I drew a breath — slow, measured.The air was dry, as if the very world had frozen, bracing itself to become an arena.The stranger stood within the circle, unmoving, a statue clad in black. His garments did not stir, his gaze did not waver — yet within that stillness lurked a deadly focus.The wooden sword in his left hand was no weapon — it was an extension of his flesh.He did not move — and that was more terrifying than any battle cry.
And I... I took a step.Then another.
"Remember," a mocking voice echoed, "if you so much as touch me or force me to use my right hand — you win. Five minutes. Begin whenever you like."
I did not answer.Words would not shield me.I clenched my fists, gathering myself.The aura of my first branch — copper-hued — wrapped around me, thick as mountain mist, but cold and resolute rather than furious.The second branch was not yet complete, but I felt it deep within my dantian — a heat like fire within bone, straining to break free.
I surged forward.
The first strike — low, swift, aimed at his side. Parried.He didn't even glance at me, only turned his wrist.The second — aimed at his head. Blocked.The third — a feint with a sudden pivot, trying to slip behind him — missed.
His body flowed along some invisible arc.He never stepped outside the circle, never lost balance, never moved without purpose.I attacked like a whirlwind — fists, legs, my entire weight.Each movement was pushed to the limit.But all I struck was empty air.He slid between my blows as if he had foreseen them.The smile on his face never faded.
Time stretched.Minutes became an eternity.Sweat streamed down my temples.My muscles burned.But I did not yield.Every heartbeat I tried to seize his rhythm, to catch the faintest tremor when he shifted — and strike.In vain.
He struck only once — a whip-like snap with the back of his sword against my shoulder.Pain flared like fire.I staggered back, and he shrugged:
"Close. But not enough."
I lunged again.Now, it was not about landing a blow — it was about breaking his balance.I leapt, rolled, feinted wildly, even kicked up dust to obscure his vision.Not a single blow connected.
I exhaled.The air seared my lungs.I doubted I could endure another minute — but I knew: there was still a chance.He thought me ordinary.He believed I was just another stubborn boy who had gotten lucky.
And that... that was my chance.
I dropped my hands, letting my guard slip.My face slackened with exhaustion, my breathing ragged.He narrowed his eyes — a disappointed teacher — and shifted to the side.
In that instant, I unleashed my aura.
It blazed forth.
First — the copper, solid and unified energy of the first branch.Then — the unstable, flickering yet fierce pulse of the second.I poured everything into a single point.My fist.It pulsed with pain, as if molten fire burned within it.
"Ha!" I roared, lunging at an angle he had yet to encounter.
The strike — swift, impossible to trace — targeted his left flank.It was carried by compressed qi, like the crack of a whip imbued with a dragon's fury.He reacted — but not in full.The sword caught the blow — but too late.
My qi fire raced along his weapon, flaring against his robe.The fabric puffed, nearly catching flame.
He knocked me back — but without force.For the first time, his face faltered.He glanced at his clothing, at the blackened scorch mark.Then, at me.
"That was... unexpected."
I gasped for breath.Sweat poured from me in rivers.Every muscle trembled.But I stood.
He laughed — short, without malice.
"It seems I underestimated you, boy. Despite the gap between our levels... you squeezed every last drop from your qi."He shook his head."Talent. Grit. A bit of recklessness. Not bad at all."
He reached into the folds of his robe and tossed a small pouch to me.I caught it midair — weightless, yet heavy with the clink of coins.
"Ten gold coins. And a token. Not just any token, but the insignia of the 'Weightless Sword.'Find those who know, and you'll understand the worth of this meeting."His voice grew grave."You want to know who sent me to test you? Ask Son Mi Gi."
"Father of Yang Gi?" I whispered.
He nodded once.And without another word — he vanished.Literally.One step, and he dissolved into the evening air, leaving no trace, no sound.Only the twilight breeze stirred the grass where he had stood.
I was alone.Shaking.Still feeling the throbbing of my overloaded body, the burning in my fingers, the ache in my chest.But the pouch in my hand was warm.I slowly opened it.
Inside — ten flawless gold coins and a token.It was simple — thin as a leaf, engraved with the image of a sword crossing a cloud.I had not seen one in a long time — but I knew.This was no mere symbol.It was a key.
I closed my fingers around it.
"Weightless Sword..." I whispered."What a meeting..."
Turning toward the house, I took a step.Then another.The pain returned, but I already knew: I had achieved the impossible.I survived a meeting with a master far beyond my level.And not merely survived — I left a mark.A small one, insignificant to him — yet to me, it was everything.
Now I knew the path was open.My body might not remember — but my mind did.
Yes... and this was only the beginning.