Chapter 166 (1/2)

Chapter 166

Welcome Home

Lucas, Aslo and Chrissa decided to stay outside the city. The Majestic Sword Academy only allowed students inside the premises and Chu Shen wasn’t sure he could sneak the other three by. His ident.i.ty token given by the Majestic Sword Academy would let him by the formations but anyone else would need to receive a visitor's pa.s.s and Chu Shen knew he couldn’t get one of them until after he met his teacher.

Chu Shen walked up the mountain path. A large jade gate stood at the top of the path. Carved into the gate was these symbols, 雄伟剑学院. Translated, they meant Majestic Sword Academy. Two men clad in gold armor and equipped with spears stood guarding the gate.

Upon seeing Chu Shen, the guards became cautious. “Who goes there?” One of them called out.

Chu Shen bowed. “I am Chu Shen, a student of the Majestic Sword Academy.”

The guard had an unbelieving look on his face. “Why are you not in the academies uniform then?”

Chu Shen mentally berated himself for not thinking of something so simple but outwardly he was calm. “I’ve been traveling and my school uniform was destroyed. I do have my identification token though.”

He pulled it out and presented it to one of the guards. The guard studied it before nodding. “You may enter.” He gave a signal and the jade gate slowly swung open.

Chu Shen nodded at them before entering the academy. He found himself wandering past paG.o.da’s and huts, the familiar sites bringing him back. DingDongDing. The familiar sound of chimes rang out, the sound of cla.s.ses being released.

He decided he needed to see someone. The person Chu Shen wanted to meet was his master, Master Lang. Following his memories, he soon found his way to the forge where Master Lang taught him artificing.

Ding Ding Ding

The familiar ring of a hammer striking metal could be heard. Chu Shen approached the forge, smoke billowing out the chimney. Opening the door, a wave of heat slammed into him. He looked into the room.

A man stood there above the forge, his hammer striking down continuously on the red-hot metal in front of him. His bare upper body was caked in sweat. His hair was long and straggled, his beard had parts of it on fire.

It was his master.

Chu Shen approached the anvil and coughed to get his master’s attention. The hammer he was wielding paused midair. It was placed on the workbench beside him.

Master Lang spoke without turning around. “To disturb me while I work, do you truly wish to die.” The voice was filled with bitterness and anger.

Chu Shen was shocked at what his master had become. The sheer despair he could hear in his master’s voice caused tears to come to his eyes. “It’s me master. Your student, Chu Shen.”

Master Lang stiffened, like he had been hit by a cattle prod. Very slowly, he turned around. He saw Chu Shen. Chu Shen saw him. Both stood there, neither doing a thing.