13 Chapter 10: Spar and conditioning
(Alright, I have established a tiny amount of familiarity between all the characters. It's time to pick up the pace a little. Also, the chapters before are not filler.
The previous chapters are meant to set up the setting and the characters for the whole arc.
It's all about letting the story marinate and build for that slow burn, until…. It explodes into the main climax of the arc in question.
This starts out with a fight and then martial conditioning. It's going to feel so repetitive in the conditioning, but that's the whole point. That's the annoying thing about conditioning. It's about doing it over and over again with each strike feeling like your bones are going to shatter.
I really want to emphasize the pain, the suffering, and this is just at the beginning, this is just the foundation.
It hurts. It hurts like hell. But, you keep on going because that's what excellence takes.
Anyways, continuing with the story.)
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TWO MONTHS LATER***
In the center of Erhai Lake's training ground, Lei Kung stood watchful as Davos and I faced each other. There was an air of tense anticipation as we sized each other up, neither of us shielded by anything but our own skills and reflexes.
We were both shirtless and only wearing white sweatpants made of cotton
"Begin," Lei Kung announced, his voice firm and authoritative.
Davos and I circled each other cautiously. I could sense his focus, the way his eyes tracked my movements, searching for an opening. I remembered Lei Kung's lessons about balance and the importance of reading an opponent's intentions, not just their actions.
Davos made the first move, a quick jab aimed at my chest. I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding his strike, and countered with a swift but controlled punch towards his side. He parried, deflecting my hand away with a quick movement of his arm.
The dance continued, a fluid exchange of strikes and parries. Each move was a test, a probe for weakness in the other's defense.
"You're holding back," Davos grunted as he feinted left and then struck right.
I dodged, feeling the rush of air as his fist passed by. "Just trying to keep it interesting," I replied, a half-smile on my face despite the intensity of the moment.
Shifu watched silently, his eyes sharp, missing nothing. He was ready to intervene if necessary, but he allowed us the space to truly test our skills against each other.
The air was thick with anticipation. I could sense every subtle shift in Davos's stance, every minute change in his breathing.
Davos's attacks became more aggressive, his frustration at not being able to land a hit growing. I used his momentum against him, redirecting his energy and staying just out of reach. It was a delicate balance, pushing him without overstepping into recklessness.
He launched a quick jab aimed straight at my face. I leaned back just in time, feeling the air brush against my skin. Seizing the moment, I countered with a jab of my own, aiming for his chest, but Davos deflected it smoothly.
We continued, our movements a blend of offense and defense. Davos threw a series of rapid jabs, trying to break through my guard. I parried each one, staying on the balls of my feet, ready to move.
Then, with a sudden change in rhythm, Davos swung a heavy hook towards my head. I ducked under it, feeling the whoosh above me, and responded with a hook aimed at his ribs. He absorbed the blow with a grunt, stepping back to regain his stance.
Not giving him a chance to recover, I advanced with a swift uppercut. Davos tilted his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a punch to the face.
I backed up and stepped into a kick, rotated my hips and snapped my leg into his calf; pushing it inward, unbalancing him for a fraction of a second.
Quick to recover, Davos spun around, aiming an elbow strike at my head. I raised my arm to block it, feeling the impact resonate through my forearm. I was pushed back, creating space between us.
He followed up with a front kick, but I sidestepped and grabbed his leg, attempting to throw him off balance. Davos, however, was quick to react, pulling on the foot in my grasp, leveraging momentum to jump off his grounded foot and land a kick right to head.
I let go of his leg immediately, pushing him forward and pushing off backwards to create space, causing his thunderous kick to miss.
I whistled as I felt the air blow against my face from the force of the kick.
"Not bad." I said with a smile
He smirked getting up quickly from the ground, "Haven't seen anything just yet, Danny."
Davos, determined to gain the upper hand, rushed at me to unleash a series of aggressive strikes, but his attacks were becoming predictable. I parried his punches, each block leading him into a rhythm I was starting to control. I could see the slight frustration in his eyes, a sign that he was aware of the shift in momentum.
Seizing an opening, I feinted a jab towards his face. As he moved to block, I quickly redirected my attack, landing a solid hook to his ribs. Davos grunted, the impact causing him to falter slightly.
