Atlas paled, his mind racing. "You know, Master Daokan, I do believe that we've learned a valuable lesson today. Strength, endurance, perseverance—really, there's no need to continue, is there?"
Master Daokan folded his arms, his expression almost amused.
"You've been under my skin more times than anyone else I've ever met, Atlas. More than emperors, nobles, disciples, sect leaders—every single one. And now, you've even gotten under my daughter skin as well. It's only fair."
Atlas gulped. He had talked his way out of countless situations before, manipulating, redirecting, charming—but now he was facing something worse than sheer stubbornness.
This wasn't just about martial arts. This was an agenda.
He had never met someone he couldn't manipulate unless they were either too naturally stubborn or had something to gain. Even the stubborn he has made them danced on his palms but Master Daokan? He had both.
Layla watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Atlas. She knew his tricks, had seen him talk circles around people and escape situations no one else could. He was infuriating, but also... strangely entertaining.
"I can't believe he's finally out of options" she murmured to Jiang.
Jiang smirked. "About time someone corners him. He's played you enough, hasn't he?"
Layla rolled her eyes. "Please. If he thinks he's getting out of this one, he's delusional."
Atlas forced a weak chuckle. "Surely, a civilized discussion—"
"Step into the ring, Atlas." Master Daokan gestured toward the arena.
Shen Xue cracked her knuckles, rolling her shoulders with a smirk. "I've been waiting for this."
Atlas turned to her, hands raised in mock surrender.
"Now, Shen, let's not be hasty. I would never want to sully our wonderful, professional relationship with something as barbaric as a fight."
Shen Xue tilted her head.
"Oh? Because let's go about that. You not only sully the grand hall which frankly even the current Emperor honoured, you made it into a circus. Bao carrying you like a king and you making many things drop which frankly, would take even more than your body to pay it all back.''
Atlas coughed. "I may have been...active..?"
Shen Xue cracked her knuckles louder. "No, you weren't."
Atlas exhaled sharply and turned toward the rack of wooden training weapons at the side of the ring. If he had to fight, he needed something—anything—to at least look like he stood a chance. His eyes darted over the options: a wooden spear, a wooden sword, a wooden staff, a wooden longsword, and wooden daggers.
He ran a quick mental calculation. A spear would give him range, but he had absolutely no experience using one, and Shen Xue would likely disarm him in seconds. A sword? Too predictable, and she probably knew how to counter every style of swordplay in existence. The staff? He could at least try to keep his distance, but it required finesse—finesse he lacked. A longsword was heavier, unwieldy, and Shen Xue didn't seem like someone he could outmuscle. And daggers? Close combat with Shen Xue was a death sentence.
His stomach twisted. No matter what he chose, he was a prey walking into a slaughter. The real question wasn't which weapon would help him win—it was which one would help him survive long enough to run away if needed.
He remembered back when the first time he encountered Shen Xue —when she pressed a needle against his throat, her expression utterly unreadable. That was when he realized she was different. Calculated. Deadly.
His mind pieced together what he knew about her. She was probably light on her feet, graceful maybe but most efficient. Her strength probably wasn't in brute force but in speed, precision, and knowing exactly where to strike to cause the most damage. Atlas recalled the brief sensation of cold steel when she held the needle to his skin, the way she positioned herself to maximize control with minimal effort.
His gaze flickered back to the weapon rack. If she relied on precision, his best bet was something unpredictable, something that forced her to react instead of dictate the flow of battle.
His hand hesitated, then settled on the wooden staff. It had range, and though he had no finesse, he could at least swing it wildly and hope to keep her from closing in too quickly. He wasn't delusional enough to think he could win—but if he played it right, he might just last long enough to call this a "learning experience."
"Huh" Layla murmured, watching as Shen Xue made her way toward the weapon rack.
"Let's see what she picks."
To her surprise, Shen Xue reached for the wooden longsword. Layla's brows rose slightly.
"Interesting."
Jiang glanced at her. "What?"
"Atlas just spent all that time analyzing her precision-based fighting style" Layla mused.
"But now she's using a longsword. That means whatever deduction he made earlier is now completely useless. This is going to be a good show."
Meanwhile, Atlas watched as Shen Xue lifted the longsword with ease. He blinked. Then blinked again. His brain refused to process the betrayal of logic he was witnessing.
"What?" he muttered. "No. No, that's not right."
He had been expecting daggers. Maybe a needle, or something similarly delicate. But a longsword? He wasn't prepared for that.
Atlas turned back to Master Daokan, raising a hesitant hand.
