Chapter 15 The Blacksmith
The next morning,
Shi Yi and Yu Xiaogang went to the cafeteria together. After breakfast, they met Tang San.
"Brother, Teacher, good morning," Tang San greeted respectfully.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, then turned to Shi Yi and said, "Brother, are you ready? I'm going to the blacksmith shop outside the academy to forge iron today."
Shi Yi said to Yu Xiaogang, "Teacher, you go back first. I'll go with Xiao San to forge iron in a while."
Yu Xiaogang nodded and said, "Okay, be careful."
Shi Yi smiled and said, "It'll be okay with Xiao San here."
Yu Xiaogang then left on his own. Seeing Yu Xiaogang leave, Tang San was about to go to the cafeteria's first-floor window to buy his breakfast, but Shi Yi stopped him. Under Tang San's puzzled gaze, Shi Yi took out two eggs and a fried cake from his spirit guide and handed them to Tang San.
"Xiao San, you're growing up now. There's no need to wait until we finish before entering the cafeteria. It's only natural for a disciple to eat what their teacher has. Don't regret it if you don't grow taller. A Spirit Master's body is equally important. Our teacher doesn't lack for food. With your intelligence, you must have seen that our teacher is extraordinary," Shi Yi said to Tang San.
Tang San accepted the breakfast Shi Yi offered somewhat embarrassedly, nodded slightly, and said, "Brother, I understand. But do you know our teacher's background?"
"What do you think sets us apart from the other teachers in the academy?" Shi Yi asked with a smile.
Tang San took a bite of the fried dough cake and said, "Is he knowledgeable?"
"That's right, Xiao San. Spirit knowledge is different from ordinary knowledge. To acquire rich spirit knowledge, one must have a good background. Our teacher must come from one of the continent's top powers," Shi Yi chuckled.
Tang San nodded in surprise. Shi Yi patted Tang San's shoulder and said, "So, eat without worry. Even if there were ten more of you, you wouldn't be able to make the teacher broke."
Tang San scratched the back of his head and said, "I just don't think this is a good idea. Besides, others will gossip."
Shi Yi shook his head upon hearing this, looking at Tang San meaningfully. "Xiao San, you know what? No matter what you do, there will always be gossip until you can silence everyone. As long as you believe what you're doing is right, that's enough."
The two walked through the woods surrounding the academy. A middle-aged man in a black robe slowly emerged from behind a large tree, a hint of relief glimmering in his cloudy eyes.
"Geniuses are always different from others. No matter what, you'll never fit in with those part-time students. They're silent simply because they're afraid of your strength. Unless you can become exactly like them, which is impossible. With full innate soul power and your first four-hundred-year spirit ring, you're already different from them."
Hearing this, Tang San fell into deep thought.
Shi Yi continued, "I came here to study theory and change myself because I don't want to be like them."
After a moment's silence, Tang San suddenly stopped and bowed slightly to Shi Yi.
Seeing Tang San's serious expression, Shi Yi smiled. To manipulate Tang San, a time traveler from feudal society, all he needed to do was invoke Confucian values of brotherly love and respect.
Throughout the original novel, Tang San diligently adhered to these rules, perhaps perhaps this strict hierarchy was ingrained in him.
Not to mention Tang Hao; a father like that would have long since severed ties in modern times, but Tang San, in turn, took on the role of a father.
The most precious thing Shi Yi gained from becoming Yu Xiaogang's apprentice wasn't living conditions or knowledge, but rather an identity—a close one.
Identity might be the most illusory thing for the powerful, but for Shi Yi back then, it was the most important thing.
Having experienced years of hardship in the modern world, Shi Yi understood all too well the importance of status. Cultivating connections meant forming relationships with those of high status—friends, brothers, mentors, and even fathers and sons. These relationships could often solve many problems that were beyond one's reach.
This was why Tang San, upon acquiring a large quantity of immortal artifacts, chose not to keep them all for himself. He understood this principle, knowing that these people would surely aid him in the future. Ning Rongrong even risked the entire Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for this very reason.
Shi Yi smiled at Tang San and said, "Why are you taking it so seriously? We're just chatting casually."
As they spoke, the two of them arrived at the blacksmith's shop, where the sounds of hammering could be heard.
Clink, jingle, jingle...
Upon entering, they were greeted by a vast hall. To the right, a variety of forged ironware hung, with even more armor and weapons. After all, spirit masters were a minority in this world, and weapons were still necessary.
