Without anyone’s notice, the main gates that had been closed since dawn, had already opened and two carriages had also silently left. Given Lou Gao’s status, who would be able to stop him from leaving the city? What’s more, last night, the Blacksmith Association had already officially announced that Si Long would be taking over as the president.
On the trip back, the Shrek five rode in one carriage, while the two Divine Craftsmen, obsessed with hidden weapons, rode in the other. Meanwhile, Si Yu and Si Kai, these two Smith Scholars did not come with Lou Gao to the Tang Sect. Si Long who had just taken over as the Blacksmith Association president still required their help. Hence, they had previously arranged with Tang San to wait after things have settled down in the Blacksmith Association before catching up at Tang Sect after a month.
Ma Hongjun complained: “Third brother, yesterday I got so much good loot from the Spirit Hall Branch, why did you make me hand them over to the Blacksmith Association? That was quite a large sum of wealth you know!”
After the Spirit Hall Branch was razed, Ma Hongjun couldn't possibly come back empty handed, he instead brought back a shockingly large amount of treasures.
Tang San smilingly spoke: “Those were all obtained from the blood and sweat of the residents in Geng Xin city, it’s not good to hold on to them. Handing them over to the Blacksmith Association and letting them gradually return it to the people would be better. Then the Blacksmith Association would also receive the gratitude of the people. The things in the auction yesterday, including those two divine artifacts, have already been given to us at half the price, is it not already enough? The harvest from this trip have already exceeded my expectations, we should not be too greedy, don’t you agree?”
While saying that, Tang San gaze tinged with a slight bit of worry fell upon Xiao Wu.
Currently, the situation in the horse carriage was slightly strange, the Xiao Wu who was normally glued to Tang San instead sat by Ning Rongrong, sleeping sweetly on Ning Rongrong’s thighs.
Last night, after Tang San came back. No matter what, Xiao Wu was unwilling to go near him, rather she looked at Tang San with a fearful look. No matter how hard Tang San tried, Xiao Wu did not want to even go close to him. Only after a sleepless night, all the way till dawn, did Xiao Wu gradually calm down.
Tang San could also guess, Xiao Wu who had lost her spirit, was probably avoiding him due to the heavy smell of blood he had on him. Although she had no intention to, her senses were keen as usual and even up till now, she was unwilling to be near him. This morning, before the sun even rose, after the group finished packing their goods onto the horse carriage did Xiao Wu curl up by Ning Rongrong and slept.
Hearing what Tang San said, Ma Hongjun scratched his head and agreed: “That is true, even if I spent that money, I would not feel too good about it. But, what do we do if we run into such a thing in the future? We cannot possibly just give it to the local governors, not every place is like Geng Xin city.
Tang San thought for a while before saying: “Then we will play it by ear, handing it over to the local governors should be unlikely, after all, that would just be returning the things to the hands of Spirit Hall.”
Oscar who was sitting beside Tang San said: “How I envy Xiao Wu, she can sleep so sweetly without having to worry about anything”
Ma Hongjun looked at Oscar with contempt: “You are just jealous that Xiao Wu can lay down on Ning Rongrong’s lap. Hehe.”
Oscar righteously rebutted: “What is there to be jealous about? Is not as if your big brother has never laid there before. Eh......” After saying this did he realise he made a mistake, Ning Rongrong was glaring at him with a murderous look in her eyes.
Seeing them like this, Tang San could not help but smile. After last night’s slaughtering, his heart originally still had some violent intentions lurking inside, but now with his companions sitting beside him relaxed like this like this they had subsided. Although after his experience in Slaughter City he was rehabilitated by Yue Hua, his murderous aura had not truly disappeared. This was also something that could never disappear, otherwise, his Death God Domain would also lose its effect
After fiercely pinching Oscar’s soft waist, Ning Rongrong stared at fatty. “Stupid fatty, you dare make fun of us? You better forget about trying to find a wife. Do you think the girls you try to court would more easily trust me or you?”
Ma Hongjun widened his eyes: “Rongrong, you cannot be like this! You all are already paired up, this big brother finally has a target in mind.”
