“You want me to kill her?” Ishin repeated, staring pointedly at Master Guoqiang.

  He looked over at Yan, bound by the water tendrils. She had redoubled her efforts to break free, her muscles actively straining against the unyielding bindings, her bangs swaying across her eyes with the movement. Had water not covered her mouth, Ishin didn’t doubt she’d be screaming at them. He met her glare and recognized the defiance burning in her gaze. He couldn’t blame her. If I were in her position, I’d be furious too.

  “Is that a problem?” There was no trace of annoyance or irritation in Master Guoqiang’s tone.

  Ishin wasn’t sure how to answer. Yan had tried to kill him. Twice. And he had no doubt she’d try again if given the chance. He glanced at Zhu Rhee, who stood silently with a troubled expression. She had been hurt by this last attempt, despite bearing no responsibility for Yan’s loss. Still, this didn’t feel right.

  “I am no executioner,” Ishin declared at last. He moved beside Gong Ruiwen’s corpse and retrieved his spear. “I won’t kill her like this. Even if she deserves it.”

  A gurgle, suppressed by the water band, came from Yan. Ishin wondered what she’d tried to say.

  Remarkably, Master Guoqiang shook his head. “I didn’t expect you to execute her. That would be a poor method to assess your worth.”

  Ishin’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

  “The Eight Oaths Resolve Martial School does not raise executioners, young disciple. We produce honorable warriors, not simple killers—those who serve Yellow Dome City through noble actions. That is why so many Righteous Mantle Sect disciples originate from our school.”

  “But you said—” Ishin began, but was interrupted.

  “I said I wanted to see if you could kill her. In battle. Not execution.”

  “What are you suggesting, Master Guoqiang?” Zhu Rhee interjected.

  Guoqiang finally looked at Yan. “This woman from the Western Quarter attacked you. She tried to kill you, but only after you were exhausted. Even then, she dishonorably targeted Disciple Zhu Rhee from behind. A truly detestable act. For her crimes, she deserves death.” He turned to Ishin. “I want to see how you fare against her when you’ve both recovered. An even fight, if you will.”

  An even fight?

  Ishin’s eyes narrowed. “You’re going to take her back to the school so that I can fight her there?”

  “I would not tarnish the grounds of our school with the presence of this Iron Mantis,” he sneered the words. “You and Disciple Zhu Rhee were expected to hunt for three days. I will give you both one day to rest and recover your qi. Tomorrow, I will free the Iron Mantis and you two will fight to the death. An honorable duel. If you succeed, I will promote you to the status of a true disciple within our school.”

  A true disciple. That would grant him access to greater resources—training classes, refined techniques, better facilities. My cultivation would only grow stronger.

  Then he thought back to how Master Guoqiang had phrased it.

  An honorable duel.

  In the Nine Striped Hills, fights to the death were indeed considered honorable—but only against warriors from other tribes. His mother had even once mentioned her wish to face Lou Heng in such combat. Ishin didn’t fully grasp the political structure of Yellow Dome City, but he had assumed its residents were all one tribe.

  Then he remembered how Hou Lei had killed Yan’s other friend during their confrontation in the Western Quarter. Hou Lei hadn’t seemed to care about killing someone who lived in the same city.

  Ishin looked to Zhu Rhee, searching for her opinion. She seemed resolved—content with the proposed arrangement.

  Maybe they only consider those from the same Quarter as tribe.

  Yan, still bound, was glaring at him.

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  “Very well,” he said at last. If this is what I must do to move forward on my Immortal Path… then so be it.

  At least she’ll have a chance this way.

  “Good,” Master Guoqiang said. “One more detail.”

  Ishin’s stomach tightened. “What, Master?”

  “You are not allowed to use your Pale Azure Force Lightning Strike technique.”

  Blinking, Ishin repeated, “What?”

  “Why can’t he, Master Guoqiang?” Zhu Rhee challenged.

  To Ishin’s relief, Guoqiang didn’t take offense.

  “That technique is capable of severely harming a spirit beast in the Adept Realm. If you use it, you’ll easily win.”

  More gurgling came from Yan’s gag, and she began hopping in place.

