A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 21

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Volume 29, Chapter 10: Hero Saves the Beauty.

After removing her veil, Mina Shinguji's appearance is exactly like that of Hanashi-kun—the Hanashi-kun of twenty-five years ago!
Twenty-five years of anticipation, twenty-five years of hope, today they "reunite with their beloved." Without hesitation, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan roared and leaped down the sand dune, fearlessly rushing towards Yoshihiro Togashi. What did it matter if they launched a surprise attack, or faced one-on-one, as long as they rescued their "junior sister"? As
the leader of the Shinsengumi, Yoshihiro Togashi possessed extraordinary martial arts skills. Even if he lay in ambush beneath the sand, waiting for Mina Shinguji's moment of lapse in attention before striking, he was confident of ending the battle within a few moves. How could he allow Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan, far away on the hilltop, to come to his rescue?
The two elders were still halfway there when the sharp blade was less than two inches from Shinguji Mina's chest. Everyone on the sand dune gasped in shock. They all knew there wasn't enough time. Even if Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan used all their skills and killed Togashi Yoshihiro, Hisano Mizuki, and Haneda Yuuka, they still couldn't stop that heinous sword before Shinguji Mina perished!
Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan were in despair, tears welling up in their tiger eyes. These two top masters had secluded themselves on a deserted island for twenty years, their ambitions to crush the Hokushin Itto-ryu and defeat Shinguji Ryuugen, but in the end, they couldn't save the "she" they longed for day and night. A mere five or six zhang (approximately 10 meters) became an insurmountable distance for the two elders in this lifetime. Fortunately,
there was still him—the dashing thief Ren Xiaoyao! His
lightness skill allowed him to traverse the world freely, his quick wit and adaptability were unparalleled.
Even as Yoshihiro Togashi emerged from the sand, Ren Xiaoyao had already anticipated that Mina Shinguji would be no match for him. Without a second thought, he leaped into the air, displaying his extraordinary eight-leap technique, rushing towards Togashi like a shooting star. He had no idea that Shinguji Ryuugen's daughter would resemble Hanashi-kun so closely, nor had he considered why he would save Mina Shinguji. He only knew that as a man, he would never allow any woman, especially such a stunning beauty, to suffer even the slightest harm. His incredibly
fast, ruthless, and precise "Once you've seen the ocean, other waters are nothing" technique, infused with the full power of his innate supreme qi, multiplied several times over, like a thunderbolt striking down from the sky, illuminating the world without flaw.
Togashi suddenly felt a fierce wind rushing behind him, carrying an overwhelming and domineering aura that rapidly approached. He knew that if he didn't dodge and retreat, even if he could kill Mina Shinguji, he would suffer internal injuries and die on the spot. Hastily, he unleashed the secret technique of Earth Release: "Sand Waterfall Funeral," whipping up a swirling sandstorm that descended upon Ren Xiaoyao. Simultaneously, with a swift flick of his wrist, he raised his blade, aiming for Shinguji Mina's beautiful face. He knew the attacker from behind was extremely skilled; while Sand Waterfall Funeral was a high-level ninjutsu, it could only delay him for a moment, not necessarily enough to kill Shinguji Mina. He hoped to seize the remaining opening to disfigure her, making his mission worthwhile.
Ren Xiaoyao, however, could not allow Togashi Yoshihiro to succeed. He unleashed his Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin Force at full power, the sandstorm swirling back like a wall, relentlessly engulfing Togashi Yoshihiro. Togashi Yoshihiro never dreamed such wondrous martial arts existed. Even with his unparalleled skills in the underworld and assassinations, he couldn't think of any way to counter it and could only retreat hastily to the side.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ren Xiaoyao seized the opportunity, grabbing Mina Shinguji's slender waist like a silken ribbon. With a light tap of his toes, he propelled himself into the air, swiftly heading towards the hilltop. Yoshihiro Togashi, Mizuki Kusano, and Yuuka Haneda were all Jonin, and their reactions were incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, they gripped their weapons tightly, roaring as they pursued.
Just then, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan arrived, unleashing their two ultimate techniques, "Heavenly Thunder Without Delusion" and "Sacred Dragon Severing the Nine Heavens," which crashed down with the force of towering mountains. Fortunately, Yoshihiro Togashi, Mizuki Kusano, and Yuuka Haneda were sensible enough to dodge to the side, rather than forcefully blocking the attack. Otherwise, three more vengeful spirits might have died unjustly and without explanation at the Tottori Sand Dunes.
Ren Xiaoyao placed Shinguji Mina on the ground and was about to bend down to check her injuries when he was suddenly captivated by her graceful figure, which resembled the undulating mountains and rivers, and her stunningly beautiful face. At first, he hadn't noticed it through the sedan curtain and veil, but now that he was so close, just looking at her jet-black hair and snow-white skin, he could only describe her natural beauty. Including Long Feiyun, Nangong Fengyi, and the other women, they were all breathless with admiration for her extraordinary and captivating beauty revealed through her light makeup. Although she was unconscious, the pale sunlight still made her look like a flawless statue. Her beauty and grace could only be described as "extraordinary and otherworldly".
Ren Xiaoyao's ability to judge beauty was unparalleled, but after examining Zhen Gongji Mina from head to toe, he couldn't find a single flaw in her incomparably proportioned figure that could detract from her perfection. Instead, the more he looked, the more he felt her indescribable beauty radiating a dazzling, almost eerie allure.
Suddenly, Su Hanbi's gentle yet reassuring voice rang in his ears: "She's been poisoned, a rare poison!"
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned, his expression incredulous. "No way," he exclaimed, "the bloodstains on her shoulder wounds haven't turned black, and her complexion is normal for someone injured and unconscious. I don't think she's..."
Su Hanbi parted the group of women and knelt before Zhen Gongji Mina, saying softly, "Think about it, she fought fiercely with the Iga Valley group for a long time, yet now she's not out of breath, her heart isn't racing, and even her pulse is very steady."
Lin Yuxiu interjected, "Perhaps it's because her internal strength is profound, so she hasn't revealed it."
Su Hanbi gently shook her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips . With a low voice, she said, "You all saw how intense the battle was against overwhelming odds. Unless it was Xiaoyao, who could handle it so effortlessly? Aside from this extremely unusual situation, just look at the two ninja shuriken on her shoulder—they must be coated with deadly poison."
Nangong Fengyi asked, "How do you know?"
Su Hanbi pointed to the wound and explained softly, "In the heat of battle, the pulse accelerates, and injuries inevitably lead to profuse bleeding. Yet, the clothes near Miss Zhengong's wound weren't stained much, clearly indicating the poison was extremely potent, directly attacking her heart. Fortunately, her internal energy is quite strong, automatically slowing down the bleeding." Her blood circulation was slow, resisting the invasion of toxins, so she appeared to be asleep, without any abnormalities, but in reality, her body was fraught with danger and peril. "
Ren Xiaoyao asked urgently, "What kind of poison is she poisoned with?"
Su Hanbi frowned slightly and smiled bitterly, "If I knew its name, I wouldn't call it a rare poison."
Lin Yuxiu asked tentatively, "Sister Su, there are also poisons you can't identify..."
Su Hanbi's beautiful eyes flashed with a complex expression, and she sighed softly, interrupting, "What I've learned comes from the Qingnang Medical Classic, plus the analysis and identification of various rare poisons brought by my adoptive father and several seniors on the island, so I can barely be considered to have some knowledge of the poisons of the Central Plains, the Western Regions, and the Northern Frontier." "I have a general understanding. As for Fusang... sigh, I believe it's a secret poison from Iga Valley."
Ren Xiaoyao said decisively, "That's easy. Capturing Togashi Yoshihiro will naturally provide the antidote." He suddenly stood up, about to leap into the fray, when Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan had already returned to the hilltop, saying abruptly, "All three are experts. We couldn't defeat them within a hundred or so moves. We were worried about her safety, so we abandoned our opponents and came back."
Ren Xiaoyao stamped his foot and said, "Oh dear, Miss Shinguji is poisoned by a strange poison. We have to snatch the antidote from Togashi Yoshihiro."
Fu Longyuan exclaimed in surprise, "What? Hanbi can't cure it?"
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent, helped Shinguji Mina up, and placed his palm on her jade-like back.
Su Hanbi stopped his hand, puzzled, "What are you doing?"
Ren Xiaoyao said seriously, "Since we can't borrow the poison, we'll force it out."
Su Hanbi looked at Ren Xiaoyao with sparkling eyes, then suddenly burst out laughing, covering her mouth, "I only told you you couldn't recognize the poison, not that I couldn't neutralize it, right? Furong was right after all. You lose your composure whenever you see a pretty girl, completely losing your usual calm and collectedness. See, you've taken things out of context and made a fool of yourself."
Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed, ignoring the girls' laughter at Su Hanbi's words, and hurriedly shouted, "Quick! Quickly, help Miss Zhen Gongsi detoxify!"
A gentle smile played on Su Hanbi's lips as she glanced at him, as if to say, "I knew you'd say something like that." She casually remarked, "What's the rush? I don't have any medicine on me. We need to take him back to Tottori first, find an inn to settle him in, and then treat him slowly."
Ren Xiaoyao stamped his foot, exclaiming, "Oh dear, saving a life is like putting out a fire..."
Su Hanbi chuckled sweetly, her smile like a blooming flower, and said gently, "Don't worry, with her skill, she can definitely hold on for half an hour. You can use a little bloodletting to seal her 'Heavenly Spring' meridian." "The seven vital acupoints—'Zigong,' 'Zhongwan,' 'Qihai,' 'Guanyuan,' and 'Lingdao'—will guarantee Miss Zhen Gongji's safety within three days."
Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Is...is this really true?"
Su Hanbi rolled her eyes at him, her expressive eyes clearly conveying the thought, "How dare you ask such a question?" She said calmly, "Do you not believe in my medical skills, or do you doubt your own internal strength?"

Chapter 11 of Volume 29: Heart Like a Deer

Outside the inn's private room, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan paced back and forth with solemn expressions.
Zhen Gongji Mina had been there for more than half a day, and Su Hanbi, along with Nangong Fengyi and Long Feiyun, had been busy buying, preparing, and pounding medicine for several
hours, but they wouldn't let anyone else in to visit. Yi Tianhan
and Fu Longyuan, both seasoned veterans of the martial arts world, couldn't possibly be unaware of the striking resemblance between Shinguji Mina and Hanashi-kun—they
were . Undoubtedly, she and Hanashi-kun shared a deep connection, and she might even be his daughter with Shinguji Ryuugen.
They had considered all sorts of outcomes for Hanashi-kun during his years of abduction, but this was the last thing they had anticipated. It wasn't that they hadn't considered the fact that Shinguji Ryuugen had forced Hanashi-kun into marriage, but rather that they
had never imagined he would value his daughter with Hanashi-kun so highly. It's no exaggeration to say that Shinguji Ryuugen had completely imparted all his knowledge
to Shinguji Mina, without any reservations or concealments. At nineteen, she had become a Shinin, creating a remarkable achievement in the Japanese martial arts world. She even carried the Hokushin Ittō-ryū's most prized possession with her
at all times —all these actions clearly demonstrated Shinguji Ryuugen's favor towards her.
Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan were eager to know how Hua Shijun was doing now. Was she, as they had previously guessed, forced to marry Zhen Gongji Longxuan
and suffering inhuman abuse and humiliation, or was she living a slightly more peaceful life thanks to the favor bestowed upon her daughter? And before Hua Shijun was kidnapped,
her martial arts More than twenty years later, was she enduring humiliation in a foreign land, secretly practicing the Heaven-Defying Divine Palm and the Nine Dragon Control Techniques
to escape her suffering, or had her martial arts been crippled by Zhen Gongji Longxuan…? In short, they wanted to know and inquire about so much. The feelings that had been deeply buried in their hearts erupted upon
seeing Zhen Gongji Mina. If Su Hanbi hadn't repeatedly warned them not to disturb the detoxification process, they probably would have rushed into the house long ago, eagerly
waiting by her side.
"Creak—" The door slowly opened, and Su Hanbi gracefully stepped out.
"Hanbi, she..." Fu Longyuan had just started to speak when Su Hanbi made a shushing gesture, pulled everyone to a corner, and lowered her voice, saying, "This poison is extremely
potent . Even with the acupoints sealed, some of the poison still seeped into her heart meridian. Fortunately, Miss Zhengongji has excellent internal strength, and the antidote I prepared was also effective, barely
managing to neutralize it. However, her body is very weak and cannot withstand any stimulation. If Godfather and Master Uncle have any questions they want to ask, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Yi Tianhan asked urgently.
"Perhaps we should let Xiaoyao go in and try to find out something." Su Hanbi shrugged slightly, leaned closer to Ren Xiaoyao, and laughed, "Didn't you boast that
no naive girl has any secrets from you? I think Miss Zhengongji is no exception." "
Alright, alright, hurry up and go ask!" Yi Tianhan urged.
"Well, the affairs of the two seniors are my affairs. I will not leave until I can get information about Senior Hua's current situation." Ren Xiaoyao winked at Shui Furong, deliberately
putting on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, which made her pretty face turn fierce and her almond eyes wide open. However, she was secretly overjoyed and quietly followed Su Hanbi into the room.
Lying on the bed, Shinguji Mina was still in the same state of deep sleep as before, but her pretty face had regained some color. Her beautiful hair cascaded down like a waterfall,
setting off her incomparably beautiful face and red lips in the candlelight, making her even more delicate and charming. There was no trace of weakness after being poisoned.
Even a high monk who had cultivated for many years would be tempted by worldly desires.
Ren Xiaoyao grew increasingly puzzled, and whispered, "Hanbi, she...she really..."
Su Hanbi nodded, "This is the effect of the secret poison of Iga Valley. I remember when you first saved Miss Shinguji, her condition didn't resemble
poisoning . At first, I thought it was because the poison was potent and only attacked the heart, but I overlooked the most important point—the most potent aspect of this poison is that it can cause the poisoned person to fall into a coma,
but outwardly appear as if they are asleep. If it weren't for my superb medical skills, I wouldn't have been able to tell that she was poisoned."
Ren Xiaoyao was moved, "You mean..."
Su Hanbi flattened her beautiful cherry lips, feigning indifference, and said, "If we hadn't noticed and had only considered Miss Shinguji as seriously injured and unconscious, then..." "At most
half an hour, the poison will break through the barrier of internal energy and penetrate straight into her internal organs. Even a Great Immortal couldn't save her."
Ren Xiaoyao gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "That Togashi Yoshihiro! One day when he falls into my hands, I will tear him to pieces to vent my hatred
!"
Su Hanbi glanced at him and giggled, "Alright, I know you'll do anything for a pretty girl, but now is not the
time for idle talk. Remember, Miss Shinguji's poison is still clearing up, and she is very weak. You only have time to talk to her for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
Ren Xiaoyao slowly walked to the bedside, half-knelt down, and said softly, "Miss, are you feeling better?"
Shinguji Mina opened her beautiful... Her eyes, as clear as autumn water and surpassing even her peerless beauty, gently said, "Young master,
I am deeply ."
Ren Xiaoyao replied solemnly, "It is the duty of us martial artists to uphold justice; there is no need for thanks, young lady."
Zhen Gongji Mina said gratefully, "Young master was able to save me from Togashi Yoshihiro and defeat the Iga Valley gang; you must be highly skilled in martial arts. I wonder if you are one
of the four great families or five great sword sects of the Central Plains martial arts world?"
Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred slightly, and he asked, seemingly intentionally, "Young lady seems to know a great deal about the Central Plains martial arts world."
Zhen Gongji Mina softly replied, "Yes, my mother, Da Song, was the last disciple of a senior master. My mother often told me about her past experiences in
the martial arts world " During your travels, you even taught me to speak Chinese, recognize Chinese characters, and learn about Song Dynasty culture. Oh, right, you still haven't told me your name, sect, or affiliation
."
Ren Xiaoyao flashed a charming smile and said casually, "I am Ren Xiaoyao, the current leader of the Tianji Sect."
Zhen Gongji Mina murmured, "Tianji... Tianji Sect... Ah, isn't the leader of the Tianji Sect the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty?"
Ren Xiaoyao quickly recounted the events of Zhao Kuangyin's death and his subsequent abdication to Long Yinxiao, and Long Yinxiao's death and his appointment as the sect leader, finally adding, "I have
come east this time on the orders of the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty to discuss with the Emperor of Japan the establishment of trading ports between the two countries for large-scale trade." Yi Tian
The grudges between Han, Fu Longyuan, and Zhen Gongji Longxuan were not easy to discuss openly, so they had to make up an excuse for the time being.
Zhen Gongji Mina smiled, but then her expression was replaced by worry. She said apologetically, "Your sect may be powerful in the northwest of the Song Dynasty and dominate the martial arts world, but this
is Japan... There is a proverb in your Central Plains, 'Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.' Iga Valley... cough cough..." Her face suddenly turned pale, obviously due to her weakness
.
Ren Xiaoyao hurriedly said, "You've been overexerted; you shouldn't overexert yourself. I'll channel some of my inner energy into you to help regulate your internal energy." As he spoke, he helped Zhen Gongji Mina up
, feeling the soft elasticity of her skin. His heart fluttered, and he quickly composed himself, suppressing his lustful thoughts. He then sat cross-legged
behind her, placing one palm against her back and using the other to lift her tilted head. He whispered, "Concentrate your mind, focus your energy, and guard your core." With focused concentration, he
slowly channeled his pure and powerful innate energy into the Du meridian of her spine.
Mina Shinguji felt that the power transmitted by Ren Xiaoyao was pure, strong, and inexhaustible, even surpassing that of her father, Ryuugen Shinguji
. She quickly suppressed her distracting thoughts and followed the proper method, first letting her internal energy flow back and forth within her seven meridians and eight extraordinary vessels, with the yin and yang energies rising and falling. Soon, all the acupoints in her body throbbed
together , and after circulating for three cycles, the swelling and pain throughout her body disappeared without a trace, leaving her feeling completely comfortable and indescribably at ease.
Ren Xiaoyao took a soft pillow and let Shinguji Mina lean against it, then covered her with an embroidered quilt. His actions were incredibly gentle and considerate, showing her immense care. This deeply moved the still
innocent young girl, her heart pounding wildly. She stammered, "Young Master Ren, actually... actually you... don't need to..."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said softly, "Don't worry, this time I'm accompanied by five hall masters of our sect, each one a top-notch expert. If Iga Valley
tries any assassination or sneak attack tricks, they won't get away with it. Let's come openly, hehe. I think, given your sect's status in the Japanese martial arts world, I'll give Kubo..." Even with such
audacity, he wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
Shinguji Mina pressed her head against the cushion and asked softly, "You want to send me back to Nara?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled leisurely, "Hehe, to be precise, back to Hueco Mundo."
Shinguji Mina said apologetically, "Then...then how could I possibly accept this? I've already troubled you..."
Ren Xiaoyao withdrew his attention from her soft, delicate body, his eyes gleaming brightly, his back straight and shoulders broad, displaying unparalleled confidence,
radiating powerful aura. He interrupted, "It's alright. First of all, I, Ren Xiaoyao, never give up halfway through anything I do." "Since I've saved you, I must ensure your
safe return to the Hokushin Itto-ryu school; secondly, your father is renowned throughout Japan, and I've long admired him in the Central Plains. I hope to take this opportunity to meet him so
that he can speak on my behalf when negotiating trade with the Emperor; thirdly, several of my men were killed by Shinsengumi samurai during the rescue, making our sect and Iga Valley
irreconcilable enemies. As we escort you, Iga Valley will undoubtedly send assassins to intercept us, which will be my chance to avenge my men."
Shinguji Mina was deeply moved by his arrogant words, her beautiful eyes blazing with fervor. Her beauty made her even more radiant, and she said with longing, "Father
will be very happy to see you."
Ren Xiaoyao asked with a smile, "You said you and your mother learned martial arts from the Central Plains, but why can't I see it at all?"
Shinguji Mina chuckled, her captivating eyes darting around Ren Xiaoyao's handsome face. She leaned closer and lowered
her voice to the lowest possible level, but still spoke clearly, her breath as soft as orchids, "Let me tell you, my mother's martial arts skills are a huge secret.
There are very few people in the entire Gotei 13 and even the entire Japanese martial arts world who know this."

