Imperial Crown.

Chapter 439 Tang San, Spirit Blue Silver Grass
Additional updates in March for 3 monthly tickets!

……

Chapter 449 Tang San, Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Eagle Territory, Eagle Town, Holy Soul Village.

The village was named so because there were 33 households in total, and 9 of them had male members who had joined the Eagle Army, and 5 of them died in battle.

Holy Soul means "holy and brave heroic soul".

The sky is dim.

A wooden sign was erected at the entrance of the village.

Two crossed swords were painted on the wooden sign, with red paint splashing and flowing, as if blood had been cut out on the sign.

The black-haired, black-eyed boy was carrying a bundle of firewood. He stood in front of the sign and read the words in a low and difficult voice:

"This competition is called 'Blood of Madmen' and is funded by the Mercenary Guild..."

"The competition lasts for three months and is divided into preliminary rounds, semi-finals and finals..."

"Champion prize... 50 gold coins!?"

50 gold coins is a huge sum of money. If you get it, it is enough to buy half of the village.

Shaking his head, throwing the unrealistic fantasy out of his mind, the boy continued to look down.

The preliminary round will be held on July 7, one day later, in a small arena called "Bloody Scimitar" in Eagle Town.

The registration fee is 1 silver coin, and if you win the preliminary round, you can get a bounty of 5 silver coins!

The young man was heartbroken.

But besides being excited, I am also a little doubtful.

After all, 5 silver coins is not a small amount of money. Can people really be so generous and give it out casually?
Moreover, Holy Soul Village is not a wealthy place. Putting the sign recruiting gladiators here makes people somewhat suspicious of its motives.

"You're not lying, are you...?"

Ever since the arena was established in Eagle Town, many mercenaries have gathered here for wealth and fame; and eight years ago, after Raven and Nancy got married and held a competition, it became a culture.

The arena itself regularly hosts competitions, and all kinds of small and large folk competitions have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain.

Some competitions are getting better and better, and have gradually formed their own brands, such as "Fighting Hunting Ground", "Knight's Proof", "Blood and Roses", and so on.

But there are also those competitions that are built to a huge fanfare, but in the end the organizers simply run away after taking the registration fees.

"Hey, Tang San." A man with a hunting knife on his waist limped up and said, "Why, are you interested and want to sign up?"

"Uncle Wood!" Tang San greeted politely.

Wood is a veteran of the Eagle Army. He once followed Raven to conquer the Bloody Heights. Although he survived, his leg was crippled and he could no longer serve.

His daily job now is to patrol the public security of the Holy Soul Village with the help of a crutch. His work is leisurely and he occasionally teaches the children in the village martial arts.

The monthly income is quite considerable, not only enough to support his wife and children, but also enough to go to the pub for a drink occasionally.

"Among the children in our village, you are the most agile and learn things the fastest." Wood said, "But without actual combat, the results will never be tested."

"Don't you want to be an Eagle Eye Guard? This 'Blood of Madmen' is a good opportunity."

Tang San nodded: "I thought so too, but is this competition... reliable?"

“Hahaha.” Wood laughed. “Of course it’s reliable. This competition is hosted by the Mercenary Guild, and I put the sign here myself.”

"How about it, do you want to go?"

Tang San pursed his lips: "I'll think about it again."

After saying that, he turned around and ran away quickly.

Looking at Tang San's receding back, Wood sighed.

It can be said that Tang San was a child who grew up under his care.

He is handsome, mature in his behavior, smart and active since childhood. Not only is he talented in martial arts, but as the descendant of a blacksmith, he is also dexterous and can always make some eye-catching little things.

The steel string on the Wood crossbow was repaired by Tang San.

It's a pity that this child has a bad life. His mother died when he was very young, and his father was a hindrance. He was drunk every day and never did any work. Tang San had to take care of everything at home.

But he is still very stubborn, and when others want to help him, it seems like an insult to him.

With such a father, it is really difficult for Tang San to participate in this competition.

How could his father be so cruel to such a good child?
"I am back!"

Tang San put the firewood in the corner of the kitchen. Just as he washed his hands and prepared to cook, he heard a loud shout from the inner room: "My child, I have the final say!"

