159 Lousy Skills (1/2)

Tendrils of iridescent silver mist creep over the mountainside. Combined with the harsh wind, whips, and screams through the cold air, was the sound of bamboo sticks crashing together.

Clang—!

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Rin lunged forward, quickly sprinting towards her opponent, moving closer and closer before jabbing out her staff in an attempt to hit him. But the old man's reflexes kicked in and he ducked forward to her.

Caught off guard, Rin stumbled backward, barely evading the blow. She was off-balance, she knew it. While trying to maintain her stability, the old man was already lunging forwards, perhaps sensing his advantage.

This time Rin raised her bamboo staff and the two staffs clanged together, creating an echoing clang. The weight of his staff was dragging her down, but Rin soon recovered and pushed back hard, stumbling a bit.

Rin panted, her face was pale, brows furrowed and beaded with sweat. Yet her eyes lit up; two sparks of light shining steadfastly in the depths of the darkness.

The hand gripping the bamboo staff quivered slightly, her chest rising heavily up and down. Rin waited for a split second while gravity took over once more. Then, when she was level, sprang forward before stabbing the staff in her hand into the soft ground and shooting her foot out, aiming toward her the old man's chest.

Before her foot had the chance to make contact with his chest, the old man stepped out of her range, grasped her foot and hurled her down onto the cold ground.

As her body hit the cold, snowy ground, she gasped. Rin groaned and arched her back slightly from the sudden pain. Her eyes were closed, her thick eyelashes like two small fans against her skin.

Rin gathered a deep breath. The moment she opened her eyes, she froze. A bamboo staff was pointed in front of her face.

Blinking her eyes to clear her vision, she saw the familiar face of the old man staring down at her with drooping eyes.

He looked bored.

”Your lousy skills truly are starting to bore me. Are you even trying girl?”

Rin's lips tightened into a thin line. She pushed herself off the ground and shook the snow off her back.

”I apologize master for my lack of skills. Please allow me to try again.” Rin's gaze looked eager.

Master Qiu shot the sparkle eyed girl a glance before itching his ear.

”I think that's enough for today, you can go home.”

”What?” Rin was slightly taken aback.

Upon hearing this, Rin's faced turned rather serious and grim. Her fists clenched as she firmly lifts her eyes.

”Have I done something to upset you? If so, please tell me and I will improve on it.”

Master Qiu's line of sight shifted to Rin, who's deep and emerald eyes stared right back at him. She had a troubled expression as if she was a guilty child.

Feeling tired, he said, ”You've done nothing wrong. Though you're lacking, you should rest for tomorrow's training.”

After a slight pause, Rin seemed to have thought of something and she opened her mouth to speak when Master Qiu cut her off.

”You may think you have enough energy mentally. However, physically your body is exhausted. Go back to those brats down at the village and rest. When you've recovered, come back again tomorrow morning.”

Before she had a chance to retort, the old man grabbed her bamboo staff from her hand and twirled her body around toward the exit of the cliff.

…

The sun, climbing toward midmorning, stretched Rin's shadow as she trailed down the mountain. She frowned with her lips compressed together.

Where exactly was she going wrong?

Three days had passed since the last she sought Master Qiu's guidance.

How much confidence did she have to defeat Master Qiu? This time around, even Rin could not determine the odds because the old man was so strong that any kind of her schemes could fall short.

Whenever she was in battle or combat with members of the Bai family, she was able to find her flaws and correct them.

Yet, through all her losses with Master Qiu, she was unable to find out where she lacked.

It infuriated her to no end.

Rin froze in her spot at that moment.

How could she protect those she held dear when she wasn't even sure where her heart and path lay?

The hands by her side clenched into fists.

”Grandfather, what do I do?” Rin lowered her head and whispered hoarsely.

At that moment, Rin's ears perked up at the sound of voices and a muffled groan.

However, what stood out to her the most was the familiar voice of a young boy. As Rin listened closer, the look in her eyes darkened.

Aiguo!