Capitalizing on his momentary weakness, I unleashed a combination of strikes. A quick one-two punch followed by an uppercut that he narrowly dodged. I kept up the pressure, not giving him a chance to recover.
Davos tried to retaliate with a roundhouse kick, but I anticipated the move, stepping inside his range and delivering a sharp elbow strike to his midsection. He staggered back, winded by the blow.
He knew what I was doing, but he also knew that he couldn't do anything about it.
I could see it in his eyes, he was realizing what I was doing.
The liver shots were getting to him, one more sharp hit and he's gonna be on his knees. On the other hand, If he focused on blocking my liver shots then I will just aim for the chin.
*Whoosh
I side-stepped the cross coming at my face, I pivoted on my left foot to the right, feeling the separation of my hips as their rotation begun in almost slow motion to me, my hand that was slightly loose beginning to close up, only to fully tighten at the last second for maximum impact
Davos's eyes were dilating, his face in distress as he quickly put both forearms on his side to protect from what he knew was a powerful punch.
Sadly it wasn't enough.
My pivot created a small dip in the grass as time suddenly sped up as my punch smashed into his forearm creating a meaty PAH that reverberated through our surroundings.
I didn't pull back, I continued my range of motion as I felt resistance from his arm before I smashed it apart and almost lifted his whole body, causing Davos to slide a few feet away on the grass as he tried his best to absorb the force of my strike.
I slowly walked towards him, his right forearm was too damaged from my strike, I could tell from the way he moved it behind him and focused with his left hand in the front.
His posture now to the side with his left hand goading me forward, while he had a sweaty faltering smirk on his face.
I couldn't keep the grin from my face.
This kid had a spine of steel.
I walked forward, he rushed at me.
One of my jabs caught Davos squarely in the face, a sharp connection that drew blood from his lip. The taste of blood seemed to ignite a deeper aggression in him.
His attacks became more frenzied, a barrage of punches and kicks delivered with raw power.
Despite Davos's increased aggression, I remained calm, maintaining my focus. His strikes, though powerful, became less controlled, leaving him open to counterattacks.
I dodged a particularly wild swing, stepping in close to deliver a precise jab to his abdomen, followed by a swift uppercut that connected with his chin.
Davos staggered, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Blood trickled down from his lip, staining his teeth. He wiped it away angrily, his eyes burning with a mix of frustration and determination.
I raised my knee in a front kick motion, timing it to push back his chest.
His face grimaced as he brought forward his damaged right arm to try to catch my leg and pull it to the right.
It was so obvious, I could see his left hand twitching in anticipation to punch my face after I lost my balance.
If only… I wasn't better.
My front kick motion suddenly changed as my leg changed direction in the air, facing right.
I didn't smile.
I rotated my hips, feeling my grounded foot pivot inward
My foot snapped to his chin as a sickening crunch echoed throughout the surroundings.
A beautiful question mark kick.
The kick connected perfectly with the side of Davos's mouth, the impact crisp and precise. I saw his eyes lose focus, a glaze of unconsciousness sweeping over them. His body began to lean forward, and then, like a tree felled by a woodsman, he slumped to the ground, out cold.
Turning to Lei Kung, I saw him nod in acknowledgment of the technique's execution. He walked over, his expression a mix of appraisal and concern.
"Good job," he said as he reached us. I could see him checking Davos to ensure he was only unconscious and not seriously injured.
"How annoyed do you think he's going to be when he wakes up?" I asked, half-joking.
Shifu offered a wry smile. "Annoyed enough to probably challenge you again. But," he added more seriously, "understand that Davos recognizes the immensity of your talent. It's not your brilliance that angers him, but his own perceived lack of ability to match it."
Shifu knelt beside Davos's unconscious form, his expression one of deep concentration. I watched, fascinated, as he prepared to use his chi to heal Davos.
Davos lay still, the physical toll of our spar evident on his body. A large, purple-reddish bruise was visible on his midsection, a testament to the forceful blows I had landed on his liver.
His right arm sported a similar, albeit smaller, bruise, and there were several cuts on his lips from the jabs he had endured. The injuries, while not life-threatening, were significant.
Lei Kung's hands hovered just above Davos's body. A deep turquoise light began to emanate from his palms, casting a soft glow over the area. As he focused his energy, a fine mist of vapor seemed to seep from his hands, slowly drifting down and enveloping Davos.
