Chapter Five: The Sky Blue Crystal Hammer (Part Two)

After a moment of deep contemplation, Kuang Chi stepped forward once more to the front of the hammer’s handle.

Seeing his son glance his way again, Kuang Chi’s father chuckled and spoke with reassurance, “Don’t worry, Fatty. Just give it a try—there will be no problem at all. With this, no one will ever dare mock your left hand again. You won’t have to keep hiding it away.”

Kuang Chi nodded and gently removed the glove from his left hand. His left hand was nearly twice the size of his right, covered in slate-blue scales the size of thumbnails. The nails at the tips of his fingers were unnaturally sharp, resembling tiny daggers. Upon closer inspection, his left hand was strikingly similar to the dragon’s claw of his own battle dragon.

The Kuang family offspring gathered around couldn’t help but sink into thought. All those present were of the Kuang family, and they had all heard some rumor or another about Kuang Chi’s left hand. Now, seeing it themselves, they showed little surprise; in fact, many harbored a trace of envy. It was well known that the real reason the elders of the Martial Hall had chosen Kuang Chi as successor was because of his left hand. As for the exact reasons, it seemed that only Kuang Chi’s great-grandfather knew; even his grandfather knew little.

Kuang Chi quietly gripped the hammer’s handle. Its thickness was nearly equal to his right forearm, but in his left hand, it felt only slightly large. With a low shout, he lifted the nearly two-meter-long sky-blue crystalline octagonal hammer with surprising ease, almost tossing it behind him in the process, misjudging his own strength.

Amazed, Kuang Chi gave the hammer a few experimental swings. The dull, heavy wind it stirred made the surrounding onlookers retreat several steps.

His father, regaining his composure, burst out laughing, “Fatty, how does it feel? Much handier than your old whip, eh?”

Swinging the hammer, Kuang Chi nodded repeatedly. The weapon felt perfect in his grasp. Gazing at the massive hammerhead, nearly as large as his own body, he felt confident he could smash through a warship’s deck with a single blow.

This thought stirred in him a restless urge to find something suitable nearby to test the hammer on.

But his father, well aware of what was going through Kuang Chi’s mind, quickly intervened. This was a fortress, after all, and not even the Kuang family’s influence in the military would protect them if Kuang Chi caused damage here. If the empire’s rivals got wind of it, they’d slap him with the charge of sabotaging a fortress—a grave accusation, especially since Kuang Chi was already under suspicion.

His father hurried forward, gripping Kuang Chi’s arm with concern. He couldn’t risk his reckless son smashing something in the headquarters of the Third Legion of Sorren Fortress. With the hammer’s immense weight and Kuang Chi’s innate strength, even a single swing would utterly destroy the corridor's armor plating.

“Don’t try it here,” his father said urgently. “Wait until you’re on the battlefield.”

He quickly signaled Kuang Qingshan and the others to take the hammer from Kuang Chi’s hand.

Kuang Qingshan called over two men to lift the sky-blue crystalline hammer away.

Once the hammer was removed, Kuang Chi’s father stepped back, smiling. “That’s settled, then. I’m returning to Kuang War Star. Be careful here. Lie low in Sorren Fortress for ten years, then go teach that brat from the Haide family a lesson. Don’t keep chasing military merit—what use is so much merit to you?”

Clearly, his father believed Kuang Chi’s passion for battle was all for the sake of glory. Kuang Chi wanted to tell him the truth, but seeing so many people around, he held his tongue.

Before leaving, his father reminded him, “You’re the Kuang family heir. Military merits mean nothing to you, understand? Don’t kill too many people, or you’ll scare Zixia off.”

After a moment’s pause, his tone softened. “And as for that dark thing of yours—don’t use it unless it’s a matter of life and death. Understood?”

Kuang Chi nodded solemnly.

After his father’s warship took off, Kuang Chi called out excitedly to Kuang Qingshan, “Give it to me!”

But Kuang Qingshan shook his head, replying, “The High Steward said you’ll get the sky-blue crystalline hammer back once you’re on your ship. We can’t risk damaging anything in the fortress.”

Kuang Chi nearly exploded with frustration.

No sooner had he boarded his ship than he learned his squadron was to sortie for battle. The 78456 wasn’t even scheduled for a mission, but Kuang Chi didn’t care—he joined the attack force as they left the fortress.

Once inside the combat bay, Kuang Chi shouted to the two family members carrying the hammer, “Quick, give me the hammer!”

Only when Kuang Qingshan nodded did the two men bring the hammer to Kuang Chi.

Kuang Qingshan said, “Young Master, since this hammer is so heavy, from now on these two will be assigned to carry it for you.”

Kuang Chi shook his head immediately. “No need. I’ll carry it myself. It’s not that heavy.” As he spoke, he tossed the thousand-kilogram hammer lightly in his hand, making everyone nearby shudder.

Kuang Qingshan protested, “Young Master, this thing is enormous and weighs a ton. You shouldn’t be carrying it yourself. If the elders see this, they’ll say we’re not taking good care of you. These two will carry it for you from now on.” He shot a meaningful glance to the two men.

One quickly stepped forward. “Young Master, you’re our leader. How can you carry the hammer yourself? Please, let us handle it from now on.”

At last, Kuang Chi relented, looking at the three of them for a moment before saying, “Fine, you carry it then. It’s all because you’re afraid I’ll break something. You could’ve just said so.”

His words left Kuang Qingshan and the others feeling rather embarrassed.

Irritation. Frustration. Sigh.