The Voyage In The Blizzard - Chapter 51
For the first time in his life, feeling pressure from all sides, Longwei, deep inside, was lost. For the first time, realizing the stupidity of his role as a teacher, Longwei wanted to be in his cave where he was alone. Alone with nature.
Standing in the fields, in front of the Heads of the Three Clans and also in front of Lei, he looked through his confused thoughts at the soldiers.
In the very center of the field, Ye Ying was already ready for battle. Arms crossed over his chest, his frown was focused in front of him.
All the soldiers, whose number was able to fill all the logs that were located around the huge field, sat with a swords in their hands. The three heads of the clans sat on high stone chairs over which towered wooden roofs to protect them from snow.
From the outside, it all looked like there was a real boxing ring here. With a large audience and a jury..
The eternally snow-covered field on which a few days ago the soldiers ran and fought, now turned into a stage, into a ring where everyone was supposed to become the best actor who would prove to everyone that the years of training were not in vain.
Xing Fu closely watched Longwei’s every move, slightly bowed his head towards Lei who was sitting next to him. “Lei, I always expected the best achievement from you. But now seeing Longwei instead of you, I completely forgot that you left my clan.” He shot a quick glance at Sun after saying that.
Hearing and seeing everything, Sun threw off his fur cape with a sly look and said, “Brother Xing Fu, I hope you are not angry with me? Or worse, I hope you are not angry with Lei. It was I who lured him into my clan. But you should be proud of yourself brother. After all, you made him so generous and kind. If you saw what my soldiers have become, you would be surprised. Lei, he is really talented. So I have to thank you for him. ” Knowing how much Xing Fu valued Lei, he added with happiness in his eyes, “With Lei, I sometimes think my clan will reach unprecedented heights.”
“The only achievement for each of us is to survive. To survive at least one more minute, or an hour. Or a day. This is an achievement. But chasing personal gain and personal goals, this is already a waste of time. Lei was a good warrior and teacher, he brought a lot of honors to my clan, but now I have Longwei, and he is much better. ” said Xing Fu proudly.
Hearing his words, Lei smiled slightly. All this time, throwing quick glances at Longwei, he felt himself alive again. Seeing Longwei far in front of him, the spark that gave his life meaning appeared again. Concealing his emotions, he nevertheless put on the cold-blooded mask back.
“In that case, we are finally on the same level brother. And finally I can say that my clan also exists. Right, brother On?!”
On, sitting with his head down, as if being in his own world, lazily nod his head. Expressing no interest in their conversation, all he thought was his son. The desire to see him as a warrior grew every second.
“Brother On, what are you thinking?” Sun asked insolently.
Taking his time to answer, On leaned his elbows and directed his icy gaze to Yue Liang. “During all this time, you have not learned to be silent, dear Sun. You keep talking and talking. But in reality you do nothing. Sometimes I wonder how and why Lei agreed to become the part of your clan.”
Without showing that his words sounded offensive, Sun, turning on his pretentious naivety, made a surprised look. Covering his mouth slightly with his hand, he said, “Brother Xing Fu, just listen to what he’s talking about.”
Xing Fu without looking at them said, “On is right.” Then standing up, he raised his hand and shouted, “Longwei!”
Taking this as a sign that it was time to start, Longwei shook his head and all the soldiers stood up simultaneously.
An atmosphere of worry and confusion hovered over the white field.
The soldiers holding their breath only could imagine how Ye Ying would attack them without giving them a chance to escape from his giant hands.
And what was even more terrible was that this was the last time they entered into battle with their own kind.
The oppressive thoughts of everyone made the icy air heavy.
Longwei, without saying anything, approached the first soldier. Looking into his frightened eyes that expressed deep kindness, Longwei smiled slightly, thus wanting to give him a little peace of mind.
The soldier ignored his smile and stepped forward. Holding his sword firmly in his hand, his tall figure, dressed in a thin shirt without buttons and pants of the same material, headed towards the center of the field.
