Chapter 144: 161. Lou Gao: Please Grant Me Knowledge
Lou Gao was uninterested in everything except blacksmithing.
Unlike the other two master craftsmen known for their strength, Lou Gao excelled in skill. He could craft exquisite armor and weapons that looked like works of art.
These items sold well on the market.
What people didn't know was that the pieces Lou Gao sold were mostly those he considered failures.
He held extremely high standards for his work—any small flaw meant the piece was deemed a failure.
Lou Gao despised measuring his work by money or wealth. However, the Blacksmith Association barely earned a few coins a year, and life was tight. To help support the association, Lou Gao had no choice but to sell some finished products.
One day, after attending the Blacksmith Association meeting and returning to his workshop, his disciple Silong approached him and said, "Master, someone from the Spirit Hall wants to see you."
Lou Gao replied impatiently, "Not interested. Tell them to leave."
Lou Gao wasn't concerned about external changes. Because of his old buddy Titan, he had a very poor impression of the Spirit Hall (Bishop Miles of Gengxin City had not yet arrived), and his personality didn't bend to the Spirit Hall.
Silong said, "He says he brought something you cannot refuse. If you don't want to see it, you'll regret it."
"Something I cannot refuse?" Lou Gao frowned. "What could there possibly be that I cannot refuse? Interesting. I want to see what tricks the Spirit Hall is playing. Take me there."
Curiosity drove Lou Gao to decide.
Silong led Lou Gao to the reception room.
Lou Gao saw a pale-haired angel standing there.
When the angel turned and Lou Gao saw her clearly, he went mad.
Tears fell from his eyes, his pupils reflecting the armor the angel wore, his voice trembling—
"God, this is an offensive soul tool only recorded in ancient texts."
"Please, let me study it well, I beg you!" Lou Gao bowed his head pleadingly.
The woman said, "Just studying this armor won't let you reproduce ancient soul tool technology. Fortunately, I have mastered the technique to make such soul tools."
"What?" Lou Gao was shocked. "You really manufactured this kind of soul tool?"
"As you see."
Lou Gao suddenly knelt down:
"I beg you, please grant me knowledge. I want to glimpse the abyss of soul tool crafting. Please, I beg you."
A spirit power lifted Lou Gao's body. She said, "Sir, there's no need for such desperation. If you agree to my request, I will pass you the soul tool technology."
"What request?"
"Join the Spirit Hall."
A month and a half later, at the Blacksmith Association,
Lou Gao formally announced his decision to join the Spirit Hall.
After he finished, he looked at everyone: "I won't explain the reasons in detail. Anyone willing to join the Spirit Hall with me may come along."
The crowd exchanged glances. Silong and Lou Gao's disciples decided to follow their master.
Titan, who had been silent all along, finally exploded.
He furiously pounded the table with his fist and said, "President Lou Gao, did you say that right? You're joining the Spirit Hall? Don't you know the conflict between the Spirit Hall and our Blacksmith Association?"
"I know," Lou Gao said.
Titan answered unreasonably: "Since you know, then Lou Gao, as the president of the Blacksmith Association, you cannot join the Spirit Hall."
"The conflict between the Blacksmith Association and the Spirit Hall is there, but this is my personal choice. It won't involve the association. If necessary, I'll quit and hand over the presidency to you," Lou Gao said indifferently.
"No, you cannot join the Spirit Hall," Titan's eyes flashed fiercely.
"Why!" Lou Gao asked.
Titan continued with emotional blackmail, but Lou Gao seemed determined to join the Spirit Hall no matter what.
They argued back and forth. Finally, Titan somberly asked, "Old friend, are you sure you want to join the Spirit Hall?"
"I'm sure," Lou Gao replied.
Knowing Lou Gao well, Titan finally said helplessly, "Alright, Lou Gao, I won't stop you. I hope you won't regret your choice. Those who want to join with you may go. Those who want to stay in the Blacksmith Association should remain."
Titan and Lou Gao were the three master artisans of the era, highly influential in the blacksmith circle. When Lou Gao decided to leave, half of those present followed him, and the other half stayed with Titan.
Titan watched Lou Gao's departing back, face dark and unsettled. He decided to report this to his master.
After Tang Hao left, he still kept contact with Titan, perhaps to secure the future foundation for his son. In order for Tang Sect's hidden weapons to reach their true strength, master craftsmen like Lou Gao were indispensable. So he kept Titan tethered to the Blacksmith Association as a guardian for Xiao San.
True to his loyalty, despite losing one arm, Titan maintained his position as vice president of the Blacksmith Association, guarding its legacy for Tang Hao.
In old Titan's heart, the Blacksmith Association had become his master's foundation. Perhaps because the master valued Lou Gao highly, Titan didn't immediately act against Lou Gao but returned to consult Tang Hao.
"Master, this is the situation," Titan reported.
Upon hearing Lou Gao wanted to join the Spirit Hall, Tang Hao furrowed his brow and asked, "Why does Lou Gao want to join the Spirit Hall?"
Titan said, "Master, I asked several times, but Lou Gao refused to reveal the reason."
Tang Hao thought: another variable.
As a beneficiary from his past life, Tang Hao loathed variables.
In his past life, Lou Gao was recruited by Tang San due to hidden weapon skill and even sacrificed his life to create the Violent Rain Pear Flower Needle, an item that severely injured two major Spirit Hall caretakers in the Battle of Jialing Pass.
Unexpectedly, in this life Tang San hasn't yet grown or shined, but Lou Gao that old scoundrel is crazy, wanting to betray. Don't you know my son is the future Sea God, Asura God, the future ruler of Douluo Continent? The Spirit Hall is just a bunch of failures, yet you want to join them??
"In short, Lou Gao cannot join the Spirit Hall. No one in the Blacksmith Association can join the Spirit Hall. If Lou Gao remains stubborn, Titan, you know what to do."
Titan smiled, "Master, I of course know. I will ask the Force clan to relieve your worries."
(END CHAPTER)
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