Chapter 334

Chapter 334

Chest swelling with pride, Dastan stood at the bosss side and enjoyed the looks of confusion and consternation sent their way. Every time he heard someone utter the title Undying Savage, Dastans ire would rear its head and hed be forced to quash it down. Now, after this stunning display of political acumen and foresight, who would dare call the boss a savage now? This savage was more learned than most scholars, a seemingly endless font of insightful statements and so adept with numbers he could pass for a budding mathematician. Not only that, but most times the boss could look at an issue and easily discern the root of the problem, providing critical insight on how to solve the issue if not outright offering the solution itself.

Had he not seen it all firsthand, Dastan would have thought there were two or more Falling Rains. How else could one man find enough time in a day to train, study, manage his retinue, and sleep?

Considering the bosss accomplishments, it wouldnt be arrogant or pretentious for Dastan to say the other eight young talents of the Empire were lacking in comparison. Not only was Falling Rain more talented, harder working, and smarter, hed also eaten more hardships than the other talents ate meals. Perhaps an over-exaggeration, Dastan amended, glancing at Wu Gam, Yong-Jin, and the two Oath-sworn bodyguards from the South, but not by much. Falling Rains empathy for the people of the Empire stemmed from having experienced their plight and he worked tirelessly to improve their lives in a multitude of ways.

Dastan still remembered the bosss passionate speech given deep under the earth on Yo Lings island. There, hed condemned the Empires lack of innovation and the systemic abuse of the lower classes, speaking of a day when the balance of power would shift from the few and back into the hands of the many. That fateful day would not be far now, perhaps only a generation or two away. Dastan might even live to see its culmination, and if so, he would die a happy man. Cheap paper was only the beginning, by the time literacy became commonplace, uncle Diyako and his colleagues would have the bosss printing press all figured out, allowing for widespread distribution of information and exposing the crimes of the powerful for all to see. No longer would the nobles of the world be able to silence their detractors, not when thousands of tongues spoke out against them.

And if that wasnt enough to make the Emperor rethink his ways, then perhaps millions of crossbow and catapult armed revolutionaries led by Martial Warriors of humble origins would suffice.

With the gift-giving portion concluded and the Legates intention for a public sparring match made clear, Dastan was confident that by days end, the whole of Central would know of Falling Rains exploits and within a week, the entire Empire. Brilliance and altruism aside, the boss was easily the most threatening contender present for the title of number one talent in the Empire and the other eight young talents knew it. By unspoken agreement, they all readied to take Rain out first, hoping to wear him down with successive challenges and seize the glory which would come from taking down this most dazzling of warriors, but unease and apprehension stayed their hands. None of them wanted to move first and lose the opportunity to study him in action. Although the Criers rules forbade killing your opponents, interference from bystanders, and leaving or destroying the stage, not much else was laid out, with multiple Healers taking the stage, ready to mend bones and reattach limbs. There were no defined rules for challenges, which favoured Centrals five Hwarang should they work together, but such was life.

Even with the odds stacked against him, Dastan was certain the boss would emerge victorious. While his sparring record was atrocious, on this stage in front of so many warriors of the Empire and all of Nan Ping, not even Falling Rain would dare make light of this. When the Crier finally finished speaking, all three factions fell back to make room. The Southerners and Central put their backs to the north and south coast, while the bosss retinue backed against the docks and the Legates dais closed off the square. All of Nan Ping fell into a hush as they waited with bated breath, eager to see which one of these nine young talents would rise above the rest and claim the title of number one talent in the Empire.

Wholly unaffected by the pressure, the boss stepped forward and addressed his peers with confident smile. Fellow young talents, he said, his words and actions narrated by the Crier. In the interest of fairness, I propose we hold a short, single elimination tournament. We each randomly draw a number and face off in pairs. The winners move on and whoever wins three matches in a row is our champion. Do you all concur?

Mitsue Hideo was the first to respond. There are nine of us, he sneered, tone implying the left out fool. How do you propose to deal with the finals? A three-way match?

Easily solved. Pointing at one of his guards, Quyen Dienne said, he will not take part. Now we have eight.

