Временные трудности / Temporary hardships: Глава 3

Chapter 3, in which the hero is confronted with guile and cruelty
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Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:09

In all the stories known to Han, the hero, having found himself in such a situation and having received his portion of helplessness and despair, necessarily found a way out. He would use a secret technique, get help from a trusted friend or lover, or deceive the enemy by pretending to be someone he wasn't. But somehow, there was no way out, and silence hung in the reception room like the executioner's guan dao over the neck of the ruler of a rebellious province. But Han did not despair, for he had a faithful and reliable companion - his mother. And whoever appeared before her blazing eyes - father, ancestral spirits, gods, demons, dragons, or even the Emperor himself - she would never leave her beloved son in trouble. And even though this scoundrel, like a Western barbarian who had uninvited himself into their home, had his father's support, he didn't stand a chance against Lady Lihua. Han even waited with some anticipation to see how all of the impostor's efforts would shatter against his mother's intransigence, like a demonic villain's blade against a hero's Unbreakable Iron Shirt technique. Let him realize the futility of his efforts!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:11

111111111

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:11

Unfortunately, the scoundrel was already aware of everything. He bowed respectfully, like a son returning from a military campaign to a noble parent, and asked in a disgustingly soft, almost loving voice:

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:12

"Honorable Mrs. Lihua, forgive me if I am disrespectful, but am I right in assuming you suffer from kidney pains? And that your neck and legs cramp at times?"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:28

The mother, who had prepared an angry rebuke to the insolent, froze in surprise.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:28

"Yes, you're right! But how can you know that? I understand if you could at least check my pulse like Dr. Suo..."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:29

The villain bowed briefly again, as if honoring the justice and wisdom of her words, and replied:

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:29

"You're right. I would have gotten a better result by checking your pulse. But this unworthy stranger can see a lot of things immediately by feeling the qi flow in your body!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:30

Mother shook her head and smiled slightly. Smiled! Such a betrayal made Han's breath catch.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:31

"You're deluded. No, no, not about the pain. I don't have qi."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:01

"I'm sorry madam, with all due respect to your wisdom, I would venture to guess that this was communicated to you by one of the esteemed doctors mentioned earlier."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:01

"Of course," Mother nodded graciously, "I have been examined by many specialists."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:03

"So, they have yet to advance in science. They're deluded."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:03

He took a few swift steps to the wall. Easily, as if it were a weightless screen of silk and bamboo, picked up a chair, a heavy one that the servants carried only in fours, placed it behind Lady Lihua's back, and, without asking, took her by the wrist and helped her to sit down. He ignored Han's distress as he struggled with trembling hands to rise from the puddle of undigested lunch.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:05

"Qi is everywhere and in everything. It is the energy of life that permeates everything around us, from the cold stars to the very hot depths of the earth beneath our feet, from the tops of mountains to the abyss of the ocean. Trees and beasts, gods and demons, spirits and ghosts have it. And, of course, every human being has it. Yes, some have it stronger, others weaker. Some can cut mountains and destroy enemies with it, and some cannot even blow out a candle. Some can't feel it because they don't know they have it, so they can't command it. You have qi, Lady Lihua, pure and beautiful, as beautiful as you are!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:09

Han mumbled with indignation once again. What does this bastard think he's doing? Only his poor health prevented him from going after the impostor again and truly punishing him.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:10

"If you, madam, allow this unworthy one to touch your noble body...."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:13

To Han's horror, his mother nodded her head favorably.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:14

The villain's hands flickered like swift snakes, lightly touching Mother's arms, wrists, shoulder blades, shoulders, and neck in imperceptible movements. Once they even touched the hollow between her collarbones! Finally he extended his finger and touched the middle of her forehead.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:16

"Tell me, noble Lady Lihua, how are you feeling right now?"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:17

The mother craned her neck, stood still as if listening to herself, and stared at the bastard with rounded eyes. Even though he, not being her husband, had dared to grope her, she not only did not call the guards but smiled warmly at the bastard as if he were her own son!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:17

"Qi is everywhere and in everyone," the impostor continued. "Just like ordinary muscles, it can be developed, strengthened and trained."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:18

"But muscles can be damaged," Mother objected in a weak voice, "and that's what happened to my Haonyu!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:18

"Anything that is damaged can be healed," the villain said smugly, stepping back from his mother and bowing briefly again. "With the right approach, of course."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:19

"But the doctors..."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:20

"...treating your body, but not harmonizing the qi flow, so the results were always short-lived. I don't specialize in healing, but I can treat combat injuries and wounds from training. I can also treat meridian and acupuncture point injuries."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:40

With wounds? Did he say wounds? Han found that his body, as if by itself, was gradually crawling back to the stained chair, intending to hide under it. Yes, that's right, he rejoiced, crawled beside the chair, crawled behind the screen, sneaked to the exit, and hid, ordering the servants not to let the villain anywhere. After all, his father's vows applied only to Han himself!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:40

"I'm also very good at finding hidden people," said a hateful voice from somewhere high up.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:41

A mighty kick threw the chair into the wall, and Han shuddered as he looked at the wreckage. If he'd been a little to the left, that kick would have hit him!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:42

"Stand up."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 20:42

"I'm not afraid of you!" Han declared, not even trying to get up.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:47

In his head, it sounded like a courageous challenge to the inexorable circumstances, but aloud, it came out something thin and squeaky.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:48

"You forgot to say - master," the bastard chuckled.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:49

An unbearable pain pierced Han's body as he flew into the air, landed, and slipped on the soup spilled on the floor. Shark fin soup! Shark fin soup that had already been eaten once!

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:49

"Stand up," came a stern voice from above.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:50

Han's body flew upward once more and slammed to the floor again, this time much more painfully.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:56

"Stand up,"

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:57

Tears streamed from Han's eyes, but he stood up, not wanting to be hurt again. His mother, who was staring at the scene with moist eyes, bit her hand, then suddenly turned away and ran away at an unusually light and brisk pace.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:57

"You don't know where the training ground is, of course," the bastard didn't even ask, he claimed!

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:57

Han only continued to sniffle. The echoes of the pain he had just inflicted occupied his thoughts, and he had no strength left to lament the injustice of fate, the cruelty of his father and ancestral spirits, the sudden and unexpected betrayal of his mother, who had left him alone with the monster.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:58

"I don't hear your war cry," the impostor persisted.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 06:59

"Wh-what cry?" Han's voice broke out.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:02

He shrank back involuntarily, expecting another hit, but the bastard touched Han's shoulder lightly as if he were shaking off a speck of dust, and the unbearable pain pierced his body again.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:03

The reply was spoken in a kind and even good-natured tone, with a touch of reproachfulness, as a calligraphy teacher, Chen Zi, had once pointed out a blunder in writing a complex hieroglyph:

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:04

"What a cry, Master."

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:05

"What a c-cry, Master?"

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:05

"Warcry, consisting of two words: "Yes, Master!". Follow me.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:06

Han, who was frozen in a mute stupor, only opened and closed his mouth. The " Master" took a few steps away and, not hearing his sniffling behind him, stopped and slowly turned around. Han had a sudden stomach ache and an unbearable urge to pee.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 19:25

As the scrolls and crystals repeatedly tell us, enlightenment comes to the hero in difficult and dangerous moments of life. His senses sharpen, his thoughts become quick and sharp like a warlord's blade, and a wave of understanding comes over his mind. As it turned out, the crystals were not lying. In the rushing waterfall of clarity, understanding, and intuition, Han realized with certainty that in a moment, even a fraction of a moment - and he would be beaten again.

Camrad_RIP 09.01.24 в 07:09