Chapter 21: The Spar and Harsh Traininng

Back at the training ground, Lin Feng immersed himself fully in practice. With each strike of his wooden sword, he channeled Qi into the blade, visualizing the basics the village chief had taught him—parrying, slashing, and stabbing one after another. His movements were sharp and deliberate, every motion aimed at refining his technique.

Nearby, Mei Ling practiced her rapier forms with renewed intensity. Her movements were fluid yet precise, each slash cutting through the air with calculated force. She paused briefly to adjust her grip, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Lin Feng.

"Hey! Why don't we spar?" she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I've been itching to teach you a lesson for ignoring me yesterday."

Lin Feng lowered his wooden sword, raising an eyebrow. "You sure? What if you cry and report it to your dad?" He smirked, clearly teasing her while fiddling with the hilt of his weapon. He was indirectly talking about the spar with Li Wei.

"Shut up!" Mei Ling snapped, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I'm not that petty. Besides, my dad doesn't have a background as great as Li Wei's—he's just a merchant. A rich one, though," she added with a hint of pride before scowling again.

"Haha! Okay, if you say so. I won't go easy on you," Lin Feng replied, grinning confidently.

"But let's not use our Qi—it'd be bad if I hurt a beauty like you," he teased further, dodging a playful swing from Mei Ling.

"Humph! Don't underestimate me!" she shouted, lunging forward with surprising speed.

The two clashed in the center of the training ground, their weapons meeting with a sharp crack. Mei Ling's rapier darted like a snake, aiming for openings in Lin Feng's defense. However, Lin Feng's wooden sword moved with equal precision, deflecting her strikes effortlessly.

"You're faster than I expected," Lin Feng admitted, parrying a thrust aimed at his side. "But speed alone won't win this fight."

Mei Ling gritted her teeth, pressing her attack. "We'll see about that!"

She feinted left, then swung right, catching Lin Feng off guard for a brief moment. Her rapier grazed his arm, drawing a cheer from the growing crowd of spectators.

"Not bad," Lin Feng said, stepping back to reassess. "But you'll need more than luck to beat me."

With renewed focus, he countered aggressively, driving Mei Ling backward with a series of rapid slashes. Each strike forced her to retreat further, testing her endurance and adaptability.

"You're too defensive," Lin Feng taunted lightly, keeping the pressure on. "Try attacking instead of just reacting."

"I'm getting there!" Mei Ling shot back, ducking under a high slash and attempting a low sweep. Lin Feng jumped back just in time, narrowly avoiding the maneuver.

Despite being on the defensive, Mei Ling seized an opportunity when Lin Feng overextended during a lunge. She sidestepped quickly, bringing her rapier around in a wide arc aimed at his ribs. The blow connected solidly, eliciting another round of cheers from the onlookers.

"Gotcha!" Mei Feng exclaimed triumphantly, her confidence surging.

Lin Feng staggered slightly but recovered quickly, grinning despite the hit. "Alright, alright—you got me once. But can you do it again?"

By now, the other youngsters had stopped their own practice to watch the duel unfold. They formed a loose circle around Lin Feng and Mei Ling, their expressions a mix of excitement and concentration. Some whispered among themselves, analyzing the techniques being used, while others grew inspired to try sparring themselves.

On the sidelines, a few pairs began engaging in friendly matches, mimicking the intensity of Lin Feng and Mei Ling's bout. Even those who struggled initially pushed through their frustrations, determined not to fall behind. The atmosphere transformed completely—what had started as casual training sessions was now charged with purpose and determination.

Lin Feng pressed forward once more, his attacks becoming more aggressive. Mei Ling matched his pace, her movements growing sharper as she adapted to his style. Despite her efforts, however, Lin Feng maintained the upper hand, his superior fundamentals giving him the edge.

"You're good," Lin Feng acknowledged between strikes, "but remember what the chief said—control and precision are key."

"I know that!" Mei Ling retorted, blocking a downward slash with difficulty.

Seizing his chance, Lin Feng executed a swift combination—a feint followed by a spinning slash. Mei Ling barely managed to raise her rapier in time, but the force of the impact sent her stumbling backward.

"That's enough!" she declared, lowering her weapon and breathing heavily. "You win… for now."

Lin Feng lowered his sword as well, offering her a respectful nod. "Good match. You almost had me a couple of times."

Mei Ling rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Whatever. Next time, I'll beat you."

