Even though Tang Yue had now calmed down a lot, she kept thinking back to that lucid dream as she carefully hammered on a Mollium ore chunk.
Interrupting her thoughts, a familiar nasally voice sounded in her mind.
"Ahem. Ahem. I see that you have now become daring enough to distribute my teachings?"
Ha? Tang Yue blinked and stopped her actions immediately.
She thought that the old master was giving her silent treatment, but clearly, that had ended.
"Of course, you made me kiss and do weird things to her. Now I am just taking responsibility for those actions."
Tang Yue chuckled and answered nonchalantly, her words immediately shutting him up.
She knew that the old man was not really angry, otherwise, she wouldn't have been so casual.
"Hmph. Stupid little snake. At least tell her to not blabber it to others." The old man reminded her.
Tang Yue didn't respond to him and simply nodded.
But she then paused and asked him another question. "Do you think that my mother could still be alive?"
The old man didn't reply immediately. Instead, he was silent for a while before slowly answering.
"So you remembered it finally. Not bad, little snake."
"What do you mean?" Tang Yue stiffened.
"Your mother not only crippled you, but she also messed with your head so that you won't remember much."
Hmm… Tang Yue nodded. Now everything made sense to her.
No wonder that she had absolutely no clue about these things until recently.
"So do you think that she could still be alive?" Tang Yue asked again, determined to find out more about this incident.
"I don't know, little snake. I can't say for sure."
Tang Yue couldn't help but feel dejected on hearing that reply.
She had a small hope in her heart that the old man would know something more but now even that had been crushed.
The old man could sense her sadness but he heartlessly added. "If I were you, I wouldn't hope for much, little snake."
"Why?" Tang Yue bit her lips in frustration.
"A woman, who could be so cold and ruthless to her 5 years old daughter, means business."
"But she did it for my own good, right? I am sure she did everything to protect me." Tang Yue protested.
"That's precisely what I am trying to say."
"Someone who could cripple her own daughter, even if it is to protect her, would have only been crueler to herself."
"I wouldn't be surprised if your mother even killed herself in order to protect you and your secret."
"It looks like she loved you quite a bit."
Tang Yue was completely shocked after hearing the old man's brutal remarks.
Did her mother really kill herself in order to protect her? Why did it have to be so difficult?
She had just now calmed down but once again tears started spilling out of her eyes involuntarily.
Xander saw her silently standing in front of the anvil and crying and he was taken aback.
What the hell?
He quickly sprang towards Tang Yue, but once he was close to her, he had no idea what to do.
He wordlessly hugged her legs and just stood there silently.
What is troubling her so much? Is she crying because forging is difficult?
But Tang Yue was not a woman who cried for such trivial things.
Xander didn't know the reason but her helpless crying face was absolutely heart-wrenching to watch.
Even the old man felt sorry for her, but his words were merciless nonetheless.
"Settle down, little snake. You don't have the luxury to worry about the past."
"I said stated my theory. Your mother could still be alive for all I know."
"But the important thing here is to make sure that you are actually alive in order to find her. Is it not?"
Tang Yue blankly nodded like a small child.
"You possess a tremendous amount of power, child. That power brings along with it several horrendous monsters and demons."
"They will not let you live. They will cut you down with everything they have even if a small whiff of your existence spreads."
"You better hurry up and become stronger. Otherwise, you won't even live past the next lunar cycle."
Tang Yue wiped her tears. She understood logic and reasoning and she had already guessed as much.
So whatever the old man said didn't really scare her.
Since things have already progressed to such an extent, she had no other choice but to see everything through.
Ah… Tang Yue suddenly realized something and quickly asked again. "Why next lunar cycle? What is happening then?"
The old man didn't answer immediately. He paused awhile and then slowly spoke, word for word.
"My fate magic shows a lot of bloodshed and death. That's all I know. It's up to you to survive whatever is coming."
"Can you teach me this fate magic?" Tang Yue abruptly asked.
"Heh. Greedy, aren't we? It's impossible for you to learn that now. So don't think about that."
Tang Yue clicked her tongue in disappointment. It would have been nice to do this fate magic herself.
She also wanted to probe the old man for more details but she decided to do it later.
Tang Yue then wiped her face and was about to work again when she noticed the small bundle of warmth hugging her legs.
Did I cry too much? She chuckled wryly and revealed a small smile. "Where did you go? And when did you come back?"
Xander was relieved to see the smile back on her face and blabbered some nonsense cutely.
"By the way, do you remember anything now? Are your parents here somewhere?" Tang Yue suddenly asked him.
Fuck. Xander immediately started sweating. Was his jig up?
"Umm… No big sis. I don't remember anything."
He cheekily lied, but he was not sure if Tang Yue would continue believing him for much longer.
Tang Yue, however, simply smiled. "Don't worry about it too much. You can stay with me as long as you like."
She patted him and gave him some fruits to eat, before getting back to her training.
Xander nodded obediently and sat down in a corner, pretending to play with pebbles.
His eyes, of course, ever so often drifted in the direction of the young dwarven girl and his lips were subtly curved upwards.