Trash of the Count's Family Book 2: Chapter 371: One Sword (2)

“I, I admit defeat-”

The disciple of the first generation from the Dao of Zen Temple surrendered.

“…….”

“-”

Yet, the crowd's cheers didn't erupt right away.

Even though this bout marked the quickest in the preliminaries of the Third Tournament Stage…

Even with the thunderous noise and the fierce wind whipped up by the powerful internal ki that rattled the platform…

The audience struggled to respond at once.

“Winner, Kim Hae-Yi!”

Then, as the judge declared the champion's name…

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!

Waaaaaah—-

The spectators roared wildly and their thrill ignited.

“Wow. Did you catch that?”

“No. Did you?”

“No! I didn’t spot anything!”

“Yeah, I couldn’t either!”

Those without martial arts training hadn’t witnessed a single move.

Still, their exhilaration couldn’t be contained.

“How powerful is he?!”

“Holy shit! I figured the one who advanced in record time must be incredible! What a steal!”

The Dao of Zen Temple’s first generation disciple… The onlookers had glimpsed the dragon-like whirlwind from his palm technique.

That majestic and grave force let everyone sense his prowess.

But victory belonged to Kim Hae-Yi.

“Yeah.”

An elderly man whispered softly. His tone trembled.

“The real masters are often invisible to the masses.”

The elder remembered events from many years back.

“His Majesty and my lord were just like that.”

During the current Queen Tamahi’s duel with the previous King…

She had overpowered him effortlessly in the contest that secured her role as crown princess.

Ordinary folks hadn’t perceived the action in that fight.

Nevertheless, one truth stood clear to them.

‘Power need not be visible.’

Queen Tamahi.

Those were her words uttered at the site where her future queenship over the Lan Kingdom was affirmed.

They lingered deeply in the Lan people’s minds.

“…Finally, a worthy heir has emerged.”

As the old man observed, the crowd inevitably celebrated the warrior who subdued the Dao of Zen Temple disciple so effortlessly, his extraordinary skills hidden from plain view.

Since this tournament aimed to select the Lan Kingdom’s future leader.

Acts of compassion like those from the Snow Flower Sect’s Hyun Seong were admirable, yet…

In a realm where the mightiest claimed rule, the populace rallied behind raw might.

“Who’s this now? Kim Hae-Yi?”

“Hooooo. From where did this talent arise?”

Moreover, Kim Hae-Yi remained largely obscure.

Yet…

“He passed in the least time possible?”

“He cleaved a Sword Ki Stone in a single strike? Is that accurate?”

He held some recognition.

He had demonstrated his worth before.

Peek.

Additionally, another sight had caught eyes.

“…….”

It was the Sword Ghost, who had stayed silent until he abruptly leaped to his feet.

“…….”

“…….”

There were fellow participants eyeing Kim Hae-Yi with hostile stares.

His rivals’ responses made Kim Hae-Yi’s aura palpable to the crowd.

Waaaaaa-

The applause faded.

As all eyes fixed on Kim Hae-Yi…

“…….”

The Dao of Zen Temple’s first generation disciple, head lowered in concession after yielding…

A silhouette loomed before him. He lifted his gaze.

“That was an impressive Dragon.”

He regarded the hand extended by Kim Hae-Yi.

“!”

Kim Hae-Yi revealed no feelings as the opponent stared up in astonishment.

He simply added another remark.

“Moreover, that Dragon can flow even more freely.”

The Wind Dragon Palm.

The technique the opponent had employed…

“So why restrain it?”

Kim Hae-Yi spoke steadily.

“The dao matters, but…”

The Dao of Zen Temple.

It was a sanctuary for pursuing the dao amid rigorous training.

“Wind isn’t meant to be bound.”

“!”

Kim Hae-Yi’s statement struck the man like lightning.

“With such vast wind at your command, freeing it wouldn’t hurt.”

“Ah.”

The man let out an involuntary breath.

He extended his arm.

He clasped Kim Hae-Yi’s hand firmly with both of his.

“T-thank you so much, Noble Warrior.”

He bowed once more without thinking.

His frame still quivered.

No longer from loss or humiliation.

Not from dread.

It trembled with fervor and sudden insight.

“No trouble at all. I merely voiced what you already understood.”

Kim Hae-Yi’s response…

The man rose, grasped Kim Hae-Yi’s hand courteously, and shook his head.

“Not at all, Noble Warrior. Words carry weight with timing. Delivering the perfect ones at crucial moments is rare.”

“Hoo.”

A grin formed on Kim Hae-Yi’s face.

“Seems you’ve cultivated for quite some time?”

The man dipped his head again.

“Grateful for the guidance.”

“It was minor.”

The man released with decorum as Kim Hae-Yi withdrew naturally.

“Fine duel.”

