Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan stepped into the elderly woman's home and quickly realized that her living conditions were far from good.
The house was modest, with only a bedroom, a main hall, and a kitchen-dining area. The furnishings were simple but very clean. Aside from a table, chairs, and a cabinet, the only notable object in the hall was an old-fashioned clock.
"Granny, what's your surname? Do you live here alone?" Jiang Nannan asked politely while Zhu Ziyang surveyed the room.
"My surname is Yang. I have a little granddaughter—she's asleep now," the old woman replied, as she rummaged through a cabinet.
"What about your son and daughter-in-law? Are they not at home?" Jiang Nannan asked without thinking.
"My son passed away. His wife followed soon after," the old woman said flatly, as if stating something completely unremarkable.
"Oh!" Jiang Nannan gasped, guilt washing over her. "I'm so sorry, Granny…"
"It's alright. I'm used to it," the woman replied with no emotion on her aged face. She was as expressionless as wood.
"Granny, what's the name of this village? It doesn't seem like many people live here," Zhu Ziyang asked, changing the subject.
"You likely haven't heard of it. Our village is called Zhangyang Village, under the jurisdiction of Viscount Nuoding of Hetian Town," she replied calmly. "The rest of the villagers have moved away."
"They moved away?" Jiang Nannan tilted her head in confusion. "Why did they leave?"
"If they didn't move, their children wouldn't be able to awaken their martial souls." For the first time, emotion crept into the old woman's voice—a blend of sorrow, helplessness, and resignation.
"Why?" Jiang Nannan was baffled. "Isn't there a Soul Master Association in Falan City?"
"Awakening a martial soul at the Soul Master Association costs fifty gold soul coins," Zhu Ziyang answered for her, his expression thoughtful.
He didn't need to say more. Jiang Nannan was smart enough to understand. Fifty gold coins—for a family in a tiny village like this—might be a lifetime of savings.
The Soul Master Association had been established by the three great empires after the fall of the Spirit Hall, taking over all soul master-related matters, including martial soul awakenings. Over the past ten thousand years, these associations had been overtaken by regional nobility—an undeniable setback for ordinary people.
Villages like Zhangyang were likely just one of many scattered across the empire, caught in this systemic inequality.
"You're right," the old woman said after a pause. "When the old Viscount was still alive, he would send soul masters every year to help children awaken their martial souls for free. But I haven't seen any from the Viscount's estate in over ten years."
"These days, families that don't want to sell themselves to the noble estate in order to get their children awakened have no choice but to move away. All that's left are the old folks who can't travel, and the children who haven't awakened... but what can we do…" she trailed off, as though a dam had burst, spilling her woes—only to stop abruptly. "I'm rambling now. Forgive me."
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan both fell silent.
He understood—this was the harsh reality of ordinary people in their era.
Martial soul awakening was now monopolized by the empire's nobility. Commoners had only two options:
Pay fifty gold soul coins to awaken a martial soul at the Soul Master Association.
Sell themselves into noble households as servants, where they'd at least be granted an awakening.
Apart from these, only a few kindhearted high-level soul masters, while traveling, might help a village's children awaken their martial souls—but such occurrences were rare.
Noblemen like Hong Zhen, the Lord of Anyang City, were exceptions—one in a million.
This was a time of rigid class divisions. The path to power for commoners had been all but blocked, leaving only narrow cracks that few could even reach, let alone pass through.
Zhu Ziyang suddenly felt like crying—but couldn't quite name the source of his sorrow.
The old woman eventually found a key in the cabinet and walked toward the locked bedroom, her voice low:
"You can sleep here tonight."
"Alright. Thank you for your hospitality," Zhu Ziyang replied. His face was calm, but his eyes were deep and unreadable.
"Please, come in," the woman said as she opened the door and lit an oil lamp.
They followed her into the room and were surprised to see how festive it looked: red bedding, red curtains, and the Chinese character for "double happiness" pasted on the vanity table.
Jiang Nannan blushed slightly at the sight.
"This was my son's wedding room. They only spent one night here before he was gone for good," the woman said, lighting a red candle. "I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. Thank you," Zhu Ziyang replied. He had a compassionate heart, but he wasn't one for hypocritical sentimentality.
"I won't keep you. Sleep well," the old woman said as she left the room, maintaining a respectful and distant demeanor. She clearly sensed the young guests were no ordinary travelers.
"Good night, Granny," Jiang Nannan said reflexively.
The old woman gently closed the door behind her.
"Let's get some rest. We have an early start tomorrow," Zhu Ziyang said.
"Mm," Jiang Nannan nodded. She folded the red bedding, set it aside, and pulled out their own travel blankets to sleep in.
The two lay down, fully clothed.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning
When Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan came out, they saw the old woman was already up. Standing beside her was a timid little girl, about four or five years old, stealing glances at them.
"Granny, you're up so early!" Jiang Nannan greeted with a smile. Then she turned to the child and waved warmly. "This must be your granddaughter—she's adorable!"
"I'm old. I don't sleep much," the woman replied. At the mention of her granddaughter, her expression softened with grandmotherly affection.
"Yes, Nannan, greet our guests."
"Hello," the little girl said shyly.
Jiang Nannan was surprised. She bent down and gently patted the girl's head.
"Your name is Nannan too? That's just like mine! I'm also called Nannan!"
"Really?!" the little girl beamed, looking up at Jiang Nannan with newfound fondness.
"Excuse me… guests…" the old woman began hesitantly.
"Granny, is there something we can help you with?" Zhu Ziyang asked, noticing her hesitation.
"Well…" She paused, clearly conflicted. Then, with a hopeful look in her eyes, she asked, "Are you two soul masters?"
"We are," Zhu Ziyang replied, already guessing what she was going to say.
"Oh, thank heavens!" she said, trembling with hope. Then she looked at Zhu Ziyang with pleading eyes.
"Could I ask a favor? If you ever pass through here again, could you awaken my granddaughter's martial soul?"
Just as Zhu Ziyang had predicted. He fell silent.
The woman grew more anxious, but didn't dare raise her voice. Afraid of offending him, she spoke even more humbly:
"She lost her parents when she was just one. I'm old… I won't be around forever. If she has a martial soul, she might stand a chance at life…"
"That's enough, Granny," Zhu Ziyang interrupted softly, his face calm.
The woman paled in fear, thinking she had offended him. Her lips trembled, unable to speak.
But what Zhu Ziyang said next stunned her.
"I promise you, Granny," he said. His tone was still calm, but his eyes shone with a different kind of light.
He too had come from a commoner family. He knew the struggle, and he felt compelled to act.
The old woman was overjoyed. She nearly knelt down in gratitude, but Jiang Nannan quickly stepped forward to stop her.
"Granny, I promise you—I'll return here next year. When I do, gather all the children of the village who are of age. I'll help them all awaken their martial souls," Zhu Ziyang said.
"Yes! Yes! Thank you, thank you!" the old woman cried. Even though it was just a simple promise, to her, it was everything—it was hope.
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan left Zhangyang Village that morning with heavy hearts.