The storm clouds above reflected on Bai Cheng's face as he stood on the training field. A cool wind blew through, ruffling the leaves on the trees nearby. Gerald faced him, turning the wooden staff easily in his hand, and a look both amused and disrespectful crossed his face.
Gerald hurled the staff at Bai Cheng. "Today's lesson: Bone Breaker Strike.".
Bai Cheng took the staff and squinted. "Bone Breaker? Sounds like something you yell in a bar fight."
Gerald's smile spread. "It's not about showing off, kid. It's about ending a fight before it starts. You hit at the weak points—mostly joints. One good blow to an elbow or knee, and your opponent cannot fight anymore. Easy."
Sounds easy to me, Bai Cheng said softly, adjusting his grip on the staff.
"It's not," Gerald said, leaning forward, his smirk turning razor-sharp. "Which is why you're going to fail. Repeatedly."
"Wow," Bai Cheng shot back, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Your pep talks are legendary."
Gerald barked a laugh and clapped Bai Cheng hard on the shoulder, nearly making him stumble. "No need for speeches. Just focus, and maybe—just maybe—you'll learn something useful."
The First Attempt
Gerald approached a very formidable training dummy, his step smooth and careful. He twisted his body and drove the staff forward in a quick but controlled motion.
Crack!
The blow hit right on the dummy's elbow joint, shattering the inner pieces. The dummy arm hung limply at its side. Gerald turned round, spinning the staff with easy momentum before he pointed it at Bai Cheng. "That's how it's done. Now it's your turn.".
Bai Cheng took a slow breath and steeled himself. He examined the elbow of the dummy, his mind full of what Gerald had taught him. In one fluid motion, he struck with the staff.
Thwack!
The staff struck the shoulder of the dummy hollowly echoing in the room. The dummy did not flinch.
"Wow," Gerald said, crossing his arms. "Congratulations. You just gave it a light pat on the back. That's going to scare your enemies."
Bai Cheng stared at him, his cheeks getting hot. "I'll get it this time."
The next hours were very hard. Bai Cheng hit the dummy over and over, sweat running down his face, his arms shaking from the hard work. Each try was missed. His strikes were too wide, too slow, or too weak to hit hard.
"Swing tighter!" Gerald yelled as Bai Cheng tumbled forward, his staff pounding on the dummy's wrist. "You are not fighting a tree. Precision is a virtue."
"I do!" Bai Cheng exclaimed gruffly, wiping the sweat from his brow. He was growing more and more frustrated, getting nearly overtaken by himself.
"Well, then, act like it!" Gerald cut through the tension. "Stop flailing that stick like some petrified rabbit and aim for the joint!"
Bai Cheng ground his teeth in a scowl. He would do better. He swung with all his might.
Thunk!
The staff struck the elbow of the dummy but only tapped it. "You are trying too hard," Gerald said, ruffling his hair. "A fight is not made up of strength alone. A fight is about finding vulnerable points. If you could not strike a stationary doll, how would you be a fighter in the ring?"
Bai Cheng clasped the staff in an aching grip. His arms were aching, and his breathing was ragged, yet he refused to quit. Again and again, he struck, growing more frantic each time.
As the sun set into the shadows stretched over a field, Bai Cheng tumbled to the ground. He gulped air as he studied the dummy, its limbs intact, taunting him with strength.
This is impossible, Bai Cheng said weakly. How am I supposed to strike something so precise in battle?
Gerald knelt beside him, his face graven in a way it never had been before. "Do you think a fight is fair? Do you think your enemies will let you take your time? Out there, hesitating can get you killed."
Bai Cheng sat up and glared at him. "You're acting like I'm not trying."
"Trying isn't good enough," Gerald snapped back sharply. "You don't earn points for trying in a fight. You either win or there is no middle ground.".
The words were like a punch. Bai Cheng looked away, gripping the staff so hard that his knuckles turned white.
His anger intensified as he said, "I just… need more time," softer now.
Gerald stood, and the familiar smirk crawled back. "Then take it," he said. "But don't think the world will wait for you. Break time is at dawn. And remember this—out there, nobody cares how hard you tried. They only care if you survived.".
He hurled the water skin at Bai Cheng and walked away, leaving him to his thoughts.
Bai Cheng looked at the dummy and despite the aching muscles in his body, felt more determined in his chest.
"I will manage," he whispered to himself.
"I must".