Chapter 3: Paths Begin to Diverge
The morning sun warmed the dusty village square as Su Yuntao gathered his belongings.
His mission was over.
Soon, he would return to Spirit Hall, another small village checked off his long list.
Just as he was about to mount his horse, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Esteemed sir, please wait!"
It was Old Jack, hurrying over with his cane, his face lined with concern.
Su Yuntao frowned. "What is it, old man? I have no more business here."
Old Jack bowed deeply, almost bending to the ground.
"Please," he said, his voice earnest. "I beg you... could you give a letter of recommendation for two of our children to attend Nuoding Junior Academy? Especially Tang San and another boy, Ye Feng."
Su Yuntao hesitated, clearly impatient.
He didn't care about small villages or their petty dreams.
But after seeing Old Jack's pleading expression —
and remembering the boy with two odd martial souls —
he sighed heavily.
"Fine," he muttered.
"I'll prepare the documents. But don't expect Spirit Hall to care what happens after."
Old Jack's eyes shone with gratitude.
He bowed again, nearly crying with joy.
"Thank you! Thank you, kind sir!"
Su Yuntao waved him off irritably and rode away, disappearing into the distant hills.
For a moment, Old Jack stood alone in the square, watching the road with a mixture of hope and worry.
"Feng'er, San'er... your paths begin now. May the heavens watch over you both."
---
Meanwhile, in a small, broken-down blacksmith shop on the other side of the village, Tang San returned home.
The heavy wooden door creaked as he pushed it open.
Inside, sitting by the cold forge, was his father, Tang Hao.
The man looked the same as always — unshaven, clothes tattered, a jug of wine resting by his side.
"You're back," Tang Hao said without looking up.
Tang San walked in slowly, his heart pounding.
He knelt down respectfully and said quietly:
"Father... during the awakening today, I gained two martial souls."
Tang Hao's hand paused halfway toward his wine jug.
He slowly lifted his eyes and fixed Tang San with a gaze that seemed to pierce into his soul.
Tang San hesitated, then continued:
"One is Blue Silver Grass. The other... is a hammer."
For a long moment, the room was silent except for the creaking of old wood.
Then Tang Hao leaned back and closed his eyes slightly.
"From now on," Tang Hao said in a low voice, "you must only use your Blue Silver Grass in public."
Tang San blinked, surprised.
"But Father, the hammer—"
Tang Hao cut him off with a look.
"The hammer must be hidden. Never show it to anyone unless you have no choice."
His voice, though calm, carried an invisible weight — a deep, overwhelming seriousness.
"You must grow strong with the Blue Silver Grass first," Tang Hao said.
"Strong enough to protect what truly matters."
Tang San lowered his head and nodded silently, feeling both confusion and something deeper —
the heavy responsibility his father placed upon him.
After a few moments of silence, Tang San added carefully:
"Father... during the awakening, there was another child. Ye Feng. He also awakened two martial souls."
Tang Hao's eyes opened briefly, a flash of interest passing through them.
"A sword... and a seed," Tang San said.
Tang Hao seemed thoughtful for a moment, but soon snorted lightly.
"Ordinary martial souls," he said bluntly.
"Not worth mentioning."
And with that, he picked up his jug and leaned back into the shadows of the room, lost in his own heavy thoughts.
Tang San silently bowed once more, then retreated to his small corner to practice.
Outside, the evening sun cast long golden shadows over Holy Soul Village.
Two destinies had quietly started to stir —
one wrapped in hidden steel,
and the other struggling against fate itself.