Severing Time & Space

Accepting a Loss, Part III

“… Wu Meiying lost. I’m surprised,” Wu Àiliàn said.

Wu Meiying was the best fighter among the younger generation, even better than their son. She had no idea what made this girl so strong. It was like she could read her opponent’s moves before they even made them. Did her talent for fighting have something to do with her powers, or was she just good at reading her opponents?

“I’m surprised as well. I’ve watched her train with Wu Jian and Hou Jingshu. I know how strong she has become. I’m shocked there is someone in the tournament who can match her and Wu Jian in combat,” Wu Yōushì said.

Wu Taohua and Wu Àiliàn had been watching the battles alongside their husband, though they had both focused only on the fights with Wu Jian, Wu Meiying, and Hou Jingshu. Those were the only fights they were invested in.

Though he wouldn’t admit it, Wu Yōushì had only really been invested in his son’s fights. He had watched Wu Jian’s battles with his sharp eyes. His expression remained impassive, but he felt pride swelling in his chest when he saw how well his son was doing.

When Wu Jian was younger, the boy had been frail, weak, and cowardly—all traits that a clan leader should not possess. He would not lie. Wu Yōushì had been very disappointed in his son’s behavior. The whole reason he never interfered in Wu Yong’s bullying was because he had hoped it would toughen Wu Jian and make him stronger.

And Wu Jian did get stronger.

Wu Yōushì didn’t know when, exactly, Wu Jian became so determined to acquire strength, but the results were evident. He took everyone by surprise during the Wu Clan Strength Competition when he was eight. He even defeated Wu Yong, a boy four years his senior, in combat. During his debut in the Three Clan’s Tournament, he took second place despite the Ming Family’s foul play. Wu Yōushì was very proud of his son’s achievements.

He will go far. Perhaps I should enroll him in the Imperial Cultivator’s Academy after he turns sixteen.

The Imperial Cultivator’s Academy was the Shang Kingdom’s pride and joy. Men and women from all across the kingdom sought to join the academy in the hopes of gaining honor and power.

Of course, the academy had not been doing well in recent years. Two of the three greatest sects in the Shang Kingdom had been stirring up trouble. From what Emperor Hou Jun had told him from when he visited, his sons had joined forces with the Burning Hand Sect and Saintly Sword Sect and were stirring up trouble.

Maybe it would be better if I didn’t send my son into that hellhole. I’m certain he would face great difficulties if he did join the academy, but it would help him if he wants to improve as a cultivator. They can give him the resources we cannot.

“You should congratulate Wu Jian after the tournament,” Wu Àiliàn said as if she could read his mind.

Wu Yōushì crossed his arms and huffed. “If he manages to win the tournament, I will be more than happy to congratulate him.”

“How can a father be so hot and cold at the same time?” Wu Àiliàn asked with a laugh.

“It is just in his nature,” Wu Taohua declared. At that moment, Elder Wu Wei left the viewing booth, and she mumbled something about needing to use the restroom, then left with a handmaiden in tow.

Wu Yōushì tried hard to hide his blush, but nothing slipped past his first wife, who knew him inside and out. She smiled at him like she could see right through him. He turned his head to avoid her stare. The battles were still taking place, but none of them interested him.

Time passed. Elder Wu Wei eventually returned from whence he came. The man caught sight of him staring and offered a traditional bow as if nothing was wrong.

About ten minutes after the elder reappeared, Wu Taohua came back to the booth alongside her handmaiden. She walked to stand by his side. Her face was impassive like always.

“Did you find anything?” he asked.

“I was not able to follow Wu Wei without the risk of being spotted, but I do know that he met with Ming Han,” Wu Taohua said softly. “Several eyewitnesses say they saw Wu Wei and Ming Han leaving the same room. The room was also being guarded by members of the Juishi Clan.”

Wu Yōushì’s lips became a thin line as anger surged through him. “So Wu Wei really is working with the Ming and Juishi Clans to undermine my authority.”

“He probably wants to usurp your position,” Wu Àiliàn said.

“That is the most probable theory,” Wu Taohua agreed. “What should we do?”

“For now? Nothing. They have already played all their cards in this tournament, so it won’t matter if we do something now or later. Let’s wait until after the tournament to strike,” Wu Yōushì said.

“We should at least tell Zhou Zu about what we’ve discovered,” Wu Taohua said.

“I’ll leave that to you,” Wu Yōushì said.

“As you wish, my husband. Please, leave this matter to me,” she said with a slight bow.

He nodded at her, then turned back to the arena. Wu Jian once more stood on the arena floor, ready for combat.

***

The main part of the tournament soon ended and the competition settled into the final remaining fights. Four winners had been selected to fight in the semi-finals: Wu Jian, Zhou Lihua, Ming Shen, and Juishi Son.

“Will the winner of brackets one and four come onto the stage?” the Zhou Clan elder requested.

Wu Jian glanced at Zhou Lihua as she leapt onto the stage. She was his opponent for the semi-finals. Even though he knew there was a good chance this tournament had been rigged, he couldn’t help but feel a little excited. Zhou Lihua had proven herself to be a strong contender. He was certain that anyone else aside from him would have lost in a fight against Wu Meiying.

He leapt onto the stage and stood just a few feet from his opponent. Wu Jian could not see past her veil, but that didn’t bother him as he smiled at her.

“I’ve wanted to fight you ever since I saw your battle with Mei. I hope you’ll give me some pointers in this match,” he said.

Zhou Lihua surprised him by winking. “I’m sure I can give you a few pointers. Be sure to pay attention, or you won’t learn anything.”

“Both fighters, bow to the audience, bow to me, now bow to each other,” the referee instructed. Wu Jian and Zhou Lihua did as told. The elder then raised his hand, held it there for several seconds, then brought it down. “Begin!”