Tang Wulin was a blacksmith.
As a child, he specifically learned blacksmithing to save up for a spirit soul. So naturally, he had a deep interest in anything metal-related.
Initially, when he came out with Xie Xie, Tang Wulin wasn't interested at all, nor did he have any particular expectations… at least, it should have been that way.
But the moment Tang Wulin touched one of the dolls in the store, he immediately noticed something unique—it was completely made of metal, and crafted using very advanced forging techniques!
If he could unravel the secrets behind it, Tang Wulin was sure that his forging skills would make a huge leap forward!
That's right—while Tang Wulin did think the dolls were beautiful, what he really cared about was the forging craftsmanship behind them. He was seeking a breakthrough for himself.
With such an opportunity placed right in front of him, how could Tang Wulin possibly turn it down?
He immediately intended to purchase it. Even though he was still young, he had saved up a small personal fund over the years through blacksmithing.
"This… this isn't allowed," the female store clerk said awkwardly. She had never encountered a child trying to buy this kind of thing before.
"Wulin, let it go. Let's just go back!" Even Xie Xie tried to pull Tang Wulin away, but how could his strength possibly overpower Tang Wulin's?
"Is it because it's too expensive?" Tang Wulin noticed the clerk's troubled expression and spoke with understanding. "If the whole thing is too pricey, can you sell it in parts? Just one hand would be fine!"
Even a small piece of the metal would greatly enhance his blacksmithing, or so he believed.
But those words sounded entirely different to everyone else. Xie Xie collapsed to the ground on the spot—he had never thought Tang Wulin could be this terrifying…
Even the female clerk was so shocked that she took several steps back, staring at the young boy in disbelief. She had seen many strange customers lately, but she hadn't expected one as horrifying as this—and so young, too!
If he grows up like this, what will he become?
No, I have to go get the boss!
With that thought, the clerk turned to leave—but Tang Wulin noticed and quickly grabbed her hand.
"Is a whole hand too much? Then just one finger! I can afford it!"
"Stay away from me ahhhhhhh—!!"
Every word out of Tang Wulin's mouth was more shocking than the last. The clerk completely broke down, collapsing to the floor and scrambling backward in a panic. Meanwhile, Xie Xie was looking at Tang Wulin as if he were a monster. This guy… is inhuman!
The commotion was growing louder. Just as it was about to hit a breaking point, a voice suddenly rang out, bringing everything to a halt.
Swish!
As the tense atmosphere continued between the three of them, the sound of the curtain being pulled aside echoed through the air—someone else had arrived.
But when Xie Xie and Tang Wulin turned around, what they saw was something they wished they could unsee for the rest of their lives…
Their squadmate, Liuying, was standing there, staring at them with a disgusted look in her eyes—as if they were some kind of unredeemable garbage. Being misunderstood by a girl for visiting this kind of place was bad enough. But even worse was what followed…
"You two sure have guts! Coming to a place like this?!"
A cold, icy-blue figure stepped in front of Liuying, face grim as he looked at Xie Xie and especially Tang Wulin!
It was their teacher—Wu Zhangkong.
"Go call your boss. I need to have a word with them."
The female clerk breathed a huge sigh of relief upon hearing this, nodded quickly, and ran straight to the back.
Tang Wulin, noticing her leave, actually looked disappointed—which made Wu Zhangkong's face darken even further. Especially when he felt Liuying behind him tighten her grip on his clothing, he just wanted to teach these two brats a lesson!
"Looks like I've been too soft with your training lately. You still have the energy to visit this kind of place? From now on, we'll increase the intensity!"
Wu Zhangkong moved Liuying behind him protectively, then drew his belt, which transformed into a long sword.
"But before that—even just stepping into a place like this is already wrong!"
If Xie Xie and Tang Wulin had gone to some other inappropriate place, Wu Zhangkong would have at least listened to their explanation first. After all, a teacher should understand the whole situation before passing judgment.
But this time was clearly different.
What was this place? Winterfire Hall!
Was this somewhere students of Eastsea Academy should be visiting? No matter what excuses they had, the very act of walking into this shop was already a mistake.
Which meant—they had to be punished!
"Ahhhh! Teacher Wu, please let us go!"
"We won't ever do it again! Aaaah!"
Agonized screams echoed from inside the store. Passersby on the street were drawn by the noise and stood outside pointing and murmuring—but no one dared to enter.
From the gaps in the black curtain, some of them could vaguely make out a teacher doing something unspeakable to his students, and could only sigh helplessly:
"Society is falling apart! Absolutely falling apart!"
---
Some time later.
"So, that's the reason you two came here?"
After listening to the two students' explanation, Wu Zhangkong sighed deeply. He then looked at the doll on the counter with some surprise.
Who would have thought that such an exquisitely crafted doll was actually made of rare metal? No wonder it had such a strong pull on Tang Wulin—and caused him to say such… shocking things.
"But my decision stands. When we return to the academy, you both will receive punishment."
When students make mistakes, it's the teacher's responsibility to discipline them and make them understand what's right and wrong. Wu Zhangkong understood the line between appropriate and inappropriate consequences.
Though this situation wasn't good, if word got out, it could seriously damage the students' reputations. Wu Zhangkong didn't want their futures ruined because of this, so he decided to cover it up and use extra training as punishment instead.
Just then, he heard light footsteps. He turned slightly to look toward the sound.
It was a young woman—pink hair, blue eyes, likely around twenty years old. So, she's the owner of Winterfire Hall?
"I deeply apologize. I didn't expect something like this to happen just now. It seems our efforts at secrecy weren't thorough enough."
"I'm Aisda, the owner of this store. Please keep what happened just now confidential—we're willing to offer compensation…"