บท 18: family & Friends
After finishing their meal, Li Shen decided it was the perfect time to practice some sparring with his children. He led them to the grassy area behind their home, where the sun's warm rays danced across the landscape, creating an ideal training ground.
**Li Shen:** *"Alright, let's see what you two have learned! Remember, this is about practice and having fun. Don't hold back too much!"*
**Li Wei:** *"I'm ready! I've been practicing my footwork!"*
**Xiao Ling:** *"And I've been working on my strikes! Watch out, Daddy!"*
Li Shen smiled, feeling a surge of pride as he watched his children bounce with excitement.
He squared up against Li Wei first, taking a light stance.
**Li Shen:** *"Let's see what you've got, champ!"*
With a determined look, Li Wei lunged forward, executing a series of quick jabs. Li Shen easily sidestepped, guiding his son's momentum to redirect his energy.
**Li Shen:** *"Good speed, Wei! But remember to keep your balance!"*
Li Wei stumbled slightly but quickly recovered, adjusting his stance and trying again. Li Shen offered encouragement, mixing in light-hearted teasing to keep the mood cheerful.
**Li Shen:** *"You're getting better, but you're still not fast enough to catch me!"*
**Li Wei:** *"Just wait!"*
With newfound determination, Li Wei launched another attack, this time feigning left before spinning right, aiming a strike at Li Shen's side. Li Shen grinned, impressed by his son's cunning.
**Li Shen:** *"Nice move! But..."*
He deftly blocked the strike, then countered with a gentle tap on Li Wei's shoulder, sending him spinning slightly off-balance.
**Li Shen:** *"Remember, always watch your opponent's movements!"*
**Xiao Ling:** *"Can I go next?"*
After sparring with Li Wei, Li Shen turned to Xiao Ling, who was bouncing on her toes, eager to demonstrate her skills.
**Li Shen:** *"Alright, little warrior! Show me what you've got!"*
Xiao Ling rushed at her father, fists flying. Her energy was infectious, and Li Shen couldn't help but smile as he lightly blocked her punches.
**Li Shen:** *"Good! Keep those fists up!"*
Xiao Ling ducked low, trying to sweep Li Shen's legs. He jumped over her, but she was quick, rolling back to her feet and springing at him again.
**Li Shen:** *"Very good, Ling! You're learning!"*
But Li Shen decided to test her defenses. He feigned a punch to the left before delivering a light jab to her right side.
**Xiao Ling:** *"Hey!"*
She giggled, spinning away, and then immediately retaliated with a swift kick aimed at his leg. Li Shen laughed, dodging it effortlessly.
**Li Shen:** *"Nice try! But you'll have to be faster!"*
They continued sparring, the playful banter filled with laughter echoing through the valley.
After a while, Li Shen called for a break, both kids panting but glowing with excitement.
**Li Shen:** *"Great job, you two! Remember, it's all about having fun and improving!"*
**Li Wei:** *"Can we do it again tomorrow?"*
**Xiao Ling:** *"Yes! I want to beat you next time, Daddy!"*
**Li Shen:** *"I look forward to it! Just remember, training is important, but so is rest."*
As they settled down on the grass, the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the family. They shared stories and dreams of the tournament, unaware that outside their peaceful world, shadows of impending chaos loomed ever closer.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of orange and purple, Xiao Ling's curious gaze turned to her father, her small brow furrowed with a question that had been lingering in her mind.
**Xiao Ling:** *"Daddy, why did you leave the Cloud Knights? You were so strong and powerful! Did you not want to fight anymore?"*
Li Shen paused, his smile fading slightly as he considered her question. He remembered the days spent as a member of the prestigious Cloud Knights, fighting alongside some of the strongest warriors in their realm. The battles, the camaraderie, and the weight of responsibility all flooded back to him.
**Li Shen:** *"It's not that I didn't want to fight, Ling. The Cloud Knights were a family to me. But…"*
He sighed, choosing his words carefully.
