Chapter 8: The One-Sided Spar
Not three minutes later I stood on a bamboo mat, facing what looked like a carbon copy of Lee Shio-Ming. However, there was one difference, Lee Tao actually had hair, granted he only had a pair of sword like eyebrows but it was still something. No doubt the old man bullied Lee Tao, he was envious of anyone who had hair, and he would constantly try to trick his disciples to shave their head. He would often tell you that this was the way of the Dao.
Lee Tao however, looked like an honest and upright person as he was dressed in Buddhist robes, but Gu Erin knew the true nature of Lee Tao. This bald monk was a prolific swindler, gambler, and a shameless debt collector. This kind looking monk would not let go of a single yuan, it was even worse when he arrived in Heaven's Mercy. This baldy would chase someone down to the ends of the world just to get his money back with interest. He was one of the strongest of Earth, he had fallen in the end, but Gu Erin respected him nonetheless.
Facing him now, Gu Erin could only smile inwardly, he would have been hard pressed to defeat Lee Tao when they were cultivators, but now? They were both mortals and Gu Erin was incredibly out of shape. His stamina, strength, and flexibility were all shit. The only thing he knew he had an edge in was his aura control, Gu Erin was confident in his win, his enemy had no knowledge of him, and this edge was enough.
Gu Erin shared a bow with Lee Tao, no words being spoken, he ran countless approaches in his head before settling on a method that would allow him to win.
"Begin!" Lee Shio-Ming said heartily, no doubt he was looking forward to this fight.
Without hesitation both Lee Tao and Gu Erin leapt forward, both of them entering each other's strike range within a split second. Lee Tao led with a sweeping kick hoping to ground Gu Erin right at the beginning. Gu Erin had seen the movements, although he was slightly slower to react than he would have liked it was still fast enough to evade the sweep.
Gu Erin then focused, aiming a blow to his unprotected side, Lee Tao had rotated his body slightly too far when trying to sweep Gu Erin's legs. Lee Tao did not panic as he swiveled his body even further, effortlessly evading Gu Erin's blow.
Lee Tao thought for a split second on why his grandfather had wanted him to spar with this ordinary looking youth, but he admitted his reflexes were good, he was obviously well practiced. However, any sign of doubt quickly fled his mind as he went to block an incoming blow aimed at his side, it had followed up too quickly from the youth's previous blow to completely evade.
However, Lee Tao was baffled to find that when he expected to intercept the blow and defuse its force, he found it never came. Confused, Lee Tao was unable to protect a blow that appeared from thin air as it hit his other side, the kick and his broken balance resulted in him being sent to the ground. It took only a split second for Lee Tao to realize. This youth was an aura control master, he cursed his grandfather countless times in his mind. Amitabha, grandfather do you hate this grandson of yours?
Lee Tao was just about to quickly recover himself, but Gu Erin was long waiting for this moment. He knew that if this fight was drawn out even further he would lose miserably. Even now he was more mentally exhausted than physically, honing one's intent to fool an enemy's perception was extremely taxing.
Gu Erin quickly brought down his foot next to Lee Tao signifying the end of the match, the match was so quick. Most were unsatisfied and attributed Gu Erin's win to his luck. But the older crowd in the dojo didn't speak. Only the trained eye could have caught the use of aura.
Lee Shio-Ming himself was quite happy, he had indeed wanted this outcome. In all aspects his grandson was a genius when it came to martial arts, he had never suffered a loss within the same generation. All he wanted was to humble his grandson lest he get a big head and bite off more than he can chew.
"Hahaha! Good, very good! This old man is satisfied." The old man waved his hand. "The rest of you back to practice." He ordered casually; the old baldy then motioned for us. "Lee Tao, Gu Erin, come-come let's talk."
After Lee Tao grumbled a bit both Gu Erin and the young baldy followed the old man out to the courtyard. The old man seemed to be in a chipper mood as he now walked with a skip in his step. Gu Erin could only shake his head and grin inwardly; this old man was really a character. Even in his past time line you could beat his disciple black and blue and he would laugh at their misfortune. But, as soon as the old man detected even a hint of true killing intent directed at his disciple, he would turn into a wicked and wrathful being the likes that would have demon lords taking notes.
After sitting down and making himself comfortable Gu Erin finally asked. "So are we in agreement."