Longwei, stepping aside, without a word, just nodded his head and Ye Ying took a fighting pose in front of the soldier.
A moment of deep silence when even the wind stopped blowing, for a few seconds gave the upcoming battle an epic beginning.
With both hands gripping the sword, the soldier’s eyes were directed to Ye Ying.
Taking a deep breath, then a long exhale, the soldier did not have time to blink as Ye Ying launched the first blow.
“Every time I look at your Ye Ying, I’m scared. I can’t imagine how scary it must be for someone who is fighting him now.” whispered Sun as he watched Ye Ying’s massive body moving with dexterity, striking one blow after another as the soldier was stepping back.
Using all the techniques that Longwei taught him, the soldier, making a jump right in the air, swung his leg and thereby kicked Ye Ying in the chest. Without moving, Ye Ying caught him by the leg and, lifting him high, threw him on the ground.
Knowing that the battle could not be stopped, unless he was victorious or completely defeated, the soldier whose heart fully followed Longwei’s instructions was able to stand up. Feeling the power in his hands, he sent it to his sword. Spinning on the battlefield like a whirligig, using his small body (compared to Ye Ying) as a privilege, he slipped through the snow several times, dodging blows and, being behind Ye Ying, was about to strike with a sword. But Ye Ying grabbed the blade of the sword with one hand and pushed it aside with force.
“I have seen many times how Ye Ying crumpled swords with one hand without getting hurt. Looking at him, I wonder why these beasts still do not exist. With such power, he could have killed several thousand beasts at once.” Sun said without holding back his remarks.
As Sun said, Ye Ying, making the sword unusable, continued to move on the field as if he was just walking.
Breathing heavily, the soldier with his last strength trying to somehow beat him, suddenly remembered how Longwei, using the enemy as a springboard, pushed off him and the next moment inflicted a strong blow from above.
Standing firmly on his feet, waiting for Ye Ying to deliver another blow, the soldier caught the multiple glances of all the soldiers sitting around him. Not wanting to show himself weak, he gathered all his strength that remained.
Swinging his fist, Ye Ying went straight at him with fast speed, taking advantage of this, the soldier grabbed his hand and slightly jumped up. Climbing as if on a rock, the soldier, like Longwei, pushed away from him and, directing all his weight into his fist, finally dealt a strong blow to his face.
Staggering back, Ye Ying still stood on his feet. For the first time in this fight, having received such a powerful blow, Ye Ying’s eyes lit up with fire.
The feeling of fatigue and fear had completely disappeared, and now, following simple instincts to survive, the soldier, using all of Longwei’s tricks, simply dodged the blows. And while dodging, he discreetly grabbed Ye Ying’s leg or arm and thereby made him lose his composure.
“Longwei, this is what you taught everyone. You taught them not strength, but cunning techniques. This soldier, he never struck a proper blow.” Sun said without taking his eyes off the fight.
Not daring to remain silent, Longwei standing by Xing Fu replied, “Sometimes you don’t need strength to survive.”
Shaking his head, Xing Fu said with approval in his voice, “To survive, you have to be cunning.”
Feeling Lei’s eyes on him, Longwei moved a little further. Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was watching the fight, Lei took a few steps towards Longwei. Stopping, he glanced quickly at the serious Longwei.
“What are you doing? Don’t run away from the blows!” grumbled Ye Ying who felt slightly tired and dizzy.
Without stopping, the soldier slipped past him and at the very moment when Ye Ying wanted to kick him, the soldier grabbed the snow and threw it right in his face. The freshly fallen fine snow that did not have time to harden was like sand. Throwing more snow, so that all the snowflakes hit him right in the eyes, the soldier took advantage of the situation and pulled his leg with all his might and the next second Ye Ying was already lying on the ground.
According to the rules, if in the last battle Ye Ying falls to the ground with his whole body, then this means only one thing, victory.
With joy in the eyes, soldier, raised both hands up and there was a dull applause from afar.
“Not bad …” Sun said while biting his lip. Looking at Longwei who was smiling slightly, he said, “This soldier will definitely survive. With his cunning moves.”
