Douluo: Emerald Poison Emperor

"I'm just having a little trouble adjusting, that's all."

After accepting the fact that she had been betrayed by Tang Hao, Ah Yin seemed to have matured a lot. After listening to Chen Ming's explanation, she merely sighed and refrained from continuing the argument.

Unlike Tang Hao, who was arrogant and always looked down on others, Ah Yin's personality was kind and gentle. No one knew how the two of them had ended up together in the first place. If you asked Chen Ming, even Tang Hao's elder brother, Tang Xiao, was far better than Tang Hao.

Chen Ming passed the time in the forging room, casually chatting with Ah Yin to build their relationship. It was about an hour later when a knock came at the door. After receiving Chen Ming's permission, Lou Gao entered.

"Hall Master, thank you for your assistance. Without your help, if Tai Tan had acted, our Blacksmith Association would have suffered an unprecedented blow in its history."

As soon as he entered, Lou Gao clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Chen Ming, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

"Our Blacksmith Association was originally just a refuge for blacksmiths who were looked down upon by the soul masters of Douluo Continent—a place where we could focus on forging. Who would have thought that as we developed, someone like Tai Tan would rise to such a high position?"

Lou Gao sighed, at a loss for words.

"Where there are people, there will be conflicts—whether big or small, overt or covert. The Blacksmith Association has always had its share of issues, but they were usually too minor to notice. This time, however, the matter nearly upended the entire association."

"Elder Lou, I cannot stay stationed in the Blacksmith Association forever. This time, I happened to be here to handle the issue. But if something happens in the future, there's no guarantee that I'll be around."

Chen Ming took two tokens from his magical pouch. The moment one of the tokens was revealed, Ah Yin's expression changed dramatically. If it weren't just an illusion, even her body might have started trembling in nervousness.

One of the tokens was the "Seven Treasures Token" from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, which Lou Gao personally witnessed Ning Fengzhi hand over to Chen Ming. Thus, Lou Gao was somewhat prepared for this.

However, the other token caused Lou Gao's expression to change instantly, and his breathing became rapid.

It was a token from the Spirit Hall, but not the Elder Token previously given by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Instead, it was a "Worship Token" gifted by Qian Daoliu, the High Priest of the Spirit Hall. This was one of the rare replicas of Qian Daoliu's personal Worship Token, imbued with gentle yet powerful holy soul power, signifying Qian Daoliu's recognition.

Within the Spirit Hall, this token held exceptionally special significance, representing the highest authority of its Grand Worship.

"Elder Lou, I have two methods to strengthen the Blacksmith Association, but both require external assistance. I've never managed the Blacksmith Association, so the ultimate decision still rests with you."

"First," Chen Ming said, holding up the Seven Treasures Token, "I can take this token to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and ask Sect Master Ning for help, requesting a few Soul Sage to be transferred here—maybe even a Soul Douluo, if we're lucky. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's name backing us, very few people on the continent would dare to act recklessly like today."

"However, using the Seven Treasures Token means the Blacksmith Association will owe the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan a favor. Additionally, in some people's eyes, the association will be marked as being affiliated with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. This favor will need to be repaid in the future."

"Second," Chen Ming set down the Seven Treasures Token and picked up Qian Daoliu's Worship Token, "this token is a replica of the Worship Token from Qian Daoliu, the former Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall and the current Grand Worship of the Worship Hall. With this token, I can request the Spirit Hall to send a Titled Douluo to secretly protect the Blacksmith Association."

"You must understand how prestigious the identity of a Titled Douluo is on the continent, and what kind of authority the Grand Worship of the Spirit Hall holds. The favor owed in this case is far greater than the Seven Treasures Token. If nothing happens, it's fine. But if the Spirit Hall takes major action in the future, the Blacksmith Association will inevitably be dragged into it."

"Elder Lou, choose one." With that, Chen Ming set the tokens down, leaving the decision to Lou Gao.

Staring at the two tokens on the table, Lou Gao fell into deep thought. Finally, under Chen Ming's gaze, Lou Gao decisively pointed to the Worship Token of the Spirit Hall.

"I choose the Spirit Hall's help."@@novelbin@@

"Why?" Chen Ming asked.

"The Seven Treasures Token, which I saw Sect Master Ning give to you, represents the support of a Soul Douluo-level offering. It reflects Sect Master Ning's investment in you."

"But the Worship Token of the Spirit Hall represents the entire Spirit Hall and can even summon a Titled Douluo, which is far beyond mere investment. There must be a connection and a good relationship between you and the Spirit Hall. If the Spirit Hall takes major action in the future, you likely won't be able to remain uninvolved."

"Given that, owing the Spirit Hall a favor is no big deal. Moreover, a Titled Douluo—even one working in secret—can accomplish far more than a few Soul Sage."

"Smart!" Chen Ming gave Lou Gao a thumbs-up, and then put away the two tokens. He then began asking Lou Gao how he had handled the members of the Strength Clan and Tai Tan.

In response, Lou Gao explained his decisions in detail.

Those members of the Strength Clan who had not directly participated in the fighting were ordered to help the Blacksmith Association with metal smelting and transporting various ores. Those who had directly participated were bound with iron chains and imprisoned to prevent riots.

As for Tai Tan, after receiving basic treatment, Lou Gao had him fed a large amount of laxatives, leaving him dehydrated and unconscious from severe diarrhea. Lou Gao planned to keep him bound in iron chains, providing only minimal sustenance to keep him alive.

Tai Tan's son, the middle-aged soul master who had helped Tai Tan, was released to allow the Strength Clan to prepare a ransom for Tai Tan. The blacksmiths who had followed Tai Tan were punished—those who received lighter penalties were demoted and fined, while the more severe cases were expelled from the Blacksmith Association and publicly denounced.

These expelled blacksmiths would face difficulties in purchasing raw materials and would be barred from joining major blacksmith shops. From then on, they'd likely be reduced to working in small villages, making a modest living from basic blacksmithing.

After explaining his handling of the situation, Lou Gao's expression changed. He took out a piece of parchment from his soul tool and handed it to Chen Ming.

"Hall Master, while dealing with those people, I found this on Tai Tan. Although it's publicly known that after Tang Hao killed Qian Xunji, the four single-attribute clans were abandoned by the Clear Sky Clan and severed ties with them, it seems that Tai Tan—or rather, the Strength Clan—still has lingering connections to the Clear Sky Clan."

"This time, Tai Tan's attempt to steal wasn't entirely his idea. He was also influenced by a few elders who secretly left the Clear Sky Clan to hunt soul rings."