Then an old voice said, "Jack, you don't have the final say on this matter."

"It was fine that you didn't let Tang San learn to read last time, but this time, it was the priests of the Church of Light who came to select the seeds of the divine magicians. What a great opportunity to rise to the top overnight!"

"Can you keep Tang San tied to your belt for the rest of your life?"

"If you have something to say, please don't do it..."

Before he could finish his words, the door was slammed shut. The old village chief stood at the door, sighing: "What the hell is this...!"

"Village Chief." Tang San stepped forward and greeted him.

"Did you hear everything just now?" The village chief looked at Tang San, still a little angry: "Don't worry, I will find a way to convince your father."

"No need, Village Chief." Tang San said calmly: "I have no interest in becoming a priest, so please don't bother."

It was this sensible look that made the village chief feel even more distressed, and he felt that Jack was a worthless person. However, he couldn't say much in front of the child, so he just shook his head and turned away:

"A sin..."

The village chief couldn't understand it. Jack wasn't some unforgivable bastard, so why was he so stubborn when it came to Tang San?
Tang San lit a fire, prepared dinner, and brought it to the dining table in the house.

His father Jack sat down at the table, drunk, took out a small barrel of wine from under the table, tilted his head back to take a sip, grabbed the bread and started chewing.

Tang San sat opposite him, taking a bite of bread and a sip of hot soup, eating slowly.

"Father..." After finishing his meal, Tang San said while clearing the dishes: "When I came back earlier, I saw a sign for a competition. If you can win the preliminary round, you can get a bounty of 5 silver coins. The registration fee is only..."

boom!
The barrel fell on the table.

Jack stared at him with his eyes wide open and said in a rough voice, "You want to participate in the competition?"

"Just relying on your little ability!?"

"Don't even think about it!"

"But..." Tang San still wanted to fight for it.

"No buts!" Jack muttered, spitting a mouthful of thick phlegm at Tang San's feet: "Do you think fighting with others is a good thing? If you get hurt, who will cook for me in the future?"

"If you bring this up again, I'll break your legs first, so you don't have to embarrass me outside!"

Tang San lowered his head, but his voice was quite steady, like the jungle outside the window gradually being swallowed by the night: "Yes."

After saying that, he turned and left, closing the door gently.

After the footsteps faded away, Jack sighed heavily, with a trace of confusion in his eyes: "Is it right or wrong for me to do this..."

Jack had been drinking all night.

When he woke up, it was already very dark and the room was deadly silent.

"Xiao San..." Jack shouted.

No one responded.

"Little San!"

Still no response.

A sense of uneasiness arose in Jack's heart. He stood up and rushed out of the room. He saw that the fire was still burning in the stove and tiny bubbles were still coming out of the hot soup on it.

On the edge of the stove, there is a line of small words written in white ash: "Father, I'm going to participate in the competition."

Competition? Where did he get the money to sign up?

not good!

I returned to my room and put my hand under the pillow, but all I felt was a blank.

This kid actually stole his money!

"Little bastard!" Jack slammed his fist against the wall, half angry and half worried:

"Wait until you come back, and see how I'll teach you a lesson!"

at the same time.

Xiongying Town, "Bloody Scimitar" Arena.

The arena was not very big, but its 700-seat capacity was packed.

On the 20-meter square arena, a pair of mercenaries were fighting desperately. Blood was spilled between the collision of swords, constantly stimulating the audience's senses.

Cheers and shouts came one after another.

Even Tang San in the waiting room could hear it.

Even though he was fully armed at this time, his face still looked a little pale due to nervousness.

He was wearing old leather armor, carrying a long sword with a wooden sheath, and had three throwing knives he made himself on his waist.

On the table on the left hand side, there was an arm shield that he also made himself.

The whole shield is made of mahogany and covered with cowhide. The shield surface is smooth and the curvature is just right. It is thicker than ordinary arm shields, like a huge sunflower seed.

Looking at the arm shield, Tang San's expression became more and more tangled:
"My father must be scolding me..."

Tang San was not a very obedient child.

