Chi Myst'wing 8 The Tournament Begins

A month pa.s.sed so fast that they couldn't have even noticed it. Now it was the middle of the fourth month. This was the day for them to confirm their partic.i.p.ation in the tournament. And today was the day Chi and Vincere need not sell the produce. They woke up, had their breakfast and headed to the city hall. There were several Cyaians already waiting in the queue to register. They must have come even earlier than Chi and Vincere. Ma.s.s of crowd was gathering near the city square, and more were coming. Most of the Cyaians had come so far to the city to partic.i.p.ate in the tournament with great hope to serve under Lord Benevence.

"Looks like there's real hope for the Eastern Land," said Vincere. "It's not vain that we come here."

"What you said was right," said Chi. "Lord Benevence's virtue did spread to the whole land."

"There! We need to confirm our attendance there." Vincere showed Chi the long queue before the registration counter. And there were five counters to make the registration faster.

Chi glanced at several familiar Cyaians with a bared body pa.s.sing by. They were the one which Zhans.h.i.+, Vincere and Chi had trashed them up. Goldmane and his friends were walking with pleasure and boasted that they will win the tournament. Chi turned her quizzical look at Vincere. Aren't they served under Lord Phopo? Why they wanted to join the tournament? But when they had a look at Chi, their happy face withered so fast. "All the best in the compet.i.tion," said Chi. Goldmane and his friend were terrified, pa.s.sing right in front of her. Their walking paces increased after that and not long they were out of her sight.

Not even half an hour, it was Chi and Vincere's turn to confirm their partic.i.p.ation. A rabbit-girl with large eyes smiled upon seeing them. "h.e.l.lo, what's your name?"

"Dear miss, we're Chi Myst'wing and Vindicta Patriarca." Chi and Vincere expressed in a polite tone. "We come to confirm our partic.i.p.ation."

"Miss Chi Myst'wing… Sir Vindicta Patriarca… Let's see…" The rabbit-girl turned down to her set of scrolls, skimming through a long list of names. "Ah, yes. Two of you…"

"Yes, we're."

"Welcome, Miss Chi Myst'wing and Sir Vindicta Patriarca. Since Lord Benevence has sponsored you two, both of you are exempted from the fee. This includes the meal and the accommodation in the Anle Inn." The rabbit-girl then pointed them a large hotel which was not far away.

Chi and Vincere were so pleased when they saw the hotel. It looked like a white palace. Their expressions now were like they had never lived in comfortable places. In fact, they both have: Chi had lived in a paradise-like sanctuary whereas Vincere had lived in a luxurious palace. It was just that they have been sleeping outside, near the wild. It was their behaviour that gave the rabbit-girl an impression that they had never lived in such a luxurious place.

Then a male walking-fox guided them to another counter behind. "Now we need to know which first-round group you'll be in. Take a ball from the wooden box, it has an alphabet that will determine your group."

"Chi entered her hand, her hand moved around several b.a.l.l.s, and she took out a ball... Everyone was curious at the ball she took out... and they saw a 'D'.

"Miss Myst'wing, group D!" The foxman spoke out loud, and another registrar wrote Chi's name on a large blackboard. Now, her name was inside a white-bordered table labelled 'Group D'. There were eight groups: A to H; all in the cells of a table. And then the same foxman wrote 'Vindicta Patriarca' inside Group E.

"Thank you," said Chi and Vincere as they turned around and noticed that the queue was even longer than when they queued and they were glad that they had come to register earlier.

"Chi, you're lucky that I'm in a different group. Otherwise, I will make sure you're defeated right away." Vincere laughed as he was joking to Chi.

"Well, if you can defeat me," said Chi, with a grin. "Me will treat you an exquisite meal."

"Miss Myst'wing and Sir Vindicta," said the foxman. "Both of you are registered. Remember, dinner's five to seven. The opening ceremony is at eight. Best of luck in your match!"

