"Hmm, hmm, hmm," humming as she chewed on a piece of candied hawthorn, Zhu Na Ran casually strolled along the crowded streets of Kong Xian City as the metropolis bustled with life. Dressed as a young master, she seamlessly blended in with the rest of the crowd.
'Hehe, the clothes do make the man. I should be thanking the man who let me borrow his stuff.' (◕ᴗ◕✿)
'Eh, I'll be sure to return it when I see him again.
Maybe.' ¯\_(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)_/¯
"Steam buns! Two steam buns for only three coppers!"
"Finely crafted bead bracelets, wooden carved hairpins! Come and take a look at these finely crafted accessories!"
"Come down to Xian Hao Restaurant: where we serve the city's tastiest roasted duck!"
'Ah, there are so many things to do, yet so little time,' checking out the various stalls and restaurants, Zhu Na Ran thought about where to spend her meager allowance. 'Aiyah, Senior Sister is so stingy, only giving this junior two silver taels[1] to work with, ah.'
After Ye Lian Hua returned from her mission, she quickly went back into closed-door cultivation.
'Ah, I barely had time to ask Senior Sister how the mission went before she went into closed-door cultivation.
Maybe while I'm here, I can get a gift for Senior Sister.'
"Come on, let's hurry! We're going to miss it!"
Noticing a large crowd of people gathering in the city center, Zhu Na Ran tapped on the shoulder of an older individual. "Excuse, Brother, but what is going on here?"
"Haha, you must be new," the middle-aged man chuckled. "This is the Kong Xian City Martial Arts Contest, a bi-annual tradition that happens around here."
'Martial Arts Contest!' Zhu Na Ran's eyes lit up at the sound of a contest. "Tell me more, Brother!"
"Well, first, you can sign up over there," — pointing over to a crowded storefront — "and get your entrance ticket. The fee is rather inexpensive, only one silver tael. After you've signed up, you can participate according to the number you get."
'One silver tael!' Won't that cut her budget in half! 'Aiyah, what to do.'
"What is the prize for winning?"
"Hmm," the man scratched his beard. "Well, it depends from time to time, but the prize usually is half the profits earned from the contest and a few other good stuff, that some mystery patrons may donate."
'Half the profit earning!' If her math were correct, then if she happened to win, she would be swimming in money! 'Ahaha, I don't even know what I'd buy with all of that money.'
"Em, but unfortunately, there hasn't been a new winner in a while," the man lamented as he scratched his beard. "The competition has been completely dominated by the Masked Fighter."
"The Masked Fighter?"
'What kind of name is that?'
"Eh, he's been the reigning champion for three years. "
'Hmm, sounds like an interesting challenge.' "Thank you, Brother, for your help. I'll be sure to sign up quickly."
"Eh, sure thing. I wish you luck," the man waved before moving into the crowd.
Once the man departed, Zhu Na Ran got into the miserably long line and reluctantly parted with her silver tael. 'Wu wu wu, this better be worth it.
However, if I managed to win, I would be practically rolling in money!'
"Um, young master, are you going to pay for your ticket," the shopkeeper asked with a twinge of annoyance as well as a collect grumble from those behind her.
"Ah-ha, yes…"
'Ah, whatever. No pain, no gain!' ᕦ( ᐛ )ᕡ
Slamming down her silver tael, Zhu Na Ran grabbed her ticket and joined the rest of the participants.
---
"Welcome, everyone to the bi-annual Kong Xian Martial Art's contest," a beautiful hostess greeted with a mysterious smile. "A-Die is so happy that everyone here has taken their time out of their day to come."
A collective cheer came from the crowd as men called out the hostess's name.
"Ah, Goddess A-Die!"
"I love you, A-Die!"
"Fu fu fu," A-Die smiled behind her delicate white hand. She admits although these gruff men weren't her type, for all to praise her as the goddess of the city was still rather a lovely feeling.
As the highest-ranked courtesan of Kong Xian City, what man could resist her charm? 'Eh? Why does that boy look at me with such a blank stare!'
Said boy: "Achoo!"
Zhu Na Ran rubbed her nose with a confused look, 'Is someone cursing me?' ('･ω･`)?
