Chương 38: Chapter 36

A gentle yet firm touch on my shoulder wakes me, and I blink several times before seeing Lianhua leaning over me, her usual calm expression and small smile in place.

"Zhāohuán Wen", she says softly.

"It's time to get up. Breakfast will be ready shortly."

"Thank you, Lianhua", I murmur, still sleepy, as I rub my eyes. Her help in sitting me up is efficient as always, and she settles me in bed before starting to take out the clothes I'm going to wear. I let out a sigh as she begins to dress me with quick, delicate movements. The clothes are simple and appropriate for a quiet morning, but her attention to every detail always makes them look special. Once I'm ready, she sits me in my chair and calmly pushes me through the palace corridors.

As we move forward, the freshness of the morning air finishes waking me up. The smell of tea and freshly baked rolls begins to fill the air as we approach the dining room. Upon entering, I see my mother already seated in her usual place, along with Lingxi and Xia. The little girl looks half asleep as she curls up in her chair, but she suddenly raises her head when she hears the sound of the wheels.

"Wen!" Xia exclaims, almost jumping up.

"Good morning!"

"Good morning, Xia", I reply with a smile. Lianhua seats me at the table and sits down next to me. My mother, impeccably dressed as always, gives me a slight smile.

"Did you sleep well?" she asks in her calm, authoritative voice.

"Yes, Mother. I'm ready for the day", I assure her as I take a cup of tea offered by Lianhua. Breakfast passes with light conversation, but soon my mother clears her throat to get my attention.

"The tournament opening ceremony will be mid-morning", she tells me.

"Lianhua already knows how you should dress. I hope you're prepared to keep up appearances even though you have little interest in the event."

"I understand, Mother", I reply seriously. Xia, who was putting a bun in her mouth, looks up with interest before saying "Can I go too?" My mother gives me a meaningful look, making it clear that it's up to me to handle the situation. My heart sinks a little as I know how unsafe it would be for her to be in that place, surrounded by the people who destroyed her family, even though she's coming with us.

"Xia", I say carefully.

"I'm going to do you a favor and not make you come, since it's a long and boring event."

"Why is it going to be boring?" she protests, frowning.

"There will be speeches", I explain patiently, though unable to hide a hint of resignation.

"Endless speeches by people who think they're important and will try to make themselves seem even more so, while at the same time saying things that only interest themselves. Nothing exciting for anyone, but unfortunately, it's something I'm forced to endure."

"Speeches? They're not going to fight?" she asks me with a mixture of disappointment and confusion at the words I've said just to confuse her. My mother then intervenes to save me from the mess "The fights won't start until late afternoon. In the morning, there will only be speeches and formalities." Xia's enthusiasm fades as her face takes on an expression of pure disappointment "Oh... then I'd better stay here and play."

"Don't get too excited", I say with a mischievous smile.

"You have to finish the book you left yesterday, and tomorrow I'll ask you questions about it." Xia puffs out her cheeks indignantly and takes a bun, biting into it harder than necessary. Seeing her, I can't help but chuckle before focusing on breakfast again. After breakfast, Lianhua takes me back to my room. There, with the help of a maid, she begins the task of dressing us for the event. It is the first time I have worn such an elaborate outfit, worthy of an imperial princess. The dress is a work of art.

Red silk with gold embroidery depicting dragons and phoenixes, along with long, wide sleeves that barely reveal my hands. The outfit also includes several layers, each heavier than the last, and a brocade belt that cinches my waist with a jade ornament in the center. My hair, carefully combed, is adorned with hairpins and pins that sparkle in the light with flashes of color.

"This is worse than a costume", I murmur as I try to move with difficulty.

"It's perfect for you, Zhāohuán Wen", Lianhua tells me as she adjusts the last hairpin. After finishing with me, she dresses in an equally luxurious outfit in shades of blue and silver, but one that clearly gives her more freedom of movement than mine. As I watch her, elegant and majestic, I can't help but feel a little tiny.

"Take me to the chair", I say when she's done.

