Soul bonds

The test

Rained poured continuously, drenching the dark branches of the bare trees. The training ground was packed with students. Everyone knew that Nie Huaisang had a special assessment and that the Sect Leader Nie had come especially to supervise the test. They had come to cheer for their friend.

They all knew the temperament of the elder Nie; they were really sad for the delicate dandy Nie Huaisang, who was totally different from his bold fearsome elder brother.

Although the weather was terrible and the training ground flooded, Nie MingJue had insisted to carry on with the assessment. Nie Huaisang was standing in the middle of the ground with Wei Ying. They were wearing training uniforms and were soaked to their bones.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Nie MingJue to announce the name of the selected opponent for his younger brother. Everyone was stunned when he removed his rich outer robe, grabbed two wooden swords and walked towards Nie Huaisang. He would be the opponent of Nie Huaisang. Everyone prayed silently for the poor boy.

When he saw his elder brother approaching, the panic in his eyes became obvious. Wei Ying smiled. He tapped his shoulders and whispered.

"Brother Nie, don't worry. You have every chance to win... All the students here have seen the moves we have practiced. They would have been tough contestants. Our moves are a freestyle fight; it is unlikely that Sect Leader Nie would know about them. He has experience, but I don't think he will be able to anticipate your moves... Focus on your footsteps and how to dodge his powerful strokes. Your eyes must never leave the blade! You will do well! All the best!"

Nie Huaisang gave him a hearty hug.

"Thank you, Brother Wei!"

Wei Ying left. Nie Huaisang focussed on his breathing and on his Qi, just like he had practiced over the past few days. He was scared to death but he was able to maintain his composure.

Both brothers stood facing each other, unflinching.

"A-Sang, make me proud! I will not spare you... So do not hold back!" Nie MingJue whispered.

Nie Huaisang nodded and they bowed to each other.

Lan Xichen handed one of the wooden swords to Nie Huaisang.

"There will be only one round in this contest. You both know the rules of sword fighting. The first one who drops his sword loses... At the sound of the gong, you will start."

Lan Xichen left the training ground and the sound of the gong resonated.

Nie MingJue attacked, fiercely and forcefully, using his brute force as expected. Nie Huaisang, moved, like a blade of grass, fluidly and gracefully dodging his attacks.

After relentlessly attacking Nie Huaisang for about an hour in the pouring rain, Nie MingJue had not even been able to graze a hair of his brother. He was extremely happy and pleasantly surprised at his brother's performance.

The students thought that it would a quick fight and that Nie Huaisang would end up eating dust and his pride. They were all surprised at how he kept evading the attack of his elder brother.

The performance was extremely unusual. The rain made the ground slippery and uneven. Nie MingJue's moves were a sheer display of strength, precision and skills. He looked serious and fierce. Nie Huaisang on the other hand seemed to be like a child dancing in the rain. He smiled softly, deftly dodging the slicing movement of the sword, jumping, bending, twirling and running all around the ground.

The crowd was taken by surprise. The students knew Nie Huaisang was an expert at dancing. They never expected him to use his dancing feet when sword fighting.