Chapter 26 — Luck
劍問蒼天 · Page 4 of 6
The Dazhu Peak group had gathered below the "Kun" platform to watch the day's last combatant, Song Dayi. On the stage, Song Dayi and his opponent fought fiercely; the immense blade-body of the immortal sword Ten Tigers seemed to split into countless savage giant tigers in midair, sending up a thunderous din that shook the mountains, slashing one sword-stroke after another straight at his opponent. He held every advantage.
Yet below the platform, for all their rejoicing, the Dazhu Peak disciples still could not bring themselves to accept what Zhang Qingyue had told them.
"Little junior brother, you're saying that in your match just now, you were about to lose, when all of a sudden that fellow Chu Yuhong was taken with some sudden illness, blood streaming down his face, and collapsed?"
"Yes. Fourth Senior Brother, you and Second, Third, and Fifth Senior Brothers have asked me twenty-two times already—why are you still asking? Sixth Senior Brother, you talk some sense into them. I really am telling the truth."
Du Biyan said: "Little junior brother, you're saying that in your match just now, you were about to lose, when all of a sudden that fellow Chu Yuhong was taken with some sudden illness, blood streaming down his face, and collapsed?"
Zhang Qingyue clutched his head and groaned: "Yes—that makes twenty-three."
Tian Lingsu scolded them: "Why must you all torment him so? Xiaofan wouldn't lie." But even as she said it she shook her head. "Still, Xiaofan, isn't your luck a little too good? No wonder nobody believes it."
Zhang Qingyue was left speechless.
Behind them the disciples chattered on and on, while Tian Buhui and Su Wan kept their eyes fixed on the stage. After a while Su Wan said quietly: "What do you make of it?"
Tian Buhui frowned and countered: "That he won on his own merits—do you believe it?"
Su Wan smiled. "Our disciple's luck really is out of the ordinary!"
Tian Buhui gave a humph.
*Boom!* With a mighty crash, Song Dayi gave a great shout upon the stage. The Ten Tigers immortal sword blazed with yellow radiance that filled the heavens, near blinding to behold, and swept forward with the invincible momentum of one who splits mountains and cleaves seas. His opponent could hold out no longer; crushed by that vast force, he spat a mouthful of blood and flew backward.
The Dazhu Peak disciples raised a thunderous cheer, and at last a smile surfaced on Tian Buhui's face.
Song Dayi came down from the platform and returned among them. He first paid his respects to Tian Buhui and Su Wan, and then received the company's fervent congratulations.
"Ha ha, a fluke, a fluke! Sixth Junior Brother, there's no need to be so fulsome! Eh—little junior brother, you're back too. How did it go today? You're not hurt anywhere, are you? Ah, look at you—take a word from your eldest senior brother: your days of cultivation are few, and there will be plenty of chances ahead. Don't take a single win or loss to heart—er, why are you all looking at me like that?"
Tian Buhui had already turned and walked away; Su Wan smiled at her eldest disciple and followed after him. Song Dayi, utterly at a loss, asked the others: "What's the matter?"
Tian Lingsu went to his side and explained it all. Song Dayi turned back in disbelief. Zhang Qingyue shrank back timidly and said: "Eldest Senior Brother, I know that luck this good is no good thing—but that's how it happened, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Song Dayi's eyes went wide. "Little junior brother, you're saying that in your match just now, you were about to lose, when all of a sudden that fellow Chu Yuhong was taken with some sudden illness, blood streaming down his face, and collapsed?"
Zhang Qingyue collapsed in despair.