Chapter 9 Suprise

Cao Tang stood at the center of the stadium. Motionless, he basked in the attention of the audience and growing murmurs asking where the honourable Bai Tang was. Cao knew that despite the families inevitable protest his opponent wouldn't be able to face him today. He'd made sure of that. 

At the head of the stadium sat the his father and the Tang clan's patriarch. Soon that would be him Cao thought to himself, grinning slightly in anticipation of that day. And of course the guests of honour for this event. None other then patriarch of one of the 5 great clans, Chen Zhuge and his daughter where in attendance as they happened to be staying with the family at the time of this life or death battle. Cao could only imagine what would happen to Bai Tang's reputation within the 5 great clans if he forfeited a fight without even showing his face. 

As Cao was looking at the Zhuge patriarch a hush fell over the stadium. From his opponents entry way came first Hou Tang, that bastards spawn, followed by....BAI TANG?!?! How was this possible? Cao was certain he had created an incurable poison that not even the Tang clan's patriarch would be able to resolve. So how was this wretch standing in front of him??

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Bai Tang jested. 

"Surely you weren't expecting me to forfeit where you? I just wanted to make a stylish entrance." Bai Tang continued before turning to his father and bowing. 

From the edge of the stage a senior martial artist stepped up and began announcing to the crowd.

"This battle is one of life and death. Passed by majority votes from the elders council these two pillars of our clan with no other options to resolve their hatred will now test their martial skills against each other to determine who is right and who is wrong. Would each elder come to the center of the arena."

Both Cao and Bai came to greet the announcer. 

"Both of these men will now take their places before beginning their fight!" As the announcer stepped down the two elders returned to opposite sides of the stage. 

There was an eery silence followed by the sound of ringing metal. Cao Tang had reached into his sleeve and thrown a set of hidden needles coated in poison. However Bai Tang had come equipped with his 'crushing poison fists', a set of gauntlets made from meteoric iron allowing him to effortlessly deflect the needles.

Countering with a strike of his own Bai Tang infused his qi into the gauntlets and drew up an imoogis poison from his dantian before releasing it with the qi infused strike. Although Cao was able to use his qinggong to dodge the strike the poison was already spreading across the arena.

"A fantastic strike from Bai Tang" the announcer called. "And worry not about the poison for this arena has been specially designed to contain any toxic substances protecting our esteemed guests." Although subtle the agitation of the crowd moments earlier settled at the announcement of this protective measure. 

And so the battle proper started. The elders traded blow after blow, each strike of their weapons sending sparks flying across the stage. However both seemed to be struggling to gain the upper hand as they were the antithesis of each other. While Cao Tang was a master of hidden weapons and used every opportunity to create space between himself and his opponent Bai Tang had mastered the clan's palm and fist styles meaning he had no choice but to get up close and personal with his opponent.

And so the match continued in this way. Each time Bai would close the distance between them with his powerful strides Cao would open a gap with his delicate footwork. To the lay amongst the audience it seemed like an intense battle of wills that could be won at any moment, but to many elders it appeared that the pair where at an impassable stale mate. 

"Aren't you tired of running away?" Bai jested between ragged breathes.

"Aren't YOU tired of endlessly blocking all of my attacks?" Cao retorted. 

Although they wouldn't admit it both were running low on qi and knew that they had to finish this soon. Charging forward once more Bai channelled a new poison into his gauntlets.

"Recognise this?" he shouted at Cao

And of course Cao did. The poison that was consuming the gauntlets was none other then that which he had slipped into Bai's wine a week earlier. So that bastard had managed to survive despite taking what should have been a poison so powerful not even the patriarch would be able to recover. 

Dropping his outer robe Cao revealed a bandolier of daggers which shot out of their holsters controlled by his qi. Both elders knew this would be the final strike. Cao launched his daggers towards Bai utilising a modified poison rain technique that allowed him to use daggers as opposed to needles. As the two techniques collided the powerful qi emanating from Bai's poisonous crushing palm deflected each dagger as they targeted his vital points. In a last desperate move Cao used his qinggong to twist himself out of the direct path of Bai's strike, but it was not enough. Bai's palm glanced Cao's torso and sent him flying across the arena.

1,2,3,4...Cao counted the ribs that had broken from the impact. In addition to broken bones Cao had suffered serious internal injuries and unable to properly circulate his qi was falling victim to his own poison. 

"Look at what you have become. Why would you scheme against your clan? Against your family?" Bai asked now standing over his defeated opponent.

Cao only spat at his Bai's feet in return. 

"So that is your response. Equally disappointing." Bai said before turning to face the patriarch and bowing. This indicated he as the victor was satisfied and wished to spare his opponent. A choice typical for Bai's character. But Cao turned a moment from one of reflection into one of further betrayal when he launched one final attack on Bai's turned back.

Whipping around Bai clenched his fist and evading Cao's haphazard desperate attack made contact with his brothers temple. With a body weakened by poison and no qi left Cao was unable to whether the strike and his head was shattered. What remained was only a limp, grey body. A devil 'til the end Bai thought to himself.

Turning once again to the patriarch Bai kowtowed before his father.

"This son apologises for the senseless killing but as you can see I had no other choice"

Without acknowledging his son the Tang patriarch stood to address the audience. 

"Today we have witnessed the death of an elder. May this conclusion bring peace and harmony back to the elders hall and may we as a clan become stronger as one." Upon finishing his sentence the patriarch turned and left followed by his advisors. Standing, Bai tang followed by his family too left the arena and returned to their private quarters. 

How disappointing the faceless master mused. As he watched from the audience it was clear that Bai Tang had no trace of poisoning what so ever. How had that idiot Cao managed to fail in such a simple task. Alas the great one would not be pleased. He'd have to go report this and so in a puff of grey smoke he disappeared, erasing his existence from the Tang estate.