Visiting Xue Xing
After further communication, both sides reached a consensus.
Su Ming and Zhu Jiuyang quickly convened a meeting to inform all members of the association of the news that Dugu Bo would serve as an honorary elder of the association.
With the arrival of an honorary elder at the Titled Douluo level, the association began to reorganize itself, and the previously noisy parties gradually calmed down.
Seeing that the association had Titled Douluo, the smaller factions dared not act recklessly.
When the major powers saw that the Titled Douluo was Dugu Bo, they dared not cause any trouble, fearing that they might anger this Dugu Bo and unpredictable guy.
Who is Dugu Bo?
They are unyielding to both soft and hard approaches, narrow-minded, and even shameless, showing no remorse whatsoever for bullying the weak.
Who dares to mess with him?
Let alone provoking him, even those who possess the things Dugu Bo needs wouldn't dare use them to lure him, fearing they might anger him and have their entire families wiped out.
Therefore, no one anticipated that Dugu Bo would join the Blacksmith Association.
How did a drug addict end up getting entangled with a group of blacksmiths?
I can't figure it out.
It should be noted that Dugu Bo is a loner by nature, rarely interacts with others, and acts entirely according to his own whims. So far, the only person he has openly sided with is Prince Xue Xing.
Oh, now there's another one Su Ming.
Indeed, in the announcement made by Su Ming and Zhu Jiuyang, it was stated that Dugu Bo joined the Blacksmith Association because of Su Ming, and Dugu Bo did not deny it.
By the way, speaking of Prince Xue Xing, this Prince Heaven Dou is currently in Gengxin City as well.
"Get ready, I have some things to take care of. I'll come pick you up later," Dugu Bo said.
Su Ming was naturally unhappy.
How could he not know what Dugu Bo was going to do?
Go see Prince Xue Xing.
They definitely couldn't meet alone; Su Ming had to watch from the sidelines.
Of course, he wasn't just worried that Prince Xue Xing would speak ill of him; he genuinely had some things he wanted to discuss with Prince Xue Xing.
He didn't know how to bring it up, but now that Dugu Bo had come and reached a certain cooperation agreement with him, it was a perfect opportunity to break through.
"Senior, you're going to see Prince Xue Xing, right? May I come along?"
Dugu Bo stared at Su Ming for a while.
"You're getting along so well with Xue Qinghe, he won't like you."
"I was also tricked." Su Ming showed a helpless expression and shrugged.
Were you outmaneuvered?
Dugu Bo sneered.
You little rascal, you're incredibly shrewd. The Blacksmith Association is the home turf, and besides, it was Xue Qinghe who came seeking cooperation. Do you think you can be outsmarted?
Let's go.
He did not refuse Su Ming's request to accompany him.
Su Ming's trip there is definitely not just for supervision; he probably also wants to cooperate with Xue Xing.
Prince Xue Xing paced back and forth in the temporary residence.
"Why is Dugu Bo directly cooperating with Su Ming?"
He has received the news for half an hour now, and he is still uneasy.
The current situation of the Heaven Dou Royal Family is far from optimistic. Xue Qinghe's situation is quite unusual. He and Xue Beng have been disguised for many years and barely managed to save their lives, giving them the opportunity to secretly observe the situation.
Dugu Bo was their last resort, their last trump card to avoid being directly turned against by Xue Qinghe.
Now that this trump card is being shared by others, Prince Xue Xing feels a sense of insecurity.
"Your Highness, Lord Dugu come to visit."
Just when Xue Xing felt insecure, his biggest support arrived.
Xue Xing excitedly went out to greet her.
Then he saw an annoying child.
What are you doing here?
Xue Xing gave Su Ming no friendly look.
During this period, he has appealed to the Blacksmith Association more than once, requesting a balance in the allocation of resources between the two branches of the association, but all his appeals have been rejected.
There isn't even Forging Master in Suotuo City who has mastered the art of "Thousand Forgings with Spirit," so what's the point of learning there?
It would be better to find an old blacksmith at home and learn the basics of blacksmithing.
This was also the reason why Xue Qinghe forced them to stay in Gengxin City.
If any one of the three Forging Master from Su Ming's lineage could go to Suotuo City, this predicament would naturally be resolved, and they would not need to remain on the territory of the Star Luo Empire.
But Zhu Jiuyang is completely unresponsive.
All appeals were rejected outright.
Xue Xing even forced her way into Su Ming's Forging room once, only to be kicked out.
Thinking of this, Xue Xing's gaze towards Su Ming changed; his eyes turned red.
Being forcibly kicked out was the greatest humiliation he had ever suffered in his life.
Should we kick Su Ming out this time?
Xue Xing immediately dismissed the thought as soon as it crossed her mind.
No, it's not easy to see Su Ming, we should talk about serious business.
Perhaps we can persuade this kid while Dugu Bo is here?
Xue Xing truly lived up to his title of prince, managing to process so many thoughts in such a short time.
"I've heard that His Highness the Prince has some suggestions, but I've been busy with my seclusion and haven't had a chance to learn about them yet. I wonder if I'll have the opportunity to speak with His Highness today."
This time, it was Dugu Bo who came to Xue Xing, and Su Ming accompanied him. However, once they arrived, Su Ming immediately wanted to chat with Xue Xing, leaving Dugu Bo standing aside.
Dugu Bo glanced at the two of them, showing no sign of feeling that Su Ming had stolen the show.
He actually thought it was a good thing.
The purpose of this visit is twofold: firstly, to give a greeting, echoing what Xue Xing said when he visited Gengxin City; and secondly, to reassure Xue Xing and prevent him from becoming suspicious because of his cooperation with the Blacksmith Association.
In the power struggle within the Heaven Dou Royal Family, Dugu Bo sided with Xue Beng because of Xue Xing, so he was quite concerned about it to some extent. Otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't have needed to personally come to explain at this time.
Now that Su Ming has come along and is even showing signs of negotiating with Xue Xing, he is naturally happy to accept it.
For someone with social anxiety, it's natural to be happy if someone proactively helps them achieve their goals.
"My only request is that the safety of my Heaven Dou Royal Family family cannot be guaranteed within the Star Luo Empire territory."
"Actually, the Star Luo Empire also has these claims, and has repeatedly requested a redistribution of members," Su Ming said. "Compared to His Highness Xue Beng, who is pragmatic, the Star Luo Empire Prince Dai Weisi has clashed with the local forces in Suotuo City. It is said that Brother Xue also intends to send troops to maintain order."
Xue Xing's lips twitched slightly when she heard Su Ming say that Xue Beng Xue Beng.
That's just a persona.
Xue Beng was originally a spoiled brat at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but his character became more complex and three-dimensional after arriving here, evolving from a spoiled brat to a spoiled brat who bullies the weak and fears the strong.
If you go deep behind enemy lines and act recklessly, you will truly die.
"So, is the Blacksmith Association going to continue disregarding the safety of its members and forcibly create this situation?" Xue Xing said coldly, "Forgive my bluntness, but if this continues, neither side will have the will to learn Forging, Blacksmith Association will only suffer."
Su Ming nodded.
"As expected of His Highness the Prince, his insight into things is truly profound."
He affirmed Xue Xing's statement, and then pointed out the current difficulties.
"Associations also have their difficulties. Like you, if a branch is located in one of the Heaven Dou or Star Luo Empire factions, and the association's members are all from the corresponding empires, it's inevitable that each will be corrupted and eventually split apart from within."