Chapter 152: Flame Emblem Club

Chapter 152: Flame Emblem Club

After leaving the Kendo Dojo and getting into the car to head home, Lu Heng took a look at his Source Essence Fusion Rate on the data panel.

【Source Essence Fusion Rate: 82%】

The fusion rate had increased after he slashed Saito Makoto with Rift Sword Flash.

Seeing the increase in fusion rate, Lu Heng finally understood why Saito Makoto had insisted on the duel; one of the reasons was most likely for the Source Essence.

Due to the existence of the Source Essence Battle, there was a natural rivalry among those with free-state Source Essence.

However, as normal methods couldn't detect free-state Source Essence, it was impossible to identify possessors of Essence from the general population.

Therefore, during the battle for Source Essence, one could only guess.

Apparently, Saito Makoto knew that Tsukakawa Shugaku possessed Source Essence, and since Lu Heng had killed Tsukakawa Shugaku, this Essence naturally ended up with Lu Heng.

Unfortunately, Saito Makoto lost.

When Lu Heng fought Saito Makoto, he felt it was much easier than fighting Tsukakawa Shugaku.

Not because Saito Makoto was weaker than Tsukakawa Shugaku, but because Lu Heng's strength had increased.

When facing Tsukakawa Shugaku, both sides were evenly matched, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

By the time Lu Heng fought Saito Makoto, his level had risen to 26, and his physical strength far surpassed Saito Makoto's, not to mention the overwhelming advantage of his weapon's level.

Multiple factors combined to turn this duel into a one-sided affair.

...

The news of Japan's Sword Saint, Saito Makoto, dying in a duel in Daxia, caused a huge uproar when it reached Japan.

For the Japanese, whether Saito Makoto died on the spot or not wasn't the most crucial aspect.

Even if he didn't die immediately, he would still be forced to commit seppuku upon returning to Japan.

Because, in the eyes of the Japanese, Saito Makoto had disgraced himself in a foreign land.

Consequently, more and more Japanese swordsmen declared their intention to challenge Daxia swordsmen.

However, most of these vocal Japanese were weak and insignificant.

Moreover, some Japanese weren't just talking; they were actually applying for passports to travel to Daxia and initiate challenges.

Due to this situation, Daxia's official authorities tightened visa approvals, directly denying entry to such mentally unstable individuals.

...

The matter of the duel was temporarily concluded.

Lin Zeyu's Tempering Castle Club also began to take shape.

Additionally, as Huanyu Corporation's business expanded, its management structure needed adjustments.

Originally, Huanyu was merely a security company, established to hire Espers to serve as Lin Zeyu's bodyguards.

Now, tempering services, tempering materials, and spirit-infused materials were all managed by Huanyu Corporation.

This meant that Huanyu was no longer just a simple security company.

As the business scope expanded, and Huanyu's foundation was initially as a security company, the company structure hindered further business expansion.

Therefore, a restructuring was necessary.

That morning, Lin Zeyu gathered Huanyu Corporation's top executives for a meeting and also called Lu Heng and Su Muyu to the company.

Huanyu's executives waited outside while Lin Zeyu discussed the restructuring direction with Lu Heng and Su Muyu.

The three sat side by side on the sofa, deliberating on Huanyu's future direction.

"I never expected Huanyu to develop so quickly. Initially, it was just a bodyguard company, but now, with the rapid business expansion, we must restructure the company..."

Lin Zeyu flipped through a set of documents and said, "Here's the plan I've considered. We'll divide the various tasks and establish subsidiary companies.

"A subsidiary company will be set up for tempering services, specializing in tempering services to improve efficiency through clear business divisions.

"Additionally, the new Tempering Castle Club project will also establish a separate subsidiary company for dedicated management.

"I've already thought of a name for the club—Flame Emblem. From now on, Flame Emblem will be the brand for entering Tempering Castle.

"Huanyu Security will be retained to focus on security services and Esper agency business.

"Lastly, a group company will be established to oversee and manage all subsidiary companies.

"What do you think of the group name 'Hengyu'? I think it sounds great."

Su Muyu pouted and joked, "So, my name isn't included?"

Lin Zeyu glared, "What? Aren't you two considered together?"

Su Muyu had intended to tease him further, but upon hearing his words, she suddenly burst into laughter, "Alright then."

The three quickly finalized the Hengyu Group's matters with a few casual discussions.

Hengyu Group's shares were divided into three portions: Lu Heng and Lin Zeyu each held 35%, and the remaining 30% belonged to the team, with Su Muyu as the representative shareholder.