For example, even though his father clearly didn't allow him to learn to read, he still ran away secretly to learn; even though his father clearly didn't allow him to touch things in the shop, he still pieced together a few throwing knives and this arm shield for himself.

But this was the first time he disobeyed orders and stole money from home.

This made him feel a little guilty.

People in the village said that his father was eccentric and treated him harshly, but Tang San didn't think so.

Although his father's temper had become worse and worse in recent years, he drank all day and often cursed at him, but he had never hit him and did not allow him to do anything dangerous - even for money.

Moreover, when he was a child, his father always granted his requests. When he was 5 years old, he insisted on going to the circus. His father, who had always been frugal, spent 3 silver coins to buy him the best ticket!
Until now, Tang San still remembers that circus, which was also the most exciting circus he had ever seen.

But father, how did it become like this?

crunch...

The door opens.

Tang San knew that it was finally his time to take the stage.

Walking on the path leading to the ring, the sound of footsteps echoed off the walls.

Tension, excitement, and excitement all merged into his blood and were pumped to all parts of his body by his heart, making his body slightly warm but his mind increasingly clear.

"Hush...huh..."

The air he exhaled at this moment was so hot that it dried his lips.

Since I was 4 years old, every detail of the past 12 years flows clearly in my memory.

The nameless atlas found in my mother's belongings, the hard training through winter and summer...

Fight with wild boars, compete with foxes for wisdom, fight with wolves for courage...

He grows step by step, and also proves his own growth.

Today will be his first time to face a real battle, and it will also be a verification of the results of his practice over the past 12 years.

Prove yourself, your time is not wasted!
The trail was finally completed.

The darkness receded, and blinding light filled the field of vision.

What followed was a wave of howling and cheering!
Tang San saw the bloodstains left on the arena, the iron netting at the edge of the arena, and the faces outside the iron netting that were distorted with excitement.

Likewise, he saw his opponent.

He was a sturdy man at least 1.9 meters tall, wearing an iron helmet with horns, a chain mail smock, and holding a black hook axe in each hand!
"Huh? You are my opponent?" The sturdy man frowned, with clear disdain, and pushed his palm outward:

"Go home and feed yourself, kid. I don't want to bully a child."

Tang San is really too young.

His face was obviously not fully grown, and he was so handsome that he looked like a woman; his physique was not bad compared to his peers, but compared to those who were qualified to stand on this stage, he looked too delicate.

Laughter, jeers and boos rang out from the stands.

when--

A bell rang.

The entire arena went dark, and two beams of light locked onto Tang San and the burly man.

The sturdy man roared towards the sky, and a trace of red light seeped out of his body, forming a blood-red shadow behind him.

That is a strong and fierce tiger!
"Martial Spirit!?" Tang San was stunned.

Isn't martial spirit a trait that only 3rd level extraordinary people can possess? Could it be that this strong man is already at 3rd level?
The next moment, the ground suddenly became scorching hot, and Tang San's blood began to boil uncontrollably. He was surprised to see a hint of blue light coming out of his body.

He raised his hand, and suddenly a light blue grass with silver patterns appeared in the palm of his hand!
"Blue Silver Grass!?" In the spectator seats, Wood showed a surprised expression.

……

Chapter 450: Seeds Destined to Sprout
What Tang San and the sturdy man displayed were certainly not their true martial spirits.

A true third-level powerhouse would not be interested in a competition of this scale.

It’s just that this arena has been processed with special magic, which can predict or display the martial spirit that a person will possess in the future.

It is a nice gimmick that can greatly increase the excitement of the game, and it is based on the proven technology of the Mercenary Guild and does not cost much.

"Oh no, I shouldn't have let him come..." Wood's heart sank.

Although this so-called martial soul is just an illusion, it was derived from the potential test of the mercenary guild, showing that the type of martial soul is closely related to the potential it possesses.

Blue Silver Grass is a weed that can be seen everywhere on the roadside in the Nord Province. This kind of martial spirit is extremely weak!