The vanquished fighter uttered that with a renewed expression, and Kim Hae-Yi gave a slight nod.

He then stepped off the platform toward the resting area.

– Heavenly Demon, oh mighty Heavenly Demon! Our human asked me to convey that you excel at pretending to be virtuous!

“Pfft.”

A sly smirk crossed the Heavenly Demon’s features before vanishing.

He lifted his gaze toward Cale.

Cale started at their shared look.

‘Is that a glare?’

He’d instructed Raon to deliver those as praise to the Heavenly Demon, but… ‘That guy’s a tad warped, so his reaction’s unpredictable.’

A transmission from the Heavenly Demon reached him then.

– I’ve long been adept at feigning goodness. Kindness, generosity…

“Ha.”

Cale let out a disbelieving huff…

– It’s rather enjoyable.

The Heavenly Demon stated that and retreated to the waiting area, vanishing from view.

Boom–!

“Today’s contests have concluded! Maintain order while departing!”

A drum signaled the day’s end, followed by directives to leave.

Excitement lingered among the crowd, chattering about the fights in the seats and on the way out.

“…….”

“Mm. Boss?”

But the Ten Heavenly Tigers…

The quintet of the Ten Heavenly Tigers remained still and silent.

The chief, Blue Tiger, observed the exit where Kim Hae-Yi had gone before averting his eyes.

“…….”

“…….”

As his four followers regarded him…

He finally spoke.

“Did anyone catch what it was?”

Silence met his query.

The Blue Tiger transmitted mentally.

– Sword.

“!”

Two subordinates’ eyes widened.

– Sword? Not palm art?

– Felt like palm art to me.

The Blue Tiger denied it.

“Sword. Definitely a sword technique.”

Such an advanced sword form that even the Blue Tiger found it hard to track.

Kim Hae-Yi.

From head to toe…

Just one gesture with his hand.

No weapon in grip, but his form, stance, even his hand…

All screamed sword.

“…Let’s return.”

The Blue Tiger felt uneasy.

‘My liege.’

His sole master…

He must hurry to the Alliance head.

He had to relay this.

‘Kim Hae-Yi.’

This one stands apart.

The Blue Tiger hadn’t sensed such ‘martial skill’ since encountering the Alliance leader initially.

This thrill marked the second in his lifetime.

Once the entire Ten Heavenly Tigers had gone…

“…….”

The Snow Flower Sect’s Hyun Seong, who had slipped away before, appeared at the Blue Tiger’s former spot.

Hyun Seong descended gradually to his previous position and peered below.

“…Truly, the alliance hides its flaws behind a facade.”

“Elder-nim.”

A woman emerged from the gloom.

She addressed Hyun Seong quietly.

“…Word is the Dark Pulse assaulted certain competitors.”

Hyun Seong inquired.

“Do you accept that?”

“…The proof seems solid, but… I can’t verify its authenticity.”

Hyun Seong shut her eyes.

She reflected on the Ten Heavenly Tigers, utterly devoted to the Alliance leader, appearing in the Lan Kingdom’s capital and across all three Tournament Stages.

“Preparations for the main event are essential.”

She transmitted simultaneously.

– Time to probe the Cooperative Alliance deeply.

Her gaze turned to the kingdom’s heart.

‘Her Majesty.’

The Lan Kingdom’s capital.

The Queen’s forces must permeate this area.

‘What’s your plan?

You must know of these matters, so…

Why hold back?

Perhaps-’

The heir to the Lan Kingdom.

The upcoming sovereign…

Perhaps this enticing role-

‘Could be a snare.’

Hyun Seong, ambitious yet wary of desire’s pitfalls, maintained her sharp, resolute stare.

* * *

“Alliance leader-nim.”

The Chief Advisor of the Cooperative Alliance.

He stood at a modest estate beyond the Lan Kingdom’s capital.

Inside the estate…

In the C-shaped primary building…

A compact villa amid the inner garden…

He bowed deeply before it.

“The Blue Tiger wishes to report.”

A transmission came.

– Let him enter.

“Understood.”

He faced the Blue Tiger.

“Proceed within.”

“…….”

The Blue Tiger nodded wordlessly and entered the villa.

Tap.

The Chief Advisor’s expression darkened at the shut door.

‘I truly despise this fool.’

The Blue Tiger and the Ten Heavenly Tigers…

The ten beasts served only the Alliance leader.

They ignored even the Chief Advisor’s commands.

Better termed a elite unit inside the Cooperative Alliance.

As their head, the Blue Tiger showed minimal courtesy but subtly scorned the Chief Advisor.

His allegiance was solely to the Alliance leader.

‘Good thing the Alliance leader controls that wretch tightly.’

Else, the Blue Tiger would spell endless trouble.

“Tsk.”

He muttered under his breath before leaving the villa for the main building.

More gatherings awaited.

“Chief Advisor-nim.”

