Vera sat beside Aspartese; the railings creaked as he gripped them.
The air, serried with qi, shimmered with blinding hues. The density of each blow formed red glows that bit into the world like gashes. As their swords clashed the atmosphere beat as a heart would.
At the moment of contact, the arena became hellfire. Wind ran away from the centre the moment their blades touched.
The sheer force caused Vera's robes to flutter aggressively, even though he sat a third of a li away from the battlefield.
His pupils shifted frantically as he observed the exchanges.
His breath hitched.
I... can't follow the fight.
His ears rung at every beat. Their steps left dents even in the arena's black iron tiles.
Even the simplest of swings carried the power of Vera's 'Incinerate' in the body of a sword.
Aspartese pulled Vera back from the railing, his palm outstretched to the battlefield. "A big one is coming. Brace yourself."
Vera leaned back into his chair; qi seared through his flesh, fortifying it. His eyes quivered as he waited for the impact.
Aspartese's qi formed a dense barrier in front of them; light contorted as it touched the barrier he had set up casually.
The heat in the arena rose by multiple degrees. Vera's skin baked; each breath scorched his throat. The air ran thin; only gasps could sustain him.
It was only a moment.
First came a brightness that engulfed the afternoon sun.
Then followed pure destruction.
As the remnant qi clashed with Aspartese's barrier, a deafening howl sounded. The qi that collided with the barrier caused the wind to compress into a tidal wave.
The wave caused every bone in Vera's body to reverberate. His head throbbed as though he had been concussed.
Blood seeped from Vera's nose and ears, but his eyes were still stuck to the fight.
Is this really just the Second Synergy?
He recounted his exchanges with the One Law participants. Most could be overwhelmed with strategy and strength. However, the Second Synergy...
How would I fight something I can't even see?
In what was a second, the two combatants unleashed imperious barrages. Sword nets were built and shattered in a fraction of a breath.
The collection of their slashes blurred into a single blade arc.
He was a fool for even asking to be seeded in. He thought Aspartese's rejection was insulting.
Now that he saw them in action, he realised—
He was being generous about my abilities.
As the shockwave receded, the battle had also reached its end. A monolithic man stood with pride, his great sword's edge pressed against his opponent's neck.
His hair was haggard. With numerous cuts across his body, he gazed at the stands. Cheers erupted from the second branch's seating area.
This was the fourth win they had over the first branch in the events.
As for Vera, his fingers dug into the iron railings; blood seeped through his bludgeoned nails.
I only saw two things clearly in this fight.
He gritted his teeth; the pressure ground off enamel.
How it started and how it ended.
Most disciples at the One Law rank and under bleed through their orifices. Even with their branch masters' protection, the magnitude of the battles left them reeling.
Though the branch masters were unbothered by the aftershock.
While Vera wasn't injured as much as the rest, his world view had shattered. He couldn't help but ask himself.
Do I even qualify to be ranked amongst people like this?
Having been an indomitable force for most of his life, the reality of not being able to follow a single exchange crushed him.
Vera's gaze fell to his bloodied fingertips, the cheers of the people around him faded into a white noise.
As Vera reflected over his own deficiencies, the various branch members consolidated the final match's outcomes.
They all waited for the vice-master to announce the results.
A few moments later, Tong Xuan walked up to the centre of the arena and raised the massive man's arm to the sky. "Zhou Wei, practitioner of the Heavy Sword and Impact Law, wins."
The two combatants exchanged a martial salute and returned to their stands.
Tong Xuan leant over to the arena's tiles and tapped it gently. The black iron tiles creaked loudly; their dented surfaces were flattened back into how they were before the fight.
Murmurs filled the stand at this scene.
Aspartese handed Vera a tissue to wipe the blood from his face; his gaze was stuck to Tong Xuan. "No matter how many times I see him, I feel fear. How could a branch's vice-master be so strong?"
The two sat alone in their seating area.
Only Vera and Aspartese remained from the sixth branch. Most were sent back because they wouldn't be able to handle the aftershock.
This was the case for all the branches; only key disciples and branch masters remained to watch the Second-Synergy matches.
Just then Tong Xuan called for the viewers' attention. Aspartese patted Vera's back, signalling for him to pay attention to the vice-master.
Still dazed from the Second Synergy matches, Vera listened to Tong Xuan blankly.
"Unfortunately, due to the absence of Elder Zhang Li, we don't have enough elders to stabilise the effect of higher-tier battles. We will have to postpone the remaining matches for a later date. I sincerely apologise for this delay."
Everyone accepted what Tong Xuan had said without any defiance. While the man was personable, no one dared disrespect a Seventh Synergy master.
Tong Xuan turned to face the first branch's seating area.
"The highest scorer this year is the first branch. Losing only six matches, most of which were in the One Law tournament."
Even though it was a good outcome, the branch members gritted their teeth; red streaks formed over their eyes.
The margin of victory was too slim for the prestige of the main branch.
He then turned to the second branch's seating.
