God Of Forges Chapter 6: Vulcan's Awakening

It was not the best decision at the moment; deep down, he knew it. It didn’t matter what Xiao Ning said; he'd eclipse him in a couple of months. Yet, an uncontrollable rage had overtaken him. Something deep inside had snapped and broken free.

He would not stand down to Xiao Ning… not today - even if he lost badly.

His nature wouldn’t allow it.

“That little fire trick again.” Xiao Ning regained his composure. “Now that I think about it… you’ve never sparred, have you?”

“...”

Xiao Jian looked at him, the fire in his eye dimming. He could hear his father's voice again as if he were the same wild and unrestrained menace who got expelled from school.

“You're immensely strong, tall, quick and possess all the passion in the world. God gave you all these gifts not to bully the weak but to stand up for them.”

Xiao Ning saw an opportunity in his hesitation, storming forward.

[Higher Yellow: Iron Mountain Fist!]

He smashed his fist against Xiao Jian’s chest, sending him back nearly ten meters. He spit out some blood as a result. In the process, he had also lost grip of his sword. 

“You stood up for yourself, yes… but you went too far. Would it have hurt so much for you to turn the other cheek when you've already won?”

Xiao Ning flashed over to kick him right in the face.

“All of that fighting is pointless. Be the bigger man I know you are.”

[Middle Yellow: Dual Dragon Rage]

Xiao Ning enveloped his arms with Dou Qi, forming the shape of two golden dragons. He charged in and began hitting Xiao Jian with a barrage of attacks while he remained in a daze.

Then… he saw it.

His other half… or rather, his unbridled self standing on a mountain of corpses, covered in the blood of his victims. His air of tyranny, pride and hunger for battle was overwhelming. He had a mocking grin for Xiao Jian.

“You’ve kept me tucked away for so long, sweet Dennis - avoiding fights, keeping yourself composed - for what? You see what it has earned you. Nothing but mockery. They call you a cripple when you are mightier than any one of them.”

“Let your anger fly free… let me finish the fight that you started.”

BANG.

After a dozen blows, Xiao Ning managed to punch Xiao Jian hard enough to knock him to the ground.

“For a three-star Dou Disciple, brother Xiao Jian is quite durable. Too durable…”

“Guess all those muscles aren't for show, huh…”

“Why didn't he defend himself?” 

The crowd seemed confused. As Xiao Ning went over to beat on him while he was down, Xun’er wanted to step in… but then she sensed something… foreboding - for Xiao Ning. 

He started kicking him, but felt that his hits weren’t really making an impact. It’s not that he was any weaker than before…

“This is looking ugly…” Someone in the crowd remarked.

“Heh, Xiao Jian deserves it for talking so big.”

“It would be better if he just killed him. Being a cripple, all Xiao Jian can do now is bring shame and dishonour to the Xiao Clan…”

Xiao Ning furrowed his brows.

As Xiao Jian came in to reach for his foot, he retreated.

“Ah, the taste of my blood. So bittersweet.” Xiao Jian rolled over, opening his left eye. His previously reluctant expression had faded entirely, replaced by a grin that reflected a deep and unsettling masochism. “You could've done a bit more to get me excited, surely.”

“...” Xiao Ning raised a confused eyebrow. Something was wrong, and he knew it.

Xiao Jian slowly got up, licking the blood from his mouth. His Dou Qi surged, enveloping him in a flaming aura. This aura surged… matching and surpassing Xiao Ning in the blink of an eye.

“I didn't insult you out of arrogance, little man.” He grinned as his crippled right eye exploded into an inferno of flame. A faint tattoo of a golden enflamed hammer with a golden wreath around it flickered on his chest, glowing through his robes. His hair had grown considerably longer, too. “It’s just that… you’re so much weaker than me. Why should I tolerate you?”

Xiao Ning furrowed his brows as Xiao Jian towered over him, his aura suppressing him. An overwhelming sense of insignificance overcame him. It was as if he were an ant looking up at a mountain that pierced the skies. 

He clenched his fists, charging in despite this feeling.

“You’re good at being a punching bag, Xiao Jian!”

Xiao Jian stood still as Xiao Ning punched him in the chest. He didn’t even move, looking unimpressed.

His eyes widened in shock.

This… shouldn’t be happening!

Xiao Jian’s grin was bone-chilling.

“It’s my turn.”

He grabbed Xiao Ning’s wrist and twisted it, forcing his arm behind his back. He proceeded to kick him forward - sending the young man into a wall over two dozen metres away. Xiao Ning crashed into the wall, in a daze. In just an instant, he had been terribly injured. 

Meanwhile, Xiao Jian took his time bridging the gap between them - each thunderous step of his shaking the earth.

By the time he reached him, Xiao Ning had recovered and prepared a counter.

[Higher Yellow: Iron Mountain Fist!]

Xiao Jian saw right through it, stepping aside and…

BANG.

He punched his gut with such force that Xiao Ning bent down and fell right back to the ground.

