Shi Ming

"Rustle"

Through the dark forest, a frail old man walked to the clearing.

" Ah Li, where are you taking me?"

He asked the small bird, who was directing him towards the clearing,

As he reached the clearing, he saw the body of Shi Tian.

"Ho, what do we have here? How did this lad end up here?"

He went near Shi Tian's body and examined him.

"Hmmm, it looks like many of his bones are broken. He also lost a lot of blood. At this rate, he may die."

He looked at the unconscious Shi Tian and said:

"It looks like this lad's luck is quite good."

He then picked up Shi Tian's body and started walking in the direction he came from.

"Let's go, Ah Li, and treat this brat's wounds."

"Chirp Chirp"

The bird flew behind the old man.

_______

Shi Tian is lying in a dark room, his body completely still. He is not aware of his surroundings or even of himself. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Suddenly, Shi Tian's breathing became rough, and he began to move his head left and right. Then he was startled awake.

"Father Noooooo!"

Drops of tears began to flow from his eyes.

" Hah hah"

He began to pant slowly until his breathing became regular. He wiped the tears from his eyes. He then recalled the events that happened.

" Hah, so those were the memories of this body."

Shi Tian then recalled the memories. From what he recalled, the current body's name was also Shi Tian. His father's name is Shi Ming. Shi Tian's mother died when Shi Tian was only 2 years old. From then on, it was his father who raised him. They lived in the village near the forest. Shi Ming was very fond of Shi Tian, and he loved Shi Tian very much. Shi Ming didn't allow Shi Tian to feel the sorrow of not having a mother.

Shi Ming worked as a hunter and gathered herbs from the nearby forest. From what Shi Tian remembered, Shi Ming was the strongest person in the village aside from the village head.

Years have passed by, currently. Shi Tian was 10 years old. Shi Ming called Shi Tian in front of the house.

"Son, from today on, I am going to teach martial arts exercises that I practice. This exercise is called Bone forging exercise. Look, watch, and learn."

Shi Ming began to show the moves of the exercise. Shi Tian was very happy that he could become strong and help his father. Shi Tian carefully watched the movement and began to copy it. Thus, father and son began practicing martial arts.

Shi Ming also began teaching Shi Tian archery and the skills of a hunter. Shi Tian was a fast learner, and he began to progress rapidly. Shi Ming was very proud of his son and began to boast to other villagers.

Three months passed like this. Shi Tian shot the arrow from the bow. The arrow pierced through the air and struck the center of the target.

"Good job, son."

Shi Ming praised his son. Shi Tian could now strike the arrow accurately at the target from 500 meters away.

Tomorrow was the day Shi Ming was going to the forest to hunt the beasts and gather herbs. Shi Tian asked

"Father, can I also come with you tomorrow?"

"No, you haven't grown up yet. Wait for some more years,then we can hunt together."

"No, father, please let me come with you. You have seen me hit the target. I will stay very far away and fire arrows. Then you are also there to protect me."

Shi Ming pondered,

"Hmm, ok, I will agree, but you have to be very careful. The forest is not a place to play. You should be prepared thoroughly for every situation."

Shi Tian's face beamed with smiles. He happily hugged his father.

"Thank you, father."

The day passed like that, and the next day, father and son prepared to leave the village to hunt the beasts.