The Role of the Heart

Tang Hao gave a slight push with the forging hammer in his hand, forcing Tang San back several steps. At the same time, he had already swung the hammer back around. With a low shout, he turned halfway, his feet gripping the ground tightly. The two calves exposed beneath his tattered trouser legs tensed in an instant. He was like a tiger poised to strike. His legs exerted force, his waist twisted back, and the forging hammer was drawn back through the air. With a deafening clang, it came down heavily on the red-hot pig iron.

Tang San and Little Xue could both tell that this was merely a process of exerting the body's strength. Tang Hao had no internal power, much less any released Soul Spirit Power. This was pure physical strength. Yet the iron block, which had been glowing red moments ago, was smashed inward by nearly a third, its deformation extremely obvious.

"Use your calves to exert force and connect the strength of your entire body into one whole. That is full force." Tang Hao returned the iron hammer to Tang San. "You two, try it once."

"Mm." "Alright." Tang San had never imagined that forging had such techniques. This method of exerting force was far from useful only in forging. It should also be applicable to the martial arts of the Tang Sect.

Tang San gripped the hammer handle with both hands and copied Tang Hao's earlier stance. His eyes locked tightly onto the red-hot iron block as the Mysterious Heaven Skill slowly circulated, flowing deep into his calves. His feet gripped the ground firmly.

Tang San shouted, and the strength of his legs and the Mysterious Heaven Skill exerted force at the same time. Power erupted from his calves and spread in an instant. His waist turned, driving his back, then his shoulders, and finally his arms. He clearly felt that his strength had become more powerful than ever before. From the instant power burst from his calves to the moment his arms swung the hammer down, it felt as though his body would be carried into the air by that immense force.

Clang! The hammer struck the iron block precisely, producing a tremendous sound.

Tang San's entire body was lifted off the ground by the swing of the hammer, and he staggered a step forward. The hammer rebounded upward. Although his Mystic Jade Hands protected his hands from injury, the recoil left both arms numb and aching. Fortunately, the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated in time, and the numbness gradually faded.

The effect was obvious. Although Tang San's age meant that even with the Mysterious Heaven Skill, this strike was not as effective as Tang Hao's, compared with his previous blows, the effect of this one hammer strike was enough to equal dozens of them.

Lan Xue also let out a delicate shout. Her calves exerted force, driving her body as the hammer slammed into the iron block with a clang, producing a tremendous sound. Suddenly, a recoil force came rushing back, and Lan Xue had no choice but to spin once in midair before landing.

Watching Tang San and Lan Xue's movements, Tang Hao offered no evaluation. Yet from the trace of surprise that flashed through his eyes, it was clear that Tang San and Little Xue had done better than he expected. Tang Hao had not expected them to grasp this method of exerting force in such a short time, and Little Xue could even make use of the recoil.

How could he know that Tang San had always trained diligently in the Tang Sect's martial arts? Not only did he have the foundation of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, but Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Mystic Jade Hands had given him coordination far beyond that of children his age. His comprehension was not poor to begin with, so naturally, he mastered this technique of exerting force with ease. Of course, this was still his first time, and he was not yet proficient in using it. As for Little Xue, she knew the plot.

"Dad, did I do it right?"

"Uncle, how was mine?"

Tang Hao nodded slowly. "Do you know the role of the heart now? The muscles humans use most are the calves. The calves are the source of all strength. If you make good use of their strength, your power will increase greatly."

As he spoke, Tang Hao walked over to the bellows and sat down. He pulled out an object forged from pig iron from beneath them. It was made of two pedal-like pieces. Tang Hao attached them beneath the bellows and gripped the handles with both hands. "In forging, the bellows are also extremely important. If metal burns thoroughly, it can be forged better, because that will make it tougher. And every piece of metal, no matter how many impurities it contains, has a soul of its own. Once the temperature is insufficient, if excessive force causes it to shatter during forging, then even if it is melted down and forged again, that piece of metal will only be scrap. Therefore, when you strike the iron block with full force, you must maintain its temperature. Operating the bellows also relies on the strength of the calves. Not only can it reduce the expenditure of strength as much as possible, it can also maximize the bellows' effectiveness."

He planted both feet on the two pedals and suddenly exerted force. Starting from his legs, his entire body swiftly sprang backward. His arms naturally drew the bellows' handles open. His legs changed from straight back to bent, then sent the handles back in. With each pull and push, the bellows operated at full capacity. Tang Hao's movements did not appear fast, but every motion pushed the bellows' power to its limit. Led by his calf muscles, his body and the bellows formed a peculiar rhythm. Flames suddenly surged up from the furnace, and the iron block was quickly heated bright red.

"You operate the bellows. Follow the movements I just made." Tang Hao gave up his place to Tang San.

With his earlier experience swinging the hammer and his careful observation, Tang San quickly grasped how to operate the bellows after sitting in Tang Hao's former place. Though he was still somewhat unpracticed, he paid close attention, and every exertion of force began from his calves. Just as Tang Hao had said, not only did it save him much strength, but the result was also better than before by an unknown amount.

Holding Tang San's forging hammer, Tang Hao said blandly, "Swinging the hammer with full force while forging allows your strength to be fully unleashed. But likewise, when the hammer comes down, the recoil will place a great burden on your body. Without a suitable method to guide it, you will not only injure yourself easily, but part of your strength will also dissipate instead of acting upon the metal. Watch my next movements carefully. They will determine whether you can hammer this piece of pig iron down to the size of a fist in a short time."

Taking a deep breath, Tang Hao's eyes became focused. As Tang San operated the bellows, the entire iron block had already been heated bright red. Blazing flames rose up, making the room exceptionally scorching.