The Duel Arena was a vital facility aboard an Astartes Battle Barge. The Astartes needed regular sparring to maintain their fighting prowess.
Normally, protective gear was mandatory for such training, and Power Weapons were forbidden.
But now, Li Qinwu and the Star Chapter Master wanted a fight to the death, so both wore full armor and carried Power Weapons.
The Duel Arena was a circular platform roughly twenty meters across, surrounded by spectator stands where other Astartes could watch the duels and learn from them.
Li Qinwu and the Star Chapter Master stood on the platform, surrounded by a dense crowd of over three hundred Astartes, all staring at Li Qinwu with undisguised hostility.
With a two-handed Power Maul resting on his shoulder, Li Qinwu felt no pressure whatsoever. He looked perfectly relaxed.
He looked across at the Star Chapter Master, who held an Astartes-sized Power Sword and an Adamantium Shield, and drawled:
"Are there any rules to these Astartes duels of yours?
Any house rules about not using this or that? Better tell me now.
Otherwise, once your Uncle Old Fart Li pulls out his nastiest moves and beats you to your knees, coughing blood, you'll start whining that I bullied you!"
The Star Chapter Master hefted his Power Sword and gave a cruel smile.
"Whatever. Use any weapon you like. I wouldn't care even if you pulled out a Melta Grenade."
He genuinely didn't care. A veteran of a thousand battles, he believed Li Qinwu wouldn't even be able to follow his movements. He could kill the man within a tenth of a second of the fight beginning.
That was the difference between an Astartes and a mortal. At this distance, even if Li Qinwu were loaded with heavy weapons, he would be cut down at point-blank range