- What number did you get? — asked Xia Qingyue with impatience.
Xiao Chen showed the plaque he had received. It bore the number 1136.
Glancing at the number, she said:
- This number determines the group and the order of battles in the first round. 1136 means you've been assigned to Group 11, and the fight will take place in Arena 11. Your match will be the first in line, and your opponent's number… - her voice trailed off as she noticed Xiao Chen thoughtfully examining the plaque.
- What's wrong?— Xia Qingyue frowned, noticing his reaction.
- Nothing — Xiao Chen shook his head.
Xia Qingyue was about to ask more questions, but at that moment they announced the start of registration for the first round. They had to postpone the conversation until a more suitable moment.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the arena, hidden from the participants' eyes, Xie Yan had already received information about Xiao Chen's assignment. A barely noticeable smile curled his lips.
- Jiang Shi.
The space trembled like the surface of water, and before him materialised an old man dressed in flowing grey robes. His beard, braided into nine plaits, shimmered with moonlight, and his eyes were like two slits into eternity.
- Young master — Jiang Shi bowed respectfully.
- I want to know everything about her — Xie Yan frowned, his voice firm and resolute. - Her lineage, connections, past. Especially… — he paused — what connects her to that boy.
Jiang Shi let out a hoarse laugh that made not only the marble columns tremble, but the very ground beneath their feet.
- As you wish — he hissed, dissolving into tendrils of black smoke.
Soon Xie Yan learned everything about Xia Qingyue: the dire situation of her royal family and the rather ordinary way their fate had been intertwined with a leek.
In simple terms, it was a love triangle from which the princess was seeking an escape.
The young master of one of the most influential families in the Eastern region had long set his sights on Xia Qingyue. His family was renowned for its wealth and power, and he was accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. But the princess was not going to give in without a fight. She was a strong and determined woman, ready to battle for her freedom.
One day, the young master came to her demanding that she become his concubine. He was certain she would agree, but in the end, he received a refusal.
And then he proposed a wager.
«So they made a bet on winning the ranking tournament…» — Xie Yan said thoughtfully.
If Xia Qingyue wins, she will be able to maintain her independence. But if she loses, she will have to accept her fate as a concubine.
Xiao Chen was her key to freedom.
Following the usual plot, Xiao Chen was supposed to win.
«But what if he loses?» — Xie Yan's eyes narrowed, and a barely noticeable smile touched his lips. Xiao Chen's defeat opened up far more interesting possibilities.
*****
«Master, do you think she'll fall in love with me if I win the tournament?» — Xiao Chen stood in the arena, his fingers gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The wind fluttered the edges of his cloak, and the silence before the battle rang in his ears.
The murmur of the crowd faded away, as if swallowed by a thick veil. In response to his question, a deep female laugh echoed in his mind.
«Love?» — the voice spoke, and Xiao Chen felt a cold wave run down his spine. «Do you still believe in such nonsense? Victory is the only language the strong understand. Conquer the arena, and her heart will become your trophy… or shatter. What difference does it make?»
Xiao Chen shuddered. The voice sounded clearer than ever before. He looked towards the stands where Xia Qingyue was sitting.
Xiao Chen's eyes suddenly widened, and anger boiled in his heart when he saw an unfamiliar man approaching Xia Qingyue.
Gripping the hilt of his sword even tighter, Xiao Chen felt rage filling his body. He wanted to rush to her, to protect her from this stranger, but he knew that his place was here, in the arena, right now.
*****
- Power and weakness, love and calculation — everything intertwines in this world — the sudden words distracted Xia Qingyue from the arena, and she involuntarily looked at the stranger.
He was incredibly handsome — his features seemed carved from marble, and his eyes, deep and mysterious, as if held within them the secrets of centuries.
Xia Qingyue froze, unable to tear her gaze away. She felt her heart beating faster.
His beauty was almost frightening, it attracted and repelled at the same time. Xia Qingyue realised that in front of her stood not just a stranger, but someone who knew much more than he showed.
- I can help you get rid of this foolish wager, but you must fulfill one small request — the stranger leaned slightly towards her.
With these words, the stranger handed her a small flask that usually contained water. His fingers trembled noticeably as he passed it to Xia Qingyue.
- What is this? — Xia Qingyue asked, her voice trembling, and a hint of horror reflected in her eyes.
- Poison.
Xia Qingyue recoiled, instinctively drawing back from the extended flask. Her hand flew to her chest, as if trying to protect her heart from this terrible truth. Thousands of thoughts raced through her mind, but none could form into a clear picture.
- Why… why are you offering this? — she whispered, barely controlling the tremor in her voice.
The stranger merely smiled, and that smile seemed more terrifying than any weapon.
- It's simple — he said, lowering his voice to a whisper - Give this flask to Xiao Chen. And the wager will be forgotten.
Xia Qingyue froze, realizing the full horror of the proposal. Her gaze darted to the arena, where Xiao Chen continued his deadly dance with death.
- You're trembling… — he said, his voice enveloping her like incense smoke. — Not from fear, but from understanding. You know that this tournament is a trap. That even if Xiao Chen wins… — he paused, skillfully emphasizing each word — …you will still be sold like an object, according to the terms of the wager.
Xia Qingyue backed away, but her back hit the cold wall.
But you could be free… — the stranger traced her wrist with his finger, leaving an icy trail with his touch. — One sip, and he'll die without suffering. Isn't that mercy?
A gong sounded in the arena. Xiao Chen was making his opponent bleed.
- Look at him — the stranger whispered, wrapping her mind like a boa constrictor. - Does he think he's won?
The stranger approached so quickly that his breath mingled with her rapid sigh. His fingers dug into her wrist, and suddenly visions swam before Xia Qingyue's eyes:
Xiao Chen, growing old in poverty, with an empty gaze, pounding his fists against the wall in helpless rage.
Herself, sold into slavery by the royal family, with a brand on her neck…
- Do you see? — the stranger turned her face towards the arena, where Xiao Chen, exhausted, cut off his opponent's arm. - Even if he wins, he will lose. The world does not forgive weakness. But there is another way.
- All right, I agree — Xia Qingyue's voice was so quiet that even she could barely hear it herself. Her fingers trembled as she took the flask from the stranger's hands. The metal felt scaldingly cold.
The stranger smiled, and there was more triumph in that smile than she could bear. His eyes, deep and bottomless, seemed to absorb her soul.
- A wise decision — he whispered, disappearing. - Remember: you chose this path yourself.
Xia Qingyue stood motionless, clutching the flask so tightly that her fingernails dug into her palm. Images of her past flashed through her mind — promises she had made to herself, the principles she had lived by. But now all of that seemed so distant, almost unreal.
Xia Qingyue slowly made her way towards the exit of the stands, where a man was waiting to pass the flask to Xiao Chen. Every step was difficult, as if her legs were filled with lead.
«I'm just following circumstances. This is fate, not my choice», — she repeated to herself.
When she handed the flask to the intermediary, her hands trembled treacherously. The man nodded and disappeared into the crowd, heading towards the arena.
*****
Sorrow's Embrace:
Hello, traveler.
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May fate guide you on the right path!
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