Chapter 345 - Hard-fought

To only describe how his day is going to say that it had greatly transitioned into a heartfelt moment with the embrace of a woman to a dreadful scenery before him. The intense essence emanating from the arena towards above the seats remained ominous despite the distances. 

Caelum was recently called by Tokugawa to be on standby in case the person who is about to battle Miyamoto does not die. He doubted anyone would win against such a formidable warrior who forged his blade through the years even till death.

He moved from his spot and sighted a familiar face who had witnessed his Myriad Blade Style in action, none other than Motobe Izou who looked at the scene having conflicting emotions.

"Motobe-Dono, long time no see."

Motobe turned to see who it was and was perplexed seeing numerous surprises from the young man. One was his essence of martial art had thickened and solidified into his body and soul. 

It had not been long since he had last seen and yet he was able to reach heights where he was not confident enough to defeat him. He matured far too quickly for someone who only started to see the essence of Martial art and blade. 

The second surprise was the scar on one of his eyes hidden by sunglasses but obviously lost it in a fight with Miyamoto that made him clench his fist and felt he had neglected his task of protecting the warriors from Miyamoto.

Caelum vaguely guess his inner turmoil but it was too stupid for him to worry about other people yet admire this man to be willing to act on behalf of the warrior. 

The last surprise was the sensation of being sliced countless fists along with being pummeled numerous if times being struck in a specific area that made him sweat bullets on what kind of a monster had to bloom.

"You've stronger….stronger than expected. I guess you've fought Miyamoto?"

"Of course and this is the result but don't worry I already vowed to not fight him."

"Good to hear. I can see that you've learned his technique."

"More or less but besides that, I'm here in case whoever Miyamoto fights does not die, which is inevitable."

"You're saying that anyone fighting him would die?"

"Yes, he is someone who completely controls both his blade and himself. He's the living embodiment of a blade that could cut anything."

His words were hard to swallow for Motobe who vaguely knew this fact but coming from someone who fought the Legendary Master confirmed that this fight is one-sided. 

He clenched his fist that it almost bleeds tempted to interfere and save his friend from the impending doom only to be stopped by Caelum.

"Don't. It only sullies his pride and conviction. Even if he died at least it was something he desires and not of old age or mundane cause."

It sounded hypocritical as he would do the same if anyone he cared about was in danger would step in and interfere. 

"Even if you say that, I can't let this man kill him."

"You're worrying too much. I'll make sure that person won't die, this is the reason why Tokugawa-dono called me here.*

"What do you mean?"

"I have a way to prevent him from dying so long he doesn't get chopped to pieces."

Caelum explained as the battle below was about to start witnessing at the center where a small pile of sand where weapons are inserted. The legendary swordsman stepped inside the arena not even treating his opponent as an enemy rather an ignorant child.

He turned to the other side seeing a Chinese man with that muscular body that had been forged by countless years of training emanating the essence of his martial arts that made Caelum even feel saddened that this pure and maturing Martial art is about to die. 

From the information he had gathered, the man's name is Retsu Kaioh with his last name being a title given by few individuals who reach a level of insight in 4000 years of Chinese Martial art.

While he grew interested in the old who was more powerful than him that had monstrous strength trapped within him and recalled his name as Kaku Kaioh the Great Grandmaster of Chinese Martial Art. 

"I believe he would use Shaori but that won't work."

"Shaori? What do you know of this technique?"

"Imperfect….rather than making himself into a feather the way to perfect it becomes air."

"What!? You're saying that you know the perfect form of Shaori?"

"Yes and no, my technique is called Yin Yang breathing. It is difficult to accomplish it even then it still places a huge strain on my body every time I switch between them."

"Yin Yang breathing…."

Caelum inwardly sighed recalling how that monster sliced a leaf to pieces as it was falling from the tree.

It was then the matches began that could only be described as nothing more than a child's show that he took everything into his own Martial art. The 4000 years of Chinese kenpo were not something to be underestimated. 

Everyone watched in fear as Miyamoto cut through the fetus and dissected his abdomen along with his spinal cord. Those who were close to Miyamoto clenched their fist and gritted teeth as the greatest martial art fell to his demise. 

"You've fought well, the martial art you've prided on has proven itself."

Those watching gaped in shock when Caelum arrived at the arena in the blink of an eye and perplexed motobe as the young man was just beside him a while ago. 

Caelum quickly took out his needle, piercing through a man's body and preventing him from dying. As long his brain still functions then it's possible to save him.

"It is you, Tian! Have decided to cr-"

At that moment Miyamoto halted his words when he was sliced to pieces before he had the time to realize it. At that moment, Miyamoto took him and acknowledged the growth of Caelum.

"You have refined yourself to reach that enlightenment. Tian, do you want to have a duel?"

That spectator close enough heard the request that was unlike him who is usually the one being challenged. 

"No, I already made my decision after our first defeat. Do not sully my pride and honor, old man."

At that moment both essences cross their blade evenly parrying the sword slashes that made Miyamoto excited while everyone shocked witnessing a strange phenomena and those warriors swallowed their pride seeing a young even fighting the legendary swordsman. 

Before everything get out of hand Miyamoto halted his attack before leaving the area with a parting words.

"If that is your choice then it shall be."

Miyamoto left the arena unsatisfied but indifferent to his action of killing a man. The medical team came and carried Retsu to try to save him as Caelum followed behind.

"Who are you, little one?"

Caelum was following the medical team when Tokugawa, Kaku Kaioh, Baki, motive and another old man that he recalled as Grandmaster of Aiki, Gouki Shibukawa arrived as the Chinese great grandmaster grew curious about the young man who appeared out of nowhere. 

"Greetings Kaku Kaioh, I am a friend of Tokugawa-dono, Call me Masa or Tian as my name is difficult to pronounce."

"Tian? Heaven? Quite the fitting name."

Everyone saw it, the deep profound balance of Darkness and Light that the Chinese Martial Art had been trying to perfect. He felt hurt seeing how young the man was able to reach such a height when he, himself, took a hundred years.

"Enough, chatting. Young man, can you save him!?"

Tokugawa yelled out, afraid that the man would die by his choice to let him fight the legendary swordsman only to feel a hand on his shoulder. 

"Yes but I recommend that no one else but me remain in the room."

He nodded before heading inside the room where the other doctors were forced to leave the place. Those outside were curious about what he was about to do while Caelum observed the warrior's body that still exuded his essence despite his fleeting life. 

"Impressive, if only I had the chance then you would have been the perfect disciple. Anywho, let's get started."

Caelum took a talisman from his pocket before activating it with a small qi that shimmered for a brief moment before being absorbed by the unconscious warrior whose body gradually repaired itself from the damage sustained by the blade. 

It took a while before the man took his breath after passing out and now perfectly flowing his blood.

"Done. You've fought well, young man."

Caelum spoke with his warrior's hearts to praise the hard-fought battle of the man. He went outside to tell the news that made everyone relieved. This in turned acquired the favor of Kaku Kaioh who gave his support in repaying him when the time's come.

"Well, I do have a few favors."

"Say it, little one, then we will do everything in our power to fulfill."