Chương 25: Chapter 23 Forbidden Armor! Baiyu Station!_1
This undoubtedly made everyone's heart stir mightily.
"Really? Is it true?"
"This is the White Jade Gang, rich and powerful... They wouldn't need to deceive us!"
Their eyes met in silent agreement as they whispered among themselves.
Employing them to forge tools for the White Jade Gang, the substantial remuneration was difficult to refuse!
"I... I am willing to go!"
A man couldn't help but raise his hand, he had elderly to care for and children to feed, the whole family depended on him for a living, and the expenses were great, the price offered by Bai Shao was truly too tempting to refuse, earning over a hundred taels of silver in just four months, once this opportunity passed, it would be gone for good!
"I'm willing too!" As one embraced employment, more followed.
Amidst the crowd, Su Changkong kept silent, not one to be easily swayed by the world, he knew even the affluent White Jade Gang would not employ Forging Masters at great cost without good reason, which could bring about troubles.
Not in need of those hundred-plus taels of silver, Su Changkong did not intend to hastily accept the employment like the others!
At that moment, the young man in white, Bai Shao, suddenly spoke up, "Which one of you is Su Changkong?"
Su Changkong was taken aback, not expecting Bai Shao to call out his name, he didn't respond, but the others' gazes instinctively turned towards him.
This compelled Su Changkong to reluctantly step forward and bow, "I am Su Changkong, I have seen Young Master Bai."
Seeing the emerging Su Changkong, Bai Shao couldn't help but let his eyes brighten subtly.
The Su Changkong before him was youthful, a teenager, but with a tall stature, resolute features, and an extraordinary aura, standing out among the burly men like a crane among chickens.
Bai Shao, with a full smile, said, "I've heard Villa Owner Mo mention you, your talent is exceptional, your forging skills are extremely superb, surpassing the ordinary. Our White Jade Gang is precisely in need of a forging genius like you; I am willing to pay three times the price offered to the others, a hundred taels of silver per month!"
Bai Shao had previously inquired about the highly skilled Forging Masters in Black Iron Manor from Mo Tie.
Naturally, Mo Tie mentioned Su Changkong's name.
Su Changkong was now quite well-known in Black Iron Manor, not only for his exceptional forging skill but also his terrifying efficiency, crafting more than a dozen swords each month, far exceeding other Forging Masters!
Extraordinary talent was the only way to describe him!
And Bai Shao had noted down Su Changkong's name, hence the specific mention at this moment.
This made Su Changkong lightly furrow his brows, the White Jade Gang spending so much to hire so many Forging Masters definitely had an uncommon purpose, and while he personally wasn't keen on attracting trouble, with the other party naming him personally and offering a higher wage than others, he found himself with little reason to refuse!
After all, he couldn't just say he suspected ill-intentions, could he?
Seeing no immediate response from Su Changkong, Bai Shao thought perhaps Su Changkong was dissatisfied with the remuneration, and promptly said, "Little Friend Su, our White Jade Gang is desperate for talent; if you have any other requirements, I will also try my best to fulfill them!"
Bai Shao was extremely accommodating, such a respectful treatment from someone of his stature to a blacksmith was indeed rare.
Upon hearing this, Su Changkong's heart shifted slightly "Several medicinal herbs needed for Vital Qi Spread are hard to come by in the towns near Clearwater City, but if the White Jade Gang is willing to assist, it would likely be no problem!"
The herbs required for Vital Qi Spread were hard to find on the market; even traveling to farther towns might not guarantee their availability, but the wealthy and well-connected White Jade Gang would surely have a way to procure them.
With this in mind, Su Changkong said, "Then let it be as Young Master Bai says."
Seeing that Su Changkong agreed, Bai Shao was very pleased.
In the end, roughly twenty people accepted Bai Shao's employment.
Mo Tie had no objections to this; recently Black Iron Manor wasn't particularly busy with orders, it could afford to be short of twenty or so people, and fostering good relations with an organization like the White Jade Gang benefited Black Iron Manor!
"Alright, Cai Tong, you stay at Black Iron Manor, wait for them to pack up their luggage, and then bring them to the White Jade Gang's base," Bai Shao spoke as the matter was settled, directing a burly man next to him.
"Yes, Young Master!" Cai Tong, a member of the White Jade Gang, respectfully complied.
