Wukong studied Jack closely, his keen eyes narrowing as he assessed the young man’s stance and posture. Jack stood before him, his spear held with a practiced grip, his body poised for action. The Monkey King could sense the tension in Jack’s muscles, the readiness in his stance. But he also sensed something else—a lack of confidence, a hesitation in his movements that spoke of uncertainty.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” Wukong said, motioning for Jack to demonstrate his skills. “Show me how you would handle an opponent at mid-range and long-range first.”
Jack nodded, gripping his spear tighter. He moved into a fluid series of spear thrusts and sweeps, each strike aimed with precision. He transitioned smoothly from one move to the next, his footwork light and agile. As he moved, he began to cast spells, summoning small bursts of fire and ice to complement his spear attacks. The spells flew through the air, striking imaginary targets.
Wukong nodded, watching Jack’s movements with a critical eye. “Not bad,” he remarked. “For a beginner you’ve got a good grasp on mid-range combat with that spear. Your form is alright, and your strikes are fairly accurate. And your long-range spells are quite effective too.”
Jack felt a small surge of pride at the Monkey King’s praise, but he knew better than to let it go to his head. He continued his demonstration, moving through a few more techniques before stopping and looking to Wukong for further instruction.
The Monkey King smiled, but it wasn’t a smile of approval. “Your mid-range and long-range skills are acceptable for one of your level, although there is plenty of room for improvement” he said, his tone turning serious. “However, I can see a glaring weakness in your combat repertoire.”
Jack frowned, feeling a knot of tension form in his stomach. “What do you mean?”
Wukong stepped closer, circling Jack like a predator studying its prey. “You lack proficiency in close-range combat,” he stated bluntly. “Your spear is an excellent weapon for keeping enemies at a distance, but what happens when they get inside your guard? What happens when they’re too close for you to use your spear effectively?”
Jack hesitated. He hadn’t focused much on close-range fighting, relying heavily on his spear and spells to keep enemies at a distance. The Monkey King’s words struck a chord of realization. He had never fully considered what he would do if an enemy managed to get in close.
“And there’s another issue,” Wukong continued, his sharp gaze locking onto Jack’s. “Your spearwork, while good for offense, is lacking when it comes to defense. A true warrior knows how to use his weapon for both attack and protection. You’re not using your spear to its full potential.”
Jack’s grip tightened on his spear. He hadn’t considered that. In combat he would occasionally deflect a blow with his spear but mostly he relied on his armor and more recently on his Ironhide Skill. But the Monkey King was right. He couldn’t be constantly relying on those defenses. When he had no armor and Ironhide was on cooldown he had essentially no defense. He needed to rectify that. “So, what should I do?”
Wukong’s expression softened slightly, his tone taking on a more instructive edge. “First, you need to improve your close-range combat skills. You must learn to fight without relying solely on your spear or spells. Your body itself must become a weapon.”
He demonstrated a series of quick strikes with his hands and feet, moving with a speed and grace that seemed almost supernatural. His strikes were precise, aimed at vital points that would incapacitate an opponent instantly. “Close-range combat is about speed and precision,” he explained. “You must learn to strike quickly and accurately. Don’t give your opponent a chance to close the gap or counter your moves.”
Jack watched closely, trying to memorize each movement, each shift in Wukong’s stance. He could see the value in what the Monkey King was showing him. He needed to become more versatile, to adapt to Wukong continued his demonstration, moving with a fluidity and precision that left Jack in awe. Every punch, every kick was perfectly executed, each movement flowing seamlessly into the next. There was no wasted motion, no hesitation—just pure, focused energy. Jack knew he had a long way to go to reach that level, but he was determined to learn.
"Now, let's get started," Wukong said, stepping back and adopting a relaxed stance. "We’ll begin with some basic holds and grapples. Close-range combat isn’t just about striking your opponent; it’s also about controlling them, restricting their movement, and creating openings for your own attacks."
Jack nodded, setting his spear aside. He was eager to learn but also a little nervous. This was unfamiliar territory for him, and he knew he would need to unlearn some of his habits and start from scratch.
