Fight Games
Wang Lei noticed Tira twisting her arm, trying in vain to release her wrists from Li Na. But Wei Li Na didn't even seem to notice. Wang Lei thought it was rude for a man to touch an unrelated female in that way. He gave Wei Li Na a glance, but didn't say anything. Turning his attention to the guards instead, "I will escort them to the camps. Have ten men follow us."
Goachang was newly conquered territory. It was still potentially dangerous for Imperial officials to walk around unaccompanied. Some locals were resentful. There could be rebels lurking in the dark waiting for a chance to assassinate. Even with so many Imperial soldiers in the area, Wang Lei did not dare be careless, which is what made him the best.
Wei Li Na had a cheerful skip to her step, she walked ahead of the group. Not the least bit worried about going the wrong way. She leisurely took in the sights of the streets, that immediately emptied of people once they saw the rows of armed soldiers walking on the road. Windows and doors shut. Even some storefronts brought down their signs, careful to avoid the gaze of General Wang Lei.
Wei Li Na didn't know, but in the last few days Wang Lei had already accumulated a reputation for himself as a blood thirsty devil. Since he was in charge of purging the city of rebels, spies and useless city officials, he personally ordered interrogations, arrests, punishments and executions. The people of the city saw him as the young master who brought hell to all he encounters, like an auditor.
Meanwhile, the Senior General Li TengFei kept his hands clean of the bloodshed, and maintained an image of one that was valiant and magnanimous. The figure of the Imperial Army to approach when the city officials had grievances. The one to curry favor from and send your daughters to bed or marry.
When they reached the city walls, Wei Li Na looked up to admire the wall of horror. Rows and rows of staked and hanged bodies, all the handy work of Wang Lei. Wei Li Na browsed the macabre display, finally spotting a familiar yellow robe. That should be the body of Saint Tami, his head and limbs all severed from the torso. Wei Li Na's eyebrows slightly raised, astonished at the brutality. She stole a glance at Wang Lei, young, stoic and upright walking casually, she now saw him in a new light. Although she had no pity for Saint Tami, she long suspected him to be a swindler and child trafficker, but the way he died was too horrific.
As they entered the camp, several soldiers stopped in their tracks, dropped whatever they were doing to give a cupped hand salute towards Wang Lei. The general was in plain clothes, but was easily recognized by all. Walking towards the command tent, there was a large and noisy crowd gathered and the presence of General Wang was soon overlooked by most.
Pushing rudely towards the front of the crowd, Wei Li Na saw a lively game of combat. Choose your own weapon and fight one-on-one. Her tiny heart fluttered, this is exactly like the fight games she used to play in the simulator. She had logged at least 18,000 hours playing fight games against fighters created by computer algorithms. She and her favorite weapon Star Born have defeated countless game characters. And now she can watch the real thing right in front of her eyes!
Wei Li Na's entire body was reverberating with excitement. Her hands were balled into fists, whenever a fighter executed a good attack or made a solid block, Wei Li Na reacted by bouncing a little on her toes and giving a little clap. She was too engrossed watching the fights that she didn't know the way she was acting looked too girlish. Fortunately nobody noticed her, all eyes were on the ring, except for one pair of eyes belonging to Senior General Li TengFei who immediately saw her in the crowd.
The rules of sparring were simple. The fights were a way to pass the time and let the soldiers have some fun. Nobody actually wanted to get hurt before they even reached the battlefield. So the rules for this fight game was very humane. All the weapons were wood and bamboo, blunted at the end. First opponent to have any part of their body touch the weapon of the other, loses. It could be a graze or a heavy blow, it did not matter. One strike and you're out of the ring.
Wei Li Na wanted to join so badly. But she saw the que, so many others wanted to fight as well. It would take forever to wait her turn. Then she looked at the roaring crowd, the heaving sea of men with captured attention, mesmerized by the fights, was too intimidating. It made her feel timid, she wanted to shrink her head back like a turtle. She'll settle for being a happy spectator instead.
A four time winning streak just occured. In the middle of the ring was the winner, a short but well built man with his upper robe tied around his waist. Sweat glistened on his meaty torso, as he raised both arms in the air in arrogant victory. There was no prize for this game, only bragging rights, so this short fighter was soaking up all the glory he could. Wei Li Na thought he looked like a boiling kettle. Strutting back and forth, Player Short Kettle was calling out the next challenger. Some of the men at the que were considering. Bets were calling out, it sounded like the crowd wanted somebody to shut down this arrogant boiling kettle, and end his winning streak.
"I, General Li, wants to nominate a contender." It was Li TengFei, he moved closer to the center of the crowd. Many of the men respected him and actively agreeing to whatever he suggested. "This one will surely block Commander Lou, really a calamity to beware." The crowd was getting excited with anticipation. Who was the senior general going to pull out. Was he electing himself to fight against Commander Lou? Wasn't he really just talking about himself?
So Player Short Kettle is actually a commander? Wei Li Na finally noticed Li TengFei's presence, only after he spoke up. It looked like he wanted to join the games, and against one of his commanders, no less! Most likely all the other fighters purposely lost to that commander, Wei Li Na thought to herself. Aren't you just waiting for a hard life if you win a game against an officer. Then the only one to beat the commander should be a rank higher, like General Li! Deep in thought, Wei Li Na didn't notice Li TengFei moving towards her.
She was suddenly yanked from her anonymous place in the crowd and pulled into the ring by a large hand. A heavy arm rested around her shoulders, trapping her in place. "Commander Lou, this small one will be your opponent!"
Commander Lou stared at Wei Li Na, a short and skinny youth. A fair face delicate like a girl, dressed in the uniform of a new conscript. Was General Li joking? Did the general want to embarrass him by making him beat up an errand boy?