by Mike Han
Seething in anger, I replied, “I promise my master, Elder Hao that I would not teach his skills without his express approval. I will not betray his trust, even for my life.” Honestly, this was the first time I encountered the threat of death in this virtual world. I wondered what would happen if I died. Will I respawn or will I be expulse from this world or I have to recreate a new character? I really got no idea but I wish I could stay in this world as my current self. Also if training was so realistically arduous to me and the muscle fatigue was so painful, I do not want to experience the pain of real death, especially under a sharp blade.
Shaking his head in mock sympathy, Wu mocked, “Oh, such dignity from the young disciple of Balance Sect. I am sure Elder Hao would grieve at your passing. Maybe I will just keep you alive and send him parts of your body each year for him to commensurate you? By then he would probably have a new disciple. Why be so stubborn over such trivial stuffs? Spare yourself the pain.”
Ignoring his taunts, I plead with him again, “Again I would ask you to let this vagrant go. He knew not what happen and could not say anything. I am sure he would also keep quiet of what happen here. Let him go, I plead with you.”
“Alright, would his life be worth exchanging for you teaching me?”
Knowing that it would be useless to plead again, I turned to the old vagrant and apologize to him, “Old man, I am so sorry that I had involved you in this matter. I doubt that we would be able to leave here alive. If there is an afterlife, I would repay you for this mishap.”
Surprisingly, the old vagrant did not reproach me, “Young man, do not blame yourself. What is this life, but a prolog to the next? I laud your efforts in trying to save me. It had been a long time since someone had given so much value to my life. Do what you need to do. Do not be concerned with my well-being.”
Giving him a grateful smile, I turned back to Wu, “Wu, enough of this. You and your master with these people had been attacking the other schools and sects. You even tried to kidnap my friends from Lotus School as well as Yu’Er. These evil-doings will stop now. Even though I might not be able to subdue you, at least now words will get out of your doings.”
Wu smirked again, “What? You mean your Balance Sect? I doubt you guys can do much. We have plans but enough of that. Time to take my souvenirs.” With that, he strode casually towards me, his sword-knife at the ready.
Though I had foiled his attacks the last two times, I knew that it was due to the element of surprise and his underestimation of me. I would of course give an accounting of myself to the best of my abilities, but I knew well the huge difference between his skills and mine. Would I be able to escape? Though chance is slim, I would not leave the old vagrant to die at their hands while I escaped with my life, knowing that it was my fault that he was involved in this. I had no choice but to try and fight it out with Wu.
With my brain running out of ideas on how to get out of the situation, I almost missed the attack Wu launched. Confident of his skills, he took a broad step forward nonchalantly and swung a powerful right-handed sword-knife blow towards my abdomen. Contrary to popular conception, midriff attacks were not as easy to avoid. If I tried to block the powerful blow, my sword might not be able to stop the attack entirely. If I tried to dodge, I might not be able to escape the reach of his weapon. If I tried to turn aside his weapon, I might be off-balance to his follow-up attacks. Out of choices, I decide to go for a suicide move ploy; ignoring his incoming blow, I stepped into his attack, my sword tip stabbing towards his throat. By going for this move, if he risked continuing his attack, he would suffer a fatal strike; if he chose to retreat, I would escape from his attack.
A grin flashed across his face; as if he was expecting such a move from me, and I felt a surge of panic in my chest. His left hand shot up and grabbed my blade, stopping it an inch from his throat, and it was then that I noticed that he was wearing a steel gauntlet on his left hand.
“You are skilled but still a novice, young sword master. Go back to your master and beg him for more lessons. But you have to learn using your legs. Now my souvenir of your hands.” Wu laughed loudly.
A grimace on my face as I awaited the pain from losing my arms, when a loud “clang” was heard in the temple and Wu leaped backwards away from me, releasing his grip on my blade. His sword-knife had been torn from his grip and lay on the floor. It was then I noticed a small round dent at the mid of the sword-knife’s blade.
