Martial Soul Awakening
By noon, Tang San had started a fire and begun cooking. He deftly washed the rice and put it in the pot, then cleaned a fish he had kept for himself, rubbed it with salt, stuffed it with slices of ginger, and set it in the pot to steam.
Tang San squatted by the stove, adding firewood, tending the flames, and turning the fish. His movements flowed like clouds and running water, all in one smooth sequence.
Before long, the aroma of the meal wafted out of the Blacksmith's Shop.
Tang San brought out two bowls of rice, a plate of steamed fish, a plate of stir-fried greens, and a bowl of egg soup. He set them on the table and called toward the inner room, "Dad, the food's ready!"
After calling out, Tang San picked up his rice and began eating, regardless of whether Tang Hao had heard him.
A moment later, heavy footsteps sounded from the inner room. The door curtain lifted, and Tang Hao came out, as unkempt and grimy as ever, with a faint smell of alcohol about him.
Tang Hao sat down at the table and swept his gaze over the food without a word.
Tang San put down his chopsticks and held out a hand to Tang Hao, palm up and fingers spread. The gesture was exceptionally practiced.
The corner of Tang Hao's mouth twitched. Then he took a Copper Soul Coin from inside his clothes and set it in Tang San's palm with a smack.
Without a change of expression, Tang San put the Copper Soul Coin away. Only then did he pick up his bowl and chopsticks and resume eating.
Tang San had been enforcing this rule for two years.
Two years ago, Tang San had suddenly realized something: he rose early and worked until dark every day, while Tang Hao did nothing but drink and sleep, occasionally making a few farm tools to earn some drinking money. He lived like a hands-off shopkeeper.
Why should I put up with that?
Tang San had thought it through clearly. In this life, he had no attachment to this father of his. The Tang San of the original story might have been trapped by his longing for a father's love, yearning for Tang Hao's approval and care.
But the Tang San of this life wanted none of that, and he knew Tang Hao very well. A Super Douluo? Is it my place to pity him?
So, two years ago, Tang San had laid down a rule: Tang Hao could eat the meals Tang San cooked, but each one would cost him a Copper Soul Coin.
If you won't do your job as a father, don't blame me, your son, for counting every penny. I only call you "Dad" for the sake of our blood ties.
At first, Tang Hao was naturally unwilling in every possible way. He pulled faces and threw down his chopsticks in a sulk, but thankfully, he had never laid a hand on Tang San.
Tang San had also gotten the measure of Tang Hao's temper and naturally refused to indulge him. If you won't eat, forget it. I'll eat it myself.
After a few days at an impasse, Tang Hao finally obediently forked over a Copper Soul Coin.
From then on, Tang San cooked, Tang Hao ate, and payment came before the meal, with no cheating young or old. The two exchanged pitifully few words, yet maintained a peculiar balance.
Tang San, of course, wasn't afraid of what Tang Hao might do, either.
In this life, Tang San had no secrets, no Mysterious Heaven Skill, and no supreme Hidden Weapon techniques.
At most, Tang San had shown himself to be a little more mature than other children, as well as a little smarter and more sensible.
If Tang Hao had any doubts, he could only put it down to the boy having been forced from an early age to rely on himself to survive, making him so precocious.
So Tang San wasn't worried that Tang Hao would suspect his son had been possessed and strike him dead with a palm.
After eating, Tang Hao silently rose and returned to the inner room. A moment later, muffled snores came from within.
Tang San cleared away the bowls and chopsticks, then took the Copper Soul Coin he had just received from his waist and put it in the savings jar by his bed, along with the six he had earned selling fish that day.
Tang San cradled the jar in his hands and gave it a gentle shake. A crisp clatter sounded from inside.
There were six such savings jars by the head of the bed. Tang San had counted their contents just yesterday: 307 Silver Soul Coins and 563 Copper Soul Coins.
Tang San had worked it out. Converted into Gold Soul Coins, they would come to thirty-five. For an ordinary family, that was already a very substantial nest egg.
Nearly half of it was Tang Hao's meal payments over the past two years; the rest was what Tang San had saved.
The reason there were no Gold Soul Coins was that common folk used Copper Soul Coins in their everyday dealings, or Silver Soul Coins at most. Gold Soul Coins were something only the wealthy and Soul Masters had use for.
Still, Tang San knew that once he went to the city, it would naturally be better to exchange these Silver and Copper Soul Coins for Gold Soul Coins so they would be easier to carry.
Fortunately, although Tang Hao failed to act as a father, he had never touched Tang San's savings to buy alcohol.
Tang San thought that was good enough. Neither owed the other anything, and each went his own way.
Tang San returned the savings jar to its place, walked to the doorway, and leaned against the frame, gazing into the distance.
Tomorrow was the day of the Martial Soul Awakening.
The next morning, Tang San went to the river to collect his fish traps as usual. After returning home, he had just finished breakfast and put down his bowl and chopsticks when he heard a familiar voice outside.
"Little San, Grandpa's here to take you." Old Jack had arrived at the Blacksmith's Shop on time and was calling to Tang San from outside.
"Grandpa Jack, why are you here so early?" Tang San went out to greet him with a smile.
"Today's a big day!" Old Jack patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of anticipation. "Come on, Grandpa will take you to the Spirit Hall in the center of the village."
"All right, Grandpa Jack!" Tang San replied and walked out of the Blacksmith's Shop, paying no mind to Tang Hao, who was still snoring away in the inner room.
With Old Jack leading the way, Tang San followed him to the Spirit Hall in the center of the village.
It was called a "hall," but it was really just a wooden house a little larger than an ordinary home. A wooden pole stood by the entrance, with a flag embroidered with the Spirit Hall's emblem hanging from its top.
There were eight children undergoing Martial Soul Awakening in Holy Soul Village this year. Tang San, led by Old Jack, was the last to arrive.
The others all gave Tang San peculiar looks. After all, he was something of a celebrity in Holy Soul Village.
Not long afterward, a young man wearing a close-fitting white outfit and a black cloak over his back walked over.
Tang San's heart stirred. This should be Su Yuntao, the "Blind Douluo" who had been at the center of one memorable scene after another in his previous life.
"Greetings, respected Battle Soul Master. Sorry to trouble you again this time." Old Jack bowed respectfully to Su Yuntao.
Su Yuntao bowed slightly. "I don't have much time. Let's begin now."
Old Jack nodded repeatedly, then turned to the children. "Children, this is a Battle Soul Master from Nuoding City. He will guide you in awakening your own Martial Souls. You must cooperate with the master during your Martial Soul Awakening. Grandpa hopes that some of you will become Soul Masters."
Su Yuntao waved a hand, somewhat impatient. "All right, you said the same things last year. Do you really think becoming a Soul Master is that easy? I've already been to six villages, and not a single person had Soul Power, nor were there any suitable Martial Souls."
With that, Su Yuntao turned and entered the wooden house.
Tang San and the other seven children filed in after him. Old Jack and the other parents stayed outside to wait.
Su Yuntao went to the center of the room and turned around, sweeping his gaze over the eight children before him.
"My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a White-Clothed Deacon of the Spirit Hall in Nuoding City. My Martial Soul is Lone Wolf, and I'm a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster. I'll be your guide. Whatever happens in a moment, don't be afraid."