Chapter 61: Arrival

"Huff—"

The handsome young man gasped heavily, daring not to look straight at Duolangbu.

Duolangbu watched Tie Li's departing back, a rare nostalgia flashing in his cold eyes, but the feeling vanished instantly.

"I've taken care of those three for you; as for how to explain it to your father, I think you can manage—just as you could persuade your father to send assassins after him."

"I understand."

……

Tie Li fled from Ancient Sword City through the night; turning back now, he felt the city shrouded in a faint reddish glow.

A great upheaval may occur here later, but it has nothing to do with me.

Leaving Ancient Sword City, he raced straight toward Suo Tuo City without any pause.

The Horned Scale Horse seemed to sense its rider's anxiety, quickening its pace without a moment's rest.

After a continuous day and night, only when he was far from Ancient Sword City did Tie Li finally sigh in relief.

Fortunately the Horned Scale Horse has a Soul Beast bloodline; otherwise it would have been unbearable.

He stopped near a small river, and Tie Li began inspecting his injuries.

The Iron Inner Armor had already fused with the wound.

"Sss"

Enduring the pain, he forced the inner armor off, tearing the healed wound anew.

First he disinfected the wound, then applied a layer of medicine, and finally wrapped it with gauze.

His attack exceeded the normal Three Ring Soul Honorable level; his inner armor couldn't block it completely, yet it played a crucial role.

"When you reach Nuo Ding City, you'll need to find a blacksmith shop for repairs."

A conspicuous sword scar marred the inner armor, cutting a long slit.

After this, Tie Li's regard for the inner armor deepened further.

Despite the scar, Tie Li kept wearing the inner armor.

After handling everything, he took Soul Beast meat from his storage ring; he hadn't eaten for a day and a night.

The Horned Scale Horse, drinking nearby, sniffed the scent of Soul Beast meat and immediately came over.

Tie Li cut a large piece of Soul Beast meat for the horse, while he himself kept the fire going to roast meat.

When Tie Li arrived at Suo Tuo City, half a month had already passed.

His injuries had long since healed.

He found a blacksmith shop to repair the Iron Inner Armor, then secured an inn in Suo Tuo City, planning to rest a day or two before setting out again.

He must hurry to Nuo Ding City, so he won't linger idly to snap photos or linger in nostalgia.

After another half‑month's journey, Tie Li arrived at Nuo Ding City.

With his current strength, even in a small city like Nuo Ding City, he'd count as a master, right?

Based on his memory, Tie Li located that blacksmith shop.

"Hey kid, what are you here to forge?"

Several blacksmiths were hammering away fervently inside, oblivious to Tie Li's arrival.

Only one burly man noticed Tie Li; beneath his dark skin bulged solid muscles, looking extremely sturdy.

"Sir, I'd like to earn a living here," Tie Li said.

"Do you know how to forge ironware? Like the simplest farming tools." The burly man, noting Tie Li's young age but robust physique and strong arms, assumed he had been a blacksmith apprentice, so he asked another question.

"I can."

Tie Li didn't waste words; he took the Forging Hammer from the man, and a bright, crisp strike rang through the shop, instantly drawing several blacksmiths' attention.

Whether one knows how to forge can be judged by the sound.

That one strike was enough to demonstrate Tie Li's skill.

Under Tie Li's continuous hammering, the impurities in the iron block noticeably diminished.

"Not bad, you've got the level of a master craftsman," the burly man praised.

"Let me reintroduce myself: I'm Shi San. This blacksmith shop has been passed down in my family. If you're willing to stay, your wage will be the same as theirs—one Silver Soul Coin per month."

Hearing the name Shi San, Tie Li knew he hadn't come to the wrong place.

He wasn't forging for a single Silver Soul Coin a month, but to naturally steal Tang San's Chaos Cloak Hammer Method.

Tie Li didn't know how long it would be before Tang San arrived in Nuo Ding City—maybe a month, perhaps three—but acquiring the essence of the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method from him would be enough benefit.

"Alright, no problem."

"Fine."

Shi San asked where he was from again; Tie Li gave a false identity and indirectly indicated he needed lodging he could pay for.

"I have a vacant room at my place; ten Copper Soul Coins a month, I'll deduct it from your wage. How about that?"

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," Shi San replied generously.

In the following days, Tie Li assumed the role of an ordinary blacksmith, blending into the group.

The process might waste his cultivation time, but it's worth it to steal the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method.

He must be cautious; despite appearing as a six‑year‑old child, his body houses a soul over thirty.

"Sir, hello, are you taking on blacksmith apprentices here?"

Hearing the voice, Tie Li's hand gripping the Forging Hammer trembled, nearly dropping it.

Tang San's appearance also caught the other blacksmiths' attention.

Tie Li followed the crowd's gaze and saw a skinny six‑year‑old child dressed in the Nuo Ding Junior Soul Master Academy uniform.

"Kid, stop messing around. This is a blacksmith shop; does your outfit look like a blacksmith's? And you're so young, as an apprentice you probably can't even lift a Forging Hammer." Shi San still thought a child was teasing him, and adopted a posture as if to drive the kid away.

Tang San glanced at his school uniform and seemed to realize something was off.

"Uncle, wait a moment; I'll be right back."

Shi San watched Tang San run away, smiled and shook his head, feeling unconcerned.

But Tie Li was different; his mind stayed fixed on Tang San.

Every passing second was a torment for him.

When Tang San returned, he was already wearing a big patch over a small patch of clothing.

"Kid, don't make a joke out of me." Shi San couldn't help but laugh; it was his first time encountering such a situation.

"Of course not, Uncle; I'm a part‑time student at Noding Academy…" Tang San roughly explained his situation.

Shi San learned that Tang San was the blacksmith's son in the village, and couldn't help feeling a bit of goodwill.

"If you're willing to come, then come. You may not be able to forge, but serving tea and water is fine; the pay isn't high, meals are provided—how about it?"

"No problem." Tang San gladly agreed.

Yet to prove he could work iron, Tang San's gaze still fell on Shi San's Forging Hammer.

"Uncle Shi San, I really can forge; if you don't believe it, let me give it a try?"

"Ha ha, if you can lift my Forging Hammer, I'll let you try."

(End of Chapter)