Volume 29, Chapter 12: Deep Affection Ren

Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be very interested and asked with a smile, "That's strange. It's said that a woman knowing martial arts is a remarkable thing, so
why did your mother have to hide it?" "
Mina Shinguji's beautiful eyes flashed with a deep, unfathomable light as she said casually, "You don't understand. In Japan, only samurai and ninjas are allowed to practice martial arts.
Foreigners are not permitted to do so. However, my mother adhered to her Han Chinese identity and refused to become a Japanese citizen. Think about it, as the wife of the leader of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school, if she were to
publicly display Han Chinese martial arts, not only would it violate the rules, but some people with ulterior motives would also criticize my father for not controlling his wife, which would be contrary to
his status . Therefore, my mother had to
pretend that she didn't know martial arts and devoted herself to being a good wife and mother. If I hadn't seen her and my father sparring in the back hall when I was seven years old, fighting fiercely to a standstill, I really wouldn't have known that my mother was so powerful. In my opinion, my mother's martial arts are even above the captain of the 13th Division, and perhaps even you
are not as good as her." "As she finished speaking, a rare, unguarded, sweet smile appeared on her face, as radiant as a blooming flower.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "It sounds like your mother and the head of the Shinguji clan have a pretty good relationship."
Shinguji Mina's beautiful eyes shone brightly, captivatingly charming, and she said happily, "Of course! Just like in your Central Plains, those in high positions in Japan often have
multiple wives and concubines, especially the Taira, Genji, Shinguji, and Kuchiki families. My father, as the head of the Shinguji clan, commands the seven major sects and controls the Japanese martial arts world
. Even the Emperor himself has to show him respect. However, my father has only ever married my mother, truly deserving the title of 'deeply devoted.'" Ren Xiaoyao was stunned upon hearing this .
Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan clearly stated that Hua Shijun had been kidnapped by Zhen Gongji Longxuan, so how did Zhen Gongji Mina describe him
as a loving couple, devoted to each other?
Just as he was wondering, Zhen Gongji Mina noticed his strange expression. She rested her elbow on a soft cushion, propped up her delicate cheek, and said softly, "Young Master Ren,
what are you thinking about?" Her languid and alluring movements accentuated her curvaceous figure, causing Ren Xiaoyao's heart to flutter. He involuntarily replied,
"I...I was thinking...your mother's martial arts are so formidable, she must belong to a prestigious sect in the Central Plains martial arts world...I wonder..." His gaze lingered on Zhen Gongji Mina's
delicate, beautiful face, unable to look away.
Zhen Gongji Mina's cheeks flushed crimson, and she gazed back at Ren Xiaoyao with deep affection. Their eyes were like magnets, drawn to each other, neither able to look away, and
the spark of love was quietly ignited. At this moment, a soft cough came from outside the window, and Ren Xiaoyao was startled, urgently asking, "I wonder what sect your mother belongs to, and whether she has any connection
with my Tianji Sect ?"
"
Mina Shinguji's pretty face was still flushed, and she said sweetly, 'My mother learned martial arts from a senior martial arts master. I haven't heard her
mention her school, but she has two junior brothers, one named Yi Tianhan and the other named Fu Longyuan. Perhaps you've heard of them in the Central Plains.'
Upon hearing this, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan, who were hiding outside the door, immediately became heavy-hearted. Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be greatly surprised and said emotionally,
'Seniors Fu and Yi are grandmasters ranked sixth and seventh among the eight great masters of the Central Plains martial arts world. I have long admired them, but I never imagined that they were from the same
school as your mother.'
Mina Shinguji's beautiful eyes shone brightly, captivatingly charming, and she said happily, 'Really? Father and Mother were right after all.'"
Ren Xiaoyao's thoughts stirred slightly, and he asked with a smile, "Do your father and mother often mention the two seniors, Fu and Yi?"
Zhen Gongji Mina turned her fragrant body away, her gaze returning to the beautiful scenery of the back garden outside the window, and softly said, "Yes, Father once fought against Mother's two junior brothers, and
only barely managed to win by using all the secret ninjutsu of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū school. At that time, Mother's two junior brothers... could be considered my uncles, but their martial arts were only superficial. Therefore,
Father always believed that if the two uncles could truly master the teachings of our school, they would be able to..." Their future achievements are limitless. If their duel were held twenty years later, when both
martial uncles had reached the pinnacle of their skills, perhaps Father would be the one to lose. Oh, right, Father also said that if he had the time, he hoped to invite the two martial uncles to Japan, so they could reminisce about
their past friendship and also enjoy the exotic scenery.
Ren Xiaoyao was increasingly surprised as he listened. Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan regarded Zhenlong Temple Long Xuan as their mortal enemy, yet Zhenlong Temple Long Xuan seemed to regard them as
old friends from the Central Plains, which was truly puzzling.
Although he couldn't understand it, he certainly wouldn't get the answer from Zhen Gongji Mina. Knowing that she was weak, Ren Xiaoyao gently comforted her, told her to take good
care of , and then reluctantly left the room.
Stepping outside, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan were already fuming, their sleeves rolled up, ready to erupt. If it weren't for the women holding them back, and the fear of being
overheard by Shinguji Mina and having their identities exposed, they probably would have already launched into a tirade, accusing Shinguji Ryuuxuan of distorting the truth and confusing right and wrong.
Ren Xiaoyao, however, felt that Shinguji Mina's tone and demeanor were completely natural, not like she was lying. Shinguji Ryuuxuan and Hua Shijun had no reason to deceive
their daughter; there must be more to the story. He quickly invited Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan to another room, intending to question them thoroughly.
Before he could even speak, Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan said in unison, "Hmph, what 'he only ever married my mother' and
what 'his deepest affection is truly fitting'? That's utter nonsense! Shinguji Ryuugen is violent and capricious; we've witnessed it with our own eyes
. It's a miracle that Shijun wasn't abused after being forced into marriage!"
Ren Xiaoyao stammered, "But..."
Yi Tianhan retorted angrily, "There are no 'buts' or 'buts.' Shinguji Ryuugen was worried that Fu and I would become too skilled in martial arts and travel all the way to Japan to seek
revenge . Therefore, he deliberately spread rumors to create the illusion of a deep and loving relationship between him and Shijun, all to prevent us from combining our swordsmanship." "Slay all the treacherous villains of the Hokushin Itto-ryu
!"
Fu Longyuan slammed his hand on the table and continued, "Hmph, do they really think we're just greenhorns fresh out of school, trying to fool them with some fabricated lies?
Dream on !"
Ren Xiaoyao pondered, "Seniors, calm down. There's something fishy about this..."
Yi Tianhan coldly replied, "Hmph, something fishy? Xiaoyao, think about it carefully. With Shinguji Ryuu's status in the Japanese martial arts world,
who would dare say anything if he married a woman who knows martial arts but refuses to join the Japanese clan? Why would he need to deliberately conceal it from everyone in the Hokushin Itto-ryu, or even from the Gotei 13 stationed at Hueco Mundo
?"
Ren Xiaoyao was speechless, yet he still couldn't believe that Shinguji Mina would deceive him.
Fu Longyuan, being an experienced man, knew exactly what Ren Xiaoyao was thinking. He said seriously, "Alas, you needn't doubt your judgment. Perhaps the Lord was
forced by Zhen Gongji Longxuan to keep it from his daughter, and what the Zhen Gongji girl saw was also an illusion."
Hearing this, Ren Xiaoyao believed him somewhat and said in a deep voice, "May I ask, seniors, has Senior Hua
studied ?"
Fu Longyuan nodded, "The Lord's talent surpasses ours. Master has long since imparted to him all the dozen or so martial arts of the Palm Sword Unparalleled Sect without reservation."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled wryly, "The Zhen Gongji girl has studied martial arts with Senior Hua for many years. Seniors, please do not display our sect's secret techniques in front of her, lest..." "
Your identity has been seen through ."
Yi Tianhan stroked his beard and laughed, "Hahaha, we understand that much. Since you told her we're all hall masters, then we'll use
the martial arts of the Heavenly Extreme Sect. But remember this, kid, if Iga Valley dares to send anyone to cause trouble again, make sure I deal with them. Hmph, whoever dares to lay a finger on my niece, I
'll make them pay!"
Fu Longyuan glanced out the window and, seeing that Shui Furong wasn't there, asked with a smile, "What will you do if Xiaoyao makes a move on her?"
Yi Tianhan was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily and said happily, "What can I do? I'll just listen and accept it. If I can gain Xiaoyao's favor and serve him,
it's much better than staying in this barbaric land of Fusang."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
That night, Ren Xiaoyao brought Kurosaki Masayoshi to Shinguji Mina's room. Since they couldn't reach the Void Palace for the time being, seeing Shinguji Mina was good, at least it would
give him some peace of mind and prevent him from continuing to live in fear.
After resting for most of the day, Mina Shinguji's condition had improved considerably. When the two arrived, she was holding a small silver bowl, savoring
the medicinal meal prepared by Shui Furong and Su Hanbi.
Ren Xiaoyao said softly, "Mina, look who I brought."
Mina Shinguji looked up in surprise, glancing at Masayoshi Kurosaki. Suddenly, her body trembled violently, and she couldn't help but show surprise, almost falling off the bed.
Ren Xiaoyao hurriedly stepped forward to support her, asking anxiously, "Mina, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell—Hanbi, come quick!" Masayoshi Kurosaki
blinked his large, clear eyes, like spring water, and said softly, "Sister, it's me, Masayoshi Kurosaki."
Mina Shinguji gasped for breath, staring at him and said in a deep voice, "You...you...you are..." Masayoshi Kurosaki
said softly, "Sister, have you really forgotten? Minister of the Left, Hideyasu Kurosaki, is my father. Fujiwara no Michitaka used the matter of deposing the crown prince to slander him, accusing him
of plotting ..." " On the contrary, they slaughtered our Kurosaki clan. It was only thanks to Uncle Takahashi's protection that we escaped Kyoto. Later, we met Brother Ren at sea, which ensured
our safety ."
Shinguji Mina paused, then exclaimed, "Ah, it's you...you're planning to go to Nara to find my father?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi nodded repeatedly, saying solemnly, "Yes, only Headmaster Shinguji can protect me now."
Shinguji Mina's beautiful eyes deepened, and she suddenly raised her head, revealing a smile that could charm any man, and said softly:
“Young Master Ren, Zhengliang and I haven’t seen each other for years, and we have a lot to talk about privately. Could you… could you…”
Ren Xiaoyao immediately understood and smiled, “Hehe, you two chat, you two chat slowly. I’m going to Furong’s for some late-night snacks and will be back in half an hour.”

