A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 22

Volume 30, Chapter 11: Burning of the Temple

– “Sister Long, something terrible has happened!” The women were gathered in the main hall, waiting for Ren Xiaoyao to wipe out the Iga Valley stronghold and return safely. Lin Yuxiu, who had been itching to wander around, suddenly burst through the door, crying out, “Outside the temple… hundreds and thousands of wandering samurai have suddenly appeared outside the temple! They’re setting fires… they’re trying to burn us alive!”
“What?! Hundreds and thousands!” Long Feiyun’s expression changed drastically. She grabbed her Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword and flew out.
The temple they were staying at was located on a hilltop, offering a commanding view. Standing outside the temple gate, they could see hundreds of feet of land below. Countless fires raged in the surrounding forests, thick smoke billowing and obscuring the sky. Outside the forest, crowds thronged, shouting deafeningly – clearly a premeditated attack.
“What do we do? If we don’t think of something, we’ll be burned to death!” Lin Yuxiu nearly burst into tears.
"Don't worry, the fire won't reach the temple." Long Feiyun glanced around and pondered, "Look, most of the trees around the temple have been cut down, and huge stones have been piled up to form a wall, which is like an artificial firebreak. No matter how fierce the fire is, it won't be able to threaten us." As she
spoke, the slender figure of Shinguji Mina flashed behind the brick wall. She hesitated several times, but ultimately did not go forward. Instead, she hid in the shadows and quietly listened to everyone's conversation.
"Then... then why did they set the fire?" Lin Yuxiu asked anxiously, feeling somewhat relieved.
"They'll simply clear out the surrounding trees, leaving us nowhere to hide or escape," Long Feiyun said calmly. "Indeed, without the shade of the trees, the area will be completely empty, but..."
"But they'll have to be able to force us out," Yi Tianhan said coldly. "Hmph, let alone a few hundred samurai, even if there are thousands, they'll still be my dead."
"What if they surround us without attacking, only using fire arrows?" Fu Longyuan stepped forward slowly, his face grave as he pondered. "In that case, we'll have no choice but to abandon the temple and break out, but... facing thousands of wandering samurai, including many chunin and even jonin, just dealing with the initial volley of arrows will be difficult. The four of us and Feiyun might be able to break through, but what about Fengyi, Fengzi, and the others..."
"Simple. You, me, Brother Meng, and Mr. Deng will charge out together, while the rest of you stay in the temple for now." Yi Tianhan focused his eyes and sneered. "This is a good opportunity to see whether these wandering, ownerless warriors are more powerful or the combined forces of the former Asura Sect and the Absolute Kill are more formidable." "
Hahaha, back in the Five Clouds Mountain battle, Brother Yi must have been entangled with Burning Sun and Absolute Moon, and didn't get enough of killing, otherwise why would you be so excited today?" Meng Fei stroked his beard and laughed.
"Now is not the time to dwell on the past or be careless with the enemy." Deng Lei said in his uniquely hoarse tone. "Think about it carefully. Why did they set fire to the temple after Xiaoyao left? Isn't there something fishy about that?"
"It's nothing more than a diversionary tactic. They think that by sending Xiaoyao away, they can take care of us. They're dreaming!" Yi Tianhan showed a dismissive expression and sneered.
"Brother Yi and Brother Meng, working together, should be able to defeat Xiaoyao, right?" Deng Lei said calmly.
"Hmm... what do you mean?" Yi Tianhan asked, taken aback.
"You two went all out at the Tottori Sand Dunes, Iga Valley should know your strength. If the other side is trying to lure us away and take the opportunity to attack the temple, just luring Xiaoyao out is far from enough," Deng Lei said thoughtfully.
"That's right, with Xiaoyao's martial arts, it would take at least four or five Jonin to hold him off. Iga Valley simply cannot spare any experts to attack the temple. A few hundred rabble can never take Mina away from us." Long Feiyun exclaimed in shock, "So... so the other side's target was Xiaoyao from the beginning, and the raging fire and these wandering samurai were all tools to buy time and prevent us from going to his aid!"
"Big brother, big brother he..." Lin Yuxiu cried out anxiously.
"Xiuxiu, don't worry, Xiaoyao will be alright," Nangong Fengzi quickly comforted her.
"With Xiaoyao's martial arts skills, even if the Five Beauties plus Yoshihiro Togashi were to join forces, they might not be able to defeat him. Besides..." Meng Fei took a deep breath and said frankly, "Besides, even if he can't beat him, Xiaoyao can at least escape. He possesses the three greatest lightness skills of the world: Flying Immortal Transformation, Crossing
the River on a Reed, and Illusory Shadow Capture. He also has the Innate Supreme Qi and the Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin Force protecting him. I believe no one in the world can stop him." "It's been more than half an hour, and that idiot still hasn't returned." Shui Furong's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her face full of worry. She murmured, "Could... could something have happened to him!"
“Iga Valley has always obeyed the orders of the Japanese royal family. I don’t think they would dare to kill for the sake of Miss Shinguji. You must know that Xiaoyao is the Champion Marquis bestowed by the Emperor. He represents not only himself, not only our Tianji Sect, but also the prestige of the entire Song Dynasty. If anyone from Iga Valley dares to harm him, it will not only cause a conflict in the martial arts world, but also lead to animosity between the two countries.” Nangong Fengyi suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes flashing with fearlessness, and said quietly, “Kubo Kousuke must be a shrewd and calculating person to have reached his current position. I don’t think he would be so stupid as to…”
“Fengyi, you are too naive!” Long Feiyun’s pupils contracted, her beautiful eyes flashing with a sharp light, and she said coldly, “The reason why the other party lured Xiaoyao away from this temple was to avoid being seen by everyone and to find a secluded place to strike. At that time, they can easily deny everything and even frame other sects.”
Shinguji Mina’s ears seemed to be struck by lightning, her hands and feet turned cold, and her heart pounded violently. No one knew Igagaya's strength better than her. To maintain its position as the top assassin organization in Japan, Igagaya relied not only on the support of the nine Jonin, including the Five Beauties, and the Japanese royal family, but also on the ruthless methods employed: traps, poisons, ambushes, and assassinations. Even the Hokushin Itto-ryu, the leader of the Seven Great Schools, wasn't entirely confident of victory once the two sides entered a large-scale, hostile conflict. No matter how skilled Ren Xiaoyao was, he was ultimately alone, and his arrogant, disdainful nature made him vulnerable to being caught off guard and killed.
Shinguji Mina grew increasingly anxious. She knew that Kurosaki Masayoshi's identity had been perfectly concealed all along, and the reason the Igagaya members were trying so hard to eliminate Ren Xiaoyao was entirely because of her! Seeing Ren Xiaoyao gone to track Yoshizawa Akiho and not returning for a long time, she could no longer stand idly by. She had to save Ren Xiaoyao, the man who had protected her at all costs.
Shinguji Mina returned to her meditation room, changed into a more fitted outfit, and quietly slipped out of the temple's back gate. The surrounding flames painted the sky a fiery red, and the trees on both sides of the road were ablaze, a wave of heat hitting her face. Shinguji Mina used her agility to swiftly move through the gaps between the trees, where the flames hadn't yet completely engulfed them. Despite her efforts to avoid them, her face still felt burning hot. She had to use her internal energy to endure the heat,
walking for about a hundred paces, but still hadn't escaped the dense forest. Just as Shinguji Mina was growing anxious, a large, burning tree suddenly fell. Fortunately, she reacted quickly, using her Illusionary Shadow Technique to dodge it, thus avoiding being burned alive. As soon as her feet touched the ground, a thick cloud of smoke billowed in with the wind. Caught off guard, Shinguji Mina coughed loudly, choked by the smoke. When she tried to hold her breath, a sudden dizziness washed over her.
With her profound cultivation, she shouldn't have ended up in such a predicament if she had managed her energy properly. However, she was constantly worried about Ren Xiaoyao's safety and had been running frantically out of the temple since leaving. The fierce fire forced her to focus all her energy on fighting it off. She was exhausted after covering only a hundred zhang (approximately 50 meters), and the thick smoke finally broke
her. Shinguji Mina collapsed to the ground, her teeth clenched, trying to struggle but unable to get up. Looking at the raging flames around her, Shinguji Mina closed her eyes in despair. She knew she was doomed…
Suddenly, she heard a whooshing sound from her left. A whirlwind carrying a gray-blue light swept in, and wherever the blue light touched, the flames immediately parted, reaching her in an instant.
Shinguji Mina assumed the other party had come to kidnap her, and a pang of sorrow gripped her heart. She thought to herself that it would be one thing to be burned alive, but to fall into the hands of a wandering samurai would surely result in endless humiliation. She couldn't help but gasp, reaching for her hairpin, intending to end her own life. But when she saw that it was Ren Xiaoyao who had come, though her body was burning hot, her heart was filled with boundless joy!
Ren Xiaoyao rushed to Shinguji Mina's side, his left hand encircling her slender waist, and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll take you out." With his right hand, he raised the Ice Soul Frost Sword, channeling his energy and swinging it swiftly. The immense innate internal energy, combined with the millennia-old chill attached to the sword, burst forth, instantly shattering the sea of fire and creating a passage.
After traveling about several dozen feet, Ren Xiaoyao saw that Minako Shinguji was drenched in sweat and breathing rapidly. Fearing that she couldn't withstand the pressure, he lightly touched the ground with his toes, leaped into the air, and used his "Soaring Upwards" technique to fly into the air as if riding the clouds. In an instant, he passed more than ten large trees that were burning fiercely.

Ahead

stood a grove of cedar trees, each more than ten feet tall, completely engulfed in flames, truly blotting out the sun. Ren Xiaoyao knew that even if he used his "Flying Immortal Transformation" technique, he couldn't get past them. He gritted his teeth, used his "One Reed Crossing the River" technique, and rushed forward at top speed.
The fire intensified, and Ren Xiaoyao focused all his attention on protecting Shinguji Mina, completely disregarding his own safety. He channeled his innate supreme qi to form a net of qi composed of hundreds of intertwined threads around his body to protect him from the raging fire. His sleeves and clothes were burned with holes by the sparks, his handsome face was blackened by soot, and his hair was singed, making him look as disheveled as could be.
Seeing this, Mina Shinguji felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. No man had ever risked his life to save her like this, completely disregarding his own. Her girlish heart trembled, and she couldn't help but cry out, "Young Master Ren, you...you don't need to worry about me! If this continues, neither of us will be able to escape!"
Ren Xiaoyao raised his sword and shattered two large trees in front of him, panting, "No, I said I would send you safely back to Nara, even if it meant sacrificing my life..." Before he could finish speaking, a massive log, as thick as a waist trunk and engulfed in flames, fell from mid-air, crashing down on Mina Shinguji. Mina Shinguji
cried out in alarm. She knew that Ren Xiaoyao was using his sword to clear a path and had no time to retaliate or defend himself. Flames surrounded him from all sides, and even with his excellent lightness skills, he was helpless. She was so frightened that her beautiful face turned pale. At the critical moment, Ren Xiaoyao roared and suddenly raised his left hand, using his own flesh and blood to block the potentially fatal blow for Shinguji Mina.
"Crack!" The giant tree not only didn't fall to the side, but the impact nearly sent him staggering back several steps, almost collapsing. Shinguji Mina was bewildered as to why Ren Xiaoyao, with his profound internal energy, was so weak, until the sparks that flew from the tree fell away just inches from his body. Only then did she realize that Ren Xiaoyao had concentrated all his power around her, sparing no effort to ensure her safety, while he himself… Shinguji
Mina's heart trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. At that moment, she fell deeply in love with Ren Xiaoyao, with this man of deep affection, loyalty, and unwavering commitment.
When Ren Xiaoyao appeared outside the temple gate carrying Shinguji Mina, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei… everyone was stunned. If it weren't for the familiar light-footed movement, they simply couldn't believe that the disheveled, disheveled, tattered, and dark-skinned man before them was Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao rushed to the group at his fastest speed, urgently calling out, "Hanbi, hurry… quickly check if Mina is alright!"
Shinguji Mina's beautiful eyes welled up with tears. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and said sadly, "I'm fine, Sister Su, please heal Xiaoyao first, heal her first."
Su Hanbi noticed the blisters on Ren Xiaoyao's left hand and exclaimed, "Xiaoyao, what happened to you…"
Ren Xiaoyao tore his clothes to the ground, panting heavily, "It's a long story…" "...Ahem, there are over a thousand wandering samurai outside the forest. They'll attack as soon as the fire goes out. You...you help Mina back to rest first. My little injury is nothing serious. We need to prepare immediately. There'll be another good fight later."
Fu Longyuan pondered, "In that case, we don't need to stay here. This fire will burn for at least an hour or two. Let's go to the main hall to discuss our strategy before coming out to meet the enemy."
Ren Xiaoyao changed into clean clothes and rushed to the main hall without even applying burn ointment.
Everyone except Shinguji Mina and Su Hanbi was gathered there. Ren Xiaoyao briefly recounted what happened after being tricked to the cliff top by Yoshizawa Akiho. Just as he was about to share his thoughts on how to deal with the enemy, a sudden inspiration struck him. He immediately stopped speaking and began to meditate and regulate his breathing.
Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, "Big brother, why aren't you saying anything? Everyone's waiting for your idea."
Yi Tianhan laughed loudly and said, "Hmph, a mere rabble, why even consider them? Fu boy, Brother Meng, Mr. Deng, and I will each kill one side. You all stay here and guard the temple. I think even if a hundred or so manage to get through, with Xiaoyao and Feiyun here..."
Shui Furong suddenly stamped her foot and interrupted, "Master, what are you saying? Your disciple was hoping you would let more warriors in so they could have a good fight." Nangong
Fengyi said softly, "After all, this is a Buddhist temple. It's not good to start a bloodbath."
Deng Lei said coldly, "I won't offend others unless they offend me. These guys are blind and dared to mess with us. They deserve to be slaughtered until their bodies are strewn across the ground and rivers of blood flow!"
Fu Longyuan slammed his hand on the table and said fiercely: “That’s right! We’ve roamed the martial world for decades, and the wicked and petty have always fled at the mere mention of our name. We’ve never been trapped in a temple by a fire, reduced to such a humiliating state! If we don’t vent our anger today, I’ll relinquish the title of ‘Xiaoxiang Sword Immortal’!”
Long Feiyun turned her beautiful face away, her eyes pleading, and said softly, “Seniors, please calm down, okay? I understand your feelings, but please consider this: this is Fusang, not the Central Plains. How will we explain killing hundreds of people to the authorities? The purpose of our trip to Fusang is to rescue Senior Hua from the Hokushin Itto-ryu and safely return her to the Central Plains. We shouldn’t cause any unnecessary trouble.”
Nangong Fengyi interjected, “The wandering samurai surrounding the temple were only instigated by Yoshizawa Akiho; they weren’t deliberately opposing us. Besides, they aren’t necessarily all heinous criminals. We shouldn’t kill them all.” "If that's the case..."
Yi Tianhan said emotionally, "What you said is very true, but the current situation is that the other side is determined to kill us, and we have no choice but to fight back in self-defense. If they were all genin, I could naturally show mercy and try not to take their lives, but if they are top chunin or jonin, we have to go all out in battle and cannot afford to be negligent in the slightest. Once we hit them, it's hard to stop the force."
Long Feiyun frowned and said softly, "I have another concern, which is that Togashi Yoshihiro and his group may return and sneak into the temple while we are busy dealing with the wandering samurai, and forcibly take away Shinguji. You know, Xiaoyao is injured, and the sisters have to be distracted to protect Zhengliang, so it's really... really hard to protect her completely."
Lin Yuxiu stretched lazily and said softly, "If we could think of a way to let..." "Hundreds of wandering samurai outside the fire gave up in the face of difficulty, so how
could we not deal with the people of Iga Valley?" Meng Fei sighed and said with a bitter smile, "Give up in the face of difficulty? It's easier said than done. If this were in the Central Plains, our reputations might have some deterrent effect, but now... sigh, it's easier said than done."
Ren Xiaoyao, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly laughed, attracting everyone's attention. His tiger eyes flashed with light, and he said confidently, "Isn't it just about making them give up in the face of difficulty? I'll do it!"

Volume 30, comparable to the ultimate kill in Iga Valley, Chapter 13, Luring the Tiger Away from the Mountain.

