Chapter fourteen: Beating the fourth drum
This was never recorded in any ancient book.
Boom—!
The fourth drum roared.
The sound exploded outward like thunder, shaking the air and echoing through the hall. At the same moment, a figure was sent flying violently backward.
Xiao Chen's body shot through the air like a broken arrow.
Elder Kong's expression changed instantly. His eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his aged face.
"He… actually did it?"
Before anyone could even gasp, Elder Kong vanished from where he stood. It was not true teleportation—just speed so terrifying that it left no afterimage behind.
In the next instant, he appeared behind Xiao Chen.
Elder Kong caught the boy mid-air.
Xiao Chen's eyes were tightly shut. Blood stained his clothes, trickling down from his arms and hands. His breathing was uneven, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Elder Kong looked down at him and sighed deeply.
"This kid… he really knows how to use his brain."
Normally, even if someone poured all their strength into the fourth drum, it would not ring loudly. At best, it would release a faint, weak sound—barely a whisper.
But Xiao Chen had done more than that.
He had concentrated all of his body's strength into his left hand.
In that instant, his power surged to two hundred percent.
Of course, the price was severe.
The moment his strike landed, the strain overwhelmed his body. His limbs weakened, his balance shattered, and he was sent flying by the drum's recoil.
Not just anyone could accomplish such a feat.
It required absolute control over one's body—control that even many elders lacked.
Elder Kong glanced at the blood soaking Xiao Chen's sleeves and shook his head.
"Risking injury just to make the fourth drum sound… this child is truly something."
Without wasting another second, Elder Kong moved again.
The surroundings blurred.
Xiao Chen slowly regained consciousness.
His eyes opened to a quiet room filled with faint sunlight. For a moment, he stared blankly at the ceiling, confusion clouding his gaze.
"Where… am I?"
He sat up slowly, wincing as pain surged through his body. His left and right hands were tightly wrapped in bandages, and a dull ache pulsed through his muscles.
Suppressing the discomfort, Xiao Chen stood and looked around.
Just as he took a step toward the door—
Creak.
The door opened.
An old man walked in calmly.
Elder Kong.
Xiao Chen froze instantly, his body subconsciously tensing. A trace of vigilance flashed deep within his eyes.
Elder Kong noticed it.
He sighed.
"Young ones truly are the ones who will surpass us old men one day," he said quietly. "But was it worth it? What if something had gone wrong when you struck the fourth drum?"
Xiao Chen said nothing.
His gaze remained guarded.
Elder Kong studied him carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly. This level of vigilance… it wasn't normal. This was not the alertness of talent, but the caution of someone who had suffered.
"This boy…" Elder Kong thought, "…he must have endured far more than he should have at his age."
Xiao Chen stepped past him, heading for the door.
Elder Kong moved instantly, placing a firm hand on his shoulder and guiding him back onto the bed.
"Rest," Elder Kong said. "Even geniuses have limits. You pushed yourself too hard."
Xiao Chen clenched his fists.
"Thank you, Elder," he said calmly, "but I still have things I must deal with. I can't stop."
Elder Kong sighed again.
He knew forcing him would only cause resistance. This boy didn't trust easily—perhaps he didn't trust anyone.
"…Very well," Elder Kong finally said. "You may go."
Then he added, more firmly,
"But only after you eat."
Xiao Chen paused.
He nodded slightly.
As the boy stood, Elder Kong watched him quietly. Admiration and concern flickered through his eyes.
"A genius forged by hardship," Elder Kong murmured. "If he survives long enough… the world will not remain the same."