The Killer Is from the Star Luo Imperial Family

As everyone was discussing, there was another knock on the door of the Forging.

Silong went to open the door, and there stood Zhao Tieshan, the Gengxin City Lord.

Zhao Tieshan glanced at everyone present, surprised to see such a young child as Su Ming there. Before he could say anything, he saw Chen Xin, his face paled in shock, and he bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Chen Xin nodded slightly.

Zhao Tieshan breathed a sigh of relief and straightened up.

"Lord Zhao, with such a mess going on, you still have time to come to our Blacksmith Association?" Zhu Jiuyang raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Tieshan gave a wry smile.

"President Zhu, everyone here, there's no need for such beating around the bush. Your association is about to cooperate with the Spirit Hall, and this incident has occurred during this time. You must be anxious to find the culprit. Why don't we join forces?"

"What clues does Lord Zhao have?"

Zhao Tieshan took a deep breath.

He didn't question why they hadn't shared the clues first. With Chen Xin sitting there, he immediately lowered his head, not daring to show any force.

"Regarding this assassination attempt, I have a feeling it might be aimed at me."

"They came for you?"

Everyone present frowned and looked at Zhao Tieshan, not understanding what he meant.

"Lord Zhao, could you elaborate?" Lou Gao asked.

"It all starts with your association. You know the trouble your auction of those twelve Spiritual Metal will cause, don't you? I am the city lord of Gengxin City. Countless people are eyeing my position, not just those below me, but those outside."

"The forces interested in the Spiritual Metal you auctioned off probably all want to remove me from my position as the Gengxin City Lord."

"Really!"

Silong pounded his right fist on his left hand.

"You also think someone is watching my position?"

Zhao Tieshan hadn't expected that the blacksmiths in the Blacksmith Association were so clever, able to deduce things to this extent.

In reality, he was overthinking it; it was just that what he had just said had reinforced the association members' earlier speculations.

"If the Star Luo Royal Family intervenes, even if they anger us, even if the Spirit Hall doesn't pursue the association's issues in the end, and still promotes cooperation between the association and the Heaven Dou Empire, they won't lose out. This is because the association is located in Gengxin City, and after they replaced the city lord of Gengxin City, they directly controlled the association," Silong murmured.

Zhao Tieshan looked completely bewildered.

What?

Is it His Majesty who wants to seize my position as city lord?

Silong's words make a lot of sense, but all of this is contingent on the association remaining in Gengxin City.

However, will the association remain in Gengxin City?

Yes, but they won't stay only in Gengxin City.

Su Ming's reforms were modeled after the Blacksmith Association of later generations. He would inevitably choose the same development path as later generations, which would result in multiple associations, with the associations forming a whole while also being scattered in various cities.

If the Star Luo Empire truly intends to firmly grasp the position of the Gengxin City Lord in order to extract benefits from the association, then they are definitely overthinking it.

"Now we can basically confirm the killer's background, so how are we going to explain this to the Spirit Hall's envoy?" Silong said with a bitter face, "We still don't know who the Spirit Hall's envoy is."

"Let's first confirm the identity of that Titled Douluo. It would be best to find him before the Spirit Hall's envoy arrives. That way, we won't have to worry about how to explain things later," Zhu Jiuyang said.

His method was simple and direct.

The others exchanged glances, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes.

Zhu Jiuyang was able to say that because he was Soul Douluo and seemed to have other trump cards, while the others were not Soul Douluo and had no so-called trump cards.

After learning from the crowd that the person who assassinated Miles was actually Titled Douluo, Zhao Tieshan considered withdrawing. He felt he should loosen the blockade of Gengxin City and quickly let the Titled Douluo go.

If you really push them too far, who knows what they might do?

What if you happen to walk right into the line of fire?

He took a small step back.

Noticing Zhao Tieshan's actions, Su Ming immediately became displeased.

Scared?

That won't work.

The main force responsible for capturing the Titled Douluo this time consisted of the City Guard and the people from the Martial Soul Main Hall. How could Zhao Tieshan, as the city lord, back down?

He spoke directly.

"Lord Zhao, we've almost figured out the killer's identity. Shall we begin the search?"

As his voice rang out, everyone turned their attention to him.

Although Su Ming is only eleven years old, he truly pioneered the Blacksmith system and was the real driving force behind the reform of Blacksmith. Those who know this will naturally not underestimate him.

Of course, only Zhao Tieshan on the field was unaware of this.

Zhao Tieshan stared at Su Ming expressionlessly. He had been wondering how such a young child could be at this meeting, and now he was even more suspicious.

That clueless kid dares to say anything.

He looked annoyed.

While he was getting angry, Su Ming seemed oblivious to his expression and continued, "If the City Guard are short-handed, they can cooperate with the Martial Soul Main Hall. I think the Martial Soul Main Hall will also put in a lot of effort to find the murderer."

"Kid, you're too naive," Zhao Tieshan sneered.

Will he put in a lot of effort?

Who isn't afraid of death?

It would be a miracle if they could handle it.

With the Platinum Bishop killed, who among the remaining members of the Martial Soul Main Hall would dare to seriously investigate?

"Getting the people from the Martial Soul Main Hall to cooperate is actually quite simple. Just tell them that the Titled Douluo Elder from Spirit City will arrive in Gengxin City within two days."

"What?"

Zhao Tieshan's expression changed drastically.

Is the envoy from the Spirit Hall Titled Douluo?

Are you sure the Spirit Hall will send Titled Douluo to Gengxin City?

Su Ming shook his head.

"Uncertain."

He "thought" for a moment, then added another sentence.

"But that possibility can't be ruled out, can it?"

Zhao Tieshan frowned and fell into deep thought.

The more he thought about it, the more conflicted his expression became, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

It's not that I'm afraid of not thinking of it, it's that I'm afraid of thinking of it, even if I'm not sure.

Imagine if Titled Douluo were to arrive, learn that the Platinum Bishop had been assassinated, and there were no leads on the killer, and he were determined to find someone to take responsibility, who would he look for?

Regardless of whether they intend to pin the blame on the Blacksmith Association, the ultimate goal will definitely be to take advantage of this cooperation with the association, and then the blame will not fall on the Blacksmith Association.

So who will ultimately bear the blame?

Zhao Tieshan broke out in a cold sweat.

The Spirit Hall would want him to take the blame, which aligns with the needs of the Star Luo Empire faction.

If the higher-ups on both sides reach an agreement, wouldn't he, a mere Soul Saint, be easily convicted?

So when Su Ming said that the Martial Soul Main Hall would lend a hand, he was actually telling him that he, as the city lord, had to lend a hand, and a lot of it!

The murderer must be found and the truth revealed, otherwise he will become a pawn abandoned by both sides.