Two hours later, samurai all over the mountains and plains, each wielding a sharp blade, marched towards the temple, stepping on the rubble. Although the various forces were not under one command, their cooperation was very good. The terrain to the north and south was open, filled with elite troops wielding samurai swords, while the terrain to the east and west was treacherous, mostly filled with archers and crossbowmen.
Long Feiyun observed for a moment, then said with emotion, "After all, they were once ninjas; every action they take is well-trained, far superior to ordinary bandits. If it were a direct confrontation, they would indeed be difficult to deal with."
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "Speaking of well-trained, I am reminded of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry personally trained by Yelü Xiezhen. Unfortunately, they escaped in the Battle of Xunfeng, and they will surely become a major threat to our dynasty in the future." At this moment, he still had the mood to discuss matters of state, which showed his composure and confidence.
Yi Tianhan's expression was solemn. He said in a deep voice, "Xiaoyao, have you thought this through? Do you really want to do this?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "This is the only way to avoid killing anyone and force the opponent to back down."
Yi Tianhan interrupted, "I'm worried that your innate supreme qi is not yet fully developed, and with the forest burned and the surrounding area empty, I'm afraid..."
Fu Longyuan spat out a series of annoying sounds, mockingly saying, "Come on, old ghost Yi, we all know Xiaoyao's skill better than anyone else. Aren't you just afraid you won't have enough to kill later and won't get your fill of killing?"
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles. Yi Tianhan blushed for the first time, stammering, "I... hehe, Xiaoyao, leave a few, leave a few for me to kill."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled mysteriously, "Don't worry, Senior Yi, you'll get your share."
A minute passed . A second passed, and the wandering samurai drew ever closer, quickly surrounding the temple. Several samurai who appeared to be leaders stepped forward, shouting, "Hand over Shinguji Mina, and we'll spare your lives!"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed, then frowned, saying, "Judging by your attire, you're probably not all together. Oh dear, handing her over isn't a problem, the problem is, who should I hand her over to?"
The leaders shouted in unison, "Hand her over to me!"
Ren Xiaoyao shrugged nonchalantly, saying, "All of them? This..."
The tall, thin man at the front said coldly, "You want to incite us to turn against each other? Dream on!"
Shinguji Mina, standing behind him, suddenly turned pale, tugging at Ren Xiaoyao's sleeve and whispering, "Xiaoyao, what do we do? They've seen through us." She had just come out of the meditation room and was unaware of Ren Xiaoyao's plan.
Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, then turned back and gestured to Shinguji Mina to plug her ears with her fingers. Although Shinguji Mina didn't understand his meaning, she did as he said.
Ren Xiaoyao's tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light. Standing tall and proud, he suddenly flicked his sleeves and let out a long roar. The dragon-like cry instantly soared into the sky, like thunderclaps piercing the heavens. Even though Shinguji Mina had plugged her ears, she was still shaken to her core, mesmerized, and unsteady on her feet. Fortunately, she had practiced the secret internal energy of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style under the tutelage of Shinguji Ryūken since childhood, and her foundation was extremely solid. Otherwise, how could she have become an ninja at the age of eighteen? Therefore, although she was closest to Ren Xiaoyao, she did not fall. As for the other women, they had already tightly plugged their ears with cotton balls. Although their skill levels differed, they were not greatly affected.
The howling sound lingered on and on, leaving the warriors around the temple speechless, their faces showing astonishment. Then their expressions turned to unbearable pain, as if they were being tortured. After a few moments, one by one they collapsed to the ground, their bodies writhing and rolling. Only a few dozen Chunin managed to stand, each leaning against a tree, struggling against the howling sound. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down their foreheads, their facial muscles twitching uncontrollably. Several times they tried to reach for their ears, but only managed to touch them a few inches away before letting go.
Several leaders, seeing the situation was dire, tried to rush forward to stop them, but seeing the murderous gazes of Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan beside Ren Xiaoyao, they were immediately terrified and dared not approach, standing frozen in place, completely focused on resisting the howling's onslaught.
Ren Xiaoyao was using the Shaolin's ultimate technique, the Vajra Lion's Roar, channeling all his internal energy into the sound waves, unleashing them in all directions. Although he only saw Xiao Chen demonstrate it once on the day of the martial arts tournament, even with exceptional talent, it was impossible for him to fully grasp its mysteries. Fortunately, Yi Tianhan was constantly eager to defeat Xiao Chen and had conducted a thorough investigation into all of his martial arts, especially the thirteen Shaolin martial arts techniques, including the Vajra Lion's Roar. He possessed profound knowledge of them, and Ren Xiaoyao learned everything from him. With his own contemplation, he actually managed to learn it. The innate supreme qi part originated from the Yi Jin Jing, which was the best complement to the Shaolin martial arts, and its powerful and vigorous strength was even greater. When used in combination, its power was in no way inferior to Xiao Chen's personal demonstration.
The few dozen Chunin who had managed to stand their ground gradually gave way, and even the Jonin leader and the prepared Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi were struggling to hold on. Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan, watching this, were deeply moved. Ren Xiaoyao's cultivation was indeed superior to theirs, and even only slightly inferior to top masters like Dugu Yu, Guiming Shenjun, and Hentian. The "Number One Divine Skill Under Heaven," the Innate Supreme Qi, truly lived up to its name. In
less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Chunin began to collapse one after another. Only seven or eight of them managed to remain standing. Ren Xiaoyao waved his long sleeve, silencing his roar. The warriors, as if relieved of a great burden, breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around, most of the weaker individuals on the periphery were knocked unconscious by his power, some even losing control of their bladder and bowels. Before Ren Xiaoyao could speak, those who still had the strength to stand dropped their weapons and fled in disarray, not daring to even glance back. The leaders,
all former high-ranking ninjas with decades of experience in the martial world, had never witnessed such power before. They stood there dumbfounded, their faces filled with fear, speechless.
Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, his voice shaking the house, and arrogantly declared, "So? Now, do you want to take turns fighting me, or do you all attack at once?"
Still shaken by his roar, the leaders were terrified. Seeing that Ren Xiaoyao still possessed such power after his roar, the depth of his inner strength and the length of his energy flow were unheard of and unseen. They were all shocked and frightened, unable to utter a word for a moment. The tall, thin man bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Young hero, your martial arts are superb. We admit we are no match for you. The reason we have come to bother you today is because we were misled by the people of Iga Valley. We hope..."
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "Ignorance is no excuse. Please go back. The brothers who were knocked unconscious by me need to rest in bed. They should not drink alcohol for twelve hours, or their lives may be in danger."
The leaders were surprised by his kindness and looked at each other in bewilderment. Little did they know that Ren Xiaoyao, whose arm was burned by the fire and who almost lost his name in the forest, did not not want to pursue the matter. It was just that the people he expected to take the opportunity to attack, such as Yoshihiro Togashi and Akiho Yoshizawa, had not appeared, which puzzled him greatly. He feared that the other party had other schemes and had to send the leaders away as soon as possible to avoid them getting in the way and causing any complications.
The slender man bowed and thanked him, saying, "Young hero, your righteousness is deeply appreciated. If you ever need Uchiha Ju's help in the future, please send a message, and the Sand Village will be at your service." He then bowed again and turned to leave.
Ren Xiaoyao glanced at the other leaders and chuckled, "What, you all still want to keep her here?"
The leaders exchanged glances, their lips twitching slightly, hesitant to speak.
Long Feiyun coldly said, "Don't worry, we won't go back on our word and kill you while you're gone."
The leaders breathed a sigh of relief and ran away, their previous ferocious expressions completely gone.
Lin Yuxiu spat lightly, saying irritably, "Hmph, I thought they were some kind of experts, but they're all just bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. It's a good thing we didn't fight, otherwise, wouldn't that have tarnished my precious sword?"
Long Feiyun said quietly, "If they had any backbone, why would they leave their respective schools and become these despised traitors? In comparison, that Uchiha Ju is much more upright and magnanimous."
Shinguji Mina's eyes brightened, and she said softly, "She was, after all, the acting head of the Kagami Shinmei-ryu; she's not someone ordinary people can compare to."
Ren Xiaoyao's thoughts stirred slightly, and he was about to ask a question when Yi Tianhan interrupted, "Xiaoyao, didn't we agree to leave a few for me to kill? Why did you release them all?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, then quickly dimmed. He pondered, "Originally, I expected that Yoshihiro Togashi and Akiho Yoshizawa wouldn't give up so easily and would definitely mingle among the wandering samurai, waiting for an opportunity to ambush us. I wanted to ask Senior Yi to handle them, but who would have thought..." Before he could finish speaking, the sound of clashing weapons suddenly rang out
from inside the temple. Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "Not good! They've used a diversionary tactic! Their target isn't Mina, it's Masayoshi!" As he spoke, he moved swiftly, rushing towards the meditation room where Masayoshi Kurosaki resided. In no more than ten strikes, Ren Xiaoyao arrived, only to find blood everywhere and several figures leaping over the wall and disappearing into the distance.

Yoshihiro

Togashi, Akiho Yoshizawa, Mizuki Kusano, and Yuuka Haneda were among them. Ren Xiaoyao's heart sank, and he trembled as he pushed open the half-closed door.
A deathly pale-faced Kurosaki Masayoshi lay trembling by the bedside. Meng Fei, who was protecting him on the left, was panting heavily, his left arm bleeding profusely, half of his clothes stained red. Deng Lei was in slightly better condition, but his sleeve was also torn with a large gash about a foot long.
Ren Xiaoyao rushed forward and cried out, "Master, are you alright?"
Before Meng Fei could speak, Deng Lei interrupted, "How could you be alright? Your master was attacked from three sides by Yoshizawa Akiho, Hisano Mizuki, and Haneda Yuuka. If it weren't for the Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin Force, his entire arm would have been dislocated. You tell me..."
Meng Fei quickly pressed several acupoints on his left arm, sealing them, and interrupted, "Alright, this has nothing to do with Xiaoyao. It was just that we were careless and they took advantage of us."
Deng Lei angrily said, "Nothing to do with you? If we had left a few more people behind, it wouldn't have been like this... Sigh, you've been in the business for decades, and you can count the number of times you've been injured on one hand. Today..." He stopped abruptly, as if remembering something.
As everyone arrived, Su Hanbi quickly fetched a medicine box and bandaged Meng Fei's wounds. Yi Tianhan said in surprise, "That's not right. In such a short time, they could only exchange three or four blows at most. You and Mr. Deng, one is skilled in close combat and the other has unparalleled hidden weapon skills. How could you possibly have been outmaneuvered?"
Deng Lei sneered, "Outmaneuvered? Yoshihiro Togashi took five of my bone-piercing nails; he won't recover for at least half a month. Ayumi Yoshizawa struck Brother Meng with a palm, causing him to vomit blood on the spot. When they retreated, I even gave Mizuki Hisano and Yuuka Haneda two darts. If you really think about it, it was the other side who suffered the loss."
Meng Fei frowned and said, "Logically speaking, with their martial arts skills, it shouldn't have been difficult for them to escape unscathed. Why did they fight you and me so recklessly?" "...It seems they intend for both sides to suffer heavy losses."
Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Their target is Zhengliang. They need to break through Master and Mr. Deng's defenses in the shortest possible time..."
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes brightened, and she said with emotion, "You mean...you mean Zhengliang's identity has been exposed!"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with lightning, and he said slowly, word by word, "Yes, if I'm not mistaken, from the beginning, their target has been Zhengliang. As for using a scheme to lure me to the cliff and pretending to discuss some cooperation matters, it was clearly to make us focus all our attention on Mina, thus neglecting to protect Zhengliang. Then, while the wandering samurai attacked the temple and we were out defending it, they secretly sneaked into the meditation room..." "Kill Zhengliang."
Long Feiyun gasped, still shaken, "Luckily, you came up with the idea of using the Vajra Lion's Roar to subdue the enemy, and you also arranged for Senior Meng and Mr. Deng to guard here, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Zhen Gongji Mina asked in surprise, "Wasn't Zhengliang's identity well concealed all along? How could he have slipped up?"
Ren Xiaoyao sighed and smiled bitterly, "You can't hide the truth forever. There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. It was only a matter of time before Zhengliang's identity was exposed, but I never expected it to happen so quickly."
Long Feiyun frowned and pondered, "It seems we underestimated their strength. After all, they are the number one assassin school in Japan, and their methods are as deadly as a swift kill. We need to be more vigilant in the future." "
Ren Xiaoyao wiped the sweat from his brow and breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close, really close. If it weren't for Master and Mr. Deng's desperate protection, Zhengliang would be dead. Feiyun is right, dealing with Iga Valley is like fighting a deadly attack, we can't afford to be careless."
Long Feiyun said softly, "You don't need to blame yourself. Although we were on the defensive from beginning to end, not revealing the true strength of the two seniors was your wisest strategy. Now that Iga Valley's attempt to steal a chicken has backfired, and all four masters are injured, they probably won't make any moves for a while. We can take this opportunity to speed up our journey and try to get to Nara as soon as possible."
After a short rest, the group left the temple and continued eastward without stopping. That night, they arrived at a small town called Ichimaru-cho. With the powerful enemy defeated, there were naturally no more worries. Ren Xiaoyao suggested finding a restaurant and having a hearty meal to calm Shinguji Mina and Kurosaki Zhengliang's nerves.
Having eaten dry rations and vegetarian dishes for two days, the group was eager to try some meat. They readily agreed to Ren Xiaoyao's suggestion and set off in a grand procession to the town's most famous restaurant, ordering over a dozen dishes, plus several jugs of sake unique to Japan. Sake is made from fine white rice using a unique Japanese brewing method. It is divided into eight categories: Ginjo, Daiginjo, Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo, Tokubetsu Junmai, Honjozo, and Tokubetsu Honjozo. Among them, Tokubetsu Honjozo, aged for over ten years, is the most expensive and has the most mellow flavor, comparable to Shaoxing Nu'er Hong (a type of red wine), and is Ren Xiaoyao's favorite.
With the wine and dishes served, Ren Xiaoyao was about to drink heartily when Su Hanbi suddenly said, "Wait!"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "There's no poison in the wine; I can tell."
Su Hanbi shrugged slightly, her posture and expression captivating, and rolled her eyes at him, saying, "Many poisons can't be detected by sight alone. Don't even mention you; even I can be mistaken." With that, her left hand emerged from her sleeve, her palm turned upward, and a colorful stone, about the size of a luminous pearl, its light swirling endlessly—a rare and precious gem that anyone but the blind would recognize—appeared before everyone's eyes.
Ren Xiaoyao was seeing this for the first time and asked in surprise, "This is..."
Su Hanbi met Ren Xiaoyao's questioning gaze, looking deeply into the depths of his eyes. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she softly said, "The nemesis of all poisons in the world, the nightmare of all poison users, the treasure that everyone in the martial arts world dreams of—the Poison-Avoiding Heavenly Pearl. With it on your body, you will be immune to all poisons and all evils."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled and said, "Hanbi, you don't mean I should wear it while drinking, do you?"
Su Hanbi gave a slightly annoyed yet girlish expression and said leisurely, "You have innate supreme qi protecting you, and its effects are no less than the Poison-Avoiding Heavenly Pearl. I wouldn't do anything unnecessary. I just want you to use it to test if there is any poison in the wine." Her delicate and gentle hands, so beautiful that they were indescribable, made the Poison-Avoiding Heavenly Pearl seem like an exotic object from the celestial realm as she handed it to Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao accepted it with great care, asking with great interest, "How do I test it?"
Su Hanbi withdrew her delicate hand, which had almost melted his heart, and said softly, "Take two drops of the wine and put them on the antidote bead, and you'll know."
Ren Xiaoyao did as she was told, dipping his chopsticks in the wine and gently touching the bead. A black dot immediately appeared on the antidote bead. Everyone looked at each other in surprise. Shui Furong frowned, scolding, "Those people from Iga Valley are truly persistent; they can't even give us a peaceful meal!" "If they won't let us eat, I'll tear this place down today!"
Shinguji Mina parted her lips slightly and said softly, "Sister Shui, there's no need to be anxious. In my judgment, someone else might be the one who poisoned us."
Shui Furong blinked her large, beautiful eyes, slightly annoyed, and said, "Besides Iga Valley, who dares to touch us?"
Shinguji Mina said calmly, "For example, the group that stole Ryujin Jakka."
Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred slightly, and he lowered his voice, "Hanbi, what kind of poison was put in the wine?"
Su Hanbi took the wine pot, examined it briefly, and said softly, "This poison is colorless and odorless, so it must have been extracted from the roots and stems of a plant. Ordinary poisons are neutralized instantly upon contact with the Poison-Avoiding Dzi Bead, but..." She pointed to the Poison-Avoiding Dzi Bead and said seriously, "Look, although the black spots have faded, the color has not completely disappeared, indicating that the poison is extremely potent. If you and the other seniors were to accidentally ingest it, you might be able to withstand it, but we would certainly die."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed and said coldly, "It seems necessary to find someone to ask who the poisoner is—wait, call your boss!"
Everyone was stunned. Was Ren Xiaoyao planning to turn hostile and force them with violence right then and there?
A moment later, the shop owner pushed open the door and entered. Seeing over a dozen pairs of eyes staring intently at him, he stumbled back two steps, stammering, "Gentlemen...gentlemen, is it that the food isn't to your liking, or..."
Ren Xiaoyao waved his hand, grinning, "No, no, no, the food at your shop is very much to my liking. As for the wine..."
The shop owner's expression of shock flashed across his face, masking his inner turmoil with a smile. He tentatively asked, "Wine!? What's wrong with the wine?"
Ren Xiaoyao picked up the wine jug, stood up, a smug smile playing on his lips, and said loudly, "This wine is crystal clear, with a delicate fragrance, a mellow taste, and a lingering aftertaste. It is truly a rare and exquisite brew. I would like to invite the shopkeeper to have a few cups with me, and perhaps discuss its brewing method.