The vapor, almost ethereal in its appearance, appeared to be absorbed into Davos's skin. As it did, the bruises on his body began to fade. The larger bruise on his midsection gradually lightened, the discoloration diminishing under the influence of Lei Kung's chi. The smaller bruises and cuts followed suit, visibly healing as more of the vapor entered Davos's body.
Lei Kung's expression remained serene, yet there was a palpable intensity to his focus. The vapor continued to flow, now at a faster rate, accelerating the healing process. It was a delicate balance of directing energy, a skill that required deep mastery over one's internal chi.
After a few minutes, the bruises had all but disappeared, and the cuts on Davos's lips were healed, leaving no trace of the earlier damage. The sight was remarkable.
Davos slowly began to stir, his body groaning as consciousness returned to him. His eyes fluttered open, focusing with a slight daze as he oriented himself to his surroundings. He pushed himself up slightly, a hand going to his head as if to steady himself.
"How long did I last this time, father?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and resignation.
Lei Kung responded, patting the dirt off his knees, and in a matter-of-fact tone, "Eight minutes flat. That's a fifty-second improvement from last week."
I reached out my hand to Davos, offering him assistance to stand. He looked at it for a brief moment before accepting it, pulling himself up with a grunt. There was a certain respect in that simple gesture, an acknowledgment of the challenge we had both faced.
"Question mark kick, really?" Davos said, a hint of begrudging admiration in his voice. "At least do a proper punch to the chin to knock me out."
I couldn't help but respond with a bit of wit. "You're akin to a stubborn mule, Davos. You would have happily traded your teeth for a good hit on me."
His response came with a small, bloodied smile. "You're damn right I would've." He then spat out the remaining blood in his mouth.
We both chuckled, the tension of the spar dissipating in that shared moment of humor and mutual respect. Despite the competitive nature of our fight, there was a semi-solid bond between us, a warrior's camaraderie that was strengthened through such challenges.
"Ahem", our attention immediately snapped to Shifu. He nodded and started walking.
Shifu led us to the side of Lake Erhai, where a gentle breeze offered a respite from the intensity of our recent spar. We sat down on the grass, preparing ourselves for his analysis of the fight. His insights were always invaluable, a chance to learn from our actions and grow as martial artists.
He began with praise, acknowledging our strengths and the efforts we had put into the fight. "Davos, your determination and combination of strikes were commendable," Lei Kung started. "Even with your arm nearly incapacitated, you adapted, using it for redirection, though that should be a last resort."
Lei Kung turned his attention to Davos's defensive strategy. "Use your elbows for blocking when necessary," he advised. "Matching your elbows against Daniel's punches can better absorb the impact. However, remember that movement should always be your plan A. Redirect, don't just absorb."
He then shifted his focus to Davos's overall strategy. "Your plan to take blows to make Daniel overcommit, then counterattack was brave, but risky. You must understand your opponent, Davos. Daniel's control and precision meant that such a strategy put you at a disadvantage."
Lei Kung's gaze then fell on me, his eyes reflecting both approval and a hint of caution. "Daniel, your control and technique were excellent. Your ability to read Davos and find openings was impressive."
Lei Kung turned his full attention back to Davos, his expression serious yet imbued with a sense of purpose. "Davos, you must understand that Daniel's greatest weapon is not just his physical ability, but his capacity to analyze, dissect, and tactically apply his knowledge. His intrinsic talent in the martial arts is, frankly, exceptional. However, therein lies your opportunity."
He paused, ensuring his words sunk in. "Your strength, Davos, lies in your determination, your ability to endure and adapt. Your approach to combat must be dynamic, changing, and unpredictable. You need to temper your anger, channel it into a multitude of shades, each move a unique challenge to overwhelm Daniel."
Lei Kung's advice was becoming more intense, reflective of the high stakes of martial mastery. "In combat, you must be willing to make sacrifices. If necessary, trade an arm for his arm, a leg for a leg, even an eye for an eye. It might seem crude, and as a teacher, it's not advice I give lightly. But your talent, your edge, lies in your ability to engage in a battle of attrition, to wear down your opponents with your relentless determination."
