The Blade and Sword

CHAPTER 23-THE QUALIFYING MATCH

The other one, don't forget about their agreement about the re-match one month later, to decide Unkensō’s fate. Those self claimed righteous sects actually have no difference to the evil sect, as they also after the Mugen-Keisho with no shame. Besides those hypocrites sects, some other sects that still have good relationships with Unkensō, come to visit as well, for example Hyakkatō etc. Gihōgé was also there with those big-four sects. It's just that they can't defend Unkensō openly as they know they can't fight those other big-three sects either. And for Koten’s case, they also already sent some of their disciples to investigate it secretly. Once they find Koten, things will become clear on the surface. Two weeks later, after the incident, Unkensō started to settle down again. Now they only have two weeks left to prepare before the match against the big-three. However this time the match rule was a little different, in which the participant from one sect would be only one. In other words, the participant from Unkensō will be one person and he/she must win in each match against the three participants from each big-three sect. Now Unkensō has two options, which are Koken or Koshin, to represent them. Koken wanted to represent Unkensō to fight those big-three, to repay their humiliation and intimidation. However, the elders knew who was more suitable to represent Unkensō. For Koshin himself, he also wanted to represent Unkensō as he still has a promise with Sō-Gogen that has not yet fulfil. he told Koken to let him do it, not only about the promise but also currently Koken has taken over the lead of Unkensō so it’s not proper for a Shō-mon to intervene personally. Better to let the disciple do it, and he is the best choice for that. However, Koken was still hesitant as he and the others already promised to Kōgo before he died that they would take good care of Koshin. He and the elders would hold a meeting to discuss this matter. On the other hand, Koshin had to wait for the result. Afterwards, they call Koshin again and tell him that they allow him to go, which means he will represent Unkensō for the challenging match but with one condition. Koshin can fight but doesn't push himself too much. If he feels that he's going to lose, then let it be. Don't risk his life just for a match, they thought. The honor and glory is gone, still can find it back one day but if life is gone, nothing left. Koshin remembered every word that Koken and the elders said. However, for Koshin, this match is about the life and death of Unkensō’s fate. No matter what, he will do anything that he can to get back what belongs to Unkensō. Later on, Koshin really prepared himself for the upcoming match by practising hard all day and kept growing his internal Qi-energy. In short, two weeks have passed, now it's the day for the challenging match. The location for the match is still the same as usual, at Ryū’unsō’s territory. So, Koshin together with Koyuki as usual, plus Kosei and two elders which are Koyō-Chōrō and Kogen-Chōrō; five of them depart to the location. They arrived there and prepared for the match that will start a few hours later. In short, the match is going to start and everyone, whether the participants or the audience, are getting to their position at the designated place. In the first match, Koshin will face the Gōtosō’s participants. For the record, since they knew Koshin’s eyes were sensitive to light, they intentionally chose the match early in the morning. With that, they hoped that Koshin couldn't stand for the light, then he would lose the match. However, they didn't know since Koshin’s eyes were troubled since he was a kid, so Kōgo already trained his ear to be able to listen to a small sound or voice. Even the sound of wind blowing, Koshin can detect where it comes from. So it can be said, his ears were much better than his eyes.

Gōtosō’s representative: “Huh?? Isn't this the arrogant blind kid…”

Koshin: “............???” (stay silent),

Gōtosō’s representative: “Listen up… Why don't you just surrender?? I don't want to fight a blind kid, it makes me feel not honorable at all…”

Koshin: “Cut the crap…!!! Let's do this…”

Gōtosō’s representative: “Huh…!!! You're really looking to die, don't you??”

After that, the match started. The Gōtosō’s representative immediately dashed toward to attack Koshin first. Koshin quickly blocks it away with his sword and the Gōtosō’s participant still keeps attacking him several times aggressively, but Koshin just keeps blocking it one by one. The Gōtosō’s representative was quite annoyed somehow, as he found out none of his strikes could touch Koshin and he kept striking again non-stop. Just like the earlier, Koshin keeps blocking it away continuously. The audiences were amazed with their battle, not because the Gōtosō’s representative’s strike couldn't touch Koshin yet, but the truth is; Koshin just kept circling around his opponent without moving away from his earlier position.