Mang Tian
Soul Land: Na'er's Rebirth—Tang Wulin Is Mine
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Mang Tian (邙天) |
| Alias(es) | “Uncle Mang Tian,” as addressed by Tang Wulin 2 |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation/Role | Blacksmith; forging teacher to Tang Wulin and Na’er 2 9 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in Chapter 2; appears in person in Chapter 9 2 9 |
Background / History
Tang Wulin passes an entrance test at Mang Tian’s workshop and begins learning forging to earn money. His initial test requires one thousand hammer strikes, which he completes through brute strength despite being only six years old 2 9.
Na’er regularly accompanies Wulin to the workshop after school and develops an interest in forging. Mang Tian initially recommends mecha construction or repair instead, suggesting that she could eventually work with Wulin to make mechas or Battle Armor. When she insists on trying, he sets a test of five hundred strikes using a pair of hammers weighing about five kilograms each 9.
After one hundred strikes, Na’er pauses to reconsider her technique. She then coordinates her arms, waist, and legs rather than relying solely on arm strength. Her ability to discover this method without instruction impresses Mang Tian, who accepts her as his second apprentice after she completes the test 9.
Mang Tian teaches Na’er the fundamentals and asks Wulin to help explain the finer details. The children continue forging at his workshop as part of their daily routine during the subsequent two-and-a-half-year time skip 9.
Personality
Mang Tian is stern with Wulin. When Wulin points out that Na’er’s entrance test requires only half as many strikes as his own, Mang Tian threatens to assign him additional pieces of metal to forge 9.
He initially doubts that Na’er can endure forging, but revises his judgment after witnessing her technique. His enthusiasm also has a reputational motive: female blacksmiths are exceptionally rare, and he believes training one would bring him more fame than training a high-level blacksmith 9.
His demanding instruction includes practical concern for recovery. After Na’er’s first session, he tells Wulin to apply hot compresses to her arms and recommends a hot bath 9.
Abilities & Skills
Forging Instruction
Mang Tian teaches basic forging and uses hammer-strike tests to assess prospective apprentices 9.
- Talent assessment: Recognizes Na’er’s unprompted whole-body coordination as evidence of exceptional forging aptitude 9.
- Individual evaluation: Distinguishes Wulin’s steady, hardworking approach from Na’er’s rapid understanding and instinctive technique 9.
- Apprentice support: Assigns Wulin to help Na’er with detailed explanations while she begins learning 9.
Relationships
- Tang Wulin — His forging apprentice, who calls him both “Uncle Mang Tian” and “Teacher.” Mang Tian is impressed by his childhood strength but maintains strict expectations during training 2 9.
- Na’er — His second documented apprentice. Her successful entrance test changes his initial skepticism into eagerness to train a female blacksmith 9.