The sound of their first collision echoed across the arena.
Sun Xun moved backward half a step.
Song Jia moved two.
Neither had fallen.
Neither had gained enough advantage to matter.
Then both attacked again.
The audience erupted.
Gong Yu leaned forward.
For the first time, he was watching Song Jia without trying to explain away what he saw.
Every movement had meaning now.
Every familiar stance.
Every transition his grandfather had taught him in simplified form.
General Song Jia had not merely left techniques behind.
General Song Jia was using them below him.
Beside him, Wen Jun still appeared slightly dazed.
"So..."
He lowered his voice.
"She really is him?"
Gong Yuhan immediately frowned.
"Careful with your wording."
Wen Jun looked confused.
Gong Yuhan glanced toward the arena.
"The General you know from history was a man."
"Yes."
"But the person standing there now is Song Jia."
He paused.
"She is a woman."
Wen Jun slowly nodded.
