179 Closer 1 (2/2)

The fact that the both of them ended it in a draw was beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. Garen, as a new age Master of Combat, was able to actually fight the great Fist Master to a draw, was unbelievable for most. Overnight, the news spread via telegram to every corner of the martial arts world.

Garen’s position as a regional leader was also cemented by this battle’s outcome. White Cloud Gate’s Territory of Galantia became a place of attention for every sect.

As for White Cloud Gate’s ranking, it rose up to stand equal with the Southern Holy Fist Gate and the Celestial Circle Gate.

As for the Black Mark Association and Crimson Sand Sword Gate:

Black Mark association was discussing surrender and possible merger of elements with White Cloud Gate, especially since amongst their three King of Fists, one betrayed the sect, one was heavily injured and the remaining one was no longer able to hold the entire organisation up by himself. Black Mark association was alive by name, but dead in reality.

Crimson Sand Sword Gate disappeared into the shadows since the day the Hunter Killer Squad fought Garen. In an instance they disappeared from public eye and sold most of their assets to nearby sects like White Cloud Gate or the Celestial Circle Gate.

The entire southside of the Confederation was now split between three major sects.

Namely they were: Southern Sky Holy Fist Gate, Celestial Circle Gate and White Cloud Gate. Amongst the three, White Cloud Gate was the weakest, they had zero plans to expand beyond Galantia. All they were interested in was to continue consolidating their power in Galantia and they even turned away ex-members of the Black Mark Association trying to join them.

Southern Sky Holy Fist Gate expanded aggressively, they absorbed many small sects and formed their own alliance.

Celestial Circle Gate also started to consolidate their power after Garen fought Palosa, rumors even tell of a possibility that Andrela had left self-confinement.

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Galantia, Hubo City.

In a white manor surrounded by various maple trees.

Outside the manor, in the maplewood forest.

Two young men sat by a stone table playing Go.

Maple leaves would occasionally fall on the stone table, along with what looked like dandelion seeds, both of which would be expertly flung away by the duo each time they fell.

One of the men was buff and tall, his body wrapped all over with black bandage. The other one was handsome, with black hair that fell on his shoulders, and an eye patch that covered one of his eyes.

The setup on the table was filled with black pieces. Instead of white and black to distinguish the factions, they were differentiated by squared and circular ones. The stronger buffer man’s was playing the squared pieces while the one-eyed man was playing the circular pieces.

”I heard you challenged Palosa, I came as soon as I left my self-confinement. Who knew that even someone with your abilities would end up in a state like this,” the one-eyed man was Andrela who had just rushed from Celestial Circle Gate. He donned a long sleeve and long pants with a black robe that had constellations etched in beautiful silver thread on the end of the sleeves.

”If you don’t believe it then you’re always welcomed to go try,” Garen was covered in black bandage, wearing only black long pants and boots. He sat on the stool with his back straight and his eyes slightly squinting, still looking intimidating in this state. His hair was short now, and his right arm was still being supported by a wooden board.

”I can’t even defeat you, if I go wouldn’t I just be asking for death?” Andrela laughed,”But Palosa has always been someone I wish to overtake one day. Now there’s you too. What if I kill you now with my sword? Would that earn me the title of Number One Combat Master in the Southern World?”

”Looks like this self-confinement session of yours was really rewarding,” Garen couldn’t help but laugh, as he lifted up his hand and placed a piece onto the playing field,”sadly, I’ve killed you already.”

The game was set, Andrela’s circular pieces were all surrounded by Garen’s square pieces, he only had one piece left to place, and one spot for him to do so. Once he does, he would seal his own fate.

”The medicine you gave me was really good,” Garen moved his body about,”I can already feel the effects, the spots where the pus infected have also stopped worsening. Thank you so much.”

Ever since the day he got back, his body’s only been getting worst. Every spot that was hit by Palosa’s Unrivalled Skyfall ability was infected by pus. Had it not been for the rare medicine, he wouldn’t have been able to stop it at all.

But that’s as much progress as he was able to make, he simply couldn’t recover.

In over ten days, he only recovered some parts of his organs, but his energy and abilities were still deterred.

”Pair it up with edible medication, you should be able to completely rid yourself of the infections.” Andrela unwillingly let go of the chesspiece on his hand,”consider that I’ve lost. Looks like other than being good at martial arts, you’re a monster even at Go.”

He stood up and revealed a small red medicine bottle from his sleeve, then he threw it at Garen,”this is a special medicine prepared for me by Celestial Circle Gate members, it should have some effect. You seem to have a guest, I shall go practice my swordsmanship, if you need anything you can find me at our usual spot.”

With the sound of loud wind, Andrela disappeared from where he stood, only a few maple leaves were left in his wake.

Garen sat on the bench, this rock bench had obvious eastern influences, as it was custom made by a skilled craftsman based on Garen’s memory. It was perhaps a small memento to remind him of his origins from Earth.

He kept the pieces back into the box one by one, and left the box on the table. He picked up the red medicine bottle, gave it a curious look and put it straight into his pocket.

The maplewood forest was a bright red everywhere, even the floors were filled with red leaves like a carpet.

As he watched Andrela leave, Garen felt a sense of gratefulness.

Andrela had grown stronger again, not just a small bit, but by a large margin compared to the first time they met. No wonder he was so confident and wanted to challenge Garen. What used to be a big feat like Blink was now being casted by him like an everyday trick.

Garen took a wild guess, and estimated that Andrela’s abilities were now very close to Crimson Sand Sword Gate’s evil genius Lord Clark, but what other secret techniques he hid under that sleeve, nobody knew.

Beyond the maplewood forest, light footsteps could be heard.

”Gate Master, I’ve brought the guest,” Jack’s voice could be heard as well.

”Come over then,” Garen replied peacefully.