Chapter 2: Never Giving Up 1 (1/2)
Chapter 2: Never Giving Up (1)
The seasons passed, and summer came with a vengeance. On a scorching midsummer day, a group of youths were practicing martial skills in the Su Clan Main Courtyard’s martial practice yard. They would occasionally give vent to roars as they practiced in high spirits.
“Hei!”
With a strong puff of an exhaled breath, a palm struck the stone pillar, breaking it in a single strike.
“Good!” Cheers erupted from the martial practice yard.
“The Second Young Master is great!”
“It seems in a few days, he will enter the fifth layer of Body Tempering.”
“When that moment comes, he will be number one among our Su Clan’s third generation.”
The target of praise was a thirteen year old youth. Although he was still young, he had a sturdy and powerful build.
One of the Su Clan’s third generation children, his name was Su Qing. Specifically, he was the child of the Su Clan’s second elder, Su Keji. 1
Su Qing was obviously enjoying the praises that were being lauded on him by the servants. Even if they weren’t completely true, it didn’t stop Su Qing from feeling good about himself.
But then again, there was always that one inconsiderate idiot.
The voice of a young servant piped up, “Fourth Young Master has already reached the fifth layer of Body Tempering a few days ago.”
Silence fell. Su Qing’s face sunk.
Everyone present had suddenly quieted at the words.
After a moment, a somewhat quick-witted servant scolded the foolish servant, “What kind of nonsense is that? How could a blind child like him compare with the Second Young Master?”
The young servant didn’t dare retaliate but he still persisted, “But he’s still at the fifth layer of Body Tempering.”
His mood souring, Su Qing wasn’t willing to continue listening and stalked off, his chin jutting out stubbornly.
The group of servants behind them mutually glanced at each other and turned toward the young servant in unison beating him up thoroughly. Only after he was bloody and battered did they relent, leaving behind curses as they went after their master.
To his credit, the young servant was a stubborn thing. He didn’t utter a word when he was being beaten, just cradled his head to protect himself. After the group of servants left, he clambered to his feed and dusted himself off, spitting in the direction of the group. He wasn’t a follower of the Second Young Master, just a part time worker at the martial practice yard. He just minded his own business then, taking care of the martial practice yard.
Just as he took a few shaky steps out of the yard, he noticed someone standing nearby under a large tree.
“Fourth Young Master?” The young servant was flabbergasted.
Su Chen was quietly standing underneath the tree, wearing a long white jacket that fluttered with the wind. Although he was a youth only little older than twelve, there was an indescribable air of elegance around him. Though his eyes appeared no different from anybody else’s, they were dull and spiritless, lacking even the slightest of movement.
Hearing the young servant’s words, Su Chen faintly smiled, “Mingshu, you were being stubborn again.”
The young servant smiled, “So Young Master had heard me. This one was unconvinced on your behalf and spoke a few words out of turn.”
(TL Note:Mingshu is addressing the young master with a respectful pronoun 您 nín as opposed to the informal 你 nǐ)
“What meaning is there to argue for me? You were beaten to the floor in vain.”
Mingshu scratched his head, “I couldn’t bear hearing their drivel. It is obvious that Fourth Young Master is number one among the Su Clan’s third generation but they insisted that it was Second Young Master.”
“If he wants to be first, let him. It is nothing worth fighting over.” Su Chen indifferently answered. “I am but a blind child. Even if I have reached the fifth layer of Body Tempering, I am still blind.”
Su Chen’s words hung in the air as he turned and walked into the martial practice yard.
Mingshu blankly looked at Su Chen from behind.
Previously, the Fourth Young Master was high spirited, glowing with vigor, and filled with self-confidence.
However, after that happened ten months ago, he had completely changed.
An old beggar that came from nowhere blinded the Fourth Young Master. From then on, the Fourth Young Master could only see endless darkness. At that time, the Fourth Young Master had sunk into an inescapable whirlpool of suffering. But soon after, he quickly rose above his suffering and continued on his own path of the Martial Dao. Even with blinded eyes, he didn’t give up. Instead, he progressed even faster and within several months, he entered the fifth layer of Body Tempering.
Thus, from seeing the Fourth Young Master’s perseverance and diligence, Mingshu developed a sincere admiration towards him.
This was probably the reason why he spoke those words when Su Qing’s lackeys were shamelessly licking their master’s boots. Despite being beaten for those words, Mingshu still felt it was worth it.
Su Chen, already standing in the martial practice yard, said, “Mingshu, are you busy? Could you come and lend me a hand for a moment?”
“Ei!” Mingshu had just recalled that Su Chen couldn’t see and hastily ran over, bringing over a pair of heavy stone dumbbells for him. “Here, Fourth Young Master. Please be careful… Fourth Young Master, how are you by yourself? Do you need a servant?”
“I’m already familiar with this place. I’ll be fine by myself. I’ve come here to temper my body, not to be waited upon. If servants were to come, it would actually be worse.”
As Su Chen spoke, he was already lifting the stone dumbbells and had started his practice for the day.
Sweat trickled down from his forehead underneath the dazzling, brilliant sunlight.