Pale-faced, Wu gazed around and shouted, “Who is it that interfere?” Hearing no replies, he turned at the rest of his gang and shouted at them, “All of you attack now!”
Before they could move, flashes of spark appeared on their blades, as each was torn from their grasp by attacks so fast that no one could see where they were coming from, except Wu, who was now staring horrendously at the vagrant behind me.
Glancing behind me, I saw that the old vagrant was seated casually behind me, propped up by his left elbow, while his right hand was flickering so fast that I could barely observe his actions. He would grab something from the small bag at his waist, bring up his hand, flicked at the attackers before repeating his actions, till all the weapons were disarmed from them. It was then when he stopped that I noticed that he had a rock like pellet between his fingers, ready to flick out.
“Vagrant Feng Ren!” Wu muttered unbelievingly. “Why do you interfere with matters of the martial world?”
“My, my. You seem so forgetful now, my dear Wu. Who was it a moment ago that mentioned about killing an old pitiful me that was lying here innocently in this temple, totally not involved in this conflict of yours?” Vagrant Feng grinned at Wu. “Furthermore, even though I do not concern myself with matters of the martial world, it does not mean that I do not take care of my friends. My young sword master friend here seem to be in some kind of trouble with you. A friend in need is a friend indeed. My reputation will be ruined if people know that I let a friend of mine be tortured while I stand here and do nothing. Won’t you say that be true, Mr Wu?”
Wu muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.
“Speak up, Mr Wu. I am old and can’t hear you.”
“Yes, you are right, Mr Feng Ren. I did not recognize you when I entered the temple. Please forgive me. I also did not know that he is your friend or would never have dare to offend him. I apologize to the young sword master. Can I and my men leave now?” Wu replied fearfully.
“Someone mentioned about keeping a souvenir. That sounds very interesting. Maybe I should start collecting souvenir as well? At least it would keep people away from me.” Vagrant Feng laughed sarcastically, while Wu and his gang started to look frightened. “Leave now! Before I really decided to take your hands as souvenir!” Feng shouted suddenly at them.
With a rush, Wu and the rest fled out of the temple, but not before Wu turned with a hateful glare at me, as if promising he would someday take vengeance on me for the shame he suffered today. Kind of ironical that he would suffer double shame from losing to my master Elder Hao and today to me, though it was not really me who ran him off. I grinned darkly to myself.
“Looked like you make a life-long enemy for yourself today.” With a start, I realized that vagrant Feng was talking to me.
“Many thanks for saving my life and limbs, Mister Feng Ren. I apologized for not recognizing you. I am Jun and had only just graduated from Balance Sect.” As I expressed my gratitude to vagrant Feng.
Feng Ren chortled with amusement, “The reason I retired is to distance myself from the affairs of the martial world. But this is really the first time that I found someone who really did not know who I am or want something from me. Tell me, young Jun, why does that Wu seem to hate you so much?”
I had then spend much of the time telling my story to vagrant Feng. In the midst of my telling, I took out my rations and shared it with him when I heard his stomach growling. I was truly amazed when he finished what would have been two days portion of dried ration.
He stopped me when
my story reached the point where Shi Ting and Wu appeared at the camp. “So you are guessing that Imperial School and the black attired men are associated or even possible that they are working together?”
“Yes. Everything point towards them knowing and working with each other. The problem was that we did not have the chance to interrogate them.” I answered him.
“You know, you could have ask me to help you captured them just now to question them on their infernal plot.”
“Yes I could have, Mr Feng, but you had said that you have chosen to retire from martial world and not interfere with the conflicts. How can I then ask you to do just that? Furthermore, though you are highly skilled, sir, I still do not wish to get you into trouble with them?” I replied honestly.
Feng chuckled, “Elder Hao had really taken in a good disciple.” He paused for a moment and looked at me meaningfully for a moment before continuing, “Do you wish to learn my skills? I am alright with sharing disciple with Hao. Also, though I am not from a reputable sect, I am still highly renowned.”
