God Of Forges Chapter 5: The Eccentric Yao Lao

“Hehe, kid, you're looking the wrong way. I'm on your finger.”

“...?” Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow, looking at his mother’s black ring with bewilderment. He thought he was hallucinating. “Who the hell are you?”

“Who am I? You don't need to know, I won't harm you. Heh, after all these years, to have finally found someone with a soul strong enough. What luck! Hehe, I should thank you for your offerings the last four years - otherwise, I'd probably still be sleeping.”

“What offerings?” Xiao Jian questioned with a frown. “My dou Qi disappearing… YOU did that?”

“Hehe, I had to do that, kid don't be mad at me.”

“...” He let that sink in. Those four years of constant pain and disappointment had all been his doing. His blood rapidly surged in fury. “You… MOTHERF*CKING LEECH, SHIT EATING VAMPIRE, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING FREELOADER, FUUUUCK YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR!”

He removed the ring from his finger and tossed it as far as it could. 

It flew off into the distance, disappearing in the mist beneath the mountain.

“...” A moment of silence passed. He sighed, shaking his head. “All that… for what?”

Before he knew it, the black ring floated all the way up. Though, that wasn't the most shocking part of it. There was a handsome figure above it with long silvery white hair and crimson red eyes. His aura radiated an eccentric yet wizened feeling. 

(I took the Manhua appearance on this one.)

This ghost… it reminded him of another. Though, it couldn't be him.

“Hehe, kid, you don't need to be so mad, do you? I only took four years of your Dou Qi.”

“Eight.” Xiao Jian swiftly corrected. “The four years I had accumulated before, and the four years of decline… EIGHT years.”

“Jeez, kid. All these technicalities when you only lost your status as a Dou Practitioner. That really is nothing.”

“F*ck you.” Xiao Jian reinforced his dislike for the figure. “Go fly off to someone who gives a shit.”

Within only a year, with his talent, Dou Disciple 7 was more than accomplishable! In only a few years, he'd be able to return to his genius status. For that matter, it might only take two years…

“This young generation really is brutal… or is it just you, crazy kid?” The spirit laughed. 

“Shut up before I put you in a forge and melt the ring.”

“While you did lose your Dou Qi, you gained far more in those four years.” The elder made a slight, gaslighting smile. “You see, kid, you learned that there was more to life than smithing! You fell in love with that lass and broke free from a marriage you had no desire for! Hehe, kid, if you think about it… I really did help you!”

“Don't gaslight me.” Xiao Jian frowned.

“Gaslighting? What is that, a new word?” The spirit stroked his chin with a clueless expression. “Never heard of it.”

“Why are you still here, you damn leech? You didn't steal enough Dou Qi from me?”

“Hehe, and where else would I find a little monster like you?” The spirit’s eyes sparkled. “Since I already chose to appear, then before you give me your permission, I won't take your Dou QI.”

“What makes you think I'd ever give my permission? Do you want a medal for not being a leech? Hmph.” Xiao Jian shook his head. “How about you give me back those eight years?”

“Wishful thinking, kid. I cannot control time. But…” Just as Xiao Jian turned away, he raised a finger. “I can help you grow, faster than ever. Those eight years will be nothing but a passing tide. You will be twice the genius you were before… and you might just reach that sweetheart of yours.”

“What sweetheart?”

“Hehe, kid, I had the perfect view of your adorable romance. Shame that she is quite unreachable for you as things stand…”

“Thanks to who…” Xiao Jian rolled his eyes.

“Kid, even if you were a Dou Master at this age, it wouldn't be enough. The background she comes from has seen talent like that come and go. You'd be nothing but another worm on the ground. But… I can help you bridge that gap and soar!”

“How?” Xiao Jian’s curiosity took hold. 

“Ahh, now I have your attention.” The elder observed with a smile. “Do you want to be an alchemist?”

“...” Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow. “No.”

“Kid, do you have a rock for a brain?” The elder sighed, shaking his head. “Do you know how rare and prized alchemists are?”

“Don't care.” Xiao Jian shrugged. “I’d rather be a better smith then waste my time with that.”

“... They are similar concepts. Do you want to stand beside your beloved or not, kid? It's fine if you do not, I won't bother…”

“I absolutely have to be an alchemist?”