"In the second place, this year is the second branch. Their highest score was from the Second Synergy events."
Unlike the first branch, the second was overjoyed by this year's outcome. The gap between them and the main branch thinned significantly.
Elder spoke between themselves on how to manage the gains from the competition.
Following the second place announcement, third branch members sat in wait for their rank.
They had taken the third for as long as they could remember and they didn't expect the placement to change this year either.
However, their expressions turned to a grimace as Tong Xuan skipped over them and looked to the sixth branch seating area. A rare smile appeared on Tong Xuan's face as he looked toward Vera.
"For the first time since the inception of the yearly events, the top three rankings have changed. At third place is the sixth branch. Undefeated, in the One Law events. The biggest point drain for the first and second branch."
While most realised Vera didn't lose a single match in the One Law events, they didn't understand just how many points it was worth.
Tong Xuan pointed to the tally board.
"In the double elimination rounds the sixth branch won all their matches, considering the two time placement multiplier, they earned fifty eight points."
A hundred glares pierced Vera. Though they also looked at Aspartese, their gazes couldn't pierce his thick skin.
Aspartese jerked Vera around aggressively, his grin reaching the corner of his eyes.
"I'll buy you everything on the menu tonight!"
Vera, on the other hand, stared at the railing blankly, wiping the blood off his face.
If an image could define contrast, this would be it; the two of them resembled the mark of taiji.
The vice-master continued to announce the remaining rankings. The remaining branches maintained the same positions they had last year.
After paying his respects to the Blade Master, Tong Xuan concluded the inter-branch competition.
One by one the seating areas were emptied out. Most masters left early so that their disciples could recuperate. As for Aspartese, he couldn't be bothered to socialise with the first and second branch members.
Without much dallying, he and Vera went back to the Heavenly Peng.
***
The sound of a hundred thumping boots formed a low chorus. Myriad attendants rushed through the corridors, passing out a piece of paper.
Guests were allowed to enter, but no one could leave. Worried mutters filled the halls.
Vera and Aspartese stood silently at the entrance, observing the situation. Aspartese looked at the guests that were being held back. Most of them were from renowned families; even branch masters were caught in the lockdown.
Men and woman shivered in silence, the thought of escape far from their minds.
Anyone who tried to leave was swiftly dealt with by an elder from the first branch and turned to a signboard of consequence. Twenty or so people sat tied up in the hall's corner, their faces battered to a pulp.
Aspartese rubbed his bearded chin; his expression didn't bear its usual leisure.
"Why is an elder from the third young master's faction here? And why is he enforcing the lockdown?"
Despite their authority in the region, even the young master factions couldn't restrain renowned families without a good reason.
While Aspartese stood in contemplation, Vera looked through the attendants to find hotelier Jin. "Old man, don't waste your time guessing. Seeing that all the attendants are working on orders, Jin Jian should be able to clue us in."
Aspartese nodded silently. "You look for the hotelier. I'll see if Yinchen is willing to give me the details. Meet me back here in thirty minutes and bring back any juniors you see on the way."
"Alright, I'll do that."
The two split from the gate and went into the crowd.
Vera looked for where most attendants gathered, in hopes of finding Jin. After speaking with a few of the employees, Vera found where Jin Jian would be and also received a piece of paper.
He quickly went to the contents as he walked to the second-floor staff office.
It was a description. They were looking for a man in his mid-twenties around a seventh of a zhang. Last seen on the fifth floor around 3 AM.
Vera's gaze sharpened as he read the details.
Didn't I get back around that time?
Though he was far from what the description highlighted.
Average height and pale skin, isn't that a bit too simple?
However, Vera did have an inkling as to who it could be. But, he'd rather pluck his tongue out before he revealed his connection to that man.
Well, it's only a guess. No point in stressing over it without certainty.
After a minute or so of slipping through the crowded hallways, Vera found Jin Jian outside the staff centre on the second floor.
The skin around his eyes was dark. He looked almost dazed, far from the dignified hotelier he usually was.
He looked at Vera with a dull smile. "Ahh... warrior Vera, you're just who I was looking for."
He walked up to Vera and shook hands with him; his grip was clearly weakened by fatigue. "You were on the fifth floor around three in the night. Seeing that you already have the description in hand, do you recall seeing someone like that on the floor?"
Vera pulled out his flask of salted water and handed it to Jin. "Take a sip; it should help with the fatigue. As for the description, it's rather generic. If you could tell me why you're looking for this person, I may be able to recall that night better."
Worn out by the day's work, Jin drained the flask immediately. His pale complexion bettered after a moment.
After wiping his mouth dry, he looked to Vera. "Thanks for the water; I really needed it. As for the details, you will find out about this soon, so I don't mind telling you now. But you must not reveal this to anyone until it's public."
Vera nodded with a solemn expression.
'I'll find out in time'? Is it really that serious?
Jin cleared his throat, his drooping gaze cleared up.
"Yesterday night a first branch elder, Zhang Li, was seen speaking to the man in the description, by an attendant. They went their seperate ways after exchanging a few words."
