Yu meets the wandering brigand

The summer dust rose again as Yu landed on his back, about six feet from the brigand. Or where the brigand had been a moment ago. The flying leap Yu tried had not worked for him or any of the other boys as they tried to stop the brigand from taking Aunt Chan's only cow.

A couple of the boys had bruises and Fong would be walking funny for a while. Yu, senior student and a little older, was both ashamed of his own lack of success and what the uncles had taught them. Slowly the wind came back into his chest and Yu fought his own frustration down, along with the fear of not breathing. He had often landed on the ground when learning from the uncles, and even from some of the older students. His rough woven clothing protected his skin a bit but did nothing for his pride.

Pride raced through Yu's mind as he debated on getting up again. Pride of the senior student. Pride of what the uncles taught, a southern style so far north that no one knew how it got here. Pride in himself, for which Yu felt least but could not ignore.

A full breathe returned and Yu relaxed. Pride was not his ally, he realized. He had thought his strength and that of the others could stop the bandit. Pride had blinded him. Pride could be his ally if he could find it in the bandit. Smiling, Yu stood up once more.

"I have knocked you down six times already, boy. Why are you still trying to stand?" The brigand grinned at Yu as a cat might view a canary. "All your friends have the sense to stay on the ground. Why not do the same? Nothing to be ashamed of; I am Golden Falcon! Master of the Red Mountain style of Gong Fu. What do you think a few rag tag boys can do to stop me from enjoying a little luck on my travels?"

"A master would pay for a cow, Golden Falcon. You seek to steal one. That tells me no one thinks enough of you to pay student fees or to support their mentor. Perhaps you are not a master at all?" Yu relaxed himself and extended his hands as the uncles had taught. "Or perhaps the Red Mountain style is far inferior to that taught in the village of Fo Shan."

"I have dusted you again and again, boy! Do not challenge the gong fu of Golden Falcon! I have taken it easy on you in this fight!" The man stamped his foot for emphasis and more dust rose.

"You have left your sword sheathed. Is it broken?" Yu asked. He knew it was a dangerous game he was playing, but the threat of a blade would either prove him wrong or provide the focus he so desperately needed.

"My blade has drawn much blood in its time, boy. Do not tempt me or it will draw yours!"

"Perhaps you are unable to unfurl your weapon with anyone watching?" Yu said with a dead pan face. "We do have girls present. Is that a problem for you?"

"Arrgghh!!" Golden Falcon turned as Red as the mountain he claimed to be a master of. Venting his anger he drew his sword and swung at Yu's chest, almost throwing himself off balance.

Yu simply leaned back just out of reach. "Morning stretch towards the sun." He said, before moving his right hand forward and rubbing the knuckles up against the brigand's nose. "Unlatch the window."

Golden Falcon huffed as he swung down cross-angle to split Yu from one shoulder to the hip.

Stepping slightly to the side and forward, Yu back-fisted Falcon's bicep into semi-numbness. "Knock on the door." He said. Part of him hoped a certain student was watching but he didn't dare think about her right now. "Open the door." Yu added as his palm struck the jaw of the brigand and knocked two teeth loose.

Golden Falcon tried a low swing that Yu jumped over easily. Bringing his elbow down with him Yu connected solidly on Golden Falcon's head. "I have no idea what that is called but it seems to work." He added, stepping back.

Golden Falcon paused for a moment and collected he dazed head. Trying several sweeping blows mixed with rapid thrusts he was unable to connect with the boy. Too late he realized that his balance was completely gone. At that moment Yu stepped forward and shared several rapid fire strong punches to Golden Falcon's face.

"Another one that needs a name." Yu said as Golden Falcon slowly fell, unconscious at his feet.

Later, when Uncle Dheng returned from the field, he found a wandering bandit without armor or weapons, tied to the date tree by his house. Yu was tending the wounded bandits bleeding nose, as well as a few other more serious injuries the other students had received.

"Uncle Dheng, I have found a volunteer to help us practice against the 18 weapons! What a wonderful day this is!"