Chapter 100: I Am the Law

Upon seeing the newcomers, the faces of Yagyu Wei and the others turned awkward. Though all were sect masters of the Ten Great Sects, Mingji was far older and far stronger than any of them. It was only natural that they would feel ashamed in her presence.

"Mingji, you and I are both from the Sakura Nation. If you did not come here to discuss how to deal with Xiao Yu with us, then we will not keep you." Dongtiao glanced at Mingji indifferently and said offhandedly.

"Dongtiao, ever since Miyamoto Musashi handed the Shrine over to you, I have to admit you have managed it very well. But I never expected that today, for the sake of one Xiao Yu, you would make such a decision." Mingji paid no heed to Dongtiao's words and slowly walked to the sofa and sat down.

"What is wrong with my decision? Over these years, who knows how many warriors of my Sakura Nation have died at his hands. If he were in the Summer Nation, we might still be unable to do anything to him. But now he is in our Sakura Nation! If I rally the power of the warriors of Sakura Nation, I refuse to believe Xiao Yu can still live long enough to go home!" Dongtiao said with icy eyes.

Seeing Dongtiao like this, Mingji knew that no matter what she said, it would be useless. All she could silently pray for now was that Xiao Yu and the others would spill as little blood as possible.

Xiao Yu and the others, meanwhile, showed no sign of fear simply because their whereabouts had been exposed. Tōjō likely never imagined that Xiao Yu would now be roaming with the Twelve Heavenly Descent among one of the most bustling scenic spots in the Sakura Nation: the sea of cherry blossoms beneath Mount Fuji.

It was the peak of cherry blossom season, and the sea of blossoms beneath Mount Fuji was already packed beyond measure. There were not only ordinary citizens of the Sakura Nation, but also many visitors drawn from other countries.

"Big Brother, do you really think it's okay for us to show up here in broad daylight like this?" Tai Sui asked in a low voice, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

Azure Dragon and the others were also looking around uneasily. Their whereabouts had long since been exposed, and their faces were already circulating throughout the Sakura Nation. If they were recognized now, they might very well be beaten down by a mob.

"Relax. We came to the Sakura Nation for our own purpose, but even when doing things, shouldn't one balance work with rest? We've already resigned from office and returned to a free life. Is it not pleasant to enjoy the scenery along the way now and then?" Xiao Yu said with a smile.

Although Tai Sui and the others nodded dutifully, they did not relax in the slightest. Their attention remained fixed on the surroundings.

Xiao Yu, on the other hand, looked far more at ease. He strolled along, stopping from time to time at one small stall or another. At last, he came to a vendor selling masks and began picking through the wares.

He seemed rather fond of the mask in his hands. After examining it for a while, he asked the merchant, "How much is this mask?"

Yet the moment Xiao Yu spoke, the vendor frowned at once and asked in displeasure, "Are you people from the Summer Nation?"

Xiao Yu paused, then nodded.

Seeing him nod, the vendor snatched the mask from Xiao Yu's hand and then shouted angrily in the language of the Sakura Nation, "Get lost. I don't do business with people from the Summer Nation. None of you are any good!"

At those words, Xiao Yu's gaze turned sharp. Sensing it, the vendor could not help trembling, then cried out to those around him, "Everyone, come quick! The Summer Nation people are trying to hit someone!"

At his shout, a crowd of Sakura Nation locals immediately surged over and surrounded Xiao Yu and the others. In response, Tai Sui and the rest formed a crescent line to block them off. The people were held back, but the curses and insults kept rising and falling without pause.

Xiao Yu slowly turned around and looked at the enraged crowd, a cold smile appearing on his face. He suddenly stamped his right foot hard against the ground, and several cracks instantly spread outward from beneath him. The crowd was made up of ordinary people; when had they ever seen such a spectacle? They were so frightened that they retreated again and again.

Because the crowd was so dense, some of those who stepped back accidentally tripped over the feet of others and fell. Those behind them then stepped on them in turn. In an instant, the once lively blossom fair rang with cries of pain.

"Big Brother, we should leave first. With something like this happening, it won't be long before warriors from the Sakura Nation come after the news and head here," Azure Dragon said softly as he shifted his steps and came to Xiao Yu's side.

Xiao Yu said nothing. He had come merely to enjoy the cherry blossoms today, but now he no longer had the slightest mood for it.

Just as Xiao Yu and the others were about to leave, a group of warriors in samurai robes, each gripping a long blade, came running swiftly toward them from afar.

Seeing these people appear, Xiao Yu and the others immediately stopped and watched them with interest.

Those men did not rush forward. Instead, they halted more than ten meters away. Then, after they had stopped, several men dressed in dark red blossom robes leaped over the crowd and landed before them.

"I have long admired your name, Lord Xiao Yu." A middle-aged man, his hand resting on the long blade at his waist, stepped forward slowly and greeted Xiao Yu with a grave expression.

"Who are you, some little nobody from nowhere?" Xiao Yu asked lazily, touching the bridge of his nose.

Hearing Xiao Yu's mocking tone and seeing his dismissive expression, the newcomer ground his teeth with anger. Then he said, "I am Zhuqiu Hongye, master of the Flowing Cloud Sect of the Sakura Nation. I have heard that the War King of the Summer Nation is extraordinarily strong, so I have come today especially to learn a few things from you." With that, Zhuqiu Hongye bowed deeply to Xiao Yu. In the Sakura Nation, such an action signified respect for one's opponent, a courtesy observed between warriors.

But Xiao Yu obviously had no intention of accepting that kind of ritual. So he gave a light laugh and said, "Let me ask you this: do you think I'm very free? If you say you want to learn from me, does that mean I must fight you?"

"Lord Xiao Yu, in our Sakura Nation, if one person issues a challenge, the other must accept unconditionally. That is the rule among our warriors! Today I challenge you. If you insist on avoiding me, then you will also be failing to uphold the dignity of your Summer Nation warriors!" Zhuqiu Hongye straightened his back and said with a solemn expression.

"Ha! Rules? Dignity?"

At Zhuqiu Hongye's words, Xiao Yu could not help but laugh twice. Then his eyes suddenly turned sharp, and he looked at Zhuqiu Hongye coldly.

"In my world of martial dao, I, Xiao Yu, am the rule!"