Jiang Chen returned home feeling dejected. He didn't go to Tang Hao's forge in the afternoon as usual.
Having been thoroughly beaten by Tang San that morning, the idea of crawling back to lick Tang San's boots was unbearable. He simply couldn't swallow his pride—unless Tang San came to apologize himself.
Without the blacksmith training, he decided to keep exercising by carrying the heavy stone mill for his afternoon run.
This time, he hoisted the stone mill up and down the mountain, sharply increasing his training intensity. After being soundly beaten by Tang San, his hunger for strength burned even fiercer.
While Jiang Chen was training, Jing Wuming sent good news through their soul connection: the target was finally narrowed down to the Martial Soul Hall.
Though Jing Wuming held a special status, uncovering the person who hired the assassin wasn't so easy. He didn't yet have the clearance to access certain archives.
Still, locking the target to the Martial Soul Hall was a significant breakthrough.
"The Martial Soul Hall? I never provoked them. Why would they want to kill me? They should be trying to recruit me, not assassinate me," Jiang Chen pondered, baffled.
This simply didn't fit the Martial Soul Hall's style—they should still be trying to win him over.
Suddenly, a name popped into his mind. "Su Yuntao... he must know something. After all, he helped me awaken my Martial Soul."
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen sent this thought to Jing Wuming, instructing him to focus the investigation on Su Yuntao.
Two more days passed before Jing Wuming returned with another lead, pinpointing Matthew Nuo and Sisi.
Jiang Chen recalled these two minor characters from the original story—one was the girl Su Yuntao pursued, the other a veteran master of the Martial Soul Hall in Noding City.
He couldn't fathom why either of them would want him dead.
Another day later, Jing Wuming finally uncovered the full truth behind why those two wanted Jiang Chen dead.
Early that morning, Jiang Chen summoned Jing Wuming to Saint Soul Village to hear the details firsthand.
Outside the village, by the riverside, the two stood facing each other.
"Master, Su Yuntao has been drowning his sorrows in wine these past days. From him, I learned he once passed your information to Matthew Nuo, hoping to relay it to the Pope's Hall. Shortly after, Matthew Nuo contacted our organization and hired us to kill you."
"Why would Matthew Nuo want to kill me? And what about that Sisi?" Jiang Chen asked.
"I used my soul technique to infiltrate Matthew Nuo's office, hiding there for a full day and night. I finally uncovered their secret."
At this, Jing Wuming's face flushed red.
Jiang Chen was puzzled. "Go on."
"Matthew Nuo, that old man, and the young lady Sisi have been secretly having an affair—engaging in illicit acts."
Jing Wuming seemed lost in the memory, even savoring it a little.
It had been like witnessing a live, close-range scandal. He nearly lost his cover while spying on them. For a young boy like him, the shock was immense.
Jiang Chen's jaw dropped in disbelief—Matthew Nuo was over eighty years old, while Sisi was barely in her twenties.
Their age gap was enough to make them grandfather and granddaughter, yet here they were, involved with each other.
And Su Yuntao, who had long pursued Sisi—how had he never suspected, never even been cuckolded?
"How long has this been going on?" Jiang Chen asked, intrigued.
"For over a month."
"And Su Yuntao? Did he know?"
Jing Wuming shook his head. "He was completely in the dark."
"Interesting," Jiang Chen chuckled. "So why kill me then?"
Jing Wuming organized his thoughts and revealed the deal between Matthew Nuo and Sisi.
Jiang Chen finally understood: Matthew Nuo wanted to kill him to seize the position of Martial Soul Hall Master in Noding City.
"Poor Yuntao," Jiang Chen shook his head with sympathy.
"Master, shall I take care of them?" Jing Wuming asked.
"No."
Jiang Chen's voice turned cold. "Killing them would be too easy. It's better to ruin their reputations and make them lose everything."
Jing Wuming nodded thoughtfully.
"Come with me to the village. I want you to meet someone."
Jiang Chen led Jing Wuming toward Saint Soul Village. Jing Wuming didn't ask questions—he simply obeyed.
At the village entrance, Jiang Chen told Jing Wuming to wait outside while he went in to fetch Tang San.
Tang San's Purple Extreme Demon Eye had seen everything clearly that day and naturally recognized Jing Wuming.
After a moment, Tang San came out, looking apologetic.
"Jiang Chen, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."
Seeing Tang San bow his head in apology, some of Jiang Chen's frustration melted away. He wasn't petty; Tang San's actions had been driven by concern for his father and Old Jack's safety.
After clearing things up, Jiang Chen escorted Jing Wuming out.
"After you return, spend more time with people your own age. Learn how to get along with others—don't always be so cold and distant, understand?"
Jing Wuming was momentarily stunned. Jiang Chen's words echoed almost exactly what his adoptive father used to tell him—both urging him to become more like an ordinary person.
In the past, his solitary nature had made him indifferent to his adoptive father's lectures, but now, Jiang Chen's command was something he had to obey.
"Yes, Master." He replied promptly, etching Jiang Chen's advice deeply into his heart.
"Don't call me 'Master' anymore. Call me 'Young Master' from now on." Jiang Chen said.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Good. Now you may go. Train hard. When I need you, I'll contact you."
Jing Wuming bowed and returned to Noding City.
Jiang Chen's life soon settled back into its peaceful rhythm: morning runs to build stamina, afternoons spent forging at Tang Hao's shop, and evenings dedicated to practicing cultivation techniques.
Since Tang San's apology, his attitude toward Jiang Chen had clearly improved—better than it was even before the misunderstanding.
Seeing Tang San's sincere regret, some of the frustration in Jiang Chen's heart began to dissipate.
After all, Tang San's actions were motivated by concern for Tang Hao and Old Jack's safety. Putting himself in Tang San's shoes, Jiang Chen understood he would have made the same choice.
As for seeking revenge against Matthew Nuo, Jiang Chen had yet to devise a solid plan.
But a gentleman's revenge is never too late. Once he returned to Noding City, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with Matthew Nuo.
Time quietly slipped by in this peaceful routine. The villagers of Saint Soul Village had gradually grown accustomed to Jiang Chen's extraordinary behavior, and the fear they once harbored toward him had faded away.
More than two months later, one clear night, the bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a hazy glow over the land. For once, Jiang Chen did not train.
The village was silent, everyone deep in their dreams. Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Tonight, he would absorb his very first soul ring and officially become a Soul Master.
He was deeply curious—after more than two months of training, with his current physical and mental strength, how far could he push himself? What kind of soul ring would he obtain?