This one wouldnt dare dream of asking someone to sit out. Each of us has worked hard to make it here onto this glorious stage, havent we? There was nothing in the bosss tone which implied any hidden meaning but Diennes face flushed with anger as the audience chuckled at the implied slight. Feigning obliviousness, the boss pointed at Dastan and said, I was thinking we introduce a dark horse to make things exciting. In the first round, I propose the ninth competitor faces my colleague, former Warrant Officer and current Expert of the Empire, the twenty-three year old Dastan Zhandos.

Eyes wide with surprise, Dastans heart sped up at the thought of exchanging pointers with the top talents of his generation in front of all of Nan Ping. Hands trembling in anxiety and excitement, Dastan stepped forward and bowed, playing the part of servile soldier. Rapping him on the chest, the boss Sent, Stand tall. Youre representing the North today. Speaking out loud, he continued, Should Dastan here win, then he will step down and the numbers will be fine. If he loses, then in the next round, we redraw numbers and the fifth competitor faces a representative chosen by the South, who will also step down should he win. Seems reasonable considering Centrals number advantage, yes?

And when the Southern... dark horse also loses? Again, it was Hideo who spoke up, his companions in the Hwarang seemingly ambivalent about the entire process.

Rain shrugged. Then everyone who reached the finals has fought an equal number of matches, and we either have a three-way match or three separate one on one matches. Look, this is all pointless conjecture anyways, Dastan will win and render all these contingencies moot.

The blood drained from Dastans face and after a moments pause, Nan Ping erupted into a clamour as they reacted to the bosss outlandish claims. While a twenty-three year old Expert might command respect on any other day, the bosss confidence wasnt exactly warranted in present company. The only person Dastan was confident about winning against was Seoyoon, the untried and temperamental young miss of the Ryo household. While Dienne and his bodyguards were unknowns, the rest were all well-known warriors in their own right. Mitsue Hideo and Yong-Jin were experienced soldiers, both tempered in bloody conflict. Wu Gams prowess with his Blessing of Earth was unheard of for a man his age, and although Du Min Yan didnt share his illustrious reputation, for all Dastan knew she might be another Sumila of the Bekhai.

Finally noticing his arrival, the Natal Soul beamed with joy as it soared over to tug on Dastans moustache. Fixing it with a mock-serious glare, he said, Listen here now. You understand the stakes here? This is the most important match we have fought to date. Therell be no fooling around today, you hear me soldier? Leaping to attention, the Natal Soul snapped off a military salute and showed off its skills. After a year of training, the little Soul no longer waved his axe aimlessly about, executing a deadly combination of attacks with practised efficiency, though it ruined the atmosphere by sneaking hopeful glances at Dastans expression to seek his approval.

So adorable. How could this sweet little mental son possibly be plotting to take over Dastans life? Vichear was overreacting. The boss might have some personal issues to work out, but lately, things seemed better than ever. There was absolutely nothing to worry about.

Awoken by a pat on the shoulder from Jochi, Dastan nodded his thanks and unstrapped his Runic shield, removing the leather cover now that secrecy was no longer required. The fourth match had come to an end, with the expressionless Wu Gam standing over a battered and bleeding Yong-Jin, the latter in rough shape as a Healer tended to his internal wounds. The onlookers displayed a mixture of shock and intrigue, while the boss and other remaining competitors all wore similar frowns. Glancing at the older Sentinel, Jochi shrugged and Sent, The little fox is a dangerous opponent, more in tune with his Blessing than any Ive ever seen. I wager the bout wouldve ended instantly if he wasnt so worried about killing his opponent. A few more years and Rain might be his equal, but as it stands, I fear our talented leader is outmatched.

Swallowing his fear, Dastan pushed Wu Gams strength to the back of his mind and focused on his only opponent, Hideo. The pale-faced, powdered, and perfumed young noble was still awestruck by Wu Gams performance, but Dastan couldnt count on this to last. He only hoped to survive the first exchange and not bring shame to the boss and the Zhandos name. Then again, he was nothing but a slave and a little more shame wouldnt really hurt Dastans family name, a family of traitors whod been so blinded by anger and greed they couldnt see the simple truth dangling-

Hey. Smacking Dastan on the back, the boss smirked and Sent, Dont worry about the crowd, dont worry about your status, dont even worry about winning or losing. Go out there and show the world you deserve to stand here, not as my underling but as my peer. Chuckling, he added, Besides, how strong could Hideo be? Wu Gam already showed how ridiculous he is, like a second Mila, so what are the chances theres a third?

