Chapter 291: Imperial Martial Tournament – Part 10 (2/2)
”Please hand over the girls, and we'll leave.”
A hundred 5th-stage imperial soldiers didn't care about Ju Shoufen, Ku'er, or Luo Cheng's cultivation base. They demanded the girls under their watch.
Ju Shoufen snorted, ”These girls are our captives. You have no right to take them away from us.”
”…”
The soldiers didn't dare to offend Miaomiao's party since they had come with Jia Shan and Ma Ping. They reluctantly looked at Hua Xiong and Dong Zhongying, asking for their advice with their eyes.
Dong Zhongying had the urge to scold his soldiers for not taking the initiative and become the scapegoats for him. Still, he didn't dare to verbally order them since both hot-blooded 7th-stage old men might use this pretext to take over the imperial city.
Without a 7th-stage backer on their side other than Wang Yun, Dong Zhongying got cold feet. He waved his hand and chased the soldiers away.
”Go back! You guys go back and maintain order. We'll continue with the tournament.”
”…”
The soldiers heaved a sigh of relief. They withdrew and exited the building.
As for Hua Xiong, he still hovered over the stadium, watching Luo Cheng and the girls from afar.
Miaomiao and others were also relieved and glad that Dong Zhongying didn't have the balls to offend them. They stopped circulating their elemental Qi and lowered their weapons.
Luo Cheng looked at Miaomiao and Ju Shoufen, appreciated what they did, ”Thank you.”
”You're welcome. We'll talk later.”
”Sure.”
…
Dong Zhongying's men were swift when he worked hard. Within 10 minutes, they restored order and appeased the crowd. They also guided Miaomiao's party and Luo Cheng's group to Xu Xiuying's previous VIP box room.
Lu Fengxian tagged along with them as well. On the way, he chatted with Ma Moxi, coaxing this protagonist to be his disciple. He also persuaded Ju Shoufen and Ku'er, but the girls declined the offer.
The fat minister used this opportunity to begin the tournament. He started drawing lots and put the names of all contestants on the tournament bracket board.
It took hours to sort all participants and arranged their names, and the result was as the followings.
Number 1, Hua Bohai
Number 2, Cao Mao (Miaomiao)
Number 9, Dong Bai / Forfeited
Number 15, Jian Yi
Number 16, Ma Chao (Ma Moxi)
Number 37, Wang Diaochan (Liu Bian)
Number 56, Ding Tong
Number 64, Ding Bu (Lu Fengxian)
Miaomiao and others checked the bracket to see their names and their friends' names.
It seemed that Miaomiao would face Ma Moxi in the semi-final. Both men glanced at each other and grinned.
”Too bad. I thought we would have met in the final.”
Ma Moxi was looking forward to having another rematch. He snickered and teased Miaomiao.
On the other hand, Miaomiao only shrugged it off. His attention was on Ding Bu, the regressed powerhouse protagonist, whom Ma Ping respected so much.
'I guess I'll get to test this protagonist's ability in the final. Well, this shitty tournament is pointless anyway.'
Miaomiao left the VIP room and flew toward the arena stage as his match would begin first.
When Miaomiao landed on the only round arena stage at the center of the field, Hua Bohai was already there, waiting for him.
The young master bitterly smiled when he saw that Miaomiao could fly. Hua Bohai was aware that he just a 3rd-stage cultivator with no essence energy, so he was clearly no match against Miaomiao, who was an abnormal late essence gather realm expert that could fly.
Still, Hua Bohai had the pride of the eldest son of Hua Xiong. He needed to show his courage and skills, or he would be ridiculed as a coward.
Showing his respect, Hua Bohai cupped his fist while he held a sheathed sword in his hand.
”My name is Hua Bohai, the son of General Hua Xiong! I know that I'm no match against you, but I shall do my best! Please give me some pointers, senior Cao!”
His voice was so loud that the crowd in the stadium could hear it. Even his father, who had been floating above the building, was impressed by his son's courage.
Miaomiao nodded and revealed a faint smile. This was the perk of being stronger than other contestants in the middle of a protagonist's tournament arc – All villains had no choice but to give him some face and respect.
”One minute,” Miaomiao crossed his hands behind his back. Without introducing himself, he imposed a handicap on himself. ”I won't move from this point. If you can land a hit on me even once within the time limit, I'll admit my defeat.”
”!!!”
Hua Bohai was taken aback by the sudden handicap. Though he was glad that Miaomiao went easy on him, it offended his pride.
His face turned bright red. Blood veins bulged under his facial skin, and his eyes were bloodshot.
Hua Bohai was enraged, but he had no choice but to accept this humiliation.
”Alright. If senior Cao gives me this much face, I shall oblige!”
As the two contestants finished the introduction, Li Wenyou officially started the tournament.
”Begin!”
Hua Bohai brandished his earth-grade sword. He closed the distance and thrust his weapon forward. They were 10 meters apart!
Miaomiao stared at the telegraphed weapon joust and sighed. Hua Bohai was too weak. Still, he revealed a bit of his skill to intimidate other contestants.
The air in the radius of 6 meters around Miaomiao distorted. The wavy air turned into an illusion dome that covered Miaomiao's body like a barrier shield.
Hua Bohai ignored the domain. He and his sword went through the distorted dome.
As soon as he entered the dome, the young master saw something within the strange domain.
Hua Bohai had a vision of himself being beheaded. The experience was so realistic that Hua Bohai had believed that he had just been killed.
Because of the shock, Hua Bohai stopped moving and collapsed on the ring floor. His eyes were white, and he stopped breathing.
Plop!
”…”
Just like that, Hua Bohai fell unconscious within a few seconds after the match had begun.
Li Wenyou checked Hua Bohai's pulse and Qi. The latter was still alive, but he needed medical attention right away.
Several elders jumped onto the stage and brought Hua Bohai to the field infirmary. As for Li Wenyou, he announced the result of the first match.
”WINNER, CAO MAO!!”