Severing Time & Space

Wu Meiying's Victory

“Victory goes to Wu Jian!”

“Wu Jian is the winner!”

“Wu Jian wins!”

The tournament continued and Wu Jian wracked up victory after victory. However, most of his battles were against his fellow Wu Clansmen. He didn’t know if this was coincidence or not. Who fought who in which ring had been determined by random drawing (supposedly), meaning there should have been no way to rig this part of the tournament, but he still couldn’t help but wonder if maybe this was part of Wu Wei and Ming Han’s plot.

I’m almost certain this is all part of Ming Han’s plot. He wants members of the Wu Clan to eliminate each other so his son doesn’t have to deal with the extra competition. But I have no proof. And accusing him of rigging the tournament is the same as accusing the Zhou Clan for being negligent. That won’t go over well unless I can present evidence to support my accusation.

Wu Jian wasn’t going to let this bother him too much since he had already told his father, but he still worried about it. After all, he was eliminating his own clansmen left, right, and center. Meanwhile, Ming Shen had only fought weaklings thus far.

Speaking of, he should be fighting Hou Jingshu this round. I wonder how she faired.

Since he was currently done with his battle and someone else was fighting, Wu Jian went over to watch Wu Meiying’s battle. Hou Jingshu was already there, watching the fight with a dour look.

“I’m guessing you lost?” he asked as he walked up to her.

“That obvious?” Hou Jingshu asked with a bitter glare, then sighed. “I lost to Ming Shen in the second round.”

“Ouch.”

“I normally wouldn’t be so bitter about losing, but not only did he beat me, he also…”

“Did he do something to you?” Wu Jian asked.

Hou Jingshu bit her lip, closed her eyes, and gritted her teeth as a shamed blush spread across her cheeks. “He… touched my chest.”

“I’ll kill him.”

“Please don’t. That would get you disqualified.”

While they were joking, Wu Jian really did hate the fact that Ming Shen had touched Hou Jingshu. He might still be getting used to the idea that she was his fiancée, but that didn’t change the fact that she was his fiancée, and he did not want anyone else touching her. Wu Jian wouldn’t kill Ming Shen because it was against the rules. However, nothing in the rules said he couldn’t beat the boy to within an inch of his life.

Hou Jingshu had become someone precious to him. They spent every day together, training, sharing meals, and discussing everything under the sun. She was a welcome addition to his and Wu Meiying’s group, complimenting them both in a way that surprised him. He was happy she had entered his face.

That was another reason he couldn’t stand the fact that Ming Shen had touched Hou Jingshu inappropriately.

Dispelling his anger through force of will, Wu Jian focused on the battle between Wu Meiying and Juishi Meirin. The two girls stood in the exact center of the ring, duking it out with reckless abandon. That was what it looked like, at least. It was clear from Juishi Meirin’s red face and Wu Meiying’s calm one that his best friend had the advantage.

“How long has the fight been going on for?” asked Wu Jian.

“It just started a few seconds ago,” Hou Jingshu answered.

As they spoke, Juishi Meirin threw a high kick at Wu Meiying’s face. It was a graceful attack. Her foot traveled in a clear arc that cut through the air. Yet for however graceful her kick was, it was also predictable and easy to outmaneuver.

Wu Meiying lowered her body to the ground, pressed her hands on the ring floor, and swept Juishi Meirin’s feet out from under her. The other girl squawked as she fell to the ground. She tried to scramble to her feet, but Wu Meiying moved into a parallel handstand and kicked the other girl in the face.

Many winced as the loud sound of foot meeting face echoed around the arena.

As her opponent’s head snapped back from the attack, Wu Meiying stood smoothly to her feet, spun around, and launched a reverse wheel kick. The back of her heel struck Juishi Meirin on the neck, putting her out of commission. Hou Jingshu winced when the Juishi clan heiress dropped to the arena floor with a hard thud.

“That must have hurt,” she muttered.

“Yup. Mei’s kicks hurt like nothing else,” Wu Jian agreed. “That attack also hit Juishi Meirin right in the nose. I’m pretty sure her nose is broken, and given how much strength Mei puts into her kicks, it must have rattled her brain.”

“Wu Meiying is the victor!” The elder at her ring stated.

Cheers erupted from the audience. Several people shouted Wu Meiying’s name.

With her victory now announced, Wu Meiying turned to them and hopped off the ring with a grin. Two Zhou Clansmen went onto the ring and carried Juishi Meirin out on a stretcher.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Wu Jian said.

“Hah! That was too easy. Juishi Meirin never stood a chance against me,” Wu Meiying boasted, though she still looked quite pleased at the praise. “The only one I’m concerned about is Zhou Lihua. She’ll be a tough opponent to beat.”

“But you will beat her, right? I’ll tease you mercilessly if you lose,” Wu Jian said, poking her in the cheek.

“Don’t worry. I won’t lose to anyone.” Wu Meiying turned away from Wu Jian to look at Hou Jingshu. “I heard about what happened during your last match. Much as I hate to admit it, Ming Shen is pretty strong. He might not be the strongest, but since you only started training within the last few months, he has a definite edge over you.”

“I know. I still wish I could have won,” Hou Jingshu said with a sigh.

Wu Jian grabbed her hand and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. “The fact that you feel this way is proof that you have pride in your abilities. Use this loss as determination to get stronger, so the next time you and he fight, you can kick his butt.”

Hou Jingshu giggled, her cheeks a touch pink. “Is that what you did after your loss in the last tournament?”

“You bet it is!”

“Will Wu Jian head to ring four! Your match is about to start!”

“That’s my cue. Will you two watch me?” asked Wu Jian.

“Of course we will,” Wu Meiying said.

Hou Jingshu agreed. “I would love to see you fight seriously.”

“Whether I fight seriously or not depends on my opponent,” Wu Jian grinned.