Chapter Thirteen of Volume Twenty-Nine: Offering

Oneself in Return Ren Xiaoyao arrived at the main hall, where Su Hanbi, Nangong Fengyi, and Long Feiyun, who had been busy all day, were discussing with Shui Furong what to eat later. Ren Xiaoyao shamelessly stepped forward and chuckled, “Furong, cook me a bowl of plain noodles.” Ever since he tasted her plain noodles that night while guarding Xunfeng City, Ren Xiaoyao had grown tired of delicacies and elaborate snacks, and had developed a fondness for plain noodles, which were sold in street stalls and taverns.
Shui Furong glared at him irritably and said angrily, "Hmph, if you want noodles, make them yourself."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Furong, I... I don't know how."
Shui Furong scoffed, "What, you only remember me when you're hungry? Don't you need to go keep your Mina company?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Oh dear, how could I forget you? We were still on the bed last night..."
Shui Furong's cheeks flushed instantly, and she said angrily, "You... how dare you say that in front of all the older sisters..."
Ren Xiaoyao grasped Shui Furong's soft hands, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something. Shui Furong neither argued nor made a fuss, her eyes shone brightly, and she happily went to the kitchen.
Su Hanbi asked in surprise, "Xiaoyao, what did you and Furong talk about? Why isn't she jealous?"
Long Feiyun said calmly, "What else could we talk about? It's always the same few things... Sigh, who did you promise tonight? Do you want me to explain?"
Ren Xiaoyao didn't answer, but turned to Nangong Fengyi and said apologetically, "Fengyi, look... I'll come find you at the second watch, okay?"
Nangong Fengyi's cheeks flushed, and her beautiful eyes rose with a hazy, gentle moonlight, like water and mist. She gently shook her head and said softly, "Whatever you want, as long as you come." This kind of expression was rarely seen on her pretty face, making her exceptionally beautiful.
Long Feiyun and Su Hanbi exchanged a glance and smiled bitterly. In any other couple, discussing this would surely have led to a huge fight, but every girl who fell in love with Ren Xiaoyao was happy to let him arrange things. This was partly due to the deep sisterly bond among the women, and partly due to his exceptional personal charm and dashing, carefree nature.
Long Feiyun asked with a smile, "Seriously, didn't you take Zhengliang to see the Zhen Gongji girl? Why are you here?"
Ren Xiaoyao casually replied, "Mina wanted to talk to Zhengliang alone, so I couldn't stay..."
Nangong Fengyi frowned, murmuring, "Don't you think Zhengliang is a bit strange?"
Long Feiyun chimed in, "Yes, I pride myself on my vast knowledge and photographic memory, knowing everything about martial arts anecdotes and strange tales of the Jianghu, but even at nine years old, I couldn't fully recount the situation of the major sects of the Central Plains martial arts world."
Ren Xiaoyao slowly nodded, agreeing, "He knew about the Beichen School of martial arts..." His familiarity with the situation in Iga Valley far exceeds what a child should know. In fact… I think even the Five Beauties or the Thirteen Jonin of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū wouldn't know as much as he does. What's even stranger is that Zhengliang was born into an official family and knows absolutely nothing about martial arts, so why is he so knowledgeable about the affairs of the martial world?”
Nangong Fengyi guessed, “Could it be that he's hiding his true strength, and you haven't noticed?”
Long Feiyun said decisively, “Impossible. Not to mention that Zhengliang is a child, even if he practices martial arts, his knowledge is limited. He can't possibly fool us. Even if Ghost Netherworld Lord or Hentian wanted to hide their strength from Xiaoyao, they…” It couldn't hide from his keen senses after practicing the Supreme Innate Qi.
Nangong Fengyi's jade-like face remained calm, a bitter smile playing on her lips. She shook her head and said, "Alas, Sister Long and Xiaoyao are both exceptionally intelligent, yet in the end, they're completely bewildered by a child."
Long Feiyun pondered, "In my opinion... um, Zhengliang is definitely hiding something from us, perhaps even his background, origins..."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he slowly said, word by word, "You mean he's not the son of Left Minister Kurosaki Hideyasu?"
Long Feiyun nodded slowly, her deep, unfathomable gaze fixed on Ren Xiaoyao . Responding to her usual calm and indifferent demeanor, her tone as still as a placid lake, she said lightly, "I have already inquired thoroughly. The Left Minister is the highest-ranking official in Japan below the Grand Minister of State, equivalent to the Vice Minister of State in this dynasty. Historically, this position has always been held by a highly respected elder. Kurosaki Hideyasu is a renowned minister of the current dynasty, known for his erudition, but only in classics, history, philosophy, literature, Confucianism, and Buddhism. He knows nothing about martial arts. To say that Masayoshi is his orphan, I would never believe it."
Su Hanbi said quietly, "Perhaps the Left Minister's residence has a large collection of books, containing information on various ninjutsu schools. Kurosaki Hideyasu specializes in political affairs." "I haven't studied it, and Zhengliang, having nothing better to do, just..."
Long Feiyun interrupted, "The various schools and sects of the Central Plains openly teach, and their rules are far less strict than those of the various ninjutsu schools in Japan. Even so, they each have their own secrets, let alone the Hokushin Itto-ryu, the head of the Seven Great Schools, and the Iga-gaya assassin organization that only obeys the royal family's orders. Yet, Zhengliang not only knows everything about the Five Beauties and the Thirteen Gotei, but he also knows the secrets of Ryujin Jakka and the mission assignments of the three major factions of the Hanzo Sect clearly."
Ren Xiaoyao sighed, "Forget it, let's not speculate. I'll go back and ask the Shinguji-gumi." "Mother."
Nangong Fengyi looked up at him with a half-smile and said, "Hey, if she were willing to tell you, would she need to kick you out? She and Zhengliang were talking alone, clearly they were telling the same story. Unless you have the ability to get her, otherwise... hehe, before returning to Xuye Palace, let's just pretend to be clueless."
Ren Xiaoyao feigned surprise and said, "Wow, wouldn't that be very embarrassing?"
Su Hanbi's smile widened into a bright smile, and she said mischievously, "Of course! Think about it, the champion who dominated the battlefield, who made the barbarians of the four kingdoms tremble with fear, couldn't do anything to a little kid. " "Kid, if word gets out, everyone'll laugh their heads off."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled inwardly, but put on a serious face and said, "Oh dear, since this concerns the face of the court, I can't just turn a blind eye and let it go. How about this, I'll take the trouble and suffer a loss, and reluctantly put in some effort to win over Meina within ten days, so you can have a little sister. What do you say?"
Shui Furong came out of the kitchen, scoffing, "Hmph, you're clearly the one trying to seduce her, yet you're making up all sorts of excuses. Shameless!" She slammed a steaming bowl of noodles down in front of Ren Xiaoyao, feigning anger. "Eat up, it'd be better if you choked to death, so you don't go around ruining girls' lives."
Long Feiyun giggled, her beautiful eyes sparkling beneath her long, upturned eyelashes. She rested her elbow on the table, propped up her chin, and said softly, "Hehe, your trick was seen through, wasn't it? You should just behave yourself and stop thinking about hitting on Zhen Gongsi, lest Furong get jealous and give you a good beating."
Ren Xiaoyao didn't answer, picked up his bowl of noodles, and buried his head in his food. The sound of him swallowing could be clearly heard through the doors and windows. His posture was like a demon released from the King of Hell, who hadn't eaten for months, making everyone both amused and annoyed.
Shui Furong, puffing out her cheeks, approached Ren Xiaoyao and lightly stamped her small feet, saying, "Hey, did you hear what Sister Yun said?"
Ren Xiaoyao mumbled incoherently, "Don't...don't rush, finish eating first...find eating first."
Shui Furong snatched the porcelain bowl from Ren Xiaoyao's hand with a "smack," pouting her cute little lips, "No, tell me now, you can't eat until you explain clearly!"
Ren Xiaoyao was helpless against her and said with a forced smile, "Furong, you know that Miss Zhen Gongji's poison has just cleared up, and her body is very weak. It's absolutely impossible for her to be left unattended."
Shui Furong coldly replied, "Hmph, Hanbi, Big Sister, and Sister Yun can all take care of her. It's none of your business."
Ren Xiaoyao paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "Togashi Yoshihiro is vicious, and Hisano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka are no good either. If they recruit the other three beauties and join forces with the Shinsengumi or even the entire Hanzomon to launch an attack on us...I'm out of luck." "Who will be responsible for the safety of Mina and Zhengliang?"
Shui Furong seemed to see right through him, a barely perceptible smile appearing on her cherry lips. She casually said, "With my master, my uncle, Senior Meng, and Mr. Deng here, surely they can handle the mere Iga Valley. Do you need to fawn over them, showing off your martial arts in front of them?"
Ren Xiaoyao's words caught in his throat, and he said awkwardly, "To avoid Miss Zhen Gongji seeing through our identities, Seniors Fu and Yi cannot use our sect's martial arts. They might not be able to handle the Five Beauties. If I, as their disciple, just watch from the sidelines and let my master fight alone, wouldn't that be against the principle of respecting one's teacher? Mr. Deng's hidden weapon skills are good, but he might not be able to withstand being outnumbered. Your martial arts are certainly good, but how could I bear to let my beloved wives fight on the front lines? So..."
Shui Furong straightened her pretty face and interrupted, "So if a powerful enemy attacks, you just focus on fighting them. The sisters, my master, and my uncle will protect Miss Zhen Gongsi, okay?"
Ren Xiaoyao's face turned quite ugly. His lips twitched slightly, and he was about to argue when Shui Furong slammed her hand on the table and angrily said, "Listen carefully, from now on, if you dare to approach her again, don't blame me for turning my back on you."
Long Feiyun chuckled and glanced at Ren Xiaoyao, stretched, showing off her alluring figure, and lazily said, "Furong, when you say turning your back on me, do you mean not making anything for Xiaoyao to eat, or not being with her at night..." Shui
Furong's beautiful face flushed slightly, and she interrupted, "I..." In short, if he goes around flirting with other women, I'll ignore him and go back to the Central Plains alone. Her temperament was very much like Yi Tianhan's; she always meant what she said. Although it was all said in anger, Ren Xiaoyao didn't dare underestimate her and said with a forced smile, "Furong, I promise you I will never deliberately approach Mina, never..."
Shui Furong coldly said, "Mina, Mina, how affectionate!"
Ren Xiaoyao quickly changed his tune, "Okay, okay, I promise you I will never deliberately approach Miss Zhen Gongji, never be alone with her, never be overly pretentious, never show off my martial arts, okay?"
Before Shui Furong could speak, Yi Tianhan's clear voice suddenly came from outside the door: "No, you not only want to approach..." "Mina, you still need to devise ways to make her like you, even if it means giving yourself to her."

Volume 30, Chapter 1: Burning Desire

. Shui Furong said anxiously, "Master, what are you saying... what are you saying? It's already this late, and you're still teasing your disciple."
Yi Tianhan strode in and said seriously, "I am very serious, I am not speaking carelessly."
Fu Longyuan followed in, stroking his beard and smiling, "That's right, Fu Laogui and I have already discussed it. Although she is the daughter of Shinguji Ryuugen, she also
has the blood of a lord in her veins. In other words, she is my and Fu Laogui's niece.
Not to mention that she is naturally beautiful and has unparalleled charm, she looks just like the young..." " Even if she were an
ugly girl , she would never marry a barbarian from Japan."
Long Feiyun chuckled and said sweetly, "That's why Senior planned to have Xiaoyao take Miss Zhen Gongji into his household, so that she wouldn't marry
a mortal and ruin her life in Japan."
Shui Furong said irritably, "Aren't there any young heroes among the seven major sects worthy of Sister Mina? Why... why do you have to compete with us?" If it
were anyone else, she would have cursed "vixen" without even knowing the difference, but since Yi Tianhan treated Zhen Gongji Mina as his niece, she couldn't help but
call her sister.
Yi Tianhan laughed, "In terms of martial arts, Xiaoyao's current cultivation is already above ours. Even Zhen Gongji Longxuan might not be able to match him, let alone the younger generation; in terms of
strategy, Xiaoyao used a scheme to force the Liao Dynasty's war god Yelü Xiezhen to his death on his first battlefield appearance, shaking China with his might. Who in Japan has such ability? In terms of talent, Xiaoyao is proficient in all arts, including
music , calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose; in terms of character, Xiaoyao is trustworthy and personally involved in everything... In short, there is no better
man in the world than Xiaoyao. Who else could my niece marry if not him?"
Long Feiyun flattened her beautiful cherry lips, feigning indifference. “That’s right, Furong often brings that up too.”
Shui Furong’s cheeks flushed red, and she glared at him with a slightly embarrassed expression, saying in a coquettish voice, “Sister Yun, I was just saying that to my sisters,
how could … how could you…”
Nangong Fengyi interrupted, “Does Third Sister not acknowledge that Xiaoyao is a good man and a good husband?”
Shui Furong’s pretty face immediately turned red, and after a long while, she stammered, “Yes… even if he is.”
Su Hanbi chimed in, “Father and Uncle-Master love Sister Zhen Gongsi dearly, so of course they hope she has a good future. Isn’t Xiaoyao the best choice for her?” Nangong Fengyi chimed in,
"
Third Sister, we've been following Xiaoyao for almost two years now, and we've never been mistreated or suffered any hardship. This shows that
Xiaoyao treats us with genuine affection. Later, Fifth Sister, Sister Long, and Hanbi joined us, and we all got along just as well
. So why not add another girl, Zhen Gongsi?"
Fu Longyuan smiled and said, "Actually, Yi Laogui and I aren't trying to force them to be together. We just thought that rather than letting Mina entrust her life to someone else,
it would be better ..."
Shui Furong interrupted, "Alright, alright, I know." Her pretty face flushed red, making her even more endearing.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly pulled Shui Furong into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I won't go anywhere tonight, I'll just come to your place to keep you company, okay?
It'll be some kind of compensation."
Shui Furong nestled shyly in Ren Xiaoyao's arms and murmured, "Silly boy, are you serious?"
Ren Xiaoyao gazed at her affectionately and said tenderly, "Of course. I had originally planned to meet with Meina later, but now I can only have Feiyun
cancel it for me so I can focus on keeping you company... You should know who's the most important person in my heart, right?" Taking advantage of Shui Furong's confusion and shy joy,
he quickly nodded and apologized to Nangong Fengyi, Su Hanbi, and Long Feiyun. In his eyes, Long Feiyun was both scholarly and martial, resourceful and clever, making her his most capable
assistant ; Nangong Fengyi was gentle, considerate, virtuous, and a truly competent wife; Su Hanbi possessed superb medical skills and had helped him cultivate his innate supreme internal energy, making her
even more indispensable; Nangong Fengzi was charming and adorable, a true source of joy; and Lin Yuxiu was innocent and carefree, especially endearing. All the women
held equal importance in his heart; he never ranked them, treating them all equally, and Ren Xiaoyao cherished and cared for them all with the same selfless love.
Long Feiyun rolled her eyes at him, her beautiful face melting like ice and snow, and said sweetly, "You rob Peter to pay Paul, and in the end, I have to
clean up . You're always making promises and causing trouble."
Yi Tianhan laughed heartily and said, "A man who isn't a bit of a playboy in his youth is wasting his life. You all know that's just how Xiaoyao is. Otherwise, how could he be called the Playboy
Thief?"
Nangong Fengyi said quietly, "It seems we have to tell Xiaoyao to change, otherwise..."
Su Hanbi showed a sullen, girlish expression and sighed, "Change? Can he change? To make Xiaoyao behave himself and stop flirting with
other girls, it would be better to tell Uncle-Master to stop being so competitive and always challenging experts to duels." She meant that Ren Xiaoyao's "bad habits are hard to break,"
even more stubborn than Yi Tianhan's.
Yi Tianhan chuckled and teased, "Hey, making Xiaoyao behave is easy."
Shui Furong immediately looked at Ren Xiaoyao, her pretty face showing a questioning look.
Yi Tianhan feigned seriousness, his face hardening as he said, "Didn't they say the Five Beauties are skilled in seduction? If Kusano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka come again, we can
catch them together and find out what's going on. Then we'll know how to win Xiaoyao's heart."
Shui Furong panicked, her face flushed red, and she said, "Master, you...you old lecher."
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ren Xiaoyao carried Shui Furong back to her room, one hand closing the door, the other lifting her skirt, tearing open her undergarment, and caressing her smooth, silky
buttocks.
Shui Furong's body was already burning hot, her fiery cherry lips kissing Ren Xiaoyao's neck. Her temperament was more unrestrained than the other women, ever since they met at Yonghe Manor...
Having tasted the pleasures of love, Ren Xiaoyao never bothered to conceal his true nature. The darkness added to the novelty and excitement of their clandestine affair.
Ren Xiaoyao and Shui Furong embraced and kissed, groping their way to the bedside. His hands roamed gently between her firm thighs and rounded
buttocks , sometimes tentatively slipping between her soft, snowy buttocks like a curious child. Shui Furong's breasts swelled, a tingling, itchy sensation rising within her
. Her eyes blazed with desire, a mixture of pleasure and unease igniting within her.
In the darkness, they removed each other's clothes, their naked bodies pressed tightly together.
Ren Xiaoyao's gaze gradually adjusted to the room's surroundings. He saw Shui Furong's dazzlingly white body flushed with a rosy glow, her body
trembling involuntarily. Her firm, high breasts rose and fell like waves, creating a beautiful, flawless, surging tide of milk. Drops of fragrant sweat
mingled with the intoxicating scent of love fluid, and her soft, plaintive moans were unbearable to hear and arouse.
Ren Xiaoyao gently turned Shui Furong's fragrant shoulders, pressing her soft, naked body down onto the headboard. Her heart pounded with intoxication, she lay down on the pillow like
a docile, gentle white lamb, shy and timid, her beautiful cheeks flushed with bashful blush, her eyes
tightly closed in shyness.
Ren Xiaoyao leaned down and gently placed his hand on Shui Furong's smooth, silky thighs, while his other hand supported her soft, exquisite body under her arm.
Shui Furong didn't struggle, but simply pressed herself softly against him, her left breast pressed against his right chest, her flushed cheeks resting on his shoulder and neck
, breathing softly. Her fragrant, youthful scent wafted against his neck, a tingling, indescribably pleasurable sensation.
With a soft moan from Shui Furong, a mesmerizing, moist heat gently enveloped Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao grasped her firm, full buttocks, helping her sway rhythmically against his body.
A faint glow enveloped Shui Furong's skin, her beautiful face, more delicate than a flower, flushed with a fiery blush, her heart filled with shy blush. Her soft, snow-white
arms, like lotus roots, shyly and tightly embraced Ren Xiaoyao's broad shoulders, her delicate, jade-like hands digging into his muscles.
Water Lily, her spring passion surging like a tide, was alluring and charming. She tightly embraced her lover, her body drenched in fragrant sweat, her eyes half-closed in desire. She moaned softly, enjoying the indescribable pleasure that Ren Xiaoyao
gave her. She felt as if her whole body was burning in flames, her limbs melting piece by piece. Indescribable
stimulation washed over her, and she desperately raised her fragrant buttocks to meet Ren Xiaoyao's thrusts.
The pleasures of her body came in waves, like the rising tide, leaving Shui Furong powerless and unwilling to resist. She felt as if all her consciousness
had been ripped away, her soul floating on clouds. Her burning body writhed and twisted, seemingly welcoming Ren Xiaoyao's assault. Her melodious,
soul-stirring cries pushed his desire to its peak…

