The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Heavy Sword Sect, its rays filtering through the trees that surrounded the training grounds. Today marked his fifth day within the inner sect disciples’ class, and though his face remained calm, his heart thrummed with excitement.

  The courtyard was larger than the outer sect disciples’ training grounds, with stone tiles worn smooth from years of footwork and sparring. Wei Long was sitting in the lotus position, at the edge of the training yard. His wooden sword, resting in his lap. He was more than familiar with it, it had become comforting to him, even to the point of being an extension of his arm.

  As Wei Long sat, he observed his senior brothers spar while meditating. Unlike the other new inner sect disciples that focused on the basic sword forms, posture correction and enhancing their stamina. He was meditating, refusing to spar against these older disciples.

  As the days flew by, Wei Long realised the clumsiness in his swings, but that was the case for newly minted inner sect disciples. He’d observed how the inner sect disciples within the class were more refined in their movement and sword forms. It made Wei Long realise that he was far from being considered a true swordsman.

  “Well well well, if isn’t the street RAT from Sichuan City.”

  Wei Long turned to see Shen Ren leaning against a wooden post, his arms crossed, with a smirk plastered across his face. Zhao was standing beside him; his face was equally as smug the former. Even Li was there, though he remained silent, his gaze fixed on Wei Long with unreadable intensity.

  “All you’ve done these past five days is sit on your ASS and watch everyone spar RAT. Two more days of that and you’ll be back at within the outer sect disciple’s training yard!” Ren spat.

  “If you can defeat me, then maybe I will return to the outer sect disciple’s training yard.”

  Ren’s smirk dissipated like smoke from a cauldron. He narrowed his eyes, showing his frustration with ease. “You won by LUCK! Don’t EVER think you can defeat me…”

  “Let’s see how long you last here, Wei Long. The inner sect disciple class isn't for weaklings.”

  Wei Long thought. He tried his best not to smirk. He shifted slight, then tapped his wooden sword, adjusting it as he sat there.

  Master Su Chen strutted into the courtyard. He wore a white cloak over his black, grey and gold trimmings sect robes. He was taller than Master Feng and had a scraggly beard, unlike Master Feng who was clean shaven.

  Master Su Chen was a man of few words, unlike Master Feng, as Wei Long observed. His face weathered by years of training and battle, seemed permanently set in stone. “I see everyone’s here,” Master Su Chen announced. “Good. Let’s make this easy.”

  Everyone stopped what they were doing. “Come come.” He continued, “Lets gather.”

  The class line up, seniors were meant to be at the back whilst the newly promoted juniors from the outer sect disciple class were meant to stand in the the front.

  Wei Long may have grown within the past the two years, but he was still the smallest youngest sect disciple at nine years old. “As everyone knows, we have twenty disciples that have been promoted from the outer sect disciple’s class,” Master Su Chen announced, pulling his long pipe from his cloak sleeve. He put the pipe to his lips then snapped his fingers lighting tobacco within the pipe.

  A strong tobacco scent rose from the smoke, filling the training with its scent. “I thought you switched to pine needles,” A growlish voice said.

  Everyone froze instantly, as they were familiar with the voice. “I’ve come to realise that tobacco leaves brighten my mood. Sect Master.”

  Wei Long stood at attention and gripped his wooden sword even tighter. The Sect Master stepped forward; hands clasped behind his back. He wore a white cloak covering his black, grey, white and gold trimmed sect robes. He wore a tang crown signifying his position as Sect Master within the sect.

  The crown was made of old iron, but beamed darkly in the sunlight. He walked off to the side and took up a seat, still commanding everyone’s attention.

  Master Su Chen coughed and caught the class’s attention. “I know you all are engaged in your own meditation and sparring sessions, but your junior brothers and sisters will demonstrate what they’ve learned in the outer sect classes. As seniors, you are to evaluate them and assist.”

  Wei Long felt his heart quicken. Five days of observation had allowed him to see the difference between outer sect disciples and inner sect disciples. He sighed in relief that he wouldn’t be battling his seniors, because he would’ve been easily be defeated.

  The Sect Master’s gaze swept across the assembly, momentarily lingering on Wei Long. “Master Su Chen has informed me that we have a new addition that has risen to the inner sect class faster than anyone thought possible. A trainee of ten years old.”

  Whispers and murmurs rippled through the class. Wei Long stood straighter, aware that eyes fell upon him. “The sparring sessions will be just like what you’ve been through before your promotion. Three sparring sessions. However, it as I said, this is for your seniors to evaluate you…understood?”

  “Yes Master Su Chen.” Everyone shouted in unison.

  “Everyone, pair up,” he commanded. “We begin now.”

  As disciples scrambled to find partners, Wei Long noticed Shen Ren elbowing his way through the crowd, his eyes fixed on him. “Master Su Chen. I wish to pair with Wei Long!”

  Master Su Chen’s gaze flickered between Ren and Wei Long, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. “Didn’t you challenge Wei Long before and lost?”

  “I have grown”

  “In five days?”

  “A droplet of water can become a river within one day.” Shen Ren said calmly.

  Master Su Chen smiled at the attempt of being wise. It wasn’t the best, but it was surely an improvement. “Wei Long, do you accept’s Ren challenge?”

  “Yes Master Su Chen.”

  “Then begin!”

  The Sect Master’s eyebrow raised slightly—the most minute change in his otherwise stoic expression. “Interesting,” he murmured.

  Wei Long stepped into the centre of the training yard, whilst everyone else retreated. The smooth stones beneath his feet weren’t as familiar yet, but he hoped he could familiarise himself quickly. Shen Ren followed, twirling his wooden sword then smiled devilishly. “Remember, street rat,” he whispered as they took their positions, “This isn’t the outer sect disciple’s training yard anymore!”

  Wei Long said nothing, instead recalling every movement he had observed over the past five days. Master Feng had taught him the foundational forms within the sect, but Master Su Chen’s had shown him the possibilities of an advanced swordsman!

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  Master Su Chen raised his hand. The courtyard fell silent, the tension palpable as disciples held their breath. “Begin,” Master Su Chen said, then dropped his hand dropped.

  Ren lunged forward, thrusting his sword wooden sword, it whistled through the air forcing Wei Long to deflect the wooden blade instinctively. Wei Long spun into the opposite direction and brought his sword up at an irregular angle catching Ren off guard.

  The blades clashed and Ren eyes widened in surprised, but he quickly recovered charging forward without with a quick combinational strikes. Wei Long blocked each strike with ease, but began to shriek, realising that Ren’s strength had increased slightly, but it wasn’t enough to make him cower. He redirected Ren’s momentum, causing him to stumble forward.

  Ren growled, attacking with a wide strikes and thrusts, forcing Wei Long on the back foot. He parried each attack, then waited for the perfect moment, he feinted left, drawing Ren’s defence. Ren shifted to block but Wei Long struck from the right, his sword hitting Ren’s wrist.

  The sword clanked on the ground but Wei Long pressed the advantage, sweeping out one of Ren’s legs out from under him. Ren hit the ground with a grunt and Wei Long held his blade to his throat. “Do you yield?”

  A resonant silence fell on the training yard. It was as if the world itself slowed and fell silent. Everyone knew that Wei Long was a genius, but to continually defeat Ren, who was seen as one of the better prospect disciples within the sect, was not just surprising, but shocking.

  As Ren glared Wei Long, the fight he once held had dissipated from his eyes. Wei Long looked down at him with contempt, because he knew it was him and Zhao who’d attacked him on the day he earned his promotion. He didn’t fuss about it, but he let it go. This was the reason why he didn’t spar within the inner sect disciple’s class. He was nursing his wounds.

  His shoulder was screaming, but he’d ignored it, when he shouldn’t have, but he had a point to prove. He had to show Ren that despite their age difference, he was still the better swords man. “Do you yield?” He repeated, sliding his sword closer to his throat.

  “I yield,” Ren finally muttered.

  Wei Long withdrew, exasperating loudly. He turned and bowed to Ren raising his sword in a cupped expression. “Thank you for letting me win Senior.”

  The sect master sat in the background, silent. Wei Long eyes drifted to him but he didn’t let himself smile, he too remained impassive.

  He bowed to everyone and walked toward the nearest tree to sit down, hoping to watch the remaining sparring matches. “Master Su Chen, I too would like to challenge Wei Long as well.” Li shouted.

  Wei Long sighed, feeling as though that the former trio were now looking to capitalise. They probably saw him aching whilst fighting. He could only hope that they didn’t notice it was his shoulder.

  “Wei Long?” Master Su Chen asked, turning to him.

  “Wei Long, fight him.” The sect master cut in.

  The crowd went silent again, no one expected the sect master to speak. Not even Wei Long. A few days ago, the sect master had told him he didn’t have to fight Li, but this time around, he ordered it. Wei Long asked himself,

  Without thinking, he turned to sect master and bow, holding his practice sword in hand. “Yes, Sect Master.”

  He turned around and headed to the centre of the training centre. A crunching sound echoed to his left and he turned. Ren was leaving the training centre, but Wei Long could see the growing fury within him.

  He should be, he was thirteen years old and Wei Long was nine, yet, he was defeated by a nine-year-old boy with lesser experience and a weaker body. “You’ve improved,” Li said as they settled into their stances.

  “Thanks to the experience I was gifted by my fellow senior brothers.” Wei Long said, bowing to him.

  “Wei Long…Li, Begin!” Master Su shouted.

  Wei Long skipped back, anticipating Li’s charge. His raised his sword in defence and waited for Li’s spinning upward slash. He met the blow, then shifted left blocking another attack. They then began a rhythmic dance of swords. It was as if two snakes swayed back and forth, their attacks barely missing each other as they swerved in the opposite direction.