" Volume 11, "Crisis-Ridden Journey Home," Chapter 1: A Date with a Beauty.

The shopkeeper's heart skipped a beat, and he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I...this...this old man doesn't drink. Please...please keep it for yourself, sir."
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun exchanged a smile, the latter saying sweetly, "Boss, you run a restaurant, how could you not drink? You're not trying to disrespect
our young master, are you?"
The shopkeeper smiled obsequiously, "Not at all, not at all. This old man is simply not used to strong liquor. I'm afraid that getting drunk will cause trouble and embarrass me in the shop, scaring away customers who won't dare to come."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, saying, "Boss, you're too kind. In that case, I'll drink first as a sign of respect." With that, he picked up the wine pot, not even
bothering , and tilted his head back, "glug, glug," drinking the poisoned wine. To force the shopkeeper to tell the truth, he didn't hesitate to use this as a threat. Although the women knew that he
had profound internal strength and was immune to all poisons, they were secretly worried upon seeing this. Who knew whether his innate supreme internal energy could withstand the poison in the wine?
After downing a full pot of wine, Ren Xiaoyao's face flushed briefly before returning to normal. The women, seeing this, finally felt relieved.
When they glanced at the shopkeeper, they saw him trembling violently, his eyes filled with fear, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word for a long time. They secretly praised Ren Xiaoyao for his cleverness
; without uttering a single question, the shopkeeper had already given himself away. They estimated that in a few more moments, he would have to confess honestly.
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone brightly as he said calmly, "Boss, I've already drunk a whole pot. You should at least do me the honor of having a little bit—Feiyun, pour
me some more."
Long Feiyun poured a cup slowly, smiling sweetly as she handed it to the boss. The boss's face turned deathly pale, his teeth chattering uncontrollably. He was about to flee when a sword hilt
pressed against , causing him to kneel down in terror. He kowtowed and begged for mercy, "Young hero, it's not my fault, it really isn't my fault, it's just that Wuyin..."
Before he could finish speaking, suddenly... A woman's alluring laughter rang out: "As expected of
Ren Xiaoyao, the leader of the Heavenly Pole Sect, who single-handedly poisoned the Three Beauties of Iga Valley and even the cunning Togashi Yoshihiro couldn't handle. He easily detected the poison in the wine and even used such methods to force Boss Takeuchi to submit. Brilliant,
truly brilliant!"
Ren Xiaoyao waved his hand, and the window immediately swung open. In the distance, a beautiful Japanese
woman , staring at his location and looking over.
"Who are you? How dare you plot against us?" said Mina Shinguji.
The woman let out a silvery laugh and proudly replied, "I am Anna Kora, a Chunin of the Kirigakure Shigenryu school."
Mina Shinguji exclaimed in surprise, "Anna Kora!? You are the daughter of the Kora sect leader?"
Anna Kora replied leisurely, "Yes, I visited Hueco Mundo with my mother back then, but my sister was away on a mission and I didn't get to see her. I never expected to
meet her here today."
Shui Furong scolded, "Enough nonsense. If you are a righteous person, why would you poison the wine?"
Anna Kora chuckled and said, "Oh dear, sister, don't be angry. I just wanted to test whether Ren Xiaoyao was truly living up to his reputation..."
Before she could finish speaking, her tone suddenly faltered.
Just as she was explaining the reason, Ren Xiaoyao swayed slightly and swiftly rushed out of the room, arriving beside Gao Liang Anna in the blink of an eye. He
spread , pressed down on her soft, rounded shoulder, and coldly said, "Now, you should know my strength, right?"
Gao Liang Anna struggled desperately, but to no avail. She cried out in distress, "You... what are you doing? Let go! I'll call for help if you don't!"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, moved his hands behind his back, but Gao Liang Anna, without thinking, immediately slapped him.
"Slap—" The slap landed squarely, five bloody welts immediately appearing. But it wasn't Ren Xiaoyao who was hit, but Gao Liang Anna
herself .
"You... this... you used sorcery." Gao Liang Anna's body trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes flashing with disbelief. She never dreamed that the force of the palm strike aimed at Ren
Xiaoyao would inexplicably land on her face. She was both shocked and furious.
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "I didn't use sorcery, but the martial arts you wanted to see. Well, now you can tell me your true purpose for coming here
."
Gao Liang Xingna's eyes were red, and she looked like she was about to cry. She choked back a few sobs, but managed not to shed a tear. She showed a wronged expression and said angrily,
"My mother asked me to deliver a message, asking you to meet me at Shuiyun Peak in the northwest corner of Qiyue Valley tomorrow morning at Chenshi. I was just curious and wanted to see just how
capable Ren Xiaoyao was, the one who left That's why I stole poison and put it in the wine. You... you're making excuses to deceive me. How shameless!"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled apologetically and asked, "I have no connection with the Strange Sect. Why does Sect Leader Gao Liang want to meet me?"
Gao Liang Xingna glared at him and said irritably, "I don't know the specifics either, but it's related to Ryujin Jakka. Remember to come alone and don't
bring anyone with you." After saying that, she jumped off the roof and left without looking back. Ren Xiaoyao returned to the shop, completely bewildered. He explained the situation to everyone, and Zhen Gongji Mina
exclaimed in surprise, "Suiyun Peak!? That's a forbidden area of the Kirigakure Jigen-ryu, usually only accessible to Jonin. If Headmaster Kora wanted to meet you,
why choose Suiyue Peak of all places?"
Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, "Oh dear, it's obvious the Kirigakure Jigen-ryu sent someone to steal Ryujin Jakka. Now that they see even Iga Valley can't do anything to us, they're afraid of being
exposed and having their big brother come knocking, so they had no choice but to obediently return it. They were also afraid of losing face by admitting defeat in public, so they chose a secluded
place ."
Zhen Gongji Mina's eyes shifted, and she said calmly, "Secluded places are everywhere; why choose a forbidden area? You should know that Qiyue Valley is the Kirigakure Jigen-ryu's
stronghold, with nearly a thousand disciples gathered there. Suiyun Peak is strategically located, surrounded by water on three sides, with only one path. They even specifically named Xiaoyao, insisting on meeting him alone."
"Go there, and if we disagree and turn on each other, even if you had wings, you wouldn't be able to escape."
Nangong Fengyi chuckled, "They are, after all, a reputable sect; they wouldn't stoop to such shameless behavior."
Long Feiyun's eyes revealed a heartfelt tenderness as she softly said, "Better safe than sorry. For safety's sake,
it's better to go somewhere else to avoid being put in a passive position."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with determination, and said in a deep voice, "A true man's word is his bond. Since you've already agreed to go, changing your mind
at the last minute is not the act of a hero."
Shui Furong snorted coldly, giving him a resentful look, pouting, and said irritably, "They only invited you to go, they didn't ask if you
agreed . You only decided to go because Gao Liangxinga is beautiful, so you can seduce that girl behind our backs, right?" The women exchanged knowing smiles .
Ren Xiaoyao, intending to tease her, muttered, "Oh dear, I didn't realize it until Furong mentioned it, but Gao Liangxingna is definitely prettier than you, and her temper
is better too. Even if it's just to see her again, you still have to go to Shuiyun Peak." He rolled his eyes and said casually, "Who knows, maybe
I'll even bring !"
Shui Furong was so angry she almost vomited blood, yelling, "You...you shameless! You're eating what's in your bowl while eyeing what's in the pot!"
The women giggled at her "vivid" analogy, instantly easing the tense atmosphere.
Nangong Fengyi pushed Ren Xiaoyao, playfully scolding, "You, you're so outspoken! Furong is only trying to help you, why tease her like that?
Let's talk about serious matters."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled happily, "As long as Furong doesn't get jealous all the time, I'm too busy spoiling her to make fun of her."
He paused , then continued, "It seems the Mist-Hidden Manifestation School has investigated my background quite thoroughly, knowing that I never refuse a young lady's invitation. Cough cough... Anyway,
I absolutely must go tomorrow morning."
Su Hanbi looked anxious and stamped her foot, saying, "Xiaoyao, everyone said it's dangerous! Why didn't you listen to advice?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with light as he pondered, "Miss Gao Liang explained it very clearly. This matter is related to Ryujin Jakka. Even if it means going through fire and water, I
will not hesitate."
Shinguji Mina showed a moved expression and sincerely said, "Xiaoyao, actually... actually, you don't need to risk your life for me. No
matter how precious Ryujin Jakka is, it's still just an external possession. Why risk your life for it?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said solemnly, "I failed in my duty to protect it that day, resulting in the loss of Ryujin Jakka. I should personally go and find it and
return it to Mina." Although venturing alone to Shuiyun Peak would be extremely risky, he was burdened with responsibility and could not shirk it; even if it meant venturing into a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, he had to do it.
Long Feiyun was about to offer some words of advice: "But..."
Ren Xiaoyao's smile spread like ripples into a radiant grin, and he proudly declared: "There is no place in the world I cannot go if I want to, nor
is there any dangerous situation I cannot leave if I want to."

Volume Thirty-One: Perilous Journey Home Chapter Two: Another Ambush

The next day, Ren Xiaoyao arrived as promised, alone with his sword at Qiyue Valley.
The dawn was bleak, and all was silent. Clouds like cotton wool floated in the air, and a light morning mist shrouded the earth like a white veil. The remaining stars closed their weary, sleepy eyes, silently disappearing into the clouds. Ren Xiaoyao walked towards Qiyue Valley. The light, refreshing mist and the damp, earthy scent constantly brushed against his face and entered his nose, exceptionally clean and invigorating. In the distance, the stream flowed like a mirror, reflecting the ethereal clouds and the azure sky. The green trees were reflected in the water, blending the shimmering waves and mountain scenery into a crystalline, hazy unity, resembling a light ink painting, hazy and poetic. Ren Xiaoyao was greatly impressed, secretly thinking that after pacifying the Absolute Killing Sect and the Asura Cult, and recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, fulfilling his responsibilities, he too would find such a tranquil and elegant valley to live in seclusion, thus having no regrets in this life. As
the morning sun rose, light, gauze-like clouds and mist rose leisurely from Qiyue Valley, swirling around the Shuiyue Peak in the northwest of the valley, soft and ethereal, like ribbons of colorful silk.
The further Ren Xiaoyao walked, the thicker the mist became. Heavy, floating among the branches and trees, like fine gauze hanging from the tips, yet softer than gauze, like incense smoke drifting from a censer, a primordial chaos that outlined the forest in violet hues. No disciples of the Mist Concealment Sect were seen along the way, and not even a trace of human presence could be sensed.
The moment Ren Xiaoyao stepped into Water Cloud Peak, he felt himself plunged into boundless silence and darkness. The turbulent mist blotted out the sky, the entire mountain seemingly shrouded in a thick, damp cloak. Even with his unparalleled spiritual perception and eyesight, Ren Xiaoyao could only discern distances within a radius of about ten feet.
Ren Xiaoyao finally understood why Fang had chosen Shuiyun Peak as the meeting place and Chenshi (7-9 AM) as the time. The unique environment of Shuiyun Peak greatly reduced his perception of his surroundings, and Chenshi was the time when the fog was thickest and the humidity highest. Forget about anticipating the enemy's moves and achieving a surprise victory; even self-preservation would be extremely difficult.
A sense of foreboding rose in Ren Xiaoyao's heart, and even his palms began to sweat—a phenomenon he had never experienced since mastering the Innate Supreme Qi. He knew that not only was his internal strength now unparalleled in the world, but he also possessed more than ten martial arts techniques, even those he usually didn't... Even Yi Tianhan, who was willing to admit defeat, acknowledged he was no match for him. Who in the world could frighten him, make his palms sweat? But now, there was!
Ren Xiaoyao was now in a completely secluded and isolated place, with dangers lurking everywhere, ready to erupt at any moment. This was an unprecedented and immense test for him, who had come to the appointment with the intention of exploring hidden wonders and had made no preparations for combat.
The thought of facing Gao Liang Meixue, the founder of the Mist Concealment Manifestation School and hailed as a grandmaster, filled Ren Xiaoyao with unprecedented excitement and stimulation. A familiar heat rose
within him, a feeling akin to the fierce battle outside the Qiande Treasure Vault against the five assassins of Hentian, or even the desperate struggle against Yelü Xiezhen, the God of War of the Liao Dynasty, in the Battle of Xunfeng. Ren Xiaoyao's blood boiled. Success or failure, victory or defeat, life or death—he no longer cared. His only goal was to prove himself, to demonstrate that even in extremely harsh conditions, he could unleash extraordinary strength.
The fog thickened, and Ren Xiaoyao strode towards the summit, arriving at a thorny path. He had deliberately chosen this spot, for in the instant he had composed himself, he suddenly felt… A powerful killing intent emanated from him.
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't see a single person, nor could he hear a sound, yet he had no doubt about his judgment.
The thick fog, soaked with moisture, could dilute the stench of blood, and the killing intent should be the same; however, strangely, this time the killing intent he sensed seemed even stronger in the downpour.
Undoubtedly, an extremely formidable opponent was lurking in the shadows, ready to take his life at any moment.
Ren Xiaoyao wasn't sure whether the opponent was Gao Liang Meixue or another master of the Wuyin Shimen-ryu school, nor did he know their motives for wanting his life; he only knew... This person, once he strikes, will undoubtedly deliver a devastating blow; the slightest mistake could have unimaginable consequences.
Far from being deterred or fearful, Ren Xiaoyao's spirits soared, for he was confident in his own strength! He silently awaited the appearance of this person, as if waiting for a beautiful woman to meet him.
He had now ascended a steep hillside; the surrounding mist and the commanding height of his position made him the perfect ally for an assassination attempt.
The killing intent Ren Xiaoyao sensed grew increasingly intense, yet his preoccupied opponent remained elusive.
What was the other waiting for?
He had dealt with many assassins, including Jueyue, Duohun, and Qiu Feng, with whom he had faced off directly. He knew very well that some people seemed born to kill; they weren't beasts, but possessed the composure of a bear, the ferocity of a wolf, the agility of a leopard, and the cunning and patience of a fox.
Every assassin had weaknesses: Jueyue was arrogant, Duohun was conceited, and Qiu Feng was haughty, which was why none of them could defeat him. But this man before him possessed only their strengths, no weaknesses!
He was still waiting, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Ren Xiaoyao was not one to be passive, so he proactively gave his opponent a chance.
The instant he stepped onto the hillside, he slipped, the movement purely natural, without a trace of deliberate effort. Sure enough, his opponent attacked. A domineering, incomparably sharp blade of light, accompanied by a thunderous roar, swept down from the sky, carrying the power of heaven and earth, aiming for Ren Xiaoyao's neck.
This was a sure-kill strike, seemingly merging with the omnipresent, pervasive mist.
Unfortunately, Ren Xiaoyao hadn't actually slipped; he merely appeared to have.
Like certain decoy techniques in martial arts, Ren Xiaoyao's apparent slip contained an impenetrable defense, a preemptive advantage that allowed him to advance or retreat at will.
The blade was still inches from Ren Xiaoyao's forehead when he swayed, dodging in a flash. Without hesitation, he drew his Ice Soul Frost Sword, plunging like a meteor into the assassin's seemingly all-encompassing net of blades. The chilling aura emanating from the blade possessed the power to shatter mountains and destroy the world.
The sixteenth move of the Lingxiao Sword Art—"Having seen the ocean, other waters are insignificant"—was undeniably the fastest in the world!
A smug smile appeared on Ren Xiaoyao's lips. He knew he had succeeded, for in this world, no one could evade his earth-shattering, awe-inspiring killing move when caught in a passive position!
But just as the blade was about to strike, the assassin miraculously vanished.
All that remained before Ren Xiaoyao was a white mist; the shadowy figure that had been so close had vanished without a trace.
Even with Ren Xiaoyao's unparalleled eyesight, he could no longer see or hear his opponent, hear no footsteps, no breathing, and even the killing intent had dissipated into the mist. He heard
the sound of dewdrops falling from the branches, and Ren Xiaoyao's heart trembled. Beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead. He finally understood the meaning of "Mist Concealment" in the Mist Concealment Manifestation Technique. Mist Concealment, Mist Concealment—concealment within the mist. As long as there is mist around, one can use it to hide their form; the denser and thicker the mist, the better the effect.
Ren Xiaoyao, who prided himself on mastering three supreme martial arts techniques—Flying Immortal, Crossing the River on a Reed, and Illusory Shadow—was unparalleled in the martial arts world for his exceptional lightness skills. However, on this mist-shrouded Shuiyun Peak, these skills proved utterly useless.
His opponent was in the shadows, while he was in the open. What could Ren Xiaoyao rely on now?
Should he wait for his opponent to strike a second time, hoping to kill him the moment he revealed himself?
No, that would be far too passive. Moreover, given his opponent's exquisite "Mist Concealment" technique, he had no confidence in hitting his target in a single move.
If he were to launch a preemptive strike, how could he determine his opponent's direction and location?
Having fought countless battles since his debut, and always known for his undefeated record, Ren Xiaoyao had never encountered such a helpless predicament before. His only option now was to gather his strength and defend himself.
Ren Xiaoyao stood rooted to the spot, sword held horizontally to his chest. He could neither move nor dared to move.
His opponent lurked in the mist, watching him intently, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.
The slightest movement would instantly shatter his near-perfect defensive stance.
Seconds passed, but the mist showed no sign of thinning or dissipating; instead,
it grew increasingly dense. Facing an unseen adversary, and a situation that could arise at any moment but was impossible to predict, Ren Xiaoyao's energy and stamina were far depleted compared to his previous fierce battle. While
his innate supreme qi was indeed inexhaustible, Ren Xiaoyao had not yet reached its full potential. Under the overwhelming, bewitching pressure exerted by his opponent, which suffocated him, Ren Xiaoyao's spirit gradually approached collapse. Although he remained motionless, his once firm and composed eyes were now wavering.