Chi and Vincere headed to Anle Inn. There, the door-keeper welcomed and opened the door for them to enter. Once they entered, they sensed a strong minty lemongra.s.s oil. Guests lined up before a registration counter while some took their leisure at the sofas. They could feel windy moisture, and when they moved forward, they got a view of an aqua lake. The hotel was built near the South Lake. It was quite inviting that it has a relaxing lake-view for resting and dining. Instead, they lined up at the registration and waited until their turn. "Miss and sir, what's your name?"

"Chi Myst'wing."

"Vindicta Patriarca."

"Miss Myst'wing, here is your key. Room four-three-four."

"Thank you," said Chi as she received the key.

The receptionist then gave a key to Vincere. "Sir Vindicta, this is your key. Room four-three-three." Vincere received the key with thanks too. "From here, take the stairs at your left. When you reach the fourth floor, turn right. Walk straight until you can see your room. The even-numbered room is on the right side."

With the key in their hands, they took the stairs and headed to their room.

"What a strong lemongra.s.s smell, all over the places," said Vincere as he seemed to be suffocated of the smell.

"It is to repel bugs," said Chi.

Chi and Vincere had reached their respective rooms. Vincere's room was opposite of Chi's room. Every door had the number carved on wood and painted with faux gold.

"Have a good rest, Chi," said Vincere.

"You too, Vin… Vindicta." Chi entered the room, which after that, she closed and locked the door. A small yet comfortable room just for her alone. She hurried to the window and pushed it open. A cool wind blew on her face as she saw the lake below. There were Cyaians swimming and sunbathing near the lake. Vincere's room probably had the view of the city centre.

Chi sat on the bed and unloaded her belongings onto a small brown table. She took out a scroll of papers and had an in-depth reading at it. After some time, she dozed off until…

Knock, knock.

"Chi, it's me Vindicta. Let's go down for dinner."

"Coming," said Chi as she headed to open the door.

Chi and Vincere headed downstairs for dinner. There were two queues at each side of the buffet table. Vincere took two white china plates while Chi took two sets of cutleries and they exchanged themselves a plate and a set of cutleries. Many dishes look exquisite and delicious; everything from the appetizers, main courses and desserts. Chi took fried yam, stuffed tofu, fermented soybean and buns. All Chi had never eaten before, and she always reserves some s.p.a.ce on her plate for her favourites – beans. Vincere took a load of pasta and rice rolls. They took their shares and headed to an empty table and sat there.

"Do you see Zhans.h.i.+?" said Chi.

"No." Vincere shook his head.

"Suppose that he had come for the tournament too, right?" said Chi.

Vincere just shrugged.

After the meal, it was another ten to eight. Chi and Vincere left the hotel and made their way to the hall. The hall foyer was loaded with many partic.i.p.ants as they entered the hall. The hall had a mouldy smell which they found out it was from the old brown carpet of horseshoe motif. From the rows of chairs, they found two empty seats. They sat and waited until it was eight.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, we're glad that everyone is here for this opening ceremony…" said a Cyaian who was standing on the stage. "Let's invite Lord Benevence to give us a speech."

Lord Benevence raised from his front-row seat. At the same time, the applause was loud and reached the climax when Lord Benevence ascended to the stage. When Lord Benevence stood in the middle of the stage, only then the applause dwindled faster than when the applause began.

"A great evening to my fellow brothers and sisters. Welcome to the opening ceremony of the heroes' tourney. I would like to thank you all for joining this tourney, and I am deeply pleased to see there are so many heroes who willing to serve for the good of the Cyaians and the peace of the Eastern Land…"

Chi saw Zhans.h.i.+ sitting a few rows before her, listening with much attention to what Lord Benevence was saying. Some were in their own businesses talking with their friends. "There's Zhans.h.i.+," Chi showed Vincere the whereabout of Zhans.h.i.+. "Looks like he's coming late."

"There are eight groups as you all may know," said Lord Benevence. "Those who haven't know the time of your first-round match may proceed to see the board near the registration counter. The first round is the group elimination round. The round takes place at the open-air stage in the city centre. Two winners of each group will enter the round of sixteen. And after that, there are quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match and finally, the final match. The quarter-final round and the following rounds will take place in the stadium."

