The afternoon sun spilled golden warmth over the Han estate's training yard, casting long shadows behind two sparring figures.
Shen LiuYan, now seven, stood firmly with her wooden training sword gripped tight in her calloused hands. Opposite to her, Han Jiutian, fourteen, his brow glistening with sweat, met her strike for strike.
The clash of wooden swords rang through the crisp air, each strike more precise than the last. Shen LiuYan's stance was grounded, her every movement fluid and honed by discipline well beyond her years. Han Jiutian countered with strength and speed, though he couldn't fully conceal the strain tightening his jaw.
The sparring session stretched on, none of the two giving up.
"Halt" a deep, resonate voice ranged from the edge of the courtyard, cutting through the rhythm of the friendly battle.
Both Children stopped instantly, panting, sweat rolling down their cheeks.
General Han strode toward them with hands clasped behind his back, his piercing gaze flickering between the two little warriors.
"Strength is not about who strikes first, or who strikes the hardest, it's about focus. Strength without focus is wasted. Precision without spirit is hallowed. You've trained your bodies and know how to make use of it. Not your spiritual strength. Start Training your Spiritual core"
He tapped a finger against his own sternum.
"Feel the breath here. Let your Qi rise and fall with your strikes. Use your spiritual powers to strengthen your sword. Guide it – don't force. Control your own Qi, don't let it control you"
Then general Han turned towards his eldest son, his voice commanding." You already know how to control your Qi, train with your sister"
Shen LiuYan furrowed her brows, mimicking his breath work as a faint flicker of golden aura gathered around her. Her young frame trembled slightly, but the energy didn't scatter — it held controlled, powerful.
The golden glow of Shen LiuYan's spiritual energy shimmered faintly along her limbs, not blazing like a wildfire, but steady — like the silent burn of a rising sun. Each strike she delivered carried not just strength, but intention, her breath perfectly aligned with her movement, her Qi flowing in smooth, disciplined currents.
Han Jiutian's blade clashed hard against hers, but the moment he overextended, she pivoted with eerie calm — the ground beneath her feet barely disturbed. With one final, seamless arc of her sword, guided by that quiet yet resolute spiritual force, her final blow disarmed him and sent him tumbling to the earth.
For a moment, there was only silence, and the heavy breathing of two kids.
Shen LiuYan stepped forward, her stance strong, eyes unreadable- before extending her hand to her oldest brother.
"Again" LiuYan demanded, getting ready for another round. Her breath became steady, eyes gleaming like a tempered glass.
At just seven, her frame was a far cry from that of her older brother, but her movements were honed with unrelenting focus.
"A-Yan, you're so small but how come you're this terrifying? You little brat gonna wear me out before lunch" Han Jiutian said, as his sword was clashed in a fierce fight with his younger sister, sweat lining his brows.
"You're just too slow today- big brother"
Shen LiuYan smirked back, darting in low. With a sudden twist, she knocked him off balance, breaking his wooden sword into two pieces in the process. Han Jiutian blinked up at her, surprise for just a moment, before chuckling and accepting his defeat.
"Alright, alright – you win this round"
Han Yueming and Shen LiuHua were watching the whole sparring session while playing in a corner. Shen LiuHua, already 2 years old, started to jump up and down while clapping her tiny hands together, chirping, giggling, her words barely more than a string of joyous sound.
"Oh, my dear brother" Yueming started. "I think you must have leant the truth about that saying today"
Han Jiutian turned towards his yapping brother.
"Not now Xiao Yue"
But the great philosopher Yueming stopped him, raising his hand.
" You see, in the grand scroll of life, Master Wen said 'Never underestimate those who are closer to the ground"
"What does that mean, second brother?" LiuYan asked with utter curiosity.
"That means the shorter the warrior, quicker they pick up weapons. That's why Master Wen said 'Don't mess with short people"
"Wait, are you saying I'm short???" LiuYan asked. Han Yueming looked up and down at his younger sister, judging.
"Well, aren't you?" He said with a mocking tone. Shen LiuYan glared at her brother.
Right then, from the sidelines, General Han coughed- Whether to hide a chuckle or to warn his son was unclear. He continued to watch them with hands behind his back…but a corner of his lips twitched upward.
Han Yueming, however, continued beaming at his 2 siblings.
"Let this be remembered. 'When a giant fall, it's the pebbles they trip on"