Chapter 1 – Lee the Weak Monk

“Hey bastard!”

A tall bald male with two other bald youth walked toward the skinny youth. This youth was none other than Lee. Lee who was wiping the floor with a rag, looked up at the incoming party. These three bald men was none other than his senior who was 5 years older than him. The leader who had called him out was Sang Lu, age twenty, dark tan skin, muscular, and with a shiny bald head. The other two bald people who were the same age as Sang was Mu Long and Xia Yi.

On their shiny bald head was 6 dots, 3 dots parallel to eat other, horizontally going down, each dot was equally distance from each other, not one was slightly off. Of course, anyone who see a person with dots on their bald head would realize they are monks from a Shaolin Temple. One of the greatest martial art school in the world. In fact there are 10 distinct well known martial art school. Lee just so happen to be in the same temple as these 3 monks.

Sang stopped right in front of Lee, his figure tower over him, and if one was to look closely not a trace of Lee shadow can be seen it’s as if Sang’s shadow devours Lee’s. Before Lee can reply Sang right leg swept at astonishing speed at Lee’s face.

Lee who just stood there saw what Sang was doing. Suddenly the world turn gray, in front of Lee’s eyes. The movement of Sang leg coming towards Lee was slow. Slow as snail, as it approach Lee face. Lee never understood how he was able to see this or be able to understand this power, but he never complain since it saved him a couple of times in the past. At this moment Lee chose to take the hit, he knew that if he dodge, Sang would not only be embarrass in front of his friend but he would have his friend help him beat Lee up in a miserable state.

The kicked landed on Lee’s face and sent him backwards. A black bruise appear on his face. He was very angry, not because he was bullied but because he was weak and is unable stand up for himself.

“Pathetic bastard, where are my clean robe. It was supposed to be in my room on my bed folded neatly when I walked in.” Sang glared at Lee. “Do you know what I see when I came into my room? Empty fucking space.”

Sang walked towards Lee again. Lee experience this repeatedly from the day he enter the temple. Lee was always weak, no matter how hard he trained he couldn’t become strong. He thought by coming here and learning the way of the Shaolin, he could be able to defend himself at the very least.

“I will finish them today and have it done this afternoon.” Lee calmly said as he didn’t dare to look up at Sang, afraid Sang who kick him in his face again.

“Hmph, you better. Tomorrow the royal family is coming. I want to look good in front of the ladies especially the princess. You better make damn well sure it is clean, otherwise don’t blame me when I break those two sticks you call arms.”

Sang and his friend laugh as they walked away leaving Lee on the ground who is rubbing the pain on his face. Lee stared blankly where the three had left, then quietly went back to cleaning the floor.

Lee was born on the farmland, he was the fifth and last child to be born. He was born frail and weak. His entire family all work on the farm. She would take care him while working on the farm after the fifth day she gave birth to him. It was a harsh life. His family would barely make months ends. His older siblings worked on the farm with his father and mother. By age four, Lee began working farm. But because he was weak he couldn’t do anything besides planting seeds. He couldn’t use the rake without being tired every 2 minute. That didn’t stop him from trying to do his best to help his family.

Lee was different from his family and he knew it too. It was all due to an ability right on his fourth birthday. Once in a while he would see the world instantly turn gray, and everything in front of him move so slow that if felt like hours to him. Lee never told anyone this, he sense his family didn’t like him to begin with, since he couldn’t do much to help out his family. With harsh winter coming and the heavy tax demanded from the emperor. Lee father took him away and left him at the Shaolin temple.

His parents abandon him at the temple, at age five. He has been at temple for about ten years now. It was the most painful experience he had. No one paid attention to him, everything he either end up broken or someone complain about what he did. All the chores and meaningless task was given to him, not because he was weak or anything, because it would build character or so the elder monks said.

Lee knew the longer he stayed here the worse it will get. Lee finally clean the entire floor. Standing up, he double check his surrounding in case he miss a spot. Satisfied with his result he put the wet towel and bucket away, then began walking out of the inner temple and towards courtyard.

Just watch me, I Lee may be a weak monk. But someday… who am I kidding I can’t do shit. Hopefully, someone would be a hero and rise to defend those like me.

Lee walked into the courtyard and saw many of the monks were running around hastily either cleaning or moving valuables. Yesterday was hectic, today was utter chaos, and by tomorrow everything will calm down as everyone will have to be on their best behavior as the royal family will come to the temple to visit, and pray to their Deity.

Lee never once truly pray to this so called Deity or God or whatever they worship. The so call mysterious being that Lee must pray twice a day never help him in time of need. Lee walked through the courtyard, avoiding the monks running left and right, as he about to walk out of the courtyard a voice call out to him.

“Lee, hold.” A calming yet loud voice rang out to him.

Lee turn around to see who it was, and put his palm together and bowed. It was none other than the eldest monk that foresaw the entire temple. Li Yang.

“Greetings Elder Li. Is there something you need?” Lee couldn’t help but wonder why Elder Li needed him. He already completed his chores, and was about to go wash Sang’s disgusting robe. He can’t help but feel frustrated at this point. But he didn’t reveal it on his face. Forcing a disdain smile on his face while waiting for Elder Li reply.

“As a matter I do. The statue of inside the main hall needs to be clean for our important guest tomorrow. Make sure to put the wax on the entire statue and then wax it off completely when you are done. I expect for it to shine brilliantly.” Having told Lee what to do Li Yang walk away and began giving orders to other busy monks.

Seeing Li Yang depart Lee anger rose inside him. I am not your fucking slave you damn bastard. Lee had no other choice but to head to the main hall. There in the main hall was a statue at the center of the back wall. It was no more than 15 meters tall. It was made of pure blue obsidian. One glance at it will fill you with awe. The statue was a deity known as Bascura the Merciful. The details on the statue was done by a mysterious sculptor. Every detail on the statue made it seem it was alive and every time Lee goes and pray to it, he felt that its aura spread out to him trying to shallow him in. Looking at the face, one could say it looks like this deity was calm but its eyes had an expression of judgment.

Lee stared at the statue wondering if he will ever be able to finish waxing this. He finally remember that Sang also gave him a job. Lee couldn’t help but be frustrated he had little time. He began to ponder and finally began to realize something. Lee had an evil smile on his face.

A youth came out of the main hall with a brush and a bucket, checking his surrounding, he quickly close the door to the main hall, locked it, and hastily made his way to the forest behind the Shaolin Temple. This youth was none other than Lee. No one was paying attention to what Lee was doing, because they all had their job. If they slack off just a tiny bit they knew that punishment will be unforgiving, and the disciples knew the elders will not forgive for embarrassing the royal family that will be arriving tomorrow.

Lee making way to the forest, knowing that he can finally relax until tomorrow, he did not stop for anyone. There was only one person in the Shaolin temple he had respected for the past ten years he had been here, this person was a prominent figure. He was a warrior before becoming a monk. A person who fought over countless war, fought his way and became one of the few strongest people in the world. A rumor has it he fought along with other famous heroes and sealed the Demon Lord during the Great War.

It’s time to meet master.

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Thanks to my friend Stanley for helping me on this light novel and recommending me to good Wuxia light novels as well.

Thanks for your support everyone.