Severing Time & Space

The Last Battle

They were soon led up the stairs and toward a private booth, where Wu Jian found several Zhou clansmen standing around, including the branch clan head, Zhou Zu. There was also another person present who Wu Jian, Wu Meiying, and Hou Jingshu were surprised to see. Wu Taohua was speaking with Zhou Zu in a hushed tone.

"Father, is something wrong?" asked Zhou Lihua as she walked over to the pair.

Wu Taohua looked at Wu Jian but didn't say anything as Zhou Zu gave his daughter a tender smile. "Nothing is wrong, dear. Wu Taohua was just telling me something important." He paused to look at the injured Wu Jian. "That was a rather magnificent battle. I was impressed by your dedication to win. My daughter is no weakling, so being able to defeat her is an impressive feat."

"Thank you, sir. Your daughter was an incredibly powerful opponent, the strongest I have ever faced," Wu Jian said with a bow.

"Father, can we provide Wu Jian with a Healing Pellet?" asked Zhou Lihua.

Zhou Zu slowly shook his head. "I am afraid not. The rules of the tournament state that participants are not allowed to take any pills or see a healer until they lose, or after the tournament is over."

Zhou Lihua frowned. "Do you really think Ming Shen and the Ming Family are going to follow that rule?"

"Whether they follow that rule or not is irrelevant. We are the ones who set the rules down, so we must set an example by following them. In either event, the Ming Family doesn't need to cheat like that since it seems they have been rigging this tournament from the beginning," Zhou Zu said.

Zhou Lihua's eyes widened. "What?"

Zhou Zu and Wu Toahua turned to fully face the group of youngsters, their expressions quite grave. They looked around for a moment. A few people were looking in their direction, but no one seemed to be within hearing distance.

"Wu Taohua here came and informed me that the head elder of the Wu Clan and Ming Han have been working together for some purpose. I did some digging of my own, and it seems they bribed one of our elders to help them rig this tournament." He nodded at Wu Jian. "That's why you've been forced to fight against your own clansmen and the many stronger opponents. Meanwhile, Ming Shen has had a very easy time battling weaker opponents."

"So I'm a weaker opponent...?" Hou Jingshu said with a depressed air about her.

Wu Meiying put a hand on her shoulder. "You get depressed way too easily. If you're weak now, then you just need to grow stronger."

"I... I guess. But it's still not easy to hear," Hou Jingshu muttered with a sigh.

"So, what are you going to do about this?" asked Wu Jian.

"We've gathered enough evidence to confront them, so we're planning to do so once the tournament ends," Wu Taohua said. "I plan on confronting Elder Wu Wei, Lord Yōushì will face Ming Shen..."

"And I am going to confront the elder who allowed himself to be bribed," Zhou Zu said. He gave Wu Jian a look. "The question is: What will you do? There is no need to continue this farce of a tournament. If you want, I will declare you the victor right now and we can wrap everything up."

"No." Wu Jian shook his head. His response was immediate. "I can't do that. Ming Shen also used dirty tricks to win the last tournament, and I've been resentful ever since. I need to fight and defeat him now, or I'll never be able to move on. My pride won't let me stop our match."

Zhou Zu nodded while Wu Taohua looked proud. Wu Meiying and Hou Jingshu were smiling. While she was wearing her veil again, he could also tell that Zhou Lihua was staring at him in surprise. Her eyes had become wide and round like saucers.