Shui Bing'er said, "That's why we should avoid exposing the Battle Armor as much as possible. Once we're strong enough, we can make it public."
"Bing'er is right."
Wu Changkong voiced his agreement with Shui Bing'er, then turned to Xue Wu and asked, "How are things in Gengxin City? Has Spirit Hall made a move against the Blacksmith Association?"
Xue Wu put away her Battle Armor, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "Chrysanthemum Douluo went there personally."
"He really went? Did he kill anyone?"
"He didn't kill anyone or smash anything, but he demanded that the association let Spirit Hall's people move in. He called it 'joint governance.'"
"Joint governance?" Shui Yue'er said indignantly. "Isn't that just swallowing up the Blacksmith Association? The name stays, but they've ripped out its bones."
"There was nothing they could do." Xue Wu spread her hands. "President Si Long and the others weren't willing to accept it, but they couldn't win a fight or escape."
"At least Spirit Hall didn't seize the association outright by force. They still left a fig leaf to cover it up. From now on, the association will probably have to watch Spirit Hall's mood whenever it moves iron in or out or does business."
Wu Changkong nodded. "When you're weak, you get bullied. That holds true everywhere."
Just then, Wu Dachui brought over the teapot and refilled their cups.
After they chatted a little longer, Xue Wu took a package from the bag she had brought and set it on the table.
"This is a specialty from Gengxin City, a kind of nut called the Iron Walnut. Its shell is so hard you need a little hammer to crack it. My dad told me to bring some for the class president and Uncle to try."
Shen Liuyu also