After the series of speech, performance followed in: dancers of floor-touching hanfu, long sleeves waving and some martial arts performances. Soon, the opening ceremony ended, and everyone headed for refreshments. Chi and Vincere skipped the snack to meet Zhans.h.i.+, but he was no longer there. In disappointment, they headed back to the hotel.

At night, Chi saw her papa again, not in her room but among the mist where she has no idea of the location.

"Chi-dear, papa was so happy to see you joining the tourney. Good luck."

"Thank you, papa. Papa… where's mama? Is mama safe?"

"Don't worry, mama is safe… Chi-dear, live at the moment, enjoy the present. Chi-dear will soon find mama in the future…"

Chi dashed to hug her papa… and her papa embraced in return. Though Chi knew she was dreaming, she could feel her papa's warm embrace. It was so safe…

This was the first day of the tournament. Chi had awoken before the Sol rose and had her morning practice before the lake. The cold breeze that blew on her face was so rejuvenating. There was no bug around since the fragrance of lemongra.s.s was strong. After she completed her practice, the Sol had arisen in the air, painting the lake with glittering gold. Then, she decided to have breakfast with Vincere. But, before Chi turned, she heard someone said, "Here you are, Chi." She turned and saw Vincere. "Let's have breakfast."

Once they had their breakfast, they headed to the registrar and spotted a familiar figure whom they loathed – Zhu Ming. With haste, they ducked behind a food stall, hoping that Zhu Ming has not spotted them yet.

"What's he doing here?" said Vincere, looking at Chi, but she just shrugged.

They eyed Zhu Ming as he stepped into a shop.

"It's Whiteaker's weapon store," said Vincere. "Probably another bounty hunt?"

"Hope it's not us." Chi could only mutter, hoping it was not really her his target.

It wasn't long when they noticed Zhu Ming stepped out of the Whiteaker's, carrying with him a long case. The long case could contain a long-barrel weapon, and he headed to the tournament hall. "Isn't that the place for the tournament? What's he up to?" Vincere turned to Chi, hoping for an explanation. "Let's hope that we no need to fight him."

Once they felt completely safe from Zhu Ming's vigilance senses, they came out of the hiding and headed to the announcement board. Ma.s.ses of compet.i.tors were gathering there, elbowing each other to reach the board to see their name. Chi and Vincere need not elbow the compet.i.tors. Even by just standing still, they could find themselves moving forward. The pressure from the compet.i.tors pus.h.i.+ng forward gave them a moving current.

Upon reaching the board, they saw their name.

"Chi Myst'wing, Group D, 10 a.m."

"Vindicta Patriarca, Group E, 11 a.m."

They also saw Zhans.h.i.+'s name.

"Yu Zhans.h.i.+, Group B, 10 a.m."

Since that they were in different groups, both of them wished one another good luck and hoped that they could make to the quarter-finals. "I think we need to be extra careful with Zhu Ming around here. Since he's good at identifying us, I suggest we separate." Vincere spoke as Chi nodded to agree.

They separated and went different ways. Chi was walking at the market, and she b.u.mped onto a familiar face… Prosper Chen, whom she had met at panda village. "Hi, Prosper Chen. Are you joining the heroes' tourney?"

"Oh, it's you, Chi," said Prosper. "Yes, I'm. I never thought you join too."

"Yes, me to want to join the ranks of Lord Benevence."

"I have come to this tourney to test my abilities. Hopefully, I am qualified to join the ranks of Lord Benevence. I have spent most of my savings on travel and registration."

Chi nodded gleefully. She couldn't tell Prosper that she had been sponsored by Lord Benevence and need not spend any xillar for the tourney, accommodation and food. Instead, she could think of Prosper's parents that she said, "How're your parents? Are they good?"

"Sure they're. My parents even support my decision to join the tourney. They could kick Solluna's tail even though one panda short."

"By the way, what's your group? Mine in group D," said Chi.

"Group C," said Prosper. "I have finished my first round, and I get to enter the round of sixteen. Oh, you should be ready at the stage right now. Group D is about to start. Good luck Chi!"

