Five hours in, the crowd was still watching intently as Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan continued with their fight and exchanging of blows between themselves. They both looked completely exhausted but even if they wanted to stop and rest, it was just not possible. All thanks to the torturous contraption that Xiao Zhan had trapped the both of them in. They already activated it three times and each time was stronger than the previous, they were rocked like they were on a boat in a stormy sea. Their swordsmanship was getting slower and sloppier as the time goes by, their sword felt like it weighed over a tonne in their hands. Their hands were shaking and trembling but they refused to give up. Both fully aware that, it was a stupid idea really to do this sparring, and it didn't matter how much they tried to convince themselves otherwise.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth as he vented his frustration and anger towards Jin Zixuan, who looked like he wasn't having any better day as well. He snarled as he took another heavy swing at the peacock boy, missing him by inches, "This is all your fault! What did you put us in here for again?"
Jin Zixuan scowled and glared back at him, "What do you mean it's my fault? How are we in this mess if you didn't agree to this?"
"Because I wanted to kick your sorry ass! Didn't you agree to this as well?" Jiang Cheng spat. He continued forward, striking Sandu insistently, "And what do you have against my sister? Have you even meet her?"
Jin Zixuan was unable to find words for a moment. He recovered quickly though while blocking the rain of attacks, "Well of course I haven't met her."
Jiang Cheng let out a frustrated groan, his blows were getting more aggressive but careless, and he sneered, "Then what do you know about her that make you so unsatisfied?"
"Shit!"Jin Zixuan eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on him, he faltered slightly and almost missed the timing to dodge and the blade made a cut on his arm and sliced off some of his hair. He grimaced slightly as the blood dripped down his arm and landed on the ground with a slight splash. The cut wasn't deep enough that it would kill him immediately or even slow him down for long but still it hurt like a bitch. He cursed under his breath while putting all of his focus into dodging and defending himself.
Jiang Cheng paused momentarily at the sound of pain but regained his focus and lunged at the other boy once more, tried to get another good hit on him. Before he could, Jin Zixuan was already out of his range of attack and dodging away.
The audience members outside the dome of barrier that had encased the field gasped loudly at the sight before them. It was such an intense match between those two that they didn't notice that their trainers were also watching them closely. Standing with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, Xiao Zhan watched both of them from afar. His gaze was piercing like always, never breaking from their match and Lan Wangji was no exception. His usually composed demeanor seemed to have shifted into a serious one as he kept his eye trained on the two young cultivators. His older brother and the Elders who stood beside them looked concerned and turned to look at Xiao Zhan, anticipating him to take action and step in. Xiao Zhan simply smirked and shook his head ever so slightly at them, and then turned his attention back to watching the two fight.
The older men made some disagreeing remarks on his decision and urging him to intervene. When they assessed the thick layer that made barrier earlier, they found out that it could only be broken by the caster.
Lan Wangji opened his mouth to explain his partner's choice of inactions, stating firmly , "Wei Ying knew what he was doing".
Lan Xichen smiled slightly. He had been worried sick about this fight between the younger cultivators happened and he knew there was another hour to go. He commented, "It seems that he does know what he is doing."
The elders huffed slightly but had no choice but to agree with Lan Xichen. They decided that since they couldn't interfere with the battle itself, there was nothing they could do except watching. They couldn't stop the battle even if they wanted to. In the training ground, the sole decision maker was the young couple of ruthless trainers, and both of them were extremely stubborn and wouldn't budge.
Back in the centre of the arena, the two boys stood opposite each other in the middle, both breathing heavily from exertion and exhaustion. Jin Zixuan clamped his hand over his bleeding wound while glaring daggers at Jiang Cheng. They both were covered in sweat and dirt and Jin Zixuan's right sleeve was completely drenched with blood, sticking to his skin. He looked so tired yet still managed to hold up a fighting stance despite how much damage he was taking. Jiang Cheng was panting harshly too and glared fiercely back at the other. Both continued their heated stare off, neither one willing to blink first, neither one willing to be the first one to drop.
The words that came from Jiang Cheng were almost a snarl but instead of the venom from before they came out as an accusing yell, "What kind of a man are you? You have no idea of your own fiancée and yet you already insisted that she was bad? Is it because her cultivation was not high? If you think someone with high cultivation is a great match for you, you just need to look at those two demons. Do you want someone like that as your wife?"
"I have nothing against your sister and it's not about cultivation level!" Jin Zixuan gritted his teeth, he was exhausted, annoyed and agitated. He wanted nothing more than to sit his ass down for a minute. "Maybe you are right. Maybe this was all a big mistake. Maybe I should get to know her first to reject her."
