Sparring with Tang San

Notting City Junior Spirit Master Academy.

When Chu Heng arrived at Dorm Seven, Tang San was sitting by the door, sorting through a few things. Hearing footsteps, he looked up. When he saw Chu Heng, he smiled.

"Chu Heng!"

"Long time no see."

Chu Heng walked over with a smile and handed him the pastries he had bought on the way.

"I just got back from the Soul Hunting Forest. I had some free time today, so I thought I'd come see you."

Tang San took the pastries. His gaze lingered on Chu Heng for a moment, and his eyes lit up.

"You found a suitable Spirit Ring?"

"Of course."

Chu Heng made no attempt to hide it. He circulated his Soul Power slightly, and a yellow Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet.

Tang San looked at its color, then sensed its power and nodded.

"A hundred-year Spirit Ring. It seems like a good fit for you."

"Still not quite as good as yours."

Chu Heng withdrew the Spirit Ring and waved a hand with a smile.

"I only reached level twelve after absorbing it. You were already level thirteen back then."

"Don't say that. You were only level seven when you awakened. It hasn't been long, and you're already catching up to me."

Chu Heng chuckled and returned the compliment, praising Tang San's performance when he had hunted the Mandrake Snake.

After a round of mutual flattery, the mood was decidedly pleasant.

Still, Chu Heng kept part of his attention on the system in his mind. No new quest notification appeared. Apparently, seeking out Tang San on his own would not trigger an extra story quest.

Chu Heng was not too disappointed. If that were enough to earn a reward, he might as well show up at Dorm Seven every day. Why bother training?

Since he was here, he might as well make the trip worthwhile.

With that thought, Chu Heng looked at Tang San and suddenly said,

"Tang San, how about... a sparring match?"

"A sparring match?"

Tang San looked a little surprised.

"Yeah."

Chu Heng flexed his wrists.

"I've practiced against Soul Beasts lately, but I haven't had a proper match with a Soul Master my age. Your moves were so impressive that day. I want to see where I stand now."

He wanted to find out how wide the gap between him and Tang San was when he could not use the Tang Sect's secret techniques.

Tang San's interest was piqued.

"Sure."

"Sure to what?"

A bright voice came from nearby. Xiao Wu had just stepped out of the dormitory. When she saw Chu Heng, she bounded over.

"Chu Heng, when did you get here?"

"Just a little while ago."

Chu Heng pointed to the pastries in Tang San's hands.

"I brought you two something to eat."

Xiao Wu helped herself to a piece. After Tang San explained their plan, she immediately turned to him.

"Brother San, you can't bully Chu Heng!"

She had fought Tang San before and knew how formidable he was. As for Chu Heng, he had still been a long way behind when he last sparred with her.

"Don't worry, Xiao Wu."

Tang San smiled.

"Chu Heng's a good friend. I'll be careful."

"..."

Chu Heng looked from one to the other.

"Are you two really writing me off already?"

Knowing he would probably lose was one thing. Discussing how to go easy on him right in front of him before they had even started was a bit much!

Xiao Wu bit into her pastry and waved at him with a grin.

"Do your best, then."

The three of them went to an open space behind the dormitory.

Chu Heng glanced around. One or two people had noticed something was about to happen and stopped to watch, but they were a safe distance away. He had nothing to worry about, so he moved away from Tang San.

"Let's stick to hand-to-hand combat. No Martial Souls or Soul Skills."

He made the suggestion himself. His first Soul Skill was meant to injure, and he had not mastered it well enough to control it freely. It was not suited to a sparring match. Besides, he thought it best to keep his Martial Soul hidden from Tang San for now.

Tang San nodded.

"No problem."

With that, the two took their positions facing each other.

Chu Heng bent his knees slightly, watching Tang San's shoulders and feet. His battles in the Soul Hunting Forest had taught him to judge an opponent's movements before engaging.

Tang San noticed the change in Chu Heng's bearing, and his expression grew more serious.

When Tang San made no move, Chu Heng stopped waiting. He stepped forward, closed the distance, and threw a straight punch at Tang San's chest. Tang San turned aside and reached to deflect his wrist. Chu Heng had anticipated that. He pulled back his fist, turned with his forward momentum, and thrust out his other hand. Tang San shifted half a step to the side, letting the attack miss again. At the same time, he placed a hand on Chu Heng's shoulder.

Chu Heng tensed. Soul Power almost instinctively began flowing through familiar pathways, and his hand rose to redirect the force.

But the moment he started, he caught himself.

I can't use it!

Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon was a secret Tang Sect technique. How could he explain using it in front of Tang San? That instant of hesitation broke the flow of his movements.

Tang San gave a slight push. Chu Heng stumbled back two steps before regaining his footing.

"Again."

Tang San stayed where he was, waiting for Chu Heng to reset.

Chu Heng exhaled and stepped forward once more.

But the longer they fought, the more frustrating it became. When Tang San tested him, he wanted to use Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon to redirect the force several times. Once, just before their hands met, he nearly activated Jade Hands.

Each time, he had to force himself to stop. Changing moves at the last moment left him half a beat too slow.

How was he supposed to fight like this?

Worse, Tang San read him with remarkable accuracy. No matter how Chu Heng changed his attacks, Tang San always dodged early, then calmly forced him back on the defensive.

After several exchanges, sweat had begun to bead on Chu Heng's forehead.

The pressure was unreal!

Chu Heng knew how this would end, but he had no intention of giving up. He quickened his steps and used a feint to circle toward Tang San's side. He had used this move many times in the forest.

Unfortunately, Tang San did not fall for it. The instant Chu Heng reached out, Tang San caught his wrist, shifted half a step aside, and gently guided him along with his own momentum. Chu Heng's balance shifted. He tried to adjust his footing, only to find Tang San's other hand braced against his shoulder.

One more step, and he would fall.

"Want to keep going?"

Tang San asked with a smile.

Chu Heng looked down at his awkward stance and shook his head without hesitation.

"No. It'd end the same way."

Tang San let go.

Chu Heng rubbed his wrist, then cupped his fist in thanks with a smile.

"Thanks for going easy on me!"

Several times, Tang San could clearly have ended the match, but he had given Chu Heng room to recover instead.

Chu Heng knew Tang San had done it to spare him embarrassment.

"You're good, too,"

Tang San said earnestly.

"It's just that sometimes, you suddenly stop moving."

Chu Heng's heart skipped a beat. Then he spread his hands helplessly.

"I've spent too much time fighting dim-witted Soul Beasts. I couldn't adjust to fighting someone as skilled as you right away."

Tang San nodded and did not press the matter. Xiao Wu came over and walked around Chu Heng, looking him up and down.

"You really have gotten a lot better since last time. How about another match with me sometime?"

Seeing how eager she looked, Chu Heng's mouth twitched.

"Maybe next time. Next time."