"Thanks, Prosper!" said Chi, "Hope to see you in quarter-finals." She hurried to the city square where the group B round would soon be started. Since there were hundreds of compet.i.tors, she realised she was just an average compet.i.tor and that she felt her chances to rise to the quarter-finals becoming slim.

"Compet.i.tors, please step onto the stage." A referee had given an order. All the compet.i.tors stepped up onto the stage and Chi followed too. The crowd of the audience roared with excitement, expecting good fights even though it was only the first round. From the elevated stage, she spotted Vincere among the crowd, giving her a good luck nod.

A bell rang, and the referee shouted, "Group D elimination round begins! Fight!"

A moment after the bell rung, several compet.i.tors had fallen off the stage. Whether they had done on purpose or not, Chi couldn't be sure. Roars and shouts soon heard on the stage as the compet.i.tors had begun fighting. Some of the compet.i.tors saw Chi was just a girl who was weaker and gentler that they decided to rid of her first. Most of Chi's opponents went easy on her but when they saw Chi could deflect their a.s.sault with ease, throwing some from the stage, only that they began to take on Chi with more serious.

Although she was so occupied with her opponents, Chi could see two fighters who were dominating the round. One was strong, and the other one was quick. It was lucky for both of them, either the two were fighting on a different side of the stage, or they hadn't fight Chi yet. Chi fought her way toward the strong one first, through waves of daring compet.i.tors, trying to knock her out, but none succeed. Whenever she spun around and swung her arm, not one but several compet.i.tors flew out from the stage. The strong lucky one saw her coming, and he delivered her a strong punch. She ducked and with her strength deflecting skill and pushed him away… with him dragging along several compet.i.tors out of the stage. And then, Chi made her way toward the other lucky compet.i.tor, swinging with her hands and legs, repelling many compet.i.tors out of the stage… until only Chi and the lucky compet.i.tor left standing.

Then, the bell rang.

"The winners of the Group D go to Chi Myst'wing and Ryulee!"

Chi stopped and realised that her first-round match had ended. She turned to Ryulee and saw him breathing with a shocked and fear looks as though Chi is going to kick him out of the stage.

The audience roared for the victors. She congratulated Ryulee for being the winner. "Thanks, Miss Myst'wing, I am just d.a.m.n lucky. You are such a great fighter. I'm out of the stage if not for the bell." Ryule was still controlling his breathing when he spoke. Both of them then descended the stage.

Chi had stepped down on the ground, and she saw Zhu Ming.

"Demoness. Even when you separated, you think I can't recognise you and the theft? You are wrong."

Chi felt as though she was rooted in the ground, and she felt tense the time he spoke to her.

"Don't worry, demoness. For now, I will not attack you. Just beware in your match." Just after Zhu Ming finished, he disappeared in the crowd of excited audiences.

Vincere and Prosper appeared from the crowd. "Chi, that was a good match. Good fight, Chi."

"Zhu Ming knows even though we separated," said Chi as she saw Vincere who was looking grave. "He just warned me to be careful in my next match."

"Don't worry," said Prosper. "We will protect you."

And Vincere gave her an affirmation nod. She knew too that her papa would protect her from any harm.

The Group D round was the last round of the day. Now that the Sol hung low in the sky, Chi and Vincere had dinner with Prosper.

"Both of you are so great!" said Vincere. "Knocking so many opponents with just one swing." Chi blushed and credited her powers to Sister Nuwa while Prosper credited his to his parents.

"Chi," said Vincere. "I don't know you can swing and spin like that."

"You can try that tomorrow," said Chi.

"Of course, I will. I haven't done testing my skills yet."

"Well," said Prosper. "I don't have the chance to use my family's inherited skill – the shadowless kick."

"What is that?" said Chi.

"It's a kick so fast that even the light could miss it," said Prosper. "That is why it is called the shadowless kick."

"I can't wait to see it," said Vincere. "Maybe I can only see it in the match where Chi and Prosper fight. I'm so eager to know who's the winner."

Both Chi and Prosper had the faces as though they are going to fight anytime soon. But they just raised their cups and drank.

