Trash of the Count's Family Book 2: Chapter 370: One Sword (1)
Previously on Trash of the Count's Family...
Alberu Crossman lightly brushed against the bamboo hat covering his head.
He had already switched into attire typical of the Lan Kingdom.
His sleeves hung loose and wide, while his upper garment extended like a robe.
“Has his guard been replaced?”
Whispers reached his ears, yet Alberu remained undisturbed, standing quietly behind the Heavenly Demon.
– Hey crown prince, hey crown prince. Doesn’t our human seem so bold?
“Pfft.”
He stifled the sudden chuckle that escaped, but…
“Young master-nim, why not sample this beverage? I’ve readied it to help you unwind ahead of your opening bout in the preliminaries.”
Cale performed his role as attendant with utmost diligence.
– Hey crown prince, I wager that drink tastes bitter!
“…It’s bitter.”
The Heavenly Demon frowned, and as Raon’s cheerful voice echoed in his thoughts once more…
“Pfft.”
Alberu suppressed yet another burst of laughter.
“…….”
“…….”
Both the Heavenly Demon and Cale turned their gazes toward Alberu.
Beneath the bamboo hat, their visible eyes appeared somewhat displeased, though Alberu stayed composed.
“Your guard has been swapped out.”
At that instant, a woman drew near.
The Snow Flower Sect.
She was Hyun Seong, the sect’s envoy among the five great powers dominated by women.
The sect leader’s younger sibling warmly welcomed Kim Hae-Yi.
“Are you competing today?”
“I am.”
With roughly 300 entrants in the preliminaries…
Numbers were drawn at random, and bouts would occur over the week across three venues.
“…….”
Kim Hae-Yi nodded briefly, and Hyun Seong offered a smile as if she had no more to add before departing.
Naturally, she tossed out one final remark while leaving.
“I’ve heard assassins targeted you.”
“…….”
The Heavenly Demon eyed her, and Hyun Seong pressed on with a grin.
“I’ve learned that certain participants have vanished. I wonder what caused it.”
Afterward, she headed to a corner of the competitors’ lounge and settled into a meditative pose.
Yet her words carried substantial weight.
Those set to compete today at the Third Tournament Stage couldn’t conceal their astonishment.
“Vanished? Which ones?”
Some learned of the disappearances for the first time.
“Mm.”
Others knew but were startled by such candid mention.
“…….”
Some scanned the area in silence too.
– Cale.
Alberu sent a magical message straight to Cale’s mind.
– You mentioned a total of 10 people?
That morning…
Pao Seo Tae, head of the Dark Pulse alliance, had shared vital intel.
It came via a note from Cheon Ryeo, the Shadow Murderers’ deputy who’d attempted the Heavenly Demon’s life.
<Disappearances occurred this morning.>
<Not our doing.>
<We’re probing now, suspecting another group’s involvement.>
Cale relayed this to the trembling Cheon Ryeo as she awaited.
‘Inform us of any further discoveries.’
“…Yes sir.”
Cheon Ryeo responded faintly before vanishing.
As Alberu kept communicating, Cale reflected on that morning’s exchange.
– Seems the Wanderers clashed with a different group besides Dark Pulse. Rumors might spread unpredictably.
‘True enough.’
Still—
– Though it might not connect to the Wanderers at all.
Cale let the thought drop.
Alberu voiced precisely what occupied Cale’s mind.
‘My goodness.
Having a like-minded ally feels wonderful.’
“Quiet!”
A tournament official entered.
“Preliminaries commence in 10 minutes—prepare yourselves!”
The noisy space fell silent.
“Moreover, non-competitors must exit immediately!”
Cale and Alberu departed.
“…….”
The Heavenly Demon folded his arms, casually reclining against the wall.
“I’ll root for you, young master-nim!”
Cale, true to form, tossed out a playful encouragement.
“Pfft.”
The Heavenly Demon flashed Cale a sly, haughty grin before shutting his eyes.
* * *
Cale joined Alberu in the spectator area.
“This way!”
Rosalyn had arrived early to secure spots.
Incidentally, she wasn’t by herself.
– Human, you’ve arrived?
“Meeeeeow!”
“Meeow!”
A pair of kittens and an unseen young Dragon.
An egg snugly nestled in a compact basket.
Rosalyn’s vicinity buzzed with activity.
“Such vibrancy, and it’s merely the preliminaries!”
Rosalyn’s tone carried a hint of thrill.
Cale accepted the basket from her and settled in.
“It hardly resembles preliminaries.”
Cale felt a touch of wonder too.
“Skewers available! Signal me, and I’ll bring them over!”
“Chilled barley tea! Barley tea for sale!”
“Sunshades, headwear—everything’s here! We offer it all!”
Merchants thronged the bleachers.
“Who’s your pick for victor today?”
“Today’s competitor roster? Impressive—the Royal Palace thought of this? They get it!”