“First, I want you to learn how to break a grip,” Wukong instructed. “Imagine an enemy has grabbed you—what do you do?”
Jack thought for a moment. “I suppose I’d try to pull away or push them off.”
Wukong shook his head. “That’s the instinctive reaction, but not always the most effective. If your opponent is stronger or has a better grip, pulling or pushing could just tire you out. Instead, you need to use leverage and technique.”
Wukong stepped forward and grabbed Jack’s arm with a firm grip. “Watch carefully,” he said, and with a swift movement, he twisted his body, breaking Jack’s grip effortlessly. “See how I used the turn of my body to break free? It’s all about using their strength against them.”
Jack tried to mimic the move, twisting his arm in the same way Wukong had. The first few attempts were clumsy, his movements stiff and awkward, but Wukong was patient, guiding him through each step.
“Relax,” His teacher encouraged. “You’re too tense. Close-range combat requires flexibility. You have to flow with your opponent, not fight against them.”Jack took a deep breath, trying to loosen up. He focused on the movement, not the strength, and this time, his twist was smoother. He felt Wukong’s grip loosen, and with a final push, he broke free.
“Good,” Wukong said with a nod. “Now, let’s try a basic grapple.”
Over the next few hours, Wukong taught Jack a series of holds and grapples. They started simple—basic wrist locks and arm bars—but quickly progressed to more complex maneuvers. Wukong demonstrated how to transition from a defensive hold to an offensive one, how to use an opponent’s momentum against them, and how to keep an enemy off-balance.
As they practiced, Wukong continued to give Jack feedback. “You’re too stiff,” he said at one point. “You need to be more fluid. Don’t think of it as a series of moves; think of it as a dance. Let your body move naturally.”
Jack tried to take the advice to heart, focusing on the flow of his movements rather than just the mechanics. Slowly, he began to improve. His movements became smoother, his transitions more fluid. He still had a long way to go, but he was beginning to see the progress.
Over the next few weeks, Jack and Wukong trained relentlessly. They started each day with a series of warm-ups, stretching their muscles and preparing their bodies for the intense training sessions ahead. Then they would move on to close-range combat drills, practicing holds, grapples, and strikes.
Wukong was a demanding teacher, never allowing Jack to settle for mediocrity. Whenever Jack seemed to get comfortable with a technique, Wukong would introduce a new challenge, a new variation to keep him on his toes.
“Always be prepared for the unexpected,” Wukong said one day as he caught Jack off-guard with a surprise strike. “Combat is unpredictable. You can’t rely on your opponent to follow a script. You must be ready to adapt at a moment’s notice.”
Jack nodded, rubbing his sore shoulder where Wukong’s strike had landed. He was learning quickly that close-range combat was as much about mental agility as it was about physical skill. He had to think on his feet, constantly adapting to Wukong’s unpredictable attacks.
They practiced grapples and holds daily. Wukong would grab Jack in various ways, sometimes by the wrist, sometimes by the shoulder, and even in a headlock. Each time, Jack had to find a way to break free or reverse the hold. At first, it was frustrating—Wukong’s grip was like iron, and every attempt Jack made to break free seemed futile.
“Don’t rely on brute strength,” The Monkey King would remind him. “Use leverage. Use your body weight. Use your opponent’s force against them.”
Slowly, Jack began to understand. He learned to use the momentum of his own movements to throw off Wukong’s grip. He learned to twist his body just right to slip out of a headlock or to duck and weave to avoid being pinned. The more they practiced, the more Jack’s confidence grew.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Wukong also taught him about controlling his breathing. “Breathing is vital,” he explained one day during a particularly grueling session. “If you lose control of your breath, you lose control of your body. Keep your breathing steady and controlled. It will keep your mind clear and your body ready to react.”
Jack took this lesson to heart. He focused on keeping his breathing even and calm, even when Wukong pushed him to his limits. He noticed that when he controlled his breathing, his movements became more precise, and his reactions were quicker.
While Jack was improving his close-range combat skills, Wukong also began to focus on his spear technique. “Your spear is a powerful weapon,” Wukong said, “but you’re not using it to its full potential. It’s not just a tool for attack; it can also be your greatest defense.”
