The Child

Ling Qiang was 9 years old as of now, he was in the peak of his youth as he had gotten an letter of approval from the town hall to train his body in the school grounds after class.

this piece of news has greatly brightened the mood of his uncle Wu Qiang, while most kids started they're body training at the age of 6 in the town academia ,he had been rejected doe to his untalented nature,although Ling was a cripple he always believed that his nephew is smarter and stronger than any other kid around,the only memories of his great father made him tremble and believe that one day, Ling will become someone that people will fear and respect.

That day Uncle Wu prepared a roasted boar to make sure Ling will be ready for the training he will be doing tomorrow.

The next day at 5 pm sharp ,a thin kid could be seen walking to the school grounds,as he reached the entrance of the stadium ,he upped his pace as he started running.The teachers especially gathered at the topmost right window facing the stadium to see the capabilities of Ling-er.

The poor little child has been running for almost 20 minutes now ,he was swaying hardly as he could barely move.He threw himself on the grass field that he was next to, after a 10 minute rest he began doing sit-ups,and as he could not hold on anymore he collapsed on the grass again,after 2 hours of such insane training he finally left for his house.

At the topmost right window of the building an old man was silently seeping tea from his cup while a mid aged woman was admiring Ling with curious eyes ,the woman seemed impressed as she stated"Ah this child,he is definitely well suited to become a warrior,too bad he has already missed the suitable age for training,if we put him under your tutelage him he would become one of the top 10 in our academia"

The old man although seemingly unfazed was greatly moved by the woman's speech and the importance she put on him.

"You overestimate me mam, however I have to agree he is a very good seedling,should I send someone to talk with his family?"

The woman paused for a second as though deep in thought.

"Not yet we need to make sure he is the one that we've been searching for, lets watch him for a couple more days", as she finished speaking the woman turned into light as she disappeared.

"Ah ,I should take my leave too, don't disappoint me kiddo" The room seemed as if no one was here ever before,as darkness slowly descended.

As he got home Ling did not even bother to pay respect to his uncle, as he took a bath and went to sleep.What he was not aware of was that Wu Qiang has been watching him all this time, keeping an eye if anything were to happen.

Seeing that Ling-er was soundlessly asleep, Uncle Wu returned to his own dorm, he felt deeply moved when he saw his nephew train so hard, he knew that he was taken fun of while outside, he also knew how much the kid wanted to meet his father,unfortunately Wu could not tell him the truth behind who his father was and the circumstances behind his disappearance, as he himself had to hide his prowess and live like a mortal in order to raise Ling-er.

The next morning Ling's body was sore all over as he had difficulties moving, after taking lunch and paying respect to the little painting that his dad left before he disappeared, he went to the library,although he was not of noble birth, after countless days of whining and begging, the librarian agreed to teach the child how to read and write.

Fortunately for him, Ling seemed somewhat capable in this field as he picked up things pretty fast.Today he promised he will let Ling-er read some book about basic herbology. The kid ran past the counter as he approached the old man that was reading a book quietly.

"Old man Tai, you've agreed to let me read a book about herbs today,you surely did not change your mind did you?"said the kid questioningly while observing the book the librarian was reading.

"Of course not,I've prepared it for you already, go take it from the lowest drawer on my desk,and read quietly,don't disturb me"said the old man as he returned back to his book.

Full of anticipation, Ling-er opened the drawer and inspected the book, he thought that since he was untalented in the ways of the fight he could at least become a scholar or a strategist,and herbology was something that could not be neglected in neither of them.