Xing Fu, slapping Longwei on the back, laughed softly, the blush appearing on his pale face indicated that he was very pleased with the fight. “Longwei, it’s too early to rejoice. But I hope that all your soldiers will show the same agility and skill as the first soldier.”
Frowning even more, and now looking even fiercer, Ye Ying threw a menacing look at the soldier who was leaving the battlefield with joy on his face.
While waiting for the next soldier, Ye Ying shook the snow off his face and took the right pose.
“And why does it seem to me that this fight will be remembered for a long time.” Without ceasing to speak and comment, Sun, feeling all the excitement, got up and took several steps forward so that he could clearly see the battle.
Longwei, using the moment when everyone was absorbed by the way another soldier flew up with the ease of a feather and struck sharp blows, stepped back. Knowing that Lei would do the same, he still tried to look serious.
Slowly approaching each other, but acting consciously, they themselves, without noticing it, were already very close.
Feeling the touch of Lei’s shoulder, Longwei suddenly lost all connection with reality. The ground slipped from under his feet, the voices died down, heart stopped beating.
Without moving, they both looked straight ahead.
And only this light touch of the shoulder was enough to feel all the stars in his soul.
Lei, unable to take it any longer, grabbed Longwei’s hand abruptly. Long, cold fingers gripped his palm greedily.
Feeling electric waves all over his body, Longwei closed his eyes, but a loud cry from a soldier who was pinned to the ground brought him back to senses.
Squeezing Lei’s hand in return, Longwei still could not turn his head and look into his eyes. After all, a meeting with gazes would lead to a whole disaster.
“Bravo! Bravo!”
Sun’s loud voice brought them both back to the cold reality. Abruptly stepping aside, Longwei approached Xing Fu.
After defeating Ye Ying, a soldier named Ice exclaimed, “How easy it is!”
Xing Fu raised his head and laughingly said, “It seems Ye Ying will never forget this day. Too much defeat for him.”
“I’m afraid he’ll soon lose his patience.” On added.
The next turn was Baofeng-Xue. Taking a step forward, Longwei was completely back to his senses.
Confident in Baofeng-Xue’s strength, he still experienced the worrisome excitement.
“Just look, our Longwei is worried about his brother.”
No longer able to tolerate Sun’s remarks, On turned to him and said, “You can’t be silent, or is this fight just fun for you?”
Widening his eyes and looking inquiringly at On, Sun abruptly fell silent.
Paying no attention to anyone, Longwei closely watched Baofeng-Xue’s every movement. Dodging every blow, holding the sword in his hands, Baofeng-Xue fought not as Longwei taught him, but in his own way. Using his sword more, he deftly deflected the blows of Ye Ying’s sword.
Despite the difference in muscle mass, Baofeng-Xue showed his strength and steadfastness against the background of the giant warrior.
And in the blink of an eye, before everyone knew it, Ye Ying was defeated. Pushing back Ye-Ying’s sword with force, Baofeng-Xue with all his might kicked him in the chest. Unable to resist in the slippery snow, Ye Ying fell down with a crash and growled angrily with his fist on the ground.
“Baofeng-Xue, his father was a good friend of your father, right?!” On asked.
Longwei happily replied, “Yes. We spent our short childhood together. And youth too. Therefore, he is like a brother to me.”
Sun added his poisonous words to the conversation with a specially cleared cough, “Brotherly feelings, they are unacceptable in our world. Am I right?!”
“Longwei’s father was like a brother to me too. So brotherly feelings may be the only thing that still makes us human.” Xing Fu replied sharply, trying to make Sun finally shut up.
But he was not going to be silent. “And then what feelings are unacceptable?! The ones from which some soldiers died in a shameful battle?”
“Lei, did you accidentally fall from the mountain? Become the part of Sun’s clan, are you crazy?!” On asked looking at Lei.