Afterwards, Xiao Jian stamped on the man’s head with his foot.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Ning?” Xiao Jian tilted his head, grinning. “Why are you losing to a one-eyed cripple? Who is not worthy of who? Remind me, I seem to have forgotten…”

“Argh… moyai… gah… xunier…” Xiao Ning’s reply was entirely unintelligible.

“No answer, eh? You know what I think would be funny?” Xiao Jian laughed madly, removing his foot from his head. He grabbed Xiao Ning by his ponytail - raising him back up. He then stretched out an enflamed finger, pointing it at Xiao Ning’s right eye. “If we became one-eyed cripples… together! I could even give you red skin like mine - wouldn’t that be a great teambuilding exercise? You could be my little brother!”

“No… please…” Xiao Ning begged. “Don’t…”

“Xiao Jian has lost it…” Someone in the crowd remarked.

“Someone… do something.”

“Why don’t you?”

“Well… why don’t you?”

No one approved of what was happening, yet no one stepped in between them either. Xiao Jian looked far too frightening at this moment in time. Xiao Xun’er was the only one with a calm expression. Xiao Wan, who had been absorbed by his scroll, stood up.

“That’s enough, Xiao Jian. You’ve won.”

“How convenient,” Xiao Jian grinned. “Where were you when I was on the ground, getting kicked by this worm? Or does the ‘cripple’ not get the same treatment as the ‘prized’ Xiao Ning?”

“... I said, that’s enough.”

‘Would it have hurt so much for you to turn the other cheek when you've already won?’ He heard his father’s voice, followed up by his own.

‘That’s enough… we’ve won.’

Xiao Jian looked at Xiao Ning, whispering to him;

“Don’t you ever come between Xun’er and me again… or being burnt red with a crippled eye will be the least of your problems.” 

He then tossed him to the side like a bag of trash.

“You’re right. I’ve won.”

Xiao Jian remarked, brushing past the senior to pick up his sword and return it to its sheath. His right eye closed, his hair returned to its original length, and the tattoo faded. His expression changed last, realising what had happened. 

He looked around and saw only looks of terror among his generation. They called him a monster, and he had proven them all right.

“And… I’ve lost just as well.”

He left with a bitter expression.

~

Xiao Jian returned to his room and sat on the ground with his head lowered. The flames within his body had subsided, leaving him with only regret. Yao Lao observed with an intrigued expression.

“Heh… I called you a little monster as a joke, but you’ve really proven it now.” Yao Lao’s red eyes observed the young man. “You possess a divine bloodline, and one so pure as well… you may as well be the incarnation of a god - albeit one that has only shown a sliver of an awakening. It’s a small wonder why your appearance is so different from the rest.”

“...” 

“Don’t look so down, young man. It is in your nature to be domineering - look at your physique! Your bloodline flaring affected your temperament, and you let your true emotions rush out. You barely wounded that other brat… it’s hardly a consequence compared to what you gained.”

“I’m a greater outcast than ever before…” Xiao Jian sighed, shaking his head.

“An outcast, hm? Good.” Yao Lao chuckled. “Don’t let a simple Xiao Clan weigh you down. If they reject you, then you have no reason to stay. Once you are strong enough, you can leave and spread your wings. With my guidance, you will be the mightiest figure within this Jia Ma Empire before long.”

“And, if that girl’s background knew of your bloodline… hah, they’d be rushing to have you two married and in the same bed!"

“Do you think I frightened her?” Xiao Jian questioned, ignoring his slightly vulgar remark. “I lost control of myself completely…”

“You can be so naive, kid.” Yao Lao laughed. “Did you know your Xun’er was this close to crippling him herself? Her killing intent was brief but as vast as an ocean. Had she acted, she would’ve beaten him thrice as bad as you did… he might even find himself to be dead.”

“... You’re lying.” Xiao Jian blinked. “Xun’er wouldn’t do something like that…”

“She’s a more frightening girl than you realise. Heh, truth be told, you two monsters might just belong together.”

‘Was this the hand of fate?’ Yao Lao wondered to himself.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Jian took a deep breath, rising from the ground.

“No point in moping about. If I were stronger, Xiao Ning wouldn’t even act up in the first place.”

“That is one way of seeing it.” Yao Lao floated about. “Though, really, you can be too soft sometimes. To be truly strong, you will have to encounter life-and-death situations that push you to the brink. There will be times when you will have to be cold and ruthless to survive and protect the things you hold dear. That is the cruel world we live in, Xiao Jian.”

“Control your fury when you need to… but, when it comes to battle, do not hold back - because your opponent will not.”

“... Yeah.” Xiao Jian nodded absentmindedly. 

His head was still buzzing with conflicted emotions.

He left to go to his forge and gathered some metal. Afterwards, he worked on forging a large bowl—one fitting for his size. Once finished, he filled it with water and watched Yao Lao cook up another Foundation Elixir. 

His training continued without further delay.

…

Xiao Ning went off with the support of his friends after Xiao Jian left, holding his broken wrist. 

Meanwhile, Xiao Xun’er looked at the bouquet of flowers Xiao Jian had gifted her with a pleased expression. She took a deep breath, taking in the scent. Her lips curled into a joyous smile.

‘Xiao Jian ge-ge is more special than I ever imagined…’