Ning Rongrong with a hmph, lifted her head and did not look at him.
Ma Hongjun coughed dryly twice. “Okay, okay, I won’t tease you anymore next time. Let’s change the topic. Hehe, Rongrong, the two divine artifacts you kept away yesterday. Take them out and let us all have a look! Let us see just how strong it really is.”
Upon saying this, even Tang San’s interest was roused. After they had came back last night, Lou Gao kept his words and handed over everything that Meyers won in the auction. Furthermore, as Ma Hongjun took back a large fortune from the Spirit Hall, these goods were sold at half-price to the Tang Sect. Of course this included the two sets of Wishful Eight Treasure Soft Armour hailed as divine artifacts.
Ning Rongrong nodded, her hand flashed and the two sets of Wishful Eight Treasure Soft Armours appeared in her hands.
The male version of the armour had already been shown on yesterday’s auction, it was blue, while the other female version was white.
The two sets of soft armour did not have any decorations on them, and at the same time did not feel too heavy when it was being held on the hands. Ning Rongrong immediately handed them over to Tang San.
After receiving these two sets of armour, he held up the male set and lightly pulled at it. The soft armour immediately opened up and stretched itself, and when he let go it immediately reverted to its original form. Extremely elastic!
With a long breath, Tang San commended: “How marvelous! It is hard to imagine how Senior Lou Gao came up with how to make this.”
Oscar reminded Tang San: “You should be calling him Elder Lou Gao now, after all he is now also part of the Tang Sect.”
Tang San told the Ma Hongjun beside him: “Try using your phoenix fire on it for a bit.”
While saying that, he held out the blue male version of the armour in front of Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun nodded. With his current strength, he could make use of his phoenix flame without having to fully release his spirit power. A small bundle of orange flames emerged on his fingertips as he put them onto the armour.
Ma Hongjun’s phoenix fire had strong adhesive properties, and even though the quantity was small, it was enough to greatly increase the temperature inside the carriage.
Everyone’s stares were centered on the set of armour, under the burn of the phoenix flame, the glistening shiny surface did not change a single bit.
Tang San nodded his head, signaling to Ma Hongjun to stop, before telling the group: “Across the armour I could only feel a little bit of the warmth. This thing is very resistant to heat. When grandmaster Si Di said that it could resist the attack of any spiritmaster below level sixty, it should include all forms of direct attack. This is really a treasure you can never have too many of.”
While saying that, he handed the soft armour in his hand to Oscar: “Little Ao, you wear this male armour.”
Oscar also did not hold back and smilingly took over the Wishful Eight Treasure Soft Armour. Although he already had the Mirror Sausage and could gain some fighting abilities for a short time, he was still an auxiliary food system spirit master. This armour would be far more beneficial to him than to Tang San or Ma Hongjun.
Holding the other white set of armour, Tang San’s face gave off some hesitation. Looking at Ning Rongrong and the Xiao Wu sweetly sleeping on her lap, he could not make a decision.
Both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu did not have any defensive capabilities, but there was only one set of armour
, who should he give it to? The money came from the Seven Treasure Tile Glazed Clan and almost all million of the gold coins they brought had been spent. But the Xiao Wu now was obviously more vulnerable than Ning Rongrong. Furthermore, based on his feelings, he would definitely favour Xiao Wu more, but because it was like this, he was unable to make a decision.
Ning Rongrong was smart and could tell what Tang San was troubled over, smiling she said: “Third brother, why don’t you just give it to me. When we stop for a break later I will put it on Xiao Wu, she is more suited for it. Didn’t senior Lou Gao also promise to custom make these armours for us? I can get one from him then.”
Tang San handed over the armour, with some gratitude spilling out from his eyes, yet he did not say a word of thanks. The Shrek Seven Devils had gone through life and death together, saying thanks now would just be hypocritical.
Xiao Wu did not go near Tang San for a whole three days. After three days, the situation slowly changed, the fear in her heart was gradually diminishing, while the bloody scent on Tang San also gradually subsided, only then did she once again approach Tan San’s side.
