Chapter 34: Training (2)
Feng Fan barely had time to raise his arms as Zheng Tao’s kick shot toward his chest. With no solid footing to absorb the impact, he instinctively stepped back, dispersing the force.
"The defense could use work, but good reaction," Zheng Tao said, his voice calm. His movements, however, never stopped.
After Zheng Tao kicked Feng Fan, his leg didn’t come back to its previous spot, but he used to momentum to launch a straight punch at Feng Fan’s face.
Feng Fan was ready. He knew Zheng Tao wouldn’t let him catch his breath. He ducked, feeling the rush of air above his head.
Taking advantage of his lowered stance, Feng Fan twisted his hips and drove an uppercut toward Zheng Tao’s chin.
Zheng Tao grinned. At the last second, he tilted his head back, dodging the punch by a hair’s breadth. "That’s the way, kid—never let your opponent breathe."
Despite the clear difference in strength, speed, and reflexes, Zheng Tao remained in control. His experience bridged the gap between them, allowing him to predict Feng Fan’s movements and react effortlessly.
Feng Fan knew this but didn’t let it bother him. Instead, he grinned and lunged forward. "Don’t worry, old man, I’m just afraid you’ll be out of breath soon enough!"
He threw a feint, his left fist shooting forward, before quickly shifting into a right hook aimed at Zheng Tao’s ribs.
Zheng Tao smirked, seeing through the deception. He turned slightly, blocking the hook with his forearm before countering with a low kick to Feng Fan’s calf.
Feng Fan grimaced as his leg buckled. Before he could regain his balance, Zheng Tao closed the gap with lightning speed. A sharp elbow crashed into Feng Fan’s cheek, sending a jolt of pain through his skull.
Feng Fan’s head snapped to the side as Zheng Tao’s elbow connected with his cheek, pain exploding across his face.
He shook off the dizziness and stepped back, eyes narrowing. Zheng Tao’s relentless pressure only fueled his determination.
For the next few hours, Feng Fan trained under Zheng Tao’s watchful eye. His proficiency in the art of dodging improved, perfected his feints and learned to channel the full power of his body into each strike.
"That’s enough for today," Zheng Tao said, wiping the sweat from his brow. His clothes clung to his body, drenched from the exertion. "Your next instructor should be here soon. I’ll take my leave. See you tomorrow."
Feng Fan cupped his hands in a sign of respect. "Thank you, Teacher Zheng!"
Zheng Tao gave him a nod and a smile before turning and walking away.
Once Zheng Tao left, Feng Fan sank to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Teacher Zheng really doesn’t take it easy on anyone..."
He winced as he massaged the bruises that covered his body, his muscles sore from the training. Still, he wasn’t too concerned—after a day of cultivation, these minor injuries would be gone.
"Oh, seems like old Zheng hasn’t changed. He can even make rookie Hunters wince in pain," a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
Feng Fan looked up, spotting a beautiful woman in black gym clothes that clung to her toned frame. She appeared to be in her late twenties.
She smiled as she approached, a pair of chains coiled around her arms giving her away as Feng Fan’s next instructor.
"Nice to meet you," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "I’m Yao Biya. I’ll be teaching you how to fight with chains."
Feng Fan nodded, his gaze flicking to the chains. There weren’t many who used such weapons, so he had quickly understood who she was the moment he saw her.
Despite his fatigue, Feng Fan pushed himself to his feet. "Nice to meet you. I’m Feng Fan."
Yao Biya gave him an approving nod. "Good. You’re not the type to laze around just because you’re tired. That’s a start."
She unfurled a chain from her arm, the metal links clinking softly.
"Fighting with chains is completely different from using fists or blades. It requires precision, control, and adaptability. If you can’t master those, you’ll end up tangling yourself before you even hit your enemy."
She took a step back and demonstrated a simple motion, twirling the chain in a controlled arc before snapping it forward like a whip. The tip cracked against the ground with a sharp snap, leaving a faint mark.
"The first thing you need to learn is handling the weight and momentum," she continued. "A chain is not a rigid weapon. It flows, and you need to move with it, not against it."
Feng Fan watched closely as she handed him the other chain. He grasped it firmly, but Yao Biya immediately shook her head.
"Too stiff. You’re gripping it like a sword. Relax your wrist—let the chain move naturally." She guided his hand, adjusting his grip. "Now, try swinging it in a circular motion. Slow and steady."
Feng Fan did as instructed, rotating his wrist and making the chain spin. At first, it was clumsy, the links wobbling unpredictably, but after a few tries, the movement smoothed out.
"Not bad," Yao Biya remarked. "Now, let’s work on your strikes. Chains have range, but if you don’t control them properly, your opponent will close the gap before you can react."
She demonstrated a basic strike, using a flick of her wrist to send the chain snapping forward before retracting it in a fluid motion. "Always be ready to recover. If your chain is out of position, you’re wide open."
Feng Fan mimicked her movements, but his first attempts lacked power and precision. Yao Biya corrected his posture, adjusting his stance and grip. Slowly, his strikes became sharper, the chain moving more in sync with his intent.
After several rounds of practice, Yao Biya smiled. "Very good for a beginner. You’ll be able to fight with them easily in a few more days. That’s a Hunter for you."
Feng Fan exhaled, his arms already burning from the unfamiliar movements. Still, a determined glint shone in his eyes. "Then let’s keep going."
Yao Biya’s smile widened. "That’s what I like to hear."