"At least that way I'll be more comfortable in this monstrous costume."

"Don't talk like that, Zhāohuán Wen", she replies calmly.

"Besides, I can't. Guifei Xiang ordered me to carry you in my arms today, so we can't use the chair." I grumble as I feel my dignity slipping away again "Don't you think I'm a little too big for you to carry me around like that?"

"Not so much, Zhāohuán Wen", she says as she picks me up with ease. When we arrive at the meeting point, my mother is still not there, and we have to wait a long time before she shows up. But when she does, the reason is clear. Her dress is spectacular as always. Golden silk embroidered with peonies and cranes, symbols of prosperity and longevity, along with a few pieces of jewelry that, although discreet, reveal her great taste. Lingxi, at her side, wears an equally elaborate outfit in shades of green and silver.

"Are we all ready?" my mother asks as she looks at our small group.

"Yes, Mother", I reply. After my words, my mother leads our small group out into the courtyard, where about twenty Nei Wei are already waiting for us in formation. Their ceremonial armor glitters in the sun, elegant and luxurious, but clearly functional. But also, when the doors open, the noise of a crowd that seems to be outside the palace fills the air. I see my mother approach the Nei Wei and exchange a few words with the Nei Baihu.

After their brief conversation, my mother motions for us to join her next to a small carriage in the center of the courtyard. Without hesitation, we head over and climb into the carriage. Once we are settled, the Nei Wei form a line around us, ready to escort us. After checking that everything is in order, Nei Baihu gives the order to open the gates, and the Nei Wei on guard obey her orders, revealing the square on the other side of the walls.

After the gates are opened, and under the curious gaze of the people standing in front of them, the Nei Wei advance, causing the crowd to part before the armed force approaching them, which seems to promise a very painful fate if they get in their way. Looking at the crowded square, I can't help but compare it to the concerts and soccer games of my old world. But here, instead of cameras and phones, there are looks of respect and curiosity, and the palpable force of the Nei Wei pushing the crowd back like a wave.

The crowd parts on both sides as the Nei Wei advance relentlessly, marking the way for the carriage with their formation. I watch through the window as people step back, some with gestures of respect, others with fear, and a few with curiosity they don't bother to hide. There are cries of complaint in the distance, but no one dares to stand in our way. The pace of the carriage is slow, forced by the number of people heading in the same direction, as if the whole city had decided to gather today.

"Are there always so many people at these ceremonies, Mother?" I ask, without taking my eyes off the bustle outside, unable to believe that in a culture like this, people stop working for a whole day just to go and watch a tournament that will not affect them in the slightest.

"During important tournaments, yes", she replies in a calm and distant tone.

"Apart from the participants, many people come to gamble, others out of curiosity, and finally some simply because they want to be part of something bigger." The carriage turns a corner and joins a wider avenue, and we drive along it until we enter an area of the city I have never been to before. Normally, my outings are limited to the shopping area or somewhere near the main square, but this place is completely new to me.

The journey continues, and as I look out the window, I begin to catch glimpses of a huge building rising above the rooftops of the other buildings. The carriage continues on until we finally emerge into a large square crowded with people, and in the center of it all is the building I had glimpsed before, a gigantic and majestic structure that I can't help but compare to the modern stadiums of my former world, although I soon realize that it's not a fair comparison.

"What is that building?" I ask, turning my head toward my mother.

"It's the combat arena", she replies.

"This is where the selection fights will take place over the next few months. It's a place built specifically for duels and battles between cultivators." My thoughts immediately drift to the Roman Colosseum, with its crowded stands and spectacle-like atmosphere, but as I look at the building in more detail, the comparison begins to fall apart. The arena's architecture is overly ornate, with curved roofs and statues of what I now hope are mythological animals.

