Chapter 243: Lou Gao Enters the Spirit Hall
After dismissing his newly recruited students, Lou Gao hurriedly went to his armor.
He saw that his armor, capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Soul King, now had a round hole in it. The surrounding plates were scattered, though undamaged, but that was no longer important.
The armor had been pierced, its power undeniable.
"This... this simple action has such terrifying power! This is armor that can even withstand a full-force attack from a Soul King!!"
Lou Gao stroked the bullet hole in his armor, his eyes filled with shock, disbelief, and, most of all, excitement.
"Your Highness, what about the other one?"
Gu Han waved his hand and laughed, "The other one is a cannon, much more powerful than a gun. This isn't the place to test it."
"Oh, right, Your Highness, let's not delay. Let's go outside the city and find a secluded spot to test the cannon's power!"
After witnessing the power of the gun, Lou Gao was even more eager to see the cannon's power.
He couldn't wait to witness it.
"Alright, Senior Lou Gao, come with me. I happen to know a place."
Gu Han had traveled the continent with Bibi Dong in previous years, traversing almost every mountain and river, and had a deep understanding of the terrain of the Douluo Continent.
A few days ago, Gu Han had some free time and went for a stroll outside the city, where he discovered a secluded and deserted open space, only twenty miles from Gengxin City.
The place was a gravel area, and further ahead was a small hill, an extension of the Forging Mountain Range.
Gu Han set up the cannon, while Lou Gao watched intently from the side.
Gu Han loaded the cannonball, ignited it, and assembled the cannon.
Due to technological limitations, he could only make this type of cannon with a fuse for now. Although Gu Han had ideas for future upgrades, he didn't have the time. He needed to create the basic blueprint first, and then let Lou Gao study it later.
"Boom!!!"
The cannon roared, shaking the heavens and the earth. The cannonball exploded about three hundred meters away, kicking up countless dust particles and sending debris flying.
"Wow, what immense power!"
Lou Gao's eyes widened as he stared in astonishment at the distant explosion. With that kind of power, even a Soul Emperor would be severely affected by a single blow.
Lou Gao stared at the dark, gaping cannon with a look of curiosity, stroking it as he exclaimed, "What a treasure!"
"Senior Lou Gao," Gu Han said calmly, his gaze fixed on Lou Gao as he examined the cannon, "the materials for these things aren't rare; they can be mass-produced."
"Senior Lou Gao," Gu Han replied, his eyes fixed on Lou Gao, who was scrutinizing the cannon, "do you think these two items could elevate the status of blacksmiths?"
"If they can truly be mass-produced, then of course they can."
Lou Gao became serious. With such power, if mass-produced, even ordinary people could function like Soul Masters.
This would boost the blacksmithing industry. However, forging such intricate items would severely test a blacksmith's skill.
"In that case," Lou Gao hesitated. "Senior Lou Gao, shouldn't you fulfill your promise?"
"This…"
Lou Gao hesitated.
Gu Han's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. "What, Senior Lou Gao, do you have some concerns?"
"Sigh."
Lou Gao sighed, "Of course not. It's just that although I'm the president of the Blacksmiths' Association, it's not entirely my own. If we join the Spirit Hall, I can only guarantee that people from my own faction can go. As for others, I can't control them."
Hearing this, Gu Han's expression softened, and he smiled, "Senior Lou Gao, your own faction is enough."
"By the way, how many people can you bring?"
Lou Gao pondered for a moment, then held up two fingers: "About two thousand people."
"That's enough. There's plenty of time to develop."
Gu Han nodded. Two thousand blacksmiths, and from the Blacksmiths' Association no less, their forging skills were undoubtedly strong; there was even a possibility that many of them were master blacksmiths.
It was sufficient for the initial forging team; more could be selected later.
"Senior Lou Gao, when will you be able to travel to the Spirit Hall?"
Such a large group would naturally require time, and a considerable amount, including various other matters.
Lou Gao thought for a moment and said, "Six months. If His Highness the Holy Son gives me six months, I can lead my people to Spirit City. However, before that, His Highness the Holy Son must find us a place to stay."
"Senior Lou Gao, please rest assured. I have already found a place for you in Spirit City and converted it into a forging hall."
Gu Han had made an agreement with Lou Gao years ago and began preparations after returning to Spirit City.
Using his authority as the Holy Son, he prepared a hall for the other party—a side hall within the Spirit Hall complex. While the location was somewhat remote, its concealment was naturally advantageous for military purposes. He had an underground forging workshop built beneath the hall; now all that was lacking were the personnel and forging tools.
"Alright, then Your Highness, please wait for me in Spirit City."
Lou Gao seemed rather taciturn, speaking bluntly and without much finesse, but Gu Han didn't care; as long as he had the ability, that was enough.
There's a saying: "Slow to speak, quick to act." It's not that you can't speak well, it's that you're full of empty talk and do nothing.
"In that case, I will await Senior Lou Gao in Spirit City."
Gu Han bowed slightly to Lou Gao, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?"
Lou Gao was startled and quickly stepped forward to support Gu Han.
Gu Han straightened up and smiled, "Senior Lou Gao, I'll send you back to Gengxin City first. Afterwards, you can focus on arranging things. Whether it's six months or a year, as long as you come to Martial Soul City, that's fine."
"This..."
Lou Gao was somewhat flattered. For the Holy Son of the Martial Soul Hall to value him so highly made him feel like he'd met a mentor. He looked at Gu Han solemnly and said,
"Your Highness, rest assured, no matter what, even if my people don't want to leave, I will go to Martial Soul City myself. At worst, I'll just recruit more apprentices!"
"Senior Lou Gao, there's no need to be so formal. Your words are enough."
Gu Han smiled; Lou Gao was indeed a kind and honest man.
After sending Lou Gao back to Gengxin City, Gu Han stayed for a few more days before returning to Martial Soul City. He had originally planned to visit Heaven Dou, but after thinking about it, Gu Han gave up.
After all, he had other matters to attend to.
Since he wanted to unify the continent, there was one thing that had to be done: public opinion.
The nobles are indifferent to the merits the Spirit Hall has accumulated for the continent over the past ten thousand years, and the common people are unaware of them.
This will not do; to unify the continent, winning the hearts and minds of the people is essential.
With the hearts and minds of the people, future wars will encounter far less resistance.
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[end of the chapter]