“Yep.” He nodded. “There's no other way.”

“Fine, whatever.”

“Jeez, kid. Any other boy would be begging for me to teach them and here you are. No matter, since you do want to be an alchemist, I'll teach you. But, first, you should pay respect to your teacher.”

“Pay respect to a leech like you?” Xiao Jian scoffed.

“Ridiculous! To not pay your respects and still expect me to teach you all that I know? You’re dreaming!”

“I'll pay my respects after you reach me something useful.”

“You are quite demanding, kid.” The elder chuckled. “No matter, I understand your position. I'll be considerate this once. My name is Yao Lao. As for my origin, you don't need to know for now so you don't get distracted. All you need to know is that Pill King Gu He is… only trash in my eyes.”

Xiao Jian watched Yao Lao’s casual and carefree expression with bewilderment. Was he bullshitting? Even though he didn't care for alchemy, he knew just how crazy people went for that geezer’s pills.

“Really? You're not talking out of your ass?”

“Really, really.” Yao Lao nodded. “Now, I will show you the brilliance of alchemy! But first, I will need you to prepare three complete stalks of Purple Leaved Bluegrass. The older, the better. Then I will need two stalks of Bone Washing Flower and… oh, right, a level one wood attributed monster core.”

“You'll make some pill from it? Or some magic ritual to take over my body?”

“Your body?” Yao Lao scoffed. “Look in the mirror, kid. Why would I want your body? Besides, if such trashy ingredients could allow an alchemist to take over bodies, you'd have heard about it by now.”

Xiao Jian smiled slightly. His gut feeling told him the elder was genuine. 

“What is it, then?”

“A foundation elixir to increase training speed. With it, reaching the 7th stage of Dou Disciple within a year should be easy as long as you are dedicated.”

“Alright…” He decided to trust this Yao Lao. “I’ve saved up some money over the years.”

“You should not be poor. Smiths are lesser alchemists; it's to be expected.” Yao Lao nodded nonchalantly.

“Lesser?”

“You heard me, kid. You'll learn, too. In time.”

“Yeah, right.”

Xiao Jian stood up from the rocky ground and made his way down to Wu Tan City. By the time he got down, it was a bustling afternoon in the markets. He entered the markets under the Xiao Clan, avoiding the others, and searched for the goods Yao Lao asked if him.

“Third Young Master!” One of the guards cried out, wearing a full set of custom gear Xiao Jian had made in his spare time. “Do you need an escort? The markets can be dangerous and thieves are ever prevalent.”

“I'm fine, thank you.” Xiao Jian smiled.

“Ah… okay.”

Though he rejected the escort, the guard sneakily followed him anyway. As he made his way around, more and more of the Xiao Clan’s guards kept an eye on him. Why would they go to such lengths? Were their intentions malicious? Not at all!

Four years ago, he had upgraded the gear of all of the guards of the Xiao Clan and personally gave bonuses. This favour was not one any of them had forgotten! Ever since, the Xiao Clan’s guards sought an opportunity to repay his charity… but it had never arisen.

In the Xiao Clan’s markets, Xiao Jian was more protected than an imperial prince!

‘These guys…’ Xiao Jian smiled slightly as he noticed them. 

As per Yao Lao’s request, he found three stalks of Purple Leaved Bluegrass - all twenty years old and two stalks of seven-year-old Bone Washing Flower for about a thousand gold coins. As for the wood attributed monster core, he already had one tucked away in his forge.

“Let’s see if you're any good, leecher.” Xiao Jian watched Yao Lao attentively as he returned to his bedroom. 

“Soon enough, you'll be calling me teacher. Go get a huge bowl of water big enough for a kid your size.”

While Xiao Jian went off to retrieve said bowl, Yao Lao grabbed a stalk of Purple Leaved Bluegrass in one hand and spread out his palm in the other. A white flame emerged as he held the ingredient over it, turning the Purple Leaved Bluegrass into a green liquid in but an instant. Yao Lao proceeded to add the other two stalks, one after the other. 

The green liquid ball would grow larger with each Purple Leaved Bluegrass. As the fire kept burning, the liquid blue ball grew smaller - its impurities being refined until the ball was only the size of a normal thumb. He'd do the same with the Bone Washing Flower, following up with the refinement of the monster core.