The next day was the elimination round for group E to H. Chi and Prosper could see Vincere was nervous, but he pretended otherwise. "Now is my turn to fight, Chi. I shall try the swinging skill like what you did yesterday. Wish me luck."

"Good luck!" said Chi, smiling with a face that expects Vincere's best performance.

Vincere went on the stage where the Group E compet.i.tors were waiting so eager to throw each other out from the stage. Once the bell rang, all the compet.i.tors began fighting; one compet.i.tor after one compet.i.tor was being thrown out. After half an hour, Vincere and the other compet.i.tor emerged victoriously.

Chi and Prosper ran toward Vincere. "You are terrific too! Several opponents with one swing!" said Chi to Vincere and they both had a high-five. Prosper too, gave Vincere his high-five. "Well done!"

"Luckily I learnt lots from you Chi," said Vincere, giggling.

For the next round, Chi, Vincere and Prosper stood below the stage, among the other audiences to watch the match. To their shock, they saw Zhu Ming ascended the stage along with other compet.i.tors and emerged victorious when he tried to fail another contender. Zhu Ming's opponent hung at the edge of the stage, almost falling from Zhu Ming's continuous a.s.sault. It was fortunate for him that the bell rang. Otherwise, Zhu Ming would wallop him. The referee declared Zhu Ming victorious as well as the other lucky victor. The result made the audience furious, and they all roared that Zhu Ming fought without honour and ethics. Despite that, Zhu Ming turned his gaze to Chi and gave her you-will-be-death look.

Another day it was the round of sixteen and few days of the round, Chi, Vincere, Zhans.h.i.+, Prosper and Zhu Ming were among the lucky ones who succeeded to the quarter-final round. In the quarter-final, Chi would fight with a huge boar, Vincere to fight a tigris, Zhans.h.i.+ to fight Prosper and Zhu Ming with a drow.

From the quarter-final match onwards, all the matches would take place in the stadium. The first quarter-final match was Chi versus a huge boar – Emceepy was his name. Chi had done research regarding her opponent. He was strong, and his favourite attack was brute punch, but his weakness was his slow reflexes. And that, she had absolute confidence that she would win. She needed to evade every of Emceepy's attack while returning his own brutal attack.

While she ascended the stage, Emceepy was standing on the stage, grinning at her. "Hallo, gal. Nice meetin' you."

"h.e.l.lo, Emceepy," said Chi, with a smile spread across her face.

"Don were-ry, I pom-mise I won use all my pawa ong you."

"Thank you, Emceepy, for that."

The bell rang, and the referee yelled. "The fight begins!"

Emceepy sprinted so sudden with his arms opened wide, wanting to grab Chi… her reflex was quick that she swirled away from his path. She swiped her leg under Emceepy, and he stumbled on the stage. He stood up fast and gave some fists to Chi… Chi effortlessly deflected his fist back to him, and this made him fell, hurting him so much. "I'll go eas.h.i.+ ong you. Why you tag me?"

Emceepy pulled himself and sprinted toward Chi, with his fist readied to give full-powered punch to Chi… she saw the incoming punch and was ready for it… her palm intercepted his fist… with soft push with another hand, she guided the fist to his face… and Emceepy was. .h.i.t and rolled out of the stage, shrieking in great pain.

The referee rang the bell and said, "The winner goes to Chi Myst'wing!" The whole crowd applauded, rooting for Chi.

"Thank you for going easy on me, and letting me win." And Chi gave a thank you nod to Emceepy.

He groaned. "Sappose I wing! You're juz a li-dle gal!" And then, he stumped away, scaring everyone.

The next match was Vincere versus a tigris. Before Vincere entered the stadium, Chi wished him good luck and headed to another entrance which the audience entered. Vincere was lucky because his opponent was a tigris. His opponent speciality was quick claw and brute force. He could fight like how Chi had fought: evade and deflect the opponent's strength. Once the bell rang, Vincere just needed to keep dodging the tigris's strike while deflecting his attacks. After a couple of fights, Vincere was victorious.

When the Sol hung low, Chi and Vincere went for dinner. On the way to the hotel's eatery, they b.u.mped with Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper which they joined the dinner together.