  “Isn’t the point to see what he can do?” Zhu Rhee pressed. “Why shouldn’t he use all his abilities in a fight to the death?”

  “I already know what he’s capable of with that technique,” Guoqiang replied. “I want to see what he can do without it.” He turned to Ishin. “Is that technique all you're capable of? If so, you’ll be of little use in the Exhibition Tournament, where it can only be used once.”

  As much as it grated on him, Ishin understood the Master’s perspective. Arguing was pointless. “And you promise to make me a true disciple of the Eight Oaths Resolve School if I win?”

  “By my station as a Master of the Eight Oaths Resolve School, I swear,” Guoqiang intoned.

  “Witnessed,” Zhu Rhee pronounced, then added, “When he joins the school, I want you to ensure he receives access to one of our lightning techniques.”

  Guoqiang’s forehead wrinkled. “A bold demand. Why would a new disciple receive a technique before earning it?”

  Zhu Rhee smirked. “Because if not, then when he fights the other disciples vying for a tournament spot, he’ll need something that won’t just kill them outright.”

  Frowning, Guoqiang replied, “A reasonable point. Very well. If he becomes a true disciple, I will provide him with one”—he raised a finger—“lightning technique suitable for an Initial Realm cultivator.”

  “Thank you, Master,” Zhu Rhee said, bowing.

  She walked over to Ishin. “You better not die tomorrow.”

  Ishin thought of the speed and intensity of Yan’s Ember Dart technique. If she struck him even a few times, the duel could be over.

  And that’s if she doesn’t aim for my head.

  Clenching his spear, Ishin visualized dodging fire darts as he closed in with his weapon. With his improved qi cycling, he might stand a chance.

  “I won’t,” he promised Zhu Rhee.

  She nodded, pleased. “Good.”

  “Gather your belongings and bring them here,” Master Guoqiang ordered. “I’ll watch over her while you’re gone.”

  The two cultivators obeyed. When they returned, Yan was pinned to a wide pine tree, thick water bindings wrapped around her torso, anchoring her to the trunk. A sheet of water still gagged her. She didn’t even turn to glare at them. Her eyes stared ahead, lifeless, at the corpses of her two friends stacked nearby.

  “That’s unnecessary,” Zhu Rhee muttered.

  Master Guoqiang stood nearby, tightening the strap on a small pouch. Without a word, he tossed it to Ishin. It landed in his hands with the distinct clink of coins.

  Is this money?

  “I compiled all the meager coins they had,” Guoqiang said. “Three gold and eight copper. Consider it another incentive.”

  Ishin shook the bag. At least I’ll walk away with some resources. He wondered if they could still extract chakra from the thunder horned wolf he’d slain—now that they had an Adept Realm cultivator with them.

  “Did you have to rob them?” Zhu Rhee asked.

  “The dead won’t miss it,” Guoqiang replied. “And they likely stole the coin from someone else anyway.”

  Ishin noticed Yan squirming at the comment.

  “What about her?” he asked.

  “What about her?” the Master responded.

  “Are you going to leave her like that until tomorrow?”

  “She can still cultivate in that position. The bindings won’t harm her unless she tries to escape.” As if on cue, Yan strained again.

  “Focus on your own recovery. Replenish your qi.”

  Ishin nodded. I don’t plan on dying tomorrow. He would use the rest of the day to recover and plan. From the corner of his eye, he watched Zhu Rhee sip from her waterskin. Her burned flesh remained visible from this angle. Ishin knew the pain well. His own wounds still burned.

  “Do you have anything that can help her wound?” he asked.

  Guoqiang shook his head. “No. She’ll have to wait until we return to the school. Like I said, if she receives treatment in a few days, she’ll be fine.” He eyed Ishin’s burns. “If you succeed, we’ll heal you too.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Ishin said, fighting to keep the sarcasm from his tone.

  Had you stepped in earlier, neither of us would be injured.

  He then realized: he’d likely receive more burns tomorrow during the duel.

  “Cultivate, young disciple,” Guoqiang said. “Recover your strength. Disciple Zhu Rhee, you too.”

  “Yes, Master,” they echoed, before assuming their meditative positions.