An Assassin’s Duel

On the ground floor of the arena, Wu Ling stood behind a massive gate, checking the talismans tucked into the sash around his trim waist and ensuring that everything was in order. 

For today's battle, he'd chosen his most striking red dress trimmed with the fur of the Burning Yang Lunar Bear that Huang Yeyan had given him. His makeup was dark and striking, making him feel like he'd become a villainess in a stage play.

The outfit and makeup were like his armor for the battle. As he'd prepared for the fight today, he'd tried to build an image of himself as a deadly vixen that would achieve effortless victory. It was a lie that he told himself but he hoped that he could hold it together long enough to get through both duels alive.