Chapter 99: Tang San, Still Battling to Survive

Fasno Province, outskirts of Nuoding City.

Holy Soul Village.

In a rundown blacksmith's workshop—the rhythmic clanging of metal echoed.

Clang.

A tall, broad figure staggered in, reeking of alcohol.His hair was tangled like a bird's nest, filthy and disordered.Bearded and grim, Tang Hao's eyes carried no emotion.

He tossed the hammer to the ground and, dragging his heavy body, slowly walked toward the wooden bed beside the forge.The mattress was stained with dark, greasy patches—clearly from long-term, unwashed use.

Tang Hao lay down casually, his voice low and hoarse:

"Ten copper soul coins. Give them to that kid over there."

A farmer, frowning at the bent, twisted sickle in his hand, complained:

"This is awful. Can this even cut weeds?"

Tang Hao sat up slightly, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Despite his ragged look, his build and the lingering presence of a Soul Master made the farmer shudder.

"Cough… as long as it works, it's fine, it's fine…"

The man cursed silently, handed 10 copper coins to the nearby child, then hurried off.

If you weren't the only blacksmith around, I'd never come here.Screw it—next time I'll go into town. If I come back here again, I'm a dog.

Making you money? What a joke!

"Hmph."

Tang Hao snorted and lay back down again.

His calloused finger pointed at the small boy who was quietly pocketing leftover metal near the forge—Tang San.

"Use those copper coins. Go buy me some wine. Tell the shopkeeper to send some peanuts too."

Thin and wearing the simplest of clothes, Tang San nodded.

Even though the man before him had once stuffed scalding porridge into his mouth the moment he arrived in this world—burning his throat so badly it took two years of cultivating Xuantian Skill to recover.

Even though Tang Hao never once showed concern for him.Even though he'd had to cook and clean for himself from the moment he could walk.Even though Tang Hao never once called him "son."Even though they lived in poverty while his father drank and wallowed in misery every day—

Tang San had never held a single grievance.

Because this was his father.

No matter what he had done—no matter how he treated him—Tang San knew only one thing:

Absolute obedience. Absolute forgiveness.

In his past life, he had never experienced fatherly love.In this life, he would cherish it.

Everything he had suffered—then and now—was his father's test, his way of tempering him.It was all necessary.It was all right.

"Dad, should I spend all the money?"

"Mmm—"

Tang Hao's voice was faint. Soon after, soft snoring filled the room.

Tang San sighed silently.

There's no saving any money like this.

No savings meant no iron.No iron meant no materials.And without materials, when would the hidden weapons of Tang Sect ever return to the world?

"Dad, we're out of rice."

The snoring paused. Tang Hao's voice sounded conflicted:

"Then take out four—no, three coins. Go buy rice.And firewood… don't buy it. Go up the mountain and chop some.Be back by noon to cook."

Only four years old, Tang San pursed his lips and nodded.

"Alright, Dad."

He set off.That morning, he had to climb the mountain to chop wood, go downhill to buy rice, wine, and peanuts, and return before noon to cook lunch.

The axe he carried was far too large for a four-year-old.

He swung it with effort, breathing heavily.Sleep-deprived, underfed, and overworked every single day.

Even prison would be better than this life.

Tang San glanced around.The next moment, he activated Xuantian Skill.A faint white light shimmered in his hands—

Thwack!

A dead tree fell as he chopped it down.

Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao watched coldly.He had long sensed something was off about Tang San.

A young child surviving such battles, not crying or panicking—At first, he hadn't noticed. But when he later realized how strange that porridge incident had been, he was shocked.

Wounds to the throat and lungs…Tang Hao had never sought a doctor. Yet the boy healed on his own?

And then there was that unknown cultivation method.The way he went to the mountains every day and came back with purple eyes.

How could Tang Hao not be suspicious?

He exhaled and shook his head indifferently:

"Whatever you are, it's none of my concern.I'll wait for the day your spirit awakens.Just don't disappoint me.Or else…"

A chilling glint flashed in his eyes.In a blink, he returned to the smithy and lay on that greasy old bed, shutting his eyes.

Meanwhile, Tang San was startled.

A nail had already appeared in his hand as he anxiously scanned the area.

"That was terrifying… I thought I was going to die.What the hell was that just now?!"

He swallowed hard, brows furrowed, and slowly began descending the mountain.

Tang San finally made it back to the village, though still confused, glancing back at the forest with a dark look in his eyes:

"Damn it. Whoever—or whatever—that was,if I ever find out…you've already chosen the path to death."

He headed for the village shop.

"Boss, I need six copper soul coins' worth of wine, and three coins for rice."

The shopkeeper sighed as he looked at the boy who wasn't even as tall as a table,a giant bamboo basket on his back as big as he was.

He shook his head:

"Alright, I'll go get it."

Tang San's soft voice came again:

"Boss, could I have some peanuts too?"

The shopkeeper paused, looked at the table where some leftover dishes were sitting.

"Take the peanuts from that table. They're leftovers—no charge."

Tang San's eyes lit up.

Saved one copper soul coin—amazing!

One copper coin… I could never spend it all in a lifetime...

Staggering back with the heavy bamboo basket on his back, step by slow step, Tang San bowed with each step.

The shopkeeper grinned bitterly, shaking his head.

Those two are freaks.The old one's no father—gave birth and abandoned him.The kid? Brain's messed up. After all that, you still treat him like this?

Insane.

I once tried helping him carry things—he refused.Said his father told him to do it all by himself, and helping him meant going against him.

Ever since then, I've never helped him again.

Back at home, Tang San was drenched in sweat.His vision blurred.

He hurriedly put down the basket and went to drink water—only to find the barrel had just been emptied during iron forging.

Silent, Tang San picked up a wooden pail,then, step by step, walked toward the river…

T/N: For twenty chapters ahead on all my fics become a P@tron at P@treon.com/LordHipposApostle