Jack listened intently as Wukong demonstrated various defensive maneuvers using the spear. He showed Jack how to use the shaft of the spear to block incoming strikes, how to use the butt of the spear to parry blows, and how to create space by sweeping the spear in wide arcs.
“You must learn to defend yourself with your spear just as effectively as you attack,” Wukong instructed. “A good warrior knows how to turn defense into offense.”
Jack practiced these defensive maneuvers over and over. He worked on his timing, learning when to block when to parry, and when to counterattack. He practiced using the spear to keep an opponent at bay, to create distance when necessary, and to control the flow of the fight.
He quickly realized that using his spear defensively required a different mindset. It wasn’t about overpowering his opponent; it was about control, precision, and timing. He had to be patient, to wait for the right moment to strike.
Wukong often put Jack through drills where he had to defend against multiple attacks coming from different directions. He used illusions to create multiple enemies, each attacking with a different weapon—a sword, a club, a dagger. Jack had to stay focused, his spear moving like a shield, blocking and parrying each attack.
At first, Jack struggled. He was used to being the aggressor, to taking the fight to his enemy. But Wukong’s training forced him to slow down, to think defensively. Slowly, he began to adapt. His spear moved more fluidly, blocking and parrying with greater ease. He began to see openings where he could counterattack, using the momentum of his blocks to launch quick, precise strikes.
By the end of the month, Jack had made significant progress. He could now move fluidly between offensive and defensive spear techniques, using his weapon not just to attack, but also to protect himself. His close-range combat skills had also improved dramatically. He had learned to move with speed and precision, to strike quickly and decisively, and to use his body as a weapon.
Wukong was pleased with Jack’s progress but continued to push him. “You’ve come a long way, but there’s still much to learn. You still have weaknesses in your combat style that need to be fixed” he said, plucking a dozen hairs from his own body with a swift motion.
Jack watched curiously, wondering what Wukong was up to. The Monkey King held the hairs in his palm, and then blew on them gently. Instantly, the hairs transformed into twelve identical monkeys, each one a perfect replica of Wukong himself. They were smaller, but they had the same fierce eyes and nimble limbs.
Jack's eyes widened as the twelve monkeys spread out around him, forming a loose circle. "What... what is this?" he asked, his grip tightening on his spear.
"This," Wukong said with a chuckle, "is a lesson in dealing with multiple opponents. A warrior must always be prepared to face more than one enemy at a time. It's not just about strength or skill—it's about awareness, strategy, and the ability to adapt."
The monkeys began to move, darting around Jack with incredible speed. They were agile, their movements unpredictable, their eyes gleaming with intent. Jack felt his heart rate quicken as he tried to keep track of all of them. He shifted his stance, turning slowly to keep them in his sight.
"Stay calm," Wukong advised, his voice carrying a tone of amusement. "Don't let their numbers intimidate you. Remember your training. Use your spear to create space, to keep them at bay. But don't rely on it alone. You'll need to use your close-range skills as well."
Jack nodded, trying to focus. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. Then, with a swift motion, he thrust his spear at one of the monkeys that had gotten too close. The monkey dodged effortlessly, leaping to the side, while another monkey took the opportunity to dart in from behind, swiping at Jack's back.
Jack twisted around, using the shaft of his spear to block the attack. But as he did, another monkey lunged at him from the opposite side. Jack barely managed to sidestep, his movements becoming frantic as he struggled to keep up with the barrage of attacks.
The monkeys were relentless, attacking in quick succession, their movements synchronized and well-coordinated. Jack found himself on the defensive, his spear moving rapidly to block and parry. But it was clear he was outnumbered and outmatched.
"Remember to always be aware of your surroundings," Wukong called out, his tone encouraging. "Your spear can only do so much. You need to think beyond it. Use your body. Use your skill. Don't let them corner you!"
Jack gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He knew Wukong was right. He couldn't just rely on his spear to defend against so many attackers. He needed to think of a different strategy. He remembered Wukong's teachings about fluidity, about using the enemy's momentum against them.