I shook my head in reply, “Thanks for your offer but I still have more to learn from Elder Hao. I would appear to be greedy to want you to be my master as well. But Mr Feng, how did you know that Elder Hao is my master?”
“Kind, sensible and not greedy. I wished there are more of your kinds around, then this martial world would not have so much conflicts and sadness.” He sighed as if in sad remembrance of some past events. “Your Chasing Shadow move when countering Wu’ attack was brilliant and I remember that move when I duel with your master years back.” He grinned wickedly at me, “Your master used that same move on me, but if I compared both attacks; to be honest, you need more practice and guidance if you want to be a master in Chasing Shadow sword like your master.”
“Yes, Elder Hao also felt that way. That was the main reason he sent me out, to learn more and gained experience. But wow, was my master so hot-headed when he was young. Why was he dueling with everyone?” I mentioned in wonder.
He snorted with amusement, “Don’t be fooled by his kind elderly look now. He was like a thunder god coming down on justice on every wrongs. But he was a good man and I enjoyed those time we duel together. I would say those duel helped us to develop our skills better now. Your foundation is good and I could see that you have received good guidance from your master. But don’t be arrogant and work hard or else you will never be as strong as your master.”
“Thanks for your advice, Mr Feng.” I looked around and saw that dawn had arrived. “Would you be needing an escort anywhere, Mr Feng? I should be heading back to Canyon Town to look for Yu’Er and Will or they will worry for me. Would you like to come along with me?”
“No, but I think I will accompany you for the time being. Believe me, that Butler Wu would have assigned people to follow you and once I am not around, I am sure they will attempt to attack you again. Don’t worry about causing troubles for me, I do enjoy spending time with youngster like you. Since you don’t want to take me as master, why don’t I teach you this small skill I used just now for us to pass time while travelling? It is no great skill. I mainly used it to keep stray dogs from bothering me.”
I agreed happily. Even though he claimed that it was no great skill, the fact that it could disarm Wu and his bunch of henchmen was no small feat. As we left the temple, we began our slow trek back towards Canyon Town.
Chapter Eleven
As we set off from the temple, Feng began by testing my inner technique. He concluded that the Calmness of the Lake technique, though useful for strengthening muscles and internal power for Balance Sect skillsets, it would not be able to maximize the power of the flickering technique that he wanted to teach me. When we took a break from the trek, he began to instruct me in a new inner technique.
Ding! You have comprehend the inner energy technique Turbulent Waves.
Feng explained that he developed this inner so that the internal power can be used explosively with an action. Whereas the Balance Sect inner allowed the practitioner to ease the follow of internal energy to the limbs and core for strength and agility, this Turbulent Waves technique allowed him to push his energy to the extremities and release it in a burst. Once I showed progress with the inner, he began teaching me the flickering skill.
Ding! You have comprehend the skill technique Finger Striking, unique martial world skill. The finger technique is a type of range combat skill that uses pellets to wound or kill your opponents. Can only be used with Turbulent Waves inner for the explosive internal power.
My first few attempts were comical as I could hit everything but my targets. Even standing beside me did not guarantee safety from my flickering and Feng started to stand behind me, after a few close shaves from misfires. Luckily Feng was patient and continued to give me pointers. By the time we hit Canyon Town, he was pleased with the progress I made with the inner and finger skill.
“You have done really well, Jun. It is really too bad that you are not my disciple, if not with your aptitude, you could learnt all my skills.” Feng smiled, pleased with himself. “Remember to keep practicing, not only what I taught but what Elder Hao had imparted to you. It is time for us to part company.”
I was alarmed by this sudden departure. “Why, Mr Feng? You can join us. I am sure Elder Hao will be pleased to meet an old acquaintance. And I would love to have your company too.”
