Loud clanking could be heard on a nameless market square. The people heard this and looked for the source. Once found, however, they quickly parted to make way. In the middle of this empty spot among dense crowds, stood a figure.
Armor that looked ancient covered every inch of his body. A dark red stained the silver metal. The helmet concealed the face, only pitch black could be seen if looked at the eye slits. A crimson sword was dragged by the knight, creating a trail on the ground.
The surrounding people whispered: "That's the Bloodstained Knight, is he participating? " "I heard he slaughtered an entire clan alone!" " He never takes of that helmet, I bet he's very ugly." "Silence idiot, what if he hears us?"
In a busy tavern, loud laughter erupted: "Hahaha, that's right, let's drink on that!" A tall, handsome man with brown hair and jade eyes was joyfully chatting when a young man interrupted: Lü He, why are you drinking, it's almost your turn to fight!"
"Oh, is that so? Time truly flies when in great company! Well then, it seems like I have to go. I'll treat all of you when I come back victorious!" The man stood up and walked out of the tavern with cheers accompanying him. His eyes were clear like the spring, as if he had never drunk alcohol at all.
On the peak of the stadium sat a woman, looking at the scenes below. She wore simple white and brown clothing. Her limbs were covered in bandages and old scars. She fiddled with a dagger as she spoke to herself: "It is finally time, today is when I make my name known to the world!
She effortlessly jumped of the stadium and landed without making a sound. "Father, mother, I will not disappoint you." Her eyes were filled with determination.
Bo Qing entered the stadium and looked at the board: "My opponent is the Bloodstained Knight. This name feels rather unfamiliar."
Only four masters participated in this tournament. Most people who reached rank two were the leaders of their clan, it would be shameful if they joined a tournament that was primarily for recruitment. They would just be spectators, looking for participants that showed promise.
Only lone wanderers would participate, they often lacked resources and Twin Tournament was a great opportunity to gain a lot if one claimed first place. They could also be looking to impress a clan leader and join them. Normally, clans operated based on the clan's family, but no competent leader would reject a master. This would be a huge boost to any clan, who cares about bloodline?
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
The last reason was fame, but Bo Qing did not care about that. He mainly wanted resources and money, if not for that he would never participate.
He looked at the clock. His match was about to start. He walked through a long corridor that led to the arena. As the cheers gradually got louder, old memories started to surface.
A young man filled with ambition stepped into the arena. His heart pounded with excitement: "This is it, my first step to greatness! Although I just recently became an apprentice, I don't believe that I'm the weakest here."
Bo Qing savored these memories. They told him who he was, filled the deep hole within him. But he was interrupted by the commentator: "Here on the left we have a mysterious newcomer, who appeared out of thin air! I don't know about you, but I'm very excited to find out what he has to show us. Ladies and gentlemen, this is River Lord!"
Bo Qing slightly cringed when he heard the fake title. He had just made it up on a whim when asked about at the reception. He quickly composed himself. He could not afford to be distracted.
"And on the right we have someone who should not need any introduction. He has haunted the border for decades, killing all who dare oppose him! He singlehandedly wiped out Mei clan! He is a ghost from an era long gone, avoided by all! He is the Bloodstained Knight!"
Bo Qing saw the Knight slowly step into the arena on the opposite side. His instincts warned him, this was a dangerous person!
"Now that both contestants are ready, we can begin!"
Bo Qing rapidly charged at the Knight, striking with both swords. The Knight dodged one and blocked the other with his crimson sword. His movements seemed slow, yet arrived just in time. They exchanged a few blows, but both remained unharmed.
The Bloodstained Knight's sword started shining in a bright red color, engulfing its surroundings. The whole stadium suddenly got quiet. In this silence, Bo Qing felt fear for the first time in this life. His legs got weak and his instincts screamed at him to give up. He gritted his teeth. This was an artificial emotion, originating from that sword.
Against any other person, this would've worked, but he had faced much stronger and scarier existences. He forcefully suppressed the fake fear and once again attacked with both flowing river's current and deep lake's slowing. He had to end this fast. Even though the crimson sword's effect was reduced, it would still slowly chip away at him.
His swords landed, but could not cut through the Knight's armor! Bo Qing noticed something: the Knight wasn't very fast, but he blocked or evaded the most fatal strike every single time, while letting his armor take the impact of the rest. This armor had to be rank two! With forging, nearly anything could be infused with remnants, armor was obviously no exception.
Suddenly, Bo Qing felt a force pulling him closer to the Knight. It was like he was stuck in a whirlpool, with the Bloodstained Knight at the center. This had to be the ability of the armor!
He tried to escape, but his body felt exhausted due to the draining effect of the sword. Realizing this, he did not put up any resistance and instead ran as fast as he could towards the Knight! The crimson sword was already pointed at him, like an executioner's blade. At the last moment, Bo Qing twisted his body. The sword pierced his body, but missed his vitals. His face contorted from the pain, but he pushed through and stabbed both his swords into the helmet's slits!
The Knight froze. After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled out the sword inside Bo Qing's body, then removed the swords piercing through his helmet. He silently walked towards the exit, leaving a stunned Bo Qing behind.
With the fear effect removed, the commentator finally spoke: " W-well, ladies and gentlemen, in a shocking turn of events, the Bloodstained Knight actually retreated! This means that the winner of this fight is the River Lord!"