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Chapter 42 - The Competition |Part 2|

XieRong could feel XiaoBai’s anticipation.

She could tell how they looked, a weak girl riding bare back on an equally weak horse, but she knew they would not lose because both of them were cut from the same cloth. People could ridicule them and push them to the ground all they wanted but they would still get up and emerge on the top.

Besides, neither of them were weak. XieRong had seen XiaoBai’s strength when he had tried to fight off the man who was trying to pin him down and she had felt his strength when she had ridden him back to the palace. She could say with confidence that XiaoBai had as much chance of winning s any other horse in the ring, and he would grow to be faster after he was given enough rest and nourishment.

The drum beats hushed the crowd into a murmur.

The gong was struck.

"Begin!"

XieRong felt the wind blow past her as she let XiaoBai run as he pleased, guiding him occasionally around the curves with the reins. She could hear the thunder of his hooves and feel the strength in his thighs as he pushed the ground. XieRong’s focus was completely on the finish line. She forgot her surroundings, her competition.

It was just her, XiaoBai and the finish line.

Everything else had faded to a blur.

As the finish line drew closer and closer, XieRong felt the rush and excitement within her increase. She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the sense of accomplishment she felt and soon they’d crossed it.

They had crossed the finish line.

XieRong tugged slightly on XiaoBai’s reigns, leading him away from the tracks and slowing him to a stop.

"Wasn’t that amazing XiaoBai?" she asked combing her hand through his mane.

She could feel him panting heavily so she quickly got off him. She patted him lovingly, feeling happy that she hadn’t had to use any of the calming herb she had been prepared to use.

After a little while, XieRong noticed something was wrong.

It was silent. Too silent.

She looked around. Some of the other competitors had also crossed the finished line.

-FeiHong, what is wrong with everyone?-

XieRong could feel FeiHong’s mirth through the bond.

-Don’t worry Jie, nothing is wrong. Also, elder brother is grumbling about the five hundred gold coins he just lost.-

As if on cue, there was an announcement.

"The winner of the competition is Guo XieRong!"

XieRong hugged XiaoBai in happiness.

They had done it!

The crowd broke into a roaring applause. Cheers could be heard everywhere.

XieRong led XiaoBai to a stable hand. Letting him sniff some of the herb when he started to panic as she handed his reigns over to the man.

"Don’t worry, I am not abandoning you. I will come back for you."

XieRong lifted her head to the man and instructed him.

"Give him water and feed. Don’t groom him or go near him until I come to pick him up."

XieRong only left to go pick up her money once XiaoBai was out of sight.

She approached the tent filled with people full of smiles. Even the old general looked proud.

"That’s my niece!" Her uncle praised, thumping her back.

"That’s our niece," Her aunt corrected, as she hugged XieRong lightly.

"Aunt, uncle, my unfavourable image is all ruined," she complained lightheartedly.

"Oh, hush. It will just look like you gained some of our favour by winning the competition."

Her aunt gave XieRong some water.

"You did well," her grandfather approved, patting her head lightly.

"Looks like grandson owes you five hundred gold coins."

XieRong grinned wickedly at her brother who was desperately trying not to be noticed.

"Elder brother, I believe you owe my Jie five hundred gold coins?"

"It’s not good to go back on your word elder brother," RuiLing added, enjoying her brother’s predicament.

Guo Qiang was trying hard to keep up his graceful and elegant facade.

"It doesn’t matter if the money is with me or little sister, after all we are family."

"Then why don’t I keep the money?"

Guo Qiang had to surrender when his youngest sister piped in.

"Yes, elder brother, give the money to Rong Jie."

Guo Qiang had a sour look on his face as he gave the money bag to XieRong.

"The next competition is about to begin. Elder brother, have I succeeded?"

A sharp glint entered his eyes.

"Only in garnering their attention. Little sister, you should hurry, they are about to sound the drum. This brother will be supporting you from here."

The drum beat twice, calling for all the participants to gather and draw their lot. XieRong picked up a wooden slip with the number ten on it, indicating she had to participate in the tenth round.

The number of people competing were twice as many as those in the archery and horse riding competitions. It wasn’t a surprise as commoners hardly had the opportunity to learn the sports of the nobles and many could not afford to pay back the money for the horses if they lost the competition.

XieRong went back to the camp and awaited her turn.

"Won’t you go look for your opponent?" Her uncle asked, looking as the other competitors dispersed, leaving only two behind.

"Even if I did go look for them it would probably be of no use to me. I will not be able to tell how they fight just by speaking with them. I would rather concentrate and learn about my future opponent’s techniques."

XieRong analysed every person who stepped into the ring. If someone won, she would take note of their strengths and possible weaknesses, and if someone lost she would analyse why they lost.

It wasn’t long before her turn arrived. XieRong felt excited and nervous all at the same time. She leaned back and forth on the balls of her feet before she made her way to where the referee stood. She showed him her wooden slip as did her competition, a young man who looked a little younger than the crown prince. He wore a plain simple black garb, but the material of the cloth looked expensive.

"May the competitors take their position!"

XieRong took her place, trying to figure out why the man was wearing a mask.

"May the competitors bow to the emperor!"

XieRong cupped her fists and bowed deeply at the waist in the emperor’s direction.

"May the competitors bow to each other."

XieRong bowed to the boy. Her mind clearing of all thoughts except for one: I can win.

"Begin!"

No one moved.

The crowd was silent with anticipation broiling underneath all their skins.

XieRong watched her opponent like a hawk, who did the same.

Then she charged.

Her qingong had improved so much so that it was faster than her brother’s and how could it not be with the brutal training she put herself through day after day? She had become as light as a feather and as agile as a cheetah going after it’s prey. What she lacked in stamina, she made up for in speed.

To win the match, the opponent could either concede defeat, or she had to knock them out or push them out of the ring.

A flash of surprise flickered through the man’s cold and aloof eyes as XieRong approached him in the blink of a eye. She was aiming to pushing him out as he looked strong, a chilling and dangerous aura around him.

She punched him but he blocked it. Her movements were swift and precise, not one movement wasted, but his were better. XieRong knew he was toying with her. It looked as though she were pushing him back, when in reality, he was allowing her to. XieRong stopped pushing him out, but he pretended to stumble and let himself step out of the ring.

XieRong felt humiliated.

The referee announced her victory.

She curtly bowed before the boy in front of her, a silent rage snaking it’s path to her heart and gripping it in a vice. She didn’t spare another glance at him and stormed her way to the tent. She couldn’t even berate him as it would cause an unwanted commotion, the last thing she needed if she wanted her plan to succeed.

XieRong accepted her family’s congratulations hollowly but in her heart she had lost.