Counter-technique Training

"It may be shocking to you elder Ming, but I discovered that Gui Shan is the last surviving wolf warrior," master Huang Ju said.

"He's of the wolf bloodline and surviving son of captain Fan Xian, the late wolf warrior," he unfolded.

Immediately principal Ming heard this, he went to the doors and windows and ensured they were properly locked.

Even though he suspected Gui Shan to be a wolf warrior, he never thought it would be in this manner. Howbeit, he calmed down and listened to master Huang Ju as he continued.

"Gui Shan was the surviving son of the massacre in the year the wolf warrior died. Lucky for him, the hunter found him and brought him up," master Huang Ju said.

"Ahem! Considering the fact that he is a wolf warrior, I think it's his destiny to defeat the poison master, Yan Mo," he added.

"The reason I kept this for long was to protect his identity and I'm sure you understand better," master Huang Ju said.

"Hmmm... I'm short of words. But what evidence made you believe he is the son of Fan Xian, former captain of the wolf troop?" principal Ming asked.

"Actually, I wasn't convinced of his identity until the day I saw the wolf token he possessed. It was exactly the same token of the wolf warrior. And Gui Shan also told me the hunter found it wrapped with him when he rescued him from the forest," master Huang Ju said.

"Interesting! I never knew we had such a talent. Indeed there is hope for Wushu kingdom," principal Ming said.

"But ensure that what you told me is just between the both of us. Gui Shan is very crucial in the battle against the poison master, hence we must not spill out his secret but train him as a secret weapon to defeat Yan Mo," principal Ming added.

After that, the meeting was drawn to a close as master Huang Ju returned back to the Crimson lion wing. It was eventually twilight, hours passed and that day was over.

It was another beautiful day. Students in the various wings were already making preparations for that day as they went about the daily activities.

As usual, the candidates for the martial arts competition had to report at their training ground that morning to continue with their training.

Their training session with master Huang Ju elapsed the previous day, so they awaited their next teacher. Just like before, they gathered at the ancestral temple and waited for a while.

Unlike their previous teachers, master Yang Jun showed up in time since he was their teacher for the next two weeks.

"Good morning master," the students echoed.

"Good morning students. I hope you're all ready for today's training?" master Yang Jun asked.

"Yes master," the students answered.

"Good. But I want you to know that the training from this moment would be a tasking one which requires all the skills and techniques you've learnt so far," master Yang Jun said.

"I want to know that in this competition, various students and talents from all over Wushu kingdom would be there to fight and get chosen to join the elite team," 

"And in the course of combat, if you encounter a very skillful and grounded one, they'll use different techniques wanting to defeat," master Yang Jun said.

"You may be caught in defeat if you don't act fast and see through the technique," he added.

"Hence our training for these two weeks would be based on counter-technique skills," master Yang Jun said.

"Don't be surprised when you fight with an opponent using strange skills and technique, there are other ways around, hence this training," master Yang Jun added.

"Are you ready to train?" master Yang Jun asked.

"Yes master," the students echoed with much energy.

"Let's begin," master Yang Jun said.

"You have to understand a basic that no martial artist is perfect. No matter how powerful a skill is, there is always a weak point," he said.

"So now, I'll be giving you some few pointers before we go into the main training. I'll be giving four rules to guide you when facing strong opponents with dangerous techniques," master Yang Jun said.

"Although you have time on the combat ground, you'll have to think fast and come up with something. Here are the four rules you must follow," he said.

"You have to study and observe if it's a long range or short range technique and know how to reposition yourself,"

"Study the technique and see if it consumes too much Qi from the user," he said.

"If you're being attacked with a technique, you need to watch carefully and study if the technique needs to be countered head on or avoided by attacking your opponent," he said.

"Also, you have to look for lapses in the technique your opponent used and strike at that moment," master Yang Jun said.

At this moment, all the students paid rapt attention to all what master Yang Jun said. After a while, master Yang Jun stopped the lecture.

He gave them instances of various combat he had and how he was able to counter his opponents. The training on the counter-technique went on for days and it eventually turned into weeks.

It was the last day of the two week training, so that very day, the training took a new pattern. The students were all gathered expecting to be lectured by master Yang Jun.

"Good morning master," they all greeted that morning.

"Morning students. Hope you all had a good night rest?" master Yang asked.

"Yes master," they responded.

"Good."

"Back to our training today which may eventually be the last. Unlike the usual lecture, today is going to take a different turn," master Yang Jun said.

"Although it may sound difficult, I want each one of you to come out me with your best skills and watch how I'll counter it," he said.

"Ahhh...," the students exclaimed.

"Master you know our skills can stand to yours," Hu Mei said.

"Not to worry, I'll go easy on you all. But come at me with the best you've got," he said.

"Remember that skills with brute force aren't always the most powerful skill," master Yang Jun added.

Immediately after master Yang Jun spoke, everyone was silent waiting for who to go first. After they stared at each other for a while, Qin Feiye summoned courage and took the first turn.

She came out and then took a deep breath as she stood for a while.

"Don't be scared, come at me with what you've got, it's not a combat, but a lesson," master Yang Jun said.

"Also ensure you watch carefully and see how I do it," he said.

So Qin Feiye ran forward in attack mode, but to her surprise, master Yang Jun swiftly held her hands and directed the force she released from her palms to elsewhere without hurting her.

Each of them took their turn and got countered by master Yang Jun. It eventually got to Gui Shan's turn as he was reluctant.

"Gui Shan step forward and show me what skills you've got," master Yang Jun sounded.

Gui Shan stepped forward and paused for a while. He contemplated on what to do and how to go about it.

"What skill should I use? If I go all out, won't I be suspected," 

Gui Shan contemplated in his mind.

Just then, master Yang Jun called him out of his thoughts.

"Gui Shan are you scared? Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. Just come at me with all you've got," master Yang Jun said.

Gui Shan immediately he heard those words couldn't restrict himself, he didn't when his legs moved. It had never occurred to him before.

In a matter of seconds, he was already in wolf mode. He moved swiftly with so much force and aura. Everyone around him felt the change in the environment.

Gui Shan just couldn't stop himself. He went on as he drew a punch. Master Yang Jun at that point knew something was up.

"I think I should use this opportunity and teach Gui Shan a lesson, meanwhile, I'll ascertain the level of his strength," master Yang Jun contemplated.

"What a pity! Gui Shan I'm sorry I have to go all out as this is my only chance," he said within himself.

Meanwhile, all the students witnessed what was ongoing and were awed by Gui Shan's ability.

Just as master Yang Jun was about to counter Gui Shan with brute force, their punch clashed and there was an airburst considering the amount of energy they both released.

Both master Yang Jun and Gui Shan drifted back. In the process, master Yang Jun sustained a little injury, but didn't speak out because it would be shameful considering the fact that he was a master.

"Hmmm... I'm impressed Gui Shan, where did all those strength and force come from. Indeed you're a rare talent," master Yang Jun said.

"I'm glad I didn't go all out, but I think you're good to go" master Yang Jun lied.

... continue reading from next chapter...