Chapter 366 - 141: The Swordsmanship Competition Begins!
Chapter 366 - 141: The Swordsmanship Competition Begins!
Chiba Shigetarou was just about to say something more to Aoto.
But at this moment, a new commotion surged through the spectator seats.
"Quickly sit down! Quickly sit down!" The vassals of the Aizu Domain shouted urgently, "The lords are arriving!"
Hearing these shouts, the previously noisy spectator seats on the east, west, and south sides quickly quieted down.
Everyone hurriedly shut their mouths tight and then sat back in their respective positions.
Chiba Shigetarou, who had to abruptly end his conversation with Aoto, rolled his eyes and hurriedly sat down not far from Aoto’s side.
"Come, Sazanoko, there’s a seat here, sit here!" Chiba Shigetarou pointed to the place beside him.
The vacant seat Chiba Shigetarou pointed to... was precisely to his immediate left and directly to Aoto’s right...
Neither Aoto nor Sazanoko noticed Chiba Shigetarou’s little intentional thought...
Without much thought, Sazanoko gracefully took a step and sat down directly to Aoto’s right.
Chokata sat to the left, Sazanoko sat to the right—these were now Aoto’s neighbors on his left and right.
A few more minutes passed, and those daimyo who needed to be seated in the "VIP Section" finally arrived.
Everyone on the spectator seats immediately prostrated in respect.
Rustling... the direction of the "VIP Platform" echoed with the sound of faint footsteps.
Upon receiving permission to rise and be at ease, Aoto immediately lifted his gaze, looking toward the "VIP Platform" directly in front of them.
To see the "VIP Platform" that was just empty a moment ago, now nearly filled with people; upon viewing, all were lords of respective domains.
The crests on their clothing distinctly declared which vassal state each belonged to.
Lord of Utsunomiya Domain, Lord of Maebashi Domain, Lord of Ninja Clan, Lord of Matsudai...
A very young man, likely at most in his early twenties, sat expressionlessly at the center among these lords.
Though young, the man exuded a mature aura from his brows.
He sat there giving a sense of being the "center," as if everything around revolved around him.
Even without glancing at the crest on his clothing, merely observing his poised seat in the lead position made it easy to deduce—this person was likely the world-renowned daimyo of the Aizu Domain: Matsudaira Yoshihiko!
Without any opening remarks or chaotic opening speeches, after Matsudaira Yoshihiko and the other lords took their seats, an elderly samurai acting as the master of ceremonies strode into the arena covered with white gravel. He first requested quiet from those in the spectator seats, then began to announce the rules of the competition.
After these customary procedures were completed, the master of ceremonies began drawing lots on-site to select the two competitors for today’s first match.
The first lot drawn by the master of ceremonies... the name written on it was none other than Aoto!
"Natural Reasoning Heart Stream, Shiwei Hall, Tachibana Aoto!"
Upon hearing the master of ceremonies announce his name, Aoto unconsciously furrowed his brow and then displayed a peculiar expression.
He never expected that he would actually fight in the first match of this competition!
Aoto let out a deep breath.
Then he firmly grabbed the bamboo sword placed by his side!
*******
*******
Asking for guaranteed monthly tickets at the beginning of the month!
Thank you to the book friend [Handsome Yes It’s Me Handsome] for the silver alliance!
This is the first silver alliance the author has received in life... truly touched beyond words, trembling with excitement...
Upon seeing this reward, the first thought that floated in the author’s mind was: "Am I worthy?"
The author is genuinely moved... so many book friends willing to support me... really brings tears to the eyes QAQ.
One alliance leader results in a single 10k+ Chapter barrage, so one silver alliance means 10 10k+ Chapter barrages, currently owing 16 Chapters of 10k+ each.
To not disappoint everyone’s support! I will certainly strive to burst out updates at top quality!
Today’s 10k Chapter will not count as a burst update, instead serving as compensation for yesterday’s leave, maintaining a debt of 16 Chapters of 10k+ each.
bookmarkrole