Ling Mei sat beside her parents, seemingly calm as they waited for the grand martial tournament to begin. The full hall buzzed with anticipation, the low murmur of voices swelling into an excited hum as the audience prepared for the spectacle.But quietly and unnoticed, she slipped away into the shadows. In a concealed corner, she donned her familiar disguise and strapped her sword to her back. Her heartbeat quickened—not from fear, but from the weight of what she was about to face.
The call came sharply, cutting through the buzz of the crowd: "Lei Feng"
A thunderous applause erupted, a wave of cheers and clapping that rolled across the hall. Her fans celebrated her presence like a long-awaited hero.The cheers thundered through the air as "Swift Monkey" took the stage. Encouraged by the roaring excitement of the spectators, she walked into the arena with her head held high.
But then, a shift. The name "Ming Hao" echoed through the arena, and the atmosphere changed instantly. The Huang villagers rose as one, their cheers booming with pride and excitement. All eyes turned to the entrance to take a peek as the legendary "Deadly Viper" stepped onto the stage.Indeed the name was befitting. The hall was dead silent, that even the sound of a pin could be heard. Ming Hao's appearance resembled that of a ferocious villain,he looked every bit like his reputation and even scarier. It was as if the winner was predetermined already. When her fans looked at the size of her opponent, their hope was crumbled. Her supporters held their breath. The hope that had blossomed in their hearts began to wither as they saw the enormous size and fierce demeanor of her opponent. To them, Ling Mei looked fragile .They were sure she would definitely lose the match. Lei Ming didn't look like a match to Ming Hao. This felt like a suicidal attempt.
Ling Mei swallowed hard, thick beads of sweat rolled down her forehead despite the cool weather. Her hands gripped the sword's hilt tightly, trembling uncontrollably against her will. Her heart pounded wildly that she was sure others could hear the sound.Every instinct screamed to flee — to run far away from this monster who seemed too strong to challenge. Ling mei was too shocked to say a word when she saw her opponent standing before her. She looked like an ant standing before a giant. But she had gone too far to give up . At this moment, she decided to face her fears. The bell rang signalling the beginning of the first round of the match. Ming Hao lunged at her with a thunderous roar swinging his extremely large sword at her. It was so sharp, that it cut into half whatever that came in contact with it. The sheer size was quite scary sending chills down the spine of the onlookers.
Ling mei was swiftly dodging all his numerous attacks with the speed of light. She swirled and leapt from place to place while he pursued her angrily. It was as if she was using him to play. He kept missing his target and cutting other things apart. He furiously threw his sword away and held her arm before she could escape again. He clamped her so tightly as if he wanted to snap her bone apart like twigs. He fed her with mighty brutal blows as though he was hitting a punching bag. Her sword was far from her reach and she couldn't defend herself. She tried to hit him back but it had no effect. It was just like an ant trying to blow an elephant. Her resistance annoyed him fueling his fury and he increased the fervor hitting her mercilessly till she fell to the floor too weak to move a limb.
The crowd fell silent, their faces etched with a tangled mixed web of emotions — pity, sorrow, regret, anger, and a dark excitement at the brutal spectacle unfolding before them. Everyone was silent as they watched Lei Feng almost getting killed. They felt mixed emotions of pity, sorrow, regret,anger and excitement.
In the crowd, Li Wei's heart sank as his eyes locked onto the figure on the stage — the "Swift Monkey." His daughter Ling mei. Shock and fear crashed over him like a tidal wave. He was shocked to see her on stage.He had no idea she was here. Facing Min Hao was madness; the man was a living legend, feared by all. Only the most seasoned martial artists had dared challenge him and unfortunately, none had ever survived.Ming Hao was a feared villain.Li Wei's mind raced, panic gnawing at his resolve. He couldn't lose her to this cruel guy who didn't have regard for human lives— not now, not like this. He decided, he would defy all odds to save his daughter if the need arose. He wouldn't sit back and watch his daughter die. He didn't care if he had to show his true identity to the world.His love for her overpowered every other thought. He would do whatever it took to save her life.
