“I’ll tear your soul out of your miserable body!”

Sun Tie’s words echoed through the skies. His hands itched more and more by the second. He was anxious to begin the fight, to smash Sun Li’s face and be done with it.

He could see a crowd forming on the ground, little voices muttering about the event they would witness. His enemy was floating in front of him, face impassive—a loser’s face.

“Will you, you pathetic bully?” Sun Li replied. Words flowed from his mouth. His red and green robe fluttered in the wind, his sword floating at his side. A smile blossomed on his face.

“I’ve spilled tea that’s given me more trouble than you will today,” Sun Tie quipped, flicking his wrist dismissively. He would not enter his little game of measuring of characters.

The mountains surrounding them, the wind blowing the trees, the birds flying in the sky, the dogs barking in the streets below, the houses and buildings, the cultivators, servants and mostly his grandfather, who was judging the duel, would all be witness to his ascent to clan leadership. The new generation in command would remain in his branch, making fun of Sun Li was just another step toward winning. Sun Tie couldn’t wait anymore.

“I’ll end your arrogance today, Sun Tie.”

Sun Tie leaned forward, feigning interest, “Oh, Sun Li, always the noble savior. Do you practice those lines in front of your loaves of bread, or do they just come naturally with the whole ‘righteous hero’ act, baker?”

Sun Li’s face tightened—determination burned in his eyes.

“Your egotism blinds you. The Sect has had enough of your games.”

“Games? Oh, Sun Li, if this were a game, you’d be that one pawn everyone regrets choosing. No special abilities, just... misplaced enthusiasm,” Sun Tie chuckled.

“Your jokes won’t save you today,” Sun Li shot back, raising his weapon. “Justice has a way of catching up, no matter how slippery the snake.”

Sun Tie, looking momentarily thoughtful, responded, “You’re right. I did step on a snake once. Nasty creatures. But it is nowhere near as boring as your little speeches. Do you have a handbook for those or something?”

Sun Li sighed, clearly trying to keep his temper in check.

“Words won’t change the outcome. Today, this ends.”

“Oh, I’m so scared. Wait, no, that’s boredom. My apologies. I always get those two mixed up around you.” Sun Tie smirked, stretching leisurely. The gesture made Sun Li’s eyes spark with fire.

“We’ll see how funny you find it when I have you on the ground, defeated.”

Sun Tie looked Sun Li up and down, grinning.

“The last one I duelled begged me to be my disciple. I wonder how you will behave, baker’s son.”

“Let’s see who will be left defeated, then.” Sun Li responded, not holding back on his hatred anymore.

Before the words finished leaving Sun Li’s mouth, they were already clashing.

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The fist of fire hit Sun Tie in the face. Pain radiated across his skull. Sun Li didn’t waste time and hit him with his other hand and again with the other one—no fire this time, just brute strength and technique.

Sun Tie felt his body crashing toward the ground. Just like that? Did I lose?

“Never underestimate your opponents. My old master told me. No one told you that, Sun Tie?” Sun Li’s arrogant voice was in his ears.

Did I lose to the son of a baker? Sun Tie was in disbelief. The crowd waited in a circle for the end of the duel. Cultivators rested on the front with their arms crossed.

Hitting the ground, the young master slowly got up and spat out a bit of blood and chuckled weakly.

“Tell me, Sun Li, did you hit me with the same hands that knead dough? Because your punches are just as soft. If this is the mighty power of the son of a baker, maybe I should take up bread-making myself.” Sun Tie cleaned his mouth with his robe’s sleeve and waited, locking gazes with the enemy.

Everyone is ready to see Sun Tie’s demise. Hypocrites. In the morning, they were all crowding at my feet.

Sun Li started speaking, his posture stoic and straight. Just like the hero's statues Sun Tie’s grandfather took him to see. “As tradition commands, Sun Tie will honor our deal, and I’ll rid our community of his machinations!”

Not knowing how else to react, the crowd erupted in agreement. One never sided with the loser—in the end, it was just common sense.

“I’m not done yet, low-life scum!” Sun Tie’s voice was ragged. He slowly rose to his feet, defiance burning in his eyes. Sun Li’s sword finally returned to his side.

“You don’t need to go further in your humiliation, Young Master Sun Tie,” Sun Li said, slowly walking around the circle of cultivators, appreciating his little moment.

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Sun Tie smirked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"It's cute that you think this is humiliation, Sun Li. I've had tougher battles deciding which robe to wear in the morning. But, you know, continue enjoying your little moment of 'triumph'."

The words made Sun Li run in his direction, the sword now unsheathed and fitting in his hand.

Sun Tie dodged the first swing from Sun Li’s blade but felt the bite of the blade in his cheeks. The swing was faster than normal, imbued with the man’s Qi. Li was burning through his Qi reserves by the second.

Good, Sun Tie smiled.

The young master dodged one more swing coming from the left. He threw a fire uppercut with his right hand and it connected with Sun Li’s chin. He didn’t flinch. Qi condensed, preventing him from getting hurt. More Qi wasted. Good, Good.

The third swing is going to end him.

Sun Tie dodged to the back using a little push from the wind. His back almost to the watchers.

Sun Li’s sword reached him in seconds, flying from the hand of its owner. Sun Tie ducked the blow, ran, and jumped with both legs straight in the air, imbued with fire and blue flames on the soles of his feet, hitting Sun Li’s chest. By the force of the impact and the flames bursting from Sun Li’s robes, Sun Tie knew his enemy had no more Qi stored.

