Chapter 22 Gong Kang II

—Must one devour and contend in order to live? Survival and evolution are Heaven’s curse upon life.

　　The humansacrifice combat tournament alternated yearly between the territories of the two clans; this year it was the Gongyou Clan’s turn to host, upon the open ground outside Wangqiu City.

　　After learning of the previous years’ matches, Su Ziqi and her companions were eager to watch the contest in person and asked Gongkong to apply to the Great Chieftain.

　　“If I report it to the Great Chieftain he will certainly refuse.” Gongkong’s eyes rolled thoughtfully. “Instead, when the tournament is held the spectators will be numerous; I shall take Sister Ziqi and the rest of you and slip into the crowd unnoticed. The Great Chieftain will never discover us.”

　　“How are we to get out? The guards upon the sacrificial platform watch us so closely that we cannot take a single step beyond the great door.”

　　“That is easily arranged. I shall bring good wine and dishes in advance and get the guards drunk.”

　　Upon the open ground outside the gates of Wangqiu City the humansacrifice combat tournament began as scheduled.

　　Gongkong led Su Ziqi and her four companions into the crowd. Because the five were comparatively short of stature he pushed them steadily forward until they finally reached the front rank.

　　Upon the open ground north and south of the city two platforms had been erected. Upon the northern platform sat the chieftains of the Gongyou Clan; at each of its four corners fluttered a banner bearing a bluegreen dragon upon a yellow field—the clan banner of the Gongyou, as Su Ziqi knew.

　　Upon the southern platform sat the chieftains of the FireWorship Clan; their banners likewise flew at the four corners, each bearing a red phoenix upon a black field. Gongkong explained that this was the clan banner of the FireWorship people.

　　The spectators gathered on both sides of the platforms, forming a circle; the level ground in the center was the arena.

　　Su Ziqi observed that the surrounding crowd was in a state of high excitement, necks craned as though injected with stimulants, seemingly hoping to see the blood of the opposing clan spilled on the spot so that their own people might escape the sacrifices.

　　From Gongkong’s earlier explanations the five already understood the origin of the tournament: the Green Clan gods used the children of the human race as stakes, forcing the humans to decide through mutual slaughter which side must offer the sacrifices.

　　Upon the faces of the spectators there was not the slightest trace of sorrow; instead every neck was stretched in anticipation of a fine spectacle of killing.

　　Su Ziqi shook her head at the scene: “This is human nature. Even after tens of thousands of years of evolution, selfishness and the willingness to harm others for one’s own benefit seem never to have changed.”

　　The present tournament was presided over by High Priest Fang Mu of the Gongyou Clan. The masked Fang Mu paced with measured steps into the center of the field and proclaimed in a loud voice: “Warriors of the Gongyou and FireWorship Clans! We are all children of the celestial gods. The love of the gods nourishes our souls. Let us together wish the celestial gods ten thousand years of life without end!”

　　He paused, expecting the crowd to shout “Ten thousand years without end!” in response; when no reply came he coughed dryly to cover the awkwardness and continued: “Everyone, as repayment for the gods’ love we must offer them our hearts, our bodies, and even our souls.

　　“Today we hold the humansacrifice combat tournament. According to custom the losing side will have the honor of presenting to the great celestial gods the love of their children—our human race.

　　“Ahem.” Fang Mu cleared his throat. “I now announce that this year’s quota of sacrifices is eight thousand boys and girls, and the quota of laborers is twenty thousand.”

　　“What? What nonsense are you talking?”

　　“Last year it was only four thousand; how has it suddenly become eight thousand this year?”

　　“Indeed—and why labor service again this year? How many more families will be torn apart?”

　　…

　　A sudden uproar rose among the crowd; everyone began discussing. Confronted by these two shocking figures, the earlier desire to watch a beheading evaporated at once.

　　“What are you all shouting about? Compared with the love and grace the celestial gods bestow upon us, a mere eight thousand sacrifices and twenty thousand laborers are nothing! The sacrifice of the victims purchases more than a decade of peace for us; such a price is worth paying.” Fang Mu shouted.

　　“Fang Mu, you villain—send your own children as sacrifices! Go and serve as a laborer yourself! We do not need this kind of peace!”

　　The surrounding crowd cursed in unison.

　　Though the sun shone brightly, a sudden cool breeze made everyone feel desolate and chill; the sound of weeping rose among the people.