Musing over the bosss words, Dastans shoulders eased and tension melted away as he shook with laughter. While Mitsue Hideo might be talented, hardworking, and experienced, he was but a mere mortal, nowhere close to the likes of Sumila, Wu Gam, and Falling Rain. Indeed, how could there possibly be so many monstrous talents in one generation? Hideo was probably no different from Zian or Song, both of whom Dastan had crossed blades with. While victory had not always been his, neither of his opponents had enjoyed a flawless record against him, and though they still held the advantage, it wasnt by much. Even if Hideo was stronger, it wouldnt be by much, which meant Dastan had more than a fighting chance. Slave or not, Dastan had proven time and time again that he deserved to stand alongside the greatest of his generation.

And today, he would prove it to the Empire.

Body loose and spirits high, Dastan strode forth with his axe and shield, ready to win glory for the North. After bowing before the Legate, Dastan smiled at his distracted foe and offered a word of advice. Concentrate on this match. Worry about Wu Gam if you make it that far.

Hmph. Smashing his maces together with a resounding clang, Hideo scowled and deigned not to reply. When the Crier announced, ...Begin!, Hideo leapt forward in a powerful charge, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. It wasnt a combined Form like the bosss charge, merely an Amplified version of Traverses the Mountain, but still shockingly fast. Expecting this move, Dastan slipped to his right and caught the brunt of the charge on his new Runic shield. The inscription stopped any Reverberations from passing through, but it did nothing to dampen the Amplified swing and sent Dastan skidding across the platform. With his Natal Soul Stabilizing their body, Dastan regained control in time to block the second charge, though his arm went numb at the powerful impact.

Not good. With how much Chi the Runic shield drained with each blow, he would last maybe another two dozen blows at most. He had to avoid the charge and to do that, he needed to be lighter, his reactions quicker, his footsteps faster. Responding to these thoughts, the Natal Soul Lightened his body and Dastan gave himself over to the Forms, his movements so light it felt like gliding across the platform. Hideos next charge barely grazed the Runic shield and as expected, it devoured less of Dastans Chi. Mind calm and body loose, he danced around his opponent like a bird flitting about a bull. An apt comparison, since his opponent focused primarily on the Bull Forms, his twin maces smashing about like horns as he trampled across the stage, leaving splintered wood and spraying water in his wake. In contrast, Dastan only needed Rising Steps from the Oriole Forms to avoid him, dodging blows whenever he could and blocking with his Runic shield when he couldnt.

Whether Hideo charged, leaped, or slowly advanced, Dastan accepted the challenge and met him head on, not intending to wear Hideo down or enrage him, but trying to avoid his opponent with the least amount of movement possible. This was nothing more than a sparring match with no ones life at stake, so why waste such a perfect opportunity to sharpen his skills? Round and round they went as Dastan took Hideo on a merry chase, his axe never striking and his smile never slipping.

After long minutes of dancing about, Dastan finally decided enough was enough when an errant swing of Hideos mace almost took his head off. Spotting an opening, a disruption in his opponents rhythm caused by fatigue, Dastan made his first attack of the match, slipping his axe through his opponents defence and lightly tapping his neck to leave a thin, barely perceptible line of blood. Still smiling, Dastan reversed his grip and clasped his hands. Thank you for letting me win.

There was a single second of silence which stretched out into an eternity, and in that second, Mitsue Hideos expression went through a multitude of changes. Shock, anger, denial, then acceptance, his shoulders slumped as he admitted defeat and Dastan graciously accepted. While they both bowed towards the Legate, Nan Ping erupted into thunderous applause in what felt like the most heartfelt ovation of the day.

Father, Mother, I, your son, have brought honour to the Zhandos name.

Chapter Meme