That step took longer, lasting an hour as the mixture softened by Yao Lao’s magical formula. Once he was finished, Yao Lao let go of his flame, and it vanished. He hadn't even broken a sweat despite working for an entire hour. 

Xiao Jian forgot all about his grudge at that moment, his eyes sparkling at the result. He could easily sense the bountiful energy in the liquid green ball. Alchemists were no joke, after all…

“What now?” Xiao Jian asked impatiently.

Yao Lao flicked the ball right into the bowl of water Xiao Jian had prepared. 

“From now on, you'll be training in there. One thing to note is that this foundation elixir will only last two months-”

Before Yao Lao could finish, Xiao Jian swiftly undressed and dipped inside. 

“How impatient…” Yao Lao chuckled. “I suppose this bath was long overdue. Even as a soul, I can sense your overwhelming stench.”

“Shut up.” Xiao Jian rolled his eyes. “It's my natural, manly, odour. Nothing I can do about it.”

“Sounds like an excuse to me, kid.”

“A Dou Qi sucker like you really shouldn't be complaining.” Xiao Jian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Hehe, kid. I sure hope you're not taking this grudge to the grave. Stop crying and train!”

“Mhm…”

~

As the young red giant sat patiently in the bowl and greedily absorbed the Dou QI around him, the green liquid beneath him began to evaporate. He breathed in the steam, which made his face strangely soft and smooth. The green liquid that stuck to his body was being absorbed by his skin, strengthening his bones and Qi paths.

Because of Xiao Jian’s unwavering training, more and more green streams rose from the bowl, growing dense enough to form a layer of mist dense enough to cover his naked body. Even though the bowl was uncomfortable and a tad bit small, he kept himself still and patient.

He didn't dare waste even a moment.

As he continued, steam emerged from his own body and heated the bowl. This heat came to affect the rest of the room, making it comparable to a sauna. As this happened, Xiao Jian began to look wholly comfortable… at complete peace.

Because of this additional heat, he absorbed the foundation elixir at an accelerated rate… draining the dark green colour from the bowl.

Yao Lao observed in bewilderment. 

‘This kid… really is a monster.’ He thought to himself. ‘Two months? Hah, this foundation elixir might not even a month!’

Having been scorned and powerless for years, Xiao Jian had no intentions of being weak ever again. He wanted to be strong. Strong enough for his father to be free of any worries, strong enough to be the best smith in the world and strong enough… to be with Xun’er.

Inflamed by his vigorous passion, Xiao Jian relentlessly trained…

Except to meet his bodily necessities, he didn't stop.

~

Stage four… stage five.

In only twenty-five days, Xiao Jian had drained all of the foundation elixir.

“You said this would last two months…” Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow.

“Hehe, kid, you're greedy beyond belief! I didn't lie to you. An ordinary person at your level would take two months, maybe three, to absorb this foundation elixir…”

“Still, that foundation elixir… it's pretty good.” Xiao Jian begrudgingly gave Yao Lao his compliments. “At this rate, I'll Dou Practitioner again in a year. Maybe less than that.”

“Pretty good?” Yao Lao laughed. “Don't be so shy to compliment your great master. I won't berate you, haha.”

“...” Xiao Jian rolled his eyes. “Making one foundation elixir won't wash away your title, leecher.”

“Do you want to be an alchemist now?” Yao Lao questioned once more.

“... Yeah.” Xiao Jian admitted. “Of course.”

Having seen Yao Lao cook up that foundation elixir made him far more excited by the prospect of becoming one himself. The process looked similar to smithing in some ways, too. He wondered if the two could work in tandem in the future, his alchemy enhancing his smithing…

“Good, good.” Yao Lao grinned. “One of your gifts is your strong passion! With such a low regard for alchemy, your growth speed would only be a bit better than ordinary. But if you were passionate… hehe, you'd be great in no time! Alas, you have to become a Dou Practitioner before I can begin teaching you alchemy.”

“Alright, I'll go get the ingredients for the second elixir.” Xiao Jian rose from the bowl, getting dressed swiftly.

He went over to the market and bought similar ingredients, placing them in a bag. This time, however, he needed to find a wood attributed monster core which set him back a good 500 gold. In total, he spent 1500. This ingredient buying business was getting a bit expensive… but, since he had accumulated and saved a good amount of wealth, he could afford it. 

