Legend of Fei

2. What is With These Challengers?

A'Fei and Xie Yun were in a confused state. Xie Yun threw nervous and irritated glances at the man leisurely waiting by the fire, grilling some small wild animal.

"What other option do I have?" A'Fei felt like taking the best way forward was straightforward but Xie Yun felt blindsided, not knowing the man's capabilities. The challenger's sabre was like a sword, flexible and thin and the man, all quickness and agility. He could not access how it would fare against A'Fei. Nothing in his appearance said anything either.

"I will dual him. It was me he challenged. Lend me your sabre." A'Fei wouldn't agree to this and Xie Yun could see her disagreement, "I have high qi. I have my own technique. My martial arts might not be great but I can surely win."

No amount of reasoning back and forth was working, "my skills are better, my qi is high and I know multiple techniques. I have a higher chance."

They had reached an impasse when Xie Yun thought of something else. Something they did not think to ask. Xie Yun turned to the man and called out loud, "Brother. Why do you want to win her?"

"Marry her to my master." He gave back.

"But she is married." The man just shrugged at Xie Yun's response.

"Do you know who she is?"

"...Wife of Southern Sabre..." The man responded uncertainly.

Xie Yun looked at A'Fei and held her wrist to stop her from voicing out the sexism in humoured stories. This might be to their advantage.

"Let me. There is no condition that you must remain. Even if I lose, you have free will and can challenge him yourself to gain freedom. I can this chance to gauge his skill."

A'Fei nodded and Xie Yun exhaled visibly. He was determined not to lose his wife. He unhooked the sabre from his back, feeling it unsteadily in his hands when he thought of a real fight. He was used to A'Fei's sabre and had practised here and there as a hobby. All defence. He had observed and learned. He still knew a few skills from his battle days. "I have an added three-inch of advantage."

Xie Yun didn't need to look at his wife to know her reaction. Xie Yun pulled up his position. Defence. The man pulled his sword like sabre ready and attacked once Xie Yun was in position. The first attack was direct, at the top of his head. He defended, the next was into his flank, defended again. Xie Yun noted that the man's skill was not too high but his qi was well developed, though it did not match his own. If he used his technique, he would win, without fatally wounding this person. But the man kept coming and coming.

He used the first two moves of Poxue Skill he had observed and learned from A'Fei for defence. With every defence, the man's attack went more and more aggressive. Each move had more power behind them than the last. The challenger seemed to be following a plan, testing his power. Xie Yun had to drag it out and exhaust the man. It wasn't just the man, he had to do something about the sabre too, for the blade was thinner than a sword and more bendable than any metal he had seen.

After some time, the challenger realised Xie Yun's plan and tried to force his hand by giving measured openings. If Xie Yun hadn't known better, he would have taken the bait. If it were A'Fei she would have gone for it, he knew but he wasn't as skilled as his wife. He wouldn't be able to get out of the trap as A'Fei could.

Realising that Xie Yun wasn't going to attack one way or another, the challenger went for the final attack. He made three quick circles, gathering momentum at the edge of his blade and  Xie Yun found his opportunity. With a blast of internal energy, he used the flexible sabre's own momentum against it.

It came away, like a paper being torn as soon as it met with A'Fei's sabre. The moment of shock for the man was enough for Xie Yun to bring the sabre down at his throat.