Peng An (On Hold)

Chapter 2 - Lessons to Be Learned (Part A)

Chapter 2 – Lessons to Be Learned (Part A)

10-year-old Peng An was standing in his courtyard before a dummy made of straws with a bow and arrow in his hands. He was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe. His hair was tied into a neat little knot on his head with a blue strip of cloth. Peng An evened his stance and aimed at the dummy’s head. His eyes slightly narrowed as he steadied his hands.

Since the age of six, Peng An has been taught various arts; one of which was archery. Through those several years of archery, Peng An has become quite good at it. His aim was accurate and his shots were swift and graceful.

He gripped the bow and arrow tightly in his hands. His breathing was even and his countenance was calm. He concentrated his focus at the dummy’s head, and then his fingers released the arrow from the bow. The arrow soared and pierced through the air.

PAAK!

The arrow impaled the dummy’s head beside all the previous arrows that was shot.

Peng An smiled proudly, and then turned to the teenager next to him. “Han Wuying, did you see that! All of my arrows hit the head of the dummy.” His smiling face was quite adorable and charming. He had a cute dimple on one side of his cheeks.

Han Wuying was the son of Han Gen who was a skilled martial artist who was hired by Mu Xiu Ying to protect and care for Peng An since birth. Han Wuying was currently 15 years old, 5 years older than Peng An. He had a reticent and quiet personality; however, he was not shy. In fact, he was stoic, confident and observant. At 6’1” in height, he was matured beyond his young age. His facial features were strong and handsome. He looked up to his father, Han Gen, as a role model.

“Yes, young master.” Han Wuying answered in monotone as his dark obsidian eyes swept over the young boy’s bright smile and beautiful face.

Peng An laughed at the young man’s expressionless face, and teased him. “You should smile more Han Wuying. Smile like this.” He directed a big smile at Han Wuying and pointed at his mouth.

The other did not smile. He only stared at Peng An with an indifferent face. All he did was respond with “Un”.

Peng An sighed helplessly and smiled once more at the other. He shook his head back and forth. “What’s next?”

“Father said for you to practice shooting a moving target.” Wu Ying turned to the bird cage next to him, and beckoned to the small yellow-green bird inside. The little bird chirped happily and jumped onto Han Wuying’s hand.

An odd expression appeared on Peng An’s face as he predicted where this was heading.

Han Wuying tied one of the little bird’s leg with a string. “This bird will be your target.” He walked to the dummy and tied the string to the pole holding up the dummy. “Concentrate and shoot for this bird’s heart.” He grabbed the bird and pointed to where its heart was. After doing so, he walked back to where Peng An was. “You can begin.”

Peng An hesitated. “Han Wuying, that is your bird. You have raised it since it was an egg. I can’t shoot it.”

Han Wuying stared at the bird indifferently and responded in his monotone voice, “It’s just a bird. I can get another one. This one is your target practice. Now, concentrate and shoot.”

Peng An was still hesitant, but he still raised his bow and arrow at the bird. Ignorant to its impending death, the bird was perching happily on top of the dummy’s head while pecking at the straws.

Peng An released the arrow and it soared towards the little bird. However, it did not reach the bird. The arrow stabbed the ground three steps away from the dummy.

“I can’t do it,” said Peng in a dejected voice. He stared at the happy, ignorant bird on top of the dummy, and then turned to Han Wuying with a sullen face.

Han Wuying moved behind Peng An. He raised Peng An’s hands and positioned the bow and arrow. It was aimed straight at the bird. He said into Peng An’s right ear. “Concentrate and shoot the bird’s heart.” He released his hold on Peng An’s hands and went to stand on the side to observe.

Peng An stared nervously at the bird. He slowly exhaled to calm his mind and aimed at the bird’s heart.

His fingers were about to let the arrow loose from the bow when suddenly he saw a butterfly come into his viewpoint, blocking the bird. The butterfly fluttered its beautiful wings and gracefully landed on the tip of the arrow. This both startled and fascinated Peng An. It was the very first butterfly he has ever seen. Its beauty dazzled the young boy, leaving him to marvel at the butterfly. He slowly lowered the bow and arrow.

When Han Wuying saw this, he frowned on the side. “Young master –”

“Shhh!” Peng An placed one finger to his lips and motioned for silence. While doing so, his eyes never left the butterfly on the arrow.

As if sensing the intense gaze of the young boy, the butterfly flapped its wings and flew off the arrow. Peng An, hands still holding his bow and arrow, ran after it. He followed it to a flower bed in a corner of the courtyard.

The butterfly landed on top of a peony. Its wings were shades of black, yellow, and orange. The wings were clothed with intricate and unique patterns. It looked very much like a delicate, golden butterfly. It was quite a resplendent sight.

Peng An inched closer to the butterfly and slightly bent at the waist. Slowly and cautiously, his hands reached out and cupped the butterfly. The sudden darkness caused the butterfly to flit its wings ceaselessly within the hallow of the young boy’s hands. The movement tickled his hands. Peng An giggled and slightly made open his hands to peek at the butterfly.

At this moment Han Wuying opened his mouth. “Young master, we must be getting back to practice your archery.”

Peng An turned to the young man and beamed at him. “This thing is very beautiful! Do you know what it’s called?”

“Young master, that is a butterfly.”

The boy smiled. “A butterfly, huh? It’s quite lovely and delicate. I’ll show it to mother.” With light steps, he left the courtyard and headed to see his mother. Han Wuying quickly followed his young master.