"Or maybe you are just an idiot! You know what? You are nothing but a coward!" Jiang Cheng scoffed; he raised Sandu up again only for Jin Zixuan to step backwards, narrowly avoiding being struck down. The slash wound on his upper arm burned like acid and more crimson liquid gushed out from the edges of the gash, seeping into the ground in rivulets. It wasn't long before blood pooled beneath the older boy, soaking through his trousers and pooling on the grass below them.
"A coward? At least my face is better looking than that permanent scowl that made your face!" Jin Jixuan spat. Jiang Cheng did not make it easy for him to get his temper in check.
"You are just a pampered little peacock!" Jiang Cheng exclaimed angrily while pointing his sword at Jin Zixuan and gritted out through clenched teeth.
"It seems that you are the one who are not satisfied with me. Please remind me, why should I listen to someone with severe anger issue like you? You are the actual coward here." Jin Zixuan's eyes flashed with anger as he spoke back and for once he wasn't able to hold his composure when faced with such insults against him by Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng growled in response, "You dare insult me?"
"Why would I not dare?" Jin Zixuan glared at him with as much malice as he could muster. His tone dripped with sarcasm, "What can you even do to me?"
"I'd be happy to show you," Jiang Cheng hissed, tightening the grip on the sword he held.
"Is that supposed to scare me? You don't have the courage to kill me." Jin Zixuan scoffed as he stared up at Jiang Cheng with dull expression.
Jiang Cheng yelled furiously, "Don't make me laugh. You don't even have the guts to tell you own mother to cut the tie with my sister on your own! That's why you wanted my sister to do it for you."
A frown creased on Jin Zixuan's face at the remark. Lowering his sword, he stared at the other boy, stunned for a moment before speaking, "I am being forced into a marriage that I don't want! Why do you put all the blames on me?"
"Because you don't deserve my sister!" Jiang Cheng barked and he didn't waste any more second to charged forward with all the strength he could muster aiming for his opponent's neck.
"Go ahead then! Let's see how brave you are!" Jin Zixuan yelled with resignation in his voice. At that minute, all he wanted to get this over with. He was so frustrated with Jiang Cheng's provocations and the throbbing pain from his arm mixed into thick poisonous fog in his mind that he couldn't even think straight. He reached his limit, he had no energy to fight anymore. This entire thing was utterly ridiculous. He did not even try to move away from the course of the blade. His slashed arm hung limp by his side as the blood continued to flow from the wounds. There was no trace of pride or arrogance in the usually cocky heir of Lanling Jin's face and for the first time since they had met, it looked vulnerable.
Jiang Cheng eye widened when he saw the person, who would be his future brother-in-law, stood still and made no effort whatsoever to evade or block his incoming offense. His heart lurched uncomfortably. For a brief moment, Jin Zixuan really looked just like any other person, someone who didn't have power over his life. But it was too late to stop himself and his tip of his sword was just inches away from Jin Zixuan's throat.
Jin Zixuan sighed as he closed his eyes in surrender, bracing for the impact of Sandu and the inevitable death that was bound to happen. However, the blow never came. Instead, a deafening thunderclap like sound rang loudly and filled the entire space for a few brief seconds. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that Jiang Cheng was already few steps backward, frozen like a statue. He blinked rapidly a few times trying to take in what had happened as his heart pounded against his chest. He glanced at the surface to search for the sword and noticed it was laying few feet away from where he stood. The adrenaline rush suddenly left his body, his legs gave ways and he slumped down onto the hard ground.
In the split second that almost ended Jin Zixuan's life, Xiao Zhan swiftly threw his sword towards Sandu from the spot he was standing outside the ring, the second he brought down the entire barrier with a couple hand claps. Suibian flew across the battle arena like a sniper bullet hitting precisely at the middle, changing blade trajectory mid-air before it could even graze Jin Zixuan's skin. The two swords collided with a resonant thunk. The sheer power and force of momentum forced Jiang Cheng to release his grip on the handle and let go of his weapon completely. The blade hit the ground with a loud metallic clang. After completing its task, Suibian flew right back into Xiao Zhan's hands without him having to give it a thought, like it had come to be a part of his muscle memory. With a flick of his fingers, Jiang Cheng was physically petrified.
"I thought I had made myself clear of the rule of this sparring!" Xiao Zhan's voice was roaring as his steps were heavy with anger that the earth trembled slightly beneath the man's feet. It was a testament to the sheer size of his ferocity that even so much as a footstep could be heard. His gaze was burning a hole through Jiang Cheng's head. Behind him was his loyal partner clad in white and wore and icy expression that seemed capable of freezing the entire field. Xiao Zhan sheathed Suibian back into its shell. With a stomp of his feet, the remaining smaller arrays immediately deactivated.
There was an eerie silence hung in the air as each of the audiences was dazed, still processing of what had happened. Everyone except Xiao Zhan and Lan Wangji who appeared unfazed.
