At first light, Yi Zaifu enters the provincial stone court with his jian at his side and his wrist secured beneath fresh linen. Elder Chu accompanies him; the remaining champions assemble nearby.
Elder Chu
The order is fixed by the witness seal. First, second, and third exchanges test individual skill. The fourth and fifth determine which sect controls the court.
Five Nine Peaks champions take their marked positions opposite the empty places reserved for Burning Blade. Guards, elders, and provincial witnesses form a silent ring around the stone.
Elder Chu
Our first exchange is not merely a duel. It tests whether we can coordinate without surrendering Nine Peaks authority to a single commander.
A clerk unrolls a narrow protocol bearing the provincial witness seal. Its unfamiliar clauses require each champion to answer a challenge independently, then yield space according to the court’s drum.
Elder Chu
Read it aloud. We rehearse the rule exactly, before an opponent exploits hesitation.
Nine Peaks seasoned disciple
At the first drum, the forward champion engages. At the second, the adjacent champion may enter. Neither may cross the witness line without command.
“I rehearse the drum changes with our formation”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
Yi Zaifu takes the forward position as the champions spread along the marked line. His jian remains sheathed, leaving his attention on distance, timing, and the court’s drums.
Nine Peaks seasoned disciple
First drum, forward engagement. Second drum, the adjacent champion enters. Third drum, both yield on the witness line.
The opening drum sounds. Yi Zaifu advances with the seasoned disciple, matching his pace without crossing the boundary. At the second beat, the neighboring champion fills the space cleanly.
Elder Chu
Good. Keep your shoulders quiet, and let the drum command the formation rather than your opponent’s movement.
The third drum rolls across the stone court. Yi Zaifu yields half a step as the adjacent champion withdraws, and the next pair assumes the pressure without collision.
Yi Zaifu
The formation changes on the drum, not on the opponent.
They repeat the sequence through every marked position. By the final rehearsal, Yi Zaifu enters, yields, and resets in exact rhythm, while the five champions move as one disciplined line.
Elder Chu
The changes are learned. Burning Blade will find no hesitation in our formation when the witnesses call the first drum.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hold the formation under live opposition
“I draw my jian and hold the forward position for the live challenge.”
SUCCESS (Superb Weapon Mastery, rolled -1)
Yi Zaifu draws his jian in one controlled motion. The blade catches the morning light as he takes the forward mark, feet settled within the witness line.
The court falls silent around him. His fresh wrist binding holds firm, and the formation leaves clear space for the adjacent champion to enter on the second drum.
Elder Chu
Forward champion confirmed. Hold your ground until the first drum, then answer only the challenge placed before you.
Beyond the gate, Burning Blade banners rise above approaching figures. Five challengers enter the stone court beneath the provincial witness seal, their weapons bared and their steps measured.
the Burning Blade challenger
So Nine Peaks sends a stranger to its front line. Let the witnesses see whether your discipline survives the Burning Blade.
Elder Chu
The challenge is witnessed and accepted. First exchange, forward champions. Stand ready.
The first drum strikes. The nearest Burning Blade champion advances, testing the distance with a guarded step, while Yi Zaifu holds the forward position and the court waits for steel to meet.
“I meet the Burning Blade champion’s opening attack”
SUCCESS (Superb Weapon Mastery, rolled +1)
The Burning Blade champion lunges with a swift diagonal cut. Yi Zaifu steps into its measure, drawing his jian across the attacking line and meeting steel with a clear ring.
The impact travels through his guarded wrist, but the fresh binding holds. He turns the opposing blade aside rather than contesting its strength, keeping both feet inside the witness line.
the Burning Blade champion
A clean answer. You were not placed at the front by accident.
The champion recovers quickly and presses with two measured cuts. Yi Zaifu meets the first, slips beyond the second, and returns his point to the center before the opponent can claim the space.
Elder Chu
Hold the line. Let the exchange reveal his rhythm, and do not chase the blade.
The Burning Blade fighter checks his advance, recognizing that the opening attack has found no weakness. Around the court, witnesses remain silent as the first exchange settles into disciplined distance.
the Burning Blade challenger
Good. Then the stranger has earned the right to continue. Let the second drum decide whether Nine Peaks can keep its formation.
“I hold formation through the second drum”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
The second drum cracks across the stone court. Yi Zaifu holds the forward line, letting the Burning Blade champion’s pressure meet disciplined distance rather than drawing him beyond the witness mark.
As the opponent cuts toward his center, Yi Zaifu turns the blade aside and yields precisely one measured step. The adjacent Nine Peaks champion enters through the opening on the drum.
Nine Peaks seasoned disciple
Space taken. Forward line remains intact.
The formation closes without collision. Yi Zaifu resets beside the entering champion, jian centered and feet firm, while the Burning Blade fighter must divide attention between two controlled points.
the Burning Blade champion
You change places without surrendering ground. That is a stronger answer than your first parry.
Elder Chu
Well held. The drum commands the formation, and the formation commands the exchange.
The witnesses mark the successful transition. Burning Blade’s champion retreats to reassess as the court prepares for the third drum, with Nine Peaks still occupying every appointed position.
Quest Complete
Hold the formation under live opposition
Skill Upgrade: Weapon Mastery Superb→Legendary