Marathon Training

It was eventually another beautiful day. Gui Shan on waking up that morning took a deep breath and was glad that none of those things he imagined happened.

"Perhaps they were just in shock because of the tinkling sound," he said to himself assuredly.

Everyone was busy preparing for training that morning, it was the first day of training for the elite team.

Back in the Bi's manor, eunuch Wang reminded Bi Yao of the assignment he gave her, pretending not to have discovered anything.

While Bi Yao headed to the training field, Eunuch Wang went to the royal palace to report in his duty.

All newly recruited candidates left their dorms and marched down to the training field. They all stood erect as they awaited their instructor.

They couldn't wait to see what form of training they would get. Few minutes later, vice general Qing Wu arrived in the training field.

While the wolf soldiers trained by the east part of the wing, they were to train in the west part.

"Good morning warriors," Qing Wu greeted.

"Good morning sir," they all answered in unison.

"I know you all maybe wondering why I shifted from calling you students and suddenly called you warriors," he said.

"I must let you know that from henceforth, you don't fight just for merit, but to protect the people of Wushu kingdom. You can only fit into this title when you train harder," vice general Qing Wu added.

"I must let you know that the battle field is different from a normal combat or competition. Lives are lost on the battle field, sacrifices are made, but none of this should shake your resolution."

"Hence the training you are going to get would not only focus on strength only, but also on your team work and strategy," Qing Wu said.

"Our opponent is a very formidable one, so we need not only skills, but the wits," he said.

"Basing on the fact that we may face the poison tribe anytime soon, we wouldn't let them catch us unaware. Therefore, we must be prepared every moment. So we would begin our training in the aspect of team work and strategy," Qing Wu said.

"Are we ready?" he asked.

"Yes sir," the students replied.

"Good," he said.

"So we are going to start by learning battle formations."

"In battles, the best and most effective means of defeating your enemy is by the use of formations. No matter how strong your opponent is, you can defeat them with an effective formation," he said.

"I'm going to be teaching you a very effective formation technique called the Qing-Wang formation technique," he said.

"It can only be practiced by ten persons," he said.

"Hence you would be shared into two groups, one of the group would face the poison master, while the other group would battle his lieutenants," vice general Qing Wu said.

"In this formation, the opponent would be surrounded. Two out of the ten would launch a distracting attack, while a forceful attack follows by another two people. While this is ongoing, two persons would attack from the rear with the aim of immobilizing the opponent," he said.

"If the formation is properly carried out, victory is sure," he added.

So after addressing them, he gave them a practical illustration. He then paired them and divided them into teams.

During the first trial they seem to be some mixups. But he ensured they each of them got the theory correct.

"Also note that the two people launching the second attack must possess strong and forceful skill that'll destabilize Qi flow in the body of your opponent," he said.

"So for the the distracting attack, I think Qin Feiye and Bi Yao would fit in. Gui Shan and Wu Zhu Would give the forceful attack, while Chen Feng, Tan Ning and Hu Mei would attack from the rear, others can then follow."

He did same arrangement for the other team. So team one which comprise of Gui Shan and were to go against the poison master. Team two were to go up against the lieutenants.

After some hours of practice, the training for that day came to and end, while others left and returned to their dorms, instructor Qing Wu asked Gui Shan to stay behind to see him.

Vice general Qing Wu sent everyone else out leaving only him and Gui Shan.

"General, you asked to see me," Gui Shan said to instructor Qing Wu.

"Yes, is there any problem?" Qing Wu asked.

"No general, I was just wondering why you want to see me all of a sudden," Gui Shan said.

"Gui Shan you don't need to worry, feel at ease," Qing Wu said.

"Can I have a look at that your wolf token," Qing Wu said.

At this moment, it was as though Gui Shan's heart jumped into his mouth.

"General which wolf token?" Gui Shan asked.

"I mean the one you have with you," Qing Wu repeated.

Gui Shan having no choice, knew one of the wolf soldiers had already informed general Qing Wu, so he had no choice but to give in.

"This was the last thing my parents left for me," Gui Shan said as he handed over the wolf token to general Qing Wu.

The moment vice general Qing Wu saw the token, his heart melted. He suddenly gave Gui Shan a tight embrace.

Gui Shan was surprised by the sudden affection.

"Your father would be happy wherever he is," Qing Wu said still embracing Gui Shan.

After some moment, he let go of Gui Shan. 

"I could remember clearly those days when your mother was pregnant with you, your father would always say it was a boy and always boasts of training you to a warrior who is stronger than him,"

"I could remember the day you were born, your father held you in his arms with so much affection as he watched you sleep," Qing Wu said as drop of tears flowed from his eyes.

"Visitors coming to pay homage often said, you got the looks of your father, but possess the life force of your mother."

"I could remember when I carried you in my arms, you were so tender, but now you are all grown up," he said.

"Even though many sought to destroy the wolf bloodline, the wheel of fate has brought you back," Qing Wu said.

Gui Shan at this point was absorbed in the words that came out of Qing Wu's mouth.

"Fan Xiaotian, I'm glad you are alive," he said.

"Fan Xiaotian???" Gui Shan repeated in surprise.

"Yes, that's your birth name. I don't know how you survived, but I owe your foster parents a lot. When things have settled, I shall invite them to the capital," Qing Wu said.

At this point, Gui Shan joined instructor Qing Wu in shedding tears.

"Don't cry Xiaotian, your father was a great man, all will be well," Qing Wu said.

Qing Wu held Gui Shan up, who was already sobbing on his knees.

"I want you to live out the legacy of your father. We have a battle to win, after the battle, I'll discuss with the emperor we can then proceed and confer you the title of the wolf warrior captain," he said.

"Moreover, I advice you to stay low, the murderer of your father may still be lurking behind, perhaps they have known your identity. So I advice you to be careful from henceforth and watch your back," Qing Wu said.

After this, Gui Shan wiped his tears and proceeding to leave general Qing Wu's chamber.

As he walked back to the dorm, he saw Bi Yao all alone sitting at the rear end of the training field.

Bi Yao on seeing Gui Shan ran towards his direction.

"Gui Shan are you okay? I've been waiting for you all this while. How did your conversation go with general Qing Wu? Hope nothing serious," Bi Yao said.

"No not at all, just some eye opening conversation," Gui Shan said as he took a deep breath.

"Gui Shan if anything is bothering you, you can trust me and open up to me," Bi Yao said.

"Hmmm... I'm very pained now Bi Yao, do you know how it feels like to lose your parents, without getting to see them and their murderers still roam freely," Gui Shan said.

"I'm confused Gui Shan, pls explain," Bi Yao said.

"My father was a very important personality right here in the capital, but he was murdered by his enemies,"

"Remember I told you before that the people I grew up were not my real parents, but my foster parents," Gui Shan said.

"I want to get justice for my parents and be at ease," he added.

"I feel your pain Gui Shan, perhaps I can tell my father to help you carry out the investigation," Bi Yao said.

"I don't want to burden your father, I would work things out myself, and thanks for your concern," Gui Shan said.

... continue reading from the next chapter...