**Li Shen:** *"I realized that my true strength lay not just in fighting, but in protecting what I love. I wanted to be here for you and your brother, to raise you both."*
Xiao Ling looked up at him, her eyes wide and contemplative.
**Xiao Ling:** *"But couldn't you have done both? Be a knight and be here for us?"*
Li Shen shook his head gently, trying to convey the depth of his decision.
**Li Shen:** *"Sometimes, when you have a duty to the greater good, you have to make sacrifices. Being a knight means I would be away a lot, and I didn't want to miss your childhood, your laughter, or your first steps."*
Xiao Ling's expression softened as she absorbed her father's words.
**Xiao Ling:** *"So, you chose us over being a knight?"*
**Li Shen:** *"Exactly. Being a father is the most important role I can have. I want to teach you and Wei everything I know, to help you grow strong and wise."*
Xiao Ling pondered for a moment, then nodded, a sense of understanding dawning in her eyes.
**Xiao Ling:** *"I get it now, Daddy. You're still our hero, even if you're not a Cloud Knight anymore."*
Li Shen smiled warmly, pulling her into a gentle hug.
**Li Shen:** *"You're my little warrior, and that's all I need to be proud of. Just remember, being strong isn't just about fighting; it's about making choices for the right reasons."*
**Xiao Ling:** *"I promise, Daddy! I'll be strong for you and Wei!"*
As they pulled apart, Li Shen felt a swell of pride for his daughter. He knew that the legacy of strength and courage would live on in both her and Li Wei, no matter what path they chose.
The two shared a moment of laughter, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten as the bond of family embraced them like the warm glow of the setting sun.
A week had passed since Li Shen's conversation with Xiao Ling, and the worries of daily life seemed to fade away as he settled into a familiar bar with his long-time friend, Chen. The air was filled with the scent of grilled meat and the low hum of chatter from other patrons, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Li Shen leaned back in his chair, a mug of golden ale in hand, the frothy foam cascading down the sides. Chen, with his disheveled hair and ever-present grin, clinked his mug against Li Shen's, laughter dancing in his eyes.
**Chen:** *"To another day of being legends, my friend! I swear, I could take down three more of those giant boars from last week."*
Li Shen chuckled, shaking his head.
**Li Shen:** *"Three? You could barely handle one without gasping for breath!"*
**Chen:** *"Hey now, that was just a minor setback. Besides, it's the tales we tell that matter, right? And I'm sure I've spun a few good ones."*
Li Shen took a sip, the cool ale refreshing against his lips.
**Li Shen:** *"True enough. Your tales are always entertaining, even if they're a bit exaggerated."*
They both burst into laughter, the camaraderie between them evident as they reminisced about their adventures.
**Chen:** *"Speaking of tales, have you heard about the upcoming tournament? The Murim warriors are said to be training like madmen!"*
Li Shen nodded, a spark of excitement igniting in his chest.
**Li Shen:** *"Yeah, I've heard whispers. They're tough fighters, no doubt. But the Cloud Knights have their share of surprises too."*
Chen leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief.
**Chen:** *"You think you could take one of those Murim warriors? You know they train hard for those tournaments!"*
Li Shen grinned, a playful challenge igniting between them.
**Li Shen:** *"I might not be a knight anymore, but I've still got some moves left in me. They won't know what hit them!"*
**Chen:** *"I'd pay to see that! Just remember to keep your hands to yourself—unless you want to get kicked out of the tournament for fighting dirty!"*
The two continued their banter, sharing stories and laughter as the night wore on. As the conversation flowed, Li Shen's thoughts drifted to his family.
**Li Shen:** *"You know, I've been thinking a lot about my kids lately. I want to teach them everything I know, but sometimes I wonder if I'm doing enough."*
Chen nodded, the laughter in his eyes replaced with understanding.
**Chen:** *"You're a great father, Li Shen. Just being there for them means more than you think. And when the time comes for them to fight, you'll be right there to guide them."*
Li Shen sighed, grateful for the support.