The team's 30% stake is jointly held by all members who signed the team contract. Currently, there are only three members, but if new members join in the future, they will also be entitled to this 30% stake.

After the corporate restructuring, the Flame Emblem Club was officially established.

The name "Flame Emblem" immediately caused a stir among major conglomerates when it was announced, especially when coupled with the club's purpose.

The "Flame Emblem" club brand explicitly signifies a pass to enter the Tempering Castle.

The club will regularly organize members' entry into the Tempering Castle.

As for how to join the Flame Emblem, all explanations are left to the Hengyu Group.

Various conglomerates had their people stake out under the Century Bridge for two to three months, and this was the result they uncovered.

Three months ago, Hu Biao successfully led a group into the Tempering Castle, and the most important person among them was the Tempered Master recommended by the Haruka Corporation, He Shangyong.

However, the Haruka Corporation failed to seize the opportunity and secure the Tempering Castle.

Consequently, the Tempering Castle has been opening its doors less and less frequently, and in the past month and a half, it hasn't opened at all.

Some conglomerates even began to suspect that the Tempering Castle had left Bluesphere.

The emergence of the Flame Emblem Club proved one thing.

The Tempering Castle wasn't closed; it was only opening its doors for a specific individual.

After the establishment of the Flame Emblem Club, Lin Zeyu sent people to purchase the surrounding buildings and land near the Old Clock Tower on the Riverbank Road and transformed them into a fortress.

The main venue of the Flame Emblem Club is located right across from the Old Clock Tower.

Upon hearing this news, the number of Esper scouts under the Century Bridge decreased, as the major conglomerates realized that the 9th bridge hole might never open again.

To gain access to the Tempering Castle, the conglomerates had no choice but to negotiate with the Flame Emblem Club.

Lin Zeyu set a somewhat intimidating price for the club's entry tickets, which were in the millions.

Even after joining the club, members would have to wait in line.

As for who gets to enter the Tempering Castle, it's entirely up to Lin Zeyu's mood.

In any case, it's a matter of easily manipulating the situation.

Some conglomerates were unwilling to accept this, and they sought alternative ways to enter the Tempering Castle.

There were even idiots who considered dismantling the bridge hole of the Century Bridge.

Many people also doubted that a club that suddenly appeared could have the ability to lead people into the Tempering Castle.

However, anyone who knew the parent company of the Flame Emblem Club wouldn't question this.

The Haruka Corporation also invested in joining the club and sent people in hopes of entering the Tempering Castle again.

Lin Zeyu didn't stop them; after all, they were offering money, so he wouldn't turn them away.

As for whether they would be allowed into the Tempering Castle, the final decision rests with the club.

On Saturday, the Flame Emblem Club held its first gathering, and the management team selected ten members to bring into the Tempering Castle.

People were entering the Tempering Castle, and these individuals were carefully chosen, ensuring they wouldn't cause trouble inside.

Grumble was pleased with this group of visitors, as they solved his boredom and the issue of people wandering around aimlessly.

Among this group, several had been to the Tempering Castle before.

This time, they braced themselves, prepared to endure the taste of grilled cockroaches.

To their surprise, they discovered that entering the Tempering Castle didn't necessarily mean having to eat that particular delicacy.

Grumble didn't greet them at the entrance with a large bowl of "delicacies" this time.

This realization left them with mixed emotions, feeling that their previous efforts to endure the "delicacies" had been in vain.

...

Among those who entered the Tempering Castle, several had specific intentions.

One of them, a high-ranking executive from the Fengcai Consortium, tried to negotiate a business deal with Grumble, hoping to secure forging orders for him.

Currently, there was more than one Tempered Master on Bluesphere.

There were at least ten Tempered Masters among the Espers.

Moreover, there was one Tempered Master whose skills were consistently superior to Lu Heng's—Grumble.

In other words, if other Tempered Masters couldn't enter the Tempering Castle, they could still take orders and work for Grumble.

These conglomerates were willing to accept any terms as long as this channel was established.

If this deal was successful and Grumble agreed to accept forging orders from the Fengcai Consortium, it would mean that the consortium could freely enter and exit the Tempering Castle.

Once this door was opened, the rest would be easy.

Hearing this proposal, Grumble leaned back in his chair and said, "I'm very expensive."

"Of course, hiring Master Grumble for tempering will come at the highest price, surpassing all other Tempered Masters in the market," the Fengcai Consortium executive praised, giving a thumbs up.