"Tomorrow it's me versus you," said Zhans.h.i.+ to Prosper.

Not only Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper were excited about their match, but Chi and Vincere were also too. They couldn't wait to see tomorrow's fight. One could predict the winner from the battle between Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper.

"Both of you are equally strong," said Chi. "This would be one of the best fights me ever watch."

"Yes, you're right, Chi," said Prosper. "What matters is that we may learn a thing or two from the fight. And I have met many friends here. It's really worth of my travel."

"Aren't you travel here in hope to join the ranks of Lord Benevence?" said Zhans.h.i.+.

"Yes," said Prosper. "But there is not only one purpose in everything. My papa had told me. It shall be like one arrow strikes two birds."

"Yes," said Vincere, "I agreed. Mine are three birds." And Prosper gave Vincere an affirmative smile.

Chi had a quick look at Vincere, wondering why there are three reasons Vincere join the tourney where she only knew he had two: to earn a living; to avenge his papa. Was the third reason to serve under Lord Benevence?

"Brother Zhans.h.i.+," said Prosper. "Don't expect me to hold my attacks. I shall strike you with my family's inherited skills – the shadowless kick."

"And I shall counter it with my dragon-conquering skill. It's more powerful than your shadowless kick. It's the fiercest attack in the Eastern Land."

"No," said Vincere. "My supple skill of strength-deflecting is much more powerful. And here is my teacher." Vincere then raised his hand to show Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper his teacher – Chi.

In a joking way, Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper said, "teacher, you're the most powerful of us all…"

Chi giggled in pink and said, "Me really don't deserve that. Besides, me isn't the most powerful. Sister Nuwa is."

Chi, Zhans.h.i.+, Vincere and Prosper burst to laughter. One last cheer and clank from their gla.s.ses marked the end of their dinner, and they returned to their separate rooms.

The following day, Chi and Vincere were seated at the audience's seat to watch their best friends' fight. The chance to watch Zhans.h.i.+'s dragon conquering skill and Prosper's shadowless kick had arrived. Both Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper were the fighters of justice and protector of the weak. Chi recalled Zhans.h.i.+ had risked his life for protecting the goatmen from Emberfist. Zhans.h.i.+'s dragon-conquering skill had improved a lot since his fight with Emberfist. How would the second fight with Emberfist be like? For that, she was sure that Zhans.h.i.+ would win the second fight. She knew Prosper and his family were fighters too that they had been protecting villages from Solluna. This match would see which one was a better fighter.

Once the referee rang the bell, Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper began to fight. Both of them delivering their respective attack - fists, kicks, blows… the fight was longer than the previous matches. As to the current status, no one seemed to have gained an advantage over his opponent. Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper seemed to be level to level with one another. The crowd were cheering for these two fighters. At their final resolve, Prosper launched his shadowless kick while Zhans.h.i.+ launched his fiercest skills ever – the dragon-conquering skill. Zhans.h.i.+'s fiercest skill was able to conquer Prosper's shadowless kick, throwing Prosper out of the stage. To Chi and Vincere amazement, Zhans.h.i.+ has emerged victorious. Still, he claimed that Prosper had gone easy on him while Prosper praised Zhans.h.i.+ for being a better fighter. Both of them admitted they were honoured to meet each other.

Another match on the same day saw Zhu Ming emerged as the winner. It was suspicious as to how Zhu Ming could be the winner. Did he won because of his hidden attack or had he weakened the opponent beforehand? The outcome of the match was furious remarks of dishonour and foul from the audience.

The evening, the four of them, Chi, Vincere, Zhans.h.i.+ and Prosper had another dinner together. Cheers were the opening before their meal and then the thankful gestures for dinner.

"Though I lost," said Prosper. "I feel honoured to meet such good friends here. It is very rare to find people who have the same aspiration and courage at the same time. Serving Lord Benevence is an honour, but now, I prefer to fight alongside my family."

"Why Prosper?" said Zhans.h.i.+. "You have made into the quarter-final. You can enter the ranks of Lord Benevence as a lieutenant."

