CHAPTER 6: STAGE ONE

Meixing walked across a grassy hill on the outskirts of town.

She stopped when, in the distance, she saw a black spot moving about energetically. She knew it was a person but was confused who it was or what they were doing. She knew all the farmlands near the town, and the person was in none of the farmland areas.

She made her way to the person, keeping low so as she would not be seen approaching. Hiding behind a boulder, she peeked out and saw Chui Bao.

Bao was going through a few forms with a staff twirling in hand. His face was shining in sweat and his chest shrunk and expanded with each pause he made during the going through the form.

She had never seen the slightly chubby kid work that hard before.

"Hey!"

Meixing froze when she heard the voice behind her. She looked behind her, seeing the 3 boys who always hung out with Chui Bao. One of the boys grabbed her by the scruff of her clothes and threw her forward.

Chui Bao froze mid form. He looked at the group and the girl on the ground.

"Hey, Chui Bao!" One if the boys said. "Look who we found here. This pervert peasant."

Meixing looked up at Bao, who frowned at her. She looked away from his eyes in shame.

"It’s not bad enough that she takes credit for your work but then she spies on you." Another said. "She's scum! Trash!"

One of the boys kicked her in the rear, making her stumble forward. Meixing could not believe that she stood up against demons but here she was still being bullied by a handful of dumb boys.

"What should we do to her?" another said, looking at Bao in excitement.

"Let her go," he said dismissively before taking a ready stance and once again going through the forms.

Meixing looked at him. At that moment, it seemed that she and his friends did not exist; only his training mattered.

She got up and pretended to limp away, hoping they would feel enough sympathy to just let her go.

"What's wrong with you, Bao?" One of his friends said angrily. "You don't hang out with us and now you're letting that girl get away?"

"Yeah what's up Bao?"

Bao spoke but it was not as loud as his friends and so, Meixing did not hear. Once she was far away enough, Meixing turned back. She saw the group of friends angrily storm off while Bao continued to practice.

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Meixing wondered where he got his drive from as he continued to practice alone, then remembered that his father was gone. He had a legacy to live up to and was doing his best.

"Hmm... I guess even a dumb boy can be a little admirable." she said.

She thought about what Dong said. About finding her drive. Clenching her fists she got up. "If Chui Bao can find enough drive to move his chubby butt then I can find the drive to get stronger. Stronger than anyone in this town, including any dumb boys!"

She made her way back to the house. She found her grandmother had was gone. Going to the bedroom, she pulled the sword from under the bed and unwrapped it. She touched its rusted blade.

"IT IS ABOUT TIME YOU PICK ME UP AGAIN! WHAT, YOU RAN OFF BECAUSE THINGS GOT TOO TOUGH YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT?"

"Yes." she said.

"NO USE DENYING IT YOU LITTLE... wait, did you say yes?"

"Yes, it got too tough." she said. "But I've found my drive. I'm ready to continue."

"And what if it gets too tough again? I don't know how much time I have left. This sword is about to give way and when it does, I die. How do I know you simply won't quit when things get tougher?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think I cam be as tough as your last student but I know my drive will help me try my best."

"Fine, I'll trust you again girl." The voice of the sword said. "It's not like I have many other options."

She heated up the rocks until they were glowing red. She made the green potion and entered the small tent. The heat burned her and the poison took its effect. She stayed kneeling for the full hour and breathed a sigh of relief when it was over.

"Good, you've passed the first stage."

"First stage?"

"We have little time, so you need to start doing this 3 times a day for as many hours as you can."

She nodded, trying to calm her fast beating heart. "I'll do my best."

"Good, then let us go out. We'll need more root!"