This also means that Tang San's potential is actually quite limited. Facing opponents of the same level, he loses more than he wins. Not to mention facing this nearly 2-meter-tall strong man with a blood tiger as his martial spirit! ?
Wood knew that this sturdy man was the captain of the well-known mercenary team "Tomahawk Vanguard". Although he had not yet been promoted to the extraordinary level, his martial arts skills were extremely powerful.

Not only has he won more than 30 victories in various competitions, he has also led a team to kill a level 1 magic wolf!

"Blue Silver Grass? Hahaha, if he can win, I'm willing to kiss a donkey's ass!"

"Boy, go home and plant crops - no, crops hate weeds the most!"

"Blue Silver Grass... Oh my god, I really should have signed up. Isn't this picking up 4 silver coins for free?"

"Young man, stop competing and come with me. I'll give you five silver coins!"

"Uncle can also take you away. I'll give you 6!"

The strong man who was Tang San's opponent also relaxed:

"Go ahead. I've eaten meat all my life and I have no interest in being a vegetarian."

"Your one silver coin registration fee should be considered as a lesson learned."

Tang San's expression remained unchanged, and he drew the long sword from his waist: "Holy Soul Village, Tang San."

"Please enlighten me!"

This scene immediately made the audience around laugh even more unscrupulously.

It also made the strong man feel humiliated.

"You ignorant brat..." The sturdy man frowned.
"You're asking for death, so don't blame me!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already grabbed a pair of hook axes and rushed forward like a whirlwind.

Tang San reached his left hand to his waist, a hint of purple light flashed in his eyes, and he threw a flying knife!

Whoosh.

The flying knife made a sound of breaking through the air and went straight to the sturdy man's face.

The sturdy man showed disdain, raised his right hand axe and knocked the flying knife away with a bang.

However, before he could be happy, he realized something was wrong.

After the flying knife, there was another flying knife!

This is a sophisticated technique that only experienced rangers can master: "Double Bull's Eye"!
It was too late to block, and the strong man turned his head away, and the flying knife brushed past his cheek, leaving a trail of blood.

The stinging pain on his cheek aroused the sturdy man's anger. He roared and threw the hook axe in his left hand, which flew towards Tang San.

And at the moment when the hook axe was about to strike, the sturdy man suddenly saw a little silver light.

The third flying knife!

Cold sweat flowed from the strong man's forehead.

The timing of this knife was extremely accurate, almost overlapping with the timing of his throwing the flying axe.

But a light flying knife is much faster than a heavy hook axe!

At this moment, the sturdy man had just thrown out the hook axe, and his whole body was in an unbalanced state, with a forward momentum. Not to mention blocking with another hook axe, he couldn't even adjust his posture!

Tang San felt relieved.

The outcome has been decided?

However, the sturdy man suddenly yelled: "Ah!!!!"

A layer of blood-red light burst out from the sturdy man's feet, causing him to move half a foot to the side.

Just this half-inch allowed him to dodge the deadly flying knife!

Fighting is a shortcut for fighting spirit users to advance. It is said that in ancient times, human fighters did not need divine potions and could become extraordinary through constant fighting.

Nowadays, such examples are becoming less and less common, but many battle-hardened soldiers and mercenaries are still able to naturally develop a trace of fighting spirit before becoming extraordinary.

Strong men are obviously among them.

But without caring about being frightened, Tang San also raised his arm shield at this moment, and caught the flying axe with a bang. The remaining force knocked Tang San against the iron net, making a fierce clattering sound.

"You cunning rat, die!" The strong man who escaped death, with anger after fear, rushed towards Tang San like a tiger!
Tang San no longer has any flying knives.

Even if there is, there is no room for it in this small venue with a diameter of 20 meters.

The hook axe swept across, Tang San ducked to avoid it, and just as he was about to draw his sword to counterattack, the burly man chopped him down with another axe!
Tang San had no choice but to dodge again.

My mood became increasingly depressed as the strong man attacked me.

He originally thought that a man with a physique like that of a strong man would be strong, but agility should not be his strong point. He could easily deal with him with his flexible skills.

But he thought wrong.

The strong man is not only strong, but also has great speed and reaction.

And because of his tall physique, Tang San only had to retreat three steps and the big man would catch up with him in two steps, which in turn put Tang San under more pressure and left him with less room to dodge and move.