As another monkey lunged at him, Jack spun on his heel, sweeping his spear in a wide arc. The monkey leaped back, avoiding the strike, but Jack didn’t stop there. He followed through with his momentum, turning his body and launching a quick kick at a monkey that had crept up behind him. The kick connected, sending the monkey sprawling back.
Jack felt a surge of confidence. He was starting to get the hang of it. He began to move more fluidly, combining spear strikes with quick jabs and kicks. He kept his movements unpredictable, shifting from defense to offense in an instant.
But the monkeys were clever, and they quickly adapted to his new tactics. They began to attack in pairs, coordinating their movements to distract and overwhelm him. Jack found himself struggling again, his breath coming in short gasps as he tried to fend them off.
Jack's initial surge of confidence quickly waned as the relentless onslaught from the twelve monkeys continued. Their coordination was impeccable, each attack timed perfectly to exploit the slightest opening in his defense. Despite his best efforts to fend them off with a mix of spear strikes and martial arts, he was gradually losing ground.
One monkey feinted an attack from the left, drawing Jack's attention, while another came at him from the right with a swift kick that sent him stumbling. Before he could regain his balance, two more monkeys charged in, one aiming low while the other went high. Jack managed to block the low strike with the shaft of his spear, but the high attack caught him square in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.
He fell to one knee, gasping for breath, as the monkeys circled him, their expressions fierce and unrelenting. It was clear they were not going to give him any respite. Jack's vision blurred as sweat dripped into his eyes, stinging and making it harder to focus. His arms felt heavy, his muscles aching from the constant strain.
"Enough!" Wukong's voice rang out, commanding and authoritative. Instantly, the monkeys halted their attack and leaped back, giving Jack space. He remained on his knee, panting heavily, his grip on the spear loose and unsteady.
Wukong approached, his expression unreadable. "You did well, considering," he said, his tone neither harsh nor overly sympathetic. "But you were too focused on your spear. You let it become a crutch instead of an extension of yourself."
Jack looked up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I tried to do what you said, use my body, my skills... but there were just too many of them."
Wukong nodded, crouching down to meet Jack's gaze. "That's the point of this lesson, Jack. In battle, you will often face overwhelming odds. You must learn to think beyond your weapon, to use everything at your disposal—your environment, your instincts, your mind. There are ways to deal with such things and I intend you to learn them if you can."
With a groan, Jack pushed himself to his feet, his body protesting every movement. The Monkey King's goad stung his pride. He gripped his spear tighter, determined not to let his exhaustion show.
Wukong continued, plucking another handful of hairs from his arm. "Watch closely this time." He blew on the hairs again, and they transformed into another dozen monkeys, identical to the first.
This time, Wukong joined the circle of monkeys, his eyes locked on Jack's. "The spear is a versatile weapon, but it can be unwieldy when you're surrounded. You need to use it to create space, but also to control your opponents. Watch how I do it."
Wukong spun his own stuff, transforming it into a golden, elongated version of a spear. It moved with incredible speed; the movement was so fluid that it almost seemed effortless. As the monkeys attacked, he danced among them, his staff a blur of motion. He didn't just block or parry; he redirected their attacks, using the momentum of one monkey to knock another off balance. When they closed in, he used the staff to vault over them, landing gracefully on the other side to continue his assault.
"Your spear is not just a weapon," Wukong called out as he dispatched the last monkey with a swift strike. "It's a tool to control the battlefield. Use it to dictate the flow of combat, to force your enemies into positions that benefit you."
Jack watched in awe, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Wukong's movements were almost a dance, each step calculated, each strike purposeful. There was no wasted effort, no unnecessary motion. He made it look easy, but Jack knew it was anything but.
Wukong twirled his staff one last time before planting it firmly on the ground. The remaining monkeys vanished, leaving Jack and Wukong alone once more.
"Now," Wukong said, his voice firm but encouraging, "let's try again. This time, remember—control the battlefield. Don't let your spear control you."
Jack nodded, gripping his spear with renewed determination. The lesson had been hard, but he knew it was necessary. He had to learn how to be a better warrior. It was just one more step on the path to growing stronger.