Rebirth and Reincarnation 1st Arc

Age 13. Saving grace

I came out the tent with my hands clasped behind my back. Today was the last day of the ruse, and I was planning on using it for full effect.

The crowd went berserk when they saw me, but I ignored them by looking forward. 

I marched to my starting place and bowed to the emperor and the spectators.

"The last fight!" the announcer began, and the crowd went silent quickly. "Young Master Shen Mu showed us a spectacle that moved even the Emperor himself! His prowess in martial arts at the tender age of thirteen is second to none!" The crowd clapped and shouted a chorus of 'Shen! Shen!' that only stopped when the announcer held up his hands.

"Today is the final day of the Martial Arts Competition, an event that has blown the minds and opened the eyes of many, to the possibilities these arts bring those who dedicate their lives to the betterment of the empire!

"Now! Let us give a cheer for the other finalist! Come forward Prince Heng Hui!"

Instead of the deafening cheer I had received, the crowd stood silent for a moment while their minds wrapped around the notion that my opponent was an Imperial Prince.

Murmurs of dissent were heard among the polite applause that accompanied the Prince as he approached the arena.

He walked to his side of the arena and stared at me with a bored expression.

"Are you like all the other sissies? Without pride?" he challenged, but I didn't respond, to which he sneered.

"Participants, get ready!"

The prince took a neutral stance, I observed him for a second, before unclasping my hands from my back and adopting the style of the tiger.

The silence in the arena was so that one could have heard a nail falling from a mile away.

There were many whispers about me, who had dared to face the Prince who all had yielded to. And those who had seen my previous bouts, knew the significance of me using my arms. Suddenly more murmurs arose, about the martial artist that would honor the Prince by fighting him with all we had to offer... something nobody had dared to do before.

Even the Prince looked surprised, but also pleased.

The announcer let the rumors stir for a few moments before shouting "Begin!"

I focused my chi and was about to take a step forward when another, more commanding voice interrupted us.

"Stop!" Everyone recognized the voice of the Emperor as he moved forward in his seat. "Shen Mu!"

I changed my pose to kneel in his direction "Yes, your majesty!"

"You do know that touching with the intention to harm any member of the imperial family is a taboo punishable by death, don't you?"

"I do, your highness!"

"And yet, you intend to fight my second-born son?"

"To answer the emperor, it was my intention to honor the Prince by fighting him, yes! With outmost respect, your majesty, a true martial artist can only honor another by fighting for all he's worth."

The entire arena was silent before a round of applause and cheers exploded.

My heart was beating fast in my chest, yet I felt curiously serene.

The arena went silent again at a gesture from the emperor.

"I see that you have no intention of backing down from the challenge, are you?"

"To answer the emperor, with outmost respect, I do not."

There was a moment of silence.

"Very well, then you leave me no choice."

I gulped.

'I'm sorry Master Fa, it seems my words were not enough to move the emperor like you had hoped' I said a silent goodbye to my family and friends, hoping I would get to meet them again in my next life.

"Shen Mu! To whom do you belong?"

I was stumped by the question and had to take a moment to understand it. Still, neither my voice nor my heart wavered when I gave my answer.

"My heart beats for the nation, and my life exists for the emperor!"

"And I accept your pledge of fealty and sacrifice.

"Shen Mu, I hereby name you Honorary Fourth Prince. You shall henceforth be known as Shen Long Mu!"

I kowtowed to the emperor. 

My pledge had been accepted and I was now free to fight freely with the other prince!

The crowd went berserk chanting "Shen Long Mu! Shen Long Mu! Shen Long Mu!" repeatedly.

'Wait... Did I just become a Dragon Ballcharacter?