Capítulo 1106: Chapter 65: Cold Steel and Hot Blood (End) (3)
Qin Qianbai’s hand weakly slid down, blood marking a path down the champion’s black clothes, like a faint scar. Her hand fell into the dust, descending along with her damaged weapon into the flowing blood and cold dust.
The champion clutched his blood-stained collar and chuckled softly.
“A spirited one indeed… killing would be aningless.”
“Co back stronger next ti, Qin Qianbai.”
The man hoisted his great sword and walked off the stage alone.
The final match of the no-limits arena. The victor: Champion Valens.
·
Today is a morable day for the Cold Steel Arena. The cheers and shouts for the victor continued, yet neither of the two defeated in the duels faced the gamblers’ curses, mockery, or ridicule. The cheers welcoming the defeated were filled with admiration, while those for the victor carried a sense of awe. The champion in black walked alone through the crowd, with no one daring to approach his side, as a spacious path opened up in the sea of people.
The champion walked through the adoring yet awestruck eyes of the people, feeling once more that the atmosphere was really damn inappropriate, almost provoking him to scold aloud. At the thought, he laughed silently, thinking he must indeed be getting old. The elderly tend to constantly criticize others’ actions as if all should heed their arrogance, while the young recklessly pursue their chosen path, persisting even if it leads to their downfall without regret. When they finally repent, the fire in their eyes is extinguished, their strength starts to wane, and they grow old.
The champion felt he wasn’t yet old, at most just a grumpy uncle, a drink smoothing out his bones would do. He left the crowd and entered the backstage, an arm extended from the corner holding a bottle of red-capped whiskey.
“Aha!” The champion’s eyes lit up, “I needed that!”
“You’ve always said that over the years. Sotis I think you’re a malfunctioning diesel engine, others burn oil, and you burn alcohol.”
Gaius erged from the corner, handed him the opened bottle. The champion removed his mask, gulped down over half the bottle in one go, wiped his mouth unceremoniously: “Alcohol is a good thing, half a bottle and I’m thirty again. Strong and unbeatable!”
“You’re much stronger now than at thirty, seems drinking made you weaker.” Gaius’s response was predictably dull.
“Don’t live so boringly, show so of that flair you use to sway the young!” The champion patted his shoulder hard, “Isn’t there a peace talk tomorrow, why are you here today?”
“I always co to watch your matches.”
“Look at you, never missing a chance to win over hearts.” The champion pointed his index fingers at the United Associate Vice President, “I’m damn touched.”
“If you’re touched, ensure the security’s good, don’t let the sword bearers take my head.” Gaius remained expressionless, “Queen Grey’s envoy delivered her sentints, her objective achieved.”
“The young lady has tasted the helplessness of stepping into the power plays~” The champion whistled, put on the mask, “Looking forward to your stirring speech tomorrow, great politician.”
The champion carried the half-empty bottle, lazily ascended the stairs back to his private box from where he usually watched matches. Glass shards were still scattered on the floor from when the silly dragon broke out, the lazybones hadn’t bothered to clean and was still dawdling below. The Rainbow Winged Lord had left post-match, Xu Ying’s whereabouts were unknown, only Qin Ming remained on the couch, gazing at the ongoing discussions in the arena.
The champion took two glasses from the cabinet, poured the remaining drink into each half, and handed one to his old friend.
“These young and restless guys, they have their own thoughts, their own perseverance, even developing their martial arts at a tender age. Back when I made my na, there weren’t this many brilliant young people, seems with population soaring, geniuses are now abundant.”
Qin Ming took a sip of the strong drink, smiled: “That’s what makes this world interesting.”
“Well said.”
They clinked glasses and drank the liquor.
·
Qin Qianbai’s consciousness was faint, she floated in a bottomless darkness, as if falling yet never reaching the depths. At the very top of the darkness, faintly, was a great sword, the champion’s Tenth Heavenly Fire. She strained to see, to think calmly, yet still couldn’t capture… couldn’t understand…
Occasionally a beam of light shone through the darkness, and Qin Qianbai inadvertently opened her eyes. Ah Ce was beside her, calling out in worry, everyone on the Dawn Star was there, it seed she wouldn’t die, and knowing she wouldn’t die was reassuring.
She set her mind at ease, continued observing the sword, playing a childlike word ga in the darkness. The Tenth Heavenly Fire, how should it be deconstructed? Is it the fire of the Tenth Heaven? But how could the heavens have so many layers… 10 layers, 10 levels…
Heaven has ten layers, she rembered. From the foundational “Country” to the highest “Crown,” the top of heaven represents the transcendent Supre Heaven… Pure Fire Heaven…
With such thoughts, the great sword appeared clearer. She looked again and opened her eyes in reality. She saw a man in green with long hair, Qin Ming had a smile of approval on his face.
“Well fought.” Uncle Ming said, “Train so more.”
Qin Qianbai closed her eyes in a huff, gradually sinking into darkness, unwittingly falling asleep while contemplating the sword.
Upon waking, she gazed at the ceiling for a while before slowly regaining her mory and will. She lay in her own hotel room, the darkness outside the window indicating it was already late at night. A sense of dejection and loss flooded the girl’s heart, but she distracted herself, hearing a gentle call from beside her.
“Young Miss, awake?”
Gongsun Ce sat by the bed with a chair, his anxious expression making Qin Qianbai both touched and sowhat amused.
“Hmm. Still lost.”
“No matter, you fought with spirit, losing isn’t shaful.”
“The sword broke too…” Qin Qianbai said gloomily.
Gongsun Ce was particularly optimistic: “Out with the old, in with the new, later I’ll make you a better sword.”
“One billion Kerry, it’s a substantial sum.”
“It’s originally won from the casino, just returning it. Besides, it built montum, worth the expense.”
Qin Qianbai suddenly didn’t know what to say, as if lacking the energy to say anything. She moved to the edge of the bed, making room, tapping the mattress.
Gongsun Ce raised an eyebrow, took off his glasses, and climbed onto the bed. The girl snuggled into his embrace, resting her face against his chest.
“Thanks, everyone, for indulging my whim.” Qin Qianbai whispered, “Though I lost, I saw an incredible sword… I’m very happy.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“Yet, ultimately, I don’t want to lose.” Qin Qianbai had a defiant look like a child, “Next ti, I’ll definitely win.”
Gongsun Ce chuckled, gently stroking her hair.
“Sure, next ti for sure!”
The weary martial artist curled up, sleeping soundly like a little beast. Gongsun Ce watched her fall asleep, unwittingly falling asleep himself. Half-awake, he sohow thought of the first fight in the casino, rembered that anthropomorphic totem and the words inscribed upon it.
[Learn to restrain in battles that harm each other, gain progress through conflicts and struggles, civilization erges from the soil of barbarism.
I think the locals don’t need my teaching much; they understand the trick just like that totem.
Forged with hot blood, tempered with cold calmness, only then can it beco steel.]
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