"I'll teach you a lesson today." The sturdy man seemed to see Tang San's shock, grinning and saying, "The stronger the power, the weaker the speed. That's a lie that bards tell children to play with."

"Strength, speed, and reaction are never mutually exclusive options. If one is strong, all are strong!"

"Remember the lesson of today, and thank me when you cry at night!"

The sturdy man had forced Tang San into a corner at this moment, and swung the hook axe in his hand down suddenly, making a sound of breaking through the air.

Tang San had no way to avoid it, so he had to raise his left arm to block.

Click.

The axe blade tore through the skin, cut into the tough peach wood inside, and then cut Tang San's arm, scraping off a piece of bloody skin.

If Tang San hadn't released the force quickly enough, his left hand would have been chopped off!

The sturdy man turned his wrist and the axe blade drew a semicircle; with his elbow inward, he raised the hook axe in the air and chopped it towards Tang San's shoulder!

Tang San seemed not to notice that his arm shield was broken and raised his left hand again.

A ferocious sneer appeared on the sturdy man's face.

锔.

Blood is spilled!

The whole place was silent.

The sturdy man's face was covered in blood, and the axe in his hand was close to Tang San's shoulder, but he didn't dare to move forward an inch.

Because Tang San's sword blade was already against his forehead!

The blade was thin, but sharp enough to take his life!

Looking at the half-broken shield in Tang San's left hand, the sturdy man's lips trembled:
"What is this?"

Just now, a ray of cold light suddenly shot out from this half arm shield, brushed across his forehead, lifted off a piece of scalp, and blew off his horned helmet, leaving a bloody groove on his head.

The fear of being on the verge of death made his arms limp and he instantly lost consciousness; when he came to his senses, Tang San's sword was already pointing at his forehead.

If that cold light had gone a little further downwards, he would not have been injured but would have died on the spot!
"Hidden-head crossbow." Tang San said calmly: "I won?"

"Yes... you win..." The strong man said bitterly, his arms drooping limply, and said loudly:

"I surrender!"

It was another victory, but this time there was no cheering, at least not everyone was cheering.

"Are you kidding me? Anyone with the Blue Silver Grass Spirit can win?! There must be something fishy going on! I'm losing money! I bet 3 silver coins!"

"Do you think he is Visdon? He is so shady! By the way, don't you want to kiss the donkey's ass? I happen to have a donkey at home."

"Oh my god, this is amazing! Could it be that the Blue Silver Grass is such an amazing martial spirit?"

"Of course it's amazing, Auntie, I just like grass, boy, I'll give you 10 silver coins!"

"Uncle will give you 20!"

Amid the chaotic sounds, Tang San left the ring along the passage and came to the medical room.

The good thing about formal competitions is that no matter what the injury is, as long as it is not too serious, it will basically be treated free of charge.

"Here, for you." A goblin who was only as tall as Tang San's waist placed a deep plate in front of Tang San:

"Take them one by one, and they're good enough. Don't waste them!"

Having said that, he walked to the other side of the bed and checked the injuries of the sturdy man who came in with Tang San.

Tang San sat down and saw three grey pills on the plate. The surface was black and extremely smooth. When he pinched them with his hands, they were a little sticky and smelled like medicine.

Put the pill in your mouth and chew it. It tastes like grass with a slight bitter taste and is full of juice.

As the pill dissolved in his mouth, the burning wound on the back of his hand felt a little cool.

Since it was free, Tang San stuffed the remaining two into his mouth.

"Congratulations, Tang San, you've won the first battle!" Wood dragged his crippled leg and pushed the door open and walked in: "I thought you were going to lose."

"How does it feel to win after your first real fight with someone?"

"Not bad..." Tang San smacked his lips: "It's just that this pill is a little bitter."

Wood was stunned for a moment when he heard this, he lowered his head to look at the plate, then looked at Tang San's yellow fingertips, and asked with a strange look: "Did you eat it?"

Before Tang San could answer, the goblin came over again, took one look at the empty plate, frowned and said, "How come they're all used up? What a hassle!"

As he said this, he picked up the plate, walked to the corner of the room, pulled the curtain, and squatted down.

