Melee archer with maxed-out Douluo luck

Chapter 242 President Lou Gao, I think you need to give me an explanation, don't you think?

"Um."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, without refusing.

Along the way, during casual conversation, she learned that Han Li had come to find Lou Gao, and that it must be something quite important. She didn't want to hold him back because of her own affairs.

Having changed into an unremarkable appearance, the two walked towards the bustling city that gleamed with metallic luster.

As soon as they entered the city gate, enthusiastic shouts and the clanging of hammers reached their ears. Looking around, almost both sides of the main road were lined with blacksmith shops.

Even as evening approached, they showed no sign of stopping their forging; instead, under the glow of the furnace, they swung their hammers even more vigorously.

"The atmosphere is really nice."

Han Li sighed. He could sense it; he wouldn't say all of them, but most of the people here genuinely loved forging. You could tell from the smiles on their faces—true iron-lifting veterans.

Unfortunately, he wasn't interested in that. Of course, if someone could actually build a Gundam, that would be a different story.

After showing Zhu Zhuqing around for a bit, the two headed towards the hotel, which belonged to the Seven Mysteries Sect and was also one of their own properties.

After showing their headquarters badges, the two were taken to the best room, which was very well soundproofed, and the continuous metallic noises that had been ringing in their ears finally disappeared.

Silent all night.

The next day, after breakfast, the two did not rush to the blacksmiths' association immediately, but instead had someone send a visiting card in the name of the chamber of commerce.

They don't have any master craftsmen here. If someone were to go to their door and specifically ask to see Lou Gao, they might be seen as looking for trouble.

They didn't have to wait long before the person in charge of the Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by a man dressed in a black robe, walked towards them.

"Hello, my name is Silong. My teacher asked me to come and pick you up."

The person who introduced himself as Si Long spoke before the person in charge of the Chamber of Commerce, which surprised Han Li. Why was he so enthusiastic?

The head of the chamber of commerce walked over to Han Li, whispered something in his ear, and then stood aside again.

This guy probably never reads reports, otherwise he wouldn't react like this. However, he became even more respectful. He doesn't even read reports, yet he insists on seeing Lou Gao by name right away. He must be a very important person.

After hearing what the person in charge said, Han Li nodded. He finally understood why Si Long was so enthusiastic.

After the Seven Mysteries Merchant Guild moved in here, aside from other things, the purchase of metals and most daily necessities alone accounted for nearly 40% of the entire blacksmith association's income, not to mention the purchase of goods from other shops.

With this in mind, it's no wonder that Lou Gao sent his disciple to personally greet him after he presented the visiting card. Of course, it's also possible that it was because the place was very close to the blacksmith's guild.

Here, perhaps the identity of the person in charge of the Seven Mysteries Sect Chamber of Commerce is more advantageous than that of the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, Han Li couldn't help but jokingly remark to himself before rising to pay his respects.

What happened next was quite simple. The two exchanged polite formalities and, led by Si Long, entered the nearby Blacksmiths' Association.

Along the way, Silong kept introducing Han Li to various metals and the finished products they made, while also inquiring about Han Li's identity.

Unfortunately, Han Li was not interested and only responded to his probing with a smile. Si Long naturally noticed this and had no choice but to quicken his pace.

As they walked up to the fourth floor, a large metal door came into view.

Si Long quickly took a few steps forward and arrived at the gate first. While skillfully tapping on it, he turned around and introduced to Han Li: "The fifth floor is the private forging area for grandmasters. My teacher is waiting for you up there."

Han Li nodded, but his mental energy had already silently penetrated the entire metal door and was probing upwards.

Indeed, it's quite good. The alloy used to make the gate can effectively block the mental power probing of those under the seal. Even for those under the seal, the range of probing is very limited.

It seems the blacksmiths' association does have some skills; I just wonder how much of this alloy they can produce.

As Silong finished his actions, a series of creaking sounds of metal parts rubbing together rang out from behind the alloy door, slowly revealing the passageway leading upstairs.

"You wait downstairs."

Han Li turned to the head of the Chamber of Commerce and said something before leading Zhu Zhuqing up the stairs. Si Long glanced at the head of the Chamber of Commerce, who was quite familiar with him, and found that he had no objections. So, without further hesitation, he quickly followed.

The fifth floor was simply furnished, consisting entirely of foundries. At this moment, only one of them was making noise, which was obviously caused by Lou Gao.

Si Long led the two into a semi-open casting room converted into a reception room, and said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry, distinguished guests, please excuse the commotion. The teacher must have been unable to hold back while waiting. I'll go and call him right away."

"It's alright, I admire Master Lou Gao's passion for forging."

Han Li smiled, not caring at all, or rather, he couldn't be happier that Lou Gao was that kind of person.

Please forgive me.

After bowing, Silong withdrew, and judging from his quick steps, he must have gone to call his teacher.

