~~~

    Feng Zhi breathes heavily after the fight, but that is more due to exasperation than any tiredness on his part. Everything was over in thirty seconds, thirty maddening and impressively violent seconds. The state of the training room can attest to it. The ceiling was cracked open sometime after the third second, exposing both of them to the harsh light of day. The walls did not fare any better.

    Truthfully, he does not think this can be called a room anymore.

    “What exactly did you think this would accomplish?”

    His opponent does not answer him. In a fairer world, that would be because he is unconscious. Alas, that is not the case. Though it is easier to count the bones of his that are not broken, and some of his clothes are literally burned into his skin and muscles, his eyes remain wide open. The fool seems to be having a staring contest with the sun, a practice as inane as this whole thing has been.

    “Hey,” the fool says at last, “Do you think things could have gone differently?”

    An impertinent question like that does not need any consideration.

    “I could never lose to the likes of you!”

    The fool, Huang Shing, turns to him and scoffs.

    “I wasn’t asking about that! It was obvious I was going to lose today. Just as it is obvious I will surpass you eventually.”

    A vein throbs on Feng Zhi’s forehead.

    “First, you waste my time with a pointless challenge. Now you insult me? You truly are tired of living!”

    Far from looking threatened, the fool has the gall to snort.

    Feng Zhi blinks.

    “They have?”

    “You are very unpopular,” Huang Shing tells him with something resembling pity. Feng Zhi’s hands twitch with the desire to strangle him. “Well, a few were plots to become close to you by convincing me to murder you so they can warn you ahead of time and earn your trust. One of them was a girl who really wanted to take Yi Jiao’s place. At least I got something out of that one.”

    Huang Shing grins lecherously and gropes the air with his hands.

    “You are the worst,” Feng Zhi says in disgust.

    “But now I feel like the best!” Huang Shing says, leaping to his feet as though his body wasn’t still grievously injured. “You should start getting ready for the Crimson Cloud Tournament, Young Master. We’ll all surpass you if you aren’t careful.”

    “I,” Feng Zhi says, focusing his Qi on Huang Shing, “am not someone who feels threatened by the words of a naked ape. Unlike you, I have become aware of myself and my role. I know my strengths and weaknesses.”

    Huang Shing grins.

    “That’s why you fail.”

    Feng Zhi’s aura flares up.

    “I seem to have damaged your brain during our struggle. Perhaps more hits are needed to restore it to its former equally unimpressive state.”

    ~~~