"Yeah, yeah," Lin Feng teased, sheathing his wooden sword. "Looking forward to it."

As the two stepped away from the makeshift arena, the energy among the group remained electric. Inspired by the duel, many continued sparring, their efforts reflecting a shared desire to grow stronger. Even those who had previously held back pushed themselves harder, unwilling to be left behind.

Meanwhile, Lin Jianhong wasted no time in carrying out the village chief's orders. Armed guards began patrolling the perimeter of the village, their weapons gleaming under the afternoon sun. Villagers who weren't directly involved in combat training were tasked with reinforcing defenses—building barricades, sharpening stakes, and stockpiling supplies.

Children and elders retreated indoors, their safety prioritized above all else. The once peaceful village now bristled with tension, its inhabitants united by a single purpose: survival.

Despite the grim circumstances, a sense of solidarity emerged. Neighbors worked together, sharing resources and offering words of encouragement. Even those who had previously held grudges set aside their differences, recognizing that division would only weaken them further.

In the center of it all stood the village chief, overseeing operations with quiet authority. Though he bore the weight of leadership heavily, his unwavering resolve inspired those around him.

***

After the feast, Lin Feng eventually switched to archery, retrieving his bow and quiver from the rack. Drawing an arrow, he focused on a distant target, channeling Qi into his arms for added stability. The arrow flew true, striking the bullseye with a satisfying thud.

"Nice one," a familiar voice remarked behind him.

Turning, Lin Feng saw Elder Zhou Xuan standing there, observing him with a thoughtful expression. "You've improved significantly in such a short time," the elder continued. "But remember, true mastery requires more than technical skill. Archery is as much about mental fortitude as it is about physical precision. Stay calm, even in the face of danger. That's when your arrows will truly shine."

Lin Feng nodded, absorbing the advice. "Thank you, Elder Zhou. I'll keep that in mind."

The elder stepped closer, gesturing toward the targets. "From what I've seen, you're ready to move on to the next stage of training—hitting moving targets. This is where most beginners struggle, as it tests not only your aim but also your ability to anticipate and adapt."

Elder Zhou Xuan retrieved his own bow and nocked an arrow. He pointed to a small wooden dummy mounted on a rotating mechanism nearby. With a soft twang, his arrow sailed through the air, striking the dummy squarely in the chest just as it spun around.

"To hit a moving target," the elder explained, lowering his bow, "you must visualize its path before releasing your arrow. Focus on predicting its movement rather than reacting to it. Timing is crucial—if you hesitate or rush, you'll miss."

He paused, studying Lin Feng carefully. "Another key aspect is maintaining composure under pressure. In battle, distractions are inevitable. Whether it's the clash of steel, the roar of beasts, or the cries of allies, you must learn to tune them out and focus solely on your shot."

Lin Feng listened intently, nodding at each point. "I understand, Elder Zhou. Thank you for the guidance."

With renewed determination, he turned back to the rotating dummy. Nocking an arrow, he closed his eyes briefly, visualizing the dummy's rotation and calculating the optimal moment to release. When he opened his eyes, his gaze was sharp and unwavering.

Drawing the string back smoothly, he channeled Qi into both his arms and the arrow itself. As the dummy completed a full spin and began another, he released the arrow. It zipped through the air, striking the dummy dead center just as it faced him.

"Well done!" Elder Zhou Xuan exclaimed, clearly impressed. "You're a natural. Keep practicing this technique—it will serve you well in the days to come."

Lin Feng allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction before preparing for another shot. Each arrow he fired landed closer to perfection, further solidifying his growing confidence in archery.

As the elder walked away, Lin Feng couldn't shake the feeling that these lessons might soon prove invaluable. Whatever threat loomed over the village, he knew it wouldn't wait for anyone to catch up.

As night fell, Lin Feng returned home, exhausted but unwilling to rest. Lighting a lantern, he retrieved a worn practice dummy which he had carried from the training ground, and began practicing the Iron Flow Boxing Technique, focusing on speed and precision. Sweat dripped from his brow as he moved through the forms, each punch and kick fueled by determination.

Shriek!

Suddenly, a loud screech sounded from above, at midnight, disrupting Lin Feng and everyone in the village. The ones sleeping immediately woke up and looked out from their windows hurriedly while the others on guard, peered at the pitch-black sky.

"What is that?"