Sun Li rolled in the air several times before falling to the ground with a THUMP! His back turned to Sun Tie.

Sun Tie could have finished him right there and then, a spear invocation and he would be done, but it was a great dishonor to attack an adversary in the back during a duel.

A dishonor not even he was ready to bear.

I’m almost there! Can’t believe it! He almost got me this time!

“It was easy!” Sun Tie threw the words into the air, scoffing with his hands in the direction of the viewers. Some chuckles could be heard. Sun Tie captured a glimpse of his grandfather watching the fight among other cultivators, the man was stoic.

Then Sun Li looked over his shoulder in Sun Tie’s direction. They locked gazes and the young master felt the enemy’s sword entering his shoulder out of nowhere. When did he command the blade to attack me? I’m sure he was out of Qi.

Pain washed over his whole body, no time to condense Qi, no time to heal.

Looks like I’m toast.

Sun Tie’s world became darkness.

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Sun Tie woke up completely healed. His body carried no wounds or scars, and his core was precisely where it had always been.

I lost. I lost to the baker’s son… How? He didn’t have any more Qi. I should’ve won. What the hell just happened? Did he cheat?

Sun Tie was about to get up and rush to his grandfather’s chamber when the doors to his room swung open, and Zhao Jun, his lifelong servant, entered, as always the aspect of chronic worry stamped on his face.

"Elder Sun Xian requests your presence, Young Master," he announced.

“Good. I want to see him now.” Sun Tie moved toward the door, this injustice could not remain as it was. He remembered clearly seeing the man had lost his condensed Qi. He was defeated on the ground yet somehow cheated to win.

“Please, wait Master.” Zhao Jun gripped his arm with strength, a thing he never had done until now. “Maybe elder Sun Xiao will only give you a warning again?” Sun Tie could see the fear building in the old man’s face and compassion washed over him.

“Maybe he’ll give me the gift of never seeing your wrinkled face.”

They both chuckled a little and Sun Tie relaxed, eyeing his servant.

“Are you ready, sir?” The older man asked with a caring voice.

Ready? Hardly.

"Yes. I'll meet my fate with the honor my grandfather always preached." My fate of getting revenge upon this sham they called a duel.

"Very well. Is there anything else you require, Young Master?"

"Ah, donate your cultivation core, would you? Or better yet, defeat Sun Li, my grandfather, and all the Sect Elders and assume the Sect’s Leadership." The two shared a brief chuckle. “To be honest, Zhao Jun. I have a question. Did you watch the fight?” The old servant tried to straighten his back and failed miserably. Their talks almost never tended towards more serious topics.

“Yes, master. You fought fiercely.”

“Not enough to win, I’m afraid.” Sun Tie sighed before continuing, “In your eyes, it was a fair fight?” Sun Tie saw fear building up on the man’s face. “Be honest, don’t hold back, Zhao Jun.”

“In my old eyes… It was fair, Master Sun Tie.” The servant said, bowing his head. Without a word, Sun Tie resumed his walk.

“That’s why ninety-year-old servants aren’t duel judges.”

Sun Tie was holding the door’s handle when Zhao Jun’s grip tightened on his arm.

“Good luck, Young Master.” The old man said, eyes glistening.

Sun Tie turned his face, nodding to his servant and went his way, not looking back.

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Paintings of mythical beasts and legendary battles adorned the training chamber. The wooden walls and expansive windows lent the room a cozy feeling. Not for Sun Tie, though—this place never felt like home for him.

Elder Sun Xian sat in a chair at the end of the room, alone in a pristine white training robe. He began to speak way before Tie could reach him. His voice was full of spite.

“You've sullied the honor of our family name!”

“No, I didn’t, grandfather. I lost an unfair duel! Sun Li used alchemy or some other cheap trick to win! He had no more Qi when the fight was nearly finished!” Sun Tie’s eyes met those of his tutor as he knelt.

“How dare you talk back! Quell your wicked tongue! Your ancestors would be ashamed. A loss is a loss, and you lost a fair duel!” One of his grandfather's hands was in the air, irritation building up in his voice.

“Except that I didn’t lose. I demand a new fight. Today—now if possible.”

“You think this is a joke? I take no pleasure in what must happen next!”

"Of course, it's not a joke, but if we're discussing matters of pleasure and displeasure, let's not forget that I'm losing something vital here." Sun Tie kept his gaze steady. “I’m only asking for justice.”

"Your arrogance has cost you enough already. You seem to underestimate the gravity of this situation. I don't want to do this, but I must. Don't expect mercy." Sun Xian shifted his weight in his chair.

“Grandp—”

“Enough!” Sun Xiao was up and facing Sun Tie, hands trembling. Why is he so angry? Sun Tie knew he couldn’t fight the older man’s will.

"Ah, mercy is a fickle thing, isn't it? Fret not. I'm here to face my destiny." Sun Tie broke the pregnant silence. Faking a stoic position, as much as he could.

"Words are wind. And there won't be a 'next time' for you."

"Ah, but wind can make a fire, can't it? Even extinguished embers can reignite." Sun Tie had a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Your tongue won't save you now. Are you prepared?" Sun Tie’s grandfather made an effort to hide his pain, but a grimace dominated his expression. Sadness was stamped on his face. Sun Tie had trouble believing the old goat could feel something like that.

"As much as one can be when standing at the edge. Go ahead, make it quick.”