84 The Arrow that Struck the Targe (1/2)
The attack didn't happen though. It didn't happen not for lack of desire or opportunity but because the masked guy pulled out a massive sword, swung it, and the thugs aiming for the empress dowager's throat, fell on their knees, wheezing as they tried to catch their breaths.
The cool, freezing air that accompanied the movement of the sword even froze the tears clinging to Chang Chang's long lashes. She was livid and tried to attack the guy with a complicated martial arts move but the empress dowager, who remained standing and unmoved by the freeze blast, pulled a leg and sent her flying some distance away with a simple kick.
”Cunt,” the empress dowager muttered disgustedly.
Mu Xing smothered a laugh; there was a distinct chortle hastily suppressed behind the black mask.
”Throw them all out,” she ordered. ”This is a friendly game between friends and neighbors. I will not have it disrupted by the disgusting act of a slut who cannot accept defeat. You,” she said, glaring down at the pups yelping unhappily before her, ”get that stinking bitch out of here and never come back. If you're not out of the capital by an hour, I'll have everyone of you thrown in jail for conspiracy to commit murder!”
The Zhengyi contingent who entered the gates with their heads held high left the arena with their tails between their legs, Chang Chang with a huge bruise on her cheek, and their big egos totally crushed.
By this time, everybody, especially the judges, were finally told of what really transpired between Chang Chang and Wang Sao. Wang Sao had suffered a deep cut which almost tore his insides to shreds. He was still being looked at by the doctor, who feared an infection would occur and complicate the wound.
When the emperor was told of what happened, he immediately issued an edict banning the Zhengyi athletes from ever competing in the Battle of Talents. This decision shocked many people, who considered it too harsh a punishment. The emperor, however, explained that discipline and the grace to accept defeat were part and parcel of what makes competition a true endeavor.
”Zhengyi displayed neither grace nor sportsmanship when their leader attacked an innocent man for no apparent reason other than she was angry for losing. That is not how true warriors behave in the sports arena or in the battlefield. The team knew better but they chose to believe her story and was even ready to attack empress mother for stopping the murder.”
Gu Sheng gave an unexpected laugh.
”I didn't really for empress mother. I feared for the Zhengyi team. She could be quite a handful if angered.”
The guy with the black mask continued to win his matches when the contest resumed. He advanced to the final round and won by beating two opponents from Yuqui and Lu Wang.
Watching him from a distance, An Ning frowned. She remembered the masked man who pulled Gu Sheng out of the blast but before the thought could take hold, she shook her head. It couldn't be him. This man's face, what little he allowed people to see, was scarred and damaged as if he had been pulled out of a burning fire. The left eye, which was covered by a lock of long hair, was almost totally shut. The man in the purple bandana had smooth brows and a pair of undamaged eyes which had frowned in distress when he checked Gu Sheng for injuries.
”Are you envying the winner?” Gu Sheng said, whispering the words in her ear.
An Ning turned, startled, and gave a laugh.
”I'm not as good as him,” she said. ”He's almost lethal with that bow. Who is he?”
”I don't really know. All I know is that he comes from Chengdi, that's a kingdom that used to have business with emperor father, I think. I spoke to their ambassador the other day. He said the emperor heard about the coup and wanted to help. I told him it was not needed since everything had been resolved.”