Chapter 7 – DEMON BEAST TRIAL?

  Instructor Fang Duan’s deep voice rumbled through the lecture hall like a drumbeat.

  “…and with that, our lecture concludes. One last matter before you’re dismissed, ” he scanned the room with sharp, discerning eyes.

  “In thirty days! The Iron Root Martial School will host the annual Demon Beast Hunting Trial.”

  A beat of silence followed, then murmurs spread like an anxious tide.

  Younger students shifted uneasily; a few turned pale.

  Whispers.

  “I’ve never fought a beast…” and

  “We’re not ready!” rustled like dry leaves.

  Kong Tian stood quietly in the crowd, arms folded, his expression unchanging.

  Demon Beasts?

  He’d been slaying Mortal-class beasts since the age of ten, skinning them for meat and fur to feed his brother and uncle. This wasn’t a threat. This was routine.

  Beside him, however, Kong Ming had gone pale. His hand trembled around the cane he leaned on.

  Though the boy said nothing, Kong Tian could feel the turmoil. Kong Ming had yet to reach even the first stage of Body Tempering. If the Trial were held today, he wouldn’t survive a single clash.

  ?

  Food Pavilion.

  That afternoon, the brothers ate together at the food pavilion. Though the area buzzed with other students, they sat in a quiet corner.

  “Kong Tian,” Kong Ming said softly between bites, “I found something in the Knowledge Pavilion. A medicinal text… it mentioned herbs that might help. If I use them right, they could temper my bones and strengthen my meridians.”

  Kong Tian’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?”

  Kong Ming nodded. “They’re rare, but not impossible to find. The weaker ones can be bought with some money.”

  “We could try the Bone Refinement Tonic.”

  For a moment, hope lit Kong Tian’s face. Then it dimmed.

  “We don’t have the money,” he said bluntly, setting down his bowl. “Not yet. You keep studying, little brother. I’ll figure something out.”

  He ruffled Kong Ming’s hair and stood to leave.

  ?

  For the next few hours, Kong Tian ran errands, moving firewood, hauling grain, fixing fences. The coin he earned was meager, but honest.

  As he passed a narrow alley behind the bakery, he heard the unmistakable thud of fists hitting flesh.

  He turned without hesitation.

  Three older kids were kicking a scrawny figure curled on the ground, rags clinging to his body, blood trickling from his lip.

  “Hey!” Kong Tian’s voice cracked like a whip.

  The bullies sneered.

  “That’s the brother of that cripple.”

  “Trash should know when to look the other way.” The bully sneered.

  One of the older boys hesitated.

  He’d seen Kong Tian at the martial school entrance ceremony.

  Ranked 1st among the younger generation, 9th-level Body Refinement, at thirteen!

  Before he could warn the others, Kong Tian had already moved, his kick slamming into one of their faces.

  “Run! We’re not his match!” the boy shouted, picking up his unconscious friend and fleeing.

  The beaten boy coughed and looked up, eyes wide. “Y-You… saved me?”

  Kong Tian crouched. “Why were they beating you?”

  “I… I took stale bread from their trash,” the boy muttered. “They said it was still theirs.”

  “You were starving?” Kong Tian asked, frowning.

  The boy didn’t answer, but his sunken cheeks and trembling limbs told the truth.

  Without another word, Kong Tian picked him up and brought him to a food stall. He spent some of his hard-earned coins on a warm meal.

  The boy devoured it like a starving dog, tears in his eyes.

  “Thank you… I’m Gu Bi,” he said, bowing low. “I’m an orphan from the northern outskirts. My parents were killed hunting demon beasts when I was eight. I’ve been surviving on my own since.”

  He looked up with pleading eyes.

  “Big Brother, you’re strong. Let me follow you!”

  Kong Tian frowned. “Do you have any family?”

  Gu Bi shook his head, holding back tears. Then he dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

  “Please let me become your lackey! Every strong hero needs one. I can cook, clean, wash clothes, anything!”

  Kong Tian stared at him. He reminded him so much of Kong Ming, skinny, sad, desperate, but with fire in his eyes.

  “Fine.” He said at last. “But no stealing.”

  Gu Bi’s eyes sparkled with gratitude.