A subordinate hailed him upon entering the conference chamber, prompting him to turn.

“It seems Snow Flower Sect members uncovered the evidence.”

Smile.

The subordinate’s lips curled slyly.

“They’ll point fingers at the Dark Pulse.”

All fabricated clues implicated the Dark Pulse.

“Tsk.”

But the Chief Advisor tsked, his visage icing over.

“You take Hyun Seong for a fool.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hyun Seong placed the sect leader where she is now. That woman doubts all. Ensure no trails lead back to us!”

The subordinate bowed hastily at the sharp tone.

“Yes sir! Impossible for that to occur.”

“Excellent. Update me often.”

“Yes sir.”

The Chief Advisor glanced aside.

Stacks of Lan Kingdom reports and various documents met her view.

“…Minor losses pave the way for grander aims.”

He returned to the documents.

Meanwhile, the Blue Tiger entered the residence and knelt before a sealed door.

“My liege.”

Chhh.

The door slid open unaided.

This via internal ki.

The Blue Tiger showed no surprise at the immense internal ki and its finesse.

“What brings you?”

Beyond the opened door, the Alliance leader sat in lotus pose.

A woman in her fifties, named Hwa In.

A top-tier master, the reigning head of the Cooperative Alliance.

“I suspect we’ve spotted a pest, Alliance leader-nim.”

At the Blue Tiger’s words…

“…….”

She unveiled her eyes.

The veteran master’s stare held profound depth.

“A pest?”

“Indeed, My liege.”

The Blue Tiger prostrated fully.

He kowtowed while speaking.

“I think it’s the pest you seek, my liege.”

Shh.

Hwa In rose and approached the Blue Tiger leisurely.

“Blue Tiger.”

He raised his head.

Hwa In stood before him.

Not resembling a fifty-year-old, but…

Appearing as a youth.

“Yes, my liege.”

She mirrored someone known to the Dark Pulse’s Pao Seo Tae.

So Hee.

The rogue.

The rejuvenated Hwa In matched So Hee precisely.

Hwa In had emerged years ago as the prior Alliance leader’s secret successor.

She’d devoted herself to the Cooperative Alliance from age thirty.

No one knew her youthful form.

Yet the Blue Tiger had witnessed Hwa In’s real visage.

She’d always looked this young.

The girl who once crushed Pao Seo Tae addressed the Blue Tiger.

“I figured the pest lurked in the Eastern Empire. Yet it’s in the Lan Kingdom?”

“Merely a theory, but suspected, my liege.”

So Hee’s eyes held an unusual glint.

“Who might the pest be?”

“Kim Hae-Yi.”

“Hooo.”

She breathed softly in wonder, and the Blue Tiger pressed on calmly.

“I sensed the same rush as when I first encountered you, my liege.”

“!”

So Hee’s pupils quivered.

She grinned at him.

“Your words ring true.”

The Blue Tiger.

This youth possessed strong instincts.

Plus, his devotion was absolute.

Thus, So Hee revealed her true self and kept him close.

“You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, My liege.”

After the Blue Tiger departed, she murmured alone.

“Ahn Roh Man’s aide, that AI resides in the Lan Kingdom… And it’s Kim Hae-Yi-”

Ahn Roh Man was set to claim the Eastern Empire’s crown prince title.

The AI aiding him…

The duo destined to taint this reborn world…

So Hee hunted the hazardous, irksome pest.

“May this truly be the pest.”

Capturing the pest would quiet the Transparent Blood group’s gripes at last.

So Hee gazed through the window.

Daylight persisted.

“When’s the main tournament?”

Though preliminaries continued…

Near the main event’s timing…

“I’ll pay him a call.”

Kim Hae-Yi.

Ideal moment to eliminate that scum.

* * *

“I’m convinced the Cooperative Alliance folks planted evidence to blame us after slaying competitors.”

Pao Seo Tae remarked with a rigid expression.

Cale sighed upon hearing it.

‘This land’s tangled.

I only wish to glimpse the Queen’s spouse.

Granted, I must handle him, but…

Why so many complications?

Perhaps sneak into the palace?’

The formation barrier made it tough.

‘Mm.’

As Cale pondered, a serene voice broke in.

“Why not eliminate them?”

Cale glanced toward the source.

The Heavenly Demon smiled at him.

Cale eyed him and replied casually.

“Having fun?”

“Yes. Quite entertaining.”

The Heavenly Demon relished this fresh realm immensely.

“…….”

Cale’s face gradually soured…

Alberu approached.

“Step out briefly.”

“Out?”

Meaning beyond the game.

Alberu passed Cale a brief note.

< We’ve devised a link for the Black Castle portal. >

< Clues to expose the Transparent Blood’s misdeeds uncovered. >

Positive update from Rosalyn.

Time to return to Earth 3 after ages for tasks.

—