22 Punishment
Day after Master Wushu found out about what happened with Hawks and the other younger disciples.
Master Wushu grew worried for Shams as time passed by.
'Where would be that little boy? Was the massacre of his entire clan not enough? Why should he experience of being alone out there? Oh god, Please protect our little boy, Ryoku …' Master Wushu pondered as he watched Feilong, Reema and Yuri doing their penitence for being irresponsible seniors to their younger brethren.
"Master, the others have returned. Since the sun has started to set, they had to come back. Unfortunately, there are still no signs of little Ryoku." One of his senior disciples reported to Master Wushu.
Ever since Master Wushu found out about the disappearance of Shams to the forbidden forest, he instructed a group of 4 {Senior-Ranked} disciples to look for him and scout the forbidden forest for any tracks of Shams. And they should return once the sun started to set. Because monsters usually appear and run amok when the moon is up.
It is known to most cultivators that during night time, monsters' powers are amplified due to the energy they draw from the moon. Thus, it is highly advised for anyone to avoid the forest or any area that are not secured by any sects.
Monsters are territorial.
They attack anyone who trespasses their claimed territory.
After hearing the report of one of his senior disciple, Master Wushu heaved a deep sigh in worry for Shams.
"Okay, get back to your training and make sure Hawks and the other younger ones are in one room with no food and only water." Master Wushu instructed his senior disciple.
"Yes, Master!"
The senior disciple excused himself with respect and left the room.
A worried and concerned look were painted all over the face of Master Wushu.
Meanwhile, while Master Wushu worries about Shams …
Feilong, Reema and Yuri were being punished outside.
There was a big boulder placed on top of the head of Feilong and Reema.
While Yuri was using her magical blue gauntlet as a big boulder was placed on top of her pointing finger.
Compared to Feilong and Reema, Yuri has lesser control over her ki circulation and has limitation on gathering it around in one particular area of her body.
That is why she invented this magical gauntlet which has special properties that allows any cultivator to easily contain their ki within the gauntlet.
Once it is worn, then the special effects of the magical gauntlet will be activated. It also includes a more refined build-up of ki which causes its wielder to emit stronger force when using the gauntlet.
In other words, whoever wears it will have multiplied strength.
The three of them were punished by Master Wushu to stand steadily on the courtyard with a boulder on top of them. They must not let the boulder fall or else it increases in weight twice it was before.
All the three of them are struggling to maintain the boulder on top of them without dropping it to the ground.
"Let us just treat this as an extra-training!" Reema positively cheering her fellow disciples.
But it does not register within Feilong since he has been doing it for hours and it was not his fault in the first place.
"One day! These kids will be the death of us … I promise you! It is not even our fault in losing little Ryoku … We never even dared to violate any of Master Wushu's rules but here we are being punished. Compared to the real perpetrators, they are just being punished lightly …" Feilong constant complain.
Yuri was sobbing in worry for Shams and at the same time in her stress due to their punishment.
"I just hope little Ryoku will be found already. Where did that little boy go? I feel worried for him because it will be second night already and we have not found him yet." A direct concern from Yuri which caused also for Feilong and Reema to worry for Shams.
Silence filled the three as they worry and contemplate on what may have happened to the little boy.
A momentarily distraction for the others to lose focus on their ki.
Suddenly all of them wobbled and lost balance on the control over the boulder.
Boulders fell to the ground, one by one.
It immediately glowed for a second which signifies the enchantment attached to it.
[Added weight activated] was the meaning of the quick glow of the boulder.
-Waaaa!-
They started to pick it up with more struggle now.
"Damn it!" Feilong clearly being more annoyed than usual.
==================
Minutes have passed …
Hours have passed …
The moon was at its peak and exposed its full illumination.
Master Wushu instructed Feilong, Reema and Yuri to go back to their rooms.
Reactions of relief and rejoice greeted Master Wushu. But the moment he said,
"Tomorrow after your breakfast, you will begin your punishment again until when I say it's over."
Sounds of complain and whining could heard from all three of them.
"Is everything understood?" A firm and strict voice from Master Wushu demanded for obedience from his older disciples.
All three of them replied in unison, "Yes, Master!"
Yuri could not wait or endure her curiosity regarding her concern with Shams.
"Master, are there any clues regarding little Ryoku?" Yuri curiously asked their master.
Even Feilong and Reema waited for the response of their master.
"So far, there are none! It's as if he disappeared without a trace." Master Wushu explained to his disciples.
Immediately, the three left with a sad look on their eyes.
Despite being tired, they could not stop thinking and worrying for Shams.
Not only them but everyone in the school could not stop thinking about what happened to Shams.
Right after Master Wushu instructed his older disciples to return to their rooms, he went to see Hawks and the other younger ones.
Only Billy was the one complaining from being hungry.
At the sight of Master Wushu, all of them lowered their gaze in fear of him.
But mostly, in their guilt on losing Shams since it was their idea to violate Master Wushu's warning.
Though, Master Wushu could not help but be impressed at the sight of Hawks and his newly tamed rare beast.
"The four of you, will sleep outside for the whole night … Go meditate on the pond area for the whole night." Master Wushu instructed the four younger disciples.
There was a grassy space near the pond where Master Wushu uses for meditation.
Billy immediately aired his concern, "Master, isn't too cold tonight and we are only wearing our thin garments. Plus, we are so hungry which will be more difficult to meditate."
Master Wushu closed his eyes to avoid being persuaded to rescind his order of punishment towards the younger disciples.
If he punished the older ones with such strictness and level of difficulty then he must hide his affection towards his younger disciples.
"No, all of your will go through this punishment so proceed to the meditation area." Master Wushu did not allow his fondness towards the younger ones for him to be swayed.
Hawks understood completely the purpose of the punishment and was on full-reflection mode for losing sight of Shams.
For them, Shams was the youngest member of the school which he considers as his only family.
"Yes, Master! We will obey …" Hawks was too serious as well which caused Maya and the others to start moving as well.
They started walking towards the meditation area near the pond.
His newly tamed wolf followed him as he started walking along with the others.
All four of them focused in meditating while they are in a zen mode.
Breathing in and breathing out …
Concentrating on their ki circulation …
Filling their dantian with concentrated ki. A dantian can be located 2 fingers below the navel area. This refers to the region or part of the body where the ki of a cultivator is being concentrated.
Wind breezed peacefully.
A night filled with serenity.
There were other {Senior-ranked} disciples on a patrol shift.
Walking around the premises of the school.
Despite the chill and coldness around the air, Hawks and his fellow younger disciples focused in their meditation and being one with the natural energy.
At the same time, his newly tamed wolf was laying down beside him as Hawks was fully concentrated with his meditation.
…
…
Near the meditation area was an entrance in few meters.
Basically, they could sense what and who comes in and out from the position that they were currently meditating.
Out of nowhere,
An appearance surprised the hell out of them.
"Hey, guys! What's up?" Shams casually asked his fellow young disciples.
His entire body blazing with smoke and some parts of his skin shining a bit orange but quickly fading back to its normal state.
-Arrrrghhh!-
Screamed by the young disciples and except for Hawks who became the shield of his fellow disciples. And his newly tamed wolf became alert from the out of the blue arrival of Shams.
Suddenly, all lights of the school started to light one by one.
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Entry for WPC#148
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