He looked at Davos directly, a stern yet encouraging father figure. "Your path is not about matching skill for skill in the traditional sense. It's about outlasting, out-enduring. Your journey in martial arts is to turn your raw determination into a refined weapon. It's about using your unique strengths to their fullest potential."
Davos listened intently to Lei Kung's advice, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he posed a question that had clearly been weighing on his mind.
"I understand, Father, but how do I break his guard? He's able to predict where I'll strike, and as I do, he redirects to launch a counterattack. Frankly, my ribs have endured enough abuse from this menace." He glanced at me with a mix of frustration and respect.
I couldn't help but chuckle lightly at his comment, appreciating the challenge I posed to him in our spars.
Lei Kung nodded in acknowledgment of Davos's query. "The problem, Davos, lies in your approach to attacking. You tend to commit to one extremely powerful attack or a series of fast strikes, all leading up to that powerful blow. Not every move needs to be a knockout or a setup for a knockout. You need to diversify your attacks."
He paused for emphasis before continuing. "Use your legs simultaneously with your punches. If you plan to jab at his face, for instance, couple that with a low kick to his leg. It's challenging for even the most skilled fighter to block both high and low attacks simultaneously. This will force him to either dodge or take the hit."
Lei Kung demonstrated a quick jab coupled with a low kick to illustrate his point. "Keep your other hand ready to block any counterattacks. This way, you're not just attacking; you're also guarding yourself. It's about creating a balance between offense and defense."
Davos listened, absorbing the advice. It was clear that Lei Kung's words were opening new perspectives for him in his approach to combat. The suggestion to integrate leg and arm attacks simultaneously was a tactic that could significantly alter the dynamics of our future spars.
However, Shifu's advice always accomplished that. Me and Davos have sparred 28 times, all of them ending in my victory.
The first spar ended up with him knocked out in four seconds, that was a week ago. In a mere week, he progressed enough to last nearly eight minutes.
He certainly was progressing well.
However, that doesn't mean I haven't either. On the contrary, I have been taking advantage of the adaptation caused by the 'cooling sensation'.
Lei Kung's training philosophy was to push us beyond our comfort zones, focusing on areas that needed development rather than just honing our strengths.
While Davos has been focusing on technique, I have been focused on conditioning.
Despite our fighting styles being the opposite, with my style of fighting being more sleek and minimalist than Davos's natural berserker tendencies.
Shifu made us focus on the opposite of what we were naturally good at.
Despite my body fitness being better than Davos, I leaned towards conserving energy and dismantling my opponents with surgical precision.
Thus, he had me conditioned.
Speaking of conditioning, as Davos and I rose to continue our training, it was clear that it was time for us to separate and focus on our individual training plans.
While Davos started his technique drills, focusing on refining his attacks and integrating the new strategies Lei Kung had suggested, I made my way towards the lake where several large wooden vats stood.
I knew what awaited me there – a rigorous conditioning exercise that was as much about mental endurance as it was about physical strengthening.
I lifted the lids off the vats, revealing their contents: sand. This was to be my training tool for the day. The exercise was simple yet brutal in its demand on the body. I was to punch the sand a hundred times with my palms, then switch to fists to condition my knuckles to strengthen them.
I stood before the vat, focusing on the task at hand. As I began the exercise with palm strikes, each hit produced a meaty 'PAH' sound that echoed around the serene lakeside. The sand, though seemingly soft, offered significant resistance, and each strike sent a jarring sensation through my hands and up my arms.
With every hit, the intensity of the impact became more apparent. After completing the hundred palm strikes, I looked down at my hands. They were bright red, mottled with spots of purple - clear signs of the strain they had just endured.
A cool sensation, like a numbing wave, began to surface, attempting to soothe the inflamed skin. I acknowledged it but pushed it to the back of my mind, focusing instead on the next phase of the exercise.
Closing my hands into fists, I started punching into the sand with as much force as I could muster without sacrificing form. The impact of the strikes was even more brutal than the palms. By the 30th punch, small droplets of blood began to appear, marking the first bloodshed of the day.
The exercise was relentless. As I continued, the skin on the upper parts of my fingers tore by the 50th strike, exposing raw, tender flesh beneath. By the 70th punch, my knuckles were caked in blood, with ripped skin hanging loosely around them.
Blood was now spurting out with each subsequent strike, painting the sand a dark, crimson hue.