  Li’s used his speed to suppress Wei Long, he hadn’t realised it the first time they fought, but after meditating for five days and observing his sparring sessions, he noticed Li’s strengths and weaknesses.

  Each of his feints and counter attack were deliberate. Wei Long adapted, using his smaller size to control the centre of gravity better. He wasn’t as fast as Li, but he ensured each slash and stroke he defended allowed him to counterattack. He feinted left, then struck from the right, forcing Li into a defensive posture.

  Wei Long saw opening in his switch to defence. He feinted high, drawing Li’s guard up, then swept low, striking Li’s knee. Li shuffled backwards but Wei Long pressed the advantage, he outstretched his hand and drilling his practice sword through the air.

  A sombre thunk echoed and Li’s practice sword spilled over the training platform. Li looked at Wei Long stunned, flexing his fingers back and forth, alleviating the pain from Wei Long’s attack. He ground his teeth and turned to Wei Long. “Thank You for letting me win,” Wei Long said.

  Li bowed cupping his hand and snapped up his sword. As he walked away. Wei Long remembered when he was close with Zhao and Ren, but for some reason all that changed one year ago. He distanced himself from them, but was just cordial. It was as if the windmill within his mind churned and he learned something new, which he found strange.

  He didn’t question it, he accepted it without worry. “Wei Long you’ve earned your break,” Master Su Chen said calmly.

  “Thank You Master.”

  He bowed to Master Su Chen and the sect master then wandered off to the tree he was originally sitting on. Other disciples gathered and sparred on the training platform.

  The once bustling training yard fell silent in disbelief. Wei Long defeated two of the most promising inner sect disciple juniors, it was surreal. He felt satisfied…then let that feeling pass.

  Wei Long settled against the tree trunk, allowing himself to loosen. The moment he was out of direct sight of the other disciples, his right hand flew to his left shoulder, gripping it tightly as waves of agony radiated from the joint. He bit his lower lip to keep from making a sound, eyes watering despite his best efforts. he thought.

  A shadow fell across him and he looked up. “Your shoulder.”

  The Sect Master stood over him, his face unreadable. Wei Long immediately tried to straighten, to show proper respect, but winced as the movement sent another bolt of pain through his joint. “Don’t move,” the Sect Master commanded. He knelt beside Wei Long and pressed his pressed along the joint, causing Wei Long to inhale sharply.

  “You fought with an injured shoulder,” the Sect Master stated. Wei Long nodded biting each word. “Against two opponents who clearly outweigh you.”

  “Yes, Sect Master.”

  “…and you won.”

  Before Wei Long could respond, the Sect Master stood and turned toward the training yard. “Master Su Chen, a second.”

  Master Su Chen took four puffs of smoke before arrive and bowing to the sect master. “Sect Master. “

  “Halt the sessions. I have something to announce.”

  “Everyone we will be halting all sparring sessions for now, the sect master has something to say.” Master Su Chen called out.

  Wei Long pushed himself up, but the sect master pushed him down. “Not you.”

  The disciples assembled in neat rows, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Ren and Zhao exchanged nervous glances, while Li stood stoically, his expression thoughtful.

  “Disciples of the Heavy Sword Sect,” the Sect Master began, “Wei Long fought well again opponents a third of his size.

  He stepped towards the disciples and paced back and forth before saying a word. “Wei Long…come,” he said raising his hand to usher him towards him.

  Wei Long gritted his teeth against the pain and pushed himself to his feet. He walked toward the Sect Master. “From this day forward, Wei Long will train under my direct guidance as my direct disciple.”

  The declaration hung in the air like summer lightning. Wei Long's eyes widened, unable to believe what he had just heard. The pain in his shoulder subsiding momentarily as he stared up at the Sect Master.

  “Sect Master,” Ren burst out, unable to contain himself, “he’s just a street rat from—“

  “Silence!” Master Su Chen snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. “You dare question the Sect Master’s judgment?”

  The Sect Master’s expression didn’t change as he placed the jade token in Wei Long’s trembling hand. “Talent is not determined by birth, but by heart, mind, and spirit. Wei Long has demonstrated all three. Let this be a lesson to all of you.”

  Wei Long knelt, clutching the token to his chest, overwhelmed by emotion. The pain in his shoulder suddenly became too much to bear. His vision blurred, and a low, keening sound escaped his throat before he could stop it.

  “Master,” he gasped, the title unfamiliar yet right on his tongue.

  As the Sect Master’s words echoed through the courtyard, Wei Long’s control finally broke. The pain, the shock, the honor—it was too much. He doubled over, clutching his shoulder.

  Wei Long allowed himself to truly feel—to be the nine-year-old boy who had endured so much, who had fought so hard, and who had finally, finally found his place.

  The Sect Master knelt beside Wei Long and placed a hand on his good shoulder. “The path I will set before you will make this pain seem like nothing, but I believe you are equal to it.”

  “I will not disappoint you, Master,”

  he whispered.

  “I know. “Rest. Tomorrow we will speak.”

  “Yes Se…Master,”