The Blade and Sword

CHAPTER 15-THE PITFALL

Mysterious-man: “When the time comes, I'll let you know… But for now, let me help you. Don't you want to become the next Seimei-Sōshu…”

Koten: “Who… are you exactly?? How did you…”

Mysterious-man: “You’re asking too many questions, lad… If you still don't believe me, return the pill to me, and l leave you as we never met…”

Koten: “........... (think for a while), Fine…”

Mysterious-man: “Good… Now we’re in the same boat. But I have to leave before somebody comes… I'll come for you next time…”

Koten: “Wait…!!! What's your name?? At least, I have to know the name of my ally, right??”

Mysterious-man: “Just called me, Anmenkon / ÀnMiàn-Hún (DarkMask-Soul)…”

Then Anmenkon left Koten alone there. This Anmenkon was a member of Dōgonkyō. However, Koten still doesn't know yet. Even though they have been eradicated, the rumors about them re-appeared again seems to be true. The boost pill that Koten took actually contained a small amount of poison. Once the user takes it, slowly by slowly the user will become addicted to the pill and only the antidote can cure it. However, the antidote pills that Anmenkon gave to Koten can’t cure it directly, because the antidote pill only contained a small amount of antidote that’s why it can only press down the poison temporarily but not cure it. That's why, once the antidote pills run out, Koten must ask Anmenkon again. If not, he will suffer to die because of that boost pill. Six months before the tournament that was held by Goryō-Meishu, as usual the Unkensō held the small tournament in their territory. However, this time the rule will be a little different compared to the previous one. as they have another contender to be the participant in the tournament, which is Koshin. So, the elders made a little change for the rule. Besides Koten and Koshin, the four captains from each faction will face each other which is still the same as before. And the winner will fight with Koshin as the challenger. If Koshin wins then he can accompany Koten to be the participants of the tournament. For Koten, he still remains the same, in which he will be the first representative for Unkensō. Even in the last spar with Koshin, he lost but still it doesn’t mean that Koshin was stronger than Koten. At least, this is what the elders believe in. However, not the Seimei-Sōshu as he already knew that Koshin is indeed stronger than Koten, and even his first disciple, Koken. But he doesn't want to talk about that, afraid that will bring problems to Koshin. The first round between Koshō and Kosei was won by Koshō, as it was expected. Then another round between Kotsuki and Koyuki was won by Koyuki, which was a little surprising. For the record, the wood faction disciples can be said to be the weakest faction as they were focused on healing their teammate in battle. So, their attack is not that strong. However, it's a little different to Koyuki, as she is quite talented. That's why her attacking power can't be underestimated. The power between Kotsuki and Koyuki was almost equal. That's why sometimes Kotsuki won and sometimes Koyuki won, depending on which one of them fought all out. The last round was between Koshō and Koyuki. Whoever wins the match, then Koshin has to face the winner. Later on, Koshō wins it which means Koshin has to fight with Koshō to prove that he is worthy to represent the Unkensō for the tournament. In short, with a little effort, Koshin managed to win over Koshō. He did it intentionally to let the people see that he was just lucky to win. He really hid his true power deep inside, as Kōgo told him. so, it's been decided that Koten, Koshin, and the last one will be a disciple from the earth faction. Besides three of them, as usual Koyuki also joined the journey including two elders which are Koyō-Chōrō and Kogen-Chōrō. This year, there will be six of them that travel to Ryū’unsō. The night before they depart, Koten asks Kotsuki to meet. He gives Kotsuki a jade bracelet and tells her that he has been in love with her since they were kids. Kotsuki was very shocked at that moment and she just kept silent because she already had someone in her heart which was Koken. Koten also tells her that this time he will get Unkensō into the top once again, to be the Goryō-Meishu. He said with very confidence but Kotsuki was confused how he’s going to do that. Koten tells her that he was trained secretly during these two years and he will defeat that bastard, Sō-Gogen. Kotsuki really doesn't know where Koten got his confidence and dares to make a promise like that. However, that's not the shocking part. The most shocking part is he even says that after he comes back from the tournament, he will propose to the Seimei-Sōshu and marry her. So until then, he let Kotsuki keep that bracelet first.