"Who is that?" Zhao Ming felt a surge of dissatisfaction.
Xiao Wu also blushed, quickly breaking free from Zhao Ming's embrace.
Taking a closer look, she saw Tang San standing there, angrily wielding a heavy hamr, glaring at Zhao Ming with eyes that seed ready to spit fire, as if he wanted to smash Zhao Ming into the ground with a single blow.
Wow, that's quite the unique look.
In front of Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu was a blacksmith shop, with wide-open doors and windows designed to showcase the skills of the blacksmiths and attract passing custors.
Looking around, they saw various crafted iron tools hanging on the walls. This place offered not just farming implents but also armor and weapons. After all, in this world, soul masters were few and far between, and weapons were still necessary. Naturally, weapons fetched a much higher price than farm tools.
At this mont, Tang San stood bare-chested, sweat glistening on his forehead and body. His shirt was tied around his waist, and his expression was dark as he coldly stared at Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming suddenly recalled that in the original story, Tang San had to work as an apprentice in a blacksmith shop due to his family's poverty. He earned so money through hard work, and it was also where he honed his Spiral Hamr technique.
The primary inco for blacksmiths ca from selling weapons and armor to low-ranking soul masters and ordinary people, as soul masters were the wealthiest. It made sense for Tang San to be here, right in the middle of Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu's intimate mont.
"Tang San! What do you want?!" Seeing Tang San interrupt her mont with Zhao Ming, Xiao Wu was furious and marched toward him, stepping firmly on the workbench in front of him.
In Xiao Wu's eyes, Tang San was clearly looking for trouble.
Watching Xiao Wu approach, furious and ready to confront him, Tang San cald down.
His intention was never to ruin the relationship he had with Xiao Wu, but he simply couldn't bear to watch her be so close to Zhao Ming!
"Xiao Wu, I'm sorry; I didn't an it," Tang San said, trying to adopt a gentle tone.
"If it wasn't unintentional, then it was deliberate," Xiao Wu shot back, her eyes blazing with anger. "I think you're still upset about yesterday. Do you want to teach you a lesson again?"
"Xiao Wu, I didn't an it that way. I—" Tang San tried to explain, but his voice faltered.
"Hmph, I don't care! This afternoon, I will be waiting for you at the academy playground! I'm going to teach you a good lesson!" Xiao Wu declared, unabashed.
"I..." Tang San's expression turned bitter. He hadn't wanted to escalate things with Xiao Wu.
"What are you stamring about? Are you afraid? A big man afraid of a girl's duel? Coward," Xiao Wu taunted.
"I accept." Xiao Wu's words pierced Tang San's heart like a dagger, causing him deep pain. He gritted his teeth and agreed, realizing that if he didn't, Xiao Wu would likely keep pushing the issue.
He had just found this apprenticeship, and he didn't want his personal matters to interfere with the blacksmith's business.
Moreover, dueling with Xiao Wu might not be entirely bad. It could even help strengthen their bond.
It's ti, Zhao Ming thought.
"How about we call it off? Xiao Wu, I think Tang San didn't an any harm. We're all classmates; there's no need to make things so tense," Zhao Ming stepped in front of Xiao Wu, attempting to diate.
"Zhao Ming, you're too naive. Look at the way he's glaring at you; he clearly holds a grudge," Xiao Wu frowned and shook Zhao Ming's arm.
At that mont, Tang San's eyes burned with anger as he glared at Zhao Ming. He was furious that Zhao Ming's hand was resting on Xiao Wu's waist, nearly driving him insane.
"Tang San, what's wrong? You look a bit off," Zhao Ming feigned concern, his tone mocking.
"Hmph, what's it to you?" Tang San retorted coldly.
"See? You're helping him, yet he acts this way." Xiao Wu pouted, looking at Zhao Ming.
"Sigh, Tang San, I know I may have offended you on the first day of school, but I genuinely want us to be good friends. We're all classmates and dorm mates; there's no need to treat each other like enemies," Zhao Ming sighed and said.
"Friends? Who would want to be friends with you? Is it even possible for us to be friends?" Tang San shot back icily.
If it had been any other ti, Tang San might have kept his composure. But now, seeing Zhao Ming's hand on Xiao Wu and the way he was acting, he felt like his lungs were on fire, and he couldn't help but lash out.
"Hmph, Tang San, don't be so ungrateful!" Xiao Wu was furious at Tang San for disrespecting Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming was such a gentle person and, out of consideration for their shared status as classmates, didn't want to hold a grudge against Tang San. Yet here was Tang San, acting ungrateful and aggressive.
Xiao Wu had previously asked Wang Sheng and others about the feud between Zhao Ming and Tang San. On the first day of school, Zhao Ming had refused Tang San's teacher Grandmaster's request to take him as a disciple, which had led to the rift between them.
If it weren't for Zhao Ming's unwillingness to fight, would Tang San have been his opponent?
One was humble and generous, while the other was unreasonable.
One wanted to resolve the conflict, while the other sought confrontation.
The contrast was stark.
In truth, when Wang Sheng had inford Xiao Wu about this, he had painted Zhao Ming in a better light. One was a Grandmaster who couldn't even earn respect from them, while the other was soone they respected. Naturally, the narrative would favor Zhao Ming. But none of that mattered now.
"Xiao Wu, I..." He was at a loss for words, finally realizing Zhao Ming's intentions.
"Zhao Ming, let's go. Don't let this person ruin our mood," Xiao Wu said, pulling Zhao Ming along as they walked away, leaving Tang San with only their retreating backs.
Zhao Ming wrapped his arm around Xiao Wu's shoulders and gave Tang San a middle finger behind his back.
Tang San felt a surge of anger and, after a mont, let out a defeated sigh.
****
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