Tang Hao's Poisonous Chicken Soup

Chapter 11: Tang Hao's Poisonous Chicken Soup

Tang San thought for a moment, then replied, "A blacksmith who can forge a divine tool should be the best blacksmith, right?"

This world was different from the one he had lived in before. He had heard villagers say that divine tools existed in this world. Though he didn't know what a divine tool was, the word "divine" meant it had to be impressive.

Tang Hao was taken aback. He himself was called a God General, but he couldn't forge a divine tool either, dammit. To avoid losing face as a Divine Blacksmith, Tang Hao still put on a tough and pretentious front, saying, "Xiao San, remember this: forging a divine tool from top-grade materials doesn't make you a Divine Blacksmith—at best, you're just a synthesizer. Only someone who forges a divine tool from ordinary iron truly deserves to be called a Divine Blacksmith."

"Forging a divine tool from ordinary iron." Tang San pondered these words, feeling that listening to his father's speech was like listening to a speech.

Then, his gaze turned fervent as he looked at Tang Hao. "Dad, can you forge a divine tool?"

Tang Hao: "..."

The atmosphere froze instantly. Tang Hao's old face darkened. Whoops, he had overplayed his hand.

Embarrassed, Tang Hao had no choice but to change the subject. Pointing at a large lump of iron, he said, "If you want to learn forging from me and become a qualified blacksmith, then first show me your resolve. Starting now, hammer this ten thousand times."

With that, Tang Hao tossed Tang San a hammer and went back inside to sleep. And so, Tang San began his forging career.

This dull and monotonous life continued for eleven days before a slight ripple appeared.

Old Jack, the village chief of Holy Soul Village, came to Tang San's home.

"Xiao San, come here, to your grandfather." Old Jack waved at Tang San.

Old Jack was a good man, respected by everyone in the village.

Back when Tang San's family had trouble getting food, Old Jack had helped them out many times.

"Hello, Grandpa Jack."

Tang San was very respectful to Old Jack. He remembered Old Jack's kindness and secretly decided to repay him well in the future.

"Old Jack, is something the matter?"

Tang Hao's attitude was noticeably cold. He didn't mention a word about Old Jack's past help.

Old Jack didn't mind and got down to business. "In three days, the Deacon Lord from the Notting City Martial Soul Branch Hall will personally come to our village to awaken the children's spirits. Xiao San is six now, so he should attend this year's awakening ceremony."

"Then let him attend." Tang Hao showed no reaction.

"Alright, I'll come pick up Xiao San in three days."

Old Jack was used to Tang Hao's attitude. He didn't expect Tang Hao to take Tang San to the awakening himself. He was worried that this drunkard might drink too much and mess things up, or worse, offend the Lord Soul Master from Martial Soul Hall.

Tang San tilted his dark little face and asked, "Grandpa Jack, what is an awakening ceremony?"

Old Jack said seriously, "Every one of us has our own spirit. When we turn six, after the awakening ceremony..."

Blah blah blah...

Old Jack patiently explained.

Three days later, Old Jack took Tang San to awaken his spirit early in the morning. Tang Hao couldn't have cared less, sleeping soundly until nearly noon.

When Tang San and Old Jack returned after the awakening ceremony, the blacksmith shop was still silent.

"Tang Hao, come out." Old Jack knew Tang Hao's habits well. He called out as he entered the house.

Old and with unsteady legs, Old Jack thought about finding a chair to sit on, but after glancing around the shabby room, he gave up.

"What's all the shouting about? You're disturbing my sleep." Tang Hao came out of the inner room with anger in his voice.

Old Jack said irritably, "Today was the village's awakening ceremony. Other children had their parents accompanying them. Look at you."

Hearing this, Tang Hao looked at Tang San. "Xiao San, what is your spirit?"

"Dad, it's Blue Silver Grass," Tang San replied.

"Blue Silver Grass?" Tang Hao's expression instantly became complicated—tinged with both sorrow and disappointment.

Old Jack didn't notice the change in Tang Hao's expression. He just said, "The village has one Work-Study Student spot. I gave it to Xiao San. Send him to Notting City Elementary Soul Master Academy. The village will cover the travel expenses."

This was clearly good news, and Tang San was overjoyed.

But unexpectedly, Tang Hao, as his father, voted against it.

"No."

"What did you say?" Old Jack couldn't believe his ears and even dug at them, thinking he might be going deaf.

After repeatedly confirming he hadn't misheard, he argued with Tang Hao, his face red and neck thick.

In short, he talked about how great it would be to become a Soul Master—how it could boost the village, how Tang San could reach the peak of life and become a man above men.

Tang Hao remained unmoved, insisting that Blue Silver Grass was just a waste spirit and that Tang San couldn't leave—otherwise, no one would cook for him.

This infuriated Old Jack.

Finally, Tang Hao issued an eviction order.

"This is our family matter. Xiao San is my son. His affairs are decided by me. It's not an outsider's place to meddle. You can leave now."

Old Jack nearly choked with anger. Seeing this, Tang San quickly played peacemaker, saying he wouldn't go to the Soul Master Academy and would stay in the village to be a blacksmith.

Old Jack stormed off in a huff, leaving Tang Hao with a parting ultimatum—three months to think it over.

Seeing Xiao San's obvious dejection, Tang Hao asked, "Do you want to become a soul master?"

Tang San froze. "It doesn't matter to me, Dad. Being a blacksmith is fine too—it can still support a family. Besides, weren't you going to teach me forging?"

"A soul master? What's so great about a soul master? Don't tell me it's just a waste spirit—even the strongest spirit, the most powerful soul master, what's the point? In the end, they're still trash." Without realizing it, Tang Hao's fists were already clenched tight, his weathered face cold and bitter with hatred.

Tang San could even see his father's body trembling. This was the first time in all these years he'd seen his dad so worked up.

Seeing this, Tang San quickly moved to calm him down. Tang Hao's emotions flared up fast and faded just as fast.

"Xiao San, show me your spirit."

"Okay." Tang San nodded, raised his right hand, and a faint blue glow flickered in his palm. Then a tiny blue-green blade of grass poked out.

He stared blankly at the Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's hand, and for a moment, it was as if his soul had left his body, his whole being sinking into a daze. His gaze locked onto that seemingly ordinary yet mysteriously radiant blade of grass, lost in thought.

His lips quivered slightly as he muttered to himself, his voice low and faint. "Blue Silver Grass... just like hers."

Suddenly, Tang Hao shot to his feet, shoving Tang San aside as he headed for the inner room. The rough motion nearly sent Tang San stumbling, and the Blue Silver Grass in his hand vanished.

"Dad."

"Shut up. Don't bother me." His tone was impatient. With that, Tang Hao pushed aside the door curtain and stepped into the inner room.

"But... I have another spirit." Thinking his father was disappointed, Tang San blurted out his little secret.