All of this, along with an excess of golden details, makes the entire building more of a statement of wealth and power than a simple functional structure. The carriage stops near the main entrance, but not where the crowd is concentrated. The guards who stop us exchange words with the Nei Baihu before directing us to a side entrance. As we continue on, I notice that the guards around this entrance seem to be turning away anyone who approaches.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Upon arrival, the Nei Wei quickly create a perimeter around the carriage and unceremoniously expel everyone nearby. A few cries of protest fill the air, but no one is brave or suicidal enough to do anything more than complain. Once everything seems safe, the Nei Baihu personally opens the carriage door, and Lingxi is the first to descend, helping my mother down gracefully.

Lianhua follows, holding me carefully as we exit. Despite my internal grumbling about my dignity, I can't help but feel a little grateful for her strength and patience in these situations. Once we have all disembarked, some of the Nei Wei form a tight perimeter around us as we make our way to the entrance, while the rest remain behind to guard the carriage. As we cross the gates, the change in atmosphere is immediate. The corridor we walk through is decorated so lavishly that it borders on the ridiculous.

The wooden panels are carved with scenes of dragons and phoenixes lacquered with precious metals, the paper lamps are adorned with gold details, the ceiling is decorated with constellations formed by what I assume are gems, and the floors shine as if they had been polished for days. Even the Pavilion of the Scent of Clouds where I resided in the imperial palace was less ornate than this hallway. The hallway leads us to a spacious, overly decorated box overlooking the interior of the arena.

From here, the view is breathtaking and the size of the arena is overwhelming, as at first glance it appears to be even larger than the Colosseum in Rome.

"Tàishǒu Wu Zhānglóng, it is an honor that you have invited us", I hear my mother say as her voice, sharper than usual, interrupts my thoughts. I look at her and see that she is being approached by a short, fat man dressed in a mixture of colors and jewelry that makes my eyes want to close so I don't have to look at him anymore.

"The honor is mine, Guifei Xiang, for accepting my invitation", he replies to my mother in a smooth voice laden with a tone that is too friendly for my taste, after which he turns to look at me.

"I suppose this young lady must be Zhāohuán Wen." My mother nods and looks at me seriously as she says "Greet the Tàishǒu, Zhāohuán Wen." I hold back a sigh and, suppressing my urge to spit in his face for his involvement in what happened to Ling Xia's family, I put on the best polite smile I can muster and say with the formality instilled in me during my etiquette lessons as I bow my head slightly "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tàishǒu Wu Zhānglóng."

He laughs, seemingly delighted, while ignoring me and saying to my mother "She is a well-mannered girl, no doubt. I wish my own children would show me half that much respect." My mother thanks him for his words in a polite tone, and the two engage in light conversation, but I actively decide to ignore their conversation and, pointing to a somewhat secluded armchair that seems to have a good view of the arena, I quietly tell Lianhua to sit me down in it.

Lianhua obeys without comment and settles me into the seat I have pointed out. From here, I realize that I was not mistaken and the view of the arena is magnificent. The view alone is a spectacle in itself, with the seats in the stands gradually filling up, which makes me feel a little like I imagine a Roman emperor would have felt when attending the shows at the Colosseum. The stadium fills up as the minutes pass.

The stands, at first dotted with scattered groups, now look like a sea of bright colors that fluctuate and undulate with the movement of the crowd. From my privileged seat, I have a clear view of the entire venue, and my attention is inevitably drawn to the arena's architecture. The proportions of the building are impressive, and I can't help but try to decipher its secrets. As I gaze at the sandy terrain in the center, my mind wanders to an intriguing idea.

Could this place have something similar to the hypogeum of the Colosseum, a system of trapdoors and mechanisms under the sand that connects to some underground level? The image of gladiators and beasts emerging from the shadows as they were imagined in the movies of my previous world is vividly drawn in my mind, making me wonder if something similar would be possible here, and the idea of a hidden space beneath our feet, full of secrets, is difficult to ignore.

I lean back slightly in my seat, focusing my attention on the arena. If there is anything beneath the surface, there are no obvious signs. The sand seems solid, uniform, with no traces of trapdoors or moving structures. Could it be that this world does not have the same inclination toward theatrical spectacles as my previous world? Or perhaps the increased strength provided by cultivation makes mechanisms for lifting heavy weights less necessary and therefore they are more backward in engineering matters.

