"Xiao Yu, why don't you try blacksmithing too? Let me see if you have a talent for it," Tang Hao said.
Watching the sparks fly from the anvil, Tang Yu began to feel tempted to give it a try. He nodded. "All right, I'll give it a shot."
With that, Tang Yu went over to Tang San, who handed him a piece of iron. Tang Yu took it, summoned Thor's Hammer, and swung it down with all his might.
Bang!
Boom!
The anvil was flattened by Tang Yu's hammer in a single blow. Everyone fell silent. Tang Yu chuckled awkwardly. "Uh, I think I'll leave this job to someone else."
Tang Hao regretted it at once. How had he forgotten how heavy Tang Yu's Clear Sky Hammer was?
Seeing Tang Hao's twitching mouth, Tang Yu immediately turned and ran, not wanting to get beaten.
In the blink of an eye, Tang Yu was gone. Tang Hao gave a wry smile, then picked up a hammer and set about repairing the anvil.
Three months later
Time flew by, and before long, it was time to leave for Nuoding City. Early that morning, Old Jack arrived at the blacksmith shop and called out at the top of his lungs, "Xiao Yu! Xiao San! Are you both ready?"
Tang San came out of his room with a wry smile and turned to Old Jack. "Grandpa Jack, keep your voice down. My father's still asleep."
Old Jack snorted. "Hmph! His own children have something this important to do, and he's still sleeping! Forget that drunken old man. Where's Xiao Yu?"
"Uh, big brother's still asleep too," Tang San said quietly.
"What! He's still sleeping on such an important day?" Old Jack shouted so loudly that his voice cracked.
Tang Hao's annoyed voice came from inside the room. "You're making too much noise!"
Tang Yu, who was still sleeping in, heard him too. He jolted awake, got dressed as he ran, and hurried outside.
As soon as he came out, Tang Yu saw Old Jack's dark expression and hurriedly put on a grin. "Grandpa Jack, you're here early! I just went out for a couple of laps."
"Heh. How'd you get back to your room, then?" Old Jack asked, exasperated.
Tang Yu quickly made something up. "I climbed in through the window! I love windows!"
Old Jack was speechless. "...Xiao Yu, I'm not trying to criticize you, but look at Xiao San. He's obedient, well-behaved, and takes care of his family. Then look at you. If you're going to lie, can't you come up with a better excuse? Couldn't you at least wipe the sleep from the corners of your eyes first?"
"Do I have sleep in my eyes?" Tang Yu immediately rubbed his eyes, then went to wash his face with some clean water.
After he finished washing, Tang San handed Tang Yu a bundle. "Big brother, this is yours. I packed your things for you."
"Thanks, Xiao San." Tang Yu smiled as he took the bundle. He'd never had to worry about these little things, not since he was a child.
The more Old Jack looked at Tang San, the more he liked him. And the more he looked at Tang Yu, the more he saw Tang Hao in him.
A little while later, Old Jack led the two boys out of the blacksmith shop, and they headed out of the village.
On the way to Nuoding City, Tang San turned to Old Jack and asked, "Grandpa Jack, can you tell me what kind of place the academy is? What do they do there?"
Old Jack smiled and readily agreed.
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