After a few puffs, the curtain opened, and the goblin walked to the strong man's bed with his trousers in one hand and a plate in the other. He crushed a "pill" and smeared it on the wound on the strong man's forehead.

Tang San's face turned a little green, and he felt sick in his throat.

"Ahem!" Wood cleared his throat. "He's a hybrid goblin with a bit of unicorn blood. His feces can heal wounds..."

"Usually, it's applied externally..."

Turning his head away from looking over there, Tang San asked: "Uncle Wood, what about my bounty?"

"Here it is!" Wood took out a small purse and placed it in Tang San's palm: "5 silver coins, all yours."

Feeling the reassurance, Tang San's unhappiness just now was much less: "Thank you, uncle."

Wood liked Tang San's indifferent attitude, and said with a smile: "It's not easy for you to come to Xiongying Town. I'll treat you to a meal later, and you can also see the world."

"No, my father is still waiting for me at home."

After rejecting Wood's invitation and with the wound on his hand almost healed, Tang San gathered his weapons and rushed back to the Holy Soul Village.

When I got back to the house, it was already completely dark. Even under the moonlight, there was no light in the house.

Suppressing the uneasiness in his heart, Tang San pushed open the door and said bravely:
"Father, I'm back!"

"Come in." The voice was much calmer than usual.

This abnormal attitude made Tang San even more nervous, and he walked into the inner room.

Jack was sitting at the table at this time. The silver light illuminated half of his weathered face. His eyes were surprisingly clear, and it seemed that he had not drunk any alcohol.

"Well... not bad, looks like he's not injured." Jack said, "Since you lost, you should recognize your own abilities, put your things down, and work honestly. Hurry up and get that silver coin..."

"I win, father."

"What?" Jack looked stunned.

"I won!" Tang San emphasized, took out his purse and shook the silver coins on the table.

Looking at the silver coins on the table reflecting the moonlight, Jack showed an expression of disbelief on his face. He looked at Tang San with an increasingly complicated expression.

"...Xiao San, do you really want to take this path?"

"Yeah!" Tang San nodded vigorously and met his father's gaze.

"Really..." Jack showed a bitter smile: "Then, from today on, do what you want to do."

This attitude caught Tang San by surprise. His eyes gradually brightened: "But father, you need someone to take care of you."

"I have hands, feet, and skills, how can I starve to death?" Jack glanced at him and said, "Since you want to learn martial arts, then work hard. Don't let your skills fail and you die."

"Yes!" A smile appeared on Tang San's face.

"Go to bed early." Jack's smile softened. "Tomorrow morning, I will take you to find Wood to become his disciple."

Tang San didn't understand why his father's attitude changed, but he was too excited to think about it.

After all, he is just a 16-year-old boy.

The next morning, Jack shaved his beard as he had said before, and took Tang San to find Wood in person, giving him the 5 silver coins from yesterday as tuition.

"Xiao San, today is a good day." Wood smiled and took out a silver coin and said, "Go to the town and buy some wine and a roast chicken. Your father and I will have a good drink together."

Tang San didn't think about it and left with the silver coins.

Wood looked at Jack: "...I misunderstood you before."

He inquired with his colleagues yesterday and learned a shocking fact.

The Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul is actually quite rare, and only people with elven blood can possess the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.

Elf blood brings not only a long life, but also an exceptionally handsome face.

And beauty is a dangerous advantage for the weak - both men and women.

"I really wanted to make Xiao San useless and never let him leave the Holy Soul Village. At least this way he would be safe." Jack sighed.
"But, there are some seeds that you can't stop from sprouting."

"So I think it's better to let him grow freely. At least he will have more resources to fight against danger when he faces it."

At this moment, Tang San had no idea what the conversation between Jack and Wood was about.

He was completely immersed in the joy of being able to learn martial arts freely. Every blade of grass, every tree, and every person he saw was so cute.

After buying the things Wood asked him to buy, Tang San rushed to the Holy Soul Village.

Just as passing by the teleportation array, a blue light shot up into the sky.

"My Lord Count!"

"The Earl is back!"

……

(End of this chapter)