He glanced at the local auction houses while walking around the markets, wondering how much a foundation elixir would fetch in gold. It wouldn't hurt to make some gold from the geezer… though he was a little too proud to use the elixir for anything other than training - especially after calling him a leecher.

On the way back, he saw a flower merchant and paused. As he saw a bouquet of blue lotuses, he thought of Xun’er.

‘Love is like fire.’ Xiao Jian thought of his father's words. ‘If there is enough charcoal, it will burn bright and for a long time… but without continuous care, the fire will fade.’

“How much for that one?” Xiao Jian confronted the merchant, his giant physique towering over him. His deep tone had been intimidating - though he didn't mean to be. 

“Uh…” The merchant hesitated, rubbing his hands nervously. “One gold will do.”

“Really?” Xiao Jian tilted his head innocently. “That's pretty cheap.”

“Ah, they're just pretty flowers with no other use, Young Master. Even one gold piece is a little much.”

“I'll give you ten if you can prepare it nicely.” Xiao Jian smiled charismatically. “You see…”

“There's a lady that caught your eye, young master?” Seeing his reaction, the merchant got to work. “Of course, I'll prepare it at once.”

“Ah…” Xiao Jian chuckled as the merchant moved at rapid yet proficient pace.

The merchant expanded on the bouquet, mixing in the right flowers to bring out the beauty of the ice lotuses. Afterwards, he sealed it with a romantic red ribbon and sprinkled an expensive sweet-smelling and enchanting perfume.

“With this kind of gift, any girl will fall in love with you!” The merchant proudly announced.

“Thank you.” Xiao Jian nodded, taking the bouquet and giving ten gold as promised. “I hope you have a good year with plenty of profits.”

“Your charity has already set me forward by a thousand miles, young master! Thank you, thank you.”

Xiao Jian smiled, eventually moving away from the merchant and making his way home. He set the ingredients in his bedroom and took the bouquet on his way out.

“A gift for your lady love?” Yao Lao chuckled. “By the way, I know how you like to be completely truthful to those close to you… but you better not expose my identity to anyone! Not your lover, or even your father. No one. Don't even think about it.”

“My lover?” Xiao Jian shook his head. “Get your head out of the gutter, geezer. We're not anywhere near that.”

“Your intended lover.” Yao Lao corrected.

“I… just wanted to show my thanks.” Xiao Jian scratched his hair. “She stood by me, through thick and thin.”

“Heh. You're quite inexperienced in this regard, I see. Regardless, my words mean all the same. You won't mention me to anyone, got it?”

“Sure.” 

Yao Lao doubted him.

“I'll give it a year or two before you tell that lass.” He remarked.

“...” Xiao Jian rolled his eyes. “Less crying and more elixir making.”

“The gall to use my own words against me…” Yao Lao laughed. “You’ll be the end of me, kid. I doubt I'll ever have a more troublesome student, and the last one…”

“The last one did what?” Xiao Jian blinked with curiosity, his golden eye observing the elder. 

“No matter, you don't need to know now. Go on and date the girl of your heart.”

“We’re not-”

Before Xiao Jian could rebuttal, Yao Lao slipped back inside the black ring.

…

Xiao Jian proceeded to look everywhere in the Xiao Clan, his head on a swivel. First he went to Xun’er’s room and didn't find her there. Then he went inside of the main hall and was just as unsuccessful. Walking by the corridor, he heard someone gossip that Xiao Ning and Xun’er were practicing in the Dou Technique Hall.

He went right over there, walking into the large training field to the west. In the middle, Xiao Ning and Xiao Xun’er were sparring with each other while a crowd of Xiao Clan members watched.

“Heh, Xiao Ning’s Dou Qi of the 8th stage is no match for Xun’er’s 9th stage prowess.” One of the people in the crowd remarked.

Xiao Ning was a youth of about 17-18 years, handsome and popular. Since Xiao Jian’s fall off, he had become the most talented male amongst the Xiao Clan’s youth. He was also the main elder’s grandson, giving him quite the status. In terms of talent, only Xiao Xun’er was better than him. 

Xiao Jian had little love for him, considering their past. Even when he was an earth-shattering genius, Xiao Ning only pretended to accept him.

