Chapter 58: Wrath

Chapter 58: Wrath

~~~

I surrender.

Liu Jins words come as an anti-climax. For a moment, the people are left blinking, wondering what just happened. By the time Liu Jins words sink in, the announcers hand has already come up.

Liu Jin of the Xiao Sect has surrendered. Yun Han of the Yun Sect wins!

The words echo across the arena, making many frowns appear on the crowd. Mutters, murmurs, and grumbles are aplenty, for no one had wanted the fight to end just yet. Even though everyone was sure Liu Jin had no chance against Yun Han, they had allowed themselves to become invested in the fight. Every second kept surpassing their expectations. During the last clash, people stood and cheered for both sides, blanketing the arena with deafening noise.

All that is over now.

Yun Han has won. It is the conclusion everyone expected, yet the way in which it happened leaves a sour taste in their mouths.

However, their feelings cannot possibly be compared to Yun Hans.

His victory has been declared, yet the corona of Qi around Yun Han does not fade away. It keeps on burning with violent intent.

Surrender? Yun Han echoes, his voice stilted by rage. You surrender?

The rubble around Yun Han crumbles under the weight of his Qi.

His face is pale and sweaty. Green-ish marks have appeared on his skin, and his breathing is heavier than usual. It is clear that his body is feeling the effects of the poison.

However, Yun Han still has more than enough power to kill Liu Jin.

Do you think Ill allow such a thing!

The rules of the tournament are not something we have control over, Yun Han, Liu Jin replies, getting ready to defend himself should it be needed. We fought, yet it is clear I was not your match.

Yun Hans glare is fulminating in its intensity.

I have pushed myself too far during this fight and can no longer continue. Thus, I surrendered. Surely, you cannot find fault with this? The rules allow us to surrender at any moment. Is that not so?

The announcer gulps as Liu Jin aims the question at him. Suddenly, he is the target of Yun Hans ire. His glare demands the announcer to deny Liu Jin and allow the fight to continue. Right now, there is nothing Yun Han wants more than that.

Yun Han may have won the match, but Liu Jin has wounded him too deeply for Yun Han to ever forgive him.

It is not because of the poison. Liu Jin is certain that Yun Hans body will be able to fight it off eventually. No, what Liu Jin damaged is not Yun Hans body.

It is his pride.

Yun Han fought against someone he surpassed in almost every way, and in the end, he was hurt by that person. He planned to harm Liu Jin, yet Liu Jin is completely unharmed while Yun Han is the one whose body is wounded.

In fact, Yun Han did not score a single hit on Liu Jin throughout the entire fight.

No matter how Yun Han looks at it, the entire fight is a deliberate insult to his person, one he cannot stand. It is only natural for Yun Han to be as angry as he is. However, Liu Jins surrender has taken away his opportunity for immediate retaliation, leaving him without an outlet for his wrath.

No matter how much he wants to, Yun Han cannot attack Liu Jin right now. The only thing he can do is to stand by and let Liu Jin walk away.

It is, without a doubt, the sort of situation that makes one cough blood.

All that frustration is now aimed at the lone announcer.

I...I P-Participant Liu Jin is co-correct, the announcer manages to stutter out, impressing Liu Jin. Then again, if he sided with Yun Han, the wrath of the Xiao Sect would come down on him. When caught between the two, siding with the Xiao Sect is only natural.

A guttural sound leaves Yun Hans throat.

How sad it must be to blame others for your inadequacy.

Xiao Fang makes his entrance with all the confidence in the world. Everyone had been so caught up by Liu Jin and Yun Han that they completely failed to take notice of his arrival.

Is that so? Out with it then!

Unlike Wu Yan, Xiao Fang makes no effort to lower his voice.

I am afraid I must ask about the poisonous Qi you used in your fight against Young Master Yun Han. It is important for his treatment, Wu Yan says in a voice Liu Jin barely hears.

What is there to say? It is merely Poison-attuned Qi. Liu Jin shrugs his shoulders. Surely, someone of your caliber can easily treat Yun Hans condition. After all, you are Doctor Wus son, who is the greatest doctor in Eastern Port City. Were you not eager to show off your medical skills? How could someone trained by a doctor who cannot use Qi say something that might help you?

Wu Yan says nothing. Liu Jin lets the silence drag on.

Unless, he says at last. You are saying you do not know how to treat Yun Han. In that case, I can assure you that Yun Han is in no danger. His body will naturally overcome the poison in time. Though I am not sure if that will happen before the tournament ends. I imagine the Yun Sect wont like that.

Wu Yan pales, something which doesnt escape Xiao Fangs notice.

Is that how it is then? Are you saying your skills are so poor, you must now ask the one who wounded Yun Han to heal him?

Xiao Fangs words are not the least bit quiet. They make their way to even the furthest seat in the arena.

Everyone heard.

Everyone knows.

The fight against Yun Han is a complete success.

~~~

That went even better than expected.

Wu Yan panicked, Liu Jin says. The prospect of not being able to heal Yun Han scared him. Hed have never thought to ask for help so publically otherwise.

The two are making their way back to the Xiao Sects private room.

To think hed so thoroughly shame himself and Yun Han. The smile on Xiao Fangs face is the truest one Liu Jin has ever seen from him. Congratulations, you performed your part flawlessly.

By asking help from Liu Jin, Wu Yan had admitted his own skills were not good enough to counter Liu Jins poison. Furthermore, he placed Yun Han in a position in which he needed Liu Jins help

Liu Jin had, of course, given it, and thus had twice shamed Yun Han in one day.

To be honest, Liu Jin is surprised Yun Han had retained enough self-control not to attack him while he was treating him.

I suppose I did.

Xiao Fang glances at him out of the corner of his eyes. You do not look happy. You fought Yun Han and got as close to victory as someone like you can. I expected you to be prouder of yourself.

I am not sure if I have anything to be proud of, Liu Jin replies honestly.

Hed deliberately baited Yun Han, stoked his anger, and humiliated him.

Is that something to be happy about?

Xiao Fang sighs. Yet again, I cannot understand you at all. Fine! Ill make sure to bask enough for the both of us.

This time it is Liu Jin who looks at Xiao Fang out of the corner of his eye.

Will you be okay?

After all, Liu Jin is already out of the competition, but Xiao Fang is still in it. Yun Han and Wu Yan have both been humiliated today. They cannot take revenge on Liu Jin through the tournament, but Xiao Fang is still a valid target.

It is still much too early for someone like you to worry about me. You played your part well enough. Allow me to take care of the rest.

~~~