Hometown

Time always slips away unnoticed, and soon, Zhao Xuan and Tang San had spent a year at Nuoding Academy. As the new summer arrived, they welcomed their first holiday break.

By early morning, Nuoding Academy was already deserted. No one was beneath the lush parasol trees, only a desolate breeze and the lonely chirp of cicadas. Compared to the usual morning rush of students hurrying to class, the academy was undoubtedly much more desolate at this hour.

A few Work-Study Students walking together waved to Tang San and Xiao Wu, who were standing by the entrance, before hurrying off on their journey home. As for the others, they had departed even earlier.

Sister Xiao Wu, with her arms crossed over her chest, impatiently tapped a foot on the ground. Pouting, she asked Tang San with dissatisfaction, "Xiao San, what is Xiao Xuan even doing? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

Tang San was also a bit puzzled. "He just said he had something to do, but I don't know what specifically."

Having finally reached the holidays, Tang San, who hadn't seen Tang Hao in a year, was eager to return home. Upon learning that Xiao Wu had nowhere to go, he enthusiastically invited her to return to Sacred Soul Village with him.

"Sorry for the wait, I'm here." Zhao Xuan jogged out from the depths of the academy. The moment Tang San saw the mischievous grin on his face, he had a premonition of what Zhao Xuan had been up to.

"Ah! Dammit, Zhao Xuan, my new book!" A sharp, angry voice echoed from the depths of the academy, reverberating through the empty grounds.

Zhao Xuan quickly urged Tang San and Xiao Wu, "Let's go, quickly."

Sacred Soul Village, a quiet and peaceful village, was the hometown that Tang San and Zhao Xuan longed for.

It was already noon the next day by the time they returned to Sacred Soul Village. After passing through a meadow carpeted with Blue Silver Grass and then climbing a mountain, one could see Sacred Soul Village.

Blue Silver Grass, a common sight on the Douluo Continent, might not be remarkable as a single stalk, but when gathered together, it could unleash astonishing beauty.

Verdant green, tinged with the light blue of the sky, crystal dew drops shimmered with a rainbow luster. Amidst this sea of grass, small Blue Silver Grass flowers dotted the landscape in twos and threes – bright blue, pure white, crimson, deep purple...

Perhaps you would never know the beauty hidden within the ordinary.

Zhao Xuan and Tang San parted ways on a small bridge at the entrance of Sacred Soul Village, one heading north, the other west. Xiao Wu went with Tang San.

Seeing Tang San looking somewhat anxious, Zhao Xuan couldn't help but shake his head. Nuoding Academy did not allow students to visit home during school term, but it did not prohibit relatives from visiting the academy.

Over the past year, Zhao Shi and Mu Qin had often visited Zhao Xuan. As for Tang Hao...

"Tsk, what a terrible father," Zhao Xuan felt indignant on Tang San's behalf.

Walking along a forest path and through a corner of a small grove, Zhao Xuan saw the place he had long missed.

A fence made of rough stones, overgrown with common household vegetable vines, enclosed a quaint little house. Beside the house stood a jujube tree. In the yard, a figure was vigorously chopping firewood.

Seeing that figure, Zhao Xuan couldn't help but smile. He slowed his steps and crept closer.

When he reached the figure's back, Zhao Xuan suddenly shouted, "Boo!"

The sudden noise startled Zhao Shi, and he almost chopped his own foot with the axe.

Hmm? This voice sounds familiar?

Turning around and seeing the familiar figure, Zhao Shi clearly froze. He instinctively asked, "Why are you back?"

Zhao Xuan's face darkened. What, does he not want me back?

Hearing the commotion in the yard, Mu Qin came out of the house. Upon seeing the figure she had longed for, she beamed with joy. "Xiao Xuan, you're on holiday."

"Mm." Zhao Xuan smiled and nodded at Mu Qin. Turning back to face Zhao Shi, his expression changed. Mom knew I was on holiday, why didn't you?!

Zhao Shi came to his senses and looked at Zhao Xuan with confusion. What's wrong? Why does he seem so displeased with me as soon as he gets back?

"Huh? Dad, what did you say? Uncle Tang Hao left?" Just after finishing lunch, Zhao Xuan heard Zhao Shi say.

"Mm! That's right! It was just a few days ago. He suddenly came to find us, said to take good care of Xiao San for him from now on, that he had some things to attend to, and then he left," Zhao Shi replied while eating.

Zhao Xuan's expression suddenly changed, and he muttered, "This is bad."