“I’m backing this one. Care to wager?”
“What now? Hyun Seong-nim competes today! I arrived at dawn just to catch Hyun Seong-nim!”
The stands brimmed with crowds, while those without seats lingered at the rear or squatted along paths to observe.
The Third Tournament Stage teemed with onlookers.
From the sounds, multitudes waited beyond as well.
All to witness the contests…
Or place wagers…
Or glimpse the kingdom’s future sovereign.
The Lan Kingdom’s capital pulsed with fervor for these motives.
“Young master Cale.”
Rosalyn elbowed him.
Her eyes fixed on the stage’s opposite end.
“How tenacious.”
Alberu’s voice sounded beside him.
Across the stage…
“…….”
The Sword Ghost sat motionless, arms folded.
“Holy shit. It’s the Sword Ghost!”
“Why’s the Sword Ghost present? His bout’s in three days, right?”
“He’s scouting rivals, obviously. But isn’t the Sky Sword heir on the First Tournament Stage today?”
Sky Sword.
A domain of pure sword practitioners.
Admittedly, it drew mockery as a haven for sword-obsessed fanatics.
Still, their prowess was undisputed, so folks assumed the Sword Ghost eyed the bout for Sky Sword successor Seo Rak.
“Huut!”
Yet the murmurs ceased abruptly.
“Why—”
“Hooo, those folks—”
A party entered the stands.
Five in total.
“The Ten Heavenly Tigers!”
The Cooperative Alliance.
The largest among the five major forces.
This justice-and-virtue-bound alliance housed subgroups loyal solely to its head.
Among them, the Ten Heavenly Tigers served exclusively at the leader’s command.
Most were renowned, unavoidably so.
“Tiger—”
Blue tiger emblems adorned their attire and backs.
“…Wow, five together—”
Not just one or two, but five tigers appearing here!
“…Is an incident brewing?”
“Hand me the participant list! I need to check again!”
Folks grew frantic.
“…….”
“…….”
The five tigers—three males, two females—settled calmly and gazed at the stage.
“…….”
The Sword Ghost glanced their way briefly before refocusing on the stage.
“…….”
Naturally, his eyes lingered on Cale’s party for seconds too.
Right then…
Booooom-!
A resonant drumbeat resounded across the stage.
All mouths sealed shut.
Preliminaries’ inaugural day.
Bouts at the Third Tournament Stage kicked off.
* * *
“Hoooo!”
“Everyone’s so capable!”
“He’s not from the Lan Kingdom. Eastern Empire origin. Doesn’t matter—they’re skilled!”
“This is entertaining. He lost, but his potential shines.”
The prior tension ignited into excitement as fights unfolded.
“Third bout!”
Boom!
To the drum’s rhythm, the Snow Flower Sect’s Hyun Seong advanced steadily.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—”
“Hyun Seong! Hyun Seong!”
Cheers erupted everywhere for her.
“Mm.”
The Ten Heavenly Tigers. One transmitted to another.
– Boss. Hyun Seong’s probing, as you said?
– Correct.
The Ten Heavenly Tigers’ chief…
Blue Tiger Chang Poe fixed his stare on Hyun Seong.
– Boss. Hyun Seong won’t uncover our actions anyway.
– We’ve erased all traces flawlessly.
– Should they uncover hints, it’ll point to Dark Pulse.
He ignored his underling.
“…….”
He merely lifted his hand, and the Ten Heavenly Tigers attended the bouts.
“May we have an excellent duel.”
“Indeed, please.”
Hyun Seong offered a concise salute to the youthful martial artist, and the contest began.
Her foe wasn’t renowned, yet his stance was solid and his power pure.
At that juncture, Hyun Seong drew her spear.
Chhhhhhhhhh-
The lengthy spear emerged.
“Woooooooooooooooo–”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
Cheers swelled as a continent-famous expert debuted on the Third Tournament Stage.
Boom!
The duel commenced.
Baaaaang! Bang!
Hyun Seong deftly parried her rival’s strikes.
“Hyun Seong-nim shows such grace.”
Chang Poe agreed with his subordinate’s open remark via a nod.
Bang- baaaaang!
Hyun Seong allowed her opponent ample opportunity to display his prowess.
An obscure martial artist.
She recognized how vital such a platform was for unknowns like him.
She sacrificed her time to let the youth bask in the spotlight.
‘Or perhaps imparting a lesson.’
That suited Hyun Seong’s nature.
‘Her drive rivals her compassion.’
The Snow Flower Sect head and Hyun Seong shared that trait.
The Blue Tiger’s expression grew icier.
‘Hence her pointless meddling.’
Presently, the Ten Heavenly Tigers split into teams of 2, 3, and 5 to patrol the stages.
– Hyun Seong’s kindness is wasted.
The Blue Tiger skipped responding to yet another transmission.
– She ought to rejoice that we’ve removed rivals so generously.
