15 Preparations

The finals of the martial arts event was different from every other competition, not only because there were hundreds of people watching, but there was sanctioned betting as well.

I had asked father’s permission to bring Ling with me, which he only acquiesced after my sister pointed out that I would probably need a good massage before the bout.

The lead servant had gone out of his way to train her in massages before she became my personal maid, which stood to reason now that I was on the receiving end of so many fans. More than once, Zhi and mother had asked me for permission to ask Ling to give them a massage. I had never refused, so she became an important member of the household, so much that my father was planning on taking her with us when we left the Capital.

Back on the grounds of the Competition, I was surprised when I was welcomed by people chanting my name.

Clearly, word had gone around about my bout with Fa Min, and more people came to witness the finals. Although those who had witnessed the whole event would be having bittersweet emotions, knowing who I would be facing, but for the time being, they enjoyed themselves in the furor of the event.

From my tent, I was staring at the people outside and, to my utter surprise, found Bai Fan sitting with an older man (who I suppose was her father) in a pavilion of their own, close to the emperor.

The emperor sat on his raised chair like every time I had seen him, but unlike before, many of his most trusted advisors and prime ministers were present too.

“I don’t know how you’re not nervous!” My sister hissed, taking in the same sight as I did.

“Who says I’m not nervous, mei-mei?” I smiled.

“You don’t act nervous!” she lightly bit her thumb “I would be a mess on the floor. I mean, look at me” she showed me her hands and I could see them trembling “I’m like this and I’m not even the one participating!!”

I chuckled lightly and hugged her, giving her some comfort as well as taking some.

“Don’t worry mei-mei, your ge-ge will be fine.” She returned the hug, and we remained like that for a moment before she pushed me away. I let her go willingly and my smile widened when I saw her fighting back tears. “Ling.”

Ling came forward with a trembling smile, clearly affected by the environment.

“Will you please accompany my sister to the family’s pavilion? I need to get ready.” I smiled at her, placing my hand on her shoulder, to ease some of her nerves too.

Ling bowed and silently took my sister away.

Inside the silent tent, I took a minute to center myself and meditate. I needed to be at my best for this fight. Fa Min had been right. According to Heng Li, his brother was a good fighter, but he also had too much pride. And to make matters worse, I couldn’t touch him.

My chi would aid me there, but I still had to be very careful about how I handled this fight.

Using the earth elemental-breathing technique, I settled my nerves and recomposed my breathing, and then proceeded to gather as much Chi as I dared inside my body.

When I heard my name being called by the imperial announcer a minute later, I was ready.