Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
It has been days since they began to travel to Wah San. Along the way, the two met contenders who also wanted to join the famous Sect. They stopped at a popular rest area where they heard two nosy men gossiping, “I heard Leader Man has a beautiful daughter.”
“Keep dreaming, my friend. I hear she is hard to tame.”
“But beauty over personality.” The man replied with a snicker. They joined together in a laugh while Ahron and Fei Hung exchanged small smiles.
It was one of the busiest days for the Wah San Sect. A huge wooden stage was built for the event and large yellow and red flags fluttered by the billowing wind. It was a clear day, perfect for an event such as a competition. Chairs were lined up along the three sides of the stage for important people to be seated and watch. The last side was kept open for onlookers who were curious to watch.
Ahron’s eyes searched the people seated as it landed on the fair beauty he met over a week ago. Smiling, he gave his head a short bow while Chow Yee ignored him “Friendly.” He muttered.
Fei Hung followed his eyes to Chow Yee and his lips quickly curled into a grin. She did a double take on him and nodded in response “She acknowledged me!” he said giddily at Ahron.
“Lucky you.” He replied without feeling “Come now, we have to sign in.”
Chow Yee was seated on the left to Man Ga Yiu while his daughter took the other seat. She looked bored as usual dressed in an olive green outfit and twiddling her thumbs. But the minute her eyes moved up and landed on Fei Hung, she was smiling again “Looks like Man Siu Jei has found a reason to be interested.” Chow Yee said casually.
Man Ga Yiu turned to her strangely “Please elaborate.”
“It is not necessary as long as Man Siu Jei understands.” She turned to Yu Mong with a knowing smile “Am I correct?”
Yu Mong lowered her head shyly “Is there nothing you do not know?”
Chow Yee giggled lightly “I have yet to know.” She moved her eyes away and caught Ahron staring intently at her. Uncomfortable, she turned away and reminding herself not give eye contact to him any further.
Within ten minutes, the competition soon began with an announcement from the head pupil of Wah San Sect “Gentleman, we would like to welcome you here to the annual Wah San competition. This is not a life and death test, but a test of courage and your ability to learn the basics of the martial arts we have given you in the past six months. There are only five spots open and I wish all of you luck.” He gave a quick bow at his Master and nodded to another pupil to begin the role calling.
Two men were called off to begin the duel. Ahron was reserved a seat when Fei Hung signed him in as the elder pupil of Heavenly Sect. Fei Hung stood behind him watching the fight unfold. They were both well trained and with each name calling out, he grew nervous “You will do fine.” Ahron said, his eyes too glued to the fight.
“I’m not nervous.” Fei Hung tried to hide it.
“You are steaming up my neck with your constant breathing.” Ahron pointed out. He turned up with a smile “Do not worry, I have trained you well. Remember, you own the stage.”
He nodded vaguely “I can do this…yes…”
“Hui Fei Hung!!” the name was called out unexpectedly. He was so busy psyching himself out that he didn’t hear his own name being called “Hui Fei Hung!!”
“Yes!” Fei Hung raised his hand as if in a class “Present.”
“It is your turn.” The impatient man pointed to the stage.
Ahron nodded at him before he took the stage “Be confident.”
“I will.” He said without much feeling and somersaulted onto the stage. Resting a balled up fist under one palm, he bowed at his opponent with respect “Please.”
“You first.” The man replied with the same motion.
“Together?” Fei Hung suggested. The two nodded in unison and quickly enveloped into a fist fight. Both were great contenders to the end, never giving up. Ahron counted approximately thirty six strokes until Fei Hung defeated the man “Forgive me.” He said bowing with respect.
“You deserve to win.” The man jumped off stage to take his place with the audience.
The eldest pupil stood up to make the announcement “That is the last fight. Now we will start the semi-finals. Weapons are swords.” He nodded to his martial brother to begin.
Fei Hung returned to Ahron’s side to await his name to be called “How did I do?”
“Great.” Ahron smiled, his eyes traveled to Chow Yee again but she was trying hard not to meet him there. She remembers everything, he was sure of it then.
The last name called again was Fei Hung, he did even better with the swords since it was what Ahron concentrated on. Within twenty something strokes, he had beaten his opponent. Finally, he was named one of the last five standing. Man Ga Yiu nodded at his elder pupil to make the next announcements “Congratulations, the five of you have made it to the Wah San Sect. Now we will determine who is the elder of the five and the youngest pupil. You will battle with me-”
“Dai Si Hing!” Yu Mong cried as he bounced onto stage “Can I do this part?”
“Yu Mong.” Her father warned.
She turned to him with a sweet smile “Please father, I never get to be involve.”
Chow Yee smiled “It will not be harmful.”
He eventually nodded “As you wish. Be careful.” He said lastly to his daughter.
