Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Duel on the Arena

Lingran and Hongxiao were completely unaware of what was happening on the upper floors. After watching for a while, Lingran lost interest and rose, pulling Young Lord Hongxiao along to find another place.

They had not gone far when the sound of drums and gongs burst forth ahead, and at the intersection, a crowd of hundreds had gathered. From a distance, they saw a high platform, festooned with banners at every level, and several figures tumbling and leaping upon it.

"Hey! Is it a martial play?" Lingran turned to ask.

Hongxiao shook his head. "It’s a martial tournament. Haven’t you ever seen one?"

"I haven’t seen a real tournament before," Lingran thought to herself—though on television she’d often watched such matches. Now was a chance to see true martial arts, so she dragged Hongxiao with her, squeezing into the crowd.

Lingran scarcely felt any effort in pushing through; whatever method Hongxiao used, whenever she tried to slip past, his hand gently reached forward and the people ahead parted as if by sheer coincidence, flowing aside like water.

As soon as they reached the front of the stage, they saw a bare-chested man being kicked off the platform by a Taoist in blue robes. The man was burly, and as he crashed down, spectators hurriedly stepped aside. Lingran saw him descending like a dark cloud, threatening to land right atop her.

She cried out in alarm, but Hongxiao turned, shielding her with his body. His right hand flashed out, catching the man easily; with a slight twist as if plucking at a musical instrument, he spun the big fellow rapidly and sent him flying back onto the stage, where he landed in a somersault and stood upright, still dazed (perhaps dizzy from the spin), looking wildly about.

"Bravo! What skill!"

Cheers and applause erupted below the stage. Lingran, too, clapped excitedly.

The blue-robed Taoist, who looked to be in his twenties, stepped to the front and cupped his hands toward Hongxiao. "Such remarkable skill, young lord! I have trained in martial arts since childhood at Mount Qingcheng. Since last year, I have traveled toward the capital, earning my way by hosting tournaments, yet have never met an equal. I hoped to join the court upon arrival, to serve in secular life, but found no path to office. Today, I seize this opportunity to display my abilities, hoping some worthy person might recommend me. I would be ever grateful."

Hongxiao replied, "You have mistaken me for someone else." He turned, taking Lingran's hand to leave.

"Please wait, young lord!" the Taoist called out. "I have fought across half of Central Plains and never met such a master. Please, would you not honor me with a bout?"

Lingran was curious to see Hongxiao’s skills, but when she glanced back and saw his displeasure—knowing he disdained public brawling—she said nothing and followed him out.

"Are you afraid to lose?" the Taoist shouted from the stage. "I can give you three moves!"

---

The crowd began to jeer, some even trying to block their path.

The urge to watch a spectacle is truly timeless among the people! Even Lingran felt a flicker of anger; if Hongxiao failed against the Taoist, it would be humiliating! Yet he wasn’t at fault for refusing a fight.

People surged forward like waves. Lingran tiptoed, pressing near his ear and whispered, "Young lord, can you beat that wretched Taoist?"

Hongxiao couldn’t help but smile, turning to ask, "What do you think?"

Lingran saw his expression—smiling, confident, unlike any she’d seen before. Clearly the calm assurance of a master. She grew excited, clenched her small fist, and declared, "Teach him a lesson! He’s far too arrogant!"

Hongxiao considered for a moment and agreed, "Very well."

Lingran’s vision blurred; Hongxiao had already landed on the stage.

The crowd erupted in wild shouts, people from all around pouring in.

The Taoist gritted his teeth, scanning Hongxiao up and down, then asked loudly, "Do you wish to compare fists or weapons?"

Lingran noticed several other Taoists and even a Taoist nun on stage, all crowded to one side, watching Hongxiao like tigers eyeing prey. She worried they might try something underhanded—she’d seen plenty of such tricks on TV—so she kept a close eye on them.

"As you wish," Hongxiao replied coolly.

"I practice Iron Shirt and Golden Bell techniques. You look delicate and refined—let us compete with fists only, lest the audience accuse me of bullying."

"Iron Shirt and Golden Bell?" Hongxiao stood with hands behind his back, the hint of a sneer at his lips. "You may use weapons; I’ll fight empty-handed."

"You’re far too arrogant, boy!" the Taoist cursed, thinking that though Hongxiao was striking and well-dressed, he had no attendants, so likely wasn’t from a noble household. With that, he didn’t reach for a weapon but formed his hands into claws, crouched low, and lunged.

Hongxiao lightly lifted the hem of his embroidered robe, revealing white trousers and satin boots. As the Taoist pounced like a tiger, Hongxiao raised his foot—there was a sharp sound, and the Taoist flew back even faster than he’d attacked.

The kick was swift as wind and lightning; though one could clearly see Hongxiao’s graceful move, the Taoist simply couldn’t dodge, crying out in pain as he landed on the stage, then scrambled up, stumbling sideways before regaining his balance.

Lingran was overjoyed, shouting loudly, "Wonderful! So handsome!"

---

The Taoist, realizing the gap in skill, seized a blade as he staggered, and swiftly attacked.

Lingran’s heart tightened, but Hongxiao was tranquil as a maiden, swift as a hare. When the Taoist’s blade reached him, Hongxiao suddenly kicked, striking the Taoist’s wrist and sending the blade spinning skyward. Hongxiao leapt, landing a series of kicks upon the Taoist’s forehead, chest, and knee, then descended gracefully, catching the blade with a casual gesture.

"That’s the legendary Shadowless Kick from Foshan!" Lingran cheered, clapping ecstatically.

With a slap, the Taoist knelt on the stage.

The disparity in skill was obvious to everyone—especially since the master was such a handsome and elegant young lord. The cheers seemed endless.

Lingran watched the Taoist’s face contort, sweat beads rolling down his forehead. Fearing a sneak attack, she watched as he steadied himself, knelt upright before Hongxiao, and declared, "I yield! Truly, there are always greater heights and deeper mysteries! The capital is indeed a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—such refined young lords are all masters. I will pack my things and return to the mountains, never daring to display my paltry skills here again."

Hongxiao approached, helping him up with one hand, patting his arm and body a few times. The Taoist flexed his wrist and found himself unharmed.

Hongxiao removed a jade pendant from his belt and tossed it to him. "Your skills are already quite good—enough for a hundred-man commander in the Embroidered Guards. To retreat from the world is not always wise. Take this jade pendant to the Embroidered Guards office and find Lu Zhong—tell him I recommended you." With that, his footwork shifted, and he returned lightly to Lingran’s side.

The Taoist, holding the jade pendant in both hands, knew he had met a benefactor and was overjoyed. He knelt again, asking, "May I know your name, young lord?"

The other Taoists who’d been watching from the stage also rushed forward, kneeling behind the blue-robed Taoist and kowtowing repeatedly.

Hongxiao took Lingran, said no more, and with a leap, left the tournament area, then broke into a swift run.

Lingran heard the astonished cries from the marketplace, but at such speed she dared not look around, closing her eyes instead.

They ran far, until they reached the foot of a quiet hill where few people passed. Only then did Hongxiao stop.

Lingran slipped from his embrace, exclaiming in awe, "I never imagined, young lord, your martial arts are so superb! Teach me! Teach me!"

On the first day of the lunar new year, warm wishes to all readers—may your dreams come true, and may you become ever more beautiful! Xingyu sends you New Year greetings!