Xiao Xun’er glanced at Xiao Jian, dodging all of Xiao Ning’s swift attacks with elegant ease - as if she were a purple butterfly. Her eyes remained on him, eyeing the bouquet in his hands. As Xiao Ning prepared to attack her from the back, Xiao Jian raised a frown of worry.

She smiled mischievously, blinking her beautiful eyes.

With only a slight step, she strangely dodged all of Xiao Ning’s attacks. While she was dodging, her hand moved in for a counter - lightly landing on his chest. Xiao Ning, from that slight touch, had to take back a dozen steps and even clumsily fell to the ground.

Xiao Jian smiled slightly.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ning got off the ground and dusted himself off.

“Hehe, junior sister Xun’er really is at the top in the younger generation of the clan. You’re really strong.”

Xiao Ning, despite losing, smiled warmly. As he calmly looked at her, the fervent love in his eyes wasn’t hidden at all. Considering their lack of blood relations despite being in the Xiao Clan and them being the two most talented youths, he considered her to be his future wife. He was, after all, the grandson of the top elder of the clan, and thought himself more than worthy.

“Senior brother Xiao Ning let me win.”

Her eyes turned away from Xiao Ning respectfully, as if she didn’t see his fervent gaze.

As she moved towards Xiao Jian, all eyes were on her… and, soon enough, on him too. Xiao Jian smiled confidently, his look reflecting the same person who once shook the Jia Ma Empire with his heavenly talent. Xiao Xun’er saw it - clear as glass.

“Today, I was passing by the markets and thought you’d like some flowers, Xun’er.” 

Xiao Jian felt strangely embarrassed. Usually, his confidence would be peerless, yet, when it came to her… not so much.

The way his heart fluttered in her presence, it really was something out of his control.

“Flowers from brother Xiao Jian?” Xiao Xun’er smiled, swiftly yet gently taking the bouquet from his hands - a little too greedily. She took a sniff and felt enamoured. “It’s a wonderful gift, Xiao Jian ge-ge. I love it. Come to think of it… it’s the first time brother Xiao Jian has ever given me flowers.”

“Well, I wanted to thank you for everything…” Xiao Jian looked away for a moment, scratching his wild black hair. “Though, I admit, it’s a small gift. Once I become a Dou Master, I’ll make you an even better necklace.”

Xiao Xun’er touched the lotus necklace that adorned her. He had forged all of her jewellery… and ever since she first put them on, not a single one of them had left her person. As of now, that included the necklace and two bracelets - one on each hand.

“A Dou Master?” Xiao Ning butted in, raising an eyebrow. “Brother Xiao Jian, you should reach the 4th stage of Dou Disciple before talking so big!”

Some of the people in the crowd laughed. Everyone knew that he was a glorified cripple, having fallen deeper and deeper as the years went on. Xiao Xun’er frowned, cold as ice, as she glanced back at Xiao Ning.

“Senior Brother Xiao Ning didn’t have such a big mouth four years ago.” Xiao Jian put a hand on Xun’er’s shoulder, stepping forward. “Or did you hit your head and forget?”

“Oh, I did not forget. But… you should remember where you are now. A one-eyed cripple!” Xiao Ning’s eyes lit up with anger. “You should know that you are not worthy of Xun’er in the slightest, and you never will be! By being around her, you’re only bringing her down to your lowly level.”

Xiao Jian tried to contain his fury, his deep breath creating a flicker of a flame from his mouth. 

Their difference in strength was still prevalent… a whole three stars! Not only that, but Xiao Jian had never cared much for Dou Techniques. His arsenal of skills was entirely empty! He was a smithing and qi training merchant…

“You’ve said too much, Xiao Ning.” Xiao Xun’er raised her hand and prepared to attack him.

“Don’t fight him, kid.” Yao Lao whispered in a voice only he could hear. “He’d beat you easily, and you’d earn nothing from it-”

“Is hiding behind the skirts of Xun’er all you can do?!” Xiao Ning stepped back.

Xiao Jian had enough, drawing Dragonheart from its sheath. Its black blade lit up with flames - reflecting the turmoil and rage in his heart. 

“Since when… did a piece of dog sh*t like you get so arrogant?!”