Training Dummy

[Tai Lung's POV]

"I am Shakui, from the Celestial waters of India."

"I came to you, strongest of the world, with a warning."

You know what? That was actually hilarious.

I laughed, it started small but then it turned into full-blown laughter that demanded a slap to the knee. The way the shark was trying to be scary even though he was a fish and the quickening vibration of the ground added to the comedy.

"I'm sorry, that was a good one. But do go on." I said in amusement.

"It is a warning from the Supreme Emperor of eternal Gupta, Chandragupta himself. I suggest you don't take this highly, vermin." the shark said and clamp down his jaw.

Surprisingly, I did not have to react as a sharp cut snapped at the side of the shark's head, taking off the tiniest chunk of his flesh. His small beady eyes widened when he did not see or feel the attack coming.

*Ting-Ding-Ding*

"Say what you want while you have a head." Mei said from behind with no small amount of anger in her voice.

His lips stretched into an angry snarl but did not further escalate the situation. I assumed it would be quite scary when you nearly get your head chopped off by an attack you never saw coming.

"A duel." he said, "The Emperor asked that you give Gehra Rakshas a proper duel."

"Gehra who?"

The shark pointed at the walking whale on the horizon, "He wants vengeance against you for killing Smaudragupta. Whales are emotional creatures and we couldn't stop him. But the Emperor also do not want to escalate the situation and he knows you can defeat Gehra Rakshas."

"So he asks that you give a duel to Gehra Rakshas, defeat him but do not take his life. He warns that if you do kill him, the Emperor would take it as the ultimate disrespect and won't waste time in going on an all-out war with China." the shark said.

It was a bold proposal.

From what I could understand from the message, the Gupta Empire did not want to go on an all-out war. The invasion earlier was done only by the Nothern region and it did not involve the whole of the Empire.

But things escalated out of thier control. The death of one of their kings did not go without consequences. The whale must be a great asset to the Empire and hold enough influence that the Empire would be forced into a war if he died.

Basically, the Emperor wanted to avoid more conflict since China was more of a threat than they initially expected. Yet at the same time, he couldn't do anything about the current situation.

It wasn't a bad proposal. I was here to protect China and act as a wall to stop the invasion, if I agreed to this then I would be doing my job.

Yet.

"I refuse."

I was a warrior through and through, if someone came at me with the intent to kill I would respond in kind. That was what I did with Wubao and that was what I would do to this whale.

Besides, there was really no reason why I should turst the words of an enemy. I had learned from the conflicts before, the rest of the world was not as kind as China. They lack dignity and honour.

Instead, I would even go as far as to make sure the whale is dead. If he truly was important, I would be dealing a huge blow to the enemy with minimum effort

"I wouldn't comply, the Emperor should have controlled his subjects instead of asking a stranger like me." I said and the shark frowned.

"Are you sure you won't regret this decision?" he asked.

My smile lost half its kindness.

"I won't."

"Then lets test that." the shark said and he grabbed the hilt of the dagger strapped on his belt. He was about to pull his weapon out before he saw a flash.

*Chiiii*

It was the sound of a thousand birds chirping at once, singing even. It was a song of death.

Chidori.

The speed of lightning could not be described as fast. It was instantaneous, especially in a short distance like this.

My body felt the strain of the attack but that was no issue with my healing capabilities.

In an instant, I found myself behind the shark. The flash of light ended and the world witnessed its fastest movement.

Mighty Eagle was no longer the fastest animal.

"Heh." he mouthed before half of his body got torn off and blood splurted out like a dam.

His body fell forward and it made a thud when he hit the ground. I lamented how easy it was getting to defeat most opponents. I'm afraid in no time, I won't notice the difference between a powerful warrior and a fly.

'Hopefully, you can give me more of a challenge.' I thought to myself while looking at the whale on the horizon. He had covered a significant distance.

I was hoping for someone on whom I could test my new techniques. It must be fate that sent such a big dummy right when I needed one. I hope he can take a hit.

I used flashsteps to shoot towards the whale.

..

..

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[3rd POV]

"Finally, he is gone."

Mei watched with a small amount of shock when he saw the shark stand up after Tai Lung left to deal with the whale.

His body quickly regenerated at a visible speed and she observed in wonder how such a thing happened. She took note of the way his chi turned into vitality that ultimately healed his body.

"You're a cultivator." she said.

"But of course I am." the shark said with a laugh. By the time he fully stood up, he was as good as new.

That was unnaturally fast even by a cultivator standard, she should know. Also, Tai Lung should not have been so careless as to leave him alive, the shark obviously have tricks up his leave.

"Surprised? You know sharks have always been renowned for their regenerative abilities even without cultivating. But when we do, it makes us almost unkillable through all means." he said with no small amount of pride in his voice.

"That's interesting. Next time we will be sure to disintegrate your whole body at once." Mei said flatly.

He chuckled, "Well then ugly human, you seem awfully close with Tai Lung, your scent was all over him and his on you. If he is really going to kill the leader of the whalefolks, I need to keep my word and make him regret his decision."

So that was what he planned all along. He knew from the start that Tai Lung wouldn't accept such a ridiculous proposal.

Even his arrogant demeanour that was almost begging to be attacked was because he wanted to fool Tai Lung into thinking he was dead.

And then he would hold her hostage or even hurt Tai Lung through her.

...

She always knew this day would come if she stayed close to Tai Lung. It was difficult to hurt the strongest in the world directly so they would always go for her.

If Tai Lung ever start caring for her like she hoped he would, then she would become his greatest weakness.

She knows this very well.

That was why she was training so hard. That's why she must be strong in order to not be such a glaring weakness of his.

When she asked if he would allow her to stay by his side forever, he said as long as she prove herself, she could.

This was what he meant.

It was time to prove herself.

*Ting!*

The shark's head was clearly ripped off his body when Mei tore the world's chi where his neck was existing.

But his headless body still moved and it caught his bisected head before it fell on the ground.

"That's cute." he said before putting his head back in its place. The wounds quickly healed.

The thing about having insane regenerative abilities was that at one point, you grew fearless of wounds.

And after living a bit more centuries, you eventually became completely fearless.

You are no longer afraid of anything.

He pulled out his dagger and rushed towards Mei who shook her bell again. Her eyes narrowed and then the fight started.

..

..

[IMAGE]

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