Volume 31, Chapter 3: Defeat Without a Fight -

A dense fog enveloped the area, and an overwhelming aura surged from all sides. Ren Xiaoyao felt that every movement he made, even the slightest one, was under
the watchful eye of his opponent's aura, leaving no detail overlooked. Yet, he could not grasp his opponent's movements at all. Every moment, he had to concentrate his inner strength, carefully guarding against his opponent's sneak attacks.
Therefore, the longer the battle lasted, the faster his energy was depleted compared to his opponent's. With each passing moment, he moved closer to defeat, and even the suicidal move of fighting to the death was beyond his reach.
Life and death hung in the balance, and Ren Xiaoyao had no other choice. He took a deep breath, and fear and anxiety receded like a tide. His inner energy circulated naturally, his power reached
its peak, and his mind became clear and serene. His eyes gleamed with a restrained light, his martial attire billowed, and his demeanor was as imposing as a god descending to earth. His overwhelming aura alone was enough to
suffocate his opponent, even causing a slight lapse in concentration, a defeat without a fight.
This was Ren Xiaoyao's last gamble, a life-or-death struggle. When he cleared his mind of all distractions and entered a state of perfect focus,
he had complete control over the entire environment.
He had experienced this same sense of mastery, viewing the battlefield as a chessboard, when he had caught Qiu Feng's swift sword between two fingers and killed Xiao Wuji in one strike.
Now, with his enhanced skill, his senses were even clearer.
Although he still couldn't pinpoint his opponent's location, he clearly sensed that as he unleashed his full innate supreme qi, his opponent's energy fluctuated violently, clearly indicating
an intention to attack, yet he held back.
Ren Xiaoyao was secretly pleased, knowing that his opponent couldn't withstand his powerful aura and his will had wavered. However, his rationality still controlled his emotions,
allowing him to suppress the impulse to strike at that moment.
So steady, so composed, Ren Xiaoyao increasingly realized that his opponent lurking in the shadows was no ordinary opponent. The current standoff didn't feel like a one-on-one
duel , but rather like facing a vast army on a battlefield. A surge of indomitable spirit welled up within him; even if he died on the battlefield, he wouldn't retreat a single step, without any regrets.
Suddenly, his opponent attacked!
A swift, black shadow, wielding a thick-backed sword, transformed into a dazzling light, seemingly losing its substance, becoming a wondrous phantom, accompanied by a piercing whistle,
aimed directly Ren Xiaoyao's face. The force surged outwards like waves, instantly shattering the mist, sending fallen leaves billowing into the air, crashing down upon him. The timing and
angle of the attack were perfectly executed, possessing an infallible and flawless aura.
Ren Xiaoyao's toes swayed slightly, and he suddenly shifted to the side, employing the exquisite footwork of "Crossing the River on a Reed." The assassin only saw a blur before his eyes, and his sword strike instantly missed. Before Ren Xiaoyao could
retaliate , the opponent let out a soft whistle
, and in mid-air, he abruptly changed direction, unleashing a barrage of blade light like a raging torrent, its chilling energy chasing after him like a cascading river. Ren Xiaoyao swiftly used his Illusory Shadow Technique, narrowly avoiding the blade, and whirled around, ready to retaliate with his sword
. However, all he saw was a sky full of mist; there was no sign of the assassin.
The Misty Concealment Technique was indeed exquisite, Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself, though his brows furrowed involuntarily. He never expected that his opponent could conceal his true energy so completely, evading
his heightened senses after fully activating his innate supreme qi. Now, he was like a blind man, unable to see any of his opponent's movements, forced to remain motionless,
awaiting next attack that could strike at any moment.
Ren Xiaoyao was never willing to be controlled, much less sit and wait for death. He racked his brains, trying to figure out how to break the Misty Concealment Technique and how to turn the tide of battle.
Humans have five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch—and sight is the most widely used in combat. However, faced with the miraculous Misty Concealment Technique, Ren Xiaoyao was blind,
relying solely on his hearing as a last resort. Ren Xiaoyao slowly closed his eyes, channeling his inner energy directly into vital acupoints such as Fengfu, Fengchi, and Shenting. He immediately heard every subtle
sound , even the crawling of insects and ants. Although the assassin's soft, long breaths were faint and indistinct, he could still discern their general direction.
The two were nearly five zhang apart, yet for some reason, Ren Xiaoyao felt as if his opponent were right next to him. He knew that if his opponent made a move, a storm of killing intent would immediately follow, leaving no room
for respite , completely unaffected by distance.
Unexpectedly, Ren Xiaoyao sheathed his sword, raising only his palms to his chest in the starting stance of the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm. The sound of fluttering robes came from ahead, followed by a chilling,
piercing force that made it difficult to breathe, stinging the eyes, and pricking the body like needles, surging towards him with each movement. Despite the valley being a warm, misty, and blossoming springtime setting, he felt as if he were in
a frozen wasteland , his very blood and energy seemingly frozen solid
. Ren Xiaoyao was almost certain that his opponent was using a strange footwork technique, approaching him at a ghostly speed, constantly shifting positions, and thus their moves were ever-changing
. If he misjudged, any strike could become his death warrant. In
that critical moment, Ren Xiaoyao's sleeves billowed, and he unleashed a powerful upward leap, his figure instantly rising several feet into the air. Although his naked eyes couldn't pinpoint his opponent's location,
he could clearly sense the strongest core of the enemy's energy. With this unerring perception, he finally grasped the target for his counterattack.
His impeccable defense instantly transformed into a fierce and unparalleled offensive. His left palm unleashed the Dragon's Regret, his right the Thunderous Innocence; his heart, spirit, and will were all concentrated between his palms. Even though
he only grasped the form, not the essence, the power, driven by his innate supreme qi, only increased, undiminished, capable of shattering mountains and breaking peaks with the force of a thunderbolt, possessing an invincible momentum!
At this moment, honor and disgrace, victory
and defeat, were no longer of any concern. He was fighting for justice, fighting for dignity!
With a deafening "bang!", the rapidly approaching black shadow was struck squarely by Ren Xiaoyao's attack. The profound inner force accumulated and sublimated in his palms erupted violently, like a flash of thunder, shaking
heaven and earth, instantly shattering his opponent into pieces.
No, Ren Xiaoyao hadn't struck a person, but a massive log as thick as a bucket. Through the pervasive mist, he couldn't see it at all until the instant his palm touched it,
realizing he'd fallen for a trick.
Initially, it was indeed an assassin charging at him, but midway, they replaced it with the log, to deceive him into unleashing a devastating blow—a strike he'd poured all his life's strength into,
a
final, overwhelming, and powerful attack. His opponent had anticipated his gamble using his hearing, and had cleverly used this opportunity to trap him.
Ren Xiaoyao's heart sank. He knew he was in unprecedented danger, feeling as if he were only a step away from death…
A thunderclap shook the surrounding area, a bolt of lightning ripped through the air.
No, that wasn't thunder, but the sound of a blade slicing through the air! No, that wasn't lightning, but the cold, gleaming light of a sword. The entire universe seemed to be absorbed into this single strike
, countless points of light, like butterflies chasing flowers, rained down with overwhelming force, carrying the might of heaven and earth, slashing towards Ren Xiaoyao's head.
Ren Xiaoyao was exhausted, watching helplessly as the blade approached, with no way to dodge or avoid it.
With a "whoosh," a cold light cleaved down from his forehead, striking his abdomen! (

Chapter 4 of Volume 31: Perilous Journey Home)

Behind the blade was an assassin with a black mask. The cold, eerie light in his eyes, visible through the mask, instantly turned to ecstatic joy,
but in a moment, it transformed into boundless fear and astonishment.
Indeed, his powerful strike had hit its target, but it had struck only a mere, illusory shadow.
A shadow? What shadow?
The secret technique of the Beichen Itto-ryu school—the Shadow Clone Technique!
Using high-speed movement combined with unique ninjutsu to confuse the opponent's vision, creating a subjective illusion that enemies are everywhere, making it impossible
to determine the user's true location, it is a brilliant move that combines offense and defense.
Since it is a secret technique passed down through generations, how could Ren Xiaoyao know it?
He first saw Mina Shinguji use it at the Tottori Sand Dunes and concluded that this technique was no less powerful than Flying Immortal Transformation, Crossing the River on a Reed, or Illusionary Shadow Capture. He secretly
observed it, trying to uncover its secrets. He was exceptionally talented and had learned techniques such as the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the Heaven-Defying Divine Palm, and the Vajra Lion's Roar from observing others'
martial arts matches or from his own sparring. Although he could only execute each martial art perfectly, under the influence of his innate supreme qi, he could still unleash its
immense power.
He had already mastered most of the movement and form of the Shadow Clone Technique through observation, but he knew nothing about the Hokushin Itto-ryu's unique ninjutsu. Therefore, he could only
create one clone, but that was enough. Enough for him to use a counter-strategy in a life-or-death moment and deceive his opponent's killing move.
The assassin stood there motionless, maintaining the same posture.
He gripped a strangely shaped longsword in both hands, the tip of the blade hanging down, standing motionless.
He couldn't move, and he dared not move.
Because the situation had changed. Ren Xiaoyao had taken over his previous advantage, just as he had been, secretly watching him, ready
to launch a fatal attack at any moment. The confidence that had filled his chest earlier vanished instantly, replaced by overwhelming fear. Just imagine, Ren Xiaoyao
could even learn the Shadow Clone Technique; perhaps he had already figured out the secrets of the Hidden Mist Technique, waiting for him to reveal an opening so he could launch a sneak attack. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He wondered how confident he was in being able to withstand
Ren Xiaoyao's full power if Ren Xiaoyao, who had single-handedly escaped unscathed from the encirclement of the Three Beauties, Togashi Yoshihiro, and the Shinsengumi, were to attack him. Although he remained motionless, his cold and composed eyes were beginning to waver. The battle had been fought in Qiyue Valley, where he had lived for decades, at the height of the fog and humidity, and he had even used his fog-concealing technique to render Ren Xiaoyao helpless—a perfect storm of opportunity. But now, the dense fog prevented him from pinpointing Ren Xiaoyao's location. His advantage of timing and location was gone, and the growing fear within him was utterly crushing him. As the tide turned and the situation reversed, his spirit was gradually approaching collapse.

Unable to withstand the immense pressure from Ren Xiaoyao, his eyes glazed over, and
the long sword was suddenly raised high.
Just then, a long sigh filled with sorrow and lamentation suddenly echoed from the mist: "You're dead, you're already dead. If Master Ren had intended to harm
you, he would have easily finished you off with a single blow when you dodged his blade with the Shadow Clone Technique." She sighed softly, "I really can't
imagine that Kirigakure Shigenryu Special Jonin, Kagimoto Sabei, who surpassed his master, would be so ignorant of his own limitations. Even though he was already utterly defeated, he insisted on refusing
to admit defeat, stubbornly holding on until he couldn't hold on any longer." As soon as she finished speaking, the thick fog in front of them suddenly parted to the sides, revealing a shady path leading to the mountaintop.
Not far away stood a graceful and beautiful young woman. She wore an embroidered silk skirt and silk shoes with floral patterns. Her hairpin was inlaid with tortoiseshell, and
her earrings were made of bright pearls, dazzling and radiant. Her earrings were made of dark yellow jade, and a gold hairpin shimmered across her cloud-shaped hair. Her clothes were adorned with pearls, and her silk
skirt was light and thin. Her delicate body exuded a rich fragrance. Her face was extremely beautiful, with exquisitely drawn eyebrows and eyes. Her smooth, fair skin was rosy and alluring. What was most captivating was
the languid and charming figure she displayed, a mature and alluring beauty that surpassed even the serene and dignified Dugu Hong and the elegant and beautiful Yin
Shuangshuang own way.
Ren Xiaoyao bowed respectfully and said loudly, "Sect Leader of the Mist Concealment Sect, Snow Princess Ninja—Takara Miyuki?"
The beautiful young woman gave him a deep look, then slowly nodded and said leisurely, "What the mist fears is the cold. When it encounters cold, it condenses into dew, making it difficult to obscure vision.
Sect Leader Ren possesses the Ice Soul Frost Sword and has unparalleled internal strength as a reliance. Why not use your true power to dispel the mist and fight against Kiki Sabei?"
Ren Xiaoyao's face turned red, and he said with a wry smile, "I am ashamed, I am ashamed. I was ignorant and did not think of this."
Takara Miyuki's beautiful eyes lit up with a strange light, and she said softly, "What if you had thought of it?"
Ren Xiaoyao said frankly, "Even if I had thought of it, I would not have acted accordingly."
Takara Miyuki showed a slight look of surprise and said softly, "Oh, what do you mean?"
Ren Xiaoyao focused his energy in his eyes and said calmly, "Relying solely on the power of weapons is not..." " A true man should act accordingly. Since you've come to keep our appointment, I must demonstrate my true abilities and
learn 's unique skills."
Gao Liang Meixue smiled gently, her eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao, and slowly said, "Judging from your tone, Master Ren, you don't seem to consider me an enemy. This... is perhaps
a bit careless."
Ren Xiaoyao remained composed, calmly smiling, "If the Sect Master intended to take my life, you could have attacked suddenly when I used my half-baked Shadow Clone Technique
. Why wait until now? Clearly, the Sect Master's sending Kisaki Sabei to ambush me halfway was not malicious; at most, it was just a test to see if I was
qualified to ascend Shuiyun Peak."
Gao Liang Meixue smiled brightly and said, "Master Ren's insight is remarkable; I admire it greatly. This is not the place to talk. Please, let's go to the summit
and discuss this further ." With that, she raised her slender hand slightly, gesturing for him to proceed.
Ren Xiaoyao gladly stepped forward and followed Gao Liang Meixue towards the summit.
There are always higher realms to conquer, and more capable people to rely on!
Only now did he realize that the small island nation of Fusang was teeming with hidden masters and hidden talents.
If he hadn't been quick-witted enough to use the Shadow Clone Technique, he would have been defeated by Kagaki Sabei long ago.
As for Kora Miyuki's cultivation, it was only slightly above his, not below.
Just imagine that she could see through the dense fog and clearly see his every move; such extraordinary eyesight was probably unmatched anywhere else in the Central Plains.
Just imagine that she had been observing him for so long, and he hadn't even noticed her while his internal energy was at its peak; such stealth was enough to make her unparalleled in the martial arts world.
If it had been Kora Miyuki who had attacked just now, he might have been the one to lose.
Undeniably, favorable timing and location played a significant role, but without true skill, even in the thickest fog, who could harm him?
To be fair, Kiki Sabei's swordsmanship was comparable to Ding Songqiang, the Beggar Clan's Enforcement Elder and the "King of Swords" of the Central Plains, while Kora Miyuki was at least on par with Yi Tianhan and
Fu Longyuan . Given such connections, Shinguji Ryuugen still concluded that "the Kirigakure Shigenryu Jonin's strength is relatively weak," which speaks volumes about the power of the Seven Great Sects.
The fog gradually dissipated, revealing the serene and elegant scenery of Shuiyun Peak to Ren Xiaoyao.
Deep and tranquil, with lush pines and hazelnuts, the rising sun bathed the mountain breeze in the morning light. The mountains were ablaze with green leaves, the forests dyed in vibrant hues, and the spring breeze carried the songs of
countless birds , a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere.
Ren Xiaoyao rediscovered his joy in exploring the mountains and valleys, admiring the deep peaks and strange rocks covered by wild trees and grasses, his heart and soul captivated by the sight.
After rounding a bend, the scenery changed again. First, the roar of a waterfall filled the air, and as the walkway widened, waves of mist
rushed towards him. Amidst the misty mountains, a waterfall, like a dragon emerging from a cave, cascaded down from a crevice in a precipice, reaching the bottom of the cliff, forming a turbulent torrent, and then rushing down the mountainside—a truly magnificent
sight.
Finally, he reached the summit, where another small pavilion appeared, perched on the edge of a precipice. Inside, a low, purple wooden table held a pot of
fine wine and two cups.
Gao Liang Meixue invited Ren Xiaoyao to sit cross-legged, pointed to the wine pot, and softly said, "Just now,
I had no choice . I hope that after Master Ren drinks our country's supreme wine—Kiku Masamune—he can forget all the unpleasantness caused by this."
The wine, with its delicate fragrance, was served in an exquisite shallow cup, its color clear and without any cloudiness.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, raised his cup with a flourish, and slowly drank the wine, saying with emotion, "This wine is clear without being astringent, sweet without being cloying, and has a true
flavor . It is indeed a fine brew." He didn't mention the matter of the fight at all, clearly having accepted the other party's apology.

