Chapter 5

Li wei developed a very deadly rare illness. His wife as an outstanding medical doctor, she knew the cure for his illness but the drug was very expensive and difficult to get. Their earnings both put together could not afford it. They started selling their little property but the money gotten was insufficient. They were all worried because his health condition deteriorated daily. If nothing was done fast enough, it meant he would die.

Ling mei couldn't bear to lose her dad. She thought of what she could do to earn money but no serious idea popped up. That early morning, she walked around the town searching for a job but they all turned her down claiming she wasn't an adult yet. She was so disappointed and frustrated. She sat down on the slab as hot tears poured down her face. In her sorrow, her eyes caught sight of an advertisement pasted on the wall which piqued her interest. The Guangzhou fighting arena were looking for new recruits. Teenage boys who were willing to fight. For each duel won, they received an amazing reward. The amount she saw there was breathtaking. If she did this and won each duel consecutively, she could be able to save up and purchase the medication for her father. In that way, her father would survive. The pay was far more attractive than the other places she had went to seek for job. But the only hindrance she faced was her identity as a girl. And her father and her mother would never agree to the idea of the Job. She had to hide this from their notice. Though she hated deceiving them but she was desperate to save her dad's life .

She went to the location her beggar friends stayed. The former enemies turned friends. She begged them to give her some male outfits. They were surprised at her request but they were very glad to give it her. The clothes were her size. She washed it thoroughly.She compressed and tied her extremely long black hair into a bun. She patterned it like that of a male. She rubbed mud around her face and put a mole on her face. She put a tooth pick in her mouth to make her look roguish. When she was done with the disguise, she looked like a petite fragile handsome young boy.

She went to apply; Initially they had doubts due to her small size. Fortunately, she was accepted.

She was so overjoyed that she was smiling and jumping all the way home.

Her first duel with a tall big macho boy made her quite nervous. It was the first time she stood before a huge crowd to display her skills. The crowd mocked and jeered at her because of her little size.

" Who brought this small boy here? He will definitely lose this match"

" His muscles are so thin, he doesn't even look strong as a boy" Another said

"He supposed to be at home with his parents. Oh! He is even a beggar "

The crowd erupted in a huge laughter. All these made Ling mei resolute and determined to win the match.

The crowd was awe struck at the way she beat him up without wasting any time. Her male name was Lei Feng. They hailed her and called her the name "Swift monkey". They had never seen someone with such strength and outstanding skills despite being smaller than most boys.Further duels that came her way, she emerged the winner. She had never lost any match. Lei Feng became so popular for his skills and surprising techniques. He was sought for far and wide. The rich and the poor were interested in having a glimpse of the young champion with the outstanding skills. The arena made more profits because they had a lot of spectators. The nobles always came to watch whenever she had a duel. Some people even placed bets on him. Lei Feng was the talk of the town. But no one ever knew that she was a girl except her beggar friends who were extremely proud at her feats of success. They always cheered her and encouraged her.She had saved up a lot of money but she needed to take up the final match to complete the money for the medication. She was the champion of Qianzhong village.

The final competition was held for the top champions of all the neighbouring villages. They arena wanted to determine the very best among all. And this idea was an avenue to make more money. It was fixed between Lei Feng and Ming Hao of Huang village. These two persons had emerged the overall champions amongst all other.

Ming Hao was a burly looking man who was very tall with broad chests and big muscles. He looked like a giant. His size was thrice the size of an ordinary looking man. He had deep bass voice that instilled fear in anyone he spoke to. His look and stature alone was intimidating. He had been in this profession for 20 years. He was known to never lose a battle. He had always emerged a winner. Unfortunately, everyone he won usually ended up dead. He usually killed all the victims he won. He believed complete victory lies when the opponent that lost is dead. He had a deep killing intent.He usually cut off their head and took their weapons as a trophy. No single person had ever defeated him.One champion who people felt could defeat him ended up dead. Everyone feared to challenge him because he never showed mercy.

Ling mei was so devastated when she heard that he would be her opponent. She was quite fearful. The stories she had heard of him scared her and gave her goosebumps. But she couldn't just back out at this point. Neither did she want to loose her life. It would be disastrous if she ended up killed. Her parents wouldn't recover from such. But she couldn't just lose the reward if she won. This was her only chance to complete the money for her father's treatment. Fear tugged at her heart? Would she really be able to win? Would she end up dead? Would she end up breaking her parents hearts instead of helping?Indeed, she didn't know what the future held in stock for her.