Determination pushed me forward. Despite the pain and the sight of my own blood, I continued the exercise. By the 95th punch, the condition of my hands had worsened significantly. The skin was peeled back enough to reveal a hint of bone at the knuckles.
It was a brutal reminder of the physical demands of being a warrior monk.
Completing the set of a hundred, I pulled my hands from the sand, each movement sending sharp spikes of pain through my arms. My hands were a mess, but there was a sense of achievement in enduring through the pain, a testament to the mental fortitude required for this level of training.
After completing the grueling conditioning exercise, I stood still for a moment, catching my breath. Despite the pain throbbing through my hands, I maintained the discipline ingrained in me by my training. I bowed respectfully towards the barrel, acknowledging the challenge and the growth it brought, no matter how painful.
It was a habit drilled into me by Shifu and if I didn't do it then I would have to hold a plank with him standing on my back for an hour with small spikes under me waiting to skewer me or whatever devious punishment he could think of.
When you can heal nearly anything but the most grievous of wounds, there wasn't much regard to the care being of your student's recovery.
We learned that lesson very fast.
Closing the lid of the barrel, I walked over to the river to wash my hands. The cool water of the river was a soothing contrast to the rawness of my battered hands. I carefully rinsed away the blood and sand, wincing slightly as the water touched the open wounds.
The sand had a way of embedding itself into every tiny crevice and tear in the skin, making it difficult to clean thoroughly. Some grains stubbornly clung to the patches of ripped skin, irritating the wounds further.
As I worked to remove the tiny particles, the exercise's intensity weighed on my mind. It was a harsh method, but an effective one, pushing the limits of what my body could endure. Each grain of sand I washed away felt symbolic, like shedding the remnants of a challenge overcome.
The river's gentle flow was calming, a natural balm for both the physical and mental exertion of the training. This ritual of washing away the aftermath of such an intense exercise was almost meditative, offering a moment of reflection on the pain endured and the strength gained.
Once my hands were as clean as I could manage under the circumstances, I took a moment to appreciate the quiet beauty of the river and the surrounding landscape.
After a few minutes of rinsing, I got up from the river and walked to the other side of the wooden vats, and approached the log posts, a set of giant logs made from iron silk trees, known among the warrior monks for their deceptive texture and incredible hardness. These logs were a staple in body conditioning exercises.
Preparing for the next phase of my conditioning, I stripped down to my boxers, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension, getting rid of my long cotton pants. The task ahead was clear: a hundred sidekicks to condition my shins. I steeled myself for the challenge, knowing well the pain that awaited.
Why didn't I punch the log posts instead of the sand? Because Shifu said so.
Also, because it was a test of will, a challenge to push beyond the normal thresholds of pain and endurance. Each grain of sand that painfully rubbed against my knuckles was a stark reminder that the path I had chosen required not just skill and technique but an extraordinary level of resilience and determination.
Anyways, I positioned myself beside the first log, beginning the exercise. The initial kicks sent a sharp jolt through my legs, the sensation reminiscent of striking solid iron rather than wood. The surface, though seemingly soft to the touch, was unyielding, offering no reprieve from the force of each impact.
As I continued, the pain intensified. Each kick became a battle against both the log and my own body's protests. By the thirtieth kick, my shins were ablaze with pain, the skin starting to redden and swell. The impact of shin against the log echoed through the training area, a rhythmic testament to the harshness of the exercise.
By the fiftieth kick, small lacerations had begun to appear on my skin, the repeated trauma breaking through the surface. Blood mixed with sweat, trickling down my legs. The pain was almost blinding, but my focus remained unwavering, driven by the discipline instilled in me through my training.
The seventieth kick marked a turning point, where the pain seemed to plateau into a dull, all-encompassing ache. My shins were raw, the skin torn and bleeding profusely. Each subsequent kick felt like striking a wall of fire, but I pushed through, determined to complete the set.
As I neared the hundredth kick, my legs were trembling, not just from the exertion but also from the sheer force of enduring the pain. When I finally delivered the last kick, there was a sense of relief mixed with pride. My shins were a mess, streaked with blood and marked by the brutality of the exercise.
Exhausted but satisfied, I stepped away from the log, feeling every bruise and tear in my shins.