Volume 30, Chapter 2: Naked Jade Body

. The storm subsided, and Shui Furong, panting and drenched in fragrant sweat, lay in her lover's arms like a dew-laden begonia, her eyes closed, looking even more alluring. Ren Xiaoyao gazed at her exquisitely beautiful face, his hands caressing her naked, smooth, jade-like body.
Shui Furong's starry eyes were half-open, her cheeks flushed with shyness and the afterglow of orgasm adding to her allure. Ren Xiaoyao gently bit her delicate earlobe and whispered, "So, do you like it?"
Shui Furong buried her head deep in Ren Xiaoyao's arms and murmured, "Hmm, if... if you could come every night, that would be so wonderful."
Ren Xiaoyao held Shui Furong tightly and said softly, "I also want to be with you day and night, but... you know, I can't favor one over the other, abandoning Fengyi, Fengzi, Xiuxiu, Feiyun, and Hanbi to stay by your side all day. Otherwise, wouldn't I be neglecting them and becoming a heartless and fickle person?"
Shui Furong murmured, "Can't you..."
Ren Xiaoyao said tenderly, "Don't worry, as long as I have free time, I will definitely come to see you."
Shui Furong gently shook her head and murmured, "What I mean is..." Ren
Xiaoyao interrupted, "Look, I've come to you for two days in a row. I'm afraid I can't..."
Shui Furong was greatly embarrassed, her jade cheeks burning red, and said, "I... I didn't mean to pester you. I meant you should spend the first half of the night with the other sisters and come to me in the second half."
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback at first, then chuckled, "Wow, do you want me to be exhausted?"
Shui Furong's beautiful eyes shot out a fiery look, making her even more radiant, and she said in a coquettish voice, "Hmph, Sister Long told me long ago that after you mastered the Innate Supreme Qi, your primordial yang energy was gathered, and you had a hundred times more energy. You could always stay with her until the next morning. Can't you save your energy and come to me?" "And also, last night you only spent half an hour with me before... I won't, I won't..." she said, her small, spring-like hands pounding against Ren Xiaoyao's chest.
Ren Xiaoyao nibbled at her ear and chuckled, "Oh dear, you're so delicate, not nearly as strong as Fei Yun. How could I bear to keep you up all night? Look, if I were to do it again now..."
Shui Furong's two fair cheeks flushed a deep red, and she said, "Fine... you're right, I just had my period a few days ago... um, you can go now, I know you promised Second Sister."
Ren Xiaoyao feigned surprise, "Oh ho, when did my darling Furong become so open-minded?"
Shui Furong said leisurely, "I do like to be jealous, but if we're sisters, of course I'd be happy to send you over."
Ren Xiaoyao grinned, "Wow, what do you take me for, merchandise?"
Shui Furong said sweetly, "Merchant?" "That's giving you too much credit. You're clearly a slut, the kind who'd risk his life for a woman."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, embracing Shui Furong with lingering affection, kissing her again before settling her down to sleep, and then leaving with a sense of unfulfilled desire.
It was nearly two in the morning when he reached the gate; the corridor was dark and deserted.
Of course, this posed no challenge to Ren Xiaoyao now. With his heightened senses honed by cultivating the Supreme Innate Qi, he could walk blindfolded on a cliff face without a scratch.
As he walked, a strange feeling suddenly welled up within him. It was hard to pinpoint what he sensed, but he felt uneasy, as if an invisible pressure emanated from the room of Shinguji Mina not far away.
Ren Xiaoyao's spirit instantly surged to its limit, his meridians overflowing, without the slightest hesitation... He hesitated, looking ahead.
The surroundings instantly brightened. It wasn't that someone had deliberately lit incense; rather, with the circulation of his inner energy, Ren Xiaoyao's eyesight had suddenly increased exponentially. Even the dust and grime left on the ground after sweeping couldn't escape his notice. This was a level Ren Xiaoyao had never reached before. Although he had previously enhanced his senses through full-force internal energy cultivation, none had been as clear and sharp as this. This was not only due to his greatly increased internal strength, but also primarily because his concern for Shinguji Mina's safety had unleashed his hidden potential.
However, the sense of danger vanished in an instant. Now, he seemed unable to sense any danger at all. His plan to break down the door and rescue her had to be abruptly halted.
If this situation occurred in anyone else's residence, Ren Xiaoyao would have gone to investigate without hesitation. But in the dead of night, let alone investigating Shinguji Mina's room, even knocking on the door would lead to misunderstandings. If there was real danger inside, that would be fine, but if not… being scolded by Furong was one thing, complaining to Fengyi was another, but if Shinguji Mina misunderstood him, thinking him a lecherous scoundrel who spied on her at night, and then never spoke to him again, that would be a huge loss, and it would be too late to regret it.
Ren Xiaoyao stood there blankly, not knowing what to do.
Why, why did the murderous aura and pressure suddenly disappear? Was the other party's strength so great that it could deceive his keen senses, or was he slightly fatigued after the lovemaking, causing his judgment to be flawed?
Better safe than sorry. If there really was an assassin inside, Shinguji Mina's life would be hanging by a thread.
Ren Xiaoyao slowly moved forward, simultaneously raising his innate supreme qi to the highest level he had reached.
Sure enough, the instant his inner energy flowed through his meridians, Ren Xiaoyao regained control of the pressure that had almost disappeared. Although the pressure seemed real yet elusive due to the other party's deliberate manipulation, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact location, it was easy to tell from Shinguji Mina's steady and peaceful breathing that her condition wasn't as bad as he had imagined. In fact, the other party had sensed a powerful figure approaching from outside just as he was about to commit his attack, forcing him to stop and conceal his inner energy to avoid being discovered and having his plans ruined.
Ren Xiaoyao's pace gradually slowed, and he stopped completely in front of Shinguji Mina's room.
Neither side dared to act rashly. Ren Xiaoyao channeled his inner energy into the room, focusing intently on his spiritual senses to pinpoint his opponent's location. He planned to rush in at top speed the instant the opponent struck and injured Mina Shinguji, intercepting his fatal attack. Similarly, the opponent, while avoiding Ren Xiaoyao's detection, had to gather as much power as possible to complete his mission and escape before Ren Xiaoyao could arrive.
Life and death hung in the balance, a conflict imminent.
Even Ren Xiaoyao, a seasoned warrior with exceptional martial arts skills, couldn't help but feel tense.
He had never encountered such a situation before, knowing the assassin was inside but unable to immediately rush in to his rescue. Even if all eight of the greatest martial arts masters of the Central Plains were gathered here, they couldn't guarantee they could accurately pinpoint their opponent's location before striking first. Imagine if his attack missed and was dodged; not only would Mina Shinguji be certain to die, but he himself would also be completely passive, falling into a predicament where he had lost the initiative and was exposed at every turn. In other words, the opponent wouldn't dare to attack easily either, because he only had one chance. If he failed to take Mina Shinguji's life and instead allowed Ren Xiaoyao to gain the upper hand, he might not even have a chance to return alive.
The contest between the two was no longer about martial arts skills or the depth of internal strength, but about willpower, endurance, and confidence.
Whoever could persevere until the opponent couldn't help but attack would be the final victor.
On the surface, Ren Xiaoyao had the advantage. As long as the stalemate continued, once Mina Shinguji regained consciousness, the opponent would only have the option of fleeing or rashly attacking. In reality, the initiative was firmly in the hands of the opponent. He could temporarily slow down his gathering of qi, restrain his inner energy, or even stop his attack on Mina Shinguji. However, Ren Xiaoyao had to maintain a high level of tension at all times, without the slightest lapse in concentration, because he had no idea when the opponent would strike.
Time passed second by second, and Ren Xiaoyao remained in the same posture, frozen in place. If it were Meng Fei, Deng Lei, or even Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan, they might not have been able to hold out for long due to the prolonged and large-scale consumption of inner energy. However, Ren Xiaoyao, possessing the first divine skill, had already reached the inexhaustible and profound state of enlightenment described in the Supreme Innate Qi Manual after all the acupoints in his body were interconnected and his meridians were reconnected. In other words, even if the confrontation between the two sides lasted for three days and three nights, Ren Xiaoyao could still maintain almost the same state as at the beginning.
After about half an hour, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly felt a fluctuation of qi. Although the amplitude was very weak, it was enough to prove that the opponent could not hold back and was about to make a decisive move.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled inwardly. His opponent's carelessness had already revealed his position. He only needed to seize the moment when the assassin's attack reached its peak and rush in, guaranteeing he could intercept the fatal blow before the assassin could harm Shinguji Mina. Now, his concern was no longer about the beauty's safety, but about how to block all the assassin's escape routes and prevent him from escaping the inn.
Just as Ren Xiaoyao was pondering this, the murderous aura inside the room intensified, followed by the sound of weapons slicing through the air. Clearly, the opponent was attacking with all their might without restraint, their speed far exceeding his expectations!
Ren Xiaoyao had miscalculated. He had underestimated his opponent and overestimated himself. He thought the opponent would be wary of him outside the door and slow down their internal energy gathering to avoid revealing their location. Who would have thought the opponent was prepared to burn their bridges, willing to sacrifice themselves after killing Shinguji Mina, willing to pay any price to achieve their mission?
Ren Xiaoyao roared and charged into the room with all his might.
Though only a fraction of a second late, Ren Xiaoyao dared not hold back his full power. He knew that this split-second difference could lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, he first unleashed Master Xiaochen's ultimate technique, "Vajra Lion's Roar," to disrupt his opponent's mind. Then, he used the ultimate move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, "Regretful Dragon," to blast open the door. He then used the exquisite footwork of the Heavenly Pole Sect's "Illusory Shadow of the Void" to rapidly rush into the room. His left hand used "Nine Turns Returning to Origin Force" to neutralize his opponent's killing blow, while his right hand used "Heavenly Thunder Without Delusion" to attack the enemy's vulnerable spot!
He unleashed five ultimate techniques simultaneously. Although he only grasped the form of most of them, not their true essence, their power remained undiminished under the influence of his innate supreme qi.
This was Ren Xiaoyao—the Ren Xiaoyao who could unleash boundless potential for a woman! In

Volume 30, Chapter 3, the Mysterious Master,

Ren Xiaoyao, without a second thought, rushed towards the incense bed on the left side of the room. His mind was now solely focused on the safety of Shinguji Mina, completely disregarding his own life.
However, when he arrived at his destination at his fastest speed ever, and opened his arms to protect her at the window, he was both annoyed and amused by the scene before him. All his efforts, his long preparation, and even the use of his five ultimate techniques, had been in vain. His opponent had suddenly changed direction before they even clashed, disappearing without a trace through the half-open window. If it weren't for the slight trembling of the window bars and the complete absence of his opponent's presence inside, he would hardly have believed that such a powerful opponent, who could conceal his presence so completely and confront him across the door for over half an hour, would choose to flee before they even exchanged blows.
Had his opponent realized his superior skill and knew there was no chance of victory, thus choosing to retreat, or had he already completed his mission and saw no need to stay? Thinking of this, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly shuddered. He had just used the Vajra Lion's Roar, but having only seen it once at the martial arts tournament, he hadn't grasped its secrets and was far from reaching Master Xiaochen's level of targeted and individualized use. Hence, the roar reverberated throughout the surrounding area, heard far and wide. Even if Shinguji Mina was under the influence of the sleeping incense, there was no reason for her not to wake up after hearing it. Now…
Ren Xiaoyao's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He frantically rushed to the bedside, grabbed Shinguji Mina's shoulders, and shouted hoarsely, "Mina! Mina! Wake up! Wake up!" After calling for a long time, Shinguji Mina remained unresponsive. He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, frantic and at a loss, cold sweat pouring down his back. He had none of the composure and calmness he displayed when commanding an army of 100,000.
Startled awake by his howl, everyone filed in. Yi Tianhan immediately asked, "What? Someone launched a night attack?"
Ren Xiaoyao didn't answer, but urgently called out, "Hanbi, come quickly and see what happened to Mina."
Su Hanbi quickly stepped forward to take Mina's pulse, and Ren Xiaoyao then briefly recounted the whole incident, adding with fervor, "When I came in, the person had already vanished without a trace, but Mina... she has no injuries, no signs of poisoning, so why is she unconscious? Could it be..."
Su Hanbi suddenly chuckled, covering her mouth as she said, "Sigh, concern makes one lose their mind, that's absolutely true. Miss Zhen Gongji was clearly stunned by your Vajra Lion's Roar, yet you think it was the other party's attempt to kill her... Tsk tsk tsk, what kind of worry is that?"
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles, except for Ren Xiaoyao, whose expression was grave. He muttered, "Impossible, absolutely impossible! He must have done something, my judgment is never wrong."
Su Hanbi shook her head, her delicate brows furrowed, and said with absolute certainty, "But I definitely didn't find anything unusual on Miss Zhen Gongji."
Lin Yuxiu suddenly pointed to the windowsill and exclaimed, "Big brother, look!"
Ren Xiaoyao followed her slender hand and froze on the spot. The sword rack in front of the windowsill, used to display Ryujin Jakka, was now completely empty! The other party's real target was not Zhen Gongji Mina, but the treasure of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū school, the foremost of the seven secret swords of Hueco Mundo—Ryujin Jakka.
Ren Xiaoyao stumbled back two steps, barely managing to regain his balance thanks to Long Feiyun's support. The shock in his heart was indescribable. From beginning to end, the other party's murderous aura had lingered around Shinguji Mina, and with his supposedly unparalleled keen senses, he hadn't noticed at all that this was a deliberate illusion. What he found even more unbelievable was that the other party seemed to have completely read his mind, calculating that he would focus all his energy on protecting Shinguji Mina as he rushed into the house, allowing him to seize the opportunity to take Ryujin Jakka and escape successfully. Otherwise, with his unparalleled agility, combining the three greatest lightness skills of the original martial arts world, even if he were a fraction of a second slower in pursuit, he wouldn't have had trouble catching up.
Ren Xiaoyao gritted his teeth, his toes slightly swaying, ready to rush out. Long Feiyun grabbed him, surprised, "What are you doing?"
Ren Xiaoyao said resolutely, "I'm going to chase after him. I can't let Liu Ren Ruo Huo get away with this..."
Long Feiyun interrupted, "It's no use. So much time has passed. Even if you have extraordinary abilities, you can't possibly track your opponent down in this pitch-black night."
Ren Xiaoyao felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and said loudly, "I have to try, even if it's impossible. Otherwise, I'll be letting Mina down."
Long Feiyun smiled bitterly, "Chasing him is a waste of energy. Think about how he managed to sneak into the room of the Zhen Gong Temple girl without the knowledge of Senior Yi, Senior Fu, your master, and Mr. Deng, and even managed to hold his own against you with internal energy for more than half an hour." "Clearly, he's a Jonin-level expert. Concealing his whereabouts and hiding his figure is a piece of cake for him. If it were daytime, there might be some hope, but now..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shinguji Mina let out two soft gasps and slowly woke up. Ren Xiaoyao immediately rushed to the bedside and asked with concern, "Mina, how are you? Are you alright?" Shinguji
Mina raised her white head slightly and said intermittently, "That person... that person is so powerful. With just a wave of his hand, I... I couldn't move. He... he..." Her expression was terrified, tears streaming down her face. Her words were incoherent, and it was unclear whether she was frightened by that person or had not fully recovered her senses after being stunned by the Vajra Lion's Roar.
Looking at the frail and pitiful state of Shinguji Mina, whose poison wounds had just healed, Ren Xiaoyao immediately felt a strong urge to embrace her and comfort her. However, fearing to offend her and displease her, he could only grasp her beautifully sculpted shoulders and softly say, "Mina, don't be afraid, I've already driven that person away."
Shinguji Mina burst into tears, throwing herself into Ren Xiaoyao's arms, pressing her face against his head without reservation, tears streaming down her face as she cried out sadly, "Xiaoyao, he wanted to kill me, he wanted to kill me!" Seeing Shinguji Mina, who was skilled in ninjutsu and martial arts and had fought two Jonin with ease at the Tottori Sand Dunes, frightened like this by an assassin, a dark cloud involuntarily rose in everyone's hearts.
Ren Xiaoyao held her trembling body tightly, comforting her, "Don't cry, don't cry! His target isn't you, it's Ryujin Jakka."
Shinguji Mina's body trembled violently, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Ren Xiaoyao, her face so striking it could break his heart. She cried out sorrowfully, "What did you say?! Ryujin Jakka... Ryujin Jakka was stolen by him?"
Ren Xiaoyao showed a guilty expression, apologetically saying, "Yes, it's all my fault, I let him..."
Before he could finish, Shinguji Mina reached out a trembling hand, pushed Ren Xiaoyao away, and stared intently at the sword rack with her red, swollen eyes. Suddenly, her body trembled again, her eyes closed, and she collapsed onto her back.
Ren Xiaoyao helped Shinguji Mina up, about to wake her, when Su Hanbi hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Her injuries haven't healed, and she's been frightened; she's extremely weak both mentally and physically. Disturbing her now will only make things worse… Everyone, please leave. Let her rest properly; we can talk about it tomorrow morning."
The others followed his advice and left.
After what had happened, no one was in the mood to sleep. Ren Xiaoyao, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, Deng Lei, Su Longfeiyun, and Su Hanbi gathered in the hall to discuss the events that had just transpired.
Yi Tianhan pondered, "Without a doubt, this person's skill in lightness and ninjutsu is extremely profound. Otherwise, if he had been even slightly careless and made a slight noise when sneaking into the inn,
he wouldn't have been able to hide it from us." Fu Longyuan chimed in, "That's right. Although we were several feet apart and separated by a door, he was able to hold his own against Xiaoyao for a long time without being at a disadvantage. This shows that his internal strength is profound, his will is tenacious, and even his ability to adapt to the situation
is remarkable." Meng Fei nodded in agreement and said with a wry smile, "Not only that, but to be able to exploit Xiaoyao's concern for the Shinguji girl and set up such a perfect plan to steal Ryujin Jakka, one could never have done it without rich experience, keen ability, extraordinary courage, and abundant wisdom."
Deng Lei murmured, "Such a master could be Iga..." "Was it sent by Iga Valley?"
Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly, "I only know he's a man, but he's definitely not Togashi Yoshihiro."
Long Feiyun smiled slightly and said calmly, "So, this matter might not be related to Iga Valley."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in confusion, "Oh, how do you know?"
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes flashed with wisdom, and her cherry lips uttered, "As an assassin organization, the first priority in our operations is to allocate manpower appropriately and never waste too much on a single target. Judging from the conversation between Kusano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka, they are very confident in defeating Shinguji, and with Togashi Yoshihiro lying in ambush in the sand dunes, Kubo Kosuke has no reason to send a third Jonin."
Su Hanbi guessed, "Perhaps it's a skilled replacement they temporarily brought in after their mission failed."
Long Fei Yun's beautiful eyes gleamed, and she said softly, "The Iga Valley base is located in Kyoto, which is eight or nine hundred miles away from here. Sending more manpower is completely impossible. Moreover, several seniors have all agreed that this person is a top-tier expert, with a cultivation level above Kusano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, and Togashi Yoshihiro. I remember Masaaki saying that Iga Valley has nine Jonin, and apart from Kubo Kousuke and Togashi's leader Mutou Ran, the Five Beauties are the most skilled in martial arts, and Mutou Ran is a woman..."
Su Hanbi suddenly realized, "Sister Long means that if this person is from Iga Valley, it can only be Kubo Kousuke himself."
Long Fei Yun nodded and said, "That's right. Whether the leader of the number one assassin organization in Japan would leave Kyoto to come to Tottori is another matter. Even if he really came here, he wouldn't abandon his status to do such a sneaky thing." "That must be an embarrassing incident."
Yi Tianhan frowned and said, "So the opponent comes from another ninja school."
Long Feiyun slowly said, "Well, someone like him, if not from the Seven Great Schools, can only be..."
Kurosaki Masayoshi's childish voice rang out from outside the window: "It can only be Koga Valley, Ryuga Ryuu, or the Kirigakure Jigen-ryu, the official school of the Satsuma Domain!"

