Lin Feng's lips curled into an amused smile. "Chief Lou, let's not spread misinformation. We're all one happy family on the Douluo Continent—no such 'disputes' exist." His fingers tapped rhythmically against the jade case. "I'm sure you'd prefer Gengxin City to remain an oasis of peace. Maintaining its status as the sacred forge of all smiths would be preferable to... becoming entangled in certain narratives."
Lou Gao's bushy white eyebrows twitched. "You're suggesting..."
With deliberate slowness, Lin Feng slid the sealed jade case across the table. "Though geographically within Star Luo's borders, Gengxin City has long operated independently thanks to your Association's influence. The empire barely acknowledges your existence beyond tax collection—only remembering you when crisis strikes." His smile turned razor-sharp. "Wouldn't permanent neutrality suit everyone better?"
The master smith's eyes narrowed to slits. "Can you guarantee this?"
"Suddenly I recall holding the title of Spirit Hall's Saint." Lin Feng's tone dripped honeyed menace. "As a crossroads between three powers, some... commotion is inevitable. But with preemptive declarations from all parties, this could remain an untouchable sanctuary."
Lou Gao's calloused fingers twitched toward the jade case as if magnetized. "What exactly are you playing at? Is this coercion?"
A cold laugh. "You misunderstand the situation, Chief Lou. I'm not requesting favors—I'm presenting the only viable future for your city." Lin Feng leaned forward, his shadow stretching across the table like a gathering storm. "A borderland steel metropolis caught between three warring factions? When flames erupt, this 'sacred forge' will be the first reduced to cinders." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Surely you don't want to witness the annihilation of smithing's holy land?"
The color drained from Lou Gao's face. Lin Feng's chess moves became clear—by having Spirit Hall initiate Gengxin's neutral status, both empires would be forced to comply. The city would become an untouchable pawn removed from the board before the real game began.
And the master smith had no counterplay. Attempting to warn Star Luo would be futile—without concrete evidence, his message might mutate into "Spirit Hall attacks tomorrow!" through bureaucratic telephone. This was checkmate in broad daylight.
A bead of sweat traced Lou Gao's temple as Ling Yuan's silent pressure weighed upon him. What defense could a city without even a Soul Douluo muster against imperial armies?
"Tch—" The smith's cottony beard quivered with restrained frustration. Yet as a lifelong devotee to the forge, the choice was inevitable. Countless techniques, masterworks, and traditions would perish in war's crucible. Why sacrifice for an empire that treated them as an afterthought?
His massive hand closed around the jade case with surprising gentleness. "Star Luo is our liege lord," he rumbled, voice thick with false sentiment. "Our relationship is that of beloved kin—blood brothers!"
Lin Feng's eyebrow arched. "And?"
Lou Gao hefted the case meaningfully, his breath coming hot and quick. "My price just went up."
A second jade case materialized in Lin Feng's palm as if by magic. "No need to fret. Treasures like these?" His smile promised bottomless depths. "I've plenty. Including artifacts that might... expand your understanding of divinity itself."
The smith's hands trembled as he reached for the new offering, only for Qian Renxue's slender fingers to pin it to the table. "Such generosity deserves reciprocity, no?" Her golden eyes glinted with knowing amusement.
Lou Gao's gaze darted between her striking features and golden hair before nodding solemnly. From his spatial pouch emerged an item that made Lin Feng's pulse quicken—the Eight Treasure Flexible Armor, the very masterpiece that would later auction for astronomical sums.
"This counts as a divine artifact by contemporary standards," Lou Gao declared with obvious pride. "Withstands sixth-ring power attacks from assault-type soul masters. The memory metal conforms to any body—even beast soul masters mid-transformation." His eyes flicked to the women. "I believe the ladies present would find it most... accommodating."
Lin Feng studied the armor with professional admiration. Far from the simplistic design depicted in certain records, the real version shimmered with embedded gemstones at key nodal points—each a glittering constellation of protective energy. A testament to what might have been, had the smith possessed access to greater knowledge.
"Truly remarkable craftsmanship," he conceded.
While Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with delight, Lin Feng noted the single-armor dilemma. His suspicious glance at Lou Gao went unacknowledged—the smith remained fixated on the sealed jade cases.
Ling Yuan solved the problem with an elegant shrug. "As a Titled Douluo, such trinkets are beneath notice." She pressed the armor into Qian Renxue's hands. "Our little snowflake needs it more."
Though touched by the gesture, Qian Renxue's lips pursed at being perpetually treated as the "younger sister." Then a mischievous thought struck—how would Lin Feng look wearing this decidedly feminine armor? Her sudden grin promised nighttime experimentation.
As they rose to leave, Lin Feng paused at the doorway. "Tell me, Chief Lou," he mused, "what exactly are soul tools? Ever forged one? Seen offensive variants?" The parting question hung in the air like smithing smoke.
Lou Gao sat thunderstruck, the jade cases forgotten as his mind raced down uncharted avenues. By the time he snapped from his reverie and bolted into the hallway, his visitors had vanished—leaving only paradigm-shattering questions echoing in their wake.
"Next time," the smith muttered, clutching the precious cases to his chest. "Next time I'll pry those secrets loose." His workshop walls seemed to whisper back, filled suddenly with possibilities beyond mere mortal forging.