Most people believed fate arrived with a grand sign. A blazing sky. A divine voice. Maybe some miracle that told you your life was about to change.
But for Lin Feng, fate arrived differently.
"No way... is this real?" Standing in the middle of a living room, holding an envelope, was a middle-aged man, staring at the sheet of paper in awe.
His wife heard his astonishment before approaching him to lean in, peering at the seal.
"It says the Heavens Gauntlet..." She read aloud, widening her eyes. "It's not a joke, this is real!" She raised her voice, covering her mouth as the two lovebirds stared at each other.
"Our baby girl, in the Heavens Gauntlet?" He muttered, now gazing at the ground. "I can't believe it... Lin Feng, you did it!" He shouted at the top of his voice before springing into the air in a cheer. "Ahahaaa! Alright! Wooo! Hell yeah, that's my daughter for you! Making her dad proud!" He kept jumping up and down as if he were the one who was invited.
"Hey, what's with all the racket?!" Walking downstairs, dressed in nothing more than pajamas, was Lin Feng, placing her hands on her hips as she made it to the bottom. "What the—?" She snickered, watching her father dance. "What's got you in such a good mood, pa? I ain't seen ya this excited since you last paid off yer 10,000 dollar debt!"
Her mother took the envelope before waving it in the air, smiling at her daughter.
"Lin Feng! You've been chosen for the Heaven's Gauntlet! You finally made it in!"
Lin widened her eyes as she felt her heart sink in her chest before running forward. "Wait, for real? Let me see, let me see!" She suddenly snatched the note from their hand, prying it open with her thumb.
"Wha?!"
She read the envelope as it followed:
[Congratulations, Chosen Fighter, Lin Feng. You are hereby invited to participate in Heaven's Gauntlet. Arrive at the Citadel of Trials by sunrise tomorrow. Only the bold may enter. Only the strong may ascend. Your first trial begins upon arrival. Fail... and you may never return.]
Lin's eyes were sparkling as her father kept cheering her on, eventually causing her to join him; matching his energy.
"I did it! I did it! I made it in!! Woooohoooo!"
Both of them bounced up and down like spring-loaded cannons as the mother giggled.
"This is the moment you've been waiting for, Lin Feng." She approached her daughter to hold her hand. "You've been training for 5 years, nonstop."
The father eventually calmed down and caught his breath, patting Lin's shoulder a few times.
"Goddamn right! So make us proud, Feng! We know you can do it! You've been training since you were 10! We know you're ready!"
Lin was rushing with excitement as she gazed upon her supportive parents and nodded her head.
The Heavens Gauntlet. A yearly event that the chosen must pass to become Martial Artists; an elite member of humanity who seeks to rise to the top and become the strongest, for their own interests and for the betterment of society as a whole.
They were known as protectors of humankind, creatures, and sacred artifacts, by far the most important people on earth.
This event consisted of several trials, which can vary drastically from year to year.
However, one thing is for certain; at the end of these trials, a tournament will take place where all contestants must fight each other, leaving only a handful of those who succeed in becoming a Martial Artist.
Lin was prepared.
"Nows my chance to shine!" Slamming her fist into her palm, a big grin crossed her face. "I'll finally reach my goal and become the strongest Martial Artist that this world has ever seen! Fate has given me a chance, and I'm not gonna ruin it, Mom and Dad! You can count on it!"
Both parents stared at their daughter with big smirks as the mother leaned into her husband, holding his arm.
"We'll be supporting you, always. Even if we're not there, you'll have all of our prayers. Isn't that right, Haoran?" Asked the mother.
"Mmm." Nodded Haoran. "Of course, Yuhua, our daughter has the greatest teacher alive!" He said, pointing at himself with his thumb. "She'll show those bastards how the Lin Clan rolls! You come from the greatest clan known to mankind!"
Yuhua shook her head, evidently amused by his comment.
"We're too far at the bottom to be considered the greatest clan, dear."
Feng balled up her fists before flexing her bicep.
"Well, not for long! Just wait and see, Mom! I'll give them hell, and show what the Lin clan is made of!"
"That's my girl!" Said Haoran, raising his hand for a high five.
Lin laughed, slapping her father's raised hand with a loud clap.
"Alright! I need to get prepared for tomorrow, or I'll end up being late." Lin turned around, jogging toward the stairs.
Her mother gave her a gentle smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Make sure to bring your toothbrush with you, and your Martial Arts outfit. And don't forget, this is supposed to be your moment to enjoy as well!"
"Got it, got it." She said, now walking upstairs in a hurry.
"Lin Feng!" Shouted the dad, causing her to stop.
"Yeah, wassup?" She said, peaking over the railing of the stairs, giddy as ever.
"The Heavens Gauntlet is tough. Far tougher than any of the training sessions we had together. It's a life and death scenario, do you understand?"
Lin Feng nodded with determined eyes before straightening up her body.
"I know, pa. But I've trained for this! All the early mornings, the bruises, the late-night sparring sessions, they all lead here! I'm ready to face whatever they throw at me!"
Her father gave a dramatic bow, nearly toppling over.