Suddenly, Zhu Na Ran felt a familiar chill come over her. "Senior Sister?"
'Ah, that can't be! Senior Sister is still in closed-door cultivation, why would she be out so soon?'
Looking around, she tried to find a shadow of her senior sister until her eyes fell upon the stage
Behind the hostess was a table displaying an array of goods: rare spiritual herbs, beast cores, and other glittering treasures.
However, what resonated with Zhu Na Ran the most was an old rusty sword that sat off to the side. Amongst the other treasures, who would blink an eye at a rusty piece of scrap metal.
'Hmm, I wonder what about that sword reminds me so much of Senior Sister?'
"Alright, let the Kong Xian Martial Arts competition begin!"
'Eh? Did I zone out during the rest of the opening ceremony!'
--
"A-Zhan, when will it be this young miss's turn," a young girl dressed in beautiful pink clothes pouted as she bounced in her seat. With stunning black eyes and a round pale face like the moon, the young girl looked like a living milk doll. One who many would feel inclined to spoil and tease.
Although seated in a luxurious viewing box off to the side of the battle arena and shielded from the harsh sun, the young girl was practically itching to jump onto the stage.
"Young Miss Quan, your turn will come soon," a tall bodyguard answered as he bowed his head respectfully at the sulking child.
"Hmph," the little girl puffed out her cheeks as she crossed her arms in a fit. "To make this young miss wait for so long, who do they think they are?"
"Eh, Young Miss Quan," the bodyguard dared not incite his master's anger anymore as he stood quietly off to the side.
Despite her appearance as a young and immature girl, his master was the strongest fighter of their martial arts hall, Quan Gu Mei. Although she was only thirteen, her talents, beauty, and family, already granted her a long line of suitors for her hand in marriage.
Sent here as a representative of her uncle, and treated as an honorary guest, no expense spared for her comfort.
"Ah, I wish Uncle were here," Quan Gu Mei sulked. "At least he could help speed up the line for this young miss."
"Eh, Master sends his regards, Young Miss Quan. Master is sorry that he is unable to see you participate, but promises upon your return that he will have a grand feast for you."
"Really!" Quan Gu Mei's eyes lit up instantaneously, wiping away her foul mood. "Then, this young miss will be waiting."
Orphaned at a young age, Quan Gu Mei was raised single-handedly by her uncle, Quan Su Ge. Since her uncle was still unmarried, Quan Gu Mei was the only heir to their martial arts hall, Huang He Hall.
Therefore, she grew up in the palm of everyone's hands, becoming a tad bit spoiled and unruly.
Even so, no one would dare try and anger this young miss, less they have a death wish.
A knock came from the box's door and outside a woman's voice called out, "Young Miss Quan, your turn is coming up soon, please prepare for your battle."
"Hmph, finally," Quan Gu Mei cheered. "A-Zhan, grab my ribbon, will you?"
"Yes, Young Miss Quan," A-Zhan bowed as he walked over to his master's luggage. Atop the various trunks of dresses, was a smaller and sleeker box.
Housed within the box was a pink silk ribbon attached to a dark wood wand
To an average eye, this ribbon, no bigger than two finger's width thick, appeared as a normal silk ribbon one could get at any fabric shop.
However, to a trained eye, one could see the various little barbs inlaid on the pink ribbon's silky edges.
After confirming this was his master's weapon, A-Zhan carried the box over to Quan Gu Mei.
Smiling at the sight of the box, she quickly opened up the box and played with the ribbon. "Ah, Uncle always gives the best gifts, don't you agree, A-Zhan?"
"Yes, Young Miss Quan.
Another knock came from the outside. "Young Miss Quan, it's your turn. Are you prepared?"
"Come on, A-Zhan," Quan Gu Mei smiled at her bodyguard. "I can't disappoint, Uncle. I can't make him lose face here, or else I won't get to eat delicious food at his feast."
"Yes, Young Miss Quan."
[1] tael - Liang; former Chinese money of account, is the value of this weight of standard silver. They are still used today in Hong Kong and Taiwan as a way of measure. Back then, one silver tael was actually worth a lot. The only ones who were able to spend it so frivolously would be wealthy commoners and nobles.