Grumble nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's possible.

"From now on, I'll be Grumble's business agent for the Tempering Castle. Whenever he's available, we can discuss the details." The executive from the Fengcai Consortium's eyes lit up, thinking their goal was achieved.

Grumble waved his hand and said, "For the details, just discuss them with Little Lin."

Little Lin naturally referred to Lin Zeyu.

Since Lin Zeyu dared to bring someone in, he was confident that no one could take even a blade of grass from the Tempering Castle.

Given Lu Heng's relationship with Grumble, even if someone managed to trick Grumble, as long as Lu Heng intervened with a word, the situation could be rectified.

Moreover, Lin Zeyu was now on very good terms with Grumble, who affectionately called him Little Lin.

When the executive from the Fengcai Consortium heard the words "Little Lin," his face darkened.

He had thought the deal was done, but Grumble, while easy to talk to, had a very relaxed personality. For any tedious matters, his standard reply was, "Just discuss it with Little Lin."

Flame Emblem had already taken over all affairs of the Tempering Castle.

Grumble was extremely satisfied with Flame Emblem's arrangements, completely resolving his worries.

...

After the first Flame Emblem Club event, the news quickly spread within the industry once the club members returned.

The various consortiums confirmed a few things.

First, the Flame Emblem Club indeed had the ability to bring people into the Tempering Castle.

Second, the entrance to the Tempering Castle was no longer at the 9th arch of Century Bridge.

Third, Grumble at the Tempering Castle was easy to talk to and agreed to everything, but no substantial business could be discussed. If they wanted to negotiate, they had to go through Flame Emblem or Hengyu Group.

Fourth, the Tempering Castle had opened a new business—forging services.

Fifth, forging materials in the market had been swept clean a month ago, but there weren't many to begin with, and even fewer of high-grade ones.

The acquisition of forging materials was, of course, handled by Lin Zeyu.

Ever since the Aurora Blade underwent its second forging, Lin Zeyu had started collecting forging materials.

However, forging materials were too scarce, and high-grade ones were even rarer.

Most of the forging materials that could be acquired were D-grade, with C-grade ones being extremely rare, and B-grade materials nonexistent.

B-grade forging materials were on par with Obsidian Forging Stones.

The Obsidian Forging Stones were dropped by Flame Demons, and with the Abyssal Descent at the end of June, there weren't many Abyssal monsters as powerful as Flame Demons, and the chances of defeating them to obtain forging materials were even slimmer.

Even if some force managed to acquire such high-grade forging materials, they wouldn't sell them.

For such high-grade materials, the first choice for major powers was always to preserve them.

After all, for large consortiums and families, tens of millions in funds might not significantly impact them, but a single high-grade material unavailable on the market had immeasurable value.

Therefore, the number of forging materials on the market was extremely limited.

When the various consortiums wanted to acquire them, the limited supply had already been swept up by Lin Zeyu.

According to Flame Emblem Club's plan, the Tempering Castle would be open for activities twice a week.

However, the exact number of events depended on Grumble's mood.

If the dwarf didn't feel like receiving guests on a particular day, the event would be canceled, and if he felt like it on another day, he might suddenly hold one.

The various consortiums tried everything to get their Tempered Masters into the Tempering Castle.

Several Tempered Masters who entered the Tempering Castle expressed their desire to use the castle's tempering furnaces and were even willing to sign contracts with Hengyu Tempering Services Company.

These Tempered Masters had the backing of consortiums, but they still wanted to sign with Hengyu Tempering Services Company.

The reason was simple: as long as they obtained the qualification to use the tempering furnaces, they could gain reputation in the Tempering Castle, opening up infinite possibilities for the future.

Initially, Lin Zeyu didn't want these Tempered Masters to enter the Tempering Castle, but Lu Heng didn't mind.

Once these Tempered Masters entered and requested to use the tempering furnaces, Grumble, as before, required them to undergo an assessment.

He would have them perform a tempering and then make a decision based on their performance.

Grumble's assessment criteria were also simple; he used Lu Heng's initial performance as the standard.

As a result, all the Tempered Masters who underwent the assessment were rejected by Grumble.

Even those who sincerely wanted to become Grumble's disciples were turned down, with the reason given as insufficient talent.

Grumble was completely unaware that the assessment criteria were set too high.

Moreover, the Tempering Castle didn't need apprentices at the moment.

This left the various consortiums' plans in disarray.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end