"Jiang Wanyin! Get you ass here!" Xiao Zhan ordered harshly without looking as he halted in front of Jin Zixuan. His face was one of absolute rage; no trace of humor was seen on his face or features. He looked like he was ready to tear someone apart. There was nothing but a steely gaze which held a coldness that was completely unsympathetic.
Lan Wangji by his side, wore the same exact expression with his partner, he looked down at Jin Zixuan and instructed in a flat tone, "Get up."
Jin Zixuan obeyed without a question. He picked himself up off the ground and wiped the dirt and grass stains away from his bloodied robes. He hissed in pain as his fingers accidentally brushed the open wound on his arm.
As he eyeballed the severity of the injury, Xiao Zhan's s expression softened only the tiniest bit and the intensity in his eyes had decreased by a degree, though his glare remained unchanged. He tossed a small vial green colored potion in it towards the injured Jin ZIxuan. "Catch."
Jin Zixuan managed to safely catch it although he was flustered at first. He looked at with a puzzled face, "What's this?"
Xiao Zhan shrugged, "Healing potion. Just drink it."
Jin Zixuan nodded gratefully and quickly downed the medicine in the small bottle. He grimaced at the taste but he could feel the instant effect of it. The wound stopped bleeding and closed up in gradual manner. His features relaxed as he muttered, "Thank you."
Released from the spell, Jiang Cheng begrudgingly trudged his way towards them with a scowl gracing his face. He unwillingly made his stop before the angry looking Yin and Yang duo.
Lan Wangji fixated his icy pair of eyes on him while he said in commanding manner. "Jiang Wanyin, get your sword back."
Jiang Cheng growled under his breath but obediently summoned his sword and sheathed it. After wards, he kept his sight set on his feet, avoiding the obvious reproaching look on the pair.
The atmosphere became tense again as the two Young Masters stood restlessly while clutching on the shell of their weapons for moral support as they awaited for their trial session to commence. Gusu Lan Elders, just watched from outside the ring of arena like dutiful juries. The training ground was no longer their jurisdiction.
Xiao Zhan glanced up at Jiang Cheng who was refusing to meet his eyes, he spat his words like he was breathing out flame, "Jiang Cheng! Did you really intend to kill him?!"
Jiang Cheng felt his jaw clenched as he lifted his chin sharply to face his martial brother. In all honesty, he could not tell whether or not the person in front of him was truly the same person that he knew before. His voice full with shame as he uttered, "No."
Of course not. Yunmeng Jiang would be embroiled in a war with Lanling Jin if that happened even if it was an accident.
Xiao Zhan continued his scolding, his tone was filled with irritation and disappointment, "Did I speak in a foreign language that you two did not understand? What was the one rule that I said just now?"
Xiao Zhan waited for their answer but none came as the two boys remained silent. Jiang Cheng just glared at him, his fists clenched tightly as he bit his tongue hard, willing the blood in his mouth to stay in side, while Jin Zixuan looked like he was lost in contemplation, unsure of what should he say. Xiao Zhan scoffed when he realized neither of them were going to contribute anything to this conversation. He exhaled in annoyance, "Where did the screaming and cursing go? Now is the right time to open your mouth! Talk!"
Xiao Zhan tapped one foot impatiently with his eyes darting back and forth between the two. After another minutes of silence, he stomped heavily on the ground once and spoke coldly, "Fine. I will count to three and if no one speaks by then, you will know what are the true abilities of these arrays."
The earth started to shake again as the inscription on the arrays glowed in bright like hell fire flowed through them. At the count of one, both of them watched in horror as the soil began to crack and split open around them and spread across the entire ring of arena. The crowd collectively gasped loudly at the entire debacle. The two felt like their heart would explode with the amount of pounding they did and panic surged through them. Both of the trainers remained dangerously calm and unruffled as if nothing odd was happening.
Two, the crumbs of the earth rose high into the air, and hovering for a moment before falling to the ground. At that very moment, Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan realized now that they fucked up. The Elders were ready to make their moves in an effort to stop the hastiness. Even Lan Wangji turned his gaze to his partner that looked determine to raise the underworld onto the world, a slight worry flashed briefly in his expression.
Before Xiao Zhan could say three, he heard an answer. Jiang Cheng, whose mouth was tightly closed throughout, finally managed to squeeze out an answer, "Don't die. That's the rule. Okay?"
Xiao Zhan's brow raised slightly, a ghost of a smile appeared on his lips, "There you go. Why was it so hard to answer?"
