Si Long held his breath, lowering his head even further as he awaited the verdict of fate.
He could not see the Pope's expression, yet he could clearly sense that invisible gaze sweeping across the letter line by line.
Although Si Long had not personally read the contents of the letter, he knew a portion of what it contained.
Time passed second by second.
Cold sweat had already soaked through the clothes on Si Long's back.
At last, a very faint, almost imperceptible cold snort sounded from above.
The sound was soft, yet it pierced Si Long's eardrums like an ice awl, plunging him instantly into an icy abyss.
He seemed to feel a frigid chill spread throughout the entire side hall in an instant.
Then came the subtle sound of paper being folded again.
"Divine Craftsman Lou Gao… is thoughtful."
Bibi Dong's voice rang out once more, still carrying that cool, authoritative tone. No obvious emotion could be discerned, yet Si Long keenly caught a trace of something difficult to describe within it, Was it coldness? Or perhaps the calm killing intent that followed the confirmation of a certain suspicion?
"The matters described in the letter are already known to me."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the letter itself, falling upon the distant Gengxin City.
"The Blacksmith Association stands at the pinnacle of craftsmanship on the continent. Its skills are exquisite, its contributions invaluable. Divine Craftsman Lou Gao understands the greater good and is willing to lead the entire association in pledging allegiance to the Martial Soul Hall, working together for a grand cause. This is the fortune of the Martial Soul Hall, and also the fortune of the continent's forging world."
At these words, the massive stone weighing on Si Long's heart finally fell away. An overwhelming surge of joy rushed through him, nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
It worked!
The association's crisis had been resolved!
His master's efforts had not been in vain!
However, Bibi Dong's next words caused his heart to rise again.
"As for the Bishop of the Gengxin City Martial Soul Hall—Meyers Garcia…"
Bibi Dong's voice paused slightly. In her deep phoenix eyes, a clearly visible streak of icy light finally flashed, like a fissure beneath an ancient polar icefield—bone-chillingly cold.
Her crimson lips parted, and she issued the command word by word, unmistakably clear.
"Elder Ghost."
From the shadows beside the throne, an elderly man dressed in a black robe, with a rigid face and eyes sharp as a hawk's, immediately bowed and responded
"This subordinate is present!"
"Take my personal order and depart at once. Proceed to Gengxin City in secrecy."
Bibi Dong's voice carried not the slightest hint of warmth.
"Conduct a thorough investigation into every matter during Meyers Garcia's tenure. Remember—everything. What he has done, what he has taken, what he has said, whom he has contacted… I want the most detailed and conclusive evidence. Leave no injustice uncorrected, and spare no guilty party."
"This subordinate obeys! I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
Ghost nodded deeply, his voice resolute.
"Go."
Bibi Dong waved her hand lightly.
Ghost's figure withdrew soundlessly from the side hall and vanished in an instant.
With these two crucial matters settled, Bibi Dong's gaze returned to Si Long. The suffocating coldness had already receded, replaced once more by unfathomable calm.
"Si Long."
"This subordinate is here!"
Si Long responded immediately and respectfully.
"Your master's request has been approved."
Bibi Dong's voice seemed to soften slightly.
"As for the Blacksmith Association's formal entry into the Martial Soul Hall, once Elder Ghost has verified the situation in Gengxin City and purged its accumulated corruption, I will issue an official decree and announce it to the world. Until then, everything shall proceed as usual. Do not spread word of this for now. You will remain in Martial Soul City and await orders."
"Yes! This disciple humbly obeys the Pope's decree! On behalf of my master and all craftsmen of the Blacksmith Association, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
Overcome with emotion, Si Long pressed his head to the ground in a deep bow.
He knew that the malignant tumor that had oppressed the association for so many years—Meyers was not far from destruction.
"Mmm."
Bibi Dong gave a slight nod, her gaze returning to the documents on the desk.
"You may withdraw."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! This subordinate takes his leave!"
Si Long kowtowed once more, forcibly suppressing the excitement and shock in his heart. Under the guidance of the hall-guarding knights, he rose carefully, lowered his head, and respectfully exited the chamber that symbolized the pinnacle of power.
The massive doors slowly closed behind him, sealing off that suffocating authority.
Only when Si Long stepped out of the Papal Palace and stood beneath the enormous angel statue, bathed in the sunlight over Martial Soul City, did he finally feel alive again. His back was already drenched in cold sweat.
Recalling everything that had just transpired—especially the Pope's icy gaze and decisive orders when Meyers was mentioned—Si Long felt both profound awe and a surge of immense hope.
"The association… is saved!"
Clenching his fists, he looked in the direction of Gengxin City and let out a long breath.
Lin Xia and the others, of course, had no idea that Si Long had already arrived in Martial Soul City, nor did they know what kind of waves that confidential letter was stirring up.
They were still immersed in reading various books.
And just at that moment, Lou Gao's signature booming voice shattered the courtyard's tranquility. He strode forward and stopped in front of Lin Xia, who was studying forging schematics, a hint of evaluative amusement on his broad face.
"Xiao Xia! Well? Have you thoroughly digested those foundational forging texts—mineral identification, heat control, and all the rest?"
Lin Xia looked up upon hearing his voice, set aside the schematics in his hands, and wore an expression of beginner's modesty, though his eyes were clear and confident.
Without concealing anything, Lin Xia clearly listed the books he had finished studying during this period, summarizing their key points succinctly and accurately.
The depth of his understanding and the precision of his memory far exceeded Lou Gao's expectations.
As Lou Gao listened, the scrutiny in his eyes gradually turned into overwhelming delight. Even his thick beard trembled slightly with his smile.
He slapped Lin Xia firmly on the shoulder with a crisp pa.
"Good! Good boy! This new brain of yours really works wonders!"
A sharp gleam flashed in Lou Gao's eyes as he spoke with bold, surging spirit.
"Talking without practice is just empty show! As my disciple, how could you be someone who only theorizes on paper? Today, this old man will personally see whether what you've learned from books can truly be hammered onto this anvil! Do you dare to give it a try?"
Hearing this, a strong surge of excitement and eagerness instantly rose in Lin Xia's heart.
Forging, in this world, was an extension of strength—the foundation of creation itself.
And in the understanding of his previous life, it concealed even greater potential: the power to change the very nature of warfare—firearms!
Those intricate components, that tremendous kinetic force—the principles were crystal clear in his mind. He had simply never been able to try them due to laws and restrictions.
Now that he had the chance to personally temper steel, how could his blood not surge with excitement?
"Of course, Teacher!"
Lin Xia's eyes shone brilliantly as he nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"I've been wanting to experience firsthand what it's like to temper something through countless hammerings!"
"Hahahaha! That's the spirit! Come with me!"
Laughing heartily, Lou Gao led Lin Xia toward the primary forging area specially set up on one side of the front courtyard.
The furnaces there blazed fiercely, and the sound of hammering rang out without pause.
Lou Gao personally selected a standard-sized pig iron ingot—dark, rough, and carrying the distinctive cold heaviness of metal.
He then took down a hefty single-handed forging hammer from a nearby rack. The hammerhead was jet-black and gleaming, clearly a tool that had seen frequent use.
Lou Gao steadily placed the hammer's handle into Lin Xia's hand.
"Use this."
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