The cheers in the Imperial Academy square had yet to fade when the roar from the Martial Arts Training Ground in the west of the city rolled like thunder across the skies above Chang'an City. Those earthshaking shouts and clashes of metal carried through rows of buildings to the bronze bells hanging beneath the eaves of Zichen Hall, making their clappers tremble with faint, clear chimes. On the Nine-Dragon Throne, Chen Yu raised his gaze slightly, as though he could see beyond the palace walls to the dust rising into the sky over the western city.
At the center of the Martial Arts Training Ground, an obsidian arena ten zhang on each side gleamed darkly beneath the blazing sun. Zhang Fei stood on the Command Platform, his head like a leopard's, his eyes round, his bristling beard flaring. His voice exploded like thunder from the highest heavens, drowning out the clamor. "The Military Examination begins! Arena combat! The defeated withdraw, the victors advance! Life and death are in Heaven's hands. Only the skill in your hands counts!"
Before his voice faded, a streak of scarlet lightning tore through the air! Beneath Lü Bu, Red Hare neighed like a dragon. Before the hoofbeats had fallen, horse and rider had reached the arena's edge. He held the reins in one hand, his other arm hanging loosely, the Sky Piercer pointing diagonally toward the ground. His scarlet cloak snapped and billowed in the rushing air, and his lightning-sharp gaze swept toward a giant standing nine chi tall in the arena, his muscles thick and knotted. The man held a massive axe with a wheel-sized head, its blade gleaming with a chilling light. At Lü Bu's arrogance, he roared, swung the axe in a full arc with a shrill howl of wind, and brought