Volume 31, Chapter 5, "The Throne of the Crown Prince,"

Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly, "The Sect Master summoned me here to discuss the matter of Flowing Blade Like Fire?"
Gao Liang Meixue replied leisurely, "Hmm, that's one of the reasons."
A glint flashed in Ren Xiaoyao's eyes, then he concealed it, saying calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, Flowing Blade Like Fire shouldn't be in the Sect Master's possession."
Gao Liang Meixue asked casually, "Oh? How so?"
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "To be honest, I once confronted the villain who stole Flowing Blade Like Fire across the door for a long time..." "Their martial arts style is completely different from your sect's; they are definitely not from the Mist-Hidden Manifestation School."
Kora Miyuki said softly, "So, does that mean only Koga Valley and Ryuga Gang-ryu remain?"
Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise, "Does the Sect Master also suspect them?" Kora Miyuki's
expression remained calm, her beautiful eyes radiating a sacred light. She sighed softly and said, "Any martial artist with even a little knowledge can see that only the three of us dared to steal Ryujin Jakka and become enemies of Hokushin Itto-ryu and even the entire Seven Great Schools. Forgive my abruptness, but could Sect Master Ren please recount the events of that night in detail?"
Ren Xiaoyao made no attempt to conceal his actions, recounting in detail how he discovered the anomaly in the room, misjudged the situation during the confrontation, rushed into the room only to protect Shinguji Mina, allowing him to escape. Upon hearing this, Kora Miyuki couldn't hide her surprise, pondering, "With Master Ren's martial arts skills, he shouldn't have been so easily intimidated. Firstly, concern clouded his judgment, and secondly, the opponent is indeed skilled… Hmm, Liu Gangliu excels in external techniques. Only Sect Master Shindono Mitsuaki himself could withstand Master Ren's internal energy for half an hour. Even though Koga Valley has more, only two or three Jonin possess this ability. However, the day of the incident happened to be Otsuka Shuu's birthday; all the Koga Valley Jonin were gathered in Kyoto, so they probably couldn't spare any manpower, and..." "Den Mitsuaki is currently sparring in Shizuoka and can't come to Tottori either."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise, "Does the sect leader mean that someone else stole Ryujin Jakka?"
Kora Miyuki frowned, her eyes filled with a puzzled and distressed expression. She sighed softly, "Logically speaking, the intelligence we received from Kirigakure Shigen-ryu shouldn't be wrong, but... apart from Koga Valley and Yanagisawa-ryu, I really can't think of any other school that would dare to covet Ryujin Jakka, unless..."
Ren Xiaoyao asked urgently, "Unless what?"
Kora Miyuki Xue gazed at the distant mountains and slowly said, "Unless they are rogue ninjas from the Seven Great Sects... no, the Six Great Sects. The Hokushin Ittō-ryū hasn't had a rogue ninja in thirty years—Shin'dono Mitsuaki was expelled from his sect by the former leader, Suzuki Hirofumi, so strictly speaking, it wasn't betrayal. Most of these rogue ninjas are highly skilled, but they couldn't bear the constraints of their sect's rules or were too ashamed to return after a failed mission, thus becoming rogue ninjas. Of course, I'm not referring to those who form gangs and rob, but rather the small number who possess exceptional martial arts skills and are arrogant..." "Alone and patient."
Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled, "They...they also had a motive to steal Ryujin Jakka?"
Kora Miyuki smiled slightly and said decisively, "Of course, you don't know, do you? Decades ago, the seven major sects weren't as united as they are today. They were constantly fighting amongst themselves. The head of Shinguji Temple actually used Ryujin Jakka to force the other six sects to submit, which brought them long-awaited peace." She paused and continued, "During that time, while on a mission, they encountered the head of Shinguji Temple, suffered a crushing defeat, and left in shame and anger." "There are at least a dozen senior members of the martial arts school. It's not impossible that some of them stole Ryujin Jakka to avenge the humiliation of that year and deliberately made things difficult for the Hokushin Itto-ryu."
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback at first, then smiled bitterly, "A dozen! And they're just rogue ninjas without any affiliation! Does that mean finding Ryujin Jakka is like searching for a needle in a haystack?"
Kora Miyuki said calmly, "Not necessarily. Whoever stole Ryujin Jakka must have had a purpose. Let's consider the impact the loss of Ryujin Jakka would have on the martial arts world." "Which organization or individual benefits the most? Perhaps we can follow the clues and find some leads."
Ren Xiaoyao spread his hands, frowning, and said, "Stealing Ryujin Jakka is tantamount to incurring the wrath of Hokushin Itto-ryu. We'll face the condemnation of the seven major sects and even the entire Japanese martial arts world. I truly cannot imagine that someone would risk the wrath of the world for their own selfish gain, committing such a blatant act of provocation."
Kora Miyuki glanced at him with a smile, then blurted out, "What if it's for the Emperor's throne?"
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned. "What? The Emperor... the throne of the Emperor!"
Kora Miyuki's beautiful eyes sharpened, but her tone remained calm and composed. She said leisurely, "Sect Leader Ren, you may not know this, but the ambush of Shinguji Mina by Iga Valley wasn't due to a personal grudge. It's a palace intrigue concerning the future succession to the Emperor's throne, a power struggle that has spread from within to without, triggering a bloody storm throughout the entire Japanese martial arts world."
Ren Xiaoyao increasingly sensed the gravity of the situation and said in a deep voice, "Please explain the reasons in detail, Sect Leader."
Kora Miyuki said solemnly, " The story begins six months ago. His Majesty the Emperor, nearing seventy, suddenly fell seriously ill and was unable to govern. He therefore appointed his second son, Tonghu, as Crown Prince, entrusting him with the administration of the court. Crown Prince Tonghu was extremely extravagant and dissolute, not only using despicable means to force the deaths of his eldest son, Zhongwen, and fourth son, Zunren, but also raping his own sister, Princess Ninghe, and even openly seducing the Emperor's concubines. Ren
Xiaoyao slammed his fist on the table, roaring, "Outrageous! He has murdered his brothers, committed countless crimes, raped his mother and sister, and violated all moral principles. What use is such a Crown Prince?!"
Kora Miyuki sighed softly, "Master Ren, you may not know this, but the Grand Councilor Fujiwara no Michitaka, who controls the court, is the Crown Prince's father-in-law, and the Iga-dani clan leader Kubo Kousuke is the Crown Prince's maternal uncle. All the officials dare not speak out against this. Only the upright and selfless Minister of the Left, Kurosaki Hideyasu, secretly plotted a military campaign to depose Kiriko and install the Third Prince, Koremitsu. However, the night before the operation, the plan was inadvertently leaked, and Fujiwara no Michitaka immediately accused Kurosaki Hideyasu of treason and had his entire family executed."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in surprise... "This matter should have ended here, so how did it get involved with the Hokushin Ittō-ryū?"
Miyuki Takara said in a deep voice, "Although Kurosaki Hideyasu is dead, the Third Prince, Koremitsu, who has long resided in the inner palace, has suddenly disappeared. Looking across the entire country of Japan, the only force capable of rivaling Igagaya and Fujiwara no Michitaka is the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, and the head of Shinguji Temple is a sworn brother of Kurosaki Hideyasu. Clearly, the Third Prince Koremitsu may have already gone to Hueco Mundo under Kurosaki Hideyasu's secret arrangement, preparing to borrow the power of the Seven Great Sects to overthrow Kiriko and reclaim the Crown Prince's throne.
" Xiaoyao suddenly understood, muttering, "So that's how it is... so that's how it is... no wonder Iga Valley and Hokushin Ittō-ryū are at odds, sending their best fighters to target Mina."
Kora Miyuki continued, "Fujiwara Michitaka is a clever man. He knows that most of the generals in the court come from the Seven Great Schools and wouldn't be foolish enough to use the army to forcibly suppress them. Therefore, he can only pin his hopes on Kubo Kōsuke, hoping that Iga Valley can resolve the matter using methods from the martial arts world. Hokushin Ittō-ryū is the most powerful of the Seven Great Schools, let alone..." "The Hueco Mundo, established over decades, is impregnable, let alone other sects that share the same roots and are bound by life and death. The Gotei 13 alone, along with their three thousand followers, could easily raze Iga Valley to the ground."
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly understood, and said with emotion, "That's why they dared not launch an open attack, but could only act covertly, gradually weakening the strength of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū. As for the ambush on Mina at the Tottori Sand Dunes and the relentless pursuit along the way, it was to capture her alive and use her to coerce the head of Shinguji Temple into handing over the Third Prince, Koremitsu."
Kora Miyuki nodded slightly. He continued, "Fujiwara no Michitaka is always cautious, keeping a backup plan in mind, and never trusts outsiders. He likely sent another ninja to secretly monitor both sides' every move without informing Kubo Kosuke. Seeing that I rescued Mina from Togashi Yoshihiro, his guard relaxed slightly, so he took the opportunity to sneak into the inn to kidnap her. On the way, he was exposed, and seeing that kidnapping was hopeless, he casually stole Ryujin Jakka—without this divine weapon, the head of Shinguji Temple is like losing an arm, and can no longer fight against many opponents with ease." "With this, they have a chance to go all out and fight to capture the leader first,"
Ren Xiaoyao said, moved. "The sect leader's analysis is very reasonable, but... if Ryujin Jakka really falls into Fujiwara no Michitaka's hands, how can we get it back? Do we have to go to Kyoto again?"
Kora Miyuki glanced at him and said with a hint of something else in her voice, "What you need to do is not to return the divine weapon to Shinguji as soon as possible, but to send her back to Nara safely."
Ren Xiaoyao revealed a hint of something else in his eyes. With a confident smile, she said proudly, "I'm not boasting, but even if Yoshihiro Togashi, Akiho Yoshizawa, Mizuki Hisano, and Yuuka Haneda were fully healed, and even with the combined efforts of Kosuke Kubo, Ran Mutou, Izumi Hasegawa, Ayaka Oishi, and even Igagaya, my seniors and I can still protect Mina." Miyuki
Takara's eyes flashed with a sharp light, making her appear even more heroic, and she said in a deep voice, "I absolutely trust the martial arts of Ren Xiaoyao and your sect's elders, but there's a saying in your Central Plains: 'A true hero...'" "There are too many of them. You might not even consider Iga Valley a threat, but what if you add dozens more ninjutsu schools and hundreds more ninjas?"

Ren

Xiaoyao said calmly, "Does the sect leader mean there are dozens more ninjutsu schools eyeing Mina?"
Kora Miyuki replied solemnly, "That's right. From Kizuki Valley to Nara, you'll pass through at least twenty-three different schools, large and small. Add to that the people coming from all over to intercept them, and hundreds is the minimum."
Ren Xiaoyao bluntly stated, "I don't believe it. They wouldn't even dare touch Ryujin Jakka, how could they make things difficult for Mina?"
Kora Miyuki leisurely replied, "You don't understand. A qualified ninja must abandon personal feelings and prioritize the collective interest when carrying out missions and handling sect affairs. Especially the leader of the Seven Great Sects, Shinguji Ryuugen, whose every action sets an example for the entire Japanese martial arts world. Ryujin Jakka is the treasure of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū school; stealing it is tantamount to challenging the Hokushin Ittō-ryū and even the Seven Great Sects." In the martial arts world, no one dared to act rashly and invite trouble. Shinguji Mina was merely a Jonin under the Shinguji sect leader. Even if she were kidnapped or killed, according to the unwritten rules among various sects, such incidents could only hold the perpetrators accountable, and their respective sects should not be implicated. If the Shinguji sect leader wanted to avenge his daughter as a father, he would have to act personally and could not use any of the sect's resources; otherwise, he would be breaking the rules.”
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly. He interjected, "So that means every ninja involved will face the condemnation of the Shinguji sect leader... no, it should be said that they are doomed to die. Heh, Mina is new to the world and has no grudge against them. Who would be so foolish as to do something like this, risking their lives for each other and just throwing their lives away?"
Kora Miyuki chuckled, "They have no grudge against Shinguji, but they do have a grudge against that golden gold."
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized, "Someone paid them to deal with Mina!?"
Kora Miyuki rolled her eyes at him, as if to say, "Fine, you win." "Clever," she said softly, "I just received news the day before yesterday that Iga Valley has launched a secret attack, offering a reward of 10,000 taels of gold for the head of Shinguji Mina and 20,000 taels for her alive. I think within ten days, the entire martial arts world will know about this, and then you, Master Ren, will be in for a world of hurt."
Ren Xiaoyao's head stiffened, and he muttered, "It seems Iga Valley intends to openly turn against us... Wait a minute, even if they have 10,000 taels of gold, where will they spend it if they lose their lives?"
Gao Liang Meixue said quietly, "They are gambling with these 10,000 taels of gold not for themselves, but for their own..." "There are such schools."
Ren Xiaoyao's face flashed with shock, then he asked in surprise, "Your country... your country actually has such martial arts figures who disregard personal life and death, only caring about the interests of their sect!? And not just one or two, but hundreds or thousands."
Gao Liang Meixue sighed to the sky, and said calmly in an unusually desolate tone, "In our Japan, the Bushido spirit is a principle that all martial arts practitioners must adhere to. From the moment one joins a ninjutsu school, one is no longer oneself, but a puppet controlled by the sect, or..." ...Or rather, a dog, a dog that only knows loyalty. Everything he does is no longer for himself, but for the sect, for the sect's interests."
Ren Xiaoyao still shook his head, puzzled, and said, "Even if someone is willing to risk their life for ten thousand taels of gold, the sect still needs to be fortunate enough to enjoy it. Kidnapping Mina will definitely offend the head of Shinguji Temple. Even if due to some old rules and conventions, it won't provoke direct retaliation from the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, but given the Shinguji Temple head's prestige and connections in the martial arts world, I believe that from now on..." From now on, no school will be willing to deal with it, and there will be no…”
Gao Liang Meixue finally couldn’t help but laugh so hard she almost fell over, panting as she said, “Master Ren, this is Japan, not the Song Dynasty. Many things here cannot be compared to those in your Central Plains martial arts world. The so-called Grand Master is merely the nominal leader of the seven major sects, and has no direct relationship with the other schools. It’s only because the strength of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, and others far surpasses that of the other schools that they have to show obedience. In reality…” "All actions here are entirely autonomous and unrestrained, unlike in your land where becoming the leader of the martial arts alliance grants supreme power." She paused, then continued, "As far as I know, the most famous sects in the Central Plains, such as Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, the Heavenly Pole Sect, the Four Great Families, and the Five Great Sword Sects, are either supported by the imperial court, funded by wealthy merchants, or are themselves engaged in commerce, bodyguarding, and other similar activities, making them completely self-sufficient. However, in Japan, apart from the royal family's direct organization, Iga Valley, all other ninjutsu schools can only rely on..." "Accepting commissions from employers and completing corresponding tasks earns them money to cover daily expenses. Any other income is considered illegal. In other words, whether a sect can develop, or even survive, depends entirely on the number and level of commissions it accepts."
Ren Xiaoyao pressed, "Does 'level' refer to the difficulty of the task?"
Gao Liang Meixue nodded, "Yes, there are five levels of tasks: A, B, C, D, and E. Level D tasks do not involve direct combat or danger; they are mostly trivial matters such as finding items and assisting in investigations. Level E tasks may result in injury, such as capturing wild beasts or eliminating bandits. Level C tasks are highly likely to involve fighting with ninjas from other sects, such as close protection, intelligence gathering, or assassinating officials. The chance of injury is greatly increased, and serious injuries can lead to death, so lower-ranking ninjas are strictly prohibited from participating. Level B tasks have an even higher casualty rate, such as protecting important figures, fighting enemy ninjas, or eliminating large numbers of mountain bandits. Level A tasks are purely dangerous, with the risk of death at any moment." Therefore, only Jonin can carry out this task. You might not imagine that the price difference between different schools for the same commission is shockingly large. To give a simple example, if I wanted to assassinate a highly skilled general, this would be a Rank B mission. If I entrusted it to the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, it would cost at least 8,000 taels of silver. If we, the Kirigakure, did it, we'd only charge 2,000. If I entrusted it to a small school, they'd be considered generous to offer 800 taels.”
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly understood and tentatively asked, “Is this the sect leader?” "Why do you so desperately want the approval of the Shinguji sect leader, to make Kirigakure Jigen-ryu equal to the Seven Great Schools?"
Kora Miyuki nodded slowly, continuing, "The polarization between different ninjutsu schools is extremely severe. Some are as wealthy as Hokushin Itto-ryu and Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, who have built Hueco Mundo and Seireitei respectively, their splendor rivaling that of royalty. They also have comprehensive ninja training mechanisms, ensuring a fixed number of samurai pass the ninjutsu exams each year to become new ninjas. Others, like our Kirigakure Jigen-ryu, have fixed, secret bases or strongholds..." Young and strong individuals often flock to join them; the worst that happen is that they gather together to establish a small village. Forget about material comforts, even maintaining normal expenses and paying compensation to the dead becomes a problem. In recent years, at least a dozen sects have been overwhelmed and disbanded. Think about what ten thousand taels of gold means to them. I can resist such temptation, but for other sects, it's a lifeline, something they'd fight for at any cost.”
Ren Xiaoyao sighed softly, “If people are willing to die for each other, one can be worth a hundred. It seems I'm facing a lot of trouble ahead.”
Gao Liang Meixue covered her mouth and giggled, saying leisurely, “Not just a little trouble, but a huge trouble. Don't be fooled by the fact that those eyeing the Shinguji girl are only small sects; each of them possesses unique martial arts, especially certain forbidden secret techniques passed down orally from village to village or clan within a limited area. When unleashed, their power is immense, no less than that of the Five Beauties or Togashi Yoshihiro.”
Ren Xiaoyao revealed a bitter expression. Taking a sip of wine, she said, "Even at a time like this, Sect Leader can still laugh."
Gao Liang Meixue said calmly, "Sect Leader Ren is pretending to be embarrassed, but he's probably secretly overjoyed."
Ren Xiaoyao increasingly realized that Gao Liang Meixue was no ordinary person. Caught off guard by her question, he was quite embarrassed and could only shrug nonchalantly, saying, "Sect Leader, your insight is sharp. You actually saw through my act. I admire you."
Gao Liang Meixue looked at him for a long while, then her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. Seemingly casually, she said, "Ren Xiaoyao is indeed cautious, still adhering to the rules of your Central Plains even now." That proverb, "Speak only three-tenths of what you know to others, and never reveal your whole heart," you're seriously underestimating the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Hidden Mist School... Ahem, tell me, how could Master Ren, who single-handedly faced thousands of wandering ninjas outside Eimei-ji Temple, terrifying them with his roar and sending them scattering in panic, be frightened by a simple sentence from me? Our relationship isn't one of opposition, but rather that of allies who help each other and share the same goals. Can't we put aside all prejudices and have an open and honest conversation?"
Ren Xiaoyao was flustered by her aggressive words, and it took him a long time to regain his composure. His tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he adopted an extremely respectful and attentive posture. He carefully observed the beautiful contours of Gao Liang Meixue's pretty face and slowly said, word by word, "Sect Leader, you brought me here under the name of 'Flowing Blade Like Fire,' but in the end, you gave me an answer that wasn't an answer at all. It's obvious that your purpose is not just this, but that there is a deeper intention hidden behind it. Since Sect Leader has suggested that we both open our hearts, there is no need to hide anything or beat around the bush. Just tell me directly."