“Teacher Longwei! I won’t let you down!” Delun’s loud voice was heard. Walking energetically towards Ye Ying, he threw his sword away and said, “I guess I don’t need a sword!” Getting into a pose, but without waiting for Ye Ying to take the first step, he ran straight at him with a cry and jumping up wrapped his legs around him and the next second threw Ye Ying straight onto the snow.
Ye Ying, throwing him away, quickly got up and in return with all his body wanted to jump on him, but Delun grabbed both his legs and pulling forward wanted to make him fall, but he, lifting him by the scruff, threw him to the side with all his might.
Falling under the blows, Delun, not paying attention that blood was coming from his nose, continued to swing his fists until he hit Ye Ying in response.
Laughing, Xing Fu pointed at the giant and said, “It seems he will never forget these fights. Poor Ye Ying.”
Without holding back the cries of pain and victory, Delun, using all his positive attitude, with a run jumped over him and Ye Ying did not have time to recover how Delun kicked him on the back.
Wanting to stand up, Ye Ying, clutching his sword, was going to win this time, but before he had time to start a far-fetched fight, Delun was already sitting on him, pressing him to the cold ground.
“Didn’t expect this from me?! And why is everyone afraid of you? You are huge, but you are still not so fast. Hey guys, it is very easy to defeat him! While he turns his giant body, you can have time to make ten circles around and inflict a few hits! ” After shouting this, Delun waved to Longwei and exclaimed, “Longwei, I said I won’t let you down!”
The next half of the day, as he watched the soldiers take turns on the battlefield, Xing Fu exuded a full spectrum of emotion for the first time ever. Sun, having stopped inserting his comments, just stared in silence, and it was clear that deep down, envy took possession of him.
Feeling all the excitement of what was happening, Longwei rooted for every soldier. After all, during this time, everyone became a friend and even a brother to him.
After several defeats, Ye Ying still managed to defeat a few. Throwing a whole person to the ground, he proudly looked forward to the next. But mostly he was defeated. And the next in turn was Xiaoli.
Knowing how Xiaoli behaved on the battlefield, Longwei worried about him with all his heart. “Come on Xiaoli.” he whispered to himself.
“I’m afraid this handsome young man will be afraid to stain his face with blood.” said Sun.
Longwei, unable to endure any longer, looked in his direction. “Sometimes I am amazed at Master Sun, how did you manage to become the head of the clan? What is your secret? I think you have a lot of them, secrets …”
Smiling nervously, Sun’s eyelids twitched. “How cocky you are.” he said trying to look confident. “But each of us has our own secrets.” Looking at him pointedly and cutting off his sentence, Sun was still hurt by Longwei’s words.
Seeing this, Longwei felt satisfied.
The excitement that grew with each passing time became less and less. Xiaoli, who had once shown himself as a weak and frigile, now struck with ease and confidence. And watching his elegant movements in the air, someone might say that this guy is not fighting but dancing.
Swing a leg, hand and a sharp jump, dodging blows somewhat and Xiaoli was already holding his sword to Ye Ying’s face. Stopping Xiaoli stepped aside and heard voices shouting, “Don’t stop!”
Xiaoli turned to Longwei without listening, and from a distance one could see a slight smile on his face.
“Fight on!” shouted Longwei.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ye Ying did not hesitate to strike from behind, and Xiaoli, as if willingly, fell to the ground. Pressing him to the ground, Ye Ying noticed that Xing Fu was waving his hand, so he stopped.
“He could have won …” Longwei whispered to himself.
After multiple battles, Longwei had already lost count and stopped noticing who was on the battlefield. But when the last turn came to Yue Liang, he shrugged his shoulders and threw a quick glance at On.
As if reading his mind, On quietly said, “Let’s see what my son has become and whether he has become anything at all.”
Entering the ring, Yue Liang looked a little tense and even scared. Looking in front of him, into the snowy void, he uncertainly clenched his fists and heard Ye Ying’s rough voice. “If I hurt you, then I’m sorry. You are the son of the head of the clan. But don’t expect me to be kind. I just do what I have to do.”
