Chapter 235

  Legend of the Masked Children (V)

  The competition began, yet I could hardly concentrate on any of it; my eyes kept darting between Long Tao, who'd closed his eyes to meditate, and the 'Lady' whose head stayed at a persistent tilt, gazing northward. With each passing second, it felt like my BPM went up a notch, and if the tension inside continues, I genuinely believe I'll start breaking some long-standing records.

  I'd only been drawn away from the anxiety when one of the kids stepped out on one of the stages. It was Xi Zhao, but... well, he was wearing a weird mask, and if I just didn't intuitively know it was him, I wouldn't actually be able to tell. The mask did hide both his face and the 'general' nature of his Qi, but how well it did so, well, I don't really know.

  Regardless, his opponent was a boy around his age, and he likely threw out a few taunts--though of what sort, I couldn't hear--before the judge signaled that the match should start.

  The other kid was merely at the eighth stage of Qi Condensation, though Xi Zhao did actually... struggle.

  Our acting lessons from way back in the day when we tried extorting the traitorous Elder Zhang were paying off, as, if I didn't know any better, I'd totally buy that he was struggling.

  Also, for some reason... he was using an axe. Like a proper lumberjack axe.

  The bout lasted for about two minutes, actually, when Xi Zhao managed to 'finally' land a 'decisive' blow and just 'barely' squeak out a victory. At the end, he was bent halfway forward, panting, and seeming like he'd struggle to beat a mouse right now.

  In an actual competition, I imagine this 'strategy' would work for a round or two before everyone picked up on the fact that the person was acting. But if my feelings are true, and this competition will quickly turn into a bloodbath once someone attacks, then it might really be enough to fool the audience's eyes.

  It just so happened that another kid wearing the exact same fox mask came onto the stage--Light. That's right, I've sent out a seven-year-old girl to compete in a martial arts tournament.

  If shame could manifest, it'd be a freakin' Mt. Everest.

  In fairness, it's not like Light is just an ordinary seven-year-old girl, but still. Unlike Xi Zhao, though, she didn't bother pretending; her opponent was some teen who, understandably, went a bit easy on her, swinging down with the sword half-heartedly. She easily dodged it, shot past and behind him, and kicked upward with all her might.

  There was a collective gasp as the boy collapsed with a yelp, holding onto his balls, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

  Light?

  Well, she simply sauntered off the stage, as though it was the most ordinary thing in the world.

  It wasn't long before another fox-masked kid walked out, and even if I couldn't discern all (or most, really) convos around the stands, I imagine that a good number of them were about the weird, masked kids.

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  This time around, it was Wan Lan--except she was using a sword. Like Xi Zhao, she pretended to struggle against some kid at the ninth stage of Qi Condensation, trading blows and even drawing blood a few times, before finally managing to overcome the challenge and best her opponent.

  ... except I don't think she was pretending that much. I mean, yes, of course, she went super easy, but it honestly just felt like this was her skill level with a sword. If she hadn't had the overwhelming advantage of cultivation, she may have even lost.

  The chatter about the masked kids abounded, and I simply sat in silence and wondered how far the competition would proceed before being interrupted.

  Not before the little gremlin that was Dai Xiu stepped onto the stage--she, too, wore a fox mask, except she drew on hers with some sort of a red ink, and she drew... I don't know, actually. Something, for sure, though.

  She used a whip, and she used it chillingly well--though she, too, 'struggled', it was nowhere near to the degree Xi Zhao and Wan Lan did, as she toyed with the poor kid that went up against her. None of her lashes seem to individually hurt a lot, but, oh boy, did she lash a lot of times.

  Lao would occasionally glance at me with a meaningful gaze, but I refused to engage. I don't care. Think what you want.

  "Activate the formation," the Lady announced rather suddenly, just before the second round of the competition was to begin. This announcement came as a shock to practically everyone except Long Tao and me (and, well, the shadows that literally ripped out from underneath her feet and swelled out to the different points of the city). A mere moment later, a rather sparkly sheen of blue activated above us, and another moment later, it shook so violently that the entire city trembled. "The guest is rather rude to have come so violently."

  "Hand over the sinner," the voice echoed out across the entire city as though there were a thousand speakers placed all around. "And you may yet live to see another day."

  "... we are all sinners, one way or another. How about you introduce yourself first before making demands?"

  "You have made your choice."

  "It seems I have. Haah. Elders, I hope you will help; though the formation holds, that attack just now has caused countless cracks large enough for figures to come inside--and many have. Protect the kids at all costs. I will offer you an explanation once this is over."

  "Lady--" somebody called out, but she was gone--likely to face off against the owner of that booming voice.

  Screams and cries erupted immediately, and I watched as hundreds of figures enrobed in obsidian cloaks and hoods came out from between the alleys, beginning their assault. The weakest ones were all at least of the Foundation Establishment Realm, with a good number of them even reaching the Spirit Manifestation Realm.

  "We should go and rescue your kids," Lao said rather urgently; not for nothing, it seemed he cared... for some reason. "I'll keep you safe until it all blows over."

  "Don't worry about the kids," I said with a rather heavy heart; I imagine this was Long Tao's ultimate goal, the moment he learned that there'd be retaliation. None of the competitors in the Gathering could hold a candle to any of the kids--the strongest one was actually at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, but I had this tinkling feeling that it wouldn't have mattered.

  The entire scene reminded me of Xi Zhao's hometown, where Dai Xiu and he faced dozens all on their own and did so with big grins on their faces. Perhaps it is the fate of those gifted to always swim against the currents of strife... but goddammit, I don't like it. Not in the least.

  "Uh, what, what do you mean?"

  "If you really want to be of help," I said. "Just save as many people as you can."

  I stood up, too, even as Long Tao eyed me quizzically. I've never fought in this world, not really; save for that one time I used the tortoise, I've mostly just been a passenger, watching the world unfold in front of me. And I've been content doing just that all this while, but... I can't just sit by the side and watch all this happen.

  There's already been dozens of casualties, and even if I can rationalize that it's not our fault--as the vine had to be destroyed either way--it doesn't matter. I can help, even if little. I'm not so utterly weak like I was when first coming here that even the slightest breeze of wind can cut me up into pieces; I'm not strong, either, and very much aware of that fact, but, at least, I'm ready to try.

  Try to be better.