Shi Yi quietly surveyed the weapons, then glanced at his storage belt. He thought to himself, "Since these core arrays only need to be carved into special materials, could we adopt the assembly line model of our previous life's factory? Let Xiao San craft the artifacts, leaving space for the core arrays, while I focus on studying the carving of the core arrays."
Shi Yi pondered this, then shook his head. If he wanted to become a powerful soul engineer, he had to do it himself. Only by crafting something with his own hands could Shi Yi fully grasp its construction, identify any flaws, and continuously optimize it.
"If only this world had a way to create multiple bodies. There's so much to do," Shi Yi thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Tang San was wondering what kind of income he could generate by opening a factory in this world to manufacture hidden weapons.
"Little boy, what are you doing here? Call your parents to buy something. Get out! It's dangerous here." A resounding voice interrupted their thoughts.
A burly, shirtless man stared at the two. His muscles bulged beneath his dark skin, making him look incredibly strong. He gripped a large foundry hammer, his forehead beaded with sweat.
"Hello, uncle. I'm here to ask if they need an apprentice." Tang San's voice was young and crisp, and even though the smithy was filled with the clatter of steel, everyone could hear it clearly.
Shi Yi chimed in, "Hello, uncle. I'd like to be an apprentice, too."
Most of the blacksmiths paused their work and smiled at the two.
Shi Yi continued, "Xiao San and I are both spirit masters. We're very strong, and we can do it."
The big man looked at the two men's serious expressions, slightly startled, and said, "Kids, you are not making fun of me, are you? You are already spirit masters, why do you want to be apprentices?"
Tang San said, "Uncle, it's like this. I'm a part-time student at Notting College. I have time every day. My father is the village blacksmith. I have been learning casting with my father since I was a child. I wanted to come here to make a living. This is my senior brother. He is a novice, but he is also very interested in casting. If you can accept us, we don't need your teaching. I can teach my senior brother."
After hearing Tang San's words, the big man's expression softened instantly. They all came from poor backgrounds, and he felt a surge of sympathy. He simply said, "Alright. If you're willing to come, then come. You can do some odd jobs for us, like serving tea and water. The salary won't be high, but the meals will be provided. How's that?"
"Okay, no problem," Tang San said, overjoyed, and quickly agreed.
The blacksmiths all smiled at Tang San kindly. The big man glared at them and said, "What are you looking at? Don't you have to work? Hurry up, I'll treat you all to beer tonight."
After hearing the big man's words, the blacksmiths immediately became more motivated, and one by one they picked up their hammers and continued to work.
The big man raised the foundry hammer in his hand and while forging the pig iron in front of him, he looked at the two and said, "My name is Shi San, Shi as in stone. You can call me Third Uncle. This blacksmith shop is my family's legacy. You can come work for me from now on. I will take care of your lunch and dinner every day, and give you ten copper soul coins, which is one silver soul coin. If the business is profitable, I will give you more. Oh, by the way, what are your names?"
"Third Uncle, my name is Shi Yi, and he is my junior fellow apprentice Tang San."
"Shi Yi? Tang San? Haha, good, you two little guys are destined to be with me, one with the same name and the other with the same surname." Shi San said loudly.
The blacksmiths laughed at this, and some even joked, "Third brother, these two children are not your illegitimate children, are they?"
"Go to hell, if I could give birth to two soul masters, would I still be a blacksmith?" Shi San also laughed and scolded.
After saying this, Shi San looked at Tang San and said, "You just said you learned blacksmithing from your father. You're so young, what can your father teach you?"
Tang San replied, "Of course it's casting, Uncle San. Don't look at my small stature, but I'm strong and casting pig iron is no problem."
Shi San laughed heartily. "Brothers, our new guy says he can cast, too. Do you believe it?"
The blacksmiths burst into laughter. Tang San looked only six or seven years old, and that was after he received his first spirit ring and had grown a bit taller.
Shi Yi also smiled. Tang San's current strength was not small, even several points greater than in the original novel. As for himself, it goes without saying that among the hundred-year-old spirit beasts, there are really not many that can compare to the Qianjun Ant in terms of strength.
Tang San said, "Uncle San, I really can cast. If you don't believe me, let me try."
Shi San stopped what he was doing and leaned his casting hammer on the ground. "Well, if you can lift my hammer, I'll trust you."
