Looking hesitant, Samuel asked, “Before that, I wanted to confirm, are you a valiant warrior?”

Zhu’s eyes narrowed as he replied, “Yeah, I am, so what?”

Looking as if he had given up, Samuel sighed, “So, if I remember, it went a little like when the warriors there take a new student, they give the student a gift. It was something because of old rituals, short lives in war, and passing down inheritances and stuff.

“More or less, they’d give their students stuff when they accept them. It is both as a sign of acceptance, and as a sign of a responsibility that the teacher will be the one accepting the responsibility to cut them down first when the situation calls for it.

“More than anything, you people in the north see it as a form of respect towards each other. Something about sowing and reaping karma. I don’t understand much, but I know that it’s something important.”

Zhu’s brow sank. Giving Samuel an icy glare, he said, “Then what? Want me to chop you? Get to the point.”

Samuel gave Zhu an odd look before shaking his head apologetically, “Leave it be. Forget I said anything. Dad was right. I shouldn’t have asked. Things must be hard on you as is. I shouldn’t make them harder. What I learn is also a type of gift. I’m fine with it.”

Zhu’s brow twitched. On one hand, he smelled a hint of provocation, while on the other, he felt himself to be in the wrong.

Looking at Samuel’s smile which seemed to hide dejection, he thought, ‘Does he think I don’t trust him enough to take him as a student and won’t teach him well? But I did promise I will. Guess he’s right this time. I should fulfil my duty as a teacher to the best on my end atleast.’

Meanwhile, being looked at by Zhu, Samuel was nervous inside as he thought, ‘Will this old man take the bait? He won’t be a stingy prick, right?’

Coughing, Zhu said, “Well, you’re right. Since I’m taking you as—you both as students, let’s get this ritual out of the way. Say, what do you want?”

Hesitant, Zack didn’t reply, keeping his silence.

On the other hand, looking remorseful, Samuel said, “Teacher, before that, I need to tell you something.”

Without giving Zhu any time to respond, he continued, “There’s a local blacksmith here in the village. Not too long ago, I asked him to make a sword for me. But… the material I gave him was too high quality, and he wasn’t able to make it.

“Instead, the material turned out to be simply too hard and his tools broke down. Looking at his tools which broke because of my negligence, I felt ashamed. It was my fault for giving him that material.

“You must know that to us warriors, our weapons are like our companions, our brothers and sisters, our family. And losing even one is painful enough, not to mention that the blacksmith… he lost four of them. All because of me.

“That man… he direly needs those tools so he can earn money to bring food to the table. But now, he can’t. All because of me.

“And I? I just can’t watch him go hungry like this! If a smith lost his hammer, how will he work then? So didn’t I indirectly starve him to death? Didn’t I cause his family to starve to death? Didn’t I cause their friends and relatives to feel pain? Just thinking about it hurts me deeply.

“So I wanted to pay him back. To repay the cost of his broken tools. But as you see, I don’t have a bronze to my name. Even the clothes I’m wearing, I didn’t buy them. My parents gave them to me. That already makes me ashamed enough and I can’t bear to ask them for anything more. Otherwise, would I even be worthy of being a son?

“But if I don’t, just where will I get the money to pay him back? Even if I can grow up and earn a lot, it wouldn’t matter. The man would’ve starved to death long before that.

“Not only that, every time I would eat, sleep or even look at a weapon, it would remind me of that poor man who used to make weapons for a living. But all because of me, he died an untimely death. Not only would it scar me for life, it would even affect my upcoming training.

“So, teacher, I ask you. Instead of giving me anything, can you just help me pay him enough to replace his tools? Don’t worry, it won’t cost much. Just a coin or two. It’ll just be a pocket change for you.”

The more he spoke, the more his words moved him. His voice grew hoarser, a deep sense of remorse and guilt overtaking his emotions. Inwardly, he nodded in satisfaction.

Looking at Samuel say all this, paired with his eyes revealing his sorrow, he thought, ‘This kid, he really isn’t bad. He knows he should repent the mistakes he made and would do anything for that. His character isn’t as bad as I thought it to be. Seems I judged him a little too early.’

Zhu nodded with approval as he said, “Not bad. A true expert has not only strength, but also a noble heart. Fine, I’ll help you settle this matter. At most, it will be a pocket change. I’ll help you out. Take this as my gift to you for taking you as a student.”

An excited smile flashed on Samuel’s face as he asked hurriedly, “Really?”

Zhu nodded, giving off a solemn, sagely air.

Feeling excited, Samuel asked, “Can we go right now?”

Zhu nodded before saying, “William, let’s go, get this kid’s matters settled and prepare to leave. As for you, Zack, was it? You should also get ready as well. We’ll be leaving in at most three hours. If there’s someone you want to say goodbyes to or resolve some issues like this one, just get it over with.”

Looking up at Zhu, Zack nodded.

Accompanying the three partway up the mountain, Zack separated, walking his own way.

Meanwhile, Samuel and the two men arrived before a small hut at the edge of the village. The hut’s chimney kept spewing out black smoke as the periodic sounds of metal ringing against each other rang out, filling the air.

Samuel walked to the front, knocking on the door twice before walking back, coming to stand behind Zhu and William with a solemn expression.

However, beneath his mask of solemnness, his eyes glowed with a crafty light, anticipating the show about to commence.