Having completed the grueling shin conditioning with the sidekicks, I turned my attention to the next phase of my training: conditioning my elbows. The iron silk trees, unforgiving in their hardness, were now to be the target for my elbows – a part of the body essential for blocking and striking in martial combat.
I positioned myself alongside the log, my arms already feeling heavy from the previous exercises. The thought of striking this unyielding surface with my elbows was daunting, but I knew the importance of this training in building resilience and toughness.
I started with the first elbow strike, driving my elbow into the log with as much force as I could muster. The impact was jarring, sending a wave of pain through my arm.
I continued, each strike a test of endurance. By the thirtieth elbow strike, my skin had reddened, the force of each blow echoing through my bones. I could feel bruises forming, the pain sharp and acute, but I pushed on.
As I reached the fiftieth strike, the skin on my elbows began to split, small cuts opening upon the repeated impact. Blood started to mingle with the sweat that coated my skin, a stark reminder of the exercise's intensity.
With each subsequent strike, the pain intensified. By the seventieth elbow strike, the cuts had deepened, the skin around my elbows raw and torn. The pain was almost unbearable, each impact feeling like I was hitting a wall of solid steel.
Despite the agony, I focused on maintaining proper form, ensuring that each strike was as effective as it was painful. This was not just about physical conditioning; it was about pushing the boundaries of my pain tolerance, about mastering the ability to endure.
When I finally completed the hundredth elbow strike, I was overwhelmed with a mix of relief and accomplishment. My elbows were battered, bruised, and bleeding, but the satisfaction of having completed the exercise was undeniable.
Conditioning always sucked. But, it's better for me to feel the pain in practice than in battle.
Exhausted and in pain I walked to the water. Each step towards the lake felt like an arduous journey in itself. My shins, elbows, and knuckles throbbed intensely with every movement, a constant reminder of the harsh training I had just undergone.
The lake, with its cool, inviting waters, seemed like a sanctuary after the brutality of the iron silk tree conditioning.
Reaching the edge of the lake, I didn't hesitate. With little regard for grace, I let myself fall into the shallow waters. The cold water enveloped my battered body, offering an immediate sense of relief.
The nurturing chill of the lake soothed my bloody shins, elbows, and knuckles. It felt like a balm to my injuries, the cold water contrasting sharply with the lingering heat of my exertions.
Lying there, floating in the shallow part of the lake, I gazed up at the sky. It was a canvas of beauty – the blues more vivid, the clouds softer and more serene than I had ever noticed before.
Perhaps it was the exhaustion, or maybe the relief from the pain, but in that moment, the world seemed exceptionally beautiful.
The cold sensation, which had been a subtle undercurrent during the earlier stages of my training, was now at its full force, working tirelessly to repair the damage I had inflicted on my body. It was a natural healing process, a testament to my body's remarkable ability to recover and adapt.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to float gently on the lake's surface. My body, unburdened by weight or pain for the moment, drifted peacefully. The lake was large, but I was in no danger of drifting too far away.
I knew I could swim back within 15 minutes if needed, but for now, I just wanted to rest, to let the water carry me and my thoughts.
Here, in the embrace of the lake, I allowed myself to simply be – supposed savior of the multiverse, yes, but also just a human, connected to the world in its most elemental form.
On the other side of the lake, Davos was doing his own training.
Davos, standing beside his father Lei Kung, was the very image of focus and discipline. They were alone now, their interaction more formal and structured without Daniel, yet interspersed with moments of light-heartedness that revealed the deeper bond between them.
Lei Kung watched Davos intently as he moved through a series of punches and kicks. "Your form is improving, but you must concentrate on fluidity," Lei Kung advised. "Each movement should flow seamlessly into the next."
"Yes, Shifu," Davos replied, resetting his stance and starting again. His movements were precise, each strike delivered with purpose.
As Davos trained, his attention was momentarily drawn to Daniel, who was undergoing his own intense training regimen. From a distance, he observed Daniel's battered hands and shins. The sight of the blood and visible bruises made Davos wince slightly.
Despite his frustration at being consistently bested by Daniel, in this moment, watching Daniel's relentless dedication, a sense of respect washed over him.
Lei Kung, ever observant, noticed the shift in Davos's demeanor. "It's not uncommon for a rival to be your greatest motivator," he remarked, his eyes following Davos's gaze to where Daniel trained.
