The training isn't that exciting as I thought it would be. Firstly, we are stuck with a grumpy mentor. His name is Li Dong. He is really strict, even though he seems nice on the outside but it turns out that the real reason behind his strictness. The first thing we did today was to run laps around the entire compound. Then we practiced the basic fighting techniques before we began on the hand combat training. He made sure to give each of us our own technique to practice, even if it's just a simple punch. By the time we finished our warm ups and exercises, he would hit us with a cane and shout at us to start training. Every time we fail to do something right he starts shouting at us and yelling about failure. He is really mean when it comes to punishing us. It always starts by hitting the ground with his cane, and it never ends before he leaves. Although he was strict, I guess he's pretty decent and actually teaches some helpful things. I mean, he's the mentor after all.
"After you've finished lunch, come here immediately and work your asses off!", he would say to us during lunchtime. It's always the same routine, every single day. Well, except during breakfast, lunch and dinner, when he would sometimes yell at us for skipping meals again or scold us for not completing our basic training before eating. In short, we basically live like this everyday. We don't care about what we're living like right now. As for me, there was a little improvement on my fighting style and I am slowly learning shaolin kung fu. I still haven't perfected it yet, but I'm getting there. I've already learned about shaolin fighting moves from Master Mi, another kung fu Master here. Of course, it was different from the ones that I learned from my previous teacher . I don't think I will ever become a great Shaolin master, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to become a warrior. After a few years, hopefully soon enough, I'll become strong enough so I can protect everyone.
We spent the rest of the day training. Most of the time, we just trained alone or with a teacher. For example, one afternoon we worked with each other in pairs. It was very tiring but in a good way. As the night falls, the three of us sat down at the stairs gazing at the stars above us. I looked at Shen Qhi and he seems to be mesmerized by the stars and Fu Tao was happily humming a song. After awhile of sitting there, I finally broke the silence between us, "Hey guys?" They both stopped whatever they were doing and turned to look at me, "Yes?". I sighed and scratched the back of my head, embarrassed.
"Uh...well, I was just wondering why you joined the competition and came here. I mean, I joined it because I want to become a warrior. That's the reason why I studied hard and you two must have some reasons too, right?", I asked hesitantly looking down. Fu Tao suddenly looked away from me shaking, " I-... I joined it because I want to become stronger too! Just like you, Bao...", she said in embarrassment. I just smiled at her looking on how she looks cute when she's embarrassed. Then I turned my gaze towards Shen Qhi who seems to be in deep thoughts. "It was for the better" was his only answer. I tilted my head confused for a moment. "I'll be turning eighteen soon and that means I'll be assigned as the new head of the clan. I'm the only child that's why my grandfather appointed me as the next heir. You see... I have everything else a leader would need. A healthy body to produce another heir. A wit to keep the clan on going. But that only thing I lack is strength to protect my family from any harm and that's what I came here for. I want to become more stronger so that I could show my grandfather that he chose the right person", Shen said with great determination. At that moment, I didn't do anything but to admire him. He may look young but he's matured enough to understand everything. The moment suddenly broke down when Fu Tao bursted out crying. " You're so cool and awesome! You're the perfect successor! Your grandfather is gonna be so proud if he ever heard that!!", she exclaimed running over to hug him. Shen Qhi smiled and pats our back, "Let's all train harder and sooner we'll be able to succeed in our goals". That was the most unforgettable night I have spent here in the temple. In the following days, we continued our training and although most of the things we were taught were difficult to grasp, they were easy enough for me. There are times where we're stuck on a certain point which we have to repeat a hundred times but once we got the hang of it, it wasn't too bad. The three of us were resting beneath the shade of a big tree when someone walked towards us. He was a guy with a platinum blonde hair and squinty eyes. But what caught my attention the most was the clothes he was wearing. He has the same clothes as Senior Lei Fung so I'm assuming that he's also our senior.
" Erm...hello?", Fu Tao said looking nervously towards the older man, not exactly knowing if she should stand up or stay seated. He had a serious expression on his face as he looked at the three of us before replying, "Hello. My name is Xiao Yu, a senior disciple here. Master Xian had instructed me to call the three of you". The three of us immediately stood up and bowed to Xiao Yu before heading to the main temple where Master Shang Xian is. As we arrived at the temple, he was sitting there with his legs crossed. He was holding a large book with a white cover and writing something in it as fast as possible. When he saw us approaching, he put down the book and got up, "It's a good thing that you three arrived here on time". Master Shang Xian seems to be in distress looking at his expression. He took a heavy sigh and said, "My apologies. My emotions seem to control my words. Please sit." The three of us immediately obeyed and bowed before him. We were all worried. If Master Shang Xian seems to be struggling then he might have bad news. He placed the book he was holding back on the table and went straight towards us, standing in front of us. He looked at us and said, "I'm sorry for troubling you three. I hope you won't mind me asking you a question. Do you know why I called you here?"
We shook our heads. Master Shang Xian then told us what had happened. " Three years ago, I have trained three young students. Lei Fung, the brightest young girl I have seen. Xiao Yu, a strict matured boy but he's good at combat. And Ragyo, the martial arts prodigy. I believe that they would make excellent warriors. But recently, it has come to my attention that they're developing their powers and abilities without understanding them. They often get into fights and have difficulty focusing. One day, Ragyo found out about the scroll that contains the strongest forms of martial arts. She wanted to learn them but I refused letting them learn such skills and forbade them from going near it. Lei Fung and Xiao Yu knew better so they obeyed me but as for Ragyo... she was angered and rampaged causing the other temple to be destroyed."
The three of us listened to Master Shang Xian's story intently."What happened to Ragyo, master?", Shen Who had asked. Master Shang Xian frowned as he continued his story," I had to stop her and sent her to the Quan Prison". Eh!? Quan Prison?! Isn't that the prison with the most tight security ? Where the criminals and traitors who did wrong are held captive for several years until the sentence is completed? Why does Master Shang Xian send Ragyo there? "She didn't listen to me or to the others warning her so I had to put her there. But the problem is, a messenger came here a while ago telling me that the Quan Prison guards has sent me a message. Ragyo managed to escape. And she'll be heading here to take on the scroll."