“I know you are kind and want to spend more time with me but I had long ago decided to avoid any conflicts in the martial world. If I am seen going to Balance Sect, there will be rumors that I am back involving myself. I would like to avoid that if possible. Don’t worry, Jun, I am sure we will see each other again.” He patted my shoulder in comfort. After a few steps he suddenly turned back and spoke quietly into my ears. “If you ever need help, come to the temple you found me. I will be there. If I am not, leave a note under the stone figurine on where to find you and I will look for you. Take care, Jun, I am happy to have known you.” With a quick step and leap, he was gone from sight, before I could reply.
Though saddened by his departure, since reaching Canyon Town, I had been anxious in finding Yu’Er and Will, and so I quickly made my way to Lotus School, guessing that they would be there if I had to turn up at the ruins.
The moment I was brought into the main hall by one of the Lotus School disciples, I was besieged by angry shouts of concern from Will and everyone. “Where have you been?” “Everyone was worried for you!” “Are you alright?” “What happened?” it goes on. But before I could answer anyone, a shadow flew across the hall and I was suddenly holding someone in my arms. It was Yu’Er. As she lifted her head from my shoulder, she was suddenly aware of everyone gaze and hidden smile. Embarrassed, she pushed me away and said angrily, “Where were you? You were supposed to meet us at the ruins!”
Confused with her concern and sudden outburst, I stammered, “I tried to but there were too many of them. I also didn’t want them to follow you. So I lead them away to the north.”
“North? What is in the north?” Everyone was confused with my answer. “Wait, everyone. I am sure you all are as confused as me. Jun, why don’t you start from the beginning at the camp after Yu’Er and the rest escape.” Will prompted.
I had then told them the story about how I escaped, and everyone was listening till I reached the part when vagrant Feng revealed himself, then everyone exploded with questions again. “Vagrant Feng? The famous recluse vagrant Feng?” “Butler Wu was defeated? Oh wow, he is well known proponent in Imperial City.” “Tell us again how he defeated them?”
Priestess Changqun hold up her hand and everyone fell silence, and she said, “Jun, you are really lucky. If you have not met vagrant Feng, I doubt you be able to leave there unharmed. Wu is not known to be a kind opponent. Anyway everyone, let Jun finish his tale first before we asked any more questions.”
I had then finished up the tale and how he had then accompanied me back to Canyon Town before departing. However I had kept secret on w
hat he had taught me, as requested by him, to let no one know except Elder Hao. After I finished, everyone was quiet, thinking over the tale I given. I then turned to Yu’Er and Will and asked them what had happened after we parted.
After their escape, they had made their way to the ruins, where they were prepared to wait out for me. However soon after their arrival, Will had arrived with a big group of Lotus School disciples lead by the Headmistress Priestess Changqun. Now with strength on their side, they had made their way back to the camp to determine my fate. Unfortunately the camp was cleaned out by then and they could not find any tracks. They had returned back to the ruins, but surprisingly, a large group of magistrate constables were around the site. They had refused entry for Will and the rest, mentioning that there was investigation on-going for attacks happening in Canyon Town. Puzzled over the sudden appearance of the constables, who had, until now, been ignoring the attacks for the past few months, Will and Yu’Er had wanted to force their way in, but Priestess Changqun had plead caution, and reasoned with them that a confrontation between the court and the martial world would not be beneficial for everyone. In the end, everyone decided to return back to Lotus School. Over the past few days, they had been investigating clues on my whereabouts and updating Balance Sect. Another surprising development was that the attacks had stopped but any queries with the magistrate went unanswered.
It had gotten late by the time we had finishing updating each other’s. Priestess Changqun had suggested that we turned in for the night and continued discussing in the morning.
I was glad when at last I had a chance to be alone to think through all the stuffs that had happened to me the past days. At the same time, it was great opportunity to look at my stats.
Character Name: Jun
School: Balance
Strength: Breath of Fresh Air
Fame: No one know about you