The Blade and Sword

CHAPTER 14-THE MYSTERIOUS MAN

Everyone knew that Koten held a grudge against Koshin, but no one dared to speak in front of him. But some people still discussed behind his back that he can't even defeat an indirect disciple and also because of him, the Unkensō has dropped to the bottom rank in the pugilist sects. What a shame as someone was a direct disciple of Seimei-Sōshu. Those words make him become more hated to Koshin day by day. He swears one day he will snatch back what he lost. One day, when Koten was practicing alone near the hill of the restricted area of Unkensō, suddenly he heard a loud voice talking to him.

Mysterious-man: “No matter how many times you practice, you won't be able to get as strong as them…”

Koten: “Huh?? Who's there?? Show yourself…!!!”

Then a figure appeared on the tree not far from his location. Koten was confused as he had never met this figure before.

Koten: “Who… are you?? Don't you know this is a restricted area for outsiders… State your name…!!!”

Mysterious-man: “Relax… I'm not coming for a fight. I'm coming to help you…”

Koten: “Huh?? Help me?? What are you talking about??”

Mysterious-man: “I know you’ve been working hard to defeat Ryū’unsō's best disciple… But if no one helps or guides you, it's just useless…”

Koten: “None… of your business…!!! Get out of here before I call someone…”

Mysterious-man: “You won't do that…”

Koten: “Huh??”

Mysterious-man: “Yeah… I came here to give you a present…”

Then the Mysterious-man shows something to Koten from his hand. It's kind of like a pill.

Koten: “What is that??”

Mysterious-man: “This is something that can make you strong… After you eat this, it will instantly boost your internal Qi-energy several times over…”

Koten: “Huh… Do you think I'm stupid?? How would I know if it's not a poison pill??”

Then the Mysterious-man eats one of it to prove to Koten that it is not a poison pill. After a while, the Mysterious-man still fine and has no reaction to being poisoned. Not only that, the Mysterious-man Qi-energy started to burst out from his body as if he was getting stronger as before. Then he starts to attack Koten. Surely, Koten was shocked that the man that said earlier wanted to cooperate with him suddenly attacked him. So, he fights with his might against the Mysterious-man. With just a few strikes, Koten was already cornered by him as Koten had no chance to win at all. Koten was also shocked that mysterious-man Qi-energy was so powerful. However, that mysterious-man has no intention to kill him so he stops to strike again.

Koten: “What are you doing?? You bastard…!!!”

Mysterious-man: “Wait, don't get mad first… See… Nothing’s happened… (pointed to the pill that he ate before), listen… This thing can increase your Qi-energy to eight times or even ten times more than your current Qi-energy…”

However, Koten still doesn’t believe that guy. He still hesitated and didn't say anything.

Mysterious-man: “Fine… I leave it here for you. It's up to you, whether you want to take it or not…”

The Mysterious-man left one box of the pills and one whistle there.

Mysterious-man: “That whistle, if you want to meet me… Just blow it, and I will come to meet you…”

Then the Mysterious-man flew away and disappeared from Koten’s sight. Koten was confused right now, whether he wanted to trust that guy or not. However, it was true that the man Qi-energy was so powerful after he ate that pill. He still took the pill and the whistle away with him and returned to his room. He thought he would decide later what to do with these things. A few days later, his body felt uneasy when he was alone inside his room, like it was burnt by fire and also itchy everywhere. He tries everything to stop it but it's useless. It turns out, he consumed one of the pills that the mysterious-man left for him. Then he remembered about the whistle, so he took the whistle and ran to the hill of the restricted area. He started to blow that whistle, not long after, the Mysterious-man showed up.

Koten: “You bastard…!!! What have you done to me, huh??”

Mysterious-man: “No worries, you won’t die… This is a pill that boosts your Qi-energy instantly… Since the effect was too strong, it's normal that your body can’t adapt to it suddenly as if it was your first time eating it. Take this…”

The Mysterious-man throws another box of pills to Koten.

Mysterious-man; “Take one, and your body will get better soon…”

Koten has no choice but to believe in this guy again. Indeed, a moment later, his body started to get better.

Mysterious-man: “Now… You believe me, right??”

Koten: “...........” (just silent as he still quite weak),

Mysterious-man: “So, you decided to believe me, huh??”

Koten: “Why are you helping me?? What exactly do you want??”