37:A loss

The final match of the tournament was announced, and the excitement in the stadium reached its peak. Rai Kan versus Chen Zu—the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Both fighters had demonstrated extraordinary skills, and now they were to clash in what promised to be an unforgettable battle.

As Rai Kan and Chen Zu stepped into the ring, their eyes locked, each measuring the other's strength and resolve. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the energy of countless spectators eager to witness the confrontation.

Chen Zu, known for his calm demeanor and unshakeable confidence, spoke first. "You've made it this far, Rai Kan. Let's see if you can go further."

Rai Kan, his expression unreadable, simply nodded. "I intend to."

The referee signaled the start of the match, and Rai Kan immediately took the offensive, his movements swift and precise. He drew first blood with his Wind Claw technique, a sharp strike that cut across Chen Zu's arm.

Chen Zu glanced at his wound, then smiled. "Interesting. Do you know why our sect is called the Black Blade?"

Rai Kan shook his head. "No."

"You'll find out now." Chen Zu raised his wrist, and the black bracelet he wore began to shimmer, transforming into a pitch-black sword that seemed to absorb all light around it.

"This," Chen Zu declared, "is the pinnacle of our sect's sword technique, the 'Mystery of Dark.'"

A wave of shock rippled through the stadium. Spectators gasped, and even seasoned martial artists in the audience were taken aback by the sight of the legendary weapon.

Rai Kan, unfazed, commented, "It seems you haven't mastered it completely. But it would be disrespectful not to show respect to such power."

Before Chen Zu could respond, the air around Rai Kan grew cold and frenzied, a blood-red aura emanating from him. "This is my secret technique," Rai Kan explained. "It doesn't have a name yet."

Chen Zu's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "It looks impressive," he admitted, taking a defensive stance with his dark blade. "Let's see which is stronger."

Just as they were about to clash, a commanding shout echoed through the arena. "Halt!"

Rai Kan turned in surprise to see Gu Sho, flanked by hundreds of imperial guards, entering the arena. The crowd fell silent, the tension palpable.

"What are you doing here?" Rai Kan demanded.

Gu Sho didn't answer directly. Instead, he signaled to the guards behind him, who brought forward a golden plate. Upon it was a severed head—Hi Ho's head.

Rai Kan's world seemed to stop. The sight of his friend's lifeless eyes filled him with a rage he had never known. He roared and leaped toward Gu Sho, but the guards intervened, blocking his path.

Gu Sho, smiling with sadistic glee, held up a token. "By the authority given to me as an imperial officer, I command all able people to capture this man alive!"

Rai Kan found himself slammed into a wall, dazed but not defeated. As he stood, he saw that all the martial artists associated with any sect, including the Mountain Martial Sect and Chen Zu, were now arrayed against him.

"Why?" Rai Kan shouted. "Why are you all doing this?"

Master Li Feng stepped forward, his expression stern but sorrowful. "Rai Kan, calm down and come with us peacefully."

Rai Kan's response was cold and furious. "Go to hell." He charged into the crowd, his rage fueling his strength.

The ensuing battle was chaos. Rai Kan moved like a storm, his fists and feet striking with incredible speed and power. His blood-red aura intensified, and every blow he landed sent his opponents sprawling. But they kept coming, dozens of the strongest fighters in the world, all united against him.

Chen Zu, still wielding his dark blade, attempted to close in on Rai Kan. "You're outnumbered, Rai Kan. Surrender now, and it will be easier for you."

"Never!" Rai Kan shouted, his voice a primal roar. He lashed out with his Wind Claw, forcing Chen Zu to dodge and counter with his own strikes.

Despite his fury, Rai Kan was slowly being overwhelmed. He fought with everything he had, but the numbers were against him. Each opponent he defeated was replaced by two more. His vision blurred, his body ached, and yet he refused to give in.

In the midst of the chaos, Gu Sho watched with satisfaction. "This is the end for you, Rai Kan. You'll pay for what you've done."

Rai Kan's thoughts flashed to Hi Ho, to their journey, their friendship. The image of Hi Ho's severed head reignited his rage, pushing him beyond his limits. "I won't fall here," he vowed. "I will avenge you, Hi Ho."

Summoning the last of his strength, Rai Kan unleashed a devastating flurry of attacks. His movements were a blur, his strikes powerful enough to break through defenses and send his opponents flying. But even as he fought, he knew he couldn't hold out much longer.

Master Li Feng, seeing the determination in Rai Kan's eyes, sighed. "Such potential, wasted by anger and grief."

As Rai Kan battled on, the other martial artists began to close in. Chen Zu, his dark blade ready, moved to deliver a final blow. Rai Kan met his attack head-on, their forces clashing with a thunderous impact.

For a moment, everything seemed to pause. The crowd watched in stunned silence as Rai Kan and Chen Zu stood locked in combat. Then, with a final, desperate effort, Rai Kan broke free, sending Chen Zu staggering back.

But the effort had cost him. Exhausted and outnumbered, Rai Kan fell to one knee, his vision darkening. "Hi Ho… I'm sorry…"

As the imperial guards closed in, Rai Kan's world went black.

The aftermath of the battle left the arena in ruins, the echoes of Rai Kan's struggle lingering in the minds of all who witnessed it. The tournament, once a stage for showcasing the best martial talent, had become a battleground of tragedy and loss. And though Rai Kan had fallen, his defiance and strength would be remembered, a legend in the making.

In the shadows, Gu Sho smiled, his revenge complete. But even he could not foresee the ripples that Rai Kan's actions would send through the world of Murim, the seeds of change planted in the blood-soaked soil of the arena.