"Hypothetically speaking, am I allowed to use more than one weapon?"
Master Daokan gave him a flat stare. "Why?"
Atlas cleared his throat. "Oh, no reason. Just a scholarly inquiry. You see, as an intellectual, I believe in thorough research and adaptable strategies. It would be a grave disservice to the art of combat if I were limited in my choice of tools."
Shen Xue smirked, resting the blade on her shoulder. "You're panicking."
"Me? Panicking?" Atlas let out a forced chuckle. "Pffft. Please. This is just... tactical recalibration. A moment of strategic enlightenment."
Master Daokan sighed. "Use as many weapons as you wish. It will not change the outcome."
Atlas perked up slightly. "Oh? A generous and wise decision, Master Daokan. Truly, your fairness knows no bounds."
Shen Xue raised an eyebrow. "You're going to need all the help you can get."
Atlas placed a thoughtful hand on his chin. "Yes, yes, but let's consider the optics of this. Shen Xue, daughter of the great Master Daokan, a warrior of unparalleled skill, choosing to wield multiple weapons against little old me? A simple, unassuming scholar? Doesn't that seem... dishonourable?"
Shen Xue narrowed her eyes. "What are you getting at?"
Atlas sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "I mean, if I, a humble man of intellect, were to choose one single weapon while you, a prodigy of combat, required multiple... what would that say about your confidence? Your honour as a warrior?"
Shen Xue's grip on the longsword tightened slightly. Layla, watching from the sidelines, nearly choked on a laugh.
"Oh, he's really doing it."
Jiang smirked. "He's actually trying to guilt-trip her into fighting fair."
Master Daokan watched in bemusement but said nothing, letting his daughter handle it.
Shen Xue's gaze bore into Atlas. For a moment, she seemed genuinely considering his words before scoffing.
"Nice try. You're still going to lose."
Atlas sighed, shrugging. "Ah, but at least I lose with dignity. Now, let's begin."
Atlas took a deep breath and adjusted the weapons he had selected. His primary choice was the wooden staff, giving him the best chance to keep Shen Xue at bay. As a backup, he tucked a wooden dagger at his waist—something he hoped he wouldn't have to use. Finally, strapped to his back was a wooden spear, an option he could switch to if things got desperate.
Jiang, watching from the sidelines, nudged Lin Wuye with a smirk.
"Does Atlas have any conceivable way of lasting more than five seconds?"
Lin Wuye exhaled, shaking his head. "Against the daughter of Master Daokan? The same Shen Xue who restored all our Qi points earlier, on par with Yan? No. Not unless he discovers a hidden divine bloodline in the next few seconds."
Layla folded her arms, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Honestly, I just want to see how long he keeps talking before Shen Xue gets tired of it and smashes him into the ground."
Master Daokan raised his hand, signalling the start of the match. "Begin."
Atlas took an exaggerated step back, twirling his staff in a way that was meant to look impressive but only succeeded in making him seem wildly uncoordinated.
"Now, Shen, let's talk about this rationally. Fighting is such a crude method of conflict resolution—"
Shen Xue lunged.
Atlas barely had time to react before she was upon him, her longsword slicing through the air with practiced precision. He stumbled back, using the staff to desperately block the strike, but the sheer force of the impact sent vibrations rattling through his arms.
"Hah!" he forced a laugh. "You're fast, but I—"
Another strike. This time, he barely managed to twist his body in time to avoid taking a direct hit. Shen Xue's movements were fluid, relentless, like a predator toying with its prey.
Jiang smirked. "Three seconds. Not bad."
Lin Wuye chuckled. "He's still breathing, which is a surprise."
Atlas decided now was the time for a tactical retreat. He jumped back, reaching behind him to grab the spear strapped to his back. With a dramatic flourish, he pointed it at Shen Xue.
"Ah-ha! Behold, the weapon of warriors!"
Shen Xue tilted her head. "You don't know how to use that, do you?"
Atlas hesitated. "That's subjective."
She sighed, then moved again. He thrust the spear wildly, hoping to create some distance, but Shen Xue was already too close. With a swift motion, she sidestepped his attack, grabbed the spear shaft, and wrenched it from his grip before tossing it effortlessly across the arena.
Atlas blinked. "Right. Expected that."
Layla laughed. "Five seconds. He's exceeding expectations."
Atlas exhaled sharply and pulled the dagger from his waist. "Plan C!"
Shen Xue's smirk grew wider. "You mean 'Plan Desperation'?"
Atlas had no response—mainly because Shen Xue was already coming at him again.