CHAPTER FOUR: THE CONTEST 2
1297 Words
Steam filled the small bathroom attached to Long Yang’s room.
He stared at his reflection in the bronze mirror. The person looking back wasn’t the same boy from yesterday.
Shoulders broader. Jaw sharper. And in his eyes, there was fire. Not fear.
“What do I even wear to this?” he muttered, wrapping a towel around his waist.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened before he could answer.
A maid stepped in, head lowered. “Young Master Long Yang.”
Long Yang froze. The towel almost fell.
Young Master?
In 16 years, no one in this clan had ever called him that. No one even greeted him.
He looked at her. She was new. 15, maybe. Simple gray dress. Qi Layer 1.
“You’re new to the clan?” he asked, voice cautious.
The maid nodded politely. “Yes, Young Master. I arrived last month from the outer villages.”
Long Yang sighed inside. She doesn’t know yet. The moment she hears ‘trash of the Long Clan’, she’ll look at me like the rest.
“Why are you in my room?”
The maid lifted a tray covered in silk. “Your father, Chief Candidate Long Hai, sent this. He said you must wear it for the Royal Ceremony today.”
She revealed the outfit.
A robe. Deep blue, like the night sky. Gold intricate designs of dragons coiling around suns. Spiritual thread ran through it, making it shimmer faintly.
Long Yang’s throat tightened. His father... still cared.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “Just leave it there.”
The maid bowed and left.
___
Outside, the entire Long Clan was alive.
Banners of red and gold lined the training grounds. Carpets were rolled out. Disciples stood in perfect formation.
The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Chu had arrived.
It was announced that the King’s children would be present to observe. Except the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess. They thought a mere clan contest was beneath them.
But the 5th Princess, Chu Miaomiao, came.
And because the King himself would judge, cultivators from neighboring undeveloped kingdoms also came to watch.
At the center platform, Long Tian stepped forward and bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
“Your Majesty,” Long Tian’s voice echoed. “On behalf of the Long Clan, we thank you for your magnanimity. For you, the King of Chu, to personally judge our insignificant clan’s contest... it is an honor we do not deserve.”
The King of Chu sat on a golden throne. Core Manifestation Realm. His dragon robe seemed to move on its own. He nodded once.
“Fairness is the law of Chu. Begin.”
Speeches followed. Gifts were presented. Dancers performed.
Then Long Tian smiled. “To please His Majesty and our guests, let us begin with a duel between the young talents of our clan.”
In the crowd, Long Mei stood with her Snowkill Sect sisters. Her eyes swept the courtyard, bored.
Then they stopped.
Long Yang.
He was alive. And he looked... different.
The blue and gold robe fit him perfectly. It made his frame look manly, broad. His hair was tied back. There was no slouch, no fear in his posture today.
He looks... decent, Long Mei thought, then immediately scowled. No. He’s still the trash who peeped on me.
Across the stands, Chu Miaomiao the 5th Princess, leaned forward on her seat. Her bright eyes locked onto Long Yang.
Strange.
She was also 9th Qi Layer. She should see anyone at her level or below.
But from Long Yang, she felt nothing. No qi. No pressure. Yet his body gave off a vibe. Calm. Mysterious. Strong.
“A new toy,” she whispered, grinning.
Beside her, Long Tianjin, son of Long Wentian, saw that smile. Saw where she was looking.
His face twisted with jealousy. He glared at Long Yang.
Enemy. He’s my enemy now.
Long Yang felt it. A sharp killing intent. He looked up and met Long Tianjin’s eyes. Then sighed.
I haven’t even done anything and I already made an enemy?
Long Tian’s voice boomed across the grounds. “Listen well! The rules of the duel! No interference from clan members! No killing! No revenge after! No use of treasures or artifacts!”
Before he finished speaking, Long Tianjin leapt into the center stage. His sword sang as it left the sheath.
His eyes were locked on one person.
“TRASH! Get down here and let’s finish this!”
The crowd gasped. Then burst into laughter.
Long Yang stood up slowly from his seat. He dusted off his blue robe.
“You’ll regret calling me that,” he said calmly.
“Yang! Get back here!” Long Hai shot up, face pale with panic. “That’s Long Tianjin! Sword Skill Sect disciple! 6th Qi Layer! He will kill you!”
The Long Clan members started jeering.
“One sword strike. That’s all it takes.”
“A mortal daring to step up? This is suicide.”
Even Long Mei frowned. “Long Tianjin, have some shame. You’re bullying a mere mortal.”
Even though I did the same, she thought, then quickly corrected herself. But he deserved it. He was spying on me.
Long Yang ignored all of them. He walked to the stage and gave a proper bow to the King, to Long Tian, and to the elders.
Then he turned to Long Tianjin.
“What did I do to you?” Long Yang asked, genuinely curious.
Long Tianjin sneered. “Scared now? If you can dodge my first sword strike, I’ll graciously allow you to beg and lick my feet clean.”
Long Yang scoffed. “Bring it on.”
Long Tianjin’s qi exploded. 6th Qi Layer pressure swept across the stage. His sword glowed with sword intent.
“Wait.”
Long Yang raised a hand.
Long Tianjin stopped, thinking he was terrified.
“I don’t like fighting needless fights,” Long Yang said. “Let’s make a bet.”
The entire ground went quiet.
“Oh?” Long Tianjin grinned cruelly.
“If I win, you kneel. Call me Grandpa. Kowtow five times in front of everyone here.”
SILENCE.
Then Long Tianjin roared. “AND IF I WIN?! You and your pathetic father leave the Long Clan! With nothing! Not one copper! Not one robe!”
Long Yang didn’t even blink. “Deal.”
GASP!
Long Hai staggered. “Yang! Are you insane?! Your brain is fried! I should have tied you to your bed before this started!”
But the words were spoken. The bet was sealed.
In the royal stands, Chu Miaomiao covered her mouth, but her eyes were sparkling.
Oh this is going to be fun. My new toy.
Long Tianjin pointed his glowing sword at Long Yang. Killing intent thick as mist.
“Die, trash!”
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