Chapter 26 Just In Time
Liu Family training grounds,
Hundreds of people were standing around a makeshift arena that was created. There were two in the arena, fighting. Clangs of their swords clashing could be heard throughout the ground. Everyone looked at the arena with a bated breath. They were awaiting the result.
A man and a woman, fighting it out. The man made one wrong move, and he faced defeat.
"Liu Yan wins. She shall proceed to the next round. Next, number three, Liu Zhang, and number four, Liu Kun shall enter the ring." an old man said.
It was quite obvious that this was the competition of the Liu Family, to select who was going to the martial gathering. Not everyone could attend this, and only three from the Liu Family would have the opportunity. Liu Kun got onto the arena and looked at Liu Zhang, a thin man who looked at Liu Kun with apprehension and fear.
"You should just give up right now. It will save everyone some time." Liu Kun smiled.
"I am sorry, But I practiced so much for this. I took a lot of time, and my parents invested in a lot of resources. I have to try, young master. I am forced to try." the poor man said with tears in his eyes. He brandished his sword and pointed it towards Liu Zun.
"I see that you chose wrong. This is a martial fight, and swords do not have eyes. I am afraid that if something does happen to you, it is the fault of your own uselessness." Liu Kun smiled wickedly and dashed forward.
"Heaven Returning Strike!" he cried out and a blue glow covered his sword.
"He is in the peak of the Qi Condensation Stage!" someone gasped from the audience.
"Congratulations, second elder. You are truly lucky, to have two talented sons. You are truly the future of the Liu family. We will have to rely upon you in the future." a few people in the front rows started praising the father.
Meanwhile, on the stage, it was simply carnage. Blood flew everywhere. The strike was too much for the poor kid to handle. The boy could barely escape with his life, but his left hand was not so lucky. His eyes were open with shock, and he looked at Liu Kun with a trembling face.
"You did not expect me to show mercy just because you helped me out a little during the last few years, did you? I have no reason to keep a useless piece of shit like you around when you cannot even follow orders." Liu Kun sneered. He then looked at the judge, who was standing at the side.
"Liu Kun wins. Liu Zhang loses out of capacitance. He has forfeited his right to continue. Take him to the infirmary. Next, Number five, Liu Xin and number six, Liu Dongmei, enter the stage." the judge said.
Immediately, the crowd went silent. A handsome looking man and a shaking girl entered the stage. The girl immediately bowed to Liu Xin.
"Brother Xin. I know the immensity of the heavens, and I know that me fighting will just waste everyone's time. I do not want to waste your time, or the time of the esteemed elders who await the result of the match. I forfeit." she said with clenched fists.
Liu Xin looked at this and smiled.
"Junior Sister. You are not wrong, and you have thought well. I hope that your path in the future is a well paved one." Liu Xin smiled as he got off the stage. Liu Dongmei also got off the stage with tears in her eyes. She did not like what she just did even one bit. All around her, people looked with pity. She was just unlucky to get paired with the most powerful opponent possible.
"Liu Xin wins this round. Next, we have Liu....."
Fights went on, and people won and lost. There were sobs everywhere, and cheers elsewhere. Wins brought pride and happiness, and their opponents left the grounds without any face to show themselves to. This was the heartless circumstance.
There were many from the young generation, but only those from the main family were allowed to continue. They were the only ones who were allowed to represent the Liu Family in such a prestigious gathering of the entire city. Everyone knew who would win though. Everyone was sure that who would even be in the top three.
"Isn't it obvious? Liu Xin, Liu Kun, and the daughter of the first elder, Liu Heng. No one else stands a chance. I heard that Liu Xin and Liu Heng had even broken through to the foundation establishment stage. With these two helming the Liu Family, we have a big chance of winning this martial gathering." one person said, beaming as he spoke about them.
"Are you an idiot? Don't just say that out loud. Who knows how many people from the Foundation Establishment stage are in other families. If you say this, and for some reason or the other, they lose, they will direct their anger on you." his friend chided him.
The judge looked around. The seventh fight had just ended.
"Number fifteen, Liu Yin, and number sixteen, Liu Feng." he said calmly.
The people looked around. They knew about the idiot son. Everyone did. They were surprised that he was even called out at all. Liu Yin, a petite girl with a sword in her hands, walked up to the stage. But Liu Feng did not. He was nowhere to be seen.
"Liu Feng? Where is he? Does he intend to waste out time?" the judge said coldly, clearly irritated.
"He is an idiot, esteemed senior. He is clearly wasting all our time." Liu Kun shouted from where he stood.
"This is the final call for Liu Feng! If he does not come, then it is an automatic disqualification, and he shall be punished for wasting out time!" the judge shotued.
"Why all the fuss? I am here. Forgive me for my late appearance. I was just caught up with something." a sound came from the edge. Who else was it, but me? A smile crept up in my face. The perfect entrance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------