"Xiao San: By the time you read this letter, I will have already gone. Don't look for me — you won't be able to find me.
Though you are still young, you are capable of taking care of yourself. A young eagle can only soar sooner if it spreads its own wings.
Don't worry about me. In your temperament, you've inherited much of your mother's sensitivity. Your father is a useless man. As you grow older, your father needs to go and reclaim some things that should have been mine all along. One day, father and son will meet again.
I hope that you become strong, yet I also don't want you to become strong. The path — you choose it yourself.
If one day you feel that the life of a Soul Master isn't for you, then return to Sacred Soul Village and become a blacksmith like me.
Don't worry about me.
Staring at the paper in his hands,
Father had left. Father, why did you have to leave?
Lao Jie Ke looked at Tang San's dazed expression and smiled bitterly. "That fellow Tang Hao left without the slightest warning. Just the day before yesterday I came to have him forge some farming tools. Now that he's gone, we'll have to find another blacksmith. That man — utterly irresponsible."
Tang San slowly came back to his senses. "Grandpa Jie Ke, are you saying my father only left in the last couple of days?"
Lao Jie Ke nodded. "It must have been just these past two days. Xiao San, don't be sad. He's not worth your grief. Come with me to my house."
Tang San silently shook his head. He carefully folded the piece of paper and tucked it inside his shirt, close to his chest.
"Thank you, Grandpa Jie Ke. The house is in such a mess, I won't keep you. I need to tidy up."
Lao Jie Ke blinked. He hadn't expected little Tang San to effectively show him the door. He sighed. "Very well. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to come find me." Shaking his head helplessly, he turned and walked out.
Once Lao Jie Ke was gone, the blacksmith shop held only Tang San and
Strangely, the usually lively and energetic Xiao Wu kept silent at this moment. She walked to Tang San's side and quietly helped him put things back in their places, scooping clean water from the bucket outside, helping him wipe the dust from every corner of the room.
……
Nuoding Junior Soul Academy.