Volume 30, Chapter 4: Must Take It

Everyone knew he was very familiar with the situation of the Japanese martial arts world, so they were not surprised. Ren Xiaoyao asked with a smile, "Masayoshi, tell me, why can it only be them?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi pushed open the door and said casually, "It's very simple. Only these three families dare to steal Ryujin Jakka and are enemies of Hokushin Itto-ryu and even the entire Seven Great Schools."
Long Feiyun was very interested and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi explained, "This all stems from the origins of the Koga Valley, Yanagisawa-ryu, and Kirigakure Jigen-ryu factions. Like the Shinsengumi, Koga Valley was originally a branch of Iga Valley. Twenty years later, it broke away from Iga Valley to become its own faction, becoming the second most powerful assassin organization in Japan after Iga Valley. The Koga Valley leader, Otsuka Chikao, was ambitious. From the very beginning, Iga Valley declared its intention to surpass Iga Valley and 'enjoy' the 'honor' of being employed by the royal family. Ironically, although Otsuka Chikao took two Jonin and several of the most promising new recruits with him when he left Iga Valley, without the financial support of the royal family, Koga Valley remains relegated to second place." "Two."
Su Hanbi tentatively asked, "Did Otsuka Chika send people to steal Ryujin Jakka just to prove to the world that they could do what Iga Valley couldn't?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi shook his head and said, "No, let alone Koga Valley, even if it joined forces with Iga Valley, they would definitely not be able to offend the seven major sects under Uncle Ryuu's command. Otsuka Chika did this simply to use someone else to do his dirty work, pushing the whole thing onto Iga Valley... There's a saying in your Central Plains, 'You can't hide fire with paper.' I think in less than half a month, news of Kusano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, and Togashi Yoshihiro attacking Mina-nee will reach Nara. If Uncle Ryuu learns that Ryujin Jakka was also..." "They reported the theft, yet they're blaming Igaya."
Fu Longyuan said, moved, "What a clever scheme to use someone else to do their dirty work! What about Ryuga-ryu and Kirigakure-genryu?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi continued, "Ryuga-ryu's leader, Shindono Mitsuaki, was originally a disciple of Hokushin Itto-ryu and the junior brother of Uncle Ryuugen. The former leader, Suzuki Hirobumi, felt he was petty and easily swayed, with an extremely arrogant air. He feared that if his martial arts became too advanced, it would cause trouble in the future, so he refused to pass on the sect's secret techniques to him. After learning the reason, Shindono Mitsuaki wanted to steal Ryujin Jakka and leave Nara, but he was caught red-handed by Uncle Ryuugen. Suzuki Hirobumi, upon learning of this, was furious and expelled him from the sect. Shindono Mitsuaki then joined..." Liu Gangliu, with his exceptional talent and insight, can be considered a martial arts prodigy. At only thirty years old, his skills surpassed all others, and he became the head of the Liu Gangliu school. Shindono Mitsuaki has always coveted the Ryujin Jakka, believing himself the only one worthy of such a divine weapon. Therefore, it's highly likely he orchestrated what happened earlier.”
Kurosaki Masayoshi paused, then continued, “The Kirigakure Jigen-ryu is a newly rising ninjutsu school. With nearly a thousand disciples, it surpasses even the Shinto Munen-ryu and Oniwaban, which are considered the weakest of the Seven Great Schools. Therefore, its head, Takara Miyuki, has been planning to establish the so-called Eight Great Schools Alliance, which would allow the Kirigakure Jigen-ryu to align with the Hokushin Itto-ryu and the Hibiki…” The Tenmichiken-ryu, Kamiya Kashin-ryu, Jikishin-kage-ryu, Kyōshin Akechi-ryu, Shindō Munen-ryu, and Oniwaban are of equal status. Kora Miyuki is humble and possesses exceptional martial arts skills. As a young girl, she founded the Kirigakure Shigen-ryu and maintained good relations with all the major sects. Therefore, the plan for an alliance of the eight major sects proceeded smoothly until the final decision was made. However, at the last minute, Uncle Ryūgen rejected it, citing the Kirigakure Shigen-ryu's large number of members but relatively weak Jonin strength.
Ren Xiaoyao speculated, "Could it be that Kora Miyuki harbors resentment towards the Hokushin Ittō-ryu and is taking advantage of the situation to steal Ryūjin Jakka as revenge against the Shinguji sect leader?" Kurosaki
Masayoshi slowly said, "No, she wants..." "To prove the true strength of the Jonin of the Kirigakure
Shigenryu school." Long Feiyun exclaimed in surprise, "Prove their strength? Why would they need to plot against their sect's most prized possession to prove their strength?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi solemnly replied, "The Kirigakure Shigenryu school's base, Kizuki Valley, is about a hundred miles from here. There are many spies they have deliberately planted in Tottori Prefecture. I believe that news of Iga Valley sending experts to attack Mina-nee has already reached Kora Miyuki's ears. Kubo Kosuke is a smart man. He knows that if Mina-nee returns to Nara and tells Uncle Long Xuan in person about the attack on his Iga Valley followers, the consequences would be far beyond what he can bear. Therefore, he will send his best experts to ambush along the way, such as Koga..." Other organizations like Koga Valley and Ryuga Gang-ryu will also get involved. Think about it, if the Kirigakure Shigenryu can safely send Mina back to Hueco Mundo despite being surrounded by powerful enemies, wouldn't that prove their strength? That person just now was likely sent by Kora Miyuki, with the aim of taking Mina to Kirigakure Valley for protection by the Kirigakure Shigenryu. Because they encountered Xiaoyao, their plan couldn't be accomplished, so they took Ryujin Jakka to avoid trouble later.” Long Feiyun
said with a wry smile, “It sounds like Koga Valley, Ryuga Gang-ryu, and Kirigakure Shigenryu are all very likely to be involved.”
Ren Xiaoyao frowned slightly and added, “In that case, it's difficult to determine the truth.” "Which faction was responsible... Hmm, I'm afraid we'll have to go after them one by one to find out..."
Kurosaki Masayoshi exclaimed in surprise, "Big brother, you... you want to reclaim Ryujin Jakka?"
Ren Xiaoyao's lips curled into a confident smile as he proudly declared, "That's right. Since I indirectly lost it, I have a responsibility to find it and return it to Mina personally. No matter who the opponent is or how strong they are, as long as they possess Ryujin Jakka, they are my unavoidable target."
The next day, after obtaining Mina Shinguji's consent, Ren Xiaoyao began spreading the news, claiming that Igagaya had stolen Ryujin Jakka, and posted notices everywhere, openly challenging the Five Beauties. This was a brilliant plan that he and Long Feiyun had pondered all night. By pinning the theft on Igagaya, they could both intimidate Kubo Kousuke and expose his evil deed of sending someone to ambush Shinguji Mina, while simultaneously inciting suspicion among Igagaya, Kogagaya, Ryugo-ryu, and Kirigakure Jigen-ryu, thus reducing the threat to them. More importantly, they could learn the true location of Ryujin Jakka from the reactions of the four factions after they learned the news, and then reclaim this peerless divine weapon that had shaken Japan.
As expected, several large-scale battles broke out near Tottori Prefecture in the following days. First, Yoshihiro Togashi personally led a dozen Shinsengumi samurai to kill three Chunin and nine Genin under the command of Ryūgane, who were on a mission to a nearby prefecture. Then, Mizuki Kusano and Yūka Haneda attacked Ryūgane's temporary camp and burned several houses to the ground. Ryūgane and Kogaya joined forces to retaliate and surrounded and annihilated a group of Igagaya followers who had come from Kyoto to provide support in Tottori. The situation of Kirigakure Jigenryū was not much better. In just two days, all the spies and ninjas planted within a hundred miles were found, some were seriously injured, some were maimed, and some even died mysteriously, with no one able to find out who the murderer was.
Ren Xiaoyao, naturally, wasn't idle either. He and Long Feiyun worked day and night, capturing seven or eight ninjas from the Ryuga-ryu, Koga-gaya, and Kirigakure Jigen-ryu schools, based on the assessments of Shinguji Mina and Kurosaki Masayoshi. They attempted to find out which faction possessed the Ryujin Jakka. Ren Xiaoyao was incredibly skilled at interrogation, and Long Feiyun was equally adept at extracting information. However, no matter how they questioned them, the ninjas vehemently denied stealing the Ryujin Jakka. Since those captured were mostly Chunin and Genin, unqualified to participate in faction secrets, Ren Xiaoyao wasn't surprised. After releasing them, he discussed their next move with Long Feiyun.
Long Feiyun suggested immediately setting off for Nara, continuing to inquire about the Ryujin Jakka's whereabouts along the way, to avoid delaying and allowing Iga-gaya to send more skilled ninjas to join the siege. Ren Xiaoyao, skilled and daring, was naturally unafraid of the nine Jonin of Iga Valley, but considering the safety of Shinguji Mina and Kurosaki Masayoshi, he had no choice but to agree.
Thus, the group left Nara and embarked on their journey south.
Although Shinguji Mina had recovered, she was still somewhat weak. Unsurprisingly, the chivalrous Ren Xiaoyao stayed by her side constantly, even returning the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed he had brought from the Central Plains to Shui Furong, while he himself remained in the carriage to ensure Shinguji Mina's absolute safety. Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan guarded the left and right sides, respectively. With Deng Lei leading the way and Meng Fei providing support from behind, it was believed that even if the entire Iga Valley army came out, they wouldn't be able to harm the highly skilled Shinguji Mina… no, it should be said that Kurosaki Masayoshi, who knew absolutely no martial arts, was completely unharmed.
Unexpectedly, two days passed without any obstacles, and they didn't even sense the slightest danger or killing intent. Behind Mina Shinguji's back, Yi Tianhan privately boasted that he and Fu Longyuan, each using their ultimate techniques, had terrified Kusano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, and Togashi Yoshihiro, who would not dare to make a move until Kubo Kosuke, Mutou Ran, Hasegawa Izumi, Oishi Ayaka, Yoshizawa Akiho, and two other Jonin arrived.
Although Ren Xiaoyao sincerely admitted that the combined power of "Heavenly Thunder Without Reckoning" and "Sacred Dragon Severing the Nine Heavens" was enough to shock the heavens and move even ghosts to tears, and even he himself might not be able to withstand it if he simultaneously used the Innate Supreme Qi and Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin Force, let alone the people of Iga Valley, Yi Tianhan's words, though seemingly arrogant, were actually quite reasonable. However, he still had an ominous premonition, feeling that something was about to happen.
To avoid worrying Mina Shinguji, Ren Xiaoyao didn't reveal his feelings publicly. He only quietly informed the women, warning them to be on their guard. He also devised a brilliant plan: he would disguise himself as the coachman and drive the carriage, while Long Feiyun would impersonate him and stay in the carriage with Mina Shinguji. Long Feiyun was a young girl, so the other party wouldn't pay much attention to her. Even if she wasn't in the group, the people of Iga Valley wouldn't notice. As the even less important coachman, he could secretly monitor the surroundings to ensure Mina Shinguji's absolute safety, and could also launch a surprise attack at a crucial moment.
That day, the group arrived at a dense forest. They found themselves surrounded by lush greenery, bamboo groves, fragrant grasses, and towering trees, a scene reminiscent of the poem: "A thousand bamboo stalks by the north door in spring breeze, a single tree in bloom in the southeast sun." Under the setting sun, a mountain stream meandered through the dense, towering camphor trees, flowing gently. Maple trees lined both banks of the river, and at this height of autumn, some of their leaves had turned red, creating a vibrant tapestry of red, yellow, and green that was incredibly beautiful.
Just as everyone was captivated by the wonders of nature, a series of mournful cries from a young girl suddenly echoed from not far ahead: "Help...no...no...help!" (

Chapter 5 of Volume 30: A Beautiful but Frail Woman)

