Tieshan's face changed dramatically.
The envoy Spirit Hall is sending is a Titled Douluo?
"Are you sure Spirit Hall will send a Titled Douluo to Gengxin City?"
Su Ming shook his head.
"Not sure."
He 'thought' for a moment, then added.
"But this possibility cannot be ruled out, can it?"
Zhao Tieshan frowned, falling into deep thought.
The more he thought, the more his expression struggled, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
It's not frightening if one doesn't think of it; what's frightening is thinking of it, even if uncertain.
Imagine, if a Titled Douluo really comes, learns that a Platinum Bishop was assassinated with no leads on the culprit, and is determined to hold someone responsible, who would he target?
Whether or not they intend to pin the blame on the Blacksmiths Association, they would ultimately certainly take the opportunity to drive a hard bargain in the cooperation with the Association, and then the blame would no longer belong to the Association.
So, upon whom would the blame finally fall?
Zhao Tieshan broke out in a cold sweat.
Spirit Hall would find him to be the scapegoat, and this aligns with the needs of the Star Luo side.
As long as the higher-ups from both sides come to an agreement, wouldn't a minor Spirit Sage like him be convicted arbitrarily?
Therefore, when Su Ming said the Spirit Hall Main Hall would exert effort, he was actually telling him that he, the City Lord, must exert effort, and great effort at that!
He must find the culprit and uncover the truth; otherwise, he would become a pawn sacrificed by both sides.
(End of Chapter)