Then, under everyone's astonished gaze, Tang San picked up Shi San's hammer and said, "Uncle San, you're removing impurities from this piece of pig iron. I'll help you finish it."
By this time, Tang San had already raised the casting hammer, holding it horizontally in front of him.
Watching Tang San slowly raise the casting hammer, Shi San's eyes widened and he exclaimed in admiration, "You're quite strong! You're worthy of being our blacksmith's son."
Tang San stared intently at the pig iron on the furnace, exhaled, and swung Shi San's casting hammer violently.
"Hah!" A tender, tender cry echoed.
Shi Yi watched as Tang San's feet dug into the ground, his calves suddenly exerting force, the power transmitting to him. Tang San half-turned, and the massive hammer swung diagonally through the air in a full circle, striking the piece of pig iron with a powerful blow.
A resounding clang turned the smiles of all the blacksmiths into shock. Then, as the hammer rebounded, Tang San swiftly spun around, swinging the hammer again. With another loud thud, the hammer landed even harder on the red-hot pig iron.
Shi Yi watched Tang San's movements intently, not daring to relax for a moment, for he knew that Tang San was currently unleashing the Chaos Cloak Hammer Technique, known as the most powerful forging technique.
"Uncle San, please help me with the bellows. It's not warm enough," Tang San said quickly, his third hammer swinging. This time, the hammer's momentum was even greater, creating a whistling sound in the wind.
Shi San, a veteran blacksmith, naturally understood that if the temperature wasn't high enough, the piece of pig iron in Tang San's hands would explode. He quickly squatted down and pumped the bellows.
Shi Yi stared at Tang San until his eyes grew sore. Soon, under the astonished gazes of the other blacksmiths, Tang San stopped. After Tang San's continued hammering, the pig iron remained unchanged in shape, though it shrank overall.
"Guess I need to find a way to improve my learning abilities. There are no cameras in this world, so how can I memorize it with just my brain?" Shi Yi's eyes flickered with regret as he watched Tang San pause.
If there were a camera recording it, he could simply watch it repeatedly and master it in no time.
"In that case, try it quickly! I can't let the impression fade from my mind," Shi Yi thought to himself.
As Shi San was explaining the Chaos Cloak Hammer Technique to Tang San, Shi Yi said to Tang San, "Xiao San, can you let me try it?"
Everyone's eyes fell on Shi Yi. Given the surprise Tang San had given them earlier, the blacksmiths were naturally curious about Shi Yi.
"Of course, Senior Brother," Tang San replied, then briefly instructed Shi Yi on how to proceed.
Shi Yi, recalling Tang San's actions and Tang Hao's explanation of the Chaos Cloak in the original novel, took the hammer from Tang San's hand and weighed it briefly. It wasn't too heavy for him.
Watching Shi Yi weigh the hammer, the blacksmiths' eyes filled with surprise. Clearly, Shi Yi's strength was even greater than Tang San's.
Adjusting their stances, they all looked at Shi Yi, noticing that his movements were remarkably similar to Tang San's.
"Use your calves to exert force, swing your body like a soft whip, and use the momentum to turn and swing again..."
This was Shi Yi's understanding of Tang San's forging.
The next second, Shi Yi's body tensed, and imitating Tang San's movements, he brought the hammer down, striking the iron block with a firm blow.
"Bang!"
"Not bad!"
"This kid, while not as strong as the one just now, has some strength."
After a few experimental hammerings, not only did the blacksmiths present notice the difference, but Shi Yi could also clearly feel that his hammering wasn't as effective as Tang San's, and his strikes were far less precise, with several of them even nearly missing the target.
"Those who have learned martial arts are truly different. Their coordination and control of the body are vastly inferior, not to mention Tang San possessing the unique Tang Sect skills," Shi Yi thought to himself.
Tang San reassured him, "It's okay. Senior brothers are all like this when they first start practicing. It will get better with time."
Shi San smiled, "That's right, son. Blacksmithing takes time to hone. Having this strength means you're cut out for it. Then, Xiao San, I won't arrange for your senior brother to teach him. You can teach yourself."
Tang San smiled and nodded.
And so, Tang San and Shi Yi officially became members of Shi San's blacksmith shop, and began to live a fulfilling life.
Read 50 Advanced Chapters At Pat Reon
[email protected]/FicToric
(End of Chapter)