Davos turned to Lei Kung with a question that seemed to have been lingering in his mind. "Father, I push myself to surpass Daniel, but what drives him? Who is he trying to beat?"
Lei Kung paused, considering the question. He sighed softly, a reflective look crossing his face. "Davos, we each have our own battles, our own challenges that drive us. For some, like you, the battle is clear – a rival to surpass, a goal to achieve. But for others, the drive is less obvious, more internal."
Davos listened, his brow furrowed in thought.
Lei Kung continued, "Daniel's dedication, his relentless training, it may not be about beating someone else. It could be a personal quest, a pursuit of perfection, or a challenge he has set for himself. We all have different motivations that push us to excel."
Lei Kung placed a hand on Davos's shoulder, imparting a sense of understanding. "It's important to recognize that everyone's journey is unique. While we train together, share experiences, and learn from each other, our individual paths are our own."
Davos nodded, absorbing his father's words.
Lei Kung's gaze shifted back to Daniel for a moment before returning to Davos. "Our role, as fellow martial artists and as individuals, is to support each other when we can, lend a helping hand, and learn from one another. But, at the same time, we must stay focused on our own trials, our own growth."
Davos looked at his father, and at the floating visage of Daniel whose blood was tinting the water around him the tiniest amount with a profound gaze.
Lei Kung, after concluding the discussion with Davos, gave him a nod of approval. "You are dismissed for today, Davos. I'll see you back home after I attend to Daniel's injuries." Davos bowed respectfully to his father and left the training area, his steps carrying a mixture of fatigue and contemplation.
Meanwhile, I continued to float in the cool waters of Lake Erhai, finding solace in its calming embrace. The pain from the conditioning was still present, but the water provided a soothing counterbalance.
Suddenly, Shifu's amused voice cut through the tranquility. "Enjoying a swim, Daniel? Or are you trying to become one with the lake?"
I opened my eyes, a smile playing on my lips. "Just trying to figure out if I'm more buoyant than I thought, Shifu," I replied, maintaining a light-hearted tone.
Lei Kung laughed, a sound that seemed to carry across the water. He stepped onto the lake's surface, standing effortlessly as a subtle turquoise hue emanated from beneath his feet, a clear usage of chi.
I watched in admiration, momentarily distracted from the aches in my body. "You know, you keep doing all these cool things with your chi around Davos and me. When are you going to teach us how to at least start harnessing it?" I asked, half in jest and half in earnest curiosity.
Lei Kung's expression softened, and he looked at me with a wise yet mysterious gaze. "In time, Daniel Rand Kai. You and Davos will be introduced to the wonders of our life energy soon enough. There is a time for everything, and the understanding of chi must come at the right moment."
I sighed, partly in frustration, partly in anticipation of the lessons to come. I started swimming towards the shore, feeling the water resist against my movements, a reminder of the natural forces all around us.
As I swam, Lei Kung began walking back along the surface of the water, his figure receding next to me towards the shore.
Lei Kung approached me as I reached the shore, his expression one of both concern and professional interest. He knelt beside me, his eyes scanning the extent of my injuries from the conditioning exercises.
Without a word, he placed his hands above my battered shins and knuckles, not touching them but hovering just inches away.
A soft, turquoise glow emanated from his hands, the energy visibly flowing from his palms. I felt a warm sensation enveloping my injuries, a soothing counterpoint to the raw pain and throbbing.
The glow intensified slightly, and I could sense the healing process accelerating under the influence of Lei Kung's chi.
As he worked, Lei Kung spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of amazement. "Daniel, if I didn't know for a fact that you were your father and mother's son, I would think you have some mystical heritage." He paused, focusing on the healing. "Your natural regeneration is remarkable.
While it's nothing compared to chi-enhanced regeneration or that of some advanced students who have studied the Longevity Sutra, for a human, it's slightly astounding."
I lay there, absorbing his words and the healing energy. It was a rare acknowledgment from Lei Kung, a man who had seen many students with various abilities and levels of resilience. To hear him express such a thought was both surprising and affirming.
The pain began to recede under Lei Kung's skilled ministrations. The cuts were closing, the bruising was fading, and the rawness was giving way to a dull ache – a more manageable level of discomfort. It was a testament not only to Lei Kung's mastery of chi but also to the potential he saw in me.