The sheet of paper in his hand crinkled as he got closer to the crux of the problem.
"As you may already know, the elder didn't come to the arena today, even though he was required at the premises."
Jin stopped speaking to look around, and make sure there was no one, unrelated to the situation, around. He grit his teeth for a moment.
"Under elder Yinchen's orders we checked elder Zhang Li's room today at noon... The elder was dead."
His eyes quivered in fear. The implication of a Sixth Synergy master dying silently, shook him to his core.
"His body was already stiff when we found him. Our physician believes that he died last night, shortly after he met the man."
Vera's breath hitched at Jin's words.
How could a Sixth Synergy master have died without anyone noticing?
After giving Vera a moment to calm down, Jin continued explaining the situation; his expression only grew more serious.
"Based of the scene, it was most likely to be suicide. There was no sign of a fight, only a cut through the elder's major arteries, which was deemed to be self inflicted. However, based of the body, it was clear he exerted himself."
The situation was eerily familliar. Extreme exhaustion but no signs of combat?
That ability is the same as the one Senior Long used on me last night.
The evidence couldn't be any clearer.
Vera's fingers dug into his palms. His expression was unchanged. He looked at Jin blankly. If the offender was who he thought it was...
I can't be connected to this.
Vera's grip loosened, he looked at Jin with a dull smile on his face.
I really am sorry about this Jin. But, if I reveal this, it will be the death of me.
He dusted the blood from his palm against his black robes.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I recall seeing anyone like that. I had gone to sleep, shortly after you escorted me to my residence."
Jin let out a low sigh, and bowed his head at Vera.
"I assumed that to be the case as well. But I needed to check anyways. Thank you for your assistance, regardless. And... stay safe. If it trully wasn't a suicide, we all may be in danger."
Not wasting time on pleasantries, Jin Jiang rushed back to the staff centre, to direct the search. Vera, on the other hand, walked back to the stairwell.
As he pushed through the crowd, a voice, distorted by the frantic hum in the inn, called out to him.
Chang-yu stood at the far end of the corridor, with Chun beside her.
"Vera!" She shouted, to catch his attention.
She pushed through the packed corridor and reached the stairwell in a few moments.
"Do you know what's going on?"
Vera looked at her as he ruffled Chun's hair. "All I know is that there is a man-hunt going on. Do you know where Sword Dog is? And the rest of the disciples?"
Vera held Chun's hand and began leading the two back to the entry to meet Aspartese. Chang-yu, though flustered by the situation, followed.
Their footsteps echoed through the halls as they ran back downstairs.
"Sword Dog, is still in your room. The rest of the disciples are with my sister in the dining hall."
The usual banter they shared was lost in the tension. For now, they ran to the reception hall, to meet Aspartese and see what he found out.
With the current situation in mind, it was best to gather all the information they could.
But, unbeknownst to Vera, the situation had changed immensely in the few minutes he was gone for.
As he reached the reception, Vera notice a familair face.
Is that vice-master Tong Xuan—
It was the vice-master, however, stood beside him was elder Yinchen, in restraints.
One of the third young master's faction elders was held in cuffs. To add to this, the one who had restrained him was the one closest to the Blade Master, in terms of authority.
In contrast to Tong Xuan's calm expression in the arena, his intent was almost murderous. His voice boomed through the lobby.
"The third young leader's faction is accused of colaborating with the beggar coalition."
He yanked Yinchen's restraints and pulled him to his side. Tong Xuan's intent pressed into Yinchen's flesh, the sheer volume caused his skin to shrivel up.
"In specific, there is evidence that points to the unlawful enslavement of and trafficking of people. All those of the faction will be rounded up shortly!"
Tong Xuan gripped the elder by his hair and pulled him to the exit. Yinchen's body had completely seized, the pressure the vice-master exuded, reduced him to the stature of a battered peasant.
Just as he was about to leave, Tong Xuan turned back.
"This man-hunt must cease immediately. This is not my order. Rather, it is an command from the Blade Master himself!"
The door slammed shut as Tong Xuan dragged the elder away. The murmurs in the hall grew; the attendants hurried to retreive the descritpitons from all those it was handed to.
No one dared to speak out, lest Tong Xuan hear their voices. The staff members didn't waste even a moment and rushed to stop the search as soon as possible.
In all this, Aspartese found Vera and Chang-yu. He walked up to them at with a serious expression and ushered them back into the stairwell.
"Head up to your rooms now and forget of this matter completely. Those who are behind this situation, aren't people we can defy."
He rubbed the bridge between his eyes as he thought about what to do with the disciples.
After taking a moment to figure it out, he turned to Chang-yu, who assisted him with most of his administrative work.
"Have everyone sit tight until dinner... I'll head out to the main branch to get some more clarity on the matter."
As soon as he was done giving out orders to Chang-yu he rushed out of the inn.
Vera stood exhausted at the stairwell, his eyes looking out to the sky from the window to his side.
What the fuck just happened...?