Chapter 2: Kuang Ren

By the time I had arrived at the city, it was almost nightfall. The stars hid away from my eyes as a blanket of darkness was revealed. I stop watching the night sky as there is an impatient gaze that had been resting on me for some time now.

"I said 5 coins for entry. It pays for your protection from bandits and murderers. These are Heaven Dou City's rules. Of course, you can choose not to pay. You'll just have to sleep outside with the animals. I'm sure a beggar like you is used to it, no?"

I looked down again at my tattered clothes. They were worse for wear since my rebirth, and now, after a day's journey, they had numerous holes and were stained with a mix of blood and dirt. The suspicion that I was a beggar was thus a reasonable one as well as an explanation for the immediate hostility. I responded calmly.

"This beggar has 5 coins for you, so say no more and open the gates."

The man looked annoyed and looked as if he was going to speak harshly when he met eyes with me. He ultimately took the coins away, holding it at arm's length as if he were to fear being dirtied by it as he nodded to the other guard. The gate was promptly lifted as I strode inside.

"A shame for those 5 coins. If I continue to spend like such, I really will be a beggar in no time at all. Then they really can kick me to death."

I once more felt the need for great strength in this cruel world. I returned to the plan I had formulated on my way here. I would work as a blacksmith apprentice enough to accommodate my own living expenses before moving on to become a hunter. Although my body now is somewhat well-trained due to the previous owners' fervent attempts to make up for talent with physical strength, he was still only a sheltered young master. At the same time, I can try to see if any changes have occurred in my body after rebirth. In this world, the power of a Spirit Cultivator is too much to deny with physical strength alone. I must find a way to cultivate.

And so, I strode around Heaven Dou City, looking for a blacksmith apprenticeship. Fortunately, this city was a rather popular trading center for ores, causing a number of smithies to pop up. After a few trips, I stood before one such smithy. The building was not extraordinary in any way, but there was an unmistakable stench of smoke and iron that permeated from it. Walking inside, there was a black screen of smoke that escaped as I opened the door. The dense fog made it hard to see anything more than a few feet in front of me.

As I squinted my eyes and struggled internally about what to do, the smoke became a few shades light, allowing me to see for a couple meters ahead. As soon as I stopped focusing, however, the smoke returned to its original darkness.

'Strange.' I mused to myself.

I squinted once more and saw a path clear, but I could not focus on that right now. For I felt, almost imperceptibly but certainly there, that a kind of motion occurred inside my body and into my eyes. I could imagine the surprise painted on my face as I knew what had transpired.

Although I had never personally felt the sensation before, I had heard about it many times during my awakening ceremony.

The dignified face of my father appeared in my mind. "This man here is going to try to awaken your martial spirit. While normal children do not have to focus to have their martial spirit awakened by a Spirit Hall expert, you are clearly different. You might have to try harder to awaken your spirit, so I want you to focus on a particular sensation: It should feel like a gust of wind different from breathing. Try feeling for it."

Coming back to my senses, I laughed internally. "I have felt it, Father. But it is a shame you will never witness it."

Letting the smile fall from my face into my usual expressionlessness, I walked towards the workbench where a man was seated. I was about to start talking when I observed his focused gaze. I stood in silence.

Fifteen minutes later, he stood up from his bench and turned towards me.

The steely-skinned man with broad shoulders spoke curiously. "I thought those brats knew better than to come here. Though, you don't seem as bad. For a kid, that is."

I remained unmoved by his declaration.

His eyes smiled like a fox. "So, whattya' want kid? A weapon? Some armor? Maybe some encouraging words from your idol?"

I spoke in a flat but steady voice. "Make me your apprentice."

The man clicked his teeth. "One of those, eh? Scram for your grandfather, then. We're not accepting."

We continued to hold gazes.

I knew I had to do something or else my plans would fail. So I took a chance.

"Is it my appearance?"

Due to my lack of funds, I had opted out of purchasing new clothes, still wearing the clothes which might as well be rag. If the man before me was anything like the guards, it is natural for him to look down on me.

His eyes glowed briefly. "Sharp, kid. But, it ain't your clothes that's the problem. It's the rest of ya'."

I was surprised for a moment, before I thought about his words. It was logical.

Noticing my realization, the man nodded. "Your physique is undesirable, your hands have no calluses, and you wear silk. Blacksmithing is harder than you think. Although I don't know what happened to you that made you so dirty, I can tell you don't know hardship. Quitters aren't going to cut it here."

I looked into his eyes and understood what he wanted from me. I walked forward towards a spare furnace and lifted the hammer with some difficulty.

Seeing this, the blacksmith attempted to dissuade me. "Don't force yourself kid. It won't help and I won't see you any different."

I turned around so that we were directly facing each other.

"In your eyes, I must be a fool..."

He made no attempt to counter.

"... But my eyes see further. In comparison, you're merely blind."

His eyes widened before he laughed grandly. Within this laugh, there was a rising ferociousness. "It has been a long time since someone dared call me, Hu Feng, blind." He walked over and turned the furnace on. The column of flames were reflected on his eyes and danced wildly with glee. "I just hope that you can back up these words for your own sake, junior."