He knew how long Tang San had been looking forward to this return home, wanting to see Tang Hao. He never expected this guy to have disappeared somewhere just a few days ago!

"I'm going to see Xiao San." Unable to stop worrying about Tang San, Zhao Xuan left with a hurried word.

Arriving at Tang San's house, he saw Xiao Wu standing outside the door with a helpless expression. When she saw Zhao Xuan, her face lit up with joy.

"Zhao Xuan!"

"Where's Xiao San? Is he inside?" Zhao Xuan asked.

"Mm, his dad disappeared somewhere and left him a letter. Xiao San has been standing there motionless since he read it."

"I'll go in and take a look."

As soon as he entered, Zhao Xuan was almost overcome by the strong smell of alcohol. The room was very messy. It seemed Tang Hao had truly been living like a pig in his absence.

Tang San stood in the center of the room, staring blankly at the letter in his hand. His emaciated figure looked quite helpless.

Zhao Xuan couldn't help but rub his forehead. What a mess! Uncle Tang Hao, you've really caused a lot of trouble.

Zhao Xuan took two quick steps, snatched the letter from Tang San's hand, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away.

Tang San snapped back to attention and instinctively said, "Xiao Xuan..."

"I know what happened, Xiao San," Zhao Xuan said, feigning solemnity.

"Uncle Tang Hao must have told you. He just has something to do, he's not leaving forever."

Tang San's expression shifted, and his eyes began to flicker. At the same time, Zhao Xuan's mind raced, and he began to rack his brain for a way to persuade him.

"He might have a compelling reason to do this. Have you ever noticed any strange behavior from him over the years?"

"No! Not that I recall. Uncle Tang Hao leaving without a word this time must be because he has something he absolutely has to do, something incredibly important to him."

"I've never seen Uncle Tang Hao so dejected. Perhaps this is a turning point for him."

"After all, we don't even know why Uncle Tang Hao has been so down for so many years. This time, maybe..."

As Zhao Xuan spoke, he was shocked himself. Damn! Come to think of it, what I'm saying actually makes sense! There must be a reason Uncle Tang Hao has been so depressed all these years! And his sudden departure might just be related to it!

Tang San, drawn in by Zhao Xuan's wild speculation, his eyes lit up.

Could Dad really be going to resolve something? Could it be the very reason he's been so down for all these years? he wondered.

Suddenly, Tang San's expression changed, and he began to worry again. Whatever caused Uncle Tang Hao's dejection for so many years must be no simple matter, and it might even be dangerous.

Zhao Xuan observed him cautiously from the side. Seeing Tang San's worry, he patted his shoulder. "Little San, don't worry so much! Good fortune favors the kind. Besides, even if Uncle Tang Hao is in danger, it's probably not something we can help with."

As he spoke, Zhao Xuan was shocked again. Where did my Sherlock Holmes potential come from?

He suddenly thought of Tang San's two Martial Souls and Master's theories. Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power must be due to an extremely high-quality Martial Soul. Blue Silver Grass clearly wasn't it, so the remaining hammer must be extraordinary. Could a hammer with Innate Full Soul Power not be extraordinary? And Uncle Tang Hao is a blacksmith – isn't that a perfect match? The hammer must have been inherited from Uncle Tang Hao.

Damn! I think I've stumbled upon a huge secret!

Zhao Xuan suddenly felt a sense of worry himself. Uncle Tang Hao was likely a hidden master. Following the tropes of those martial arts novels from his past life, the reason for his seclusion in Sacred Soul Village was either to escape enemies, to leave the martial world behind, or because of heartbreak. None of these were simple.

Given Tang San's family situation, the latter seemed more probable. Whatever caused Uncle Tang Hao's dejection was either the death of Little San's mother due to some incident, or he was unable to save Tang San's mother for some reason.

Following the plot, if Tang San's mother died, then Uncle Tang Hao's departure this time must be for revenge. If she was alive, then his departure might be to rescue her.

Either way, it was dangerous!

But seeing Tang San's worried expression, Zhao Xuan's heart softened. In his past life, as a shut-in, he'd had no close friends. In this life, Tang San was his only one.

As his only friend, how could he watch him be so dejected?

Zhao Xuan wanted to comfort Tang San, but a thousand words turned into just one as they reached his lips: "You still have me!"

Xiao Wu, who had been hiding and watching, peeked out and whispered, "And me."

Tang San, lost in his worries, was stunned. A warm current suddenly flowed through his heart...

"Dad, I have them now. Once I become stronger, I'll definitely come see what you're facing!"