The Abyss of Weakness

Jian Mu lunged forward, his breathing ragged, his body aching. His arms felt like lead, his legs burned with exhaustion, but he had no choice. If he stopped—if he hesitated—he would lose.

And yet, the moment his fist lashed out, he knew.

Too slow. Too predictable.

The girl barely moved, her foot shifting just enough to let his attack pass harmlessly. Then, her counter came—a sharp, precise blow to his ribs.

Crack.

Pain exploded through his body, knocking the air from his lungs. He staggered, but she didn't stop.

A second strike, a quick jab to his solar plexus. His stomach tightened, nausea rising.

A third—this time an elbow straight to his jaw. His head snapped back, stars bursting across his vision.

Jian Mu stumbled, gasping, his mind a whirlwind of pain and frustration.

'I can't keep up.'

She took a step forward, cold eyes studying him. "Is that all?"

The words ignited something deep in his chest.

No. He refused.

With a desperate snarl, he charged again, his fists swinging wildly. If technique wouldn't work, then he'd overwhelm her with sheer aggression.

But it was useless.

She saw through everything. Every attack. Every movement.

His right hook—parried.

A left jab—dodged.

He aimed for her side, trying to catch her off guard. She twisted her body slightly, his fist grazing only air before she countered with a brutal palm strike to his chest.

Boom!

Jian Mu skidded backward, his feet dragging against the dirt. His body screamed in protest, his lungs burning as he struggled to stay upright.

Why?

Why was there such a vast gap?

Why was he so weak?

He clenched his teeth and tried again, forcing himself forward, but this time she was faster.

Her leg lifted—a kick to the side of his knee.

His stance crumbled.

Before he could recover, she was already in motion.

A spinning back kick slammed into his ribs.

Something cracked.

His body twisted midair before he crashed onto the ground, rolling across the dirt. His vision blurred, pain spreading like wildfire.

But she wasn't done.

The moment he stopped rolling, he saw her descending upon him.

No time to think.

Jian Mu raised his arms just in time to block—

A downward punch.

The impact rattled his bones. His arms buckled, but he managed to push back.

She pivoted—a knee strike to his stomach.

His breath left him in a choked gasp. His body curled inward from the force.

She grabbed his shoulder, twisting him violently before delivering a devastating elbow to his back.

Thud!

Jian Mu collapsed onto his hands and knees, blood dripping from his mouth.

He could barely see. His thoughts were a mess.

'Damit! Why!?'

'Why am I so powerless!?'

The fight continued, each exchange pushing him further to the edge. He struck out, desperate, but she countered each time. He tried to predict her movements, but she was always ahead.

The world around him faded. All that remained was the pain, the crushing reality of his weakness.

Jian Mu's fists dug into the dirt.

This was supposed to be his first step toward revenge. Toward proving them wrong.

But here he was—getting beaten like a dog.

His vision darkened. His body wavered.

"No…"

His fists slammed into the ground as he forced himself to stay upright.

'I can't fall... I won't lose!'

And then—

A sharp pain lanced through his skull.

A whisper slithered through the chaos.

'Do you understand now?'

His breath hitched.

'This world does not care for weak.'

The voice was calm. Almost amused. It wasn't mocking him—it was confirming something he already knew.

Jian Mu's fingers curled into the dirt.

He hated this feeling.

He hated that he was weak.

He hated that he had to rely on borrowed power.

He hated that no matter how hard he pushed himself, he was still nothing.

'Accept it.'

The whisper grew louder.

'You already lost.'

His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

A strange heat coursed through his veins.

His vision sharpened.

And then—

The girl moved again, her stance shifting. She had already won this fight—she knew it, and so did he.

But Jian Mu wasn't done.

Not yet.

With everything he had left, he launched himself at her one last time.

Her expression remained unreadable as she met his charge.

Their fists clashed, the impact reverberating through his bones. She was still stronger. Still faster.

But for the first time—

He saw something in her eyes.

Surprise.

Even as his body screamed, even as he knew this fight was already lost—he refused to fall.

Pain no longer mattered.

His body no longer mattered.

All that existed was the fight.

Desperation fueled his strikes. He aimed a punch at her ribs—she sidestepped, delivering a sharp counter to his wrist. His arm went numb, but he didn't stop.

He tried to force his body to move faster, to match her.

For a moment, it felt like something inside him stirred—power rising, struggling to break free.

Then—agony.

Jian Mu's body seized up. His muscles locked, his nerves screaming in pain. The Qi he had tried to channel backfired violently, sending a shock through his system.

His momentary lapse was all she needed.

The girl exhaled softly, her stance shifting slightly. And then—

A final blow.

Jian Mu felt himself lifted off the ground.

The world tilted.

The sky above blurred as he crashed onto his back, the impact rattling his skull. His limbs refused to move. His chest heaved, each breath shallow and painful.

Blood everywhere not just anyone's blood Jian Mu's blood. He was beatened, and had broken bones.

It was over.

Silence.

Then—footsteps.

The girl stood over him, staring down.

For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, she slowly turned and walked away with his talesmans.

Jian Mu's vision flickered.

A thought surfaced—one final, bitter truth.

'I lost...'

And then—darkness.

---

End of Chapter 10