Gao

Liang Meixue's calm and composed expression, with a chilling calmness, was as she frankly said, "Actually, I have a favor to ask, and I hope Sect Leader Ren will grant it."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes brightened, and he said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader, please speak. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly grant it." "
Kara Miyuki's expression turned solemn as she said sternly, "The journey to Nara is fraught with peril and danger. The Kirigakure Shigenryu wishes to dispatch its elite forces to escort the Shinguji girl safely back to Hueco Mundo."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "The sect leader intends to use this opportunity to curry favor with the Hokushin Ittoryu, hoping that the Shinguji sect leader will agree to your proposal to stand alongside the Seven Great Sects." Kora Miyuki sighed
deeply, saying leisurely, "The sect leader is a wise man, and I don't want to hide anything. In the past, I founded the Kirigakure Shigenryu as a young girl with only seven or eight followers. Over the past twenty years, I have worked diligently and finally established myself in Kirigakure Valley, becoming a powerful ninjutsu school with eight hundred disciples. My friends in the martial world all say that Kora Miyuki should be content with what she has achieved—I admit I am content, but there are others who are not!"
Ren Xiaoyao was completely bewildered, asking in astonishment, "Who...who is not content?" "
Takara Miyuki looked up at the sky, her pretty face showing a look of remembrance, and slowly said, word by word, "For twenty years, I have devoted myself to the Kirigakure Shigenryu, working myself to the bone until my dying breath. The three hundred and ninety-seven brothers who died in the course of missions are not satisfied! From the very beginning of the sect, I told everyone that we would rely on the efforts of every brother in the sect to prove our existence to the world, to let the whole martial arts world know that it is not only the seven major sects that are famous in the Japanese martial arts world, but also our Kirigakure Shigenryu! We have survived countless life-and-death battles with this belief, and we have been able to grow from an unknown small sect to one that is even better than Shinto Munenryu and Oniwaban. I don't know how much blood we have shed or how many tears we have shed. So as long as there is even the slightest hope of winning the approval of the head of Shinguji, I will not give up." Ren Xiaoyao was moved and said, "
Sect Leader's deep affection and painstaking efforts have indeed touched me, but... as you said before, there are no fewer than dozens of ninjutsu schools that covet Mina and intend to forcibly seize it along the way. No matter how strong the Kirigakure Manifestation School is, it is like an ant trying to shake a tree when outnumbered. Why risk the lives of your brothers for a mere empty reputation?"
Gao Liang Meixue looked at Ren Xiaoyao, her eyes shining with an incomprehensible fervor, and exclaimed, "Good! What a fine phrase 'outnumbered against the many'! Sect Leader Ren, you only have a dozen or so people on this trip. If your disciples do not have the help of our sect, facing thousands of powerful enemies alone, wouldn't
their chances of survival be even slimmer?" Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "In the end, they only have one goal—gold. If they only wanted to deal with me and my few attendants and my wife, most of the schools would probably come to challenge us alone, so as not to let others get a share." "It's not that I'm boasting, but aside from the Hokushin Ittō-ryū and the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, we are absolutely confident in wiping out any other faction. Anyone who dares to come here is simply unlucky. On the contrary, if your sect were to lend a hand, they would know that they cannot defeat the renowned Kirigakure Shigenryū on their own, and would surely form an alliance, consolidating their forces into a powerful force. At that time, hundreds or even thousands of ninjas would come charging at once; who could withstand that?"
Kora Miyuki was slightly taken aback. She hadn't considered the situation Ren Xiaoyao described, yet it made perfect sense, and she couldn't find any reason to refute it. After a long while, she slowly closed her beautiful eyes, like a helpless child, and said, "If all else fails, I'll have Kigi Sabei and a few brothers skilled in stealth protect us secretly. We'll only lend a hand when it comes to a life-or-death situation. I hope Master Ren won't refuse such a small request." Ren Xiaoyao smiled calmly, “
The news of Mina being pursued by Iga Valley has been circulating widely in the martial world. The Hokushin Ittō-ryū will certainly not stand idly by; a large number of reinforcements must have already arrived from the west. As long as we hand Mina over to them, what is there to fear from a mere few dozen insignificant minor sects?”
Kora Miyuki raised her pretty face, a gentle smile playing on her tightly pursed cherry lips, and said softly, “Sect Leader Ren is exceptionally intelligent; how could you make such a frivolous and shallow judgment?”
Ren Xiaoyao was slightly surprised and cupped his hands, saying, “If I have made any mistakes, please enlighten me, Sect Leader.” "
Takara Miyuki said leisurely, "I remember you Central Plains have two proverbs, one is 'feint to the east while attacking the west,' and the other is 'luring the tiger away from the mountain'..."
Ren Xiaoyao took a few quick breaths, his pupils contracted, and he exclaimed, "Could it be that Iga Valley spared no expense, offering bounties to various sects' experts to surround and intercept, forcibly abduct Mina, or even kill her, in order to lure the Shinguji sect leader and the main force of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, and then launch a full-scale attack on Hueco Mundo!?"
Takara Miyuki's gaze suddenly became extremely sharp, as if she could see right into Ren Xiaoyao's heart, and she frowned slightly as she said, "That's right, this is Kubo Kōsuke's plan to kill two birds with one stone. If the Hokushin Ittō-ryū does not send anyone to help, they will directly abduct the Shinguji girl and force the Shinguji sect leader to hand over the prince; otherwise, they will send all their experts to break into Hueco Mundo and take the prince's life directly." "The head of Shinguji Temple is loyal to the country and devoted to the nation. He will surely sacrifice his beloved daughter to protect the crown prince. Therefore, on this long journey to Nara, Master Ren will fight alone without any external assistance."
Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "Mina is no ordinary girl. She is the only daughter of the head of Shinguji Temple and the youngest Jonin in the Japanese martial arts world. Even in a perilous situation, she is more than capable of protecting herself."
Kora Miyuki suddenly chuckled and gasped, "The universe is divided into the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. They are mutually generating and restraining. Although Miss Shinguji is a Jonin, she is only proficient in fire-type ninjutsu. In addition, her divine weapon is lost. Let alone a single water-type Jonin, she might not even be able to handle three or four Chunin." " What? Master Ren prides himself on being a dashing and romantic thief, surrounded by beauties. Now, after spending half a month with Miss Shinguji, do I really need to explain these things to you? Could it be..."
Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "You... how much do you know about my affairs?"
Gao Liang Meixue stretched and said indifferently, "I know as much as the shop assistants of Tingyuxuan in Tottori knew before they came to Japan."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "The sect leader has tried every means and scheme to force me to agree... Alas, this matter truly puts Xiaoyao in a difficult position."
Gao Liang Meixue sighed softly, her previously calm eyes changing, revealing a resentful and melancholic look, and said gently, "I clearly pleaded with soft words, how could you use the word 'force'?"
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly sat up straight, his strong and robust body gleaming. His eyes shone brightly as he stared at Gao Liang Meixue, his expression calmer and more composed than ever before. He slowly said, word by word, "Sect Leader, are you truly willing to go to any lengths to get the Wuyin Shigenryu to join the Seven Great Sects—no matter how much hardship or cost you have to endure?" Gao
Liang Meixue gently brushed the hair from her face, then revealed a weary expression of exhaustion and endless sighs of remembrance. She said bitterly, "I'm tired, really tired. I've spent my entire youth and energy on the Wuyin Shigenryu. Anyone would be exhausted by that. In this life, I have no other wish but this last one."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone even brighter, yet his tone was surprisingly calm as he said in a deep voice, "Good, good..." As he uttered the third "good," his right palm lashed out, striking Gao Liang Meixue directly on the shoulder. Who
would have thought that he, always so upright and righteous, would suddenly launch a sneak attack!
Though it was a simple move, its momentum was unstoppable. Before the palm strike even reached her, a thick, scorching, and refined innate supreme qi surged forth, enveloping her like a net. The damage caused by such scorching and destructive energy penetrating her body was unimaginable.
The sudden change was startling. Kijima Sabei, watching from afar, was already terrified, but Kora Miyuki seemed oblivious, remaining motionless and unmoved. Her mind and spirit were in perfect harmony, all thoughts empty, she entered a state of spiritual emptiness, allowing the palm strike to sweep towards her.
Just as the palm strike touched Kora Miyuki's delicate face, the overwhelming energy suddenly gathered into a ball, sliding down her flowing hair.
With two loud booms, the cliff behind Kora Miyuki collapsed, yet she herself remained completely unharmed.
Ren Xiaoyao abruptly stood up, his eyes shining with genuine admiration. He said, moved, "You remained unfazed by my 'Heavenly Thunder Without Error' technique. Your cultivation is comparable to that of the seven major sect leaders. I swear to the heavens that if Mina is safely returned to Nara this time, I will not seek any credit, but willingly give it all to your sect. I will also do my utmost to mediate and persuade Sect Leader Zhen Gong to agree to your proposal."
Gao Liang Meixue smiled, her smile spreading like ripples into a radiant grin. "As the saying goes, 'No reward without merit,' I think it's better to send..."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed with anticipation, but he interrupted, "A man's word is his bond. I said I didn't want help, and I mean it. But... I won't mind having more rivals vying for Mina." With that, he laughed three times and departed happily.
Watching his receding figure, Kora Miyuki was filled with endless emotion, murmuring, "Thank goodness... thank goodness he's not from Japan, otherwise the vibrant martial arts world of Japan would have become his personal stage."

Volume 31: Perilous Journey Home, Chapter 8: A Lifelong Matter

. Ren Xiaoyao returned to Ichimaru Town, where the women had been waiting at the inn for a long time. Seeing his solemn expression and thoughtful demeanor, they quickly surrounded him, asking what had happened. Ren Xiaoyao, fearing the women would worry, tried to brush it off with a few perfunctory words, but they seemed to have planned it beforehand, insisting on digging deeper and getting to the bottom of it.
Helpless, Ren Xiaoyao had no choice but to answer truthfully, leaving the women looking at each other speechless for a long time.
After a long pause, Lin Yuxiu asked hesitantly, "Sister Mina, if you encounter an opponent skilled in water-based ninjutsu, are you really... really so vulnerable?"
Shinguji Mina slowly closed her beautiful eyes, like a helpless child, and said, "Yes, if we fought near a waterfall or river, one of their Thousand Kill Water Splashes would be enough to kill me—Xiaoyao, this trip to Nara is truly fraught with danger and peril. A slight misstep could cost us our lives. I think you should leave me behind and take the other sisters with you."
Ren Xiaoyao's expression turned serious, his tiger-like eyes blazing as he looked at Shinguji Mina. With a solemn expression, he said, "Do you remember what I said to you in the woods? Even if it meant my death, I would send you back to Hueco Mundo."
Mina Shinguji's heart trembled violently, her eyes suddenly reddening and swelling, two crystal tears welling in her eyes. With a soft sob, she threw herself into Ren Xiaoyao's arms, crying, "Xiaoyao, why... why are you so good to me..."
Ren Xiaoyao held Mina Shinguji tightly, lovingly stroking her flowing hair, and said softly with deep emotion, "Because I love you, I love your kind nature and intelligent heart, ever since I was in Tottori..." From the moment I saw you helping those impoverished people at the dock, I felt a fondness for you; seeing you single-handedly confront the attack of the Iga Valley bandits at the Tottori Sand Dunes, I felt an urge to protect and care for you; gradually, I fell irrevocably in love with you, with your fragility, with your gentleness, and I know I can never be without you in this lifetime.
Protecting you and ensuring your safe return to Hueco Mundo is not only my responsibility as a man, but also my duty as your pursuer. If you suffer even the slightest harm, I will be filled with endless regret. Mina "Don't worry, even if I fight to my last breath, I will still use my body to shield you from a fatal blow. Even if I die, I won't blink, because I'm protecting you—my beloved!" He had confessed his love to girls countless times, but this time, in front of everyone, he spoke with sincerity and earnestness, every word coming from the heart. Shinguji Mina trembled with emotion, tears welling in her eyes. She moved her arms away from Ren Xiaoyao's shoulders, passionately wrapping them around his neck, holding him tightly, and offering him a sweet kiss.
All the hardships, difficulties, and dangers vanished instantly, replaced by an overwhelming, unwavering love and tenderness between the lovers. Ren Xiaoyao's selfless struggle, his countless drops of sweat and blood, were all more than compensated for at this moment.
From the moment Ren Xiaoyao fell for Mina Shinguji, he never imagined their first kiss would happen under such circumstances. But nothing else mattered; time, place, even the entire world seemed irrelevant.
Their hearts pounded fiercely, filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions under the setting sun.
His only wish now was for time to stand still at this moment, until the very end of time.
Such a tender scene, such a moving picture, even Shui Furong, usually prone to jealousy, showed no displeasure. Instead, she recalled the night she and Ren Xiaoyao pledged their lives to each other at Yonghe Villa, her pretty face beaming with happiness. At this moment, she finally understood that Ren Xiaoyao wasn't a womanizer or a philanderer, but rather someone who poured genuine feelings into every woman he loved, thinking her thoughts, longing for her, and giving everything for her.
Their lips parted, and Mina Shinguji tilted her head back, closing her beautiful eyes with an alluring, intoxicated expression. Her lips parted slightly, and she spoke tenderly, "You know, I've actually liked you for a long time, but... but as a girl, I'm too shy to say it. Now..." Her voice trailed off, until she gently lowered her head, her shy and charming demeanor capable of melting even the hardest heart.
Ren Xiaoyao's heart melted, a blissful feeling washing over him. He pulled Mina Shinguji tightly into his arms, feeling an unprecedented sense of fulfillment, his heart overflowing with her tenderness. Her fragrant scent still lingered in his senses—this was the greatest gift God had bestowed upon him!
Just then, Yi Tianhan's hearty laughter rang in his ears: "Hahaha, true love prevails in the end! I've finally been waiting for this day. So, Xiaoyao, do you want me to be your matchmaker and marry Miss Zhen Gongsi?" He had long hoped that his niece would fall in love with Ren Xiaoyao, and seeing this scene now, he was naturally filled with joy.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled without speaking, while Shinguji Mina nestled obediently into his arms, pressed her cheek against his, and whispered, "When we return to Nara, I'll take you to propose to Father, okay?"
Ren Xiaoyao tenderly held her soft, fragrant hands in his own, gently kissing her palms, his soul captivated, and said softly, "To be favored by Mina is a blessing I've accumulated over many lifetimes. If I dared to utter even a single 'no,' wouldn't I be struck by lightning?" A cold glint flashed in his tiger-like eyes, revealing unfathomable power, and he coldly said, "Anyone who dares to ambush me on the road and ruin my life's most important event, I'll make them pay!"
×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
It was the same restaurant, the same table full of delicious food, but a full half month had passed.
While Long Feiyun got up to pour wine for everyone, Lin Yuxiu launched into a long-winded speech: "Big brother, you're really amazing! Counting the Gamō-ryū that just retreated, you've probably taken down eighteen or nineteen schools all by yourself along the way. Let me count—Kyushu-ryū, Hidekō-ryū, Asuka-ryū, Itō-ryū…"
Nangong Fengyi said quietly, "Nine schools volunteered their names, seven were identified by Mina and Masaya, and the other five ran away before they even made a move." "Heh, exactly twenty, no more, no less."
Nangong Fengzi chuckled, "They're both sect leaders, but their strength varies greatly. The strong ones can last a dozen moves under Brother Xiaoyao's sword, while the weak ones are knocked down before they even draw their weapons. I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts."
The women exchanged knowing smiles. Shui Furong's beautiful eyes sparkled as she said calmly, "I think Gao Liang Meixue is clearly exaggerating. She's just hoping we can get the Wuyin Shigenryu group to join this easy, low-effort job."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with an unprecedented glint, and he slowly said, "You're wrong. Sect Master Gao Liang is telling the truth. At least 60% of the ninjas I've driven away these past few days weren't after Mina, but rather using the opportunity to test our strength, feigning weakness to lower our guard and facilitate their future actions. That's why I've handled all the battles from beginning to end, and I've never used my true skills."
Shinguji Mina chimed in, "Yes, those who have come knocking so far are indeed from unknown small sects. I think in a few days, truly threatening opponents will follow..." (The sentence ends abruptly.
) As soon as the words "and arrived" were uttered, a long howl suddenly came from outside the window. "So she is indeed the daughter of Shinguji Ryuugen. She does have some knowledge. It's a pity we didn't come in a few days, but now."
Everyone was startled and looked towards the window. Not far away stood a middle-aged ninja with a long sword at his waist and a robust physique. He was no more than forty years old, with long hair flowing down his shoulders, dark skin, a well-proportioned and perfect body, a full beard, and clear and prominent features. He was handsome and ancient, exuding an imposing aura of dominance. His cold, icy eyes, like blades, gave him a ruthless and adventurous personality, willing to risk his life for anything.
Ren Xiaoyao abruptly stood up, leaped out of the window, and stared intently at the uninvited guest who had interrupted their conversation. He asked with a leisurely smile, "Who are you?"
The middle-aged ninja gave a cold laugh and said indifferently, "I am Sakata Gintoki, a Jonin of the Shitong Aoki-ryu school." His words and actions were arrogant, as if he didn't care about anyone, looking down on everyone.
Ren Xiaoyao remained unfazed, still as carefree as ever, and casually asked, "Are you here to abduct Mina?"
Sakata Gintoki's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said coldly with an arrogant tone, "Hmph, I've wanted to make a move since I saw you, but unfortunately, the sect leader's task was to deliver a challenge." With that, he flicked his sleeve, and a shuriken flew towards Ren Xiaoyao, its tail seemingly still attached to a letter or something similar.
Shuriken are one of the three most commonly used tools by ninjas. Despite their fancy name, they are essentially just curved daggers with nothing special about them. Given their slow speed, Ren Xiaoyao didn't think much of it and reached out to catch them. Suddenly,
Deng Lei shouted beside him, "Get out of the way! Hidden weapons are dangerous!"
Before the words were even finished, the shuriken's blade unfurled like a windmill, instantly splitting into four pieces, filling the air with a chilling light as it whistled towards the unsuspecting Ren Xiaoyao.