"Then go, my daughter! Show the world what it means to be from the Lin Clan! Let them hear your name echo through the Citadel itself!"
Lin grinned, holding onto the envelope.
She could feel the anticipation in her veins like fire.
Tomorrow, she would step into the unknown.
Tomorrow, she would face the first trial of the Heaven's Gauntlet.
She glanced at her parents one last time before heading upstairs to prepare.
"You can count on it!"
Her mother's encouragement and her father's brash confidence felt like armor around her heart.
Whatever awaited her at the Citadel, she would not falter.
Lin Feng could feel it, the first step of her destiny already pulling her forward.
This was the beginning of her journey.
*************
"So, it's about that time already, huh?"
Sitting in an office with short red hair, glasses, and the physique of a bodybuilder, he stared ahead of him with clasped hands, facing a woman.
"Yes sir, January has already arrived."
With a busty body, black hair tied in a ponytail, and a business suit, she perfectly fit the description of a Secretary.
"I've been so busy that I lost track of time." He stood up from his seat, huffing a sigh before walking around his desk. "I don't know the trials of this year's Heavens Gauntlet, so I'd better talk to the Exam Commission beforehand. You're coming with me. Li Wenjing." He said to the secretary. "Your assistance will be much appreciated."
She gave a slight bow.
"I will be glad to accompany you, Mr. Qin."
"Good." He approached the door, holding it open for her first. "Let's not fall too far behind, I'm supposed to be the Head of this year's Exam Commission. I can't disappoint Chairman Wei."
"You're quite bold to forget such an important event." Said Li Wenjing, walking past him and through the door. "Chairman Wei can be unforgiving to those with high responsibilities, Mr. Qin."
He exhaled deeply through his nose as he nodded his head.
"I'm well aware. Now let's make a move on."
He closed the door behind him, leaving his office as they both headed out of their headquarters and into the streets.
Parked in front of their HQ was a limousine waiting for them—alongside a chauffeur dressed formally in a business suit.
"Good morning Mr. Qin and Ms. Li." He gave a small bow, placing his hand over his chest as he opened the back door.
"Morning Wang Qiang." Said Qin, stepping inside the limousine.
"Good morning, Wang Qiang." Said Li, following behind her boss.
Both of them sat at the far end of the vehicle as the chauffeur stepped in front of the door, bowing politely.
"If there is anything you need from me, please ask." He proclaimed, gazing directly at Li Wenjing
"Thank you." Said the secretary, giving a gentle smile.
"Qiang, stop flirting with Secretary Li and get on with your job."
The chauffeur immediately straightened out his body before widening his eyes at his boss's comment. He could feel his cheeks turn red, as he nodded eagerly, closing the door behind him.
"Hmhmhm!" Qin lowered his head, chuckling at his reaction as he sank deep into his seat. "So, when are you two gonna start dating?"
"…That's highly inappropriate, Mr. Qin."
Li Wenjing adjusted her glasses, turning her gaze toward the tinted window as the limousine began to move.
"And unprofessional."
Qin chuckled, resting his arms behind his head.
"Unprofessional? Maybe. Entertaining? Definitely." He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Besides, Wang Qiang's had a crush on you for years. I'm just surprised he hasn't confessed yet."
From the driver's seat came a very audible cough.
Li's lips twitched, just barely.
"Focus on the road, Mr. Wang."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Qin laughed in a deep and carefree manner as his expression slowly sobered up.
His gaze drifted forward, no longer playful.
"Jokes aside… this year's Heavens Gauntlet worries me."
Li turned to face him.
"Why is that?"
"Because of everything that's happening." Qin replied. "We have a decrease in the number of chosen participants. And not to mention, the rise in casualties from last year's trials." He furrowed his brows. "And also the pressure from the higher-ups."
Li nodded her head, understanding where he was coming from.
"Chairman Wei has been pushing for stricter selection, everyone can see that. He believes that Martialists are becoming too… common."
Qin snorted at her response.
"As if anyone who survives the Gauntlet could ever be called 'common.'" He leaned forward, clasping his hands. "Still, if the trials are harsher this year…"
"…Then many won't make it?" Li finished his response as silence settled between them, only broken by the sound of the engine and the city passing by outside.
Skyscrapers gave way to districts of Beijing City, then to long stretches of road leading toward the Citadel's outer zone.
Even from miles away, the structure dominated the skyline. It appeared to be an enormous, ancient fortress of stone and steel that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves.
"I'm tired of watching people die every year, Li Wenjing." He closed his eyes, remembering the past. "They always start the Heavens Gauntlet full of life and vigor, only to have it stripped away from them in the end. It's something I can't stand."
Li glanced out the tinted window, sympathizing with her boss.
"I understand how you feel, Mr. Qin, however, it's part of our job."
"…It may be our job, but that doesn't mean we have to like it."
Li turned to face him.
"Spoken like someone who still has a conscience."
Qin gave a big, beastly smile.
"Someone has to remind you of yours when you pretend not to have one."
The limousine rolled onward as the Citadel grew larger with every passing minute; only they knew what kind of place awaited ahead.