Smiling nervously, Yue Liang took the right pose and said in response, “Don’t worry. I can handle it.”
Ending a short conversation at this point, Ye Ying did not start the fight until Ye Liang began the fight.
“Forgive me.” Yue Liang said quietly and at the same moment, swinging his sword, struck the first blow. Reflecting his blow, Ye Ying easily pushed him out of the circle.
Not wanting to look further at the fight where Yue Liang was clearly losing, Longwei turned away. During all this time, having become close to Yue Liang, Longwei perceived him as he perceived Baofeng-Xue. And therefore, the worry that was in his heart made him want to close his ears and eyes until this fight was over.
The sound of the flying blades of swords slicing through the air was the only living sound across the field.
And only from time to time, Yue Liang’s heavy sighs reached his ears. Deciding to win at any cost, using all the movements that Longwei had personally taught him, Yue Liang was not going to give up. Especially when his father’s gaze was on him. Holding back strong blows that Ye Ying brought, staying on his feet, under the weight of the sword he was able to raise his hand and swing. Now feeling himself like a real warrior, he knew that he should not protect himself, but Longwei. Protect his name and to prove to his father that he is capable of something.
Waiting for this fight to end, Longwei nevertheless turned and what he saw calmed his mind a little.
“Your son Yue Liang is very strong. Why did you complain about him all this time?” asked Xing Fu pushing On lightly.
Clutching the shaft of his sword, Longwei whispered, “Hold on.”
With a loud cry, Yue Liang holding the sword of Ye Ying, who literally pressed him to the ground, felt his muscles become bloodshot, thoughts disappeared, and his heart beat wildly. Channeling all the power that remained in him on his sword, Yue Liang slowly began to rise back.
Longwei, whispering words of support to himself, thus attracted the attention of Lei and Xing Fu.
And when Ye Ying’s sword was finally at one level with his face, Yue Liang took a step back and Ye Ying felt the edge of the sword at his chest.
With the sword pointed directly at his chest, Yue Liang said, “The beast can be defeated by thrusting a sword into its heart.”
Nodding his head in acknowledgment, On rose from his chair and looked at Longwei. “It’s not in vain that I entrusted my son to you. Good job Longwei. Finally, Yue Liang showed himself.”
From early morning until late at night, after finishing the battle between the soldiers and Ye Ying, everyone was excited by the taste of victory. And even those who lost were still happy that they were able to survive in the battle with this giant.
Xing Fu, with his head held high, gave everyone an approving look. “Now I see that the new generation of soldiers will not fail the First Clan.”
Approaching Longwei, he said, “After today’s battle, I hope that you will remain in that clan as a teacher. And perhaps the title of warrior is not far off.” Slapping him on the back, Xing Fu turned his gaze to Lei. “As much as it sounds, Longwei is a godsend in our world. And I won’t let your talent go to waste.”
Longwei, relaxing a little, towards the end of the day, tilted his head and said softly, “Don’t forget your promise. I mean, the letter my father left for me. I’m about 25 soon, so I don’t think you lied to me.”
To which Xing Fu replied with a laugh, “Of course Longwei, whatever you want. The main thing is that you stay in the First Clan. This is the only way I can show your father what a good person you have become. I have no doubt that he is proud of you.”
“Well, stop praising him like that, we haven’t seen Longwei’s fight.” intervening in the conversation said Sun.
“I think Ye Ying is a little tired. And besides, where should we rush.”
Sun, standing by the fire, nodding his head, said, “You’re right, Ye Ying, poor fellow, must be tired. So why don’t Longwei fight someone else. Those whose powers are the same as Ye Ying’s.”
Back in his chair, Xing Fu asked, “Who do you propose?”
“Lei. Why doesn’t Longwei fight the greatest warrior of the whole world?! This will show how strong he is.” said Sun, whose words sounded like thunder in Longwei’s head.
“Resolved! With powers like Longwei’s, he should fight someone who has more strength than all of us. Lei, go to the field!”