  ?

  That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Kong Tian returned to the school. Kong Ming stood waiting near the gate.

  “Where’s the harness?” Kong Tian asked.

  “I don’t need it,” Kong Ming said proudly, leaning on his cane. “I’ll walk on my own.”

  Kong Tian smiled.

  Beside him, Gu Bi bowed deeply. “Hello, Big Brother!”

  Kong Ming blinked. “Big brother…?”

  Gu Bi grinned. “I’m Gu Bi. I’m Brother Tian’s lackey!”

  Kong Ming looked at his brother in disbelief. “Lackey?”

  Kong Tian’s lips twitched into a wry smile.

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  ?

  Kong Courtyard

  That night, at the old courtyard, Kong Tian hunted and returned with a small Mortal-class beast. As he cleaned it, Gu Bi fetched water, scrubbed pots, and even patched the roof with mud.

  Later, under the stars, the three sat together.

  Kong Ming asked about Gu Bi’s past. The boy spoke quietly of life on the streets, nights sleeping in carts, stealing to survive.

  Despite his frail frame and tattered clothes, his eyes still burned with will.

  Kong Ming saw a reflection of himself in those eyes.

  ?

  The next morning, the brothers awoke to find two luxurious black robes folded neatly outside their door.

  Kong Ming frowned. “This… this could be a trap. What if someone planted these just to accuse us of stealing? No one in Iron Root would believe we got robes like these on our own.”

  Kong Tian sniffed the fabric. “High quality. Expensive.”

  “Leave them,” he agreed.

  They wore their old clothes to school.

  As they arrived, a sharp voice rang out.

  “You two! Why aren’t you wearing what I left for you?!”

  A sharply dressed young woman stood with arms crossed, glaring. Bai Yuyin stood just behind her, smirking.

  Kong Tian and Kong Ming were stunned.

  “You… left those robes?” Kong Ming asked.

  “Of course I did!” she snapped.

  “You’re the top student of this class. Walking around like beggars reflects poorly on the entire school!”

  Kong Tian blinked. “Are you always this blunt?”

  The girl ignored him. An older man in gray robes stepped forward and bowed.

  “Please forgive the Young Miss’s rough tone. I am Lee Gu, steward of the Lee household. This is Lady Lee Chan-Chan, a guest of the Bai Clan. She meant no disrespect.”

  “Right…” Kong Ming muttered.

  “Please consider the robes a gift,” Lee Gu added warmly.

  Kong Tian and Kong Ming exchanged glances… then shrugged.

  “Thanks, I guess,” Kong Tian said.

  ?

  That evening, 29 days before the Demon Beast Trial, Kong Ming revealed something new.

  “There are wild herbs in the Iron Forest. Ones I need.”

  Kong Tian nodded. “We’ll go soon. I’m almost done saving for the Bone Refinement Tonic recipe.”

  Me and Gu Bi made a promise to help with wall repairs and lumber deliveries. We’ll be back by dinner time. Kong Ming nodded as he watched their departing figures.

  After confirming they left, he grabbed his cane and made his way to the training spot by the stream.

  Kong Ming has been making meaningful progress. His legs have always been the weakest part of his body, and before he began training, they couldn’t even support his body weight for more than a few breaths, but now…

  He can walk about 30 steps with a stable, firm stance, but whenever he goes past 30 steps, the fatigue overwhelms him…

  Haaa…haaa..haaa…he panted for air.

  His chest moved rapidly..

  He wiped the sweat off his forehead. And fell on the ground…

  “I can’t wait to surprise Tian by walking beside him for the first time, when we go to the forest.”

  …bushes started to rumble…

  Who’s there?!?

  _______________

  Meanwhile

  In Iron Root Town.

  Shops and restaurants lit up the streets, as the evening began to transition to night.

  Two Boys can be seen running through the streets with packs of wood on their backs..

  ..As they continued their errands, Gu Bi and Kong Tian were stopped by two sneering youths…

  They each were wearing dark red sashes, members of the Yuan family.

  “Looking for someone?” one sneered. “Your brother’s in trouble…”

  Kong Tian’s eyes narrowed. “What did you do?…”

  “..Come to the outskirts, they grinned. “

  “…Or he gets hurt...”