The white coloured female Wishful Eight Treasure Soft Armour had already been transferred onto Xiao Wu. Putting on this armour was slightly troublesome, naturally that meant that removing it was also not very easy. What’s more, it also stuck close to the skin, therefore at night, Tang San no longer had to face the torment of happiness and pain at the same time.
Although the Xiao Wu wearing the armour had equally enticing curves, it was still better than her appeal while while wearing nothing.
While they were about three days away from Heaven Dou Empire, Lou Gao took the initiative to seek Tang San to have a private talk. Ma Hongjun, Oscar and Ning Rongrong temporarily moved to the other carriage. Regarding Xiao Wu, Tang San was unwilling to let her leave. As Lou Gao also knew about Xiao Wu’s condition, he naturally did not mind as well.
“Elder Lou Gao, what do you seek me for?” Tang San looked at Lou Gao, from Lou Gao’s expression, he could see the fanaticism in his heart. This kind of fanaticism was something Tang San had experienced in his previous life. In this world, it had actually died down quite significantly, most probably because unlike in the previous world, he was not alone here.
Lou Gao pulled out the stack of diagrams from under his arm, these were the diagrams Tang San had given him after they left Geng Xin city, they were the full diagrams for the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles. These were what Tang San had managed to obtain by himself from deep within Tang Sect. Naturally these memories left a deep impression on him and thus the diagrams were also very detailed.
“Sect master, this old man has a request that I would like you to agree to.” Lou Gao said while intently looking at at Tang San
Tang San said: “You want to make the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles?”
Lou Gao furiously nodded his head, “Tai Tan and I have already thoroughly discussed, I am about sixty percent confident that I am able to craft this hidden weapon. Sect master, we also have the Deep Sea Sunken Silver right now. Won’t you just let me try? I believe that it would transcend all the things I have crafted in the past.”
Tang San sighed and said: “Senior, I understand how you feel right now. I also do not doubt your skill in the craft. But, there is a very troublesome problem right now, that is the problem with the Deep Sea Sunken Silver. With our abilities right now, it would be practically impossible to smith with it. Unless, you have some method?”
Upon speaking about this, Lou Gao was slightly disappointed, “No way, I have also already tried. That thing is just too resilient, even Tai Tan and my full strength could barely change its shape and would not be able to smith with it. But Tai Tan told me, you had a way, that is why I came to you! Sect master, you must know how I am feeling right now, please let me be in charge of this project.”
Tang San thought for a while before saying: “Fine then, after we return to the Tang Sect, let me send you someplace. Only the people there could have a chance of forging this. As far as I know, this Deep Sea Sunken Silver cannot be forged via flame, only beating it with monstrous strength will soften it. Only then can it be used for forging. But this softening is also only for a very brief period, in other words, you need someone strong enough to be able to constantly help you, only then can you successfully forge with it.
“It’s a pity your father…... If not, given his strength, it should naturally be possible. Among the three of us Divine Craftsmen, your father is the one who can purify metals to the highest extent with his strength and thus became a Divine Craftsman. If he were to work together with us on this then our success rate would be over ninety percent. The Clear Sky Hammer is indeed the most powerful and most destructive Spirit Tool, but also in my opinion, the most suitable for creating.”
Tang San thought about it for awhile before saying: “Leave this to me, I will certainly find you a suitable partner.”
Holding onto the diagrams tightly, Lou Gao’s eyes let out a feeling of longing.
In Tang San’s heart, Lou Gao’s importance to the Tang Sect was not any lower than Tai Tan. If Tai Tan was the one who could control the manufacture of all the hidden weapons in the Tang Sect, then Lou Gao would be the one who made the most sophisticated hidden weapons in the sect. With these two Divine Smiths present, then Tang San could focus more of his energies in training and handling the various affairs in the Sect, and not have to physically participate in the weapon making. To create the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles was also his wish, were Lou Gao successful in making it, it would no doubt make the Tang Sect a more formidable name.
Evening was the time night life in the Heaven Dou Empire truly started, the two horse carriage brought the Shrek five and the two Divine Craftsmen into the city. In order to come back quickly they constantly travelled through the day, only stopping to sleep at night, thus the trip was comparatively quicker compared to when they headed to Geng Xin city.
