Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

"Lin Xia is back! She brought back incredibly exciting news!"

"Imperial License! 30% Premium on Procurement! Exclusive Exclusivity for Ten Mines!"

"Junior Brother has repaired the Star Luo Kingdom's artifact! Our craftsmen have stood tall!"

Si Long's loudest core disciples, like human megaphones, rode the association's highly durable pack beasts, speeding along the main road and shouting the core information in the most straightforward and passionate way in all directions.

The news was like cold water poured into boiling molten iron, instantly causing an uproar throughout Gengjin City!

At first came astonishment and disbelief, followed by a wave of ecstasy that swept over everyone connected with metal, forging, and the blacksmiths' association.

"What?! Imperial procurement with a 30% premium? Really?!"

"Ten mines?! My God! Is that a dream?"

"Lin Xia? He repaired Xingluo's national treasure? Good heavens... No wonder Master Lou Gao treasures him so much!"

"Quick! Go to the association! Go take a look!"

In the blacksmith's shop, the apprentice, covered in coal dust, dropped his hammer, not even having time to take off his apron.

Beside the furnace, the old craftsman, his white hair and beard trembling with excitement, put down the quenching tongs and walked out.

The owners of the forging workshops had their eyes light up, sensing a huge business opportunity, and they all locked up and headed to the headquarters.

As night fell, the central area of ​​Gengjin City was as bright as day. The huge "Furnace Square" in front of the Blacksmiths' Association headquarters, which was usually used to display giant castings and hold large ceremonies, was now filled with countless blacksmiths and their families who had come spontaneously.

The crowd was bustling, shoulder to shoulder, with boisterous laughter, excited chatter, and children's playful shouts blending into a vibrant atmosphere. The air was thick with the smells of sweat, engine oil, charcoal, and the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat wafting from the makeshift barbecue grills.

The association's warehouse was completely opened, and barrels of "Lava Liquor," which had been treasured for many years and was only brought out for major celebrations, were carried out.

The association's chefs were all out in force, grilling whole rams on huge iron plates, stacking baskets of hard-crusted bread into small mountains, and simmering large pots of fragrant meat broth.

Without fine tableware, people either used their own iron bowls or directly used newly made iron plates that still bore the marks of forging. Some even drank heartily from the barrels.

At the edge of the square, skilled blacksmiths spontaneously hammered on their massive anvils, the rhythmic clanging of which ignited the passion of these tough men more than any stringed or wind instrument.

Even more extreme, some people threw red-hot iron blocks into a specially made quenching pool in the center of the square. With a loud "hiss," steam rose several meters high, drawing cheers and whistles.

The firelight illuminated every simple yet excited face, a joy that came from the bottom of their hearts and was completely unreserved.

Zhu Zhuqing's shock and integration

Zhu Zhuqing nestled close to Lin Xia, her small hand enveloped in his broad palm.

This scene had an unprecedented impact on her young mind.

At six years old, she had seen her share of "big scenes" in the Zhu family of Xingluo City.

Those aristocratic banquets, with their elegant attire and clinking glasses, exuded sophistication, luxury, and suffocating formality.

Everyone wore a perfect mask; their smiles were calculated curves, their words were carefully crafted rhetoric, and even the air seemed to be frozen with a chilling, hierarchical atmosphere.

Those banquets were oppressive cages for her, cold rehearsals of her future fate, never bringing a shred of warmth. But what she saw now was completely different!

There are no fancy dresses here, only oil-stained leather aprons and coarse cloth clothes.

There were no delicate pastries, only large chunks of juicy roasted meat and hard, but incredibly substantial bread.

There was no elegant music, only the deafening symphony of anvils and boisterous laughter and curses.

Everything seemed so "vulgar" and so "chaotic," yet it contained a breathtaking vitality!
She saw the old blacksmith with his white beard, holding a huge iron cup, tears streaming down his face along with his wine, patting the back of the young apprentice beside him, and saying in a choked voice, "Good days are coming, lads, we have hope for the future!"

She saw a muscular, shirtless man cheering like a child as he snatched a sizzling piece of grilled meat.

She saw the young couple holding their child, pointing at Lin Xia, who was surrounded by admirers in the crowd, their eyes filled with gratitude and hope...

What kind of smile was that?
Zhu Zhuqing had never seen it before. It was unreserved, coming from the deepest part of her heart, as fiery as flames bursting forth from a furnace, as pure as refined iron after forging.

There was no scheming, no pretense, only an infinite longing for a better life and heartfelt gratitude and respect for those who brought about all these changes.

This pure, intense joy, with its metallic hardness, struck her long-closed heart like the most powerful forging hammer.

A strange warmth flowed quietly through her body, following her tightly clasped hand.

Without realizing it, her tense face relaxed, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up, forming a faint but incredibly genuine smile.

She no longer passively hid behind Lin Xia; her little head peeked out slightly, observing the bustling human scene with curiosity and focus, feeling the warmth of "collective jubilation" that she had never experienced before.

As the actual person in charge of the association, Silong naturally couldn't just focus on partying.

He pulled Lin Xia away from the busiest part of the square and brought her to the relatively quieter entrance to the main hall.

He handed Lin Xia a large glass of frothy lava liquor, took a big gulp himself, wiped the liquor stains from the corner of his mouth, and his burning gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing, who was being protected by Lin Xia, before he asked in a low voice:
"Xia, this little girl... isn't she something else?"

Si Long's sharp eyes clearly noticed Zhu Zhuqing's aloof temperament and exquisite clothing, which were quite different from those of ordinary children.

Lin Xia took a sip of wine, the spicy taste invigorating him. He looked down at Zhu Zhuqing, whose small face was tilted up, her big eyes filled with curiosity and nervousness, then looked at Si Long and pondered for a moment.

"Senior brother, her name is Zhu Zhuqing, and her background is indeed somewhat special."

Lin Xia carefully chose her words, keeping her voice very low.

"All I can say is that she comes from a... rather troublesome place in Xingluo City. I brought her out to help her, but it might also bring us some... future risks. For now, the fewer people who know, the better. Here, she's just an ordinary little sister who follows me around."

Lin Xia didn't mention the terms "Netherworld Cat" and "Star Luo Royal Family Marriage Contract," which were enough to cause a huge uproar, but the words "quite a trouble" and "future risks" were enough to make Si Long, a seasoned veteran, instantly understand the weight of the matter.

The relaxed smile on his face faded slightly, and his eyes became serious and solemn as he nodded earnestly.

"understood."

Silong didn't ask for details. He simply reached out his large, fan-like hand and gently pressed it on Zhu Zhuqing's head in a very gentle and protective way, as if conveying a silent promise.

"As long as we're in Gengjin City, within the Blacksmiths' Guild, no one can touch you or the people you protect. Even if the sky falls, we blacksmiths will hold it up!" (End of Chapter)