SWORD OF FLAME

Granting Forgiveness

In the first five attacks, Fang Yun effortlessly dodged every strike from Chong Li. He simply evaded without retaliating once, and yet Chong Li had already unleashed ten attacks.

"Didn’t you say I’d kneel before you within five strikes? Yet this is your tenth, and you still haven’t touched me. Come on, 'top talent,' show us what you’ve got! Hahaha...!" Fang Yun purposely raised his voice so that all members of the Black Hawk Sect could hear him.

Chong Li's face turned crimson with shame at Fang Yun's taunt. He sped up his attacks, but instead of gaining the upper hand, he stumbled over Fang Yun’s foot and fell flat on his back.

Fang Yun burst out laughing at the sight of Chong Li’s dust-covered face pressed to the ground.

"Come on, top talent! Don’t disgrace your sect! You still have three attacks left!"

Chong Li glared and stood, attacking again with all his might. But once again, his strikes missed completely.

Unnoticed by the others, a pair of eyes watched the duel. "Who is that young man?"

"Twenty-one!" Fang Yun suddenly shouted, landing a precise punch to Chong Li’s solar plexus. The Black Hawk Sect’s young master was thrown fifteen steps back.

"What a pity. The so-called top talent got taken down in one hit." Fang Yun gazed at Chong Li, who could hardly believe that the boy he used to beat up had just humiliated him in front of everyone.

"Now, honor our agreement! Kneel before me and admit defeat!"

Not wanting to be humiliated a second time by breaking his word, Chong Li crawled to Fang Yun.

But before he could kneel, the elder who had belittled Fang Yun dashed forward and stood beside him. "Stop, Chong Li! I won’t stand by and watch the Black Hawk Sect be disgraced!"

"Aren’t you the one who disgraced it? By stopping him from kneeling, you’re helping him break a warrior’s vow." Fang Yun gave a slight smirk. "Is this how a so-called righteous sect acts?"

"Don’t lecture me! I know right from wrong!"

"Heh... It’s pointless arguing with someone so shameless. From today, history will remember the Black Hawk Sect as one that breaks promises," Fang Yun said, covering his mouth dramatically.

"You bastard! I’ll teach you a lesson!"

"Want to make another wager? If I can take you down in five strikes, you must kneel next to Chong Li. But if I fail, I will kneel before both of you. Deal?"

Murmurs filled the air as sect members buzzed like bees. The elder hesitated. If he lost, it would ruin his reputation. If he refused, he’d be branded a coward.

"Or how about you attack me instead?" Fang Yun offered again.

Still no response.

"Come out! Don’t just watch from the shadows!" Fang Yun suddenly shouted.

Everyone looked around, confused. Who was he talking to?

Moments later, a black-robed old man leapt into view, landing directly in front of Fang Yun.

"Forgive my disciples, young warrior. They chose the wrong opponent," the old man said calmly.

He was none other than the leader of the Black Hawk Sect, astonished that this youth had sensed his presence.

The entire sect fell silent. Their leader—their revered master—was apologizing to a mere teenager.

"I’m not as petty as they are, Elder. A warrior must honor his word. Words can cut deeper than blades. Thanks to their words, your sect’s name is tarnished."

The sect leader turned to the elder who had tried to challenge Fang Yun. "Mao Tse, do you still wish to fight this young warrior?"

Mao Tse was frozen with indecision. Fighting and losing would bring disgrace. Refusing would bring shame. In the end, he chose to fight.

"I will fight, Master."

Fang Yun smiled. "My offer still stands. Pick one."

"I choose the second. I will attack you."

"Very well. Go ahead."

Mao Tse channeled his internal energy into his limbs to boost his speed. In one breath, he lunged at Fang Yun.

To humiliate him further, Fang Yun clasped his hands behind his back. No matter how fast Mao Tse struck, he dodged effortlessly.

"Six!" A powerful kick landed squarely on Mao Tse’s forehead, sending the Black Hawk Sect elder flying.

The sect leader rubbed his temples. Today, their name had been trampled by a mere youth.

Chong Li couldn’t even lift his head, overwhelmed by shame.

"Hear me, all of you! Martial arts aren’t for showing off, bullying the weak, or looking down on others!" Fang Yun shouted.

"If you want to know how it feels to be humiliated and oppressed, ask those two. Chong Li and his cronies used to beat me every time we crossed paths because I was weak. But now, look who stands above!"

Chong Li lowered his head even more.

"This elder here once said I could never master martial arts. He mocked me freely. And now? He’s the one tasting shame."

No one dared speak. Even the sect leader stayed silent, knowing he couldn’t compare to the young man before him.

Fang Yun turned and walked away. He had one mission left: to find the Leopard Panther Bandits, who had murdered his parents and violated his mother.

"Chong Li, Mao Tse, you no longer belong to this sect! Your behavior is unworthy of warriors. As of today, you are expelled!"

Chong Li immediately ran to the sect leader and fell to his knees. "Master, I have no one left in this world. My parents are gone. If you cast me out, where will I go?"

"If you knew that, why didn’t you change your ways? I’ll forgive you only if that young warrior forgives you and brings you back. Bring your friends too."

Chong Li nodded and ran after Fang Yun, now beyond Lunan village. His companions followed, desperate to avoid being expelled from the only home they had since their village of Lufeng was destroyed by bandits years ago.

Fang Yun was surprised to hear Chong Li calling out to him. He stopped, wary.

Chong Li dropped to his knees before him, followed by his companions.

"Fang Yun, I apologize for everything. I realize now how wrong I was. I let my pride blind me. All I had means nothing."

Fang Yun smiled. "Get up, Chong Li. I forgave you long ago. But since you reopened old wounds, I had to make you see the truth."

Chong Li stood. "But we’ve been expelled. We can’t return unless you escort us back."

Seeing his sincere expression, Fang Yun nodded. "Alright. Let’s go back."

When they returned to the Black Hawk Sect, Fang Yun personally requested that the sect leader take Chong Li and his companions back.

"Warrior, I only wanted them to realize their wrongdoings. I’m grateful for today. It opened my eyes. I focused too much on martial skills and neglected to teach virtue."

Fang Yun simply smiled.

"Are you also from Lufeng like Chong Li and his friends?"

"Yes, Master."

"Then where did you learn martial arts? There were no sects in Lufeng."

"Where you learn is irrelevant, Master. What matters is how you use what you’ve learned. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have something more important to do."

"Where are you going?"

"To the Forbidden Forest," Fang Yun replied, bowing briefly before walking swiftly out of the Black Hawk Sect compound.

The Forbidden Forest? Isn’t that where the Leopard Panther Bandits hide? Why would he go there? Could it be... The sect leader pondered.

As Fang Yun vanished past the gates, the sect leader turned to Chong Li and his companions.

"Did you hear what that warrior said? Look at him. Despite his strength, he carries honor and compassion."

The five of them hung their heads in shame.

"Let today be your lesson. There is always someone greater. Don’t let pride cloud your path."

"I understand now. I promise to become a better person, Master," Chong Li said, his voice cracking.

Meanwhile, Fang Yun was already outside Lufeng, hitching a ride in a horse-drawn cart toward the next village—a journey that would soon bring him face to face with the Forbidden Forest.