The horse carriages went straight back to the doorstep of the Tang Sect. The inscribed board on the Tang Sect still said Strength Clan, as if nothing had changed in this time. But after Tang San and the others stepped off the carriage, they saw that, in front of the gate, Defense Clan chief Niu Gao, Speed Clan chief Bai He, as well as Breaking Clan chief Yang Wudi, all stood waiting to receive them.
Tang San was slightly shocked that the three clan leaders, no, the three Elders came out to greet them and said: “How did you three elders know that I had returned?”
Bai He lightly smiled: “Sect master, don’t tell me you forgot what the special trait of our Speed Clan is?”
Only now did Tang San realise, “You all already had the Speed Clan clansmen start operating?”
Bai He smiled: “We cannot just sit inside the Tang Sect eating rice! After we settled down, I sent all of them out. Now all the key locations within Heaven Dou City are all monitored by our clansmen. Whatever happens within the city will also be immediately reported back to us. This is also good practice for our clansmen.”
Niu Gao also laughingly said: “What this clan, that clan, we are all Tang Sect members now. Sect master, don’t just stand here already, let’s all go in and take a look shall we? We can’t just let this old whitebird keep boasting here, you need to see what we have achieved together during this period. Our sect has basically become established already, the last bit of finishing touches just have to slowly be adjusted.”
Yang Wudi did not speak but only nodded towards Tang San. The four individual clans united under Tang Sect, Tang San first introduced these three clan patriarchs to Lou Gao, before returning back to Tang Sect surrounded by his own people.
While walking through the Tang Sect door, he was considering a problem, since the Tang Sect could be considered formally established already, there needed to be a change in the way they addressed each other. There could no longer be the individual clan factions, but rather unified titles and divisions. If not, how could it still be called Tang Sect? Slowly, a
structure for the present Tang Sect began to take form in his mind.
Walking into the Tang Sect, he could feel the original Strength Clan was slightly different. The construction originally belonging to the strength clan was already slightly changed.
If it was somebody else, perhaps they might not notice, but Tang San was different, because whenever Tang San went somewhere new, his mental energies would always carefully inspect the surroundings. Furthermore, the strength clan grounds was where the Tang Sect would be in the future, naturally he would even more carefully observe the place. At the moment, on the surface it seemed like nothing had changed, but compared to the place Tang San had in his memory it was different. After Niu Gao’s explanation did Tang San figure out why. The changes were made because of the Tang Sect hidden weapons. Other than the places that were reinforced, there were now a number of places that hidden weapons could be rigged.
For example, some bricks on the walls could be removed and hidden weapons can be launched in an instant.
Of course, this was only Tang San’s first impression upon walking through the doors. After walking to the main halls, he could truly appreciate the architectural skills of the great Defense Clan. The interior area of the main building had nearly doubled, many of the original buildings had also been transformed, and also many more different building had been added. How huge a project it must have been!
In this short period of time, not only did the Defense Clan complete the entire construction, but also all the new buildings did not clash at all with the style of the original Strength Clan. It completely did not give off even the slightest feeling of not belonging. All the buildings within the Tang Sect exuded a harmonious aura, even the difference between the new and old was barely visible. What kind of craftmanship was this? The Defense Clan’s achievements in architecture gave Tang San the same feeling of respect he had towards the Divine Smith Lou Gao.
Niu Gao spoke to Tang San in his booming voice: “Sect master, at the moment, our Tang Sect is divided into five districts, each of the four cardinal directions is for a clan, while the central area shall be the sect manor. At the moment, our Tang Sect has a total of one thousand and eighty seven spirit masters, and based on the current state of our construction, we can accommodate about another four hundred people comfortably, bringing our total to one thousand five hundred people. Also according to our new layout, the moment Tang Sect encounters enemy attack, all the spirit masters are able to take the shortest route to take up their combat positions. Unfortunately, you forbade me from carrying out a large scale reconstruction of the outer walls, if not I would have made the Tang Sect a fortress-like compound.”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 332
