Ungrateful Wretch

"Tang Hao, you..."

Old Jack was so furious that he ground his teeth, his whole body trembling.

"Do you even know what Soul Master Academy means? This is Xiao San's chance to change his fate—"

"I just heard Xiao San's Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, right?"

Before Old Jack could finish, Tang Hao cut him off. But his voice trembled slightly when he said "Blue Silver Grass."

The tremor vanished in an instant. No one but Chu Chen noticed it; all they heard was Tang Hao's disdain.

"Everyone knows Blue Silver Grass is a useless Martial Soul. Even if he goes to Soul Master Academy, what could he possibly achieve?"

"His Martial Soul might be Blue Silver Grass, but Xiao San has Innate Full Soul Power, just like Xiao Chen!"

Old Jack roared, having completely forgotten that he had come to persuade Tang Hao to give up the work-study place.

"If he gets a Soul Ring, even one of the poorest quality, he can become a Soul Master right away! Do you understand?"

"Your life may be going nowhere, but Xiao San is still young. Don't you think you should give him a way to earn a living?"

"I don't expect you to be a good father, but don't hold your son back! If he becomes a Soul Master, at least he won't end up as destitute as you!"

"Enough!"

A shrill cry cut Old Jack's scolding short.

It was not Tang Hao who had spoken, but Tang San, beside himself with anger!

Fresh blood still marked the corner of Tang San's mouth where his father had kicked him.

His eyes were red with undisguised fury as he glared straight at the old man who had been speaking up for him.

"Village chief, this is the last time I'll call you Grandpa!"

Tang San spoke slowly, his voice ice-cold.

"My family's affairs are none of an outsider's business. No one has the right to judge my dad, including you!"

Old Jack froze. As he looked at Tang San, his eyes filled with confusion, hurt, and grief.

It was as though he were seeing the child he had watched grow up for the first time.

Tang San met Old Jack's gaze without flinching. Then he gave a cold snort and walked toward Tang Hao.

Just before he reached his father, he stopped and glanced back at Old Jack.

"Village chief, I remember the help you gave my family over the years. But today you insulted my dad, and the place at Soul Master Academy is going to your family. That makes us even!"

"So treat my dad with respect from now on. Otherwise... don't blame me for being rude!"

With that, he ignored Old Jack's ashen face and carefully took Tang Hao's hand.

"Dad, let's go home. I'll cook for you!"

Tang Hao gave a quiet grunt of assent and went into the smithy with Tang San.

The door shut, and the whole street erupted.

"Tang Hao's no kind of father!"

"Exactly! And Xiao San, too. After all the village chief's done for his family, how could he turn on him like that?"

"What a waste. The village chief scraped by for years to help them, and all he got was an ungrateful wretch!"

The villagers whispered among themselves, their voices rising one after another.

Amid the clamor, Old Jack swayed. His vision went black, and he stumbled backward.

"Grandpa!"

Chu Chen reacted at once, catching Old Jack by his thin shoulders and steadying him.

Old Jack's lips quivered, but he could not get a word out. His clouded eyes were full of bewilderment.

Chu Chen felt the old man trembling violently. He raised his head and looked at the smithy's closed wooden door, clenching his teeth as anger surged through him.

But when he saw how lost his grandfather looked, he forced it back down.

"Grandpa, let's go home first."

Speaking softly, Chu Chen supported Old Jack with an arm around him and turned toward home.

The villagers around them gradually fell silent.

Some shook their heads and sighed. Others seemed about to speak but held back. In the end, they all quietly made way.

After a few steps, Old Jack finally caught his breath. He let out a heavy sigh, his voice terribly hoarse.

"Xiao Chen... was Grandpa... really wrong?"

Chu Chen gripped Old Jack's hand and slowly shook his head.

"You weren't wrong. That ungrateful wretch was!"

"Forget it. Let's not talk about them. We're going home, and you need to take care of yourself. If you make yourself sick with anger, who's going to take me to school?"

"I was thinking that once I've made something of myself through cultivation, I could rename our village. What do you think of God King Village, Grandpa?"

"Hah, you little rascal. Planning to become a god, are you?"

Old Jack looked exasperated, but he finally managed a smile.

"If my Chen can become a Soul Elder... no, even a Soul Grandmaster would be enough for Grandpa. And..."

Old Jack paused and gently rubbed Chu Chen's head.

"Even if you don't, Grandpa won't mind. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Xiao Chen. More than any title or cultivation level, I just want you healthy, safe, and happy..."

"Grandpa..."

Chu Chen's eyes grew damp. Elsewhere, Tang San had returned home with tears in his eyes, too.

This time, it was not from being beaten. Tang Hao's earlier kick had caused an internal injury, and while Tang San was cooking, he lost his footing. When he fell, his left hand landed on the firewood he had just lit.

Whether those tears came from the pain in his hand or from distress at injuring the hand he used to wield hidden weapons was another matter.

"You can't even light a fire to cook without hurting yourself. What use are you?"

Tang Hao had just found half a bottle of cheap liquor among the empties. Seeing Tang San suck in a sharp breath, he gave a scornful laugh.

Bottle in hand, he staggered back to his chair and glanced at Tang San out of the corner of his eye.

The little boy had wrapped his palm in a scrap of cloth and was bustling around the stove. Tang Hao's expression grew conflicted.

After a long while, he suddenly asked,

"Are you disappointed? Do you really want to become a Soul Master?"

Tang San paused, then lowered his head and pretended to concentrate on cooking. He answered with feigned innocence.

"It's all right, Dad. Being a blacksmith is good, too. I can still support us."

"Didn't you promise to teach me how to make farm tools?"

"Yes. Being a blacksmith is good..."

Tang Hao spoke almost to himself. His right fist clenched, and a chilling look crossed his aged face.

"As for Soul Masters... what good is becoming one?"

"Forget a useless Martial Soul. Even with the finest Martial Soul, what good would it do to become the strongest Soul Master?"

"Heh... you'd still be worthless!"

With that, Tang Hao drained the bottle in one gulp and hurled it to the floor.

The glass shattered. Tang San jumped, then hurried over and took hold of Tang Hao's fist.

"Dad, please don't be angry. I won't become a Soul Master. I'll stay with you and cook for you..."

"Show me your Martial Soul!"