- Father's Tofu -

Being born a commoner, Orson didn’t need books. He couldn’t read the books which would teach him how to cultivate his Battle Qi. What commoner had time to sit parting taking in others stories? Sitting down, reading a book wouldn’t give him access to glory,only a man’s strength would! Sweat blood for sweet things later. Only commoners like him knew the value pushing one’s stamina to reach the peak.

Orson closely listen to every word, as  Hillman continued to profoundly speak.  When the sun had fully risen, all thing had already been moving their legs. Orson spread his legs apart as far as his shoulders; his knees bent slightly, his hands curling at his waist, all at godly words of his leader. He assumed the familiar ‘Qi building stance’. Naturally, he started before focusing at the task before anyone else, calming his mind and easing his breath. Hillman cold instructions were a warm reminder of his big brother in O’Brien Empire, who had already gone over the first day of training.

Neither joyous or short, the last days with his far older brother hadn’t been fun.  ‘Qi Building Stance was simpler and less grueling than his big brother’s lectures. Orson didn't care how his forefathers or generations long pasted suffered for to create this stance, he just wanted get ahead of the rest. So he listened to brother words as he now did Hillman’s.

With the exception of his best friend Hadley, and the irritating young master, most of his Orson’s group fumbled to assume stance. Clicking his tongue, Orson’s didn't smile when the young master’s quickly grasped the concept.

“Remember, focus your concentration, maintain a calm mind, and breathe naturally!” Hillman said coldly as he walked amidst the children.

Only for a moment did Orson’s take a glance at the other groups, all maintaining the stance calmly and breathing naturally. More stable and steady, The older kids were better than Orson in their stance yet Orson believed given enough time he wouldn’t see them as his betters.

Orson’s accidentally meet Hillman’s eyes before returning to his steady stance, Hillman’s eyes drooped, Orson’s didn’t like that look ,which he was sure was directed at him. He pushed his crooked legs to a better angle.

At once, Orson’s saw Hillman ready a yell “The two of you, take charge of the south group and the middle group. I will go take care of the youngest children.” His words hadn’t been what Orson’s was expecting.

“Yes Captain” The two flunkies obey, yielding to the more powerful man without sparing any time, paying close attention to Orson’s two hundred something children or  flunkies to be. These men would ensure that knees of his future flunkies reminded strong, with every hit to the knees they would be stronger. In the future, they would bend their strong knees in Orson’s presence.

Hillman walked over to best group of children. Orson’s couldn’t help becoming nervous.

“Crap, the Head Monster is coming!” the golden-haired child with large, bright eyes named Hadley said in a low voice to Orson. Orson’s was not amused yet his stance lost some stability

Hillman approach, reminded Orson’s of one of his big brothers stories, a black panther who wouldn’t allow his prey to escape. Allowing only the sun to escape, a passing cloud darkens the area,,, Orson’s group became timid black mice to Hillman’s stare. Orson’s wanted to scamper off at Hillman sigh which seemed more like a growl. Though, Orson’s should know the legendary Hillman wouldn’t eat him but his youth cost him such wisdom. Orson’s exercises and youth would be long passed into the dreadful battlefields before he could understand the Hillman’s sigh.

“All of you stand firm!” Hillman coldly harrumphed, shacking the trees and will of the young mice.

Immediately, Orson’s back straighten, sticking out his chest staring ahead along the rest of the children.  

As he peered at the young children ahead him, Hillman lips got caught in a smile. While Orson was in awe, Hillman moved in front of Orson to take off his shirt. The high developed muscles made Orson’s eyes pop along with the rest of the kids. Nobody in the nearby area could ignore this man.

Aside from his prefect musculature, on Hillman’s bare upper body, there were countless knife marks, swords marks, and dozens of other deep old wounds. Orson stared at those wounds with shining eyes. These marks were the marks of a true man.

Orson had heard countless stories from Big brother; Hillman was only man in Wushan who deserved Orson’s awe.  Large cities want such an amazing individual, a mighty warrior of sixth rank, a warrior birthed from life and death struggles! Surely all the town women secretly coveted for his attention.

Orson’s had no need for any for jealousy as this man’s position would be his in the future. He would stir up feelings of worshipfulness, a desire for women to offer themselves to him. He would work harder than anyone else.

“Let’s add some more fuel to the fire!” Hillman keeping his warrior’s face in order, walked in front of colossal boulder, which weighed of several of men.

With one hand, Hillman grabbed the boulder. In a very relaxed manner, he began flaunting it like a trophy. Several men would be kindling, twigs that would snap on his fingers which such force. Orson’s jaw dropped unconsciously before slightly parting his  lips while widen his adorable mouse like black eyes.

“Too light, Lorry if you have some free time after training, go get some larger boulders for me!” With a causal toss, Hillman sent the boulder flying several dozen meters. Crash! The ground couldn’t handle his smite or might, luckily the tree survived, though Orson steady stance barely survived. Hillman trudges over to some innocent pebbles standing in his area.

“Hah!”

Hillman chest raises, all veins protruded around his muscles cracking the air, as he battered a bluish boulder in his way. His fist shattered the air, creating a howling sound that made Orson flinch. Hillman’s mighty fist smashed directly on the boulder.

Crash! The sound of his fist smashing the ground proved his legends to be true. He was a war god that made others tremble.