Bai Shao left with a guard, while Cai Tong waited for Su Changkong and the rest to pack their belongings.
With a four-month stay at the White Jade Gang expected, everyone prepared their travel bags and informed their families.
As for Su Changkong himself, there was little he needed to pack, so he returned to his room to grab some clothes for changing.
Shortly after, the group of twenty-some people completed their packing and located Cai Tong.
Cai Tong glanced over the group and declared, "If your luggage is ready, then let's set off. We need to reach the White Jade Gang's base before dark!"
None objected to this.
A group of people set out, heading toward the White Jade Gang.
The White Jade Gang's station was located nearly a hundred miles away from Black Iron Manor.
They embarked in the morning, occasionally stopping to rest on the way. As they all had quite good physical fitness, they kept going until it was completely dark before finally arriving at the White Jade Gang's station.
From a distance, the White Jade Gang's station was built against the mountains, with roads flanked by trees, boasting a beautiful scenery.
At the entrance of the White Jade Gang, several disciples clad in white, with upright postures, were keeping guard.
"Who goes there?" A man noticed Su Changkong and his group, immediately questioning them.
"It's me, Cai Tong."
Cai Tong replied, taking out his identity token.
"Lord Cai."
Seeing this, the White Jade Gang disciples' expressions softened, and they respectfully saluted, not hindering their passage.
Su Changkong and the others followed Cai Tong into the White Jade Gang.
The buildings within the White Jade Gang rose and fell one after another, appearing like a small palace complex, both ancient and splendid.
"As expected of the White Jade Gang, so luxurious!"
The group of Forging Masters from Black Iron Manor felt like the proverbial Country Mouse entering the Grand Manor, somewhat astounded.
"The strength of the White Jade Gang is indeed formidable; most of its members are Martial Artists in the Strength Refinement Realm with martial skills."
Su Changkong was observing the White Jade Gang disciples they passed.
These White Jade Gang disciples were mostly strong and healthy, with steady and powerful strides and sharp eyes. Many of them were Martial Artists in the Strength Refinement Realm.
The White Jade Gang, being wealthy and powerful, allowed some of its disciples to consume Pill Medicines to strengthen their bodies—there was no shortage of elite members!
The richer the gang, the more Martial Artists they need; otherwise, they simply can't protect their wealth!
"I will first arrange accommodations for you. We'll meet tomorrow morning to discuss what needs to be done," Cai Tong told the group.
"May I ask what exactly you want us to do?" Yang Chao, who had been injured before but had mostly recovered, couldn't help but ask. He had accepted the White Jade Gang's employment and came to their station.
"You'll know tomorrow," was all Cai Tong said, offering no further explanation.
With no other choice, as "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," the group could only hold their curiosity for the time being. Under Cai Tong's arrangement, Su Changkong and his companions all settled into separate rooms.
The night passed without incident, and Su Changkong, as usual, practiced the Five Animal Frolics before lying in bed to cultivate the Turtle Breath Technique, restoring his spirit and strength.
Early the next day, Cai Tong arrived as promised and gathered everyone from Black Iron Manor.
"Come with me, I'll take you to the forging workshop," Cai Tong led the group to their work destination.
Inside one of the White Jade Gang's workshops, Su Changkong saw furnaces and tools for forging, along with materials.
"Lord Cai, can you now tell us what we are supposed to do?" Yang Chao inquired.
This time, Cai Tong did not conceal their task. He glanced over the group and said in a deep voice, "You have been brought to the White Jade Gang to forge a batch of armor."
"What? Forge armor?" At this revelation, the Black Iron Manor group was astonished, their expressions all changing simultaneously.
"Forge armor?"
Even Su Changkong frowned slightly.
In the Great Flame Empire, there was no prohibition on carrying weapons; in fact, walking into the city with swords and blades would go unnoticed.
But armor was forbidden!
Without an official position or private troops, possessing armor was a serious offense, viewed as plotting rebellion with severe penalties, including execution.
It was akin to some countries on Blue Planet not prohibiting firearms but banning bulletproof vests.
Therefore, the Black Iron Manor had forged countless weapons, but forging armor was something they had never done before; it was against the Great Flame Empire's laws!
The White Jade Gang had hired a group of Forging Masters from Black Iron Manor with a substantial sum of money for a secret mission—to secretly forge a batch of armor!
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