Gold Tiger King - Ch. 3

Yen-shu’s First Love

Rated E Everyone

In the year 610, during the reign of the second Sui Emperor Yang Ti, it was announced that there would be a month long Jiao Di martial arts event held in Duan Men Jie. As a noble, Li Yuan would naturally be in attendance. There were even rumors that the emperor himself would be there in secret. Yuan decided to take his two eldest sons hoping that Li Shimin would take to the sport and be inspired during his martial training. His first born, Li Jiancheng, had already been training for four years and was showing promise. However, Shimin was undeniably more talented.

The night before Yuan and his sons would depart for Duan Men Jie, Shimin begged his father to take Yen-shu along as well. The duke sternly refused, and there was no further conversation. Nevertheless, the young lord sought the help of his mother as they said goodnight.

“There is no reason for your father to bring Long Yen-shu,” Dou explained.

“But I want someone to talk to,” the twelve-year-old noble whined.

“Then talk to your older brother.” “He doesn’t like talking to me. He’s too old.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“But I won’t have any fun if Yen-shu isn’t there.”

“I didn’t know my son could tell the future.”

“Well, I can. Please, Mother.”

The duchess let out a long sigh. Little did they know that Yen-shu was just outside eavesdropping on the conversation.

“Yen-shu is my only friend,” Shimin said gently. “I’ll miss him too much.”

The teenage cub’s eyes widened upon hearing this. Shimin would never have said that to his face. Yen-shu stealthily scurried back to the servant building, ashamed that he overheard something he wished to hear first directly.

“I will try to convince your father,” Dou said softly.

“Alright!” Shimin exclaimed quietly.

“But don’t expect him to say yes just because it’s me. He’ll know it was you who asked.”

“That’s fine. Goodnight, Mother.”

“Ha-ha. Goodnight, Li Shimin.”

The next day, the young lord was up bright and early in front of the main building of his family's home. When Yuan slid open the door, he was startled by his son.

“Hm,” grumbled the duke. “I don’t approve of you scheming to use your mother against me.”

Shimin didn’t budge as a big smile pushed back his chubby cheeks. Yuan chuckled and patted his son on the head.

“Very well,” Yuan said. “Yen-shu may join us.”

“Yes!” Shimin laughed and leapt up into the air.

“But he’ll have to borrow some of your clothes.”

“No problem.”

“And since you’re up, you will join me for morning tea.”

“Aww.”

“Afterwards you’ll put in some extra training.”

“Maybe bringing Yen-shu along isn’t the best idea.”

“Ha-ha-ha!”

#

While on the horse carriage to Duan Men Jie, Yen-shu couldn’t help but constantly rub his face against his sleeves.

“So soft,” he’d say.

“Careful or you’ll rub off on them,” Li Jiancheng mocked. Shimin’s older brother had no respect for those of lower class, let alone servants. Yen-shu had gotten used to ignoring his passing insults.

“Hey!” Shimin snapped. “Apologize.”

Jiancheng scoffed. Shimin shot up and rushed toward his older brother. But Jiancheng pushed him back into his seat with a kick to the face. Yen-shu froze, holding back the urge to attack Jiangcheng.

“I will not bring you two to Duan Men Jie like this,” Yuan scolded. He looked at Jiancheng. “Apologize to your brother.”

“But he came at me!” Jiancheng complained.

“I’m not going to repeat myself.”

Jiancheng growled. “Forgive me, Brother. Must be nice being the favorite.”

“Gyah!” Shimin cried as he pounced once again toward his older brother. This time, Jiancheng simply moved out of the way. Shimin hit the other side of the carriage with a thud. Jiancheng looked to his father. The duke’s face remained cold and emotionless. His firstborn huffed and averted his eyes.

Once they made it to Duan Men Jie, Li Yuan and the boys were escorted to their temporary residence. The festivities would begin that night after the last of the attendees were slated to arrive. This Jiao Di event attracted fighters from all across the empire. They were to participate in a variety of special matches and tourneys for the entertainment of the nobility and commoner alike. The winner of the finale tournament would become known as the Horn Clash King and be honored by the emperor himself.

Yuan and the boys were later led up to their seats in a giant stadium with a courtyard sporting multiple raised platforms. The platforms had no railings, and there were flags that stood tall at each corner. Starting out the month-long event would be a fight between two of the newest faces in the Jiao Di community: Bo Yao and Gāofùshuài Dragon.

The stadium was full. Nobles sat in the balconies. In their shadow stood the lower class. The crowd went quiet. Shimin and Yen-shu scooted to the edge of their seats. Suddenly, two men made their way to the central platform. Both wore helmets with bull horns on them. Yen-shu was fascinated.

Bo Yao assumed a confident stance. His face was calm. His muscles were tight and toned. Gāofùshuài Dragon seemed relaxed. He taunted his opponent, smirking with arrogance.

“Play close attention to who wins this battle, boys,” Yuan whispered.

The gong was struck!

Both fighters rushed toward each other. The horns on their helmets sparked as they clashed. The Dragon reached out to grapple Yao. Yao countered with an elbow to his inner forearm.

Yen-shu was entranced.

The Dragon broke free of Yao’s counter grapple. He tried to wrap his leg around the back of Yao’s knee. But Yao twisted out to the side!

As Yao slid his leg behind the Dragon’s ankles, Yen-shu saw it in slow motion. Bo Yao was like water, moving with grace and adapting perfectly to his opponent’s shape. The Dragon was swept to the ground in an instant. With the slamming of Gāofùshuài’s back to the wooden platform, the crowd went wild. Shimin and Jiancheng stood up and roared in jubilation. But Yen-shu remained seated. His eyes twinkled with delight. For the first time, Long Yen-shu felt what it was like to be in love. The moment the tiger cub witnessed the beauty of martial arts, he knew he had just received a vision of destiny.

TO BE CONTINUED