  The boys followed obediently.

  At the window of a restaurant, a grey silhouette can be seen observing the departing boys.

  ?

  At the edge of town, just before sunset, Kong Tian found Kong Ming tied to a tree, his cane tossed aside. Yuan Fei stood nearby, bruised from their last encounter. Beside him was a taller, broader youth:

  Yuan Jin.

  “So you think you’re strong?” Yuan Jin said coldly. “Let’s see how you do against a Spirit Apprentice.”

  “Master Tian is not afraid of you bullies?!” Gu Bi roared.

  Yuan Jin made a gesture to his lackeys, and they quickly restrained Gu Bi and covered his mouth.

  Kong Tian’s expression darkened.

  Yuan Jin recently broke through to become a spirit apprentice, but his foundation isn’t stable yet… If my combat standards are superior, I might have a chance...

  Kong Tian and Yuan Jin slowly entered a cambot stance...

  The two silhouettes of Kong Tian and Yuan Jin lunged forward the next instant.

  The fight was brutal. Yuan Jin’s strikes were fast, imbued with spiritual energy. Each blow stirred the air.

  Kong Tian’s raw talent barely kept him on his feet. He was slower, but his brother’s teachings came to mind.

  Don’t watch hands or feet. Watch the shoulders and hips.

  This can help lower mistakes when fighting a faster opponent.

  Using that predictive technique, he dodged critical hits, suffering only superficial wounds…

  Yuan Jin’s brow furrowed…

  Whoosh, a fast kick aimed at Kong Tian's section strikes at an instant.

  Kong Tian, using the prediction technique, was able to barely guard against it in time, being pushed back several meters by the blow…

  ..“Is dodging all you know?!” Yuan Jin barked, humiliated.

  Even as a Spirit Apprentice, he couldn’t land a solid blow on a brat five years younger.

  Yuan Fei was sweating. His nerves elevated…. His brother is struggling!… even after becoming a spirit apprentice?!

  Kong Tian’s eyes narrowed. He wiped blood from a gash on his cheek.

  He can draw in spiritual energy. I can’t… not yet. But if I strike where it matters…

  Whoosh!

  Yuan Jin lunged with a full-force punch.

  “Now!”

  Kong Tian dashed forward, seeming to take the bait, but then dropped low, sliding between Yuan Jin’s legs and slamming a punch into the side of his knee.

  Yuan Jin grimaced.

  “You sneaky bastard!”

  But Kong Ming could tell, the blow did serious damage to Yuan Jin…

  My brother might not have the higher cultivation, but he’s still a genius in combat..

  With his movement slowed, Yuan Jin became easier to evade, and easier to counter.

  Yuan Fei’s unease deepened. Kong Tian’s taking damage too, but my brother is being pushed back…

  Kong Tian’s technique was sharp, but his stamina was fading.

  Then, just as Yuan Jin threw another punch, ….

  “Ahhh!”

  Kong Ming cried out…

  Seizing the moment.

  Yuan Fei had struck him in the face.

  Kichah!

  Yuan Jin’s punch landed a moment later, square into Kong Tian.

  “You think you can worry about others while fighting me?” Yuan Jin sneered.

  Kong Tian spat blood. “I’ll tell you what, every time I hit you, your brother gets a break. But if I land a blow… he takes one instead.”

  Laughter from the Yuan lackeys followed.

  Shameless.

  Kong Ming trembled, fists clenched until blood dripped from his palms.

  “Brother Tian, forget about me! Kill these bastards!”

  Yuan Jin proceeded to beat Kong Tian to a bloody mess. Kong Ming cried out in hatred.

  Just when Yuan Jin prepares to land a life-ending hit on Kong Tian…..

  A blur of gray passed between them. Blowing away Yuan Jin.

  Thud! Thud!

  Plop! Plop!

  Yuan Jin’s lackeys dropped, unconscious.

  Steward Gu stood tall, gaze cold. “Enough.”

  The Yuan brothers froze.

  “I don’t enjoy interfering with the squabbles of the younger generation,” he said..

  “But trash who kidnap defenseless children deserve exceptions.”

  Yuan Jin trembled. “S-S-Senior… may I ask who you are?”