(Chapter 9: Surrounded by Powerful Enemies , A Sudden Change Occurs

) Caught off guard, Ren Xiaoyao barely managed to dodge using his Illusionary Shadow Technique.
Seeing the shuriken graz his forehead, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But just as Ren Xiaoyao stopped, the shuriken suddenly split into four, whipping around with a fierce wind, directly attacking Ren Xiaoyao's limbs and joints.
Ren Xiaoyao was shocked. His innate supreme qi burst forth instantly. He spread his five fingers wide with his left hand and used the Shaolin Dragon Claw Hand technique to grab the sword diagonally. With his right hand, he used the Hunyuan Wuji technique, circling and sweeping to deflect two of the swords. He touched the ground with his left foot and swept his right leg horizontally, knocking down the third sword. Then, he used the Flying Immortal Transformation technique to forcefully raise his body by more than ten feet. He managed to dodge the attack of the last shuriken at the last possible moment.
Shui Furong angrily rebuked, "Sakata Gintoki, you..." Before she could utter the word "despicable," Sakata Gintoki had already vanished without a trace outside the window, leaving only his arrogant voice echoing in the distance: "I thought he was some kind of top expert, but he's nothing special. My sect leader, Nakai Kazuya, is personally leading his followers to await you at Qilipo, east of the city. If you think you're no match for him, then obediently hand over Shinguji Mina, lest I, the great master, have to hurt you."
Long Feiyun said indignantly, "What an arrogant fellow! Not only did he launch a sneak attack, but he also dares to be so presumptuous."
Ren Xiaoyao returned to the hall, wiping the sweat from his brow, still shaken. "This man certainly had the right to be arrogant," he said. "If Mr. Deng hadn't warned me in time, I would have been tricked. Good heavens, with a casual flick of his wrist, he forced me to unleash my ultimate moves just to stay unharmed. Although he caught me off guard, his technique was undeniable. Impressive, truly impressive."
Shinguji Mina said softly, "He used the Shitsuki-ryu's unique secret technique—the Shadow Windmill Shuriken. Even Father would have a headache if he encountered it, let alone you, who has never even heard of it."
Deng... Lei was moved and said, "Well done, well done! Even after leaving his hand, he can still make two variations, and the power and angle are perfectly controlled. I think his hidden weapon skills, even if not as good as Tang Yunhe's, are certainly not below the four guardians of the Tang Clan. Therefore, wouldn't Nakai Kazuya be..."
Shinguji Minako gently touched Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder and said softly, "Nakai Kazuya is cowardly and mediocre. The number one master of the Shitong Aoki-ryu should be Sakata Gintoki."
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but show surprise and said in astonishment, "No way, if Nakai..." "As you said, Kazuya's personality is such that with Sakata Gintoki's arrogant temperament, how could he willingly submit to his orders?"
Shinguji Mina explained, "Nakai Kazuya is mediocre, but his father, Nakai Hisashi, was an absolute hero. Back then, he was famous throughout Kansai for his 'Thousand Needles Like Rain' technique and was one of the renowned Osaka Five Ninjas. He was generous, magnanimous, and righteous. In the past, to save the Osaka wealthy merchant Sakata Morishi's family, he fought for three days and three nights without sleep, engaging in twenty-seven battles, ultimately sacrificing an arm. This became a legendary tale in the Japanese martial arts world." "
Ren Xiaoyao pressed further, "So, Sakata Gintoki is Sakata Morishige's..."
Shinguji Mina interjected, "Father! Nakai Hisashi saved dozens of members of the Sakata family, and Sakata Morishige, deeply grateful, forced his seven sons to swear a poisonous oath to serve the Shitsu Aoki-ryu for life. After Nakai Hisashi's death, his eldest son, Nakai Kazuya, inherited the position of sect leader. He was weak-willed and incompetent; within a few years, many of the sect's top members left or died. The once-powerful Shitsu Aoki-ryu, which had dominated Kansai, fell into ruin and nearly perished. Fortunately, Sakata Gintoki..." "He and his brothers kept their promise and even donated all their family property to persevere until now."
Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, "So, as long as we take down the Sakata Seven Brothers, we can defeat the Shitong Aoki-ryu?"
Shinguji Mina smiled indifferently, "Well... I guess so."
Long Feiyun interjected, "Sakata Gintoki is a first-rate expert, I wonder..."
Shinguji Mina was very clever and knew exactly what Long Feiyun wanted to ask. She spread her hands and smiled bitterly, "Alas, I'm not like you, sister, who knows about the Central Plains..." He was intimately familiar with the anecdotes and stories of the martial arts world. He remembered some of the details of the various ninjutsu schools from his father's occasional mentions, but as for the others…”
Kurosaki Masayoshi, standing at the foot of the table, suddenly interjected, “The seven Sakata brothers each have their strengths; some are skilled in scheming, others in finance, and still others have wide social connections. Only Sakata Gintoki and his two younger brothers, Sakata Mitsushi and Sakata Masahiro, are focused on martial arts. Fortunately, they are only Chunin-level, so their strength is not a major concern. The one we really need to be wary of is the mediocre Nakai Kazuya that Mina-nee mentioned—actually…” His martial arts skills were truly passed down from Nakai Hisashi, and are by no means inferior to Sakata Gintoki. It's just that he's timid and cowardly, which is why people look down on him. If we were to actually fight him, we would have to be very careful. Lin Yuxiu said coquettishly, "He's a grown man, how can he be so timid? It would be a laughing stock if word got out."
Kurosaki Masayoshi casually said, "It seems that he suffered some kind of trauma when he was young, so..."
Before he could finish speaking, Nangong Fengzi suddenly burst into laughter, as radiant as a blooming flower, which startled everyone, and they all looked at her with surprise. Nangong Fengzi composed herself, and with a rare, infuriatingly mocking expression, she said, "You all don't know, do you? When Brother Xiaoyao was little, he was frequently beaten up by Miss Meng. Over time, he developed a psychological trauma. You all remember the scene at the martial arts tournament, right? Xiaoyao was like a mouse before a cat when he saw his senior sister. His groveling, subservient manner must have made you laugh until your stomachs hurt." Upon hearing this, Nangong Fengyi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu couldn't help but burst into laughter. Su Hanbi, Long Feiyun, and Zhen Gongji Mina pestered them with questions. The large hall was instantly filled with soft laughter and sweet chatter. The tense atmosphere caused by Sakata Gintoki's 'Shadow Windmill Shuriken' that nearly injured Ren Xiaoyao vanished without a trace. Surrounded by
powerful enemies and fraught with danger, Ren Xiaoyao naturally remembered the principle of taking it easy.
After a hearty meal, the group found an inn to rest and recharge before setting off again.
Arriving at Qilipo, they were greeted by a breathtaking panorama of ancient trees and withered wild grasses, yet also lush and verdant pines, cypresses, firs, and poplars. A gentle autumn breeze carried the sounds of birdsong, and the refreshing air was invigorating.
Thinking of the impending battle, Ren Xiaoyao shook his head and sighed. To destroy such a rare and beautiful sight instead of fully appreciating it felt like a waste.
Meanwhile, the disciples of the "great hero" Nakai Hisashi, as described by Shinguji Mina, and all thirty-seven or thirty-eight members of the Shitong Aoki-ryu school, were gathered on a small hill. There were no traps or ambushes set up around them, nor were there any hidden traps in the surrounding woods. Ren Xiaoyao, with his keen eyesight, took in the entire situation on the hilltop from dozens of feet away. Seated in the center was Nakai Kazuya, the then-leader of the Shitong Aoki-ryu school. He was around forty years old, tall and handsome, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. The prominent lines of his chest strained against his tight-fitting black suit. If it weren't for Shinguji Mina's insistence that Nakai Hisashi was cowardly and incompetent, Ren Xiaoyao would never have believed that this burly, imposing man was a coward who wouldn't even give a woman a second glance.
Standing to Nakai Kazuya's left was Sakata Gintoki. Compared to the casual clothes he had seen outside the restaurant a few hours earlier, he now wore a black samurai outfit and a plain blue cloak, appearing even more aloof. The sword at his waist was gone, replaced by an oil-paper umbrella in each hand. Seeing the clear autumn sky and gentle breeze, anyone with a modicum of knowledge could guess that he would be using an oil-paper umbrella as a weapon, and that there must be some hidden meaning behind it. The two men flanking him, who bore a resemblance to Nakai Kazuya, were likely his younger brothers, who were focused on martial arts.
Ren Xiaoyao strode forward, laughed heartily, and cupped his hands, saying, "Worldly affairs have been complicated, delaying my journey. I apologize for keeping you all waiting." He then "solemnly" bowed to Nakai Kazuya, intending to observe his reaction.
Zhongjing Hezai hurriedly stood up, flattered and returned the greeting, saying, "Not at all, not at all. It is an honor for Shitong Qingmu School that Master Ren has arrived as promised." He spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, but his tone was slow and the last syllable was drawn out, which was far from the heroic demeanor that a sect leader should have. In addition, his voice was high-pitched and did not match his burly figure. Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu were already laughing out loud.
Sakata Gintoki's face darkened, and he rebuked in a low voice, "How dare you! How can you be so insolent before the Sect Leader?"
Lin Yuxiu was taken aback for a moment, then showed an annoyed expression. Just as she was about to retort, she saw Nakai Kazuya pull Sakata Gintoki back, saying with a sour tone, "It's alright, a few young girls, let them laugh if they want to." Then he turned to Ren Xiaoyao and asked solemnly, "Sect Leader Ren, have you already decided whether to hand over Miss Shinguji to us?"

Chapter 10 of Volume 31, "Perilous Journey Home," describes the cowardly Sect Leader