　　“Be quiet, all of you! What place is this? Today is the sacred day when our two great human peoples decide to offer their love; your insolence will not be tolerated!”

　　Seeing the unrest, Fang Mu grew impatient and continued: “I now declare the combat tournament open. The Gongyou Clan is represented by Gong Kang. Let the FireWorship Clan send forth its warrior!”

　　Gong Kang entered the arena carrying the DragonFlame Sword; opposite him a warrior of the FireWorship Clan also stepped forward.

　　Su Ziqi and her companions looked carefully. The FireWorship contestant was a woman roughly 1.75 meters tall, without helmet, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall, part of it gathered into a topknot.

　　She possessed an oval face, fair skin, rosy cheeks, and a pair of large, brilliantly intelligent eyes. Clad entirely in black with a red phoenix embroidered upon the garment, she held two curved blades and stood among the crowd like a black rose in full bloom.

　　“Sister Ziqi, that is Lian Xiang,” Gongkong whispered.

　　“A true beauty—no wonder your elder brother is captivated by her.”

　　“Sister Ziqi, you too are a great beauty; I do not think you inferior to her in the least.”

　　At that moment Gongkong looked at Su Ziqi. Though she appeared somewhat petite among the crowd, she radiated lively grace; her exquisite face held a pair of eyes bright as crystal. The yellow silk long skirt commonly worn by clan women, when worn by Su Ziqi, revealed the graceful curves of her figure in subtle outline, leaving Gongkong momentarily dazed.

　　“Get away with you, chatterbox.” Seeing Gongkong staring, Su Ziqi shot him a glance and hurriedly turned her head aside.

　　Gong Kang walked to the center of the arena and, to everyone’s surprise, planted his sword in the ground. Lian Xiang approached and performed the identical action, planting both curved blades in the earth.

　　The spectators, not understanding, pointed and murmured among themselves.

　　Gong Kang surveyed the surroundings: “Warriors of the Gongyou and FireWorship Clans! Today I, Gong Kang, and Lian Xiang of the FireWorship Clan refuse to take part in this mutual slaughter, this inhuman humansacrifice combat tournament.”

　　The field erupted in uproar. Never since the two great human clans began participating in the tournament had both combatants simply abandoned the match.

　　The presiding High Priest Fang Mu stood frozen and cried: “Gong Kang, what… what exactly do you mean?” Had he not worn the mask, everyone would have seen his expression of utter astonishment.

　　Gong Kang paid no heed and continued to stand with Lian Xiang, neither fighting nor withdrawing.

　　Fang Mu pondered a moment, then beckoned one of his disciples and whispered instructions. The disciple went to prepare.

　　Shortly afterward the disciple, clad in short garments and carrying weapons, stepped forward. Fang Mu now recovered his composure: “Gong Kang, if you will not compete, leave the field at once so that we may send another contestant. And let the FireWorship Clan likewise send a fresh warrior.”

　　“Today, whoever steps onto this field is my enemy; I, Gong Kang, will deal with him first!”

　　Gong Kang’s martial prowess was known to all; as the foremost warrior of the Gongyou Clan his reputation had been earned by strength, not empty boasts. No sooner had he spoken than the disciple who had already prepared himself hurriedly retreated.

　　Gong Kang’s double pupils seemed to contain shattered glass; his bright eyes, like twin bolts of lightning, swept the surrounding crowd: “Warriors of the Gongyou and FireWorship Clans, permit me a few words.”

　　Perhaps it was the force of his presence; the previously noisy field fell instantly silent, and everyone listened quietly.

　　“For more than a decade our two great human clans have offered human sacrifices to the Green Clan celestial gods. The number has increased year by year—from a few dozen at the beginning to eight thousand boys and girls this year—doubling and redoubling until it has far exceeded the limit our human race can endure.

　　“Tell me, everyone—how many infants are born each year in our two clans combined? Only two years ago we already supplied them with twenty thousand laborers; why again this year? How large is the total population of our human race? How can we withstand such torment?

　　“I ask you: which family present has never offered a sacrifice or a laborer to the Green Clan? Which family’s child was not raised with painstaking care by its parents? Which family has never contributed laborers?

　　“The desires of the Green Clan celestial gods are endless. We have already endured far too many acts that wound our own and delight our enemies. The time has come for them to end!”