Suifeng awkwardly let go… Ahem, he swore it wasn't on purpose… He was still just a kid, after all...
That hit had left Tang San in so much pain he couldn't even straighten his back. Taking advantage of the moment, Suifeng twisted Tang San's arms behind him, kneed him in the waist, and sent him tumbling to the ground. In Tang San's terrified gaze, Suifeng pressed all his weight down hard on his back…
[Ding~ Revenge Quest: Defeat Tang San. Countdown: 59…58…57…Completed. Reward: Eye-repairing technique granted.]
At that moment, Tang San lay there, slowly recovering, sneaking a sideways glance at the seemingly innocent, pure-hearted, yet deep-down devious, shameless Suifeng. Gritting his teeth in silence, Tang San thought: Just wait till I'm fully recovered—I'll make you pay! Hmph!
[Congratulations, Host. Revenge quest "Defeat Tang San and pin him for one minute" complete. The reward has been issued. Please check your inventory.]
Having completed his task, Suifeng didn't plan to linger. He prepared to flee. "Time to dip~"
Just as he got up, Tang San kicked toward Suifeng's back. Unfortunately for him, Suifeng had long anticipated this—the hatred in Tang San's eyes just now had made it obvious he wouldn't let it go, so he'd been watching his every move.
What Tang San thought was a surprise attack had been entirely within Suifeng's expectations…
Tang San's sneak kick failed. Instead, Suifeng used his speed to slip behind him and landed a flying kick.
"Unh—" Tang San grunted, collapsing again. He was convinced: this was the most humiliating day of his life.
Teeth clenched with fury, Tang San burned with hatred. Suifeng sensed the danger and dared not press further.
"Ahem, Xiaosan, from now on I'll call you 'Xiaosan-zi.' I hope you toughen up a bit. My grandpa's calling me for dinner, so I'll head out now. Don't forget the spirit awakening tomorrow. I'll come find you again in the morning. Bye~"
And just like that, he dashed off, vanishing behind the hill in no time.
Escape? I'm a pro.
Tang San was left standing there in the wind, utterly defeated.
Xiaosan-zi??? Wasn't that what palace eunuchs were called in my past life?? Suifeng, just you wait! I swear on my honor as a disciple of the Tang Sect!!!
Clenching that vow in his heart, he limped home in an awkward, crooked gait. From behind, his pigeon-toed stride somehow gave off a strange… elegance.
Suifeng eagerly opened his inventory and found the promised technique. This was the skill he'd fought so hard for—even risking a falling out with Tang San. All for this!
[Click to Learn]
Slowly, a familiar scene began to form in his mind: a classroom… students sitting quietly, eyes closed… from the loudspeaker came a well-known tune—
"For the revolution, protect your eyesight, prevent myopia—
Eye Exercises Begin Now. Close your eyes…"
This so-called "technique" was divided into four sections:
Massage the Heavenly Response points.
Press the Bright Eyes points.
Rub the Four Whites points.
Massage the Temples and scrape around the eye sockets…
Suifeng: All that effort… all those struggles… FOR EYE EXERCISES??!!!
System, are you messing with me right now??? (insert black-man-confused meme)
[Please mind your language. This technique is indeed effective in protecting vision and counteracting the side effects of training the Eyes of Divine Light.]
"Fine, fine. I won't argue. If Tang San ever finds out he got sneak attacked over a set of eye exercises, he might just cry himself to death in the bathroom…"
He sat cross-legged, following the instructions carefully. Thumbs pressed to the inner corners of the brows; the other four fingers arched like bows across the forehead…
After finishing the routine, his eyes felt much less tired.
"Huh… not bad, System. I guess you're not completely useless. Too bad when I was still in school, I spent eye exercise time just checking out cute girls…"
At that moment, Tang San hobbled home. Before going up the mountain earlier, he'd already washed rice and set it in the pot with a fire burning below. Now, after training, the porridge was just about ready.
He took out two bowls—the ones with the least cracks—and carefully ladled out two portions. The porridge was so watery there were only a few lonely rice grains floating in it…
"Dad, time to eat," Tang San called into the inner room.
His drunkard father groaned in reply, half-asleep.
Out came a middle-aged man, around fifty years old, tall and burly—but his appearance left much to be desired. He wore a huge, tattered robe full of holes that revealed his bronze-colored skin. His features were decent but waxy yellow, and his messy hair looked like a bird's nest. His face was covered in stubble that hadn't seen a razor in who knows how long. Each breath reeked of cheap booze.
The strong smell made Tang San frown. One day, when I have money, I'll make him try a real cappuccino…
No point in overthinking. The father and son ate their watery porridge in silence. Neither looked up—not that there was anything to see. No dishes. Not even a humble corn bun…
With this poverty, this backstory, plus a mother "killed" by the Spirit Hall…
Not competing in a tragic protagonist contest feels like a waste of potential.
"If anyone comes asking for farm tools, handle it first. I'll help once I wake up," Tang Hao mumbled as he turned to head back to bed.
"Alright," Tang San replied. "Dad…"
Tang Hao turned impatiently, giving his son a once-over. How did a guy like me—handsome and dashing—and a woman like A Yin—an absolute stunner—end up with a son who looks like this?? I've seen martial spirit mutations, but never a gene mutation…
Tang San pointed to a chunk of raw iron in the corner. "Can I use that?"
He planned to craft some hidden weapons for self-defense.
Tang Hao nodded subconsciously, guilt weighing on him after years of neglect. "You want to be a blacksmith?"
Tang San nodded. "Yes. You're getting older. In a few years, when I'm grown, you can teach me to forge tools and I'll take over the work. You'll be able to rest."
Tang Hao: Why wait a few years??? Can't you start now??
"Ahem… How about I start teaching you right now."
Tang San was touched. His father might act distant, but he still cared.
He nodded hard. "Mm-hmm."
Tang Hao grabbed the hammer he usually used and tossed it onto the floor, raising a cloud of dust—it was heavy. He gestured for Tang San to pick it up.
Despite some lingering… discomfort, Tang San gathered his energy and used Xuantian Skills. "Ha!" he grunted, lifting the massive hammer. It wobbled a bit but remained within his strength limit—though the ache in a certain area made things a bit tricky…
Tang Hao was mildly surprised. "You could lift it? Born with divine strength?"
He took the hammer back like it was a toy and casually waved it around. "You go light the charcoal and work the bellows. I'll demonstrate how to forge iron. Watch closely."
Tang San nodded and lit the coals, working the bellows. Whoosh whoosh whoosh—flames rose, heating the lump of iron. Tang Hao then passed on the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique to Tang San, who studied seriously and showed great talent. After a few runs, he'd gotten the hang of it.
"All right. Not bad. You're gifted. Keep practicing. But remember, plant your stance firmly. Don't forget the other two 'hearts' are in your legs—your leg strength determines your hammer's full power."
With that, Tang Hao went back to rest.
"Got it, Dad," Tang San nodded, watching him go.
He was silently bitter. It wasn't that he didn't want a solid stance—but with his legs spread too far apart, things just… stretched too much…
SU! I! FENG!!! THIS GRUDGE WILL NOT GO UNAVENGED!!!
The Next Morning
Old Jack woke up early and put on the formal clothes he only wore for the holidays. Sure enough, the saying was true—"clothes make the man, saddle makes the horse." Dressed up, he looked much more spirited.
He glanced around—Suifeng had also donned a crisp, new blue robe today.
"Let's go, Suifeng. We'll pick up Tang San first."
"Okay," Suifeng nodded obediently.
The two headed to the Tang family's smithy…