Ten preliminary entrants had vanished.
Credit went to the Cooperative Alliance, namely the Ten Heavenly Tigers.
– Evidence won’t touch us even if discovered.
– Ah, delightful.
His underling beamed.
– Dark Pulse clashing with Snow Flower Sect would amuse greatly.
– Dark Pulse’s standing will plummet. “Hoo hoo.”
Upon hearing the chuckle…
Clang!
The young martial artist’s blade hit the floor.
“I yield.”
He conceded.
Yet his expression glowed.
“An honor.”
‘May it stay a fond recollection.’
Hyun Seong gently clasped the martial artist’s hand.
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
As expected from Hyun Seong-nim!”
Surrounding cheers praised her.
Clap, clap, clap.
The young martial artist, benefiting from her courtesy to showcase his talents, applauded her too.
His path ahead looked promising.
“How beautiful.”
As Alberu observed, it was pleasant viewing.
Clap, clap, clap.
Rosalyn clapped while replying.
“It was decent.”
Cale straightened upon overhearing their exchange.
“Fourth bout!”
The final contest of the day at the Third Tournament Stage.
Cale sprang to his feet.
Still clutching the basket, he yelled.
“Wooooooooooow! Go young master-nim, claim victory!”
Ignoring Rosalyn and Alberu’s stares, Cale rooted for Kim Hae-Yi as he ascended the stage.
“…….”
Shh.
Kim Hae-Yi surveyed the venue, smirked at Cale, and proceeded onstage.
“Hooooo. No weapon. You prefer bare-handed combat?”
“Ah, ah ah! I recall him! He qualified in record time, they say?”
“Really? Kim Hae-Yi? Name’s new to me.”
Few cheers greeted the Heavenly Demon.
Little was known of him.
Curiosity stirred only from tales of his swift qualification.
– Let’s go.
The Blue Tiger, rising as if done watching, hesitated.
As Kim Hae-Yi’s adversary mounted the stage…
“Wooooooooooo!”
“Dao of Zen Temple, DZT!”
Acclaim flooded for the man in his thirties, clad in an enigmatic white robe.
The Dao of Zen Temple.
One of the five major forces, centered on dao cultivation and discipline. Renowned for their ivory, profound robes.
“…….”
As a first-generation disciple of the Dao of Zen Temple, he lagged behind the competing youngest Elder…
But remained formidable.
The five major forces permitted extra participants beyond faction reps.
– Boss! Let’s stay for this Dao of Zen Temple fellow!
The Blue Tiger weighed his underling’s plea and resumed his seat.
“…This won’t drag on.”
Facing a Dao of Zen Temple first-gen disciple, defeat should come swiftly.
“Mm.”
Yet eyeing Kim Hae-Yi, his challenger…
– Boss, how many moves? Dao of Zen Temple takes it in three, I bet!
– Unknowns can’t match the Dao of Zen Temple.
He tuned out the chatter, concentrating on Kim Hae-Yi.
“Boss?”
His usually silent subordinate sensed familiarity and glanced at the Blue Tiger…
“…….”
He signaled with a raised hand.
No transmissions or words—complete silence.
‘What’s this?’
An odd sensation gripped him while observing the poised Kim Hae-Yi.
Something felt off.
A memory surfaced then.
“Kim Hae-Yi—could it be him?”
His underling transmitted.
– Yes, boss. The one Dark Pulse assassination botched.
Boom!
The duel ignited then.
Kim Hae-Yi and opponent stood apart.
“…….”
“…….”
They nodded curtly in greeting.
No warmth for foes.
Just bare-minimum courtesy.
And tournament respect meant—
‘The duel alone.’
Tap.
The Dao of Zen Temple man pushed off lightly.
‘Hyun Seong here of all places!’
All eyes had followed Hyun Seong.
Even her prior obscure opponent.
‘Can’t let them steal every spotlight.’
Representing the Dao of Zen Temple…
He wouldn’t yield to the Snow Flower Sect.
Such ambition ill-befitted a dao seeker…
‘But as human, I can scheme and desire!’
Nothing foul—just rightful attention.
That was fine.
Prime method for notice now—
‘Single strike.’
Vanquish the foe in one blow.
Last bout, first day, Third Tournament Stage…
Ideal for a splendid finale.
As his hands formed a peculiar gesture…
Oooooo-
Ki converged.
Palm techniques were his forte.
Matching Kim Hae-Yi’s style.
“Forgive me. Esteemed warrior.”
He expressed regret to Kim Hae-Yi, soon to exit despite quick qualification.
Then tensed his legs.
Boom!
His foot slammed down, halting…
“Wind Dragon Palm!”
A voice cried.
Baaaaaang-
Wind blasted from his palm toward Kim Hae-Yi.
The dragon-like gale appeared graceful yet fiercely chilling.
“Hoooo!”
“As anticipated!”
Spectators leaped in delight at the expert display.