Normally, Ren Xiaoyao would have rushed out without hesitation to save her, but now he was a coachman and couldn't act rashly, so he had to obediently drive the carriage.
Meng Fei, on the other hand, remained unhurried. Frowning, he said, "What? There are actually..."
Before he could finish speaking, a yellow mist appeared from afar, and the girl's cries for help came from within it. Yi Tianhan angrily said, "Well, in broad daylight, there are so many bandits. I'll teach you a lesson."
Kurosaki Masayoshi said in a deep voice, "No, these are wandering samurai. They were either expelled from their sects for misconduct or were ashamed to return after failing a mission. They spontaneously banded together to make a living by robbing and plundering. Compared to ordinary bandits, their martial arts skills are much higher, and their numbers are also quite large. That's why they dare to act recklessly and wantonly."
Shui Furong patted Long Feiyun's shoulder and giggled, "Silly boy, it's up to you to be the hero and save the beauty." Since Long Feiyun was disguised as Ren Xiaoyao, she naturally had to follow his habits and "draw her sword to help when she saw injustice." As for Ren Xiaoyao, the coachman, he could only watch from the sidelines. Even if he saved a stunning beauty, it had nothing to do with him.
In a moment, dozens of strong horses charged in, their hooves thundering. Long Feiyun shouted, "Which scoundrel is leading this? Stop right there!"
Her words, delivered with superior internal force, were clear and resonant, like thunder, even without intentionally raising her voice. The wandering warriors were startled and reined in their horses. Seeing that the others—besides the young man who had shouted (Long Feiyun), the two white-haired old men (Fu Longyuan and Yi Tianhan), the middle-aged scholar (Meng Fei), and the ugly man (Deng Lei)—none seemed to know martial arts, they immediately began to curse, yelling, "You brat, who do you think you are, daring to shout like that!" "Get lost, don't ruin my good time!" "Get out of my way, or I'll kill you all!"
Long Feiyun ignored them, noticing the burly man at the head of the group with a full beard and bulging muscles, carrying a cloak... The disheveled girl was the one who had just cried for help. His face darkened, and he coldly said, "Release this girl!"
The burly man glared at him fiercely, then proceeded to grope the girl's body, arrogantly saying, "What? Tired of living? Daring to meddle in my business?" He was experienced and knew that the young man's shout had revealed considerable inner strength, but confident in his own martial arts, he didn't take him seriously, wantonly groping the girl in his arms. The girl sobbed softly, her shoulders heaving, crying out in terror, "Help...help..."
Seeing that he didn't take her seriously, Long Feiyun was furious and said angrily, "Release her immediately. I don't want to repeat myself." When he ruled the Qilin Hall as a man, he had never encountered such a situation. Usually, without a word, the other party would flee in disarray. Today, someone dared to openly insult him; they were simply courting death.
The burly man smirked, glancing sideways at Long Feiyun, and said loudly, "What an arrogant brat! Looks like I'll teach you a lesson you won't know how powerful I am."
A tall, thin warrior beside him leered, "Brother, see those pretty girls by the carriage? Let's just grab them and take them back to share with the brothers."
The wandering warriors laughed loudly, a dozen pairs of thieving eyes staring at Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu (Su Hanbi and Nangong Fengyi were taking care of Zhen Gongji Mina in the carriage), brazenly discussing how to distribute them later, which infuriated the three women, their eyebrows furrowed and eyes wide.
The burly man, oblivious to the danger, chuckled, "Hey, kid, you leave those girls here, and I'll let you go..."
Before he could finish, Long Feiyun suddenly leaped up, her sword transforming into a rainbow, slashing down at him.
The burly man hadn't expected her to move so quickly. In his haste, he dropped the girl and raised his sword to parry. His ordinary samurai sword was no match for the sharpness of the Nine Heavens Mystic Sky Sword; the sword snapped in two the moment they clashed. Fortunately, the burly man was a Chunin, and his reaction was swift. He quickly braced himself on his horse's back with one hand, using the momentum to shift sideways and barely manage to dodge.
Before he could catch his breath, Shui Furong spurred her horse forward and unleashed a devastating palm strike. The burly man, taking advantage of her being a young girl, neither dodged nor evaded, but instead met the attack head-on with his right fist.
The fierce wind from the palm strike hit his face, and even several feet away, it stung his cheek. By the time he realized he couldn't withstand it, it was too late. Shui Furong, enraged, attacked with a powerful palm strike that deflected his fist's force, causing the burly man to cough up blood and stumble backward.
Almost simultaneously, Nangong Fengzi and Lin Yuxiu each drew their swords, flanking the burly man from both sides. Even disregarding his injuries, those two moves alone were the deadly "Blazing Sun Chasing the Sun" from the Fiery Sky-Piercing Sword technique, and "Hibiscus Dwelling in the Moon" from the Seven Absolute Swords of Hengshan. Even if he were unharmed and in peak condition, he wouldn't be able to withstand them.
Everything happened too fast, too quickly. Before the wandering warriors could react, they saw their leader's burly body collapse to the ground, a sword wound to his left chest and right rib, blood gushing out. He was clearly not going to survive.
Nangong Fengyi gracefully stepped down from the carriage, helping the girl to a nearby tree, and softly said, "Don't be alarmed, young lady, we will protect you."
The girl seemed quite frightened, giving a soft "Mmm," and slumped down.
Long Feiyun landed beside the burly man's corpse, pointed her halberd
, and shouted, "Listen up! If you don't want to die, get out of here!" This tactic was certainly effective against bandits and outlaws, but the enemy were all fearless warriors. Seeing this, they didn't flee; instead, they dismounted, shouting and drawing their swords to attack.
A disdainful sneer appeared on Long Feiyun's lips as she raised her Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword and charged into the enemy ranks.
The remaining wandering warriors included five Chunin and thirteen Genin, whose strength was not weak. However, Long Feiyun wore the Mangcang Snow-Treading Armor, impervious to blades and spears, so there was no need to worry about defense. Her Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword was incredibly sharp, and combined with the endless stream of exquisite moves from her Nebula Sword Technique, wherever she went, warriors fell to the ground. Not a single one could withstand more than two of her attacks. Shui Furong, unwilling to back down, moved swiftly, ambushing several men with a flurry of palm strikes. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the wandering samurai were either dead or wounded. Those who could barely move, knowing they had no chance of survival, desperately raised their samurai swords and committed seppuku.
Shui Furong kicked the burly man's corpse hard, coldly saying, "Hmph, how dare you insult me! You're courting death!"
Long Feiyun sheathed her sword and walked to the rescued girl. Seeing her still leaning against the tree, arms crossed, her delicate body trembling, she softly said, "Miss, what's wrong? Come, stand up." She extended her right hand.
The young girl raised her head and looked at Long Feiyun. Only then could everyone see her face clearly: she appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features like a blooming peony or peony, exuding a faint fragrance. Beneath her long, crescent-shaped eyelashes, her bright, beautiful eyes sparkled. Her small, white ears, partially hidden by her hair, were crystal clear, and her cherry-red lips were slightly parted, making her breathtakingly beautiful. A small, lacquer-like mole at the corner of her mouth added to her mysterious charm. What was particularly alluring was that beneath her gossamer-thin veil, her snow-white skin was faintly visible, and her tight undergarments accentuated her stunningly voluptuous figure, almost bursting forth. Any man who saw such a magnificent sight and did not want to sleep with her was certainly not a normal man.
The young girl, who had been huddled wearily under the tree, saw Long Feiyun's sincere expression and earnest words, and timidly grasped his hand, using it to stand up. Her jade-like wrist was weak and slippery, like solidified cream. Fortunately, Long Feiyun was a woman; if it were Ren Xiaoyao, he would probably have been overwhelmed by her charm.
The girl's beauty was different from that of Shinguji Mina. The former possessed a breathtakingly noble air that could make any man feel inferior upon falling in love, while the latter possessed a languid grace and mature, captivating charm revealed through her graceful figure, a different kind of alluring beauty that was in no way inferior to the other women.
Long Feiyun said softly, "Miss, you live nearby, right? I'll take you home now." Her Japanese was much more fluent than Ren Xiaoyao's, who spent his days practicing martial arts with Meng Fei, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, and Deng Lei, and his nights indulging in romantic pursuits with the other women, leaving him with almost no time to learn from the interpreter.
The young girl clutched her disheveled clothes, stammering, "I...I'm not from around here. May I ask...may I ask your name, my benefactor?" Ren Xiaoyao, who had been watching from the sidelines, was almost captivated by her soft, melodious voice and alluring demeanor.
Long Feiyun's heart stirred slightly, and she smiled, saying, "My surname is Ren, my given name is Xiaoyao. May I
ask your name, young lady?" The girl replied softly, "My surname is Ai...my given name is Li Cai." A slight blush rose to her pretty face, making her even more alluring, especially her beautiful eyes, which shone brightly and could steal the soul of any man.
Long Feiyun remained unaffected, gently saying, "Don't call me 'benefactor' or anything like that, it's awkward. Where is Miss Ainei from? If you don't know how to get back, I can help you."
Ainei Rina blushed and stammered, "Ah... I... I live in Kanagawa Prefecture. I... I can get back by myself, no need for Young Master Ren Xiaoyao to trouble himself..." After taking only two or three steps, she suddenly felt weak all over, dizzy, and lost her footing, falling into Long Feiyun's arms.
Long Feiyun exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, are you... are you alright?" Ainei Rina let out a soft cry and fainted.
Su Hanbi walked over, took her pulse, and pondered, "Miss Ai-nei was too frightened earlier, and her body is weak, so she fainted. Let her rest for a while, and she'll be fine."
Long Feiyun called over Kurosaki Masayoshi and asked, "Where is Kanagawa Prefecture? Is it far from here?"
Kurosaki Masayoshi pondered, "About 180 li, which happens to be on our way to Nara."
Long Feiyun decisively said, "Help her into the carriage and let her rest for a while. We'll talk about it when we get to Kanagawa."
Nangong Fengyi and Su Hanbi did as she was told. When they arrived near the carriage, Ren Xiaoyao glanced at Ai-nei Rina a few more times, which immediately attracted Shui Furong's fierce glare, scaring him so much that he immediately shrank back. Although he only caught a few glimpses of

her

, Ren Xiaoyao already had a plan in mind. Although Ai-nei Rina's clothes were disheveled and quite damaged, the fabric was obviously very luxurious,
quite different from the coarse cloth clothes of ordinary village girls. Her translucent skin was faintly visible through the holes in her dress, and her breasts rose and
fell gently with her rapid breathing as the wind blew. Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, yet still elegant, suggesting she was a young lady from a wealthy family. What was particularly alluring was
the seductive charm that emanated from her very being, capable of arousing men's desires. No wonder the group of wandering samurai fought to the death to release her.
Several hours later, the group found a valley to rest. Su Hanbi and Nangong Fengyi helped Aiuchi Rina leave the carriage and went to a grassy area in the middle
to eat some dry rations. As the evening breeze picked up and the temperature dropped, Long Feiyun was about to remove her outer garment so that Aiuchi Rina could wear it for warmth. Unexpectedly, when Aiuchi Rina saw Long Feiyun
reaching out to remove her garment, she was startled and cried out, "Ah... what are you doing? Don't... don't come any closer!"
Long Feiyun was stunned, staring at Aiuchi Rina in astonishment.
Aiuchi Rina looked terrified, her delicate body shrinking back, her face flushed as she stammered, "You...why...why are you taking off your clothes...I...I won't..."
The other women chuckled, thinking, "This girl is really suspicious."
Long Feiyun's mind stirred, a mischievous idea forming in her head. She chuckled, "Because...because I want to..." With that, she moved swiftly, closing
in on Aiuchi Rina and pressing her hands against her shoulders.
Aiuchi Rina screamed, trying to run away, but her body was paralyzed with fear. Seeing Long Feiyun so close, she felt both ashamed and flustered,
her clear eyes flashing with terror.
Seeing Aiuchi Rina's expression, Long Feiyun chuckled, quickly withdrawing her hands and instead draping her own robe over Aiuchi Rina's shoulders. She then put her hands
behind , her face extremely serious, and said, "There, that's it."
Aiuchi Rina was momentarily stunned, but then she understood, thinking to herself, "These are all Young Master Ren's men. If he really wanted to...
to do that kind of thing to me, he wouldn't have waited until now..." Thinking this, her face involuntarily flushed, and she whispered, "Aren't you...aren't you cold?"
Long Feiyun chuckled, "Don't worry, it's just a little breeze, it's fine."
Aiuchi Rina Naa stammered, "You...you're taking me home?"
Long Feiyun said softly, "Yes, it's very dangerous for a girl to travel alone. She might even encounter wandering samurai who rob and plunder. Since we're traveling
the same way as you, we thought we'd take you back to Kanagawa."
Aiuchi Rina's face lit up with joy, her dimples appearing slightly. She said softly, "Young Master Ren, thank you so much." Then she blushed again and whispered, "I'd like
to ask Young Master Xiang for another favor...I wonder if that's alright?"
Seeing her first smile, Long Feiyun felt a surge of charm, like spring flowers in bloom, and even as a woman, she felt a momentary infatuation. She composed herself slightly before saying:
“Miss Aine, please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly do my best.”
Aine Rinako’s face was flushed, her head was lowered, and her delicate white hands were clenched together. In a soft, delicate voice, she
said , “When I came here by carriage just now, I saw a stream at the entrance of the valley. Could you please check if there is anyone around me, sir? I… I want to… I want
to take a bath in the river…” She did not dare to raise her head at all, and her fingers rubbed together, showing that she was both shy and uneasy.
Long Feiyun laughed heartily, "So that's what it is! Fengyi, Hanbi, Furong, Xiuxiu, you all accompany Miss Ai Nei. After she's washed, find her
a new dress to change into."
Ai Nei Rina said sweetly, "Sisters, you must be washing too, right? Then... then who will keep watch?"
Ren Xiaoyao heard this and immediately recalled the beautiful scene of him playing in the pool reserved for the leader of the Tianji Sect at the main altar with Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and
Lin Yuxiu Of course, he also couldn't forget the wild excitement of his wild lovemaking with Shui Furong in the stream on the night of the hunting party. Although it was
inconvenient for him to drag the women into the water with Ai Nei Rina, at least he could watch from the sidelines and feast his eyes.
But just as he stood up to speak, Shui Furong rushed over and said imperiously, "Driver, go pick some wild fruit in the woods to use as a roadside snack."
"Dry rations."
Ren Xiaoyao hummed in agreement, turned his back, and shook his head with a wry smile. The stream was to the south, and the woods to the north. Even if Shui Furong wanted to remind him not to follow to avoid exposing
his identity, she could have given him a task like repairing the car or keeping watch. Why send him so far away? But he was the "driver," and she was the employer. At this moment, even if
he unwilling, he could only obediently leave to do the "good job" of picking wild fruits.
Long Feiyun said lightly, "If Miss Ai is worried that the lecherous rogue might be hiding and spying, I will temporarily act as a guard and stand watch by the stream." Ainai
Rina's heart pounded, and she whispered, "Thank you, Young Master Ren... um... you..."
Lin Yuxiu giggled and took Ainai Rina's arm, saying sweetly, "Don't worry, big brother won't peek."
Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu accompanied Ainai Rina to the stream. Long Feiyun slightly increased her inner strength, used her lightness skill to search
around , and said loudly, "Don't worry, there's no one else within a hundred feet. You can wash to your heart's content." With that, she strode away and came to a towering
cedar tree.
Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu lightly removed their robes and entered the water one after another. Ai Nei Rina, however, sat on the bank, her cheeks flushed, her mind a jumble of
confusion. She thought to herself, "I'm afraid someone might spy on me, but why am I not worried about him assaulting me? These sisters are all so kind; could he be his wife
?" Thinking of the dashing Ren Xiaoyao behind the large tree not far away, while she was bathing here, she felt increasingly shy, yet also unconsciously
reassured, feeling that he was cheerful, generous, and trustworthy—definitely not a treacherous spy.
Nangong Fengzi called out sweetly, beckoning, "Ai Nei, come quickly! The stream water here is so refreshing!"
Ai Nei Rina gently removed Long Feiyun's outer robe and untied her tattered silk garment, revealing
a beauty …
Xiang Yang, on the other side of the bridge pier, although unable to see the scene in the river, could hear everything clearly thanks to his superior internal strength. Hearing the rustling of clothes being removed
, the sound of feet splashing in shallow water, and the occasional splashing of water being scooped up, along with the occasional silvery laughter, so clear and melodious, she wished she could immediately switch back to
being a woman and join her sisters in their water play.
Just then, she heard the sound of leaves rustling overhead. This wasn't the sound of the wind, but rather
the rustling of branches accidentally disturbed. Although the sound was extremely soft, faint, and quiet, it was no match for Long Feiyun's keen hearing. Was it an inadvertent spy she had let in? Or a ninja from the Iga Valley, Koga Valley, Yanagi-ryu, or Kirigakure Shigenryu schools, who had
been lying in , ready to ambush them?
Long Feiyun's mind raced. She leaped forward, drawing her Nine Heavens Mystic Sky Sword with a "whoosh," and rushed towards the dense foliage. She had no time to think, because she had to
eliminate her opponent quickly to avoid being discovered by the other women and ruining their bathing mood.
From a distance of two or three zhang, Long Feiyun could already make out the man's appearance: a coarse, grayish-yellow cloth shirt, a dark face, and muscular arms—it was none other than Ren Xiaoyao,
disguised as a coachman. Long Feiyun