Recognition hit Lan when she saw the boy on stage. This was definitely her daughter. Infact, the unmistakable sword confirmed her suspicion.The charisma and behavior of the boy betrayed her. What was Ling mei doing there? Did she want to get herself killed? What made her do these? Why was she so careless with her life?
When her daughter started losing the battle, Lan's demeanor changed, she started weeping hysterically as if someone had died. She couldn't be controlled.She wept, her cries wracking her body, a heartbroken mother powerless to intervene.
The spectators that staked on Swift monkey were sad because they could lose their money as well as the life of their favorite champion. Some felt pity for her especially her beggar friends.Everyone loved swift monkey because he was humble and meek despite achieving fame. Lei Feng never let his skills get into his head. Despite being a celebrity, he still related with everyone. He never discriminated the poor. He was kind, funny and jovial. Qianzhong villagers were not happy with the turn of events. Meanwhile, Huang villagers were extremely excited.Other people from other villages only wished the boy wouldn't die.
Blood gushed out freely from her nose and mouth. She tried to stand but couldn't stand up. Ming Hao laughed cruelly at her state and marched her stomach wickedly with much force causing her to spit out more blood. He slammed her head against a wooden pole. Her head was spinning,the world seemed to spin wildly, the voices around her faded into dull whispers, her vision was becoming hazy as she could barely make out the sounds of the people. She was quietly slipping into unconsciousness. She was fighting hard to stay awake. Was this how she would just die without achieving anything tangible? Her parents were already dead, would she cause sorrow to her foster parents?
An image of her late parents danced before her eyes. Their last words echoed in her ears.Her lonesome training in the night flashed in her sight. She could hear the voice of Li wei in the crowd saying
" You cannot quit now! I believe in you, show him what you've got. Remember you are whatever you think you are. You can do this. I'm rooting for you" He said with worry etched all over his face.
The security held him down from climbing over to enter the stage. The voice of her mother who was crying shattered her heart. Her beggar friends were anxious pacing around assuring her that she could be the winner.They were encouraging her to stand. This lit a fire and spark of life in her
The bell had rang for the final match.
This would determine the overall champion of the competition.She could hear the heavy footsteps of her enemy approaching her direction. Slowly she felt strength entering her bones, she pushed herself upright. She was determined to win this match no matter what. She stood up with resilience and a dark look on her battered face This earned her a lot of cheers and encouragement from her fans who were excited by her unyielding spirit. Strength surged through her veins as she faced Min Hao headlong . She swivelled in the air like lightning and gave him deadly strikes that sent him flying. He was too shocked to utter a word.Her moves were calculated and ruthless. She gave him powerful blows that broke his teeth and disconnected his bones temporarily. She twisted her body in circles and gave him a powerful kick that made him motionless. His body ached all over as she sat on him and slapped him decisively till his face turned red.
"Please spare my life! Don't kill me!Pleaseeee ….. Have mercy!" he begged in desperation swallowing his pride.
She didn't want to use her sword because she had no intention to kill him.
The crowd erupted in a great shout of joy. Everywhere was agog because she had been declared the winner.In that joyous moment, Ming Hao picked his sword suddenly and attempted to cut her head but Ling mei was apt to dodge. In self defense, while hitting his sword away. Her sword accidentally gouged out his right eye and left a hideous scar that ran down his jaw. Ming Hao fainted immediately after the strike he received, he was moved out for immediate attention. Everyone was happy that she survived. An ordinary person would have died in that little moment of distraction. Indeed she was outstanding and deserved to be a top martial artist.People's respect for her increased on another basis. People burst into the stage and lifted her high on their shoulders singing victory song.
She received numerous cash gifts from different individuals as well as her reward for emerging the winner. Feng ming and his crew congratulated her specially. They were elated that she won.
Her parents hurriedly stole her away from the growing crowd and went home.
Yet beneath the jubilation, a quiet question lingeredin her heart:How would her parents react to her deceit? Had she shattered their trust forever? Would they ever forgive the secret she had kept — the risk she had taken?