Chapter 213
The President's Chapter is Here!
The entire hall is less like the entrance to the Blacksmiths' Guild and more like a top-notch museum that perfectly blends futuristic technology with the aesthetics of cold weapons!
It's a showcase of strength and wisdom!
Quiet, bright, orderly, and sophisticated, it completely overturned Lou Gao's previous understanding of "blacksmith's den".
Just as Lou Gao was stunned by the sight before him, something even more moving happened.
Whether they were staff members in uniform with badges symbolizing different ranks, or people in fine clothes who were obviously there for negotiations or visits, they all stopped what they were doing or talking the moment they saw Lin Xia walk into the hall.
Countless gazes converged upon them, their eyes filled with nothing but pure awe and heartfelt reverence!
Immediately afterwards, as if propelled by an invisible wave, from near to far, everyone—whether it was the designer operating the Soul Guidance Terminal, the engineer hurrying by with blueprints, or the salesperson explaining to the customer—all stopped in their tracks, straightened their backs, and bowed respectfully in the direction of Lin Xia!
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they had rehearsed a thousand times. For a moment, only the low hum of the soul-guiding equipment and the silent yet weighty collective salute filled the hall!
"City Lord!"
"Greetings, Lord City Lord!"
The deep, respectful greetings rose and fell, like devout prayers.
Standing beside Lin Xia, Lou Gao truly felt this wave of reverence, which seemed almost tangible.
The eyes of these people offering their respects do not lie; there is no false flattery in them, only sincere trust, gratitude, and a sense of peace of mind as if they have found their leader.
Lin Xia's statements about "bringing benefits to everyone," "being rooted in the soil of the mainland," and "becoming the cornerstone of operation"...
At this moment, the silent collective salute perfectly embodies the spirit of the moment!
An indescribable sense of pride, like warm lava, instantly dispelled the lingering shock and unfamiliarity in Lou Gao's heart, surging within his chest!
His disciples not only wielded power and authority, but also won the hearts of the people! This is true strength!
Just then, at the edge of the hall, several elderly men wearing old-fashioned work clothes with obvious forging marks, who had been whispering about a new alloy formula, were also drawn to the collective bow.
When they habitually looked at City Lord Lin Xia, their gazes inadvertently swept over the tall, imposing, and imposing red-haired man with golden eyes beside Lin Xia, and they all froze.
One of the old blacksmiths, with gray hair and a deep burn scar on his face, suddenly widened his cloudy eyes and stared intently at the face on the high floor that had become younger and more handsome, yet still bore the familiar contours and molten gold-like eyes.
Five years!
Five whole years!
Chairman Lou Gao has disappeared without a trace!
Countless times in the dead of night, these old buddies have reminisced about the glorious days when the chairman wielded the giant hammer and led them to overcome difficulties.
The person before me… those eyebrows, those eyes, that unyielding and fiery spirit…
"So similar...too similar..."
The old blacksmith muttered to himself, his voice trembling with disbelief.
The companion beside him also realized something was amiss and carefully examined Lou Gao. That tall, spear-like figure, those golden, majestic yet inquisitive eyes, that familiar aura that seemed ready to burst into a loud laugh at any moment… Although his skin was no longer aged and loose, and his wrinkles had almost disappeared, making him look as young and heroic as a man in his prime, that spirit… that spirit that penetrated to the very marrow!
The scarred old blacksmith's breathing became rapid. He subconsciously took a step forward, then suddenly stopped, afraid of disturbing something.
He raised his calloused hand, pointed to the building, and his voice became hoarse and stuttering due to extreme excitement and uncertainty.
"...Excuse me...this...this sir..."
He swallowed hard, mustered all his courage, his eyes filled with anticipation, confusion, and a hint of apprehension at being disappointed, and tremblingly asked the absurd yet heart-wrenching question that had been nagging at all his old comrades:
"You...you are...President Lou Gao?!"
This question was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly drawing the shocked gazes of the crowd who had already returned to work back to Lou Gao!
President Lou Gao?!
That legendary old chairman who supposedly went into seclusion for five years, disappeared without a trace, and whose fate many secretly speculated to be...?!
Could this red-haired man before me, so imposing and valiant like a war god, be the same white-bearded old man who once led the association through countless hardships, known for his fiery temper yet loving care for his subordinates, and whose figure was slightly hunched?
Countless gazes swept back and forth between Lou Gao's young face and his signature molten gold eyes, filled with disbelief and astonishment.
Lou Gao looked at his old subordinate, who was so excited he could barely stand, and then glanced around at the familiar yet strangely respectful faces in his eyes. He was filled with mixed emotions.
Five years of divine trials and the rebirth power of the Phoenix Divine Fire have already reshaped him from the inside out.
He was no longer the old and frail master blacksmith, but a phoenix divine examiner who had been reborn from the ashes and was close to godhood!
Seeing the almost extinguished yet rekindled hope in the old blacksmith's eyes, Lou Gaorong's golden eyes flashed with a smile full of emotion.
Instead of answering "yes" or "no," he suddenly stepped forward, opened his large, fan-like hand, which contained terrifying power, and slammed it heavily onto the old blacksmith's shoulder, which was also covered with calluses!
"Hahaha!"
A hearty laugh, like a muffled thunderclap, instantly filled the entire magnificent hall, carrying a familiar, scorching heat that seemed to melt metal.
"Scarface Chen! Five years have passed, and your eyesight hasn't been blinded by the furnace fire! Besides me, who else has these fiery eyes? Who else has this strength?!"
That iconic, ear-splittingly loud voice!
The force with which it hit the person almost made them fall apart!
That arrogant, unrestrained, and domineering laughter!
More importantly... in those molten gold pupils, there was an undisguised familiarity and closeness towards his old friend!
"The president! It really is the president!!"
"Good heavens! The president is back!!"
"President, you...how did you become...so...so..."
The old blacksmiths were instantly so moved that tears streamed down their faces, and they became incoherent!
The scarred old blacksmith was so excited that he trembled all over and couldn't say a word. He just held onto Lou Gao's arm tightly, as if afraid that Lou Gao would disappear again.
After a brief moment of shock, the surrounding association members, both new and old, erupted in thunderous cheers and discussions!
"The president is back!"
"Oh my god! The president looks so young!"
"Standing alongside the City Lord...it's so awe-inspiring!" (End of Chapter)