Gui Shan's Worry Overcomed

"Good day Grandmaster", Gui Shan greeted as he arrived.

"Good day young warrior. Hope you're ready for your training today", Grandmaster Hun Feng said.

"From the look on your face, it seems something is bothering you. Voice it out my son", Grandmaster Hun Feng said.

"Out of the blue, master Huang Ju just decided to train me personally...I believe it's to make me stronger", Gui Shan said.

"But I think master Huang Ju knows more about me, considering his sudden interest to make me stronger", he said.

"But that shouldn't be a problem", Grandmaster Hun Feng said.

"No far from that, the training is intense and he insists I must learn a skill and try defeating him with the same skill", Gui Shan said.

"But to me that would be a difficult one. Master what do you think? Any possibility of me defeating him?" Gui Shan asked.

"Yes there is a possibility. From today onward, I want you to know that there is no body who can't be defeated", Grandmaster Hun Feng said.

"Even if they don't have a weakness, during that moment in combat, watch out for one and use it to your advantage", he said.

"Surprise...is always the greatest attack and advantage. Modify the skill and use in a way he wouldn't imagine it to take",

"The reason why you find it difficult to defeat him is because as a master, he's familiar with that skill", he said.

"I thinks he wants you to modify that skill to your advantage. So you have to work on it tonight", Grandmaster Hun Feng said.

"Okay! So where do I start from?" Gui Shan asked.

"You can begin by displaying the skill so that I can guide you appropriately", the old man said.

"Okay", Gui Shan responded.

After this, Gui Shan took a stance and displayed the skill before Grandmaster Hun Feng.

"Hmmm...how time flies",

"The skill you just displayed was actually penned down by me. So there won't be a problem modifying it", the old man said.

After this, Grandmaster Hun Feng stood and did the same skill in a more advanced form.

"Watch closely", he said to Gui Shan as he demonstrated his skills.

Gui Shan paid rapt attention and was able to grab it. After  Grandmaster Hun Feng's demonstration, Gui Shan had to do it himself.

After some attempts, Gui Shan got a hang of it and soon perfected the skill.

"Thank you master", Gui Shan said as he was about to return to reality. Soon after he left his subconscious mind and found himself on his bed.

He slept soundly that night being confident that he'll defeat master Huang Ju with the refined technique.

...

It was another day, Gui Shan woke up with smiles on his face. He knew it was another day of training.

That morning Gui Shan woke up very early knowing that master Huang Ju is the type that is always prompt.

Gui Shan did all his chores and headed for the ancestral temple. As he left, he waved Ru Yuo alongside other students if the wing.

News had already spread all over the academy of Gui Shan's special training with master Huang Ju. According to the report, many got the idea that Gui Shan's training was punishment for laxity during training.

Masters in the various wings knew that the news spreading around, was not actually the reason master Huang Ju would want to train Gui Shan personally.

They knew that he used that as a coverup. From their years of experience with master Huang Ju, they were quite aware that he wouldn't spend his time teaching a student personally unless there was something at stake.

Back in the purple cloud wing, Hu Mei was full of laughter when he heard the report. He was happy Gui Shan was having a hard time in the Crimson lion wing.

"At last he's getting what he deserves", Hu Mei said within himself.

While some others found it strange, Hu Mei found it funny.

"How can people say he's punishing Gui Shan. Taking him to the ancestral temple for training actually means he's passing down his skills to Gui Shan", Chen Feng said to Chu Cao.

That very moment, master Yang Jun made a significant decision. So he sent Chen Feng to call on Hu Mei who was already out training.

Soon, Chen Feng arrived with Hu Mei is the presence of master Yang Jun.

"Good morning master. Senior told me that you seek for me", Hu Mei said in a bowing posture.

"Morning! I actually sent for you to inform you that starting from today, I'll be training you personally", master Yang Jun said.

Hu Mei was bemused when he heard it. He actually thought he was dreaming until it dawned on him it was a reality.

"It'll be a privilege to learn under your tutelage", Hu Mei said.

Chen Feng who was present there wasn't surprised. He has always known master Yang Jun to be the competitive type. Since the last Inter-wing competition, master Yang Jun has been bent on beating the Crimson lion wing at everything.

He didn't want master Huang Ju to defeat him in any aspect. So master Yang Jun decided to train Hu Mei starting from that day.

...

Meanwhile at this time, Gui Shan had already arrived at the ancestral temple where he saw master Huang Ju already meditating.

"Good morning master", Gui Shan said.

"Morning...hope you're ready for today's training?" Master Huang Ju said.

"Yes master", Gui Shan said.

"But no rush, we're going to continue from where we left off yesterday", master Huang Ju said.

"So if you're able to get past me with that attack, we'll proceed and continue with today's training", he said.

Gui Shan at this point seems happy because he knew he'll eventually get a chance to make a hit. Master Huang Ju was amazed at Gui Shan's countenance and composure.

"Let me see...this boy is always full of surprises", master Huang Ju said within himself as he watched Gui Shan closely.

"Master be ready for this. I'll attempt an attack now", he said.

"Okay! Go ahead", master Huang Ju said.

Gui Shan remembered Grandmaster Hun Feng's words.

"...the element of surprise is the greatest weapon".

Gui Shan was wise enough, so he moved forward and attacked normally as master Huang Ju expected.

But after master Huang Ju evaded the attack, he immediately sprung and attacked master Huang Ju using the reformed attack.

Master Huang Ju was taken by surprise and eventually, Gui Shan caught him by his neck but didn't strike considering it was training.

"Wow... I'm impressed... you've truly grown", master Huang Ju said.

"You beat my expectations Gui Shan, I never knew you could be this creative. But I'm amazed by how a young man like you would be able to come out with a solid technique as that, one I was unable to avoid", he said.

"For years I've been seeking means to refine that technique but it wasn't efficient. But it took you just a day to figure it out and make it even more amazing", he said.

"...or is there any secret?" He said teasing Gui Shan.

"I hope you've learnt a lesson?" Master Huang Ju asked.

"Yes master! I learnt that there is always room to improvise skills and make them better", Gui Shan said.

"Good", master Huang Ju said.

"Many a times in battle or combat, your opponent may be aware of your skills and your pattern if fighting so you may be at a disadvantage", 

"You must have the ability to adapt to such situations and improvise your skills during combat", he said.

"This would go a long way by surprising your opponent and give you an upper hand which would guarantee your victory in combat", he said.

"Don't always rely on a particularly approach in combat, learn to be flexible", he said.

"Thank you master for your guidance and teachings", Gui Shan said.

After this, they continued with their daily routine. They entered the temple and began meditation.

After some time of meditation, it was time to study again. Gui Shan heaved a sigh hoping it won't be a difficult one.

Master Huang Ju handed the book over to him. It was titled "Knowing your opponents weakness".

"You'll have to carefully go through that book today and understand it", master Huang Ju said as he handed over the book to Gui Shan.

"You have the whole of today to finish it. By tomorrow, we'll put it to practice", he said.

Although the book was voluminous, Gui Shan had no choice but to study it stepwise in order to pass the test after it.

He studied for several hours and was having a nice time, he was deeply into the reading that he forgot how hours he spent reading.

That day's training came to an, Gui Shan returned back to the academy alongside master Huang Ju.

Everyone was surprised to see Gui Shan returning back home without any scratch and weariness in his countenance.

...continue from next chapter...