He then emotionlessly mumbled some inaudible chants and stamped his feet on the ground to deactivate the multi-layered spells in the array. The audience watched with their mouth hanging opened as the ground slowly close itself up, the cracks disappeared and returned to their natural state as if they had never been there in the first place. Chaos erupted once more after the shock wore off with question marks flooded through them. The Elders halted as well, uncertain how to proceed, speechless at the scene. In the end, they decided to watch from side-line to see how the duo would handle this situation.
Xiao Zhan softened his gaze while an apologetic smile to Lan Wangji. The smile pacified him, he did have some questions for his partner on his power display, but decided to ask later when they wrapped this situation up.
As he spun his head back to the offenders, his expression darkened visibly, "Now shall we discuss about the foolish acts that you two pulled back then? When I said, don't die, that means nobody is allowed to die! No killing or letting yourself be killed! "
Both boys exchanged glances shortly before they waited with bated breath for Xiao Zhan to lash out at them again. Xiao Zhan pointed at Jin Zixuan, "You, explain! Did you really think that you can wake up again once his sword impaled your neck?"
Jin Zixuan swallowed drily, "I wasn't thinking."
Xiao Zhan's glare intensified, he raised his voice, "Is that supposed to be an excuse? Is your brain made of air? Lowering your sword during a battle is a suicide! Are you that tired of living? If your answer is yes, I will gladly send you to meet the king of hell myself. Just say the word."
Jin Zixuan hung his head low, he admitted in a quiet voice, "No. I still want to live."
Xiao Zhan shook his head and sighed heavily, "Good answer."
After a brief pause, he shifted to look at Jiang Cheng unsmilingly, his voice were weighty and profound "And you! Your temper once again clouded your judgement. You almost killed someone because of it! You were very lucky that I stopped your sword. If I hadn't, you can imagine what would come next. With every action, consequences follow. I want you to think deeply on that, as a human, a brother, a son and a future leader."
Jiang Cheng was rendered speechless, he felt himself tensed as thousand of thoughts ran through his mind. Xiao Zhan's words echoed loudly in his brain and gave him chills. He knew that they were completely fair and true. He glanced at grim looking trainers and he nodded numbly, "Okay."
Xiao Zhan then spoke up again, "Since you two almost broke the rule today and considering the fact that you had served five out of six hours of your punishment, I have no choice but to give out another punishment to each of you."
Jiang Cheng knitted his eyebrows closed together while Jin Zixuan stiffened as they waited for Xiao Zhan's final verdicts.
"Jiang Cheng, you have to write a reflection on what I asked you to think about earlier and as for you, Jin Zixuan, write a reflection on your thoughtless act that almost killed you. I give both of you two days to submit at least five pages of it." Xiao Zhan paused for a second thought. He added, "Oh and don't get smart on me. Write it properly in small letter and I will know if you try to cheat your way out of this."
Jiang Cheng snorted, "You think everyone is like you?"
Xiao Zhan clicked his tongue as a response. He then scorned, "You should be thankful that I didn't ask you to copy Virtue."
Lan Wangji then sent his chilly glaring towards his way on his partner's behalf, he spoke up, "Jiang Wanyin, I will check those reflections myself. The same goes to you Young Master Jin."
Jiang Cheng grumbled under his breath, "Yes, sorry."
Jin Zixuan did not complaint and just nodded in acceptance. He was way too exhausted to protest or to react at all.
Xiao Zhan then smirked, "So did you two had enough of a fight now? Or do you need more hours? I can turn this back on anytime."
Jin Zixuan declared resignedly, "I will never fight ever again, Young Master Wei."
"Good for you Young Master Jin." Xiao Zhan said with a grin. The gaunt look on Jin Zixuan's told him that he had been through hell and he would think twice before throwing his punches at someone again in near future.
Jiang Cheng refused to lose his face and spoke up, "Well, the same as me."
Xiao Zhan placed his hand on Jiang Cheng's shoulders and lightly patted it, "Son, you have grown."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes but did not have a comeback to that. Not when the subzero glaring of his other future brother-in-law followed his every moves, always ready to turn him into snow at any given chance.
Xiao Zhan once again looked at the two boys like a mother hen watching its chicks, "Well then. I hoped you two learned your lesson today. Only one more thing left for you two to do now. Hug it out and apologize to each other."
"Huh???" Jiang Cheng and Jin Zixuan eyeballs almost popped hearing his order. They briefly exchanged looks and they shuddered in disgusts at the thought of embracing the other.
"You heard him." Lan Wangji said like the true enforcer of his partner's law and order. Xiao Zhan flashed his devious grin which stamped on the boys' remaining pride like a thorn on their asses. The rest of disciples did nothing to help, rather it got even worse when they started cheering for them.
Both of them almost gagged in their mouths when they eventually had to do it in front of many witnesses and the smell of blood and sweat, intensified their nausea. That day, it was cemented solid into their brains, there was no way in hell they would pull the same stunt ever again. Never.