A Sudden Revelation

The following morning, Bai Qiao slowly opened their eyes. Beside them lay a person with a sallow complexion, utterly drenched in sweat. Instinctively, Bai Qiao helped them settle more comfortably before changing into one of Bai Chen’s usual outfits. Taking a deep breath, they then walked out with the others.

“Your Highness, King Bai…”

The most dreadful thing had happened: they were being addressed. Bai Qiao, a stiff, awkward smile plastered on their face, slowly turned around.

“K-King Qing?”

“Oh? What’s this? Is King Bai truly surprised to see me?”

“Ah, no…”

Bai Qiao steadied their nerves. They were not typically a rash person, yet merely seeing King Qing brought to mind his past actions and words, evoking an inexplicable chill. Despite this, there was another sensation, a persistent feeling that King Qing shared an intricate, unseen connection with them.

King Qing’s expression flickered subtly for a fleeting moment before instantly reverting to its usual calm. He strode forward, catching up to them, and said, “King Bai, I presume you’re also heading to the martial arts competition? Perhaps we could go together, then…”

“Ah…”

Bai Qiao instinctively wanted to refuse, yet could find no suitable reason. While there was genuinely little that frightened Bai Qiao, King Qing always managed to instill a sense of unease. Everything about this man was unfathomable, leaving Bai Qiao with the persistent feeling that an unpredictable trap lay ahead.

Along the way, neither spoke a word until they arrived at the grand hall. Despite its immense size, the hall was not crowded; only a few kings and their personal attendants stood within the resplendent chamber. At the very front, commanding all attention, sat His Majesty.

****

“Now that everyone has arrived, let us begin. It has been too long since I last witnessed your prowess, and I find myself quite nostalgic…”

No sooner had the words faded than a transparent screen shimmered into existence, suspended in mid-air within the otherwise empty hall. It displayed a rapid succession of colorful patterns, eventually settling on a uniform green and a circular black symbol.

King Green and King Black immediately stepped forward. A vast, transparent, dark barrier, resembling a formidable enchantment, materialized around them in the center of the hall.

Standing on opposite sides, both unleashed their internal energy with virtually no reservation, so intensely that even the barrier began to faintly shimmer with their overflowing power. Even someone as dull-witted as King Black would understand that this contest was far from simple, prompting them to exert their full strength from the very beginning.

Internal energy… Amidst the clash of blades and the flash of shadows, Bai Qiao could barely discern the fighters’ movements, seeing only blurred figures. Black silhouettes intertwined with streaks of cyan-blue light, creating a swirling vortex within the barrier. Bai Qiao watched the two figures whirl and somersault within the enclosure, utterly dazzled, yet a chilling numbness spread through their heart. ‘What kind of joke is this? A fight of this magnitude… how could I possibly survive it…?’

After a moment of Bai Qiao’s stunned silence, the barrier suddenly grew still. As the wisps of smoke, barely perceptible, finally dissipated, the sight presented to everyone was King Black lying prone on the ground, and King Green half-kneeling, his hand clamped tightly over his shoulder. Blood welled profusely from between his fingers, and a trickle stained the corner of his mouth. Beneath the fallen King Black, a crimson pool had already formed.

Bai Qiao watched, a tremor of dread running through them. Just then, a system-like voice softly resonated:

“King Black has been defeated. Victory has been decided.”

What followed was the opening of a colossal black hole beneath the barrier. King Black plummeted directly into it, and for a long time, no sound emerged, as if it were a bottomless chasm – or perhaps, a genuine black hole. Bai Qiao couldn’t help but draw a sharp, cold breath.

‘This principle is utterly inexplicable. Is it because this is another world that such illogical events occur?’

“Hmm?”

It took several touches on their right arm from the person beside them for Bai Qiao to finally react, realizing with a shock that their own name – no, Bai Chen’s name – had appeared on the large screen. Instantly, they were at a loss, their mind a complete blank. ‘Am I really this unlucky?’

They could scarcely believe this was happening. Truthfully, Bai Qiao had little to fear for themselves, but they were currently representing Bai Chen. Bai Chen’s strength was undoubtedly formidable, yet what lay beneath was unknown, entirely beyond their control. No matter how bold or quick-witted Bai Qiao might be, they couldn’t hope to alter this situation in the slightest.

Noticing Bai Qiao’s predicament, King Qing couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. ‘Indeed… everything is perfect…’ He immediately took a step forward.

“Your Majesty, I observe that King Bai appears to be feeling unwell. Perhaps it would be best for your humble servant to stand in for the competition today, and King Bai can make up for it tomorrow…”

Bai Qiao gazed with some surprise at King Qing, who had stepped in to save the day, wondering inwardly why he would do such a thing. King Qing, who had been facing His Majesty, suddenly turned his head, offering Bai Qiao an innocent, guileless smile. Bai Qiao quickly averted their gaze, but in that fleeting moment, they caught sight of King Red’s somber expression and… surprise. ‘Could it be…?’

Bai Qiao didn’t look back, silently turning their attention to the ongoing competition. It was as dazzling as before, yet seemed even more intense, more… intellectually demanding than the previous round.

However, by the end, one stood while the other lay fallen. King Qing stood there with an air of nonchalance, his clothes tattered and his body bearing numerous scars, certainly looking disheveled. Yet, his state was far less dire than that of King Green in the previous match. It had to be said, King Qing, despite his seemingly delicate appearance, was a truly formidable individual.

“Phew…”

Bai Qiao finally exited the grand hall, exhaling a deep breath of relief. ‘Thank goodness I’m finally out of here. This day… it’s been… I’d rather be back in school, suddenly wishing I could return…’

“King Bai!”

The familiar voice made Bai Qiao’s body stiffen. They turned their head rigidly, forcing a smile.

“King Qing… How may I help you, Your Excellency?”

King Qing’s form blurred, and he instantly appeared before Bai Qiao. Leaning in, he breathed softly into Bai Qiao’s ear, making them nearly jump out of their skin. However, seeing their current appearance, Bai Qiao feigned composure and spoke.

“King Qing, what are you doing?”

“Pfft! Miss Bai Qiao, you truly are amusing…”

“You! H-how did you know…?”

“Me? Know? Of course, I know. Because… everything about you will be under my control. However, I’m not sure why you can’t maintain this male guise, so you’d best change back…”

“Ugh!”

Before she could even process the meaning behind King Qing’s words, a sharp pain flared in her chest, followed by the familiar oppressive sensation she had first felt upon arriving here.

“Ahhh!”

Bai Qiao clutched her head, letting out a tormented scream. Even through the haze of pain, she realized her voice had reverted to its original pitch.

****

Bai Qiao knelt on the ground, the loose, oversized men’s clothes drooping around her, almost completely engulfing her small frame. Her eyes wide, she stared at her body, now undeniably female once more, and then at… the enigmatic man before her!