A fascinating topic to think about, but one best left for another day. While I am lost in thought, more people begin to enter the box. Some greet my mother and the Tàishǒu with exaggerated courtesies, bowing deeply and smiling broadly. My attention is momentarily diverted to them, and I notice that among the new arrivals are four men who stand out because of their prominent positions in the area of honor.

Their clothing, more ornate than that of the others, along with their confident attitudes, make it clear that they are not just any guests. My mind quickly classifies them, and I realize that they must be the leaders of the four families who perpetrated the Zhū Jiǔ Zú against Ling Xia's family. I contemplate their gestures for a moment before deciding that they do not deserve my attention, and I take a deep breath before returning to my observation of the arena and the bustle of the crowd.

The stadium is now full, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice the Tàishǒu standing up. I watch curiously as he pulls a talisman from his sleeve and attaches it to his chest. As soon as he does, he begins to speak, his voice echoing throughout the stadium, amplified as if he were speaking into a microphone. The effect is striking, and after my initial surprise, it makes me wonder how useful talismans really are, having seen firsthand that they are not only useful for combat.

"Welcome, cultivators, dignitaries, and citizens", he begins, in a theatrical tone that seems rehearsed.

"Today we gather to celebrate the start of an event that not only defines strength and ingenuity, but also symbolizes the greatness of our city and our people." At first, I try to pay attention, but I soon realize that his speech could be called 'Generic Speech Number X'. The self-aggrandizing phrases and cultural references remind me too much of the political speeches of my old world. Only the mentions of cultivation and the Celestial Fragment of the Sands set it apart.

Fortunately, the Tàishǒu finally gets to the important stuff.

"This year, we have 15, 963 cultivators participating. To accommodate this number, the arena will be divided into ten sections, allowing for simultaneous duels. The fights will be elimination rounds, and only the winners will advance to the next round. This process will continue until there are 4, 000 selected, who will receive their pass to the Heavenly Fragment of the Sands." My eyebrows raise slightly.

It's no wonder the tournament lasts two months, as even the tournament format is designed to increase its duration and make people from outside the city stay as long as possible, but the Tàishǒu continues to speak, and I focus on his words.

"Once the 4, 000 have been selected, those who wish to continue competing for greater glory may do so", the Tàishǒu continues.

"The tournament will continue with the participants who choose to do so until the best remain, and the three finalists will receive prizes and rewards." I close my eyes for a moment, trying to process what this means. Two months of constant combat, with thousands of participants. A perfectly designed machine to squeeze the most out of both the entertainment and the pockets of those involved.

Finally, the Tàishǒu closes his speech with a thank you: "We are especially grateful for the presence of Guifei Xiang and Zhāohuán Wen, who honor this event as representatives of the imperial family." I glance sideways at my mother, who stands up and nods slightly to the crowd, impeccable in her composure. After waiting for my mother to sit back down, the Tàishǒu declares the tournament open and announces a short break to prepare the arena before the first fights.

My eyes return to the center of the arena, where assistants enter and begin measuring and dividing the ground with ropes to create the ten sections mentioned. It is a meticulous process, but disappointingly simple. There are no trapdoors or hidden mechanisms like in my wild fantasies, but simply a group of people with ropes and stakes, so I sigh in disappointment. Maids enter the box carrying trays full of food, and I take advantage of the break to ask Lianhua to get me something.

She nods and returns with a simple but surprisingly delicious dish. As I enjoy my meal, something catches my attention. Among the stands, street vendors move around offering food to the spectators, which makes me think that certain habits seem to be universal, no matter what world you find yourself in. However, I am left wondering whether these vendors work on their own or are part of the governor's plan to make more money from the show.

I finish eating just as the governor discreetly signals to one of his assistants. He hurriedly leaves the room, and a few minutes later, the arena begins to fill with participants. The audience's reaction is immediate, and voices rise in a growing murmur, full of anticipation for the start of the show. Unable to help myself, I get caught up in the energy of the moment and experience a mixture of excitement and curiosity that makes me eagerly await the start of the show.

