The final

“Ready, Mu-Di?” The second prince asked with a confident smile.

“Um. This brother is ready to win against Hui-ge” I answered in kind and his smile broadened.

“We shall see.”

“Participants, resume your places!”

Heng Hui adopted the snake style, while I resumed my tiger starting position.

Free from the reins of propriety, I breathed in and gathered Chi around my person.

“Begin!”

The instant the call was made, both the prince and I launched simultaneous attacks. He with a double fist strike, while I released the chi from the palm of my hand with a shout, air following it and causing a gale of wind that lifted him off his feet and pushed him backwards.

He was too accomplished of a fighter to lose from one move, no matter how surprising it was, and he landed on his feet a step away from the edge of the arena.

He stood rooted to the spot, watching me with wide eyes, as did the rest of the audience but for those in my family’s and the emperor’s pavilions.