was

stunned. Ren Xiaoyao, however, tugged at his shirt hem and said preemptively, "Sigh, I'm really not used to wearing these clothes. Even the slightest movement makes such a commotion. Otherwise, how could I have found you so easily?"
Long Feiyun lowered her voice and gently scolded, "You didn't go to pick fruit, but came here to spy!?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled and said, "Please, don't use such language. There are five girls in the water, four of whom are my wives. Every part of them, inside and out, I've seen and touched them all." "What kind of peeping is this?"
Long Feiyun glared at Ren Xiaoyao, seemingly annoyed by his sophistry, and feigned anger, saying, "Fine, fine, if it's not peeping, why don't you come over openly instead of hiding in the tree?" Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "If Furong knew I was ignoring her words, agreeing verbally but secretly disobeying, she'd tear me apart."
Long Feiyun said irritably, "An excuse, you clearly wanted to watch Ai Nei bathe..." Before she could finish, Ren Xiaoyao had already turned his head away, staring intently at the water.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, illuminating the women's naked bodies, highlighting their curvaceous and slender figures, their graceful and captivating beauty, their skin as soft and white as jade, seemingly blending into the surrounding milky white pebbles.
Ren Xiaoyao pointed at the group of women and said leisurely, "As the saying goes, 'Boys are plump and girls are slender, each with their own merits.' When it comes to a full figure, Furong is undoubtedly the best; when it comes to a slender, tall, and well-proportioned woman, Fengyi is the first choice; of course, Xiuxiu and Fengzi's petite and exquisite figures are also quite unique." As he spoke, he reached out and embraced Long Feiyun's slender waist, praising her, "As for you, Feiyun, I won't go into your natural beauty and curvaceous figure. In short, your body is as soft as cotton and as warm as fire when you hold it in your arms in winter." Summer is as firm as jade and as cold as ice, truly unforgettable and lingering in my memory.
Long Feiyun glanced at him sideways, slightly annoyed, "Hmph! Stop being so glib. Don't think I don't know you're praising me, but your eyes are fixed on little Ai-nei, aren't they?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled without answering. Just then, a golden koi leaped from the river, rising right in front of Ai-nei Rina. Its scales shimmered, dazzlingly beautiful, yet even that paled in comparison to the exquisite, flawless, and ethereal beauty of her body.
The koi leaped into the air, its tail fin gently brushing against Ai-nei Rina's firm, high breasts, giving them a slight bounce. The tail created an arc of water, splashing it all over Ai-nei Rina. Already soaked, she seemed draped in fine crystals, becoming even more incomparably beautiful and captivating.
With a splash, the golden carp returned to the water. Aiuchi Rina gently touched her chest with her left hand, bent down to look into the water. Her once disheveled long hair was now as smooth as silk, flowing freely, creating ripples on the water. The golden carp had swum away, its whereabouts unknown. Aiuchi Rina smiled, muttering to herself, "I've never seen such a beautiful carp before."
Long Feiyun looked at Ren Xiaoyao, seeing a strange smile flicker at the corner of his lips, and couldn't help but shake her head and smile bitterly.
Sigh, what could she do, falling for such a charming and philandering man?
Seeing that the women were almost finished bathing, Long Feiyun said softly, "Hey, shouldn't you go back now..."
Ren Xiaoyao said indifferently, "No rush, you and the others go first, I'll go pick some fruit nearby."
Long Feiyun sighed softly, a helpless and resentful expression on her face, and leaped down from the tree.
Aiuchi Rina had changed into a brand new kimono. Her skin was as bright as the moon, and her face was as red as frost-covered maple leaves. She would sometimes purse her lips, sometimes play with the hem of her clothes, unable to contain her shyness. Standing among the other beautiful women, she was like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with her own
unique charm, not inferior in the slightest. After the women finished getting ready, they left one after another. Ren Xiaoyao estimated that they had gone far away. He spotted two large trees laden with fruit, slapped the trunk with all his might, and a shower of wild fruit rained down on his head. Ren Xiaoyao was not in a hurry to pick them up. Instead, he went to the stream, picked up Aiuchi Rina's discarded undergarment, examined it inside and out, then brought it to his nose and smelled it carefully. Finally, he put it in his bosom, his smile widening.
Ren Xiaoyao returned to his resting place with the wild fruit in his arms. Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, and the others, probably impatient from waiting, gathered some dry branches, lit a campfire, and leisurely roasted some wild game. A true master is a master indeed; in such a short time, they had caught over a dozen wild rabbits, roe deer, and pheasants. Shui Furong's culinary skills were superb, especially her grilling abilities; everyone ate with beaming smiles, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
As a result, missing their lodging was inevitable, but fortunately, the people of Japan were mostly Buddhist, and temples were scattered along the way. The group found a Buddhist temple and decided to stay there for the night.
Taking advantage of the leisure after dinner, Ren Xiaoyao pulled Long Feiyun aside and had her disguise herself as a coachman, while he reverted to his own identity. Long Feiyun, being incredibly clever, knew exactly what he was up to, but she couldn't resist his persistent pleading and had no choice but to agree, even being forced not to tell anyone.
That night, Ren Xiaoyao was meditating in his room, plotting how to approach Ai Nei Licai, when a soft, delicate voice suddenly rang out from outside the window: "Young Master Ren, Young Master Ren, are you in there?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled smugly and murmured, "Looks like I don't even need to lift a finger; she's practically delivered herself to me." He casually replied, put on his outer robe, and went to open the door. It was already past midnight, and all was quiet. Anyone else would have avoided suspicion, either claiming to be asleep or politely declining, but who was Ren Xiaoyao—the "romantic thief"? He didn't care about such formalities and opened the door without a second thought.
What came into view was Ai Uchi Rina's exquisitely beautiful features, her long, flowing black hair cascading down her back like a bolt of satin, free and unrestrained. Her fair, jade-like skin and elegant attire complemented each other perfectly, highlighting her flower-like beauty. What was particularly captivating were her expressive eyes, which held an innocent and naive charm, as if she were completely oblivious to the world's ways. This made her as pure and beautiful as a white lotus bud about to bloom, yet she also possessed a strange and alluring charm that stirred the soul. Even Ren Xiaoyao, who was used to seeing beautiful women, was still breathless with awe at her extraordinary and captivating beauty revealed through her light makeup.
Ren Xiaoyao flashed his signature charming smile and said softly, "Did you need something, young lady?"
Aiuchi Rina replied sweetly, "I came specifically to thank you, Young Master Ren." A slight blush made her even more alluring, especially her beautiful eyes, which shone brightly and could captivate any man's soul.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Upholding justice is the duty of those of us in the martial world; you needn't worry about it. Besides, it's getting late; why not go back and rest?" Aiuchi Rina
panicked, her face flushed, and she whispered in a flustered voice, "Rina was captured by thieves and suffered greatly. Fortunately, I met you, Young Master, and was able to escape this predicament. I truly don't know how to repay you."
Ren Xiaoyao used a feigned retreat, saying leisurely, "It was nothing; there's no need for words of gratitude." His gaze lingered, seemingly intentionally, on Aiuchi Rina's firm, full breasts.
Ainai Rina's cheeks flushed instantly, her shyness increasing. She clasped her hands tightly together, turning her head away, her chiseled shoulders and back further highlighting her captivating charm.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and took a few steps closer. Ainai Rina involuntarily stepped back, only to be suddenly stopped behind her by the wooden door. Ainai Rina froze, Ren Xiaoyao already in front of her. She lowered her head and said, "Don't...don't come any closer! I...I..."
Ren Xiaoyao, already flustered, heard her soft voice and couldn't help but reach out and gently embrace Zhao Wanyan, whispering, "Miss Ainai, if you have something to say to me, I'm all ears."
Hearing this, Ainai Rina felt both shy and delighted, and whispered, "Actually...I...I already promised...those wandering samurai...they did something improper to me...I was afraid you wouldn't like it, so...so..."
Ren Xiaoyao still gently embraced her. Looking at Aiuchi Rina, he smiled and said, "Yes, now you're clean and tidy, and with me protecting you, you don't need to be afraid of those villains anymore."
Aiuchi Rina raised her head, her expression both shy and excited, and said softly, "Young Master Ren, you...you saved me, and you treated me so well...you saw me again...I..." She paused, as if making a great decision, and whispered, "If it weren't for you, who else could...could...um..." She felt it was too embarrassing for a girl to say such things, and finally couldn't continue, but the meaning was obvious.
Ren Xiaoyao was by no means a man who could remain unmoved by a woman's advances. Seeing Aiuchi Rina's bright eyes, filled with infinite affection, fixed on him, so alluring and charming, his heart rippled like a pond. Without further consideration, he tightly embraced the beauty in his arms and kissed her luscious lips.
"Ah..." Aiuchi Rina's soft cry was cut short as her pink lips were sealed.
Ren Xiaoyao gently sipped the nectar-like liquid from Ai Nei's mouth. Her soft, slippery tongue wildly plunged into his mouth, and the two entwined passionately, greedily sucking at each other's saliva. Their lips, pressed together, seemed like magnets, inseparable.
Ai Nei's starry eyes slightly opened, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. Her body felt warm and limp, unable to muster any strength. Only after the kiss ended did she slowly open her eyes, her eyes slightly moist.
Ren Xiaoyao gazed at Ai Nei with deep affection, her thin top covering her alluring body, her face radiating charm. Her smooth, fair skin was crystal clear and incomparably delicate. Her long, slender, and jade-like legs gave her a soft and beautiful appearance with a balanced figure. Her graceful and slender waist, paired with her slightly rounded buttocks and perky breasts, made her body shapely and curvaceous. She was indeed a rare and stunning beauty.
Ren Xiaoyao gently laid Aiuchi Rina down on the bed, carefully untying the sash of her kimono as if handling a precious gem, fearing the slightest damage. Then, he carefully pulled the hem of her kimono aside, revealing her snow-white skin...

Volume 30, Chapter 8: The Trap of Lust.

Aiuchi Rina's beautiful eyes, as clear and bright as a deep pool, rippled with a dreamlike, alluring charm. Beads of
sweat trickled from her exquisitely sculpted nose, and the bright red hue flowing beneath her cheeks was as clear as jade. Her tender red lips breathed softly, and her two long, slender, and shapely white legs seemed to tremble weakly
, collapsing onto the bed. Her serpentine, alluring body made one's blood boil.
Through the thin undergarment, Ren Xiaoyao could clearly feel the beautiful woman's trembling, proudly erect, snow-white breasts, so full they could hardly be grasped in one hand. These trembling, proudly
erect "saintly peaks" stood firm, radiating beauty, like two tender flower buds about to bloom, swaying gently,
shy and delicate.
Ren Xiaoyao pulled Aiuchi Rina's blouse up to her shoulders, stopped, and gazed at her tenderly. Aiuchi Rina lay weakly,
turning her flushed face away, her beautiful eyes filled with a melancholy.
Ren Xiaoyao lifted Aiuchi Rina's back, reached out his left hand, and let the kimono slide down her shoulders, through her arms, and casually toss it onto the bedside
. Then he went to untie the sash of her undergarment.
With a soft moan, Aiuchi Rina hugged Ren Xiaoyao tightly. Her slender hand, seemingly intentionally, moved to his back, and
a silver needle, gleaming with a cold, azure light, appeared between his index and middle fingers, thrusting straight towards his "Lingtai" acupoint! The "Lingtai" acupoint is a vital point in the body, located in the depression below the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae
. It controls the yang energy of the area above the "Tanzhong" acupoint. If affected, it can cause numbness or tingling in half of the body, or even permanent disability.
Obsessed with lust, Ren Xiaoyao was oblivious, hooking the sash of Aiuchi Rina's undergarment and gently pulling.
As the sash untied, the silver needle pierced his body!
A gleam of wild joy flashed in Aiuchi Rina's eyes. She knew her seduction plan had succeeded completely; Ren Xiaoyao was now
a fish .
However, things didn't go as smoothly as Aiuchi Rina had imagined. Ren Xiaoyao, whose Lingtai acupoint was suppressed, didn't let out the expected scream of pain. Instead, he chuckled and
removed Aiuchi Rina's undergarment, which he had just undone. He lifted her beautifully curved chin and said calmly, "It's useless. Ten more needles won't help
." With a flick of his wrist, the undergarment fluttered to the ground, leaving Aiuchi Rina completely naked.
Aiuchi Rina's pretty face turned pale instantly, and she stammered, "You...you used the acupoint-closing technique!?"
Ren Xiaoyao's gaze lingered on the most mysterious part between Aiuchi Rina's legs, and he smiled leisurely, "Miss, this needle is fully charged, and the tip is even tempered..."
"The deadly poison of Blood Seals the Throat, even if you know the art of sealing acupoints, it probably won't be of much use."
Aiuchi Rina exclaimed in surprise, "You...you..."
Ren Xiaoyao raised his sword-like eyebrows and said leisurely, "I'm sorry, but our Central Plains martial arts world has a mysterious internal energy cultivation method. When
practicing it, one must sever all the meridians in one's body. After mastering it internal energy increases tenfold, making one impervious to all evil and poisons. I happen to know a little bit about it, so...hmph, you stabbed my Lingtai acupoint, I wasn't just
tickling you." Hearing
this, Aiuchi Rina calmed down and said coquettishly, "Oh dear, I was blind and made a mistake in my plans. Please let me go back ." She faced Ren Xiaoyao naked, as if she were wearing several layers of clothing, without the slightest shame or nervousness. Ren Xiaoyao stared at her full breasts and smiled meaningfully, "Want to leave? I'm afraid it won't be that easy." Ainai Rina's cheeks flushed instantly, her beautiful eyes shining with a dazzling light. She murmured, "Young Master Ren, you don't really want...you really want to be with me..." Her words were filled with alluring, exotic charm. Ren Xiaoyao gazed at her with lustful eyes, looking at her from the places every man wants to see to the places every man doesn't want to see. He chuckled, "I 'm a man, a passionate man. A beautiful foreign girl like you isn't someone you meet often. You should..." He laughed heartily. Ainai Rina blushed under his burning gaze and whispered, "If you intend to take me, tonight...tonight I'm yours." Before she could finish speaking, she fell into Ren Xiaoyao's arms again. The night was so gentle, and with her completely naked body, there wasn't a single spot where a needle could hide. Of course, even if there were needles, Aiuchi Rina wouldn't be able to hurt Ren Xiaoyao. So holding her now was perfectly safe, like being buried in a coffin. Ren Xiaoyao didn't know that the men who had once held her were now safely buried in the earth. Yet, on such a gentle night, with such a woman throwing herself into his arms, how could he, who prided himself on being a womanizer, refuse? Aiuchi Rina whispered something in Ren Xiaoyao's ear, and the latter grinned wickedly, grabbing a handful of his chest before lying down on the bed. Aiuchi Rina, infinitely shy, climbed onto Ren Xiaoyao and began to undress him, her delicate movements further arousing the most primal desires in his heart. Ren Xiaoyao's breathing became involuntary... His pace quickened, his fingers gently caressing the perfect curves of her body. Aiuchi Rina moaned softly, trembling with pleasure, her legs slowly curling up to encircle his waist, clinging tightly to his body like ivy. She reached for the bed curtains. Just as Ren Xiaoyao's reason was about to succumb to her alluring body, Aiuchi Rina suddenly raised her hand, letting out a sharp cry, and slapped Ren Xiaoyao hard on the forehead. The sudden, unexpected turn of events resulted in a spray of blood staining the bedsheets crimson. Amidst a scream, a figure tumbled off the bed—not Ren Xiaoyao, but Aiuchi Rina! Ren Xiaoyao's calm voice came from behind the half-drawn curtains: "I forgot to tell you, there's a mysterious martial art in the Central Plains that can reflect an opponent's attack back at the user. I happen to know a little bit about it. " " Aiuchi Rina collapsed to the ground, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. She gasped, 'You...are you a human or a ghost? Why...why could you predict my every move?' Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, arrogantly declaring, 'Of course I'm human, an exceptionally intelligent human.' Suddenly, Long Feiyun's annoyed voice rang out from outside the window: 'Keep bragging, keep bragging. Without Hanbi's superb medical skills, you wouldn't even know when you died at this vixen's hands.' As she spoke, the door suddenly opened, and Long Feiyun, Nangong Fengyi, Shinguji Mina, and other women entered one after another. Su Hanbi said softly, 'It was Xiaoyao who suspected Aiuchi was present; otherwise, how could I have discovered the secret?' Aiuchi Rina's body trembled violently, unable to conceal her astonishment, and she cried out, 'No, no way! You couldn't possibly see through my identity! Impossible! Absolutely !'" Ren Xiaoyao finished dressing and walked up to Aiuchi Rina, saying in a deep voice, "Indeed, if Furong hadn't been jealous and forced me to pick wild fruit, and if I had n't to watch her bathe, I wouldn't have been able to see through your treacherous intentions." Aiuchi Rina murmured, "Bathing? How could that be..." Ren Xiaoyao said coldly, "Remember that golden koi that jumped in front of you?" Aiuchi Rina's expression changed slightly, and she said in a trembling voice, "A golden koi?! You... what did you see?" Ren Xiaoyao's tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he sneered, "The golden koi brushed against the two nipples on your chest and jumped over them, but when it fell into the stream, it couldn't swim anymore! At the time , I found it strange. I thought that even if you didn't wash off the powder or shavings, it shouldn't have made the golden koi look like that. So I took your undergarments and had Hanbi examine them, and sure enough, they found a special ingredient on them." Su Hanbi smiled faintly and continued, " This is a juice extracted from a plant called 'Dove-Lavender.' It can tighten , meaning that women in their forties and fifties can use it to regain a youthful appearance. At the same time, it can arouse desire. Sano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka used it to seduce men everywhere. But everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Although Dove-Lavender juice has such miraculous effects, side effects are unavoidable. On the one hand, it will penetrate the skin and damage internal organs; on the other hand, it will erode the blood vessels and accelerate the user's aging. Of course, those with superb martial arts skills can resist these side effects with their internal strength, but for small animals like golden koi, even a slight touch will not escape disaster." Aiuchi Rina gradually regained her composure and said coldly, "If that's the case, why don't you expose me immediately and instead pretend that the three of us are weak-willed and seduced by me?" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a glint of light, then quickly concealed, and he said calmly, " First, a mere undergarment isn't enough to make you confess; second, I want to know if your purpose in approaching me was to secretly investigate and act as an inside agent, or to act alone; third... hehe, after exposing your schemes, I deliberately pretended to be lusting after your beauty and even wanted to sleep with you, simply to give you an opportunity to kill me and thus discover your true strength. From that palm strike just now, I've already determined that you, Igagaya, are one of the Five Beauties!" Aiuchi Rina's beautiful eyes suddenly gleamed with a strange light, and she smiled sinisterly, "That's right, I am none other than Yoshizawa Akiho, the third-ranked Jonin of Igagaya and one of the Five Beauties!" " In Chapter Nine of Volume Thirty, 'Cleverness Backfires,' before the words had even finished, Yoshizawa Akira suddenly leaped up, raising his palm to strike Su Hanbi. Ren Xiaoyao, seemingly anticipating this, gave Su Hanbi a wink. The latter feigned weakness, exchanging two blows before retreating. Long Feiyun and the others swarmed forward, pretending to block her, creating a large opening. Yoshizawa Akira seized the 'opportunity,' feinting an attack before retreating swiftly, evading the women's pursuit. He grabbed his clothes from the ground and darted out the window. Watching her receding figure, a confident smile appeared on Ren Xiaoyao's lips. He said in a deep voice, 'Feiyun, you, Fengyi, Fengzi, and Hanbi stay in the temple. No matter what happens, do not go out lightly.' The women all agreed. Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, straightened his disheveled clothes, and chased after her. "