  Steward Gu glanced at the bloodied Kong Tian.

  “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is this: those two boys are under my protection. Do I make myself clear?”

  Yuan Jin and his lackeys nodded like chickens plucking grain..

  “Now Scram!” He shouted..

  They ran like aimless dogs into the forest.

  After cutting the ropes binding Kong Ming, steward Gu Vanished.

  Kong Tian, covered in wounds, struggled to get up.

  Gu Bi quickly ran over and wrapped Kong Tian's arm around his shoulder to help him stand.

  They slowly walked over and picked up Kong Ming’s cane and handed it to him.

  Kong Ming’s eyes were filled with many emotions.

  Anger… guilt…and frustration.

  He silently stared at his brother's bloody and battered body, with his heart feeling like it’s choking.

  Kong Tian gave a warm smile and said don’t worry Ming’er I’ll always be here to protect you.

  That smile of reassurance from his brother was an arrow that sealed his shackles of guilt. and spiraled Kong Ming into the depths of self-loathing...

  “Umem”

  Kong Ming nodded with a forced smile.

  The 3 boys walked home together without saying a word…

  That day, Kong Ming truly wished his brother had scolded him instead, but his constant selfless sacrifice became a seed of torment in Kong Ming’s heart.

  ?

  That night, in the old courtyard, Kong Tian lay on a straw bed, bruised and bandaged. Gu Bi helped Kong Ming clean his wounds.

  They had survived.

  With the coins earned, Gu Bi bought the herbs needed for the Bone Refinement Tonic…

  “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  Gu Bi asked nervously.

  “I’m already a cripple.” Kong Ming said with a self-deprecating laugh.

  “What’s the worst that could happen?”

  He drank the tonic from the Ancient Medicinal Refinement Record. His body twisted in agony, sweat pouring out, bones creaking.

  Then… he passed out.

  An hour passed.

  Then two.

  Then three.

  His eyes opened.

  He gasped.

  He had reached Body Tempering, Level 1.

  Kong Tian hugged him with a joyful cry, forgetting about his injuries,

  But Kong Ming winced.

  Why do my meridians burn…?

  Three are open… but something feels off.

  I'd better not worry, Brother Tian. He thought inwardly.

  ?

  Far away, in bustling Silver City, Lao Shenwu sipped tea in a quiet inn.

  Across from him sat a man in dark robes.

  “Kong Ming’s condition isn’t a curse,” the man said calmly. “Nor a mutation.”

  Uncle Lao Shenwu’s eyes narrowed. “Then what is it?”

  The man looked up.

  “His physique is sealed. A natural seal, placed by Heaven itself.”

  Shenwu stiffened.

  “To stop his bloodline from awakening too soon,” the man continued. “It’s a self-preserving mechanism… chains wrapped around a storm.”

  Shenwu exhaled slowly.

  “I thought Kong Tian’s physique was unstable… so I sealed it myself. But Kong Ming’s case is worse.”

  “Not worse,” the man corrected. “More pure. You thought his bloodline was a mutation? It might be… closer to the original. Perhaps too pure.”

  “The seal is aggressive. It hinders his body’s natural growth. But if someone with counter-seal expertise can place a stabilizing seal, not to remove it, but to buffer it, he could grow like a normal cultivator.”

  “Your nephew attempting to gain strength and temper his body…. is similar to trying to swim against a raging current..

  The effects of any effort he does would probably yield 10% of the intended results at most.”

  Shenwu nodded solemnly.

  The cloaked man sighed..

  He stood up….

  “I owe their father… but this is the best I can do.”

  He gazed at Uncle Lao with concern.

  “The Heaven’s Supremacy Clan’s hounds are still after you. Stay hidden.”

  The cloaked man handed him a tattered slip of paper.

  “Go to a cabin near the Eastern Forest of the 5th heaven. There’s someone there who might be able to help. But she… has quirks, so try not to do anything to offend her…”

  Shenwu rose and bowed. “This old man owes you.”

  The man raised a hand. “No need. I believe those brothers are part of the prophecy. We must all play our part or else darkness will return to the 7 Heavens.”

  Outside, thunder rumbled across distant skies.

  ?