"Want to learn?" The old lady leaned slightly forward on her cane, her voice low but imbued with an undeniable authority.
With a loud thud, Little Hong dropped to his knees, his forehead striking the rough dirt ground so hard it kicked up a small cloud of dust. He kowtowed repeatedly, his voice urgent and pleading."Please teach me! I beg you to teach me!"
The old lady didn't respond immediately. She squinted at him, her eyes flashing with a hard-to-read light. After a pause, she finally spoke, her tone as stern as ever:"Alright. I'll teach you one sword move. Practice it a thousand times."
"One move? " Little Hong raised his head, confusion and disbelief etched on his face. He wiped the dirt from his forehead, hesitating before asking tentatively,"Isn't one move too little? I'm up against a strong enemy. One move won't last a second! Can you teach me a hundred moves instead?"
As he spoke, his gaze grew more earnest and fervent, as though the old lady before him was the sole mountain he could climb.
The old lady stared into his stubborn eyes and suddenly let out a hearty laugh. Her laughter was robust and unrestrained, echoing across the empty village."Kid, no matter how many moves you learn, if you don't practice them to perfection, they're just flowery tricks!" She gestured dismissively, her tone tinged with disdain."This one move, if mastered, will be enough to last you a lifetime!"
Little Hong froze, swallowing nervously. He bowed his head in thought, the simplicity of the technique resonating with him."Fine! I'll follow your instructions. I'll master this one move!"
The old lady's laughter gradually subsided, and her expression turned calm once more. She said coolly,"Come back in three days at night. I'll see if you've been slacking off."
The old lady stood motionless, silently watching him retreat into the distance. The night breeze lightly stirred her graying hair, and her eyes gleamed with a playful glint. She murmured to herself,"An interesting boy... Let's see how determined you truly are."
The leaves rustled as Kenji's soldier, hidden behind a tree, was about to relieve himself. Through the gaps in the branches, he curiously observed the scene, memorizing the move the old lady had demonstrated before sneaking away.
Under the pale moonlight, the shadows of the camp stretched long and thin, like a coiled serpent lying on the loose earth. The night wind stirred the tent's flap, revealing the flickering lamplight within. The air was thick with the scent of damp soil and crushed grass, punctuated by the occasional laughter of soldiers.
"Boss, that little villager is learning swordsmanship from an old lady!" one soldier exclaimed, laughing so hard he clutched his stomach and leaned backward. His words spilled out between gasps for breath."This... this is the funniest thing I've ever seen!" His boots scuffed the dirt, leaving uneven prints behind.
Kenji stood silently in the shadows, his eyes narrowing as he coldly regarded the soldier. The moonlight carved sharp angles into his face, accentuating his stern expression. His voice cut through the soldier's laughter like a blade."Show me the technique the old lady taught him."
The snitch froze, looking like a chicken with its neck wrung. After a moment's hesitation, he scratched his head nervously, coughed twice, and clumsily imitated the move. One strike, then another—his exaggerated motions seemed more like a parody than a demonstration. Sweat soon beaded on his forehead, dripping down his neck as his effort devolved into awkward fumbling.
Kenji remained silent, his hands clasped behind his back as he took a few slow, deliberate steps. His footsteps were nearly inaudible. He lowered his head slightly, rubbing his chin with his fingers, his brows furrowed deeply in thought. The light spilling from the tent illuminated his eyes, reflecting like two cold stars."It's such a simple move... something even a recruit learns in their first drills," he muttered, his voice so low it was barely audible. Then, his head shot up, his tone sharp with suspicion."Or is there more to it?"
"Describe the details again," he ordered, casting a sidelong glance at the soldier, his gaze as piercing as a blade. The soldier shivered, quickly wiping his brow before repeating his clumsy mimicry. This time, he swung with even greater effort, his movements growing increasingly frantic until he staggered back, panting heavily. He stood stiffly at attention."Boss, that's all I saw! There's nothing else!"
Kenji raised an eyebrow, his silence hanging heavy. After a moment, he waved dismissively."Get lost."
The soldier, as if granted a reprieve, scrambled to leave. Once at the door, he wiped his brow and muttered under his breath,"The boss is just too cautious!"
Before he could escape entirely, Kenji's cold voice rang out behind him."Sneaking out on your own? Ten laps around the camp. Now."
The soldier's face twisted in misery as he snapped to attention and saluted."Yes, sir!" He bolted off, his footsteps quickly fading into the night.
Kenji, however, remained rooted in place, his gaze thoughtful as his lips pressed into a thin line.