Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 220: Stakes I

Chapter 220: Stakes I

In the end, it was Kazi who emerged victorious. Seconds passed, the king remaining captured, several pieces surrounding it. The Eternal Emperor blinked thrice. Total annihilation. "Huh." His expression was full of surprise. This was an outcome the Eternal Emperor did not anticipate.

"Was it enjoyable?" Kazi asked.

Slowly, Emperor Toru replied, "I have not lost a game of shogi in three hundred years."

Kazi refused to let surprise colour his face. ’Three hundred years...? That’s one hell of a win streak.’

The Eternal Emperor hummed, index and thumb stroking his smooth chin. A smile worked its way on him and his sun-dipped eyes shimmered. He had brought Kazi inside as a way to pass the time. He would play and joke and clown on him until he was satisfied and send him on his way. That was what the Eternal Emperor always did—unless the jester gained his genuine interest. He eyed the brown man with the intensity of the sun, contemplating his next move. His whimsical nature went hand-in-hand with his generosity. The more entertaining he was, the more he was to negotiations.

Kazi was one step closer to his goal.

"Let us play another game," the Eternal Emperor suggested. Kazi opened his mouth to accept but he was too slow.

Snap!

Something enveloped him—something soft and malleable—and the colour around him changed. The smell of flowers dissipated, replaced by a hot, musty odor and the viewpoint became darker and full. There were grunts and yells and he suddenly found himself in the courtyard. The sounds of clashing swords and grunts of exertion assaulted his bearing. The courtyard was expansive, with well-manicured gardens bordering the perimeter and elegant architecture.

’What the hell!? How did he–?’

Don’t be surprised, Kazi told himself. This was the Eternal Emperor, said to be among the longest living members of the White Abyss. In the center of the courtyard, samurai warriors clad in black armor engaged in rigorous training exercises.

His left eye almost pulsed. For some of these men, he could barely keep up.

’Talk about fast, fluid, and precise. How many years did these people train for?’

The atmosphere was thick with the metallic tang of sweat and the rhythmic sound of bamboo meeting wood. Training dummies lined one end of the courtyard, their wooden forms bearing the scars of countless strikes. In another corner of the courtyard, two pairs of samurai were sparring, their katana flashing as they exchanged blows.

The samurai noticed the sudden presence of their Emperor and stopped. There were seven of them donned in high-quality armour. One of them stepped up to the Emperor, his head young and small. His armour was coloured blue rather than black and he was quickest to address the Emperor.

"Honoured Father!" The young samurai in blue dropped to one knee, red-faced. "Have you come to visit again?"

"No duh. I am here, after all. And you..."

The young samurai in blue stared up at his father, puzzled. "Honoured Father?"

"Oh, right, my great grandson? Or was it just grandson? I forgot I had one of those here," Emperor Toru muttered. "Um, Shinji, right?"

"Genji, Honoured Grandfather."

"Right. I want one of you..." The Eternal Emperor gestured to all the samurai and then directed a hand to Kazi. "...to fight him."

Kazi wasn’t remotely surprised. The Eternal Emperor was known for setting up tournaments on a whim, being the largest sponsor of the Making of the Supreme Sorcerer and the Arc of the Grand Master Swordsman competitions. Above all else, over his god-like abilities or experience, it was his whimsical nature that stood the tallest. The descendent of the Eternal Emperor was shocked.

"Honoured Grandfather, who is this...?"

"Excellent question, my dear grandson." The Emperor turned. "What’s your name, big guy?"

"Kazi Hossain."

"Kazi, meet...Shinji!"

Genji forced a smile, unable to correct his forefather. "I have just finished training—"

Snap!

Seven thin magic circles appeared over Genji’s head, raining tiny red particles over the teen. His eyes went wide, feeling the sweat, dirt, and exhaustion disappear. Kazi’s skin prickled from the intense heat of magic. This healing spell was on a whole other level. Kazi couldn’t get a read on the design of the magic circles before they disappeared.

"Chop, chop." Emperor Toru clapped his hands together and walked to the open hall, sitting on the wooden plank floor. Fans materialized to his side and cooled him. "Also, this place is sweaty."

The samurai were scrambling to get the match set-up. The dummies were moved and Genji was handed both a bamboo sword and a proper katana. They didn’t seem to know which to choose. The Emperor’s whims were difficult to decide: was this a serious battle or a simple spar? Then there was the one samurai vehemently trying to get rid of the smell of sweat by lighting up incense.

Kazi stood between it all, slightly puzzled. Genji remained in front of him, opting for the metal katana. He was shorter than his contemporaries. Meeker, smaller, and with a touch of normalcy that the samurai were not supposed to have. Even in panic, there was a beauty to them and Genji did not have that beauty.

’I thought fighting in the White Abyss wasn’t allowed—’

"Oh, don’t worry about that," the Eternal Emperor interjected, "that nonsense doesn’t apply in my palace."

Nonsense? The laws of the White Abyss were nonsense?

***

"Minamoto Clan:

A distinguished lineage of samurai warriors, the Minamoto Clan is an esteemed offshoot of the Imperial House of Japan. Renowned for their mastery of archery, particularly in the ancient art of Yabusame (mounted archery), the Minamoto Clan holds a unique status as pseudo-nobility. They serve the House of Yamato, do not have cadet branches, but hold great political power of their own. They are revered primarily for their long heritage, quality members, and archery prowess.

While many of the high-ranking members are made up of those excluded from direct succession to the Imperial throne, they find purpose and honor by serving and protecting the Eternal Emperor. It would not be inaccurate to call them the Eternal Emperor’s personal military force.

Known for producing winners in the Chosen Bows Competition, the Minamoto Clan has become the bane and goal of many archers in the White Abyss. Where the Taiga Clan roam the arts of the sword, the Minamoto Clan shoot the skies with terrifying accuracy.

Leading the clan since its creation following the Chaotic Era is Minamoto no Yoshitsune. A legendary warrior who has long served beside the Eternal Emperor, he is joined in his enduring legacy by his devoted wife, Sato Gozen."

- Excerpt in the Great Nobility of the White Abyss, published 162 HE