Chapter 113: The Master of Yin-Yang Liao

On the other side.

Xiao Yu, having left the mountain peak, did not depart from Gehe Mountain but instead rushed down with the Twelve Heavenly Descendants toward the location of the monks below.

As he neared the foot of the mountain, a thick scent of blood assaulted his nostrils, causing him to frown deeply. He couldn’t help but think: It seems my suspicion was correct; it wasn’t just the four from the Tojo clan who came this time.

With this realization, Xiao Yu quickened his pace, and in a few swift movements, he arrived at the place where the monks had been hiding.

Upon arrival, what met his eyes were bodies mangled beyond recognition. Suddenly, a violent explosion echoed from a distance. Xiao Yu immediately looked up, sensing the monks’ presence, then transformed into a shadow and dashed forward.

Just after Xiao Yu left, the Twelve Heavenly Descendants also gradually landed on the ground. Seeing the mountain foot strewn with corpses, they clearly felt the brutality of the previous battle.

“Where’s the elder brother?” Tai Sui looked around and, finding no sign of Xiao Yu, asked with confusion.

“He’s ahead. Let’s go!” Qing Long detected Xiao Yu’s aura and pointed forward. The group hurried in that direction and soon arrived where Xiao Yu was.

The first thing to catch their eyes was a massive pit. Inside lay two motionless ninjas clad in samurai armor, who, judging by their attire, were likely the two ninja lords of the royal family.

At the edge of the pit, Xiao Yu crouched on the ground, cradling someone in his arms. When Tai Sui and the others approached, they were astonished to see it was the monk. This revelation was surprising, for only Xiao Yu knew that the monk had come to the Sakura Kingdom.

The monk looked utterly battered; his loose robes were tattered, revealing pure white skin streaked with deep crimson blood. His eyes were tightly shut as he lay quietly in Xiao Yu’s embrace, causing the onlookers’ hearts to tighten in alarm.

“Boss, how is the monk?” Qing Long asked softly.

“Nothing serious, just exhausted. Two days of rest should wake him,” Xiao Yu replied calmly.

Hearing that the monk was not in mortal danger, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Although not a member of the Twelve Heavenly Descendants, they had all fought side by side on the battlefield and shared deep bonds.

“Let’s leave here first. Liu He, Li Ge, Tai Sui, you three take the bodies of our fallen brothers. Once this is over, we’ll bring them home. They must not be buried in foreign soil!” Xiao Yu said sternly.

The three nodded and quickly began clearing the battlefield. Thanks to their efforts, all twenty-four members of the Wolf Shadow faction were annihilated. However, this came at the cost of the Sakura Kingdom’s elite ninja forces; among the dead were two ninja lords and four senior ninjas.

After gathering the bodies of their comrades, night had fallen, and a distant bright moon hung in the sky.

“Brothers, after years away from home, you’ve endured much. Once our mission is complete, we’ll bring you back. Rest in peace,” Xiao Yu said quietly, standing before a pile of dry branches upon which lay the fallen heroes of the Flame Summer.

At that moment, Tai Sui approached with a torch and handed it to Xiao Yu. Upon receiving it, Xiao Yu threw it onto the dry wood, igniting a fierce blaze. The flames cast long shadows of the warriors, and the group solemnly bowed deeply before the fire.

Meanwhile, inside the Sakura Kingdom’s royal palace.

A towering figure was furiously smashing everything within reach. This man was none other than Yamamoto Ichiro, the current ruler of the Sakura Kingdom.

“Bastards! Why was my royal ninja force completely wiped out? Why didn’t the Jingong appear? Damn Xiao Yu! Damn Jingong!” Yamamoto roared in fury.

His dispatched force had included twenty upper-level ninjas, four ninja kings, and two ninja lords—the pinnacle of the royal family’s might. Losing such a force jeopardized the royal family’s ability to contend with Jingong in the future.

In the main hall, besides Yamamoto, stood a figure shrouded entirely in a black robe, exuding a powerful aura of death. The voluminous garment concealed the person’s body and face, leaving their appearance a mystery.

“This matter likely has nothing to do with Jingong. According to the Yin-Yang Bureau’s report, a fierce battle also erupted atop Gehe Mountain. It is believed that the combatants on the summit were Jingong and Xiao Yu’s group. The force that ambushed the ninja was another faction of Flame Summer warriors. I fear we underestimated Xiao Yu,” the black-robed man said coldly, emotionless as if he were a wooden statue.

“Chief Tano, it seems we must rely on the Yin-Yang Bureau. The conflict between Jingong and Xiao Yu’s group has reached a deadly point. If Xiao Yu can eliminate Jingong, that suits me fine, but I suspect Xiao Yu’s real target is not just Jingong—it’s our entire Sakura Kingdom!” Yamamoto frowned deeply.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. The Yin-Yang Bureau exists to support the royal family. Should Xiao Yu’s group bring shame upon the crown, our Yin-Yang masters will ensure they remain here forever,” the black-robed man replied calmly.

Tano Tomohito, current leader of the Yin-Yang Bureau, was a master little known among martial artists in the Sakura Kingdom. Tojo dared only to hold the emperor hostage rather than openly replace the royal family primarily because he feared the Yin-Yang Bureau.

“Chief Tano, tomorrow marks Feng Qingge’s challenge to Xiao Yu. Do you think Xiao Yu will accept?” Yamamoto asked suddenly, recalling the recent sensational event in the martial world.

“Xiao Yu, as the Flame Summer War King, carries his own pride—the kind every master should have. Feng Qingge’s public challenge has spread throughout the Sakura Kingdom’s martial circles and even reached other empires. Representing Flame Summer, Xiao Yu will not shy away. Without a doubt, he will face Feng Qingge tomorrow at Mount Fuji,” