God Of Forges Chapter 2: Smith's Pride

What no one saw coming was Xiao Jian’s immense, law-defying talent. He began mixing his physical training with Dou Qi training, two elements that worked in harmony with one another. Before long, he grew stronger and stronger - his gifts coming into full bloom. In a single year, he leapt from not even having started his Dou Qi training to Dou Disciple 5th Stage. That kind of growth blew everyone away and suddenly all of the ridicule evaporated into thin air. 

In the following year, he was a greater beneficiary of the clan’s resources and reached the ninth stage of Dou Disciple. By his tenth birthday, he was a full-fledged Dou Practitioner. His fame spread out beyond the Wu Tan City and across the Jia Ma Empire as a genius among geniuses. At this point, he was untouchable within the Xiao Clan and many outside forces were looking to recruit him with lucrative deals such as Jia Nan Academy.

By then, his appearance had glowed up subsantially as he was now taller than every boy his age and a good deal of his fat had turned into muscle. In every way imagineable, he was a more desirable prospect. The red skin had even become less of an eyesore and more of a matter of exotic taste.

“It is time to determine your attribute, Jian’er.” Xiao Zhan stroked his beard, presenting a crystal ball to him. “Though you are six years early, the Xiao Clan agreed that keeping you behind would be a waste of your talents and have granted you the right to choose a Qi Method from the Qi Method Pavillion that suits your attribute.”

“Alright.” 

Xiao Jian nodded, excitedly. He was praying for fire. Having seen another coming-of-age ceremony, he knew exactly how it worked. He put his hand on the crystal ball and let his Dou Qi surge. Suddenly, it burst into a ball of flame - almost like an explosion. This fireball swirled, filling the crystall ball. Then, gold rushed from its centre and filled the crystal ball, merging with the fire. The two danced in perfect harmony, creating a yin-yang symbol of radiant gold and crimson flames.

Xiao Zhan watched with eyes as wide as the wilderness. He didn’t know what to make of this. Someone possessing such a strong affinity for two elements was simply unheard of. As such, there wasn’t a Qi Method that even faciliated such an anomaly. 

By the time he left his hand, the crystal ball looked entirely different, as if it were pure gold containing molten fire. This appearance faded very slowly, his dou qi having left quite the imprint.

“So…” Xiao Jian broke the silence, looking just as surprised. This was, no doubt, another one of his blessings. “I can pick between gold and fire?”

“Yes… we do not possess any Qi Method that compliments two attributes. I doubt there’s even one in the entire Dou Mainland.” He let out a happy sigh, patting Xiao Jian’s shoulder. “Your talent is simply too great and extraordinary, Jian’er. For the Xiao Clan, the Nalan Clan, for even the Jia Ma Empire. One day, your name will shake the entire Dou Mainland.”

“Mhm.” Xiao Jian nodded, having already set his sights on becoming the world’s greatest smith. “I’ll take a fire Qi Method, then.”

The best fire Qi Method the Xiao Clan possessed was the Incinerating Flame, which was ranked High Yellow. Naturally, Xiao Zhan ensured that his son got it. From there, he entertained exploring his options - mainly the Jia Nan Academy. He'd definitely get access to a better selection of Dou Qi methods and techniques. Even better, after graduation, he would be free to do what his heart desired.

He wasn't really fond of devoting himself to one single place for his entire life, so pretty much every sect was a no-no. At heart, he truly wanted to explore the world with complete freedom! He could go wherever, do whatever and find his way in this giant world. By travelling the world, he’d gain access to richer metals, beast parts, gain a more prominent reputation by selling his goods world-wide and get to see places outside of this little corner of the continent.

Xiao Jian, in the end, decided to give it a year before making such a big decision. As for what he was intending on doing for the entire year… it was time for smithing!

No more school, no more homework, no more chores… he could focus entirely on his dream.

The following year would breeze by, with Xiao Jian forging hundreds of weapons, tools and armours. He'd sell a good number of them, earning the reputation of someone who forged reliable goods. His skills were practically magical, improving steadily without much guidance except for his own experience and trial and error. Even the Xiao Clan’s guards had all been armed with his creations, making them the best armed in the entire city!

He spent near every waking moment in his forge. He slept there, he ate there, trained there and meditated there. From time to time, he'd go out for some cardio or to sell stuff and grab something he needed… but, other than the occasional distraction, he was there 24/7. 

At the peak of his powers, he was a four-star Dou Practitioner and, unofficially, a two-star smith.

…

“This is the one…” Xiao Jian sharpened his latest project, a fresh sword, against a whetstone. “This is the one… this is the one… this-”

“Is Brother Xiao Jian okay?”

The sudden voice caught him off guard, making Xiao Jian jump and make a small cut on his hand as a result. He looked back, seeing Xiao Xun Er in a beautiful dress that didn't fit his home at all.

They weren't ever all that close until he started putting in that work. Since then, he noticed her watching him - time and time again. Though, Dennis hadn't made any effort to make any friends, she'd often go out of her way to talk to him/

“... Yeah, I was just about to finish up my new sword.” Xiao Jian stood up and glanced at his cut. It was the equivalent of a paper cut to him. “What brings you here?”

“Can I see it?”

“It's not finished yet-”

Before he could blink, she flashed forward and took it - giving the sword a few swings. Her hand traced the blade’s edge. 

“This is high quality.” She turned back to him. “You know, if Brother Xiao Jian worked on making his weapons prettier, they would sell for way more.” 

“I don't care about making pretty stuff right now.” Xiao Jian shook his head. “What matters is the quality of the blade. A sword’s worth is in how well it cuts things… the rest can come after.”

“This one managed to cut Brother Xiao Jian.” She added, her expression changing to a caring one once she noticed the small drop of blood. “It's not too big of a cut, is it?”

“No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.” He scratched his hair. “Can I have my sword back?”

“Sure.” She returned it to him, stepping back as she caught a whiff of his overbearing odour. She raised a jestful eyebrow. “Have you heard of baths, Brother Xiao Jian?”

“... What’s the point of taking one if I’ll just get dirty again?” Xiao Jian looked sideways. He nudged his head slightly to get a smell of himself. He had smelt worse, for sure. “Besides, who’s the one who came here completely uninvited? I didn’t think I’d be getting a visitor…”

“Why are you always so unfriendly?” Xiao Xun questioned, tilting her head slightly as she held her hands behind her back. “I don’t think you have a single friend in the entire city, let alone the Xiao Clan.”

“And why should I?” Xiao Jian countered, shaking his head. “Now that I’m some kind of genius by their definition, they pretend to like me. I hate that… more than them openly disliking me as some weird red-skinned abomination. At least they were honest then.”

“I don’t see you that way.”

Xiao Jian blinked as Xiao Xun confessed. He didn’t know what to say to that.

“Brother Xiao Jian is the most hardworking person I’ve ever met. Even though he’s really strong and talented, he is never overbearing to those weaker than him. He’s charitable, supporting the Xiao Clan’s guards and struggling merchants with gold. He even got them all fresh armour and weapons for free. He’s also kind and honest, helping the people around him when he can and always so open… like a book.”

“Perhaps that’s the thing I like the most about you. You never act like someone you’re not. As for the red skin… I think it’s pretty and special only to you. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

“... Well.” Dennis almost blushed, feeling awkward. He didn’t remember the last time he got a real compliment that wasn’t related to his ‘genius’. “Thank you, Sister Xiao Xun Er. I appreciate your words.”

“Then… can Brother Xiao Jian take a few requests from me?” She smiled all too charmingly. “I heard you were the best smith in the Wu Tan City already. I’ll pay full price for the materials and work necessary, of course, and more if your craftsmanship impresses me.”

“... Oh?” Dennis liked the sound of that deal. “Sure, I’ll do my best to meet your expectations and beyond, Sister Xiao Xun Er.”

“First, I’d like something to keep off the summer heat. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Like a bracelet…?” He stroked his chin. “Or a necklace? With some Ice Silver, it would be pretty easy. Buuut, if you’re paying for the materials… I could try getting an ice or water attribute monster core to make it far more effective. Even in the warmest of summers, you’ll be as cool as ever. Maybe it’ll be a bit too cold, if it’s an ice attribute monster core… especially if it were higher than level one…”

Xiao Xun giggled, breaking his train of thought.

“What?” He blinked. “Did I talk too much? If so…”

“No, I’m just not to used to seeing you this way, is all. Your passion for smithing really is one of a kind. It’s no wonder you became the best in barely a year.”

“Well, yeah… it’s my favourite pastime. The life I want to live. Not because of the money or anything, but because it’s the thing I love doing the most. I want to forge the best weapons, armour and tools the world has ever seen.”

He also wanted to carry on his father’s legacy, though that’s the one thing he couldn’t entirely be honest about. 

“I didn’t think you were that ambitious.” 

“I might never get there…” Dennis shrugged. “But I’ll sure as hell give my dream all I have.”

“I believe you will.” Xiao Xun looked into the fire in his left eye, nodding earnestly. 

“One step at a time.” Dennis’ eyes lit up. “By the way, how much money do you have to spend?”

“It shouldn’t be much of an issue, Brother Xiao Jian… I’ll give as much as you need.”

‘How rich is she?’ Dennis blinked in bewilderment. Though, he saw this as an opportunity to stretch his own limits. “Alright, then. What do you want me to make first?”

“I like the sound of a necklace.” She looked at him and then at his various creations. “Though, it can’t be plain like all the other stuff you make. Appearances are important for girls, you know? The necklace has to be really, really, pretty.”

“No worries; I’ll make the prettiest necklace you’ve ever seen!” 

Xiao Jian took on the challenge ecstatically, his left eye glowing like a golden sun of pure flame. When he made stuff for himself, the quality didn’t matter as much… but when he made stuff for others, especially a commission, it had to be the best work possible; that’s the Smith family’s way!

Though Xiao Xun Er initially doubted his ability to forge pretty jewellery and simply wanted to test him, he proved her all too wrong.

He’d spend days sourcing all the necessary items before forging a couple of tests with lesser materials. After all, he wanted to get the shape and look just right. After three weeks of restless preparation (more so training), where he worked on forging smaller gemstones, he was ready to cook the main dish. He had bought only one ice attribute monster core of the first level, so he had to be particularly careful. Though… this was not his first time working with such monster cores. He shaped it to his desired shape and look within a few days, merging it with blue-coloured gemstones, Ice Silver and a bit of gold. 

After nearly a month, he presented the finished product to Xiao Xun Er.

“Wooow.” 

Her eyes sparkled as she gently took the necklace from him and rested it in her palm. The crescent-shaped Ice Silver frame thinned out to the end, completing a circle. Due to the crescent shape, there was a blue sphere in the middle, which looked like the moon. Within this sphere was the monster core, its coldness spreading out to her entire body. It was the perfect temperature for the hot summer, especially the boiling hot forge in which Xiao Jian worked. The Ice Silver frame itself was engraved with blue gemstones and gold - shaped into tiny little roses, flowers and little moons. 

“It’s beautiful.” She gently touched the cold moon in the middle, which was smooth as silk. “You’re right; it is the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.”

“You think so?” Dennis smiled, scratching his hair. “Well, I did put a lot of work into it… I’m the kind of person to take commissions seriously.”

‘A pleased customer is more than likely a returning one.’ Xiao Jian remembered his father’s teachings all too well.

“I can tell.” Xiao Xun smiled sweetly. “It looks like Brother Xiao Jian can forge pretty things, after all.”

“Well, it was something new to me, so I had to practice a bit to get some things right. Like those little blue roses? Those required such meticulous craftsmanship… I had to make sure the cuts were perfect. With my big hands, it wasn’t easy.” 

“I could imagine.” She chuckled, presenting the necklace to him. “It would be easier if you put it on me, Brother Xiao Jian.”

“Sure thing.”

He undid the chain while she presented her back to him, holding her hair out of the way. He’d wrap it around her neck, closing the chain once more. It was a bit large, giving room for her to grow into it. While he was there, he caught her scent and felt enamoured for a brief second. After retreating, he looked completely composed.

“All done.”

Xiao Xun spun around like a princess, her dress swaying with her. 

“Well, how do I look?” She tilted her head slightly.

“The necklace fits,” Dennis said, speaking his thoughts. “It won’t ever look misplaced with your pale green and blue dresses. Also, it should keep you cool even in a hot summer… unless you go to a volcano or something.”

“Thank you so much, Brother Xiao Jian.” She did well to hide her disappointment. She was expecting him to say a little more… from what she knew, he had never once complimented a girl for her looks. “Your wife in the future will be a very lucky woman.”

“I don’t think I’m getting married anytime soon… or ever, really.”  Dennis shrugged densely. “I’m not really all that much of a romantic. I’d prefer spending time in the forge.”

“Dou Qi mainland is so vast, and someone as brilliant as Brother Xiao Jian is bound to find the right person for him.” She countered, clapping her hands. “Soo… how much did it cost you to make?”

“About 1700 gold… a good part of it was the ice attribute monster core, which is rarer than the common elements.” He told exactly how much it cost him. “Though, admittedly, I used more money than necessary using spare gems for training.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She said cheerfully, putting up ten fingers. “I’ll give you 10,000 gold for this necklace.”

“Ah… isn’t that a bit much?” He scratched his hair. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“No, no… it’s perfectly fine. I insist on rewarding you for all of your hard work.”

“... Thank you.” He looked at the girl, getting a strange feeling he couldn’t quite put his finger on. This was the first time someone outside of his father truly supported him. “I won’t waste any of it.”

“I know you won’t.”