Seven Chances

Chapter 13: Exam Countdown - Part 4

The morning and afternoon came and went, and before long, it was You Shi, meaning it was time for the duel between Lang Qingli and Kong Yuexu. The news had leaked out, sparking much interest amongst their peers, which meant that there were plenty of people who were going to spectate. It seemed that all Master Min's disciples had been gossiping about it and placing bets on who would win since they caught wind of the news. Evidently, the news had spread out to other groups, too, since Lang Qingli noticed a few unfamiliar people crowding in the training grounds.

Shifting her black and blue-purple robes, Lang Qingli contemplated if she should hide a dagger inside her sleeve as a precaution. Kong Yuexu was a Soul Wanderer, meaning he could read her mind if she didn't block her thoughts well enough. That would make him an extremely difficult opponent... Picking up the small weapon, Lang Qingli slipped it inside her sleeve, proceeding to pick up her sword, feeling the coolness of the black metal sheath encasing it. On the ends of the sheath were cyan water patterns, an accompaniment to the representative color of the water element. Breathing in to calm her racing heart, Lang Qingli made her way through the crowds of people, entering the arena.

The buzz of chatter grew louder as she stood facing Kong Yuexu, who was standing opposite her with his silver sword partly unsheathed, ready to attack at any time.

"Lang Qingli, you actually came," Kong Yuexu remarked, a snide edge to his voice.

"I did come," Lang Qingli responded calmly despite her slight fear and crazy anxiety. "It was me who suggested this, after all."

"Less unnecessary talk," Kong Yuexu snapped, clearly impatient. "Let's get started."

However, before he could do anything, a voice intervened. "How about we set some rules?"

It was Master Min. "The two of you will use the training talismans; the ones with the most accurate simulations. Removing it and causing an actual injury on your opponent will be an automatic loss for yourself. Do not call any additional people into this duel, just keep it between the two of you. Consider yourself defeated when you're 'dead', severely 'injured', or when your energy channels are sealed off. You can admit defeat anytime you want."

As Lang Qingli and Kong Yuexu acknowledged his words with a "yes", Master Min nodded, setting up a barrier separating the two from the rest of everyone else.

Almost the moment they both got their training talismans on, Kong Yuexu lunged at her, the tip of his sword aiming at her shoulder. Swiftly twisting away, Lang Qingli blocked his sword glare attack with her own weapon. As he spun around, Lang Qingli unsheathed her sword, aiming it mere inches away from his neck, though it was knocked away almost immediately.

Not bad, Lang Qingli thought, sliding backwards as Kong Yuexu advanced rapidly on her, his sword piercing through the air. The both of them whirled through the air, sword clashing and sparks flying, with both of them trying to advance on the other while keeping themselves out of imminent danger. But I have, quite literally, something up my sleeve...

"Good swordsmanship!" Lang Qingli called, aiming a kick at Kong Yuexu. "What is your sword's name?"

As Kong Yuexu shouted out an answer, Lang Qingli's left hand, which was grabbing her sword's sheath, inconspicuously slid into her right sleeve, pulling out the dagger she'd hidden inside earlier. Without a moment of hesitation once her hand was steady, Lang Qingli threw it into his stomach.

Kong Yuexu, caught off-guard by the pain and unexpected attack, let out a gasp of shock, spitting out "blood" as he staggered back several steps. Lang Qingli heard a multitude of reactions from the spectators, from compliments and remarks of praise to negative reactions, claiming that it was underhanded.