"Fuck your mother, Li Deyoke!" Lei Zhen's eyes were turning emerald green with rage. The Lei family had offered countless gifts and fostered various collaborations with the City Lord's manor over the years, yet here was Li Deyoke openly backing Qian Jin?

The Lei family felt an urge to throw caution and status to the wind, to simply erupt in curses and vent their frustration. Just what kind of clout did this Qian Jin possess that the City Lord would disregard the Lei family's feelings so completely? The Lei family, the dominant power in Eternal Flow! For such a coarse, base wretch, the City Lord would ignore the Lei family's dignity?

What an astonishing level of support this was! Those quick-witted enough were already taking their wine cups and heading toward Qian Jin, hoping to seize this chance to forge a connection, to perhaps draw closer to the esteemed City Lord in the future.

"The City Lord is standing up for Qian Jin?" Lilizago watched, shaking his head repeatedly. "What in the world is going on? Nord, do you know anything?"

"Know? I know jack shit!" Nord York could no longer suppress the fury boiling inside him. His own father was refusing to support him, instead backing Qian Jin. Who was his actual son? Had his father’s mind completely gone senile?

"Qian Jin, is it?" Hongse York approached Qian Jin, a glass of red wine in hand, his face fixed in a placid smile. "A few days ago, my younger brother and my stepmother acted disrespectfully toward you. I offer my apologies on their behalf and sincerely hope you will accept."

Qian Jin gently raised his wine glass and took a slight sip. He always felt an instinctual resistance toward the City Lord's eldest son; every time he met him, he felt like he was facing a venomous snake hidden in the undergrowth.

"The President of the Eternal Flow City Blacksmiths' Guild, Yun Xinghuisheng..."

The reception staff outside the door roared the name, sounding as if they were trying to tear their vocal cords apart. The guests, still not entirely sober, collectively shifted their gazes to the main entrance of the hall for the first time.

Li Deyoke, standing on the dais, swiftly descended from the stage. With a warm, enthusiastic smile, he strode purposefully toward the main entrance.

One might not need to show excessive deference to the Vice President of the Crystal Magic Tower, nor necessarily to the Head of the Lei family, or even to Lei Guangming, the Vice President of the Blacksmiths' Guild. But one could not dare disrespect Yun Xinghuisheng.

No faction within the city could afford to slight this Forging Master! After all, no faction was a singular entity; whether warriors or mages, none could operate without the aid of equipment, especially the warriors!

The City Lord commanded countless city guards. While the Zhence Dynasty would allocate funds, if he wished to build a first-rate, elite army to lead into the Human-Demon battlefield against the Demon Race in the future, that funding would prove insufficient. Success would ultimately rely on the assistance of the Eternal Flow City Blacksmiths' Guild.

Mu Guiwuxin, too, shed much of his previous aggressive demeanor and likewise stepped forward to personally greet the forging master who had occupied the top position in the Eternal Flow blacksmith trade for many years! Rumor even had it that this master had already achieved the rank of true Forging Grandmaster!

The tide of guests surged toward the entrance like a flood. Since the City Lord himself was coming out to welcome the newcomer, how could they dare to show disrespect? Even if they didn't respect the old blacksmith, they had to respect the City Lord!

"Guild Master Yun, how could my humble birthday banquet possibly alarm someone of your stature?"

Li Deyoke gazed upon the Blacksmiths' Guild President appearing at the entrance, the Forging Master Yun Xinghuisheng.

A coarse linen robe, a head full of wild, white hair, a face mapped with nearly a hundred wrinkles, yet eyes that shone with fierce clarity, a spine held perfectly straight, and two hands weathered by hardship yet conveying the sensation of iron pincers—this was Qian Jin's first impression of Yun Xinghuisheng.

"How could I miss the City Lord's birthday celebration?" Yun Xinghuisheng smiled faintly and slowly descended the steps. Every movement exuded an indescribable, powerful aura that caused many to feel an urge to prostrate themselves.

"Master." Lei Guangming, a Forging Master of immense prestige in Eternal Flow City, moved with the deference of a novice apprentice who had just begun learning to hammer iron. He quickly bowed before Yun Xinghuisheng, reaching out as if to steady his teacher.

"Am I that old?" Yun Xinghuisheng lightly waved his arm, blocking Lei Guangming's attempt to assist. "As a blacksmith, if I can no longer manage to walk, how can I forge even more exquisite weapons and equipment?"

Lei Guangming immediately stood respectfully to the side, nodding repeatedly. Yun Xinghuisheng cast a questioning glance at Lei Guangming, then followed his apprentice’s line of sight toward the distance, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, finally settling upon Qian Jin.

Sensing the gaze of Yun Xinghuisheng, Qian Jin quickly bowed deeply in salute to the old man whose every gesture bespoke the bearing of a mentor.

"Young man, are you the one called Qian Jin?"

Yun Xinghuisheng raised a hand, pushing aside those blocking his path, and advanced step by measured step toward Qian Jin's position.

Who was Yun Xinghuisheng?