Yu Mong grinned as she nodded for her martial brother to hand over the stage to her. Returning to her seat to get her sword, she continued the instructions “We will count how many strokes it takes to defeat each of you and determine who will be the first to enter Wah San. Is that fair?”
“What if I beat you?” Fei Hung challenged.
The crowd burst into laughter while Yu Mong looked ready to explode “If you defeat me, I will call you Si Hing.” She said with confidence “Who will be first?”
“I will.” One of the shorter guys announced as he stepped up and the other four jumped off the stage “Forgive me, Siu Jei.” He quickly attacked her, wanting nothing more than to be the first to enter. But she was more prepared than he wanted. Within ten strokes, she was able to push him to the ground.
“Forgive me.” She mocked while pulling back her sword “Who will be the next?” she turned to the four.
Fei Hung made no attempt to go as another guy felt force to be the next. He jumped on stage and engaged into a fight with Yu Mong. With each fight, she was getting more tired and it took longer to defeat them. Finally it was Fei Hung’s turn “Would you like to rest?” he asked.
Yu Mong shook her head stubbornly “No. I do not need it. This will be quick.” Her comment made a few people snicker with laughter.
“Please.” Fei Hung gave the martial motion for her to begin. She was not polite with her sword swiping at him like an enemy. He humored her for ten strokes, dodging her strikes but not fighting back.
“Stop that!” she cried angrily.
He raised his brows curiously “You did not say we could not dodge.”
“You cannot dodge!” she quipped and attacked him without warning.
Fei Hung smiled as he whipped his head to the left when the sword came at his eye “Siu Jei, that is a little vicious is it not?” he said while dodging her stabs. Finally drawing his sword, he fought back with a vengeance. She was pushed back into a corner and quickly somersaulted to keep from falling off the stage “I believe that is twenty three strokes, Man Siu Jei or should I call you Si Mui?” he teased openly making everyone laugh.
“How dare you!” she was embarrassed as well as upset. Again she attacked him with a will to kill. He fought off the sword strokes with his own sword clanging at the contact of steel and steel.
Chow Yee noticed Man Ga Yiu watching on with a grim expression “Your daughter is easily angered.”
He tore his eyes from the fight and nodded at Chow Yee in agreement “Hot headed, just like her father. What a shame.”
“Alas, her father is a leader of the Wah San Sect, it is not that shameful.” Chow Yee reminded him.
“What do you think of this young man?” he wanted her advice and wise words.
She turned back to Fei Hung, who was aware of what to do at every attack from Yu Mong “He is a good contender.”
“What is his future?” the man pressed for a deeper answer.
Chow Yee smiled “He is a great and noble man. I see a future for him at Wah San.”
“Say no more.” He raised a hand and stood up to stop the fight “Pause!” he commanded.
Yu Mong and Fei Hung quickly parted as they turned to the Leader and bowed with respect “Why father?” she questioned.
“Because he will eventually defeat you.” The man smiled knowingly.
Fei Hung laughed as he bowed again “You have great vision, Leader Man.” He turned to Yu Mong victoriously “I believe you have to address me as Hui Si Hing.”
“In your dreams!” she growled.
“Yu Mong, you have given him your word. You shall address him as Si Hing.” The man was firm with his words.
“But father—”
He raised a hand to silence her “I have spoken. Now if the five of you will enter my humble home to continue with the ceremony of entry.” He pointed to the path leading up the hill to the castle like home.
Fei Hung returned to Ahron’s side with an ear to ear grin “Are you proud of me, Master?”
“I believe you should not be calling me that anymore.” He smiled proudly while they followed the crowd up the hill “You have made me proud.”
“I have you to thank.” Fei Hung was grateful.
Ahron smiled “There is one more person…”
“Whom?” Fei Hung wondered out loud “Chow Yee?” he guessed.
“Ah, he is not dumb as some has proclaimed.” Ahron laughed.
“How did you know?” he asked, “Wait! You are after all a fortune teller, of course you will know everything.” Ahron didn’t bother to explain as he nodded nonchalantly.
The ceremony was proper and full of customs from Wah San Sect. They knelt down in front of their new master to be sworn into the Sect. Repeating the motto and bowed at their fellow martial brothers and sister. Fei Hung could not hold back as he gave Yu Mong a wink of the eye, teasing her to a red face.
Man Ga Yiu smiled proudly at his new pupils “I know you will make the Wah San Sect proud. Ah Chiu will show you your new rooms and the jobs that you have each day. But first, we will prepare for the feast tonight. I hope everyone will be able to attend.” He stepped closer and placed a hand on Fei Hung’s shoulder “Introduce yourself to the guests.”
“Yes, Master!” the group replied.
He nodded and turned to Chow Yee “Chow Siu Jei, please follow me inside.” She bowed slowly and trailed after him after stealing a look at Ahron, who was still staring at her.