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--- Chapter 120 ---
"Star Luo Empire, huh?"
Han Yuan carried Ah Yin in the sky like before. Although Ah Yin could fly by herself, she preferred to be carried around and took no for an answer, especially with that pouting mouth.
After taking care of some trash, Han Yuan doesn't want to spoil their new moods. So, Ah Yin snuggled in his arms while humming a pleasant lullaby on their way to the Star Luo Empire.
"So, where are we going?" asked Ah Yin, blinking her pretty blue eyes at Han Yuan.
Han Yuan pondered before replying, "Well, I planned to visit Gengxin City. I invested my money here and there in that city, so we should get some results now."
"Gengxin City... Isn't that a city that focuses on blacksmithing?" Ah Yin tilted her head, recalling her old memories. "I heard that place was in decline years ago."
Han Yuan smiled mysteriously, "Not anymore."
With Han Yuan's speed, reaching Gengxin City was a breeze. Since they were already on the border between two empires, it only took him a few minutes to arrive at one of the continent's most popular cities.
Ah Yin's eyes gradually widened when she saw many towering buildings made of steel and glass. Although the sun was no longer overhead, the city gleamed brightly with a vibrant display of neon lights.
"W-What happened to this city???"
Ah Yin was speechless.
Ten years ago, this city wasn't this big and Bright!
Han Yuan saw Ah Yin's reaction and said with a chuckle, "While Gengxin City is still known as the Blacksmith City, many people call it the City of Artisans these days."
"Merchant Union invested heavily into this city, especially the Blacksmith Association, asking them to create many gadgets and stuff that's more than petty armor and weapons. Then, other craft masters started flocking in and joining the pool, allowing many merchants to open a new field of business."
"But aren't the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, and Spirit Hall going to stop it?" Ah Yin was confused.
"Why should they? They got their piece of pies already. Gengxin City's tax money is divided equally into fours, maintaining a firm balance among factions."
"Neither of those factions is dumb enough to stop such a good place to make money."
"Especially when the city produces millions every month."
"Millions of what?"
"Gold."
"G-Gold!"
Ah Yin was shocked, "What, you're telling me this city produces millions of gold coins a month, Xiao Yuan?!"
"Yup~!" Han Yuan laughed playfully.
He played a "huge" part in developing Gengxin City because it was his idea to make a city where all master craftsmen met and created more than farm tools.
Although calling this an "Industrial Revolution" is an overstatement as the Douluo Continent lost its technological inheritance, this was a good start for it.
Han Yuan pulled Ah Yin's hand, "Anyway, follow me. The security in this city is tight because this place was basically a goose that laid golden eggs, but I have a hidden entrance we could use."
Han Yuan quickly enveloped Ah Yin in his bioelectricity and spiritual power, rendering them invisible to others' senses. They slipped into the city through a hidden gap in defense walls, trotting through several alleys before emerging onto the main street, where Ah Yin could see countless people walking, talking, and enjoying their night.
Ah Yin's eyes lit up as she caught her first glimpse of the towering buildings up close. She was amazed by the technology that utilized shiny stones and reflective mirrors to illuminate the city.
"Beautiful, right?" Han Yuan asked, holding her hand.
Ah Yin nodded enthusiastically. "Mm~!"
Han Yuan then led Ah Yin around the main street, stopping at the Blacksmith Association. The once dilapidated building, which had once filled with the smell of oil and smoke, had transformed into a towering structure bearing a plaque labeled "Blacksmith" made of a thousand refined metals above the entrance.
Han Yuan glanced at the guard near the entrance and flashed a golden badge at him. The guard nodded in recognition and led them into the Blacksmith Association.
Ah Yin curiously observed her surroundings as the guard guided them underground, where the current blacksmiths were training their skills and crafting new items. They walked to the farthest workshop, where Ah Yin could feel an overwhelming heat radiating from within.
"This is as far as I can escort you," said the guard.
Han Yuan nodded in understanding and tossed a pouch full of gold to the guard. "Thanks."
The guard's expression brightened as he caught the pouch and left the underground workshop.
Han Yuan entered the workshop and found a pudgy middle-aged man hammering a searing hot piece of metal on an anvil. He stood about 1.6 meters tall, with protruding ears, small eyes, and an unkempt beard. He wore a yellow copper tunic, gloves, and glasses.
This old man was Lou Gao, the president of the Blacksmith Association and one of the Divine Craftsmen of this era. Although his strength was only at the level of Spirit Saint, he had the skill to perform Spirit Forging, a skill typically reserved for those from the future. Thanks to Han Yuan's assistance.
"Who's there?" Lou Gao snapped at Han Yuan.
"Didn't I tell everyone that no one can disturb me?"
Han Yuan chuckled, "Well, Old Goblin, your temper hasn't changed after all these years."
"Old Goblin..." Lou Gao froze on the spot. "Damn it, brat! I told you to stop calling me with a weird nickname!"
Lou Gao quickly turned around and could see Han Yuan with an unfamiliar woman. He was stunned because the brat had changed so much after a few years, but he still maintained an unhappy look and crossed his arms.
Han Yuan grabbed three chairs, putting one for Ah Yin before tossing the other for him and Lou Gao.
Lou Gao sat and asked, "So, what do you want?"
"You usually didn't come here yourself and only sent someone from the academy to fetch Spirit Catchers from us."
"Okay, that's a low blow..." Han Yuan put on a wronged look. "I have been busy, okay?"
"Low blow, your ass!" Lou Gao snorted. "You're wasting my time by giving me those tasks to make Spirit Catchers."
"You don't know how annoying it was to pretend I don't know when the representatives from Spirit Hall and empires come and demand me to replicate our technology."
"Damn, I wish I could smack their faces with Spirit Catchers, but you brat wants to play in the darkness, so I had no choice but to play dumb."
"..." Han Yuan doesn't know what to say.
"Fine, I will give you blueprints of the 7th-grade Soul Guide Tool: Soul Crushing Gun."
"Not enough!"
"You greedy old man!"
"Give me two more, and I will listen..."
"Okay, two more 7th-grade Soul Guide Tools: Thunder Cannon and Heavy Diamond Shield. There! Are you happy now?"
"Hahaha, that's more like it~!" Lou Gao happily laughed. His grin etched on his pudgy face.
Han Yuan rolled his eyes at this greedy Goblin of an old man, "Now, onto the main thing. Have you investigated the things I told you?"
"Hmph, I have no idea why you asked a blacksmith to do information gathering like this! Here, take it!" Lou Gao immediately returned to his professional look. He picked a scroll from his spatial storage and tossed it to Han Yuan.
Han Yuan checked the scroll briefly and nodded, "The Star Luo Empire's situation is much better than the Heaven Dou Empire..."
Lou Gao nodded, "Yes, they are ordering too many weapons from the Blacksmith Association."
"At first, I thought they would start a war, but no."
"They also ordered the blacksmiths to make the sturdiest warship."
"A warship?" The gears in Han Yuan started working.
'Don't tell me the Star Luo Empire is preparing to explore the ocean and find another continent?'