Gatewalker: Remnant of the Tang Clan Chapter 24: Chapter 23 - Silent Edge's Takeover

Read chapter 24 of Gatewalker: Remnant of the Tang Clan by TheeRaven on NovelPedia.

"The finals of the Rising Dragon Tournament is upon us." The elder spoke. He gestured to the tunnel. "Ilho of Silent Edge. Blue of Silent Edge." As the boys walked out the crowd roared to life. Silent Edge members screamed from their seats. Two boys this crowd had watched dismantle heirs, disciples of major sects, spoonfed geniuses. They watched the two rise. Now they stand face to face in the finals. Murim held it's breath. In the stands above, So-Yeon leaned forward, chin resting on her hands. Her eyes not moving from "Blue." Across the arena, Wu Jin stood between Cheng and Yeol, arms crossed. The rod strapped to his back. Behind them, the Sword Saint leaned forward. "You two better be right." He muttered. "If my wife finds out I bet this much gold, she'll kill all of us." Yeol shivered. "She's still scarier than you." Cheng looked back. "He's not wrong." The Alliance leader stood on his platform. His voice carried throughout the crowd. "Today, only one of these warriors will write their name in Murim’s history. One walks away with scars, the other, a treasure and an elixir. Murim are you ready to see which will become your new Rising Dragon?" The arena shook with cheers. Ilho and Blue stood motionless. A smile painted each of their faces. The elder dropped his hand. "Begin." The gong rang one last time. The boys clashed, no hesitation, no probing. Ilho blurred forward. Phantom Veil carrying him across the stone. His twin blades swept outward. Blue met him, with balance. Flowing Steel carrying him just outside each strike. Slash. Dodge. Parry. Pivot. Sparks rained down on the platform from their swords. Ilho spun forward. His twin blades curved, Blue twisted with him, his jian catching both in a sharp clang. He slid low, sweeping Ilho’s legs. Ilho flipped into the air, landed, and carved a line across Blue's shoulder. Blood sprayed. Blue jumped back, creating space. Ilho pressed more. His blade weaving elegant arcs, pinpointing Blue's openings and weak points. Ilho looked at Blue. "I thought we were going to go all out?" Blue smiled. "He's right." He thought to himself. Blue lowered his stance and nodded. Ilho smiled back. Blue took a deep breath and exhaled. He moved. This time he wasn't just faster, he was lighter. He let the qinggong flow into the combat movement. Each step bled into the next. His blade moved along side. Ilho could barely keep up as Blue relentlessly attacked. Cuts started to appear on Ilho's arms, and back. Blue stepped left and vanished, he slipped between Ilho's strikes like water finds a path through rocks. Ilho's eyes widened. "You slippery bastard." Blue chuckled. "You said all out. Remember?" Ilho roared and answered with speed. "If there's one thing I have an advantage with it's this." His twin blades at the ready, he swung, Blue ducked. One blade cut Blue along the cheek, the other he barely twisted past. As Blue twisted he slashed Ilho along his ribcage. Blood splashed across the stage. Ilho didn't flinch. He immediately kicked off the stone and spun low carving a path with both blades. Blue vaulted over him, he landed. His jian barely missed Ilho's collarbone as he was midair. Every strike from both boys were real. Each strike was an attempt to take the other out. Neither stopped, no matter the damage that was inflicted. Ilho dashed forward. The same impossible angles he had used on Jinhu. Eight cuts, five of them took. Blue could barely keep up with both blades. His left arm now painted red. Cuts bled from his thigh, ribs and shoulder. Ilho dashed again and feinted high. As he dove back low Blue leapt into the air. He twisted and slammed his blade downward. A cut flayed Ilho's shoulder wide open. Blue landed behind him. Ilho gritted his teeth. Ilho lowered his body, he took off again. Shadow step flowed. Blue spun, and barely blocked both blades aimed for his throat. Blue and Ilho smiled at each other as they pushed and pulled with their swords. Neither giving an inch. Finally both boys jumped