"Well, you see," said Prosper. "Serving under a banner may give more harm than good. You can see what is happening to the alliance. Now, they are fighting one another. Besides that, conforming to the standard of the majority is not what I like."

"I do agree with you," said Vincere. "Though at the early stage, when Lord Kinma founded the alliance, they did serve and protect the land with a true heart. After some time, it becomes corrupted like now. Maybe in future, who knows? The ranks of Benevence might become corrupted."

Zhans.h.i.+ nodded. "Perhaps you're right. It's true. Same goes to Lord Amo."

"What is your plan now, Prosper?" said Chi.

"I will return to my village. With my family, we will train more Cyaians to defend themselves."

"Well said, Prosper!" said Zhans.h.i.+.

Since Prosper had already made up his mind, there was no way to make him change his mind. The only way the trio could do is to give him support.

A gla.s.s had trashed on the floor. Chi and her friends turned to look… Zhu Ming. He looked so displeased though he had won. With a sulking face, he shouted, "Vengeance will be mine!" This gave everyone an uneasy feeling that some of them left the eatery.

"I wonder how Zhu Ming could win the match?" said Vincere.

"I suspect that he had weakened his opponent before the match," said Zhans.h.i.+. "But there is no evidence. Probably he had won with only his might."

"Brother Zhans.h.i.+," said Vincere. "You will fight him tomorrow. Be careful."

"Don't worry, Brother Vindicta," said Zhans.h.i.+. "I'm sure I can defeat him."

"Brother Zhans.h.i.+, you should be careful," said Chi. "He's full of tricks. You have no idea what he is his surprise."

"Chi," said Vincere. "And the day after that, it will be us versus each other."

Upon listened to what Vincere had spoken, Chi had an instant change in her face. "Looks like the day will soon come, to see how much you have improved."

"Yes, teacher," said Vincere with a grin. "I know my skills are not to yours, but I will fight you with all my might."

"Sure, Vincere," said Chi. "And never expect me to go easy on you."

"It will be like our fight," said Prosper as Zhans.h.i.+ nodded following the panda. "The fight of friends.h.i.+p…"

"It will be another good fight," said Zhans.h.i.+.

And they had another clink of drinks.

"Well," said Zhans.h.i.+ as he turned to Chi. "Chi, I have always wanted to say, your eyes seem familiar. I have the feeling that I have met you somewhere in the past, but I couldn't be sure."

"Zhans.h.i.+," said Chi. "We have met in the goatmen village. Me was the redragon. Not the one that spat flame to you, but the other one."

"So, that was you." Zhans.h.i.+ widened his eyes with total curiosity. "I was worried when you were hit by that redragon and were captured. I prepared a team of goatmen with two ballistae to save you. When I was about to get departed in a s.h.i.+p, I saw you were being chased. And we attacked the redragons behind you."

"So, Zhans.h.i.+… it was you!" said Chi, with excitement when her question of several-months-old was answered.

"Yes, but then you disappeared."

"Me had to fly low," said Chi. "Me afraid of more attack. It was an unknown land to me."

"But how you can be in this form now?"

"Long story," said Chi. And she began her story – from where she had saved by Zhans.h.i.+, how she met Sister Nuwa until she met Vincere and the whole tale lasted half an hour. When she had finished, it was already late, and everyone had fallen asleep except for Zhans.h.i.+, who was still showing sincere interest in her story.

"So, you were a redragon. Master Myst'wing is your papa?"

"Yes," said Chi, feeling proud and jovial at the mention of her papa.

"When I was ten, I met your papa. Your papa had taught me my most powerful attack – dragon conquering skill." And he suddenly felt down that he said, "the reason I lost to Emberfist last time is that I haven't really familiar with the skill yet. It's not because the skill is not powerful." Then he sighed. "Sorry, Master Myst'wing."

Out of expectation, Chi gave Zhans.h.i.+ a comforting touch to his shoulder. "Don't worry, my papa understands. Papa won't be angry with anyone. It's not really easy to master that skill."

Zhans.h.i.+ had a surprised glance at Chi. The way Chi spoke was like Master Myst'wing. Was it Chi or Master Myst'wing that had spoken to him?