He employed a feigned retreat tactic, intentionally letting Yoshizawa Akiho escape while secretly following behind her to discover Iga Valley's nearby lair and capture them all in one fell swoop.
Although it was dark, his innate, supreme qi-enhanced eyesight made it seem like daytime. Even from a distance of seventeen or eighteen paces, Ren Xiaoyao could clearly discern Yoshizawa Akiho's swift movements. He knew she ranked third among the Five Beauties, and her martial arts were even superior to Kusano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka, so he didn't get too close.
Yoshizawa Akiho was indeed cautious, sometimes stopping to look back, sometimes hiding in the bushes to secretly investigate, and even setting traps to prevent being followed. However, for Ren Xiaoyao, who was skilled in flying and whose entire pursuit was almost entirely in mid-air, everything she did was in vain.
Gradually, Yoshizawa Akiho began to relax her guard and quicken her pace. Ren Xiaoyao was secretly delighted and used all his strength to follow her at a leisurely pace.
When it comes to tracking down formidable enemies and concealing one's whereabouts, Ren Xiaoyao was second to none. Therefore, he was absolutely confident that he would not be discovered by Yoshizawa Akiho before reaching his destination.
Half an hour later, Yoshizawa Akiho arrived at a valley.
Seeing the treacherous terrain, with its imposing presence, it was the perfect place to build a secret lair and hide a large number of ninjas. Ren Xiaoyao was even more convinced that his plan was about to succeed.
Yoshizawa Akiho reached a high cliff and unexpectedly stopped, turning her white head to look at the rock where Ren Xiaoyao was hiding. She chuckled and said, "Little rascal, come out."
Ren Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat. He racked his brains but couldn't recall when he had shown any weakness. He thought that the other party was bluffing and deliberately testing him. He immediately held his breath.
Yoshizawa Akiho's beautiful eyes lit up with a strange light. She said softly, "Don't hide. I know you're behind me."
Ren Xiaoyao pressed himself against the rock and remained motionless.
Yoshizawa Akiho, with a seductive smile, said, "Still trying to hide? You've followed me all the way from the temple to here, aren't you tired? Come out quickly, let me loosen your muscles and relieve your fatigue, or if you want to continue what you didn't finish in the meditation room last night, I won't object." Her alluring tone, blunt and direct words, and innate seductive charm were enough to melt and move even the hardest heart.
Fortunately, Ren Xiaoyao was resolute and refused to show himself no matter how she called him.
Yoshizawa Akiho's tone suddenly turned cold, and he said coldly, "Indeed, you didn't reveal any flaws during the tracking, and I can't even feel your breath right now. But don't forget, I personally witnessed your wives fighting with a group of samurai. Even if their martial arts are not as good as mine, they wouldn't be far behind. They could easily hold out for five or six moves until you arrive to help. So I'm certain that you deliberately let me leave, hoping to find out where our Iga Valley group is gathering. This place is high up and open, and the only place you can hide is this rock. Where else can you hide if not here? Come out, my lord." "Xiaoyao."
Having said that, there was no point in Ren Xiaoyao hiding any longer. He strolled up to Yoshizawa Akiho and said with a smile, "As expected of an Iga Valley Jonin, your judgment is quite accurate."
Yoshizawa Akiho shrugged slightly, seemingly casually saying, "Do you think everyone is like Shinguji Mina, relying on her father's influence to become a Jonin at eighteen or nineteen? Which of us Five Beauties didn't work hard for decades to reach our current status? You think you can fool me with such a petty trick? You're far too stupid."
Ren Xiaoyao had always been the one to ridicule his opponents; when had he ever been exposed like this by an opponent—especially a woman? Ren Xiaoyao was greatly surprised . With a gleam in his eyes, he coldly said, "I admit I underestimated you, I underestimated the Iga Valley people. But... hehe, although the plan to lure you in failed, I've cornered you on a high cliff with only one path. So, are you going to obediently surrender, or let me make my move?"
Yoshizawa Akiho revealed a cunning smile, and said calmly, "I advise you to turn around and look carefully before you decide whether to capture me."
Ren Xiaoyao, of course, wouldn't be easily fooled, and said leisurely, "Trying to trick me into turning around and revealing my back to you? Dream on!" Yoshizawa Akiho
shrugged her shoulders and wrinkled her nose. "Hmph, believe it or not, I really didn't lie to you."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, drawing his Ice Soul Frost Sword with a "whoosh," pointing it at Yoshizawa Akibu, and said coldly, "Since you're so sure, I'll knock you down first, then I'll take a closer look."
Yoshizawa Akibu was terrified, his face turning pale, and he blurted out, "You...you know martial arts that can deflect attacks, how could I dare...to launch a sneak attack? Look, look back first."
Ren Xiaoyao thought for a moment, secretly considering that with the protective power of his innate supreme qi and the divine skill of the Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin, there were indeed few people in the world who could hurt him, so looking back wouldn't hurt. With that thought, he turned his back and glanced in the direction that Yoshizawa Akibu had come from, and saw flames shooting into the sky in the distance, turning half the sky crimson, and judging from the location, it seemed to be the temple where they were staying.
Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "A diversionary tactic! You...you..."
A sweet, charming smile played on Yoshizawa Akiho's lips as she said softly, "I told you before, you refused to turn back. Now you regret it, don't you?"
Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath, suppressing his inner tension, and said in a deep voice, "It's alright. These seniors are all top-tier experts. A mere fire won't harm them. I still have enough time to capture you."
Yoshizawa Akiho glanced at him with her captivating eyes and said calmly, "You think I arranged for the Iga Valley people to set fire to the temple? No, no, no, this fire is a prelude to a general offensive. The purpose is to clear the flowers and trees around the temple... I know you are all experts, but in the face of a raging fire, you're helpless. Once this fire..." "Destroy! The area around the temple is empty. Hundreds and thousands of wandering samurai, bows drawn, take turns firing. First, they'll turn your wives into pincushions, then they'll launch a full-scale attack. I doubt those old folks can withstand it."
Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say? Wandering samurai! Weren't the arsonists the Iga Valley warriors?"
Yoshizawa Akiho looked him over with eyes full of autumn water, and said coquettishly, "My silly brother, think about it carefully. This place is over a thousand miles from Kyoto. Where am I going to gather so many Iga Valley warriors? Fortunately, this area is a gathering place for wandering samurai, and I have some connections with a few big leaders, so naturally I had to ask them for help."
Ren Xiaoyao sneered, "Connections? I think it's more like illicit affairs! Those leaders are lusting after your beauty and are willing to send their men to their deaths. They are truly a despicable and shameless bunch." "You little scoundrel!"
Yoshizawa Akiho smiled sweetly, "Say what you will, anyway, in another hour or so, Shinguji Mina will be dead for sure, and my goal will be achieved."
Ren Xiaoyao muttered to himself, "An hour or
so... um, it's still not too late to go back now." Yoshizawa Akiho raised her pretty face to look at him, her eyes shooting out a bewitching and burning light, and said softly, "Hehe, trying to sneak back to save her, I'm afraid it won't be that easy. How about this, let's ignore everything, ignore everything, and indulge in passionate lovemaking. After the passion, I won't stop you from doing whatever you want." As she spoke, she twirled lightly in front of Ren Xiaoyao with a graceful, dance-like posture. With each turn, a piece of her clothing disappeared, sliding onto the mat. When she stopped and faced Ren Xiaoyao, she was completely naked. "I've never seen a handsome man like you in Japan," said passionately. "If you're willing, Mingbu can keep you company every day."
Ren Xiaoyao's lips curled into a wicked smile as he calmly replied, "If I'm not mistaken, you're over fifty. I have little interest in those old women who rely on 'foxtail grass' to maintain their youth. I was just half-heartedly entangled with you in the meditation room, and I still feel nauseous, let alone any physical intimacy."
Yoshizawa Mingbu's delicate body trembled violently, her face turning frosty. She was so angry she almost vomited blood, and roared, "Ren Xiaoyao, you... you're going too far! Be careful you don't leave alive!"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, arrogantly saying, "You?! Hahaha!"
Yoshizawa Mingbu's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent as she coldly said, "No, it's not just me."

Volume 30, Chapter 10: A Cunning Plan. Upon hearing

this, Ren Xiaoyao's face immediately turned pale. Before he could turn around, several familiar voices suddenly rang out behind him: "Mingbu, why did it take you so long to call
us out? You wouldn't have really taken a liking to him, would you?" "You know what, such a handsome young man, I'm somewhat fond of him too. Team Leader Togashi,
keep a backup plan later, don't kill him." "As long as he promises not to protect Shinguji Mina anymore, I can spare his life, otherwise... hmph!"
Ren Xiaoyao stared intently, and saw Kusano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, Togashi Yoshihiro, along with more than a dozen members of the Shinsengumi, emerging from the dense forest on both sides
, completely blocking the only path leading away from the cliff.
A hint of sadness and helplessness flickered in Yoshizawa Akiho's beautiful eyes as she sighed softly, "Oh dear, you refused to have sex with them, and now look what's happened, Nomizu
Moe and Yuuka are out. Even if you agreed to their request, you still wouldn't do it."
Ren Xiaoyao cursed Yoshizawa Akiho inwardly for her shamelessness, but on the surface, he remained calm and composed, saying lightly, "There's a saying in the Central Plains, 'Cleverness can
backfire ' Today, my scheme failed, and I'm trapped here by you all. It's truly... Tell me, what do you plan to do? Are you going to swarm us or
fight one-on-one?" As he spoke, he had already analyzed the situation. Although the enemy outnumbered them, apart from Nomizu Moe, Yuuka Haneda, and Yoshihiro Togashi, the rest were not a threat.
Even if he fought four against one, his chances of winning were still around 70%. The problem was that the wandering samurai were besieging the temple. If he didn't rush to their aid soon, it would inevitably lead to irreversible
consequences. Yoshizawa Akiho, Hisano Mizuki, and Haneda Yuuka are all equally skilled in martial arts. He is confident that he can defeat one of them in ten moves; against the second, he can defeat them in about
thirty ; against all three, it will take at least a hundred moves; and with the addition of Togashi Yoshihiro, who was able to escape from the two great skills of Heavenly Thunder Without Delusion and Holy Dragon Severing Nine Heavens,
it would take at least half an hour to deal with them. In addition, considering the time spent traveling, there is simply no time to stop the more than a thousand wandering samurai from launching a fierce attack on the temple.
Yoshihiro Togashi said loudly, "We have investigated your identity. To be honest, the Central Plains martial arts world and Japan have little to do with each other. Iga Valley
has no desire to provoke the Heavenly Pole Sect, which has 100,000 followers. As long as you agree to stop providing protection to Mina Shinguji, we will let you leave immediately."
Akiho Yoshizawa took out a cylinder from his pocket and said, "This is a green flare used as a signal. Once the wandering samurai see it, they will
stop attacking the temple. I'll give you half an incense stick's time to think it over. Whether you want me to release the flare depends on your answer... Remember, only half
an incense stick's time. Don't wait any longer."
Ren Xiaoyao's mind stirred slightly. He took a few steps closer to Akiho Yoshizawa and said with a smile, " Actually, it's not impossible for me to back down, but... if I send Mina back to
Hueco Mundo, the head of Shinguji Temple will surely offer a generous reward. Perhaps on the way... hehe, with my methods, I can make Mina repay me with her body..."
Yoshihiro Togashi laughed heartily, saying smugly, "We in Iga Valley have the support of the royal family. Just hand over Shinguji Mina obediently, and money and women will be no
problem ."
Ren Xiaoyao gradually approached Yoshizawa Akiho, feigning nonchalance, saying, "I consider myself a womanizer, and I've had countless affairs in the Central Plains. If I'm not mistaken, a beauty
like Mina is unparalleled in Japan. What will you offer to compensate me?" He was bargaining verbally, but secretly gathering his strength,
ready to snatch .
Yoshizawa Akiho remained oblivious, her beautiful eyes gleaming with cunning. She softly uttered, "Every spring, Iga Valley recruits
beautiful young girls under the age of thirteen from all over the country and sends them to the Spring Palace near Kyoto. There, our Five Beauties train them into captivating
beauties , exclusively for the enjoyment of royalty and nobility. While the most outstanding among them may not match Shinguji Mina in looks, their skills in bed are far superior.
Young Master Ren is a man of passion..." "You surely know which girl is more worth playing with, don't you?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled lewdly, seemingly "greatly interested" in the promises made by the Iga Valley Clan. He suddenly lunged forward, rushing to Yoshizawa Akiho's side, ready to
forcibly snatch it, when he heard Togashi Yoshihiro coldly say, "I still have a red flare to cancel the ceasefire order. Even if you snatch the green
one from Akiho, it'll be in vain."
Ren Xiaoyao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head; his raised right hand involuntarily went limp.
Togashi Yoshihiro's face hardened, and he said coldly, "Hmph, no need for any more tricks. I'll only ask you one question: yes or no?"
He then retreated, reaching the narrowest point of the winding path at the edge of the cliff.
Ren Xiaoyao gasped. Since he couldn't seize the flare, he planned to fight his way out and rush back to the temple. Togashi Yoshihiro guarding the key point clearly
saw through his intentions. Indeed, with his eighth-level Ascending Immortal Transformation technique, he could easily perform eight leaps and bounds. However,
escaping the combined attacks of three top fighters—Kusano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, and Yoshizawa Akiho—and then avoiding the strong resistance of Togashi Yoshihiro and the Shinsengumi samurai was clearly unrealistic. With good luck,
he might suffer minor injuries; with bad luck, he might lose his life.
Seeing Ren Xiaoyao in a dilemma, Yoshizawa Akiho smiled smugly and glanced at him, saying, "Chief Togashi is
the chief strategist of our Iga Valley. Don't even think about playing any tricks on him. Well, make a decision quickly; they're waiting for you." Knowing that she couldn't
bewitch , she spoke softly and gently, trying to confuse him.
Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a long time, then suddenly looked up at the stars and moon in the sky. His deep eyes shone brightly, and he sighed with deep emotion, "Alas, I never thought that
I, Ren Xiaoyao, would end up in such a desperate situation."
Seeing the bitter smile on Ren Xiaoyao's face and the desolation in his voice, Yoshizawa Akiho, Hisano Mizuki, Haneda Yuuka, and Togashi Yoshihiro assumed that he had no other choice but to hand over
Shinguji Mina. They exchanged joyful glances, especially Yoshizawa Akiho, who was in charge of the operation. Her joy was indescribable. From
the exposure and being surrounded, to turning the tables and counterattacking the enemy, the whole process was perfect and flawless. She would definitely receive "special" praise from the sect leader in the future.
Just then, Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with lightning, and he launched a sudden attack. His innate supreme qi surged forth from his entire body, forming
a net of energy resembling hundreds of intertwined threads. This invisible net of energy not only withstood the opponent's dense sword strikes but also
generated a powerful rotating force, forcing the two to retreat repeatedly, unable to approach the cliff top. At the same time, he used his movement technique to dart behind Yoshizawa Akiho, and before she
could react while still caught up in her excitement, he spread his fingers and firmly gripped her throat.
Kusano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka struggled to break free of the net and rushed to the cliff top, only to find Yoshizawa Akiho already subdued by Ren Xiaoyao, unable to move an inch. Only then
did they realize they had fallen for his trick.
Yoshizawa Akiho's throat was being choked, and his face involuntarily began to contort. He stammered in a hoarse voice, "Fine, Ren Xiaoyao, you...you cheated!"
Ren Xiaoyao said leisurely, "We have a saying in the Central Plains, 'The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' You can only blame yourselves for being too
arrogant and underestimating your opponent. You didn't expect me to retaliate."
Kusano Mizuki scolded, "Release Akiho, or you'll regret it!"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, mocking, "You? Or the three of you? Hahaha, if I hadn't been in such a hurry to get back to save people, I don't know who would have gotten
the short end of the stick ."
Togashi Yoshihiro was the calmest, and said loudly, "Ren Xiaoyao, what will it take for you to stop?"
Ren Xiaoyao's smile faded, and he said slowly, word by word, "Team Leader Togashi is a smart man, he shouldn't need me to say more."
Togashi Yoshihiro's face was gloomy, and he said in a deep voice, "Aren't you afraid that I'll abandon Akiho and trap you here to die?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled mischievously and said arrogantly, "Fighting four people might take some effort, but dealing with three is a different story. I'll only ask you one question:
yes or no, answer immediately."
Haneda Yuuka cried out urgently, "What if we don't agree?"
When Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a fierce light, he shouted, "Then I'll strangle her, and then kill you all." With that, he tightened his grip, and Yoshizawa
Akiho immediately let out a painful cry.
Kusano Mizuki and Haneda Yuuka, who had become her disciples at the same time and learned martial arts together, had fought their way up to the ranks of Shinnin and earned the title of one of the Five Beauties.
Naturally, they shared a deep sisterly bond and were eager to agree to all of Ren Xiaoyao's conditions to release the person immediately. However, this operation was of paramount importance, and Kubo Kousuke had personally designated Togashi
Yoshihiro to be in full charge, with no one allowed to interfere. Although the two women held high positions in Iga Valley, they had no authority to command the people present.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and impatiently urged, "Team Leader Togashi, I'm in a hurry to get back and don't have time to wait. Will you make way? Give me a quick answer
."
Togashi Yoshihiro narrowed his eyes, and with a sudden, resolute expression, said in a deep voice, "Fine, you've got it." With that, he waved his hand, and the Shinsengumi samurai immediately
parted to the sides, obediently making way.

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