The tournament arena unfolds before me like a bloody and deadly tableau, but with an almost choreographed precision. Twenty participants enter the arena, all with hardened faces and confident movements, like perfectly calibrated pieces of war machinery. The organizers, in a mixture of mechanical efficiency and martial authority, quickly divide the competitors into groups of two and lead them to their respective combat areas.

Each match begins with a clear signal from the referee, who seems unperturbed by the violence unfolding before him. After the fight, the winners receive a token, a tangible symbol of their victory, while the losers who cannot get up on their own are removed from the arena by a team of assistants arriving with stretchers, acting quickly and without ceremony so as not to delay the show.

At first, I fooled myself into thinking that this tournament would be similar to those in my previous world, perhaps with clear sporting rules and a more celebratory atmosphere. But as the fights unfold, it becomes clear that this idealized image was far from reality. More than a sporting tournament, the spectacle is a bloody reminder of the brutality inherent in this world.

Comparing it to the bloody stories of the gladiators of the Roman Colosseum, which were mostly exaggerated since in reality there were almost no actual deaths in their fights, now seems not only appropriate but disturbingly accurate. In each fight, the floor of the arena is stained crimson, which stands out even from this distance. There are no simulated weapons or restrictions to ensure the safety of the participants. The blows are real, forceful, and often incapacitating.

I remember the superhuman speed and strength I witnessed in the fight between Lianhua and the assassin, and later during the confrontation between the Nei Wei and the Yao clan guards. But this... this is different. Here, the combatants do not hold back as in the Nei Wei confrontation or focus on defending me as in Lianhua's case.

The only rule seems to be to stop when one of them can no longer continue, either because they surrender or because the referee intervenes after coldly assessing the condition of the fighters and deciding that one of them cannot continue fighting. I shudder to see a participant receive a direct blow that throws him several meters backward, landing with a sound that makes me imagine the crunching of his bones.

Although I know that my own strength has increased after Muscle Tempering, a fact I confirmed by doing some experiments, the idea of applying that strength in a fight like this is terrifying to me. If in the fights I saw before people were holding back, here there is no room for mercy. I look around the box and realize that my discomfort is not shared by the others. The people in the box, including my mother, watch the show as if it were an everyday occurrence.

They comment among themselves on the participants' skills, exchange bets, and laugh at failed strategies. This normalization of violence forces me to bite the bullet and continue watching, as sooner or later I will have to get used to this. Time passes, but the brutality of the show does not diminish. I try to force myself to get used to the spectacle, but just when I start to feel that I can't take it anymore, something strange happens.

An indefinable sensation, a tug at my conscience, makes me fix my gaze on one corner of the arena. There, among the participants, a man wearing a mask that completely hides his face catches my attention. His clothing is identical to that of the other competitors, but what he is carrying in his hand is what really baffles me. His sword, which is clearly of European design, is an anomaly in this world of Eastern-inspired weapons. I squint, trying to discern more details, but the distance makes it difficult.

However, that feeling of familiarity continues to call to me. Something about him seems strange but familiar, as if a forgotten part of my mind is trying to remind me of something important, and suddenly I realize that this feeling is similar to something I have felt before, so I look at his hands and, after glimpsing something that I hope I am mistaken about, I turn to Lianhua.

"Lianhua", I whisper urgently. My bodyguard leans toward me, and after checking that no one is paying attention to us, I whisper in her ear.

"Look at that man with the mask. The one with the strange sword. Tell me if you can see what he's holding in his right hand." Lianhua follows my gaze and fixes her eyes on the man. Her reaction is immediate, and she gives a slight start, giving me a look of disbelief that she quickly tries to hide. As she turns back to me, I gesture for her not to say anything. After a moment, she simply nods, confirming my suspicions.

I close my eyes for a moment, bringing my hands to my face as my mind fills with a single phrase that echoes with irony and frustration "What the hell is that fool doing here?"