As he finished the healing session, Lei Kung gave a satisfied nod. "You're healing well, Daniel. Your body is adapting to the conditioning very well, for now rest. Tomorrow, I wish for you to meet me at my home for training."
I nodded and didn't question it.
Shifu got up from his half-knelt position, waved goodbye at me and blurred away.
I never got tired at watching him just turn akin to an afterimage due to sheer speed.
Looking at the sun, I could tell from its overhead position that it wasn't even the afternoon yet.
Getting up from the ground, I hopped a few times on the ground. It honestly was amazing, Shifu's chi even healed the lactic acid in the muscles that was causing any soreness.
I grabbed my pants, put them on after drying myself with a towel. My shirt was neatly folded on the ground before the spar between me and Davos, I put it on. I started jogging back home, enjoying the breeze in my face.
After around 5 minutes of easy jogging, I started reaching town. Waving my hand to the neighbors, I slowed down to walking as the orphanage came closer and closer.
Opening the soft brown door to the large house where we all lived, I found it unusually quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of the household seemingly at a pause. I climbed the stairs to my room, my movements carrying none of the weariness from today's intense training.
Walking into the bathroom, I was greeted by the familiar, simple yet functional setup that always brought a sense of calm. The bathroom, reminiscent of the one seen in Doctor Strange, featured a basic mirror, a sink, and a large wooden tub that promised relief after a long day.
The room was devoid of unnecessary adornments, reflecting the practical and focused lifestyle of a warrior monk.
As I took off my shirt, I paused for a moment to look at my reflection in the mirror. My body, though that of an 8-year-old, showed signs of my rigorous training and disciplined lifestyle. There was a noticeable leanness to my frame, the muscles of an athletic kid evident under a thin layer of fat.
This wasn't the extreme leanness often seen in athletes or bodybuilders; it was the healthy, resilient physique that Lei Kung emphasized in our training.
Lei Kung had always been particular about our diet, ensuring that we maintained a balance that supported both our training and overall health.
He often reminded us that a layer of fat over the muscles was beneficial, serving as an absorber of impact, and that extremely low levels of body fat could be detrimental to our health and performance.
Thus, our diet was rich in carbohydrates, with ample servings of rice, beans, nuts, and legumes. It was a diet designed not just for physical strength, but for endurance and longevity.
I turned on the faucet, letting the water flow into the wooden tub. As it filled, I grabbed my miswak and started to brush my teeth. I usually did my morning routine after training with Shifu and Davos because there was no point in showering if you're going to get sweaty right afterwards.
Plus, even though I always ate before going to training, it was okay because I still brushed my teeth after training.
I spit out the water in my mouth after swirling it all around after a few seconds. I went to the wooden tub, turning the faucet off. There was a small bowl on the wall ledge next to the tub.
The bowl had a mix of lavender, epsom salt, and rosemary inside to mix in with the water for a nice herbal bath.
Despite needing none of the recovery benefits that these herbs provided for sore muscles and inflammation, I just found it so relaxing and aesthetically pleasing that I still added them.
I dumped the bowl in the bath, mixing the nice warm water with my hand to make a mini whirlpool in the bathtub. I mixed for a few minutes, letting the essence of the herbs truly meld into the water.
The color of the water turned a slight shade of purple as I stopped mixing. I grabbed the bowl, filling it up with a handful of herbs again from the three different vats under the ledge and put the bowl back.
I stripped down, hung my clothes on the wooden ledge and plunged into the water.
"Hahhhhh"
A relaxed sigh escaped my mouth as I practically melted into the tub, enjoying the warm water relaxing my body.
THE END.
(The last chapter of semi-normalness showcasing the nice and cute routine that Daniel got for himself in K'unlun.
Well, he better enjoy it while he can because pretty soon he's gonna get busy and definitely won't have the luxury to have nice herbal baths to relax anymore.
Because I feel bad for the readers that want some real plot progression outside of fleshing out characters and establishing the world, I added the fight scene at the beginning and made this chapter extra long.
This chapter is around 7,000 words, not including any of my author notes.
Enjoy Folks and have a wonderful weekend. See you next time with some real stuff.)
