The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao hurriedly took everyone to the garden in the palace. In the night the garden was illuminated by moon pearls hanging from poles. The soft glow radiating from them made the garden even more scenic than it was at noon. The people were all a bit dazed but under Yang Dao’s assistance they all stood up forming a circle. The boy said, “First opponent will be you big sister, and I will not go easy.”

Yue Jing smiled and took out a long sword from her space ring. She stepped forward and said, “I would not have it any other way.”

Yang Dao smiled and said, “Seems like you learned more than just weapon arts from senior sister Shakti.”

The two chuckled and Yang Dao took out his sword, however, when he was about to attack, Shakti asked, “Oi, will you not unsheath your sword?”

The boy shook his head with a sunny smile on his face. He said, “It may seem like I am being disrespectful but there is a surprise for tomorrow.”

Shakti said, “What is the big deal, you can use another sword to fight no?”

The boy sighed and said, “No wonder you have yet to realize the intent seed. A weapon is a part of not only your battle kit but also your life. Until you can treat the weapon as a part of your body and soul, how will you understand it? Do pay attention to my words, treat and not use. Okay, the lesson ends here, now time to test.  Since you think this is not good enough, I will use a stick. Okay?”

That said, he took back the sword and a stick appeared in his hand. The people did not even have the time to react when Yang Dao charged at Yue Jing. The girl did not know how to react when she heard a soft voice, “Big sister, you are getting distracted.”

Yue Jing woke up from her daze and she stabbed forward with her sword. A ting sound rang out in the garden. The weapons collided with each other. What surprised people was that the wooden stick was glowing with a dim golden light from where it came in contact with the sword.

Shakti sensed the corner of her mouth twitch when she saw this and mumbled, “His control improved again.”

Amil nodded and said, “Earlier it was his whole sword, but now, he can instantly cover a portion as thinly as a sword edge, this brat is getting too monstrous.”

The rest of the people nodded at this statement. The cousins turned deaf to their chatter and fought with each other. Yue Jing was on a setback, and Yang Dao did not hold back in his attacks. Daniel Dusk said, “Is he not bullying her?”

Shakti shook her head and said, “He is pointing out her weak points. I admit that Yue Jing is diligent, honest, and sincere in her studies, yet she is too gentle. When you strike at someone you need to be decisive. She lacks a lot of confidence and only by tempering like this can she grow.”

Her words made other people realize that Yang Dao was indeed guiding his cousin. They began to look at him in a new light. They always thought of him as an evildoer, who was better at anything he wished to do, but this time they saw and experienced his harsh care for his cousin.

Yang Dao said, “Do you remember how they treated you like a tool? Do you remember how your own brother humiliated you? The love that you deserved but never received? How you were blamed for things that you could not control? When you wield a weapon, remember all that, remember it all until you find it in yourself to be decisive. Remember it all and fuel yourself, so that when you fight with someone, you do not look weak.

Do you understand, Yue Jing? Remember what you want to fight for. Remember that only by doing your best can you excel, only by being decisive can you be strong. Do not think if it is right or wrong, commit yourself to what you believe in, think a way around if you encounter an obstacle. Do you understand?”

His words were heard by everyone standing around, and also Yue Jing. The two people had not stopped moving their weapons and during the speech only, the change in Yue Jing’s attacks has become obvious. She was taking the initiative to counter his attacks. She was covering her weaknesses and displaying her strong points.

After ten more minutes, her aura began to climb. She had excellent talent and this talent was being suppressed by the knots in her heart but they were all undone by Yang Dao. She climbed the levels of cultivation like a volcano erupting after decades of accumulated dormancy.

She froze in her place, and Yang Dao did not attack as well. Yue Jing broke through the eight-level of spirit gathering realm. The process lasted for a few minutes. She looked at Yang Dao with misty eyes and before she could say anything, the boy said, “Go to the meditation room, consolidate before you go all teary on me.”

Yue Jing rushed up to give him a hug and whispered something in his ears before she went to the cultivation room. Yang Dao shook his head, and said, “That done, who is next? Senior brother Amil.”

Shakti said, “Brat, take on my second student.”

Yang Dao was surprised and asked, “You really took your role as a teacher seriously, no?” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

Shakti squinted while the others tried not to laugh. Yang Dao was too frank with his senior disciples. However, none of them minded it. They all like him because of this frankness he had. Yang Dao noticed Athena stepping forward.

The boy asked, “Miss Olympus, long time no see.”

Athena chuckled and said, “Long time no see young master Yang.”

Trent, Daniel, and Amil were surprised. Only Diana was confused. Trent asked, “Is it just me or this boy flirted with Athena?”

Alisha mumbled, “He did flirt.”

Athena heard this and was abashed. She spoke complainingly, “You see, I am left faceless now.”

Yang Dao said, “Do not worry, I will take responsibility.” with a serious face.

His expression and age did not match at all. The people chuckled but Athena stood there with a blush. She said, “You first defeat me.”

Then she took out her sword. Yang Dao nodded and they began to exchange blows. The boy did not hold back in a bit. His cultivation realm was stronger than the girl but before anyone could complain, he told them that the enemy will not take mercy on them. Thus they accepted it because Yang Dao never asked his opponent to lower their level when facing him.

After a few minutes, Yang Dao mumbled, “Cherry Blossom.”

This was a new move he comprehended after pondering on the spring style of the four-season sword. This move cast thousands of stab attacks. The tip of his stick was covered with his golden spirit energy.

Shakti on the side said, “This guy learned something critical. I pray for his enemies.”

Diana asked, “What do you mean senior sister?”

Shakti said, “This move looks like he is stabbing randomly. However, every stab contains a hint of his sword intent. I think he is holding back for the sake of this exchange being a spar. If it was a life and death battle Athena would not have a complete body left by now.”

These words changed the expressions of everyone drastically. They did not expect it to be so harsh. Yang Dao turned out to be so dangerous. They all only saw after images of the glowy tip. The stick was stopped from reaching Athena by an emerald green shield around her body.

The garden was echoing with sound as if rain drops hitting the marble floor. The attack stopped and Athena said, “Young Master Yang, I concede defeat.”

Yang Dao lowered his stick and said, “I apologize for the severity. Your skill is higher than that of my sister. I had to take out a move, otherwise, if I had given you a chance, I might have lost.”

Amil spoke up from the side, “You stop being so modest, alright? We are all cultivators, and we all know that one should never be merciful to the enemy. You know that when a tiger faces its prey, even if it is a rabbit, the tiger counters with its full strength. So do not worry, she will not break up with you over this.”

Yang Dao rolled his eyes and said, “You better stop thinking about me, and look at your own virtue. Where have you reached with my Senior Sister? Do not tell me it is still bruised and broken.”

Amil sucked in a deep breath and took out his halberd. He said, “You can forget me going easy on you.”

Yang Dao chuckled, “Senior Brother, are you sure, that is how you want to play? Your wife will be angry if you lost to me.”

Shakti blushed a little and said, “Amil, spank his ass for me.”

Amile replied subconsciously, “As you command wife.” and walked off.

Shakti grit her teeth and said, “Who is your wife?”

The other people did not stop this time and burst into laughter.