Ren Xiaoyao's stunned silence, followed by a loud laugh that seemed to resonate like thunder, piercing the heavens. Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. The laughter was powerful and resonant, as if it wanted to express all the things in his heart. Besides shaking the surrounding area, it also showed that his internal strength was pure and profound, unparalleled in the world. Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, and Deng Lei all stroked their beards and chuckled, secretly thinking that Ren Xiaoyao's cultivation had improved again; Sakata Gintoki showed a look of astonishment, realizing that Ren Xiaoyao had not used his full strength outside the restaurant; all the Shitong Aoki-ryu disciples were so shocked that their faces turned pale; Nakai Kazuya even went limp, slumped back in his chair, staring blankly ahead in disbelief, his teeth chattering, looking terrified and distraught.
Ren Xiaoyao's laughter, which had seemed to shatter clouds and split rocks, had barely ceased when his gaze swept across the hilltop. His expression suddenly shifted, sharp as a sword, his relaxed and dejected demeanor vanishing instantly, replaced by the heroic bearing of a top-tier master. A smug arrogance emanated from him, his tiger-like eyes flashing with a fierce light. Standing tall and proud, he smiled calmly and said, "Mina is my fiancée. Do you all think I would hand over my lover to you so easily?"
His piercing gaze fixed intently on Zhong Jinghe, causing the latter to tremble and stammer, "Master Ren… if Master Ren is willing to hand her over, he…" "He Gu offered 20,000 taels of silver... our sect is willing to offer half of it." Seeing that Ren Xiaoyao was unmoved, he quickly added, "If that's too little, we are willing... willing to offer 15,000 taels."
For the dignified sect leader of the Shitong Aoki-ryu sect to say such a thing, not only did Sakata Gintoki and his disciples feel embarrassed, but even the well-informed Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun looked at each other in astonishment. Nakai Kazuya was not weak-willed or cowardly by nature; he was simply an incompetent fool. No wonder Sakata Gintoki always had an arrogant air about him; it turned out that he had been suppressing it for years in front of a cowardly sect leader.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, raised his voice, and said forcefully, "Could it be that in the sect leader's eyes, his beloved wife is only worth 15,000 taels of gold... Hahaha, we have a saying in the Central Plains: 'Priceless treasures are easy to obtain, but a loving husband is hard to find.' I, Ren Xiaoyao, will replace 'husband' with 'wife.' Women, especially the women I love, are not to be taken away even if you bring mountains of gold and silver. Hmph, if anyone dares to take her by force, I'll make them pay!"
Zhong Jinghezai gasped, his face turning even more unpleasant. He pulled Sakata Gintoki aside and whispered, "Brother Sakata, should we... or just let it go? This man has profound internal strength; we can't afford to offend him."
Sakata Gintoki said in a deep voice, "How would I know if I haven't fought him? Let me try.
" Inui Kazuya's face flushed red instantly, and he stammered, "No... let's not. Look at them, they're all experts. If we really fight, we might suffer a great loss. It's better to... let them pass."
Sakata Gintoki frowned and said, "How can that be? The brothers have come all the way from Nagano. How can we just leave like that? Besides, if we don't get the 20,000 taels of silver, the sect's various expenses... sigh!"
Inui Kazuya hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, "Forget it. There are many ways to make money. Let's not risk the brothers' lives." Although their voices were soft, Ren Xiaoyao, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, and others, who had profound internal strength, heard every word clearly. With such a cowardly sect leader, it's no wonder that the Shitong Aoki-ryu has declined to this extent.
Sakata Gintoki stomped his foot abruptly and declared resolutely, "If the sect leader fears too many casualties, I will fight alone. If I win, the credit will be shared by the entire sect; if I lose, it will be my personal matter and none of your business!" With that, he grabbed his two umbrellas, strode forward, and proclaimed loudly, "Ren Xiaoyao, let me test your martial arts!"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed brightly, his spine straight and shoulders broad, displaying unparalleled confidence. His entire body radiated a firm and powerful aura. His tiger-like eyes fixed on Sakata Gintoki, and he spoke in a deep voice... "Have you thought it through? Do you really want to fight me?"
Sakata Gintoki's lips curled into a chilling smile as he arrogantly declared, "Hmph, the outcome is still uncertain."
Ren Xiaoyao gave a wink, signaling the women to step back. With a "whoosh," he drew his Ice Soul Frost Sword, flicking the blade with his left index finger, a buzzing sound reverberating through the air. He declared loudly, "Sakata Gintoki, show me your skills!" He then assumed the stance of the Soaring Sky Sword Technique, slowly gathering his power, staring intently at his opponent.
Sakata Gintoki's face suddenly darkened, he exhaled a cold breath, and slowly stepped forward. When he was about two zhang away from Ren Xiaoyao, wisps of smoke suddenly rose around him, instantly enveloping him.
Ren Xiaoyao leaped forward, shouting, "You think you can fool me with this kind of trick!" As he spoke, the Ice Soul Frost Sword, like a runaway horse, rushed straight towards the center of the smoke, displaying the fearless, life-or-death spirit of someone charging forward on the battlefield.
To his surprise, the sword's edge missed its mark. Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed slightly. "So affectionate, yet seemingly heartless," "My clothes grow looser, yet I have no regrets," "Drawing my sword to cut the water, the water flows on"—the sword's tip flickered and shifted, moving horizontally and vertically, the sound of the wind whistling through the air incessant, yet it never managed to touch even a hem of Sakata Gintoki's clothes.
Could he not be in the smoke?! Just
as doubt began to form in Ren Xiaoyao's mind, he suddenly felt a strong wind brush against his ear from behind. Without thinking, he swiftly used "Crossing the River on a Reed" to drift several feet diagonally.
"Boom!" The umbrella handle slammed heavily onto the ground, the powerful energy surging and splashing within a few feet, instantly cracking the ground in several places—the destructive force was evident.
Ren Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat: "What kind of martial art is this! It can disappear from my sight in an instant and launch an attack from behind." Sakata Gintoki didn't give him time to think. His figure blurred, and he sprang forward, his left hand holding the umbrella handle forming a circle, tracing a beautiful arc in the air as it plunged towards Ren Xiaoyao's head. Even before the umbrella tip arrived, a chilling killing intent surged down.
Ren Xiaoyao retreated slightly, his Ice Soul Frost Sword flashing upwards. Sakata Gintoki easily dodged, then his right hand, holding the umbrella handle, launched a follow-up attack. Before the first move even landed, another appeared, each move faster than the last, utterly ruthless, vicious, and incomparably sharp. Despite using neither a knife nor a sword, but just an ordinary umbrella, each strike could shatter bones, leaving the victim with a gruesome death.
Seeing his opponent's strange and continuous attacks, striking all his joints with such force that the wind howled sharply and was truly terrifying, Ren Xiaoyao was greatly alarmed. He thought to himself, "Sakata Gintoki is indeed skilled in martial arts. I'll have to break his weapon to have any chance of winning." With that thought, he quickly used his Flying Immortal Transformation technique to leap into the air. Without moving his body or head, he raised his right arm straight up to the sky, his sword and body forming a straight line. This was the ultimate move from the Fiery Sky-Supporting Sword, "Sparkling Wildfire."
But then, with a "clang," the Ice Soul Frost Sword struck the umbrella handle squarely.
Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed, but upon closer inspection, he saw that the umbrella handle in Sakata Gintoki's hand only had a white mark on it, showing no sign of breaking.
Sakata Gintoki sneered, "These two Thousand Needle Umbrellas of mine are forged from cold iron from the bottom of the sea. You think you can destroy them? Dream on!" His body moved like an arrow, incredibly fast, and the Thousand Needle Umbrellas swept in, striking Ren Xiaoyao's left and right shoulders.
Ren Xiaoyao, helpless, thought to himself, "It's not easy to launch a preemptive attack; I'll adopt a defensive stance first." He then unleashed the Snow Reflecting Red Dust Sword, its moves opening and closing, strictly adhering to the rules, forcefully dismantling Sakata Gintoki 's endless stream of ingenious techniques.
In terms of internal strength, he was far superior to Sakata Gintoki, and in terms of movement, he was also much more skilled. However, facing Sakata Gintoki's strange ninjutsu that could instantly disappear before his eyes, he couldn't unleash its full potential. Although he had used all his strength to forcefully dismantle it, he still found it extremely difficult to defend. Suddenly, he let out a long roar and unleashed the "Thirteen Forms of Meteor," the sword light dazzling as he launched a powerful attack, fully displaying its swiftness and ferocity.
Lin Yuxiu was utterly bewildered, muttering, "Big brother's defense is already insufficient, why is he still launching a preemptive attack?"
Shinguji Mina said softly, "Because he wants to uncover the secrets of the 'Earth Escape: Fang-Chasing Technique'."
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes brightened, and she chuckled, "So, Mina, you already knew..."
Shinguji Mina smiled without answering, her captivating eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao's sword light shifted, returning to the "Lingxiao Sword Technique." Using the gentle force of the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm, it was light, agile, and mysterious, its momentum soft and fluid, completely different from his previous fierce and aggressive swordsmanship, yet its power was no less. With a series of clangs, it blocked the opponent's exceptionally domineering moves one by one. With another swing, it became ethereal and elusive, the sword tip flickering and shifting, aiming directly at Sakata Gintoki's brow.
Sakata Gintoki froze, seeing points of light before his eyes, dazzling and bewildering him. He panicked and hastily used his "Earth Release: Chasing Fang Technique." This was the moment Ren Xiaoyao had been waiting for. The instant Sakata Gintoki vanished into the smoke and dust, Ren Xiaoyao spread his left hand, unleashing his full innate supreme qi, and slashed out three times into the void.
The thick fog was instantly dispersed by the palm wind, revealing a mound the size of a millstone where Sakata Gintoki had disappeared. In the blink of an eye, it sank in, returning to its original state. Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly, proclaiming, "Hahaha, so it's just a combination of Earth Release and Smoke Release, plus a little cleanup trick. Nothing special!" (

Chapter 11: A Thousand Needles to Kill)

Suddenly, a cold wind swept over him. Sakata Gintoki silently appeared from behind, raising both umbrellas and unleashing a series of slashes. The sharp, piercing sound of the wind followed one after another, terrifying and horrifying.
Having seen through the mystery, Ren Xiaoyao was naturally fearless. With a slight sway of his toes, he easily dodged. Sakata Gintoki's attack missed, and his twin umbrellas immediately spun around to block, sweeping across the waist with fluid, unpredictable movements.
Ren Xiaoyao dodged aside, his weapon trembling as he immediately seized an opening to counterattack. His movements and swordsmanship were entirely derived from the secrets of "Flying Immortal Transformation." In the blink of an eye, he slid to Sakata Gintoki's left side, unleashing three consecutive strikes with the Ice Soul Frost Sword technique as swift as thunder. At the same time, his left hand unleashed a Heaven-Defying Palm strike towards Sakata Gintoki's waist. The attack was incredibly cunning, and the force was astounding.
Sakata Gintoki slightly tilted his body, dodging the palm strike. His twin umbrellas swiftly pointed towards the sword, but Ren Xiaoyao shifted and swayed, instantly seizing Sakata Gintoki's left side and launching a fierce attack with his sword. This time, he used the "Returning Wind and Falling Goose Sword," a signature move of Dugu Hong, renowned for its lightness, agility, and ingenuity. The moves appeared unremarkable, yet the sword was imbued with the powerful, innate energy of supreme qi.
Sakata Gintoki felt a gust of wind cut like a blade; even before the sword reached him, his throat was already throbbing with pain. Startled, he hastily raised his umbrellas to block. Ren Xiaoyao, anticipating this move, slightly tilted his Ice Soul Frost Sword, striking the umbrella handle precisely in the center. His inner force poured into the point of contact.
Sakata Gintoki thought he had parried well, but the immense force of the sword struck him, causing his blood to surge and him to cry out, "Ouch!" His tiger's mouth cracked, and he nearly lost his grip on the umbrellas.
Ren Xiaoyao unleashed his inner strength, slightly tilting the sword tip. With a gentle pull, he caused Sakata Gintoki to grit his teeth and hold on tightly to the umbrella handle. However, his steps were pulled off balance, and he stumbled and fell two steps to the side. Just as he was about to fall, he had a flash of inspiration. He used the umbrella handle in his left hand to brace himself and leaped back several feet, thus avoiding a more embarrassing fall.
Ren Xiaoyao pressed his advantage relentlessly, attacking without defending. His Ice Soul Frost Sword conjured a dazzling light that descended upon him, his figure shifting like a reflection in water, spreading outwards. Sakata Gintoki, just as he was regrouping his attack, was suddenly left with only a faint afterimage and a soft sound. Ren Xiaoyao's presence had already vanished from before his umbrellas and appeared behind him. His arrogant voice rang in his ears: "How about it? My Buddhist technique, 'Crossing the River on a Reed,' is passable, isn't it?"
The voice was practically right next to his head. Startled, Sakata Gintoki turned and attacked before the sound was even finished, barely managing to open his umbrella handles to protect himself. He thought, "Such incredible lightness skill! He's practically unpredictable!" The sound faded slightly, and Ren Xiaoyao was already gone again, his sword flashing, blocking two paths. His swordplay was high and imbued with the imagery of opposing forces and floating emeralds—the thirteenth move of the Lingxiao Sword Technique—"It's hard to meet, and it's hard to part."
The sword light enveloped an area of several feet, its shadows shifting and endlessly intricate, leaving no opening between the attacks.
Sakata Gintoki had no way to dodge, nor dared to block. Cold sweat poured from his forehead as he retreated incessantly. Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared before his eyes, and the Ice Soul Frost Sword slashed towards his face. He quickly rolled to dodge, only to feel a chill on his face. Terrified, he hurriedly pressed his hand to his cheek, realizing
with a start that Ren Xiaoyao's sword energy had already injured it. Ren Xiaoyao, having gained the upper hand, did not pursue. He simply stood still, his sword pointing at Sakata Gintoki, and said calmly, "Things have come to this. If you still won't admit defeat, when will you?"
Sakata Gintoki gasped for breath, finally catching his breath. His eyes suddenly blazed with coldness. He slightly raised his left hand, tossing the iron umbrella into the air, then clenched it into a fist and struck fiercely at Ren Xiaoyao's chest. His right hand, holding the umbrella handle, followed with a thrust, creating a pincer attack with his palm strike, unleashing a torrent of energy that roared towards Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled inwardly. Even with his two umbrellas, he hadn't found a match for him; now, with only his bare hands, he was even less of a threat. He immediately brandished his Ice Soul Frost Sword, drawing a perfect circle, its movements fluid and unrestrained, aimed directly at the iron umbrella. A chilling killing intent instantly filled the entire arena.
Suddenly, a cry of alarm came from the spectator, Mina Shinguji: "Xiaoyao, get out of the way! It's a thousand needles raining down!"
Ren Xiaoyao froze, suddenly feeling the ground beneath his feet darken. Looking up, he was horrified to see countless silver needles raining down, interspersed with eerie, azure light, shooting straight at him.
The needles were poisonous, extremely poisonous!
Even with his arrogance, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't guarantee he could avoid the needles while simultaneously blocking Sakata Gintoki's attack.
Even with his innate supreme protective energy, making him impervious to all evils and poisons, Ren Xiaoyao wasn't confident he could remain unaffected by the potent poison for a short time after being struck by the needles, maintaining his original state to fight Sakata Gintoki. More seriously, Kurosaki Masayoshi had said that the Thousand Needles of Rain and Dew would run rampant within his body. Even if all his meridians were severed, it wouldn't affect the flow of his innate supreme protective energy, but the damage to his internal organs, bones, and muscles would be immeasurable. Therefore, Ren Xiaoyao had no choice but to dodge and avoid, moving sideways by about ten feet at top speed to escape the range of the Thousand Needles of Rain and Dew.
Before Ren Xiaoyao could regain his footing, he suddenly heard a whooshing sound behind him. Turning his head, he saw that the silver needles, under the influence of Sakata Gintoki's internal energy, had changed direction and were chasing after him like a shadow. Ren Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat. Previously, Shinguji Mina had told him that when the Thousand Needles of Rain and Dew were mastered to their highest level, one could use internal energy to control their direction, speed, and even attack position, making them incredibly unpredictable and miraculous. No matter how skilled one's lightness skill, they couldn't dodge them. He had thought it was just a joke and hadn't taken it seriously. After all, even with the launcher's skill, it was already an extraordinary feat for a silver needle shot from the umbrella tip to change direction twice in mid-air; it was far beyond the level of the four great protectors of the Tang Clan, let alone the ability to manipulate hundreds or thousands of needles as easily as using one's own arm or fingers. But now it seemed that Shinguji Mina's confident assurance was indeed true. The Thousand Needles of Rain and Dew were as if they were in Sakata Gintoki's hands; no matter how high or low he moved, he couldn't escape them.
Since his debut, this was the first time Ren Xiaoyao had been forced into a situation where he could only "retreat," utterly powerless to retaliate. His humiliation was palpable. Suddenly, with a slight sway of his toes, he leaped into the air, the Ice Soul Frost Sword returning to its sheath. His left arm slightly bent, his right arm inward, he drew a circle in the air, and with a "whoosh," pushed outward—the final move of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, "The Dragon Regrets." This name is derived from the Qian hexagram in the Book of Changes, which states, "The dragon soars to its limit, regrets." It means that although the dragon soaring to its limit is invincible in its time, its strength will eventually run out, and when its strength is exhausted, it will regret, and regret will be irreversible. The dragon soars to its limit, fullness cannot last. This move emphasizes regret over arrogance, its aftereffects are endless. Initially, it seems effortless, but upon encountering resistance, it can instantly unleash thirteen consecutive bursts of power, each stronger than the last, layer upon layer, invincible and unbreakable. On the day of the martial arts tournament, he fought fiercely with Xiong Xiaotian for a long time. Even using the Free and Unfettered Palm and Flying Immortal Transformation, he could barely block Xiong Xiaotian's attack. Even Yi Tianhan, in his prime, who unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Without Regret, a technique capable of shattering mountains and breaking rocks and shattering the universe, was defeated by Xiong Xiaotian. This shows the immense power of the Dragon's Regret. Ren Xiaoyao had only seen Xiong Xiaotian use the technique once, but he had deeply imprinted it in his mind. Although he could not fully grasp the essence by simply copying it, with the help of his innate supreme qi and unparalleled fierce internal energy, he could easily execute not only thirteen but also twenty-three strikes.
A whirlwind of energy erupted, sand and stones flew, and internal energy surged out like a tidal wave, rushing towards the rain of needles.
However…
the spectacular scene of the palm strike overwhelming Sakata Gintoki's attack, which he had imagined, did not occur. The countless silver needles remained completely unharmed under the impact of the supreme, fierce, and powerful innate qi, without even slowing down in the slightest. This left Ren Xiaoyao dumbfounded and utterly horrified.
On the other hand, the nearby trees and rocks could not withstand the immense power of the "Regretful Dragon" and instantly shattered into pieces. Dust and smoke billowed and splashed, stinging their cheeks. Everyone looked at each other in shock, and Nakai Kazuya was so frightened that he huddled in a ball, trembling in his chair, his face pale, unable to utter a word for a long time.
Sakata Gintoki burst into loud laughter, his arrogant voice echoing across the surrounding area: "Hahaha, Ren Xiaoyao, you didn't expect this, did you? Each of these thousand needles, like raindrops, has tiny, invisible pores. No matter how strong your force or palm strike, it can't stop them. Unless you withstand it with your own flesh and blood, you have no other choice."
Ren Xiaoyao gasped, feeling a chill rise from his back, his entire body chilled to the bone. He hurriedly used the Snow Reflecting Red Dust Sword, its light shifting and changing, chaotic and vast, seemingly transforming into a large expanse of blue-white mist that instantly enveloped a radius of several feet around him, "clanging and banging" as he forcefully endured the onslaught of the thousand needles like raindrops.
Seeing the sword light flashing and even blocking the Taoist's figure, Sakata Gintoki couldn't help but shout "Good!" Suddenly, he let out a thunderous roar, and with a clang, he unfolded his right iron umbrella, which whistled and whistled through the air, swirling and scraping towards Ren Xiaoyao's lower body. The edge of the iron umbrella was an incomparably sharp blade, but if it cut him, he would either die or be seriously injured!

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