Han Li casually glanced around the reception room, then his gaze paused for a moment, landing on an object hanging on the wall. He was very familiar with this thing.

Just as he was about to get up and go over to take a look, he heard footsteps at the door.

"Are you from the Seven Mysteries Sect's headquarters? What business do you have with me?"

Han Li turned his head and saw that the speaker was a short, stout old man.

He was only about 1.6 meters tall, but his waist was probably also about 1.6 meters. He had protruding ears, small eyes, and messy short hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in days.

He was wearing a large robe, which he had just changed into, but as he spoke, his hands instinctively reached for the robe, making it dirty again. His chubby face was also covered in what looked like metallic powder, which made him look somewhat comical as he scratched at it.

"I have met Master Lou Gao."

Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing stood up at the same time to greet him, not losing their basic manners despite the visitor's unkempt appearance.

Lou Gao glanced at the two of them, narrowed his small eyes, and then looked at his apprentice: "Alright, Silong, you go downstairs and take care of things first. I can handle things here myself."

Silong was stunned for a moment, but after meeting the teacher's serious gaze, he nodded decisively, retreated outside, and closed the door behind him.

Once Si Long's footsteps had completely faded away, Lou Gao turned to Han Li and the other man again: "Gentlemen, now that I'm alone, would you mind telling me who you are?"

"It seems that Master Lou Gao is not as rumored as someone who cares about nothing but forging."

Han Li said with a smile, but he wasn't surprised. After all, he was the president of an association. Even if his status wasn't very high, he still had to come into contact with other forces.

"I've lived for several decades longer than expected, and I've seen a lot of things, so naturally I've come to understand."

"Let's make this clear first: if you're looking for a blacksmith to forge, then everything is fine. But if it's anything else, then let's not talk about it. My blacksmiths' association doesn't get involved."

Lou Gao shook his head rapidly, the flesh on his chubby face swaying with his movements.

"President Lou, rest assured, it's just forging; we won't discuss anything else."

Han Li's smile was also very bright. It was not worth it to win them over. He only needed tools for now. Taking over the entire Blacksmith Association was not something he should be doing right now.

"That's good. So, tell me, what do you need me to build? Oh, right, you almost confused me. You still haven't told me who you are."

When he heard that he only mentioned forging tasks, Lou Gao immediately straightened his back. He had never been afraid of anyone when it came to forging.

"As long as Chairman Lou has that confidence, that's fine. As for me, I am Han Li."

A light emanated from Han Li's body, and his head flickered slightly, revealing his true identity. He was putting on a show for Lou Gao, though it was indeed his soul bone skill, though it didn't require such a large commotion.

Then, a rather handsome face came into Lou Gao's view.

"The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall? It's you."

Lou Gao was not unfamiliar with this face. As the leader of a faction, he remembered the appearance of the Spirit Hall's high-ranking officials very well.

"That's right, but that shouldn't stop me from having it forged by you, right?"

Han Li's smile remained gentle.

"certainly."

Lou Gao's chubby face twitched involuntarily; he realized that his agreement had been somewhat hasty.

These kinds of orders should follow the proper procedures. If this is discovered, he won't be able to explain himself.

"Don't worry, President Lou Gao, this news won't get out, because I'm even more reluctant to let others know than you are."

Han Li added.

"That would be best. Where are the items? Or rather, what are your requirements? I need to hear them first."

Lou Gao took a deep breath and looked at Han Li. Since they had already said that, if he made excuses, wouldn't that be disrespectful to them? Not to mention the Spirit Hall, even if the Seven Mysteries Sect Chamber of Commerce stopped cooperating with the Blacksmith Association, it would be unacceptable to him.

"Oh, look at my memory, I'll get it for you right away."

Han Li cast an apologetic glance at Lou Gao, then flipped his left hand, revealing a stack of papers—his perfectly replicated blueprints for making hidden weapons.

"Hmm, not this one."

"Hmm, it's not this one either."

"Found it, this should be it."

Han Li pretended to flip through the papers in his hand, but inadvertently let Lou Gao glance at the blueprints for the Flying Claw and the Hidden Arrow, and then put them at the bottom. What he was holding in his hand was the blueprint for the Buddha's Wrath Tang Lotus.

"President Lou Gao, what's wrong?"

He looked up and saw Lou Gao staring intently at the blueprints in his hand, then unconsciously glancing towards the wall to the side.

"Your Highness, look over there."

It was Zhu Zhuqing who spoke up, pointing to the wall of the reception room. Yes, she spoke up at Han Li's instigation.

"Um?"

Han Li looked in the direction she was pointing, and was first taken aback, then his expression turned ugly.

His voice was filled with suppressed rage as he looked towards Lou Gao: "President Lou Gao, I think you need to give me an explanation, don't you agree?"

(End of this chapter)