Morning had just broken over Iron Furnace Town, and smoke was beginning to rise from the furnaces.
The furnace room at the Old Mine Entrance was still burning.
Old Tie stood before the furnace, the firelight reddening the wrinkles across his face.
He gripped an Iron Pincer, using it to pull a glowing piece of Star Sand Cold Iron from the flames.
The young blacksmiths stood nearby, and none dared speak.
Old Tie's voice was hoarse. "Keep the fire steadier."
A young blacksmith said quietly, "Old Tie, Tie Qing still hasn't returned."
Old Tie paused.
Then he said coldly, "He'll return."
The young blacksmith asked uneasily, "What if Spirit Hall caught him?"
Old Tie spun around, his gaze vicious.
"Shut up!"
The furnace room fell silent at once.
Old Tie looked at the youths, his chest rising and falling, anger lacing his voice.
"Are you all afraid now?"
No one answered.
Old Tie pointed at the fire, his voice growing heavier.
"This furnace has burned for decades!"
"When the Clear Sky Sect sealed off its mountain, others fled, but we didn't."
"When Spirit Hall investigated the outside lines, others changed their names, but we were still here forging iron."
"And now Di Yao and Hu Liena have scared you into this state?"
The young blacksmiths lowered their heads. No one dared meet his eyes.
Old Tie gritted his teeth. "Tang San needs this batch of materials."
"As long as he grows strong in the future, the Clear Sky Sect still has hope."
"Our Tie Shan Faction will still have hope of returning too!"
Just then, a calm voice sounded from outside.
"You can't go back."
Old Tie whirled around.
Hu Liena walked in through the furnace room entrance.
The Martial Soul Hall Deacon followed behind her.
Behind them came Tie