Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

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(WANG DAO)

I watched in satisfaction as Baba took two quick steps away from me after those fast attacks I made against him.

"Stop!" Father shouted and I stopped immediately before turning to face my Father with a happy and smug look on my lips. It dissolved instantly when I saw disapproval on Father's face.

"Tell me the mistakes you made during that attack," he asked me.

I frowned. Mistakes? What mistakes? I made Baba, a defense specialist moved from his place. I made Baba move. A feat deserving of praises and applause. Father knows how hard it is to make Baba move from his spot. My sire is practically a boulder of rock when he got into his defense mode. Unmoving.

What does my Father means by mistakes I made?

Father must have seen the confusion on my face because his face grew more stern. I shut my lips tight, at this point, if I speak, I will be dead. All Father needs for me is to listen.

"You got impatient. You went inside, got too close to your opponent, too fast, too quickly. If your Baba didn't move, he could have killed you." Father said.

I froze. Hua winced at me. Baba gave me a stony look. I felt cold all over.

Is that what happened? I thought I saw an opening when I went on Baba's left side after going low. My sword in an upward stroke. I though Baba moved to escape my attack.

"Didn't you see your Baba's sword raised in the air? Or his freed one arm that can sweep you away and make you fly. Or his readied stance to kick your gut that could paralyze you. You didn't saw any of that?" Father asked me.

I winced and look down. I didn't see it all. I was so focused on...

"Attacking," Father finished my thought. "You are so focused on defeating your opponent you forgotten that winning is half defending yourself."

I know that. Father and Baba always told that to me and to Hua everytime we will go in this patch of secured and private land Father own to practice and train. Our parents told us, over and over again...

Winning is achieved with the perfect balance of attacking and defending...

"You got too eager, too impatient too fast. You are growing stronger and faster, Wang Dao, I won't deny that. But that impatient nature of yours will be your downfall. What do I always told you? Your opponent will give you a lot of opening to defeat him, but you don't have to bite on every bait. Wait for the right time, be patient and you will win the battle." Father continued to lecture me. "What will I do if your Baba didn't control himself and wounded you with his sword, or his survival instinct won over and he kicked you? What shall we do? You could die from your recklessness and your Baba will blame himself if he hurt you. Is that what you want? Answer me!"

This time, I have to answer fast.

"No, Father! I am sorry..." I swallowed hard as I look up to let them see my face.

Father's eyes are cold in anger. And fear. I swallow again as I realized that I gave Father quite a scare. He probably saw all my mistakes and stopped that fight to get me out of harms way.

I turn my eyes to Baba who gave me a resigned look. "I am sorry, Baba." I sincerely bowed my head in apology.

"Do that again and you will be sorry," Father said in a cold tone. "I will make sure you will be sorry for the rest of your life," he added before turning to walk away from me.