Pebbles struck Tang San's cheeks one after another.
Tang San raised a hand to cover his face. His fingertips brushed the hot, swelling flesh, and he couldn't help sucking in a sharp breath.
When he dodged just now, he had prioritized protecting his heart, neck, and other fatal points, but he hadn't expected Han Qiu's flying stones to come from such tricky angles. All four remaining pebbles had gone straight for his face.
"Han Qiu, did you do that on purpose?!" Tang San's expression darkened.
"How could I? Little San, with the relationship we have, how could I possibly do it on purpose?"
But Han Qiu was thinking, On purpose? Of course I did it on purpose. Who told you to be the protagonist and so handsome, too?
Tang San took a deep breath. It had been a long time since he had tasted defeat, even if this was only a sparring match between children.
Tang San watched Han Qiu approach at a leisurely pace. His breathing was steady, and he didn't look the least bit worse for wear. His face even bore a faint flush from the exercise.
He couldn't help giving a bitter laugh. "Han Qiu, I lost this time. Next time, I'll definitely beat you."
A trace of disappointment lingered in Tang San's heart, refusing to go away.
Han Qiu walked over, patted Tang San on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Oh, Little San! Confidence is a good thing, but too much confidence is arrogance."
"..."
The corner of Tang San's mouth twitched, and his face suddenly hurt even more.
Han Qiu swept his gaze around and spotted a small bottle of ointment that had rolled onto the ground. He bent down to pick it up and said with feigned surprise, "Little San, I have to praise you for this. You planned for a rainy day and even prepared ointment for yourself in advance? Not bad, not bad. This child can be taught..."
Han Qiu knew perfectly well that Tang San had prepared the ointment to treat his injuries, but now that it had fallen into his hands, he deliberately used it to tease Tang San.
"..."
The corner of Tang San's mouth twitched slightly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
"Haha, I'll stop joking around." Han Qiu smiled as he opened the bottle of ointment. "Come on, I'll put it on for you."
Tang San gave a helpless smile.
"Han Qiu, just now, you weren't using your full strength, were you?" Tang San hesitated for a moment before asking.
"No, I only used about seventy or eighty percent of my strength," Han Qiu replied casually.
In truth, he had only used thirty percent, but he didn't dare say so. If that man in Little San's family thought he threatened Little San's position and came to slit his throat, he'd have nowhere to plead his case.
Tang San was slightly taken aback.
If seventy or eighty percent of his strength was enough to suppress him so thoroughly, what if he had used all of it?
At that thought, a surge of fighting spirit instantly rose in Tang San's heart.
Han Qiu is strong, but does that mean I, Tang San, am weak?
I spent more than ten years of my previous life in the Tang Sect, and with all the years since my rebirth, my path has been far too smooth. I've hardly ever tasted defeat.
I, Tang San, have never been weaker than anyone in my life-no, in either of my lives!
Today, Han Qiu has truly taught me a lesson. He's shown me that beyond one heaven lies another, and beyond one person stands another.
I, Tang San, must become stronger! Tang San silently swore to himself.
Han Qiu knew nothing of the thoughts churning in Tang San's mind. He simply reached out to support him, and they walked back to Holy Soul Village together.
After this sparring match and his victory over Tang San, Han Qiu also had a clearer understanding of his own true strength.
Seeing his son return with his face black and blue, Tang Hao couldn't help giving Han Qiu a few extra looks. Those few looks made Han Qiu's skin crawl.
The gaze seemed calm, yet it was as if it could see straight through a person's heart, as if it had examined every secret he possessed from head to toe.
A faint chill crept up Han Qiu's back, and he muttered inwardly, Old Tang really is the Clear Sky Douluo. His presence is terrifying, all right. No wonder Tang San both respects and fears him.
"Uncle Hao, could I borrow that iron hammer you don't use for a few days?" Han Qiu steeled himself and spoke, a hint of a smile still on his face.
Tang San, standing nearby, was taken aback. The swelling on his face hadn't subsided, and he couldn't help looking at Han Qiu. "What do you want an iron hammer for?"
Tang Hao leaned against the doorframe, his cloudy eyes narrowing slightly as he looked Han Qiu up and down. He spoke unhurriedly. "What, you beat up my son, and now you want to use my hammer for practice?"
As soon as he said that, the atmosphere grew a little awkward.
Han Qiu's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "Uncle Hao, it's not like that. When I fought Little San just now, I realized my physical strength is still lacking. I want to find a heavy weapon to temper my body. That hammer is just sitting unused here anyway, so lend it to me for practice. I'll definitely return it to you in one piece when I'm done."
Tang San hurriedly spoke up for him. "Dad, Han Qiu and I were sparring. I lost because my skills weren't good enough. It's not his fault."
Hearing that, Tang Hao's lips curved in something between a smile and a smirk. He had long since seen that this boy was no ordinary farm child.
Ever since Tang San awakened his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, Tang Hao had formally begun teaching him the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. He knew Tang San's strength very well. For this kid to leave Tang San in such a state, he had talent.
"That iron hammer is very heavy. Even an ordinary adult might not be able to lift it. Can a little frame like yours handle it?" Tang Hao asked calmly.
"No harm in trying." Han Qiu straightened his chest. The Qi-State Origin-Flow circulated quietly within him, filling him with confidence.
After training his body relentlessly during this time, his physique had long since surpassed that of an ordinary person. Although he might not be able to wield it freely, he could at least lift it.
Tang Hao was silent for a moment, then raised a hand and pointed to a corner of the courtyard. A large iron hammer stood there, mottled with rust. Its head was massive and its handle thick and sturdy; one look was enough to tell it was heavy.
"Go ahead and try it. But let me make this clear first: if you hurt yourself with the hammer, don't come crying to me."
"Thank you, Uncle Hao!" Han Qiu was delighted. He strode to the corner of the courtyard, gripped the handle with both hands, and heaved.
Hum!
He forced the heavy iron hammer off the ground. Its weight traveled up his arms to his shoulders, making his arms tremble slightly. Even after all his body training, the hammer was still heavier than he had expected.
Tang San stood nearby with his eyes wide. He had seen this iron hammer before; even lifting it was a struggle, yet Han Qiu had actually raised it.
Tang Hao watched Han Qiu struggle but refuse to let go, and a barely perceptible gleam flashed in his eyes.
This kid is good. If he had good parents who passed down a good Martial Soul to him, he might even become a Soul Douluo.
"Kid, if you want to become stronger, brute force alone isn't enough," Tang Hao said in a low voice. "Strength has to complement footwork and eyesight."
Han Qiu's heart stirred. He turned to look at Tang Hao. "Uncle Hao, are you giving me some pointers?"
But Tang Hao waved a hand and turned back into the house, leaving only a few words drifting behind him. "Work it out yourself, slowly. And don't break my hammer."
Han Qiu looked at the heavy iron hammer in his hands, and fighting spirit ignited in his heart.
With this heavy hammer, he could temper his body and refine his strength, and see whether he could break through his limits again.
Tang San came over and looked at the hammer in Han Qiu's hands, his eyes full of fighting spirit. "Once I've made more progress in my cultivation, I won't lose our next match."
Han Qiu laughed and swung the iron hammer in his hands. "All right, I'll be waiting. Just make sure I don't ruin your face again next time."