Chenghei stood in the baking sun, small swirls of dust danced around his feet as he stood ready, his long blade drawn, slightly curved and etched with these words, when wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost something is lost. When integrity is lost everything is lost. Chenghei’s father had given him this blade; the words running along its gleaming length, he knew these words were another lesson from his father, always lesson, and now he faced his next. Chenghei now faced five men his father watched from up above, his face painted by the constant frown he wore when looking at him. Today he became a man or he died trying, the men he faced all had volunteered for this task, they would either kill him earning prestige for killing the young man who had only the best training, or they would spill their blood and gain honour for blooding another Warlord for the Lao Che. Only honour could be gained today for these men and only death for Chenghei if he failed, and shame for his father as his son failed to become a man.
Each man stood wearing only loose pants and carrying long blades similar to Chenghei’s, this fight would be over in moments but could change lives forever. Movement, it all came down to movement now. The men came as one and Chenghei flowed forward, the first came at him blade held high in the classic pose, the man was fast but he was faster. His blade opened the mans neck, turning his blade he then sliced another’s leg, opening a main artery, continuing forward he rolled as a blade just missed his head, coming to his feet he buried his blade in the next mans chest. Two men left, their blades came in one high one low, the clash of weapons rang out in the still hot air, as blows were blocked and blades knocked back Chenghei risked a high kick, his bare foot connecting with one mans face, as the man fell back he turned his blade removing the hand of the other man, blade and limb dropped to the ground. Spinning so fast his blade was but a blur he neatly beheaded the last man.
Stillness was what was needed now. Looking up to his father he waited for the nod of approval when suddenly a powerful arm wrapped around his neck. The handless warrior knowing he would be dead soon tried one last time to earn honour for his family and his soul. Chenghei sent his head back and butted the man, his nosed smeared across his face, but still he wouldn’t relinquish his grip. Both men dropped to their knees, Chenghei tried to pry the arm away, the grip was like iron, he again butted the man, his grip loosened slightly, that was all he needed. Breaking free he staggered up right as the man remained kneeling, finally blood loss took its toll and he toppled over. His father just looked at him before speaking.
‘Always be aware.’ He turned and disappeared from view. Chenghei stood staring at where his father had stood, soon the sounds of the city drifted back into the training area where he’d just been granted manhood by right of combat. The need to wash the blood that caked his body finally made Chenghei make his way back into the life filled streets of Kara Korum and away from the stinking blood soaked training area.