Perhaps the common folk were ignorant of the capabilities of this President of the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths' Guild. But if one were to ask anyone in Eternal Flow City, or indeed anyone in the entire Eternal Flow Province who had access to the upper echelons of society, nearly everyone could instantly recite the achievements of this President.

Yun Xinghuisheng was born in the Eternal Flow Province. He began learning smithing at the age of six, became a Forging Apprentice by thirty, and was once hailed as the rising star of the forging world. By fifty, he had attained the rank of Forging Master. Now, at the venerable age of seventy-seven, his body remained robust. Outsiders speculated that this Forging Master, who had never formally sought the title of Forging Grandmaster, was long qualified for it.

And this was not the honorary title bestowed posthumously in recognition of profound contributions to the nation, its warriors, and the Blacksmiths' Guild—not a Grandmaster title lacking true skill.

Lei Guangming watched his master approach with near-worshipful eyes, an unnameable joy stirring within him. Finally, Qian Jin was going to run into trouble! Only those who truly understood the Master’s power and influence knew how terrifying he was.

His Master was not merely the President of the Eternal Flow City Blacksmiths' Guild; he was the undisputed foremost authority on forging throughout the entire Eternal Flow Province! Even if the Master traveled outside Eternal Flow City to other cities within the province, the local Guild Presidents would stand quietly, bow, and allow him to take their own seat of authority without argument.

Even the Zhence Imperial Family had extended multiple invitations, offering terms far more generous than his position in the provincial guild, yet he had refused them all.

"I am a blacksmith, born to the blacksmiths of the Eternal Flow Province. A blacksmith belongs in the Blacksmiths' Guild. I must not only contribute to the Zhence Dynasty but also dedicate myself to nurturing the blacksmiths of the Eternal Flow Province."

Lei Guangming recalled these words, which countless blacksmiths in Eternal Flow City held as a maxim, and he always secretly scorned his Master's choice. Why endure hardship here when he could enjoy a far better life? Why cling to the Blacksmiths' Guild, letting himself toil away?

But now, for the first time, Lei Guangming felt that it was an incredibly, profoundly good thing that his Master had never left the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths' Guild! With the support of every smith in Eternal Flow, even the formidable Mu Guiwuxin dared not provoke Yun Xinghuisheng.

Unless the Hongliu Battle Fortress truly wished to end its existence! The Eternal Flow Blacksmiths' Guild could cut off equipment supplies to the Fortress, and they could purchase from other smiths in the province. But if they offended Yun Xinghuisheng?

Lei Guangming could swear upon his chest that Mu Guiwuxin's Hongliu Battle Fortress wouldn't be able to procure a single iron nail from any smithy in the entire Eternal Flow Province! Never mind weapons and gear! Those brutish louts who only knew how to swing blades and slay demons—if they lost their weapons, how would they even eat? For the sake of survival, they would have no choice but to abandon the Hongliu Battle Fortress and join other Warrior Guilds, or become adventurers and mercenaries.

When Mu Guiwuxin saw Yun Xinghuisheng arrive, his previous cheerful mood evaporated instantly. He hadn't even offered a polite greeting to the City Lord, instead going straight for Qian Jin. Mu Guiwuxin stared at the President of the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths' Guild with intense anxiety.

A smile finally broke through Nord York's resentful face. He had heard that Lei Guangming of the Blacksmiths' Guild had been humiliated and then released after visiting the Hongliu Battle Fortress a few days ago. With Yun Xinghuisheng making a personal appearance now, even his father couldn't overtly support Qian Jin any further!

Xiudasike stood to the side, relishing the spectacle. He truly hadn't expected Yun Xinghuisheng, who rarely involved himself in the Guild's affairs anymore, to appear in person today to champion the Blacksmiths' Guild. It seemed that without him having to lift a finger, Qian Jin wouldn't last long in Eternal Flow, and Xiudasike could easily claim those four... no! Three beauties.

Xiudasike shot a wary glance at Gu Yuejiaying. This woman was not a mere thorny rose; she was a battle-blade disguised as a stunning flower. Moreover, she had the support of Fabredis, a nearly Transcendent warrior. He would only dare to scheme against this woman if his life were too tranquil and he was actively seeking danger on a path closer to merging with the stars.

There were plenty of beauties! Xiudasike glanced at Luo Qingqing and the other two, his Adam's apple bobbing again. Just managing to bring one of them back to his own domain would be immensely satisfying. Bringing all three back simultaneously...

Xiudasike felt his lower body hardening again. If not for the voluminous magic robes providing cover, anyone could have noticed his inherent masculinity.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted again with the sudden arrival of Yun Xinghuisheng. Everyone held their breath, watching to see what move this idol of the blacksmiths across the entire Eternal Flow Province would make. They had all heard rumors, to varying degrees, about the trouble Lei Guangming had encountered at the Hongliu Battle Fortress recently.

The motivations of the Guild President, who had long since retreated from daily affairs to focus on higher levels of forging technique, were certainly worth deep speculation today.

"I am he." Qian Jin placed his wine glass on the long table draped in white linen and walked calmly to meet Yun Xinghuisheng. "Elder, what business do you have with me?"