That big bluestone boulder had stood before time of Wushan Township!

The bluestone boulder trembled. Suddenly, six or seven giant cracks appeared on it, with a ‘whoosh’ sound, it split into four pieces. But on Hillman’s fist, not the slightest injury could be seen, only dust from his conquest.    

“The Captain is as formidable as ever.” One of the flunkies just didn’t understand Hillman’s power, laughed as Hillman walked back towards them. Orson’s brother was a fifth ranked warrior yet couldn’t make sastruga out of boulders, using just his first. Nobody was stronger than Hillman, he was a war god.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Resisting his weak legs, Orson’s put more effort into his “Qi Building Stance”,  seemly right afterwards other children followed him. Though, few would dare continue slack off in front of such a god. It wasn’t time to relax or chat freely, that time would be later when they had women and beer.

Orson’s knew glory came before women and booze. In the future, when Orson’s was in the army, every day he would train even harder, while on the battlefield accumulating medals, engaging in close combat. The days after would for stretching his muscles in the morning and at night. He would accumulate excess energy now.

All the women would worship him just like should.

Rocks falling at the touch of a fist, surely women would follow.  Orson believed it was already his future which would come closer with every person who flew below his knees.

It would be easy them to shatter with a single thrust. What sort of power would he yield? He would have to toss them with the flick of his arm. Muscles and mission, Orson’s wanted embraced his destiny.

Hillman turned his head, snapping Orson’s out of his fantasies. Thoughts no longer clouding his head, Orson waited for more guidance about his future battlefield, the man he would become.

“Remember, even if you aren’t able to cultivate Battle Qi, in principle, if you reach your body’s fullest potential, you can still become a warrior of sixth rank! And a sixth ranked warrior, upon entering the army, can easily become a mid-level officer, and easily obtain the military manuals which teach one how to cultivate Battle Qi! Even if you cannot become a warrior of sixth rank, and you cannot become a warrior of sixth rank, and can only become a common warrior of first rank, you will still be qualified to enter the military. Remember! If a man isn’t able to become even a warrior of first rank, he can’t be considered a man at all!”  Slowly scratching at the old wounds in Orson heart, the words became his scars and resolve.

Orson had decided long ago, he wouldn’t become like his father, a cook, not even a warrior of first rank. While his friends spoke of their father’s fearsome adventures, he could only have them taste his father’s tofu. Even though his mother is a mighty warrior, third rank warrior, most people gave him sour faces when he spoke of her tales. Really, who would admire a woman, taking the place of man, not working in the kitchen? Not seeing the sky, Orson couldn’t hold his head up high.

One day, he wouldn’t have to fear his best friend calling him a pickled plum of a man. He would raise his head high as a mighty warrior who welcomed any and all challenges with obstacles meeting his fist.

He would become the very best like no one ever was, it was destiny. Catching Hillman’s words, the words of father he never had, the  words of true man, who made nature succumb to his might.

Upon hearing Hillman’s words, all the children six and seven years old, had smiles on their faces but Orson’s face carried the largest. Not changing their stance, they could barely force their youthful energy to remain still. His word had become a mantra, to be repeated in Orson’s heart.

“Remember! If a man isn’t able to become even a warrior of first rank, he can’t be considered a man at all”

“Remember! If a man isn’t able to become even a warrior of first rank, he can’t be considered a man at all”

“…”

“All of you stand straight. Look at your elders to the south, then look at how you are standing!” Hillman censured them!”

Before the others, Orson adjusted his stance. He didn’t want lose anyone especially others the same age.

After a while, Orson group, six and seven year olds began to wobble. All of the kids felt that their legs were cramping fiercely, but they held on, gritting their teeth. But after holding out for a short period of time, the children began to collapse and sit on the ground, one after the other.

Orson’s will keep his body from collapsing. Each time another one collapsed, it only strengthened legs. He would be the opposite of Hadley and be the last one standing instead of the first one to fall.

In his group, he looked above all others with the expectation of young master. Orson’s face constrained, why did he try so hard didn’t need to move for his tofu. Orson’s had to set the table, clean dishes, and feed Krypto Diablo his hunting bird, each day of the week! Why would he work hard for a few coopers when you already had plenty of gold?  The young master didn’t make any sense, but Orson’s wasn’t going to lose.

Hillman’s face was cold and callous, but his heart truly seemed warm once he saw Orson’s efforts. Orson’s wouldn’t be satisfied with a normal performance, since he would be the future captain of the guard. This was the first test for his cause to be the very best.

After a short period time, many could no longer hold out, willpower, youth, and spirit could no longer hold even the older kids in the middle group, and one by one, they began to fall as well.

After a short period time, many could no longer hold out, willpower, youth, and spirit couldn’t hold even the older kids in the middle group, and one by one, they began to fall as well.

“Hold out for as long as you can. I won’t force you. But if in the future, you are weaker than your peers, then you’ll have no one to blame than yourselves.” Hillman voice chilled the air as it echoed in the remaining hearts of those who stood above their peers.  

“Hmm” lorry, a flunky, suddenly started, astonished, at Orson’s group.

While most of the ten years had fallen down, there amongst all his fallen peers stood a six year child was holding strong, a man, whose legend just begun.

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Author note: I take no responsibility in the character life.  Orson actions and thoughts are but only appropriate for his age and era. So look forward to how his tragedy unfolds.

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