Spiteful Nunchucks

The Story of Ling Tong

Chapter Four: Ling Tong VS Gan Ning

I found myself charging up the hill, forgetting completely about Sun Quan's orders, our battle against Huang Zu, and just about everything. All I was thinking of was the man currently on top of the hill who killed my father, and how I was going to make him pay for it with his life! Unfortunately, I gave myself away with a bloodlust cry as I charged him, so he heard me coming and fended off two of my nunchuck swings, so I kicked off the sword and landed.

"Whoa! Hey, what the heck's your problem!" He must have been startled by my sudden appearance.

"Did you really think you would escape the son of the man you murdered!" was the response I managed to spit out amidst my raging. "Not even this land of chaos can hide you from my vengeance!"

Gan Ning was actually smirking. "Heh. You really think you can tame me, huh?"

Of course, his coolness only made me more angry. "If I only take one life today, it's going to be yours!"

Gan Ning then lifted his sword again. "Well, then, today's your lucky day! You get to fight the great Gan Ning!"

That said, our personal war began. All else was forgotten in the heat of the battle. My being on Sun Quan's side and his being on Huang Zu's meant nothing right now. All that mattered was that he killed my father and would now feel my vengeance!

The clanging of metal against metal rang out over the battlefield. My Rising Phoenix, a pair of nunchucks specially made for me on Sun Quan's orders, were serving me well, but in spite of my naturally trained quickness, I was still having trouble getting anything on Gan Ning. He was fast, older, and more than likely has fought worse than me as a pirate. But I was definitely giving him his money's worth.

Our duel dragged on for hours, neither of us giving nor taking an inch. My rage was beginning to burn itself out though, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold it up much longer. Gan Ning, on the other hand, looked as though he was legitimately enjoying this. This only frustrated me, which led me to swinging wildly.

I learned my mistake as soon as a slash hit home on my shoulder. Now suddenly, I was the one on the defensive as Gan Ning smelled blood and came after me like a shark. However, I got an opportunity when I caught his sword with my nunchucks, then came around with a leg sweep, tripping him up and disarming him.

However, he quickly retaliated by rolling over and mule kicking me, knocking me backwards and sending the sword one way and the nunchucks another. I quickly kicked up to my feet, then, not even bothering to grab my nunchucks again, was back on top of Ning with fists flying. This duel had devolved into almost like an all-out barfight.

A right cross from me smashed Gan Ning across the face, and I attempted to follow it up with a knee to his midsection. However, he managed to sidestep just far enough for my knee to barely graze his back. Then he quickly countered with an elbow to my stomach, then flipped his arm up, smashing the backside of his fist against my face. Finally, both my rage and my adrenaline had burned out, and I was knocked onto my rear.

Gan Ning, grinning evilly, casually hefted up his sword and stood over me. "So, you really miss your father, eh? How about I send you to hell to meet him?" He lifted his sword, ready to bring it down at my neck...

But suddenly, an arrow pinged off the blade. Stunned, Gan Ning drew back, realizing we had company. Bian Xi had arrived with troops. Probably sent by Sun Quan to bail me out.

Gan Ning must have realized he was in trouble, as he took discretion as the better part of valor. "Retreat ain't so bad! See ya!" He took off the other way. I strained to stand and chase him, still wanting vengeance, but my legs absolutely refused to work for me.

Bian Xi must have noticed what I was doing, as he quickly rode up. "Ling Tong, stand down. Sun Quan has ordered a retreat!"

"That jerk killed my father! He will pay for that!"

"Ling Tong! The orders of our lord are not to be ignored! Besides, you're in no condition to fight! Look at yourself!"

Now that my rage had mostly burned out, I got a good look at myself. And boy, I did not look pretty. Nice little slash across my shoulder, plenty of bruises, a bloody nose...yep, I think now would be a good time for me to call it a day.

"My father..."

Bian Xi answered the question before I could finish it. "...has already been found and taken back to the ship. He will be interred in Yuhang with highest honors."

A soldier had recovered my nunchucks while several others laid me across a horse. It would seem both my vengeance against Gan Ning and Sun Quan's vengeance against Huang Zu would have to wait for another day. Totally worn out and in a bit of pain, I actually fell asleep hanging over the horse.

In the next chapter, the funeral of Ling Cao, and the shock of the century for Ling Tong. What is it? You'll just have to wait and see.