**Li Shen:** *"Thanks, Chen. It's just… I want to give them the world, and I worry if I'm giving them the right tools to face it."*
**Chen:** *"Every parent worries, my friend. Just keep being there for them, and you'll do just fine."*
As the night deepened, the laughter resumed, but in the back of Li Shen's mind lingered the truth of their conversation. He was determined to be a father worthy of the legacy he wished to leave behind, one that could stand strong against the tides of the unknown.
As Li Shen and Chen continued their banter, the door to the bar swung open, letting in a gust of cool night air. Jiang Tao, a stocky man with a friendly demeanor and a penchant for storytelling, strode in. He spotted Li Shen and Chen at a table and made his way over, a wide grin spreading across his face.
**Jiang Tao:** *"Well, if it isn't the two greatest legends of the Cloud Knights! Mind if I join?"*
Li Shen gestured for him to sit, raising his mug in greeting.
**Li Shen:** *"Of course, Jiang! We were just sharing tales of our past conquests. Care to add your own?"*
Jiang Tao chuckled as he settled into the chair, signaling for a drink from the barmaid.
**Jiang Tao:** *"I'd love to, but I actually came in with a different story in mind. I couldn't shake off what we discussed last week about the other worlds."*
Li Shen exchanged glances with Chen, a hint of curiosity sparking in his eyes.
**Li Shen:** *"Oh? What about it?"*
**Jiang Tao:** *"You know, the idea of other realms beyond our own. I've been thinking… if there are other worlds out there, what does that mean for us?"*
Chen leaned in, intrigued.
**Chen:** *"Yeah, we were just talking about the upcoming tournament. What's got you thinking so deeply about other worlds?"*
Jiang Tao took a moment, glancing around the bar as if searching for the right words.
**Jiang Tao:** *"I was at the market earlier, and I overheard a couple of merchants talking about strange sightings—shadows moving in the woods, whispers of warriors who aren't from here. It got me wondering… What if those worlds are closer than we think?"*
Li Shen furrowed his brow, a wave of unease washing over him.
**Li Shen:** *"You mean like… invaders? But why would anyone come here?"*
**Jiang Tao:** *"That's what I'm trying to figure out. Maybe they're seeking resources, or perhaps they want to challenge the strongest fighters."*
Chen scoffed, taking a long swig of his ale.
**Chen:** *"Or maybe they're just legends, Jiang. You know how stories can get twisted. Shadows in the woods? Sounds like a drunk's imagination to me."*
Jiang Tao shrugged but maintained a serious expression.
**Jiang Tao:** *"It's possible. But it's also possible we're not prepared for what's out there. We're strong, but what if those worlds have warriors that dwarf us?"*
Li Shen considered this, his earlier worries resurfacing.
**Li Shen:** *"I suppose that's true. If there are indeed other worlds, they could hold untold dangers. We need to keep our eyes and ears open."*
Jiang Tao nodded, leaning forward earnestly.
**Jiang Tao:** *"Exactly. We can't afford to be complacent. We should stay vigilant and train harder, just in case."*
The mood shifted slightly as they pondered the implications of Jiang Tao's words. Li Shen felt a surge of protectiveness for his family, realizing that the world was bigger—and potentially more dangerous—than he had thought.
**Li Shen:** *"Then let's make sure to prepare ourselves and our families. We can't let our guard down."*
**Chen:** *"If there are invaders, let them come! I'll welcome them with a fist to the face!"*
Jiang Tao laughed, but Li Shen could see the seriousness behind his eyes.
**Jiang Tao:** *"And if we do face a threat, let's face it together. We're stronger as a unit, just like we were in the Cloud Knights."*
Li Shen raised his mug, a determined glint in his eyes.
**Li Shen:** *"To our friendship and whatever may come our way!"*
**Chen and Jiang Tao:** *"To friendship!"*
As they clinked their mugs together, the laughter resumed, but beneath it lay a current of unease, a reminder that the world was full of uncertainties, and the call for vigilance had never been more real.
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