The old man happily nodded. "Although I'm still not sure what this is all about I can tell that you mean well enough. Though…" the old man turned serious seeming to contemplate something. "All I want to know is one thing. Is it that dangerous? If that's the case couldn't I just tell them to leave the city now?" the old man asked tentatively.
Gu Erin shook his head, he knew what the old man was thinking, he thought there was going to be a disaster. Although Gu Erin applauded his thinking in evacuating his loved ones Gu Erin had to give him the bad news. He took a breath and sighed, "Master Shio-Ming this is no longer something we can avoid. All we can do is prepare for what's about to come. I can't let everyone come with me so I'm only taking the capable, I hope you understand."
The old man grimaced as Lee Tao only looked on from the side, seemingly confused with the conversation going on between his old man and Gu Erin. "Grandfather what's wrong, is something happening?"
Lee Shio-Ming glanced at his grandson and sighed. "I'll tell you later." He then turned back to Gu Erin a serious frown on his face. "Are you telling me that I can't let my disciples bring their families?"
Gu Erin thought for a second. In the end he compromised in his heart, these families might be more capable than others, or at least that's what he was hoping. He looked the old man in the eyes, he could tell that the old man was going to tell them anyway. He might as well foster good intentions with his old master.
"They can bring them to Haymire Village, but free loaders will not be accepted, trust me when I say this Master Shio-Ming, for what's about to come, its not for the faint of heart." I answered.
Lee Shio-Ming's face turned even more grim, he did not ask any pointless questions, he knew he wouldn't get answers. The fact that Gu Erin was a young aura control master made his words valid enough. "What are your plans? Is there anything I can help with to prepare?" He finally asked after a long moment of silence.
Gu Erin thought for a second, he then nodded, "if you can have your disciples and their families gather in the dojo by mid-day tomorrow. Having them together might help avoid confusion for the transition. They do not need any belongings; it would only get in the way. Haymire village will have everything we need to get through the beginning" Gu Erin paused. "As for my plans, I will have to go to Sword Rain Pavilion, I am going to offer them the same option."
At last, the old man finally smiled, and he laughed, "well I can help with that, that old coot and I have some history together, I'm sure if I told him that stubborn old donkey would obediently move!"
Lee Tao grimaced. "More like he would be afraid not to…" he muttered under his breath, Lee Tao sensed an incoming slap and wen to dodge, only to find his grandfather hadn't moved. He glowered; he was sitting next to two monsters. He patted his robes electing to pretend nothing had just happened, he didn't even know why he was here.
Gu Erin smiled, "then I will leave it to Master Shio-Ming, it frees my schedule up." Gu Erin accepted, his gratitude apparent, and he really was thankful. He was really considering skipping his third visit, seeing so many faces and hearing the voices of his loved ones had truly affected him. Although his Dao heart was somewhat stable it did not mean it was unmoved. If it shifted too much at this time he would find himself facing heart demons as soon as he started cultivating again. It was best to pay the price now and meditate, rather than waste time in Heaven's Mercy and slow his growth.
"I will take my leave then Master Shio-Ming." Gu Erin got up and bowed, he proceeded to leave the dojo, and hail another taxi. He had planned to walk to his dorm room after visiting the two martial arts halls, but his previous taxi left without charge. So, Gu Erin decided to use his money, because soon it would have no value, his time was far more important now.
***
When Gu Erin finally left Lee Tao could no longer hold back his curiosity. "grandfather who was that? And what's going on?" He asked, Lee Tao could tell just from the look on his grandfather's face that whatever they were talking about wasn't good news.
Lee Shio-Ming's eyes lingered where Gu Erin had sat, he had just met the young man, but he could not see through him. Lee Shio-Ming was once a soldier who had fought in many battles, and he could see the hardened look in the boy's eyes, that was not a look any youth should have. So, Lee Shio-Ming decided to trust his intuition and listen to the young man.
"Lee Tao gather the disciples, I'm afraid I have some bad news, it looks like we might all have to leave for a bit." He said slowly as his face darkened. He already promised himself that if this boy was pulling his leg he would make him disappear for wasting his time, but for now he would follow through with his instincts.
"Grandfather you…?" But when Lee Tao saw the look on his grandfather's face his words escaped him. He's serious, deathly serious.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone