Chapter 91: The Steam and the Scholar
(BONG!!!)
The giant ceremonial drum sounded like a clap of thunder rolling across the parched sand of the arena floor. The vibration was so intense that the spectators in the front rows felt it in their teeth. The air in Arena 04 was thick, hot, and smelled of dry earth, copper, and ozone. Bao Zi stood in the center, his knees were trembling so hard they knocked together, but his eyes. They were usually darting around in fear. They were now locked onto Tie San's skinny, and arrogant face.
Tie San didn't even wait for a polite greeting or a formal bow. He snapped both of his iron fans open with a sharp, synchronized sound. (CLACK-CLACK!) The sunlight glinted off the metal ribs of the fans, which weren't smooth; they were serrated like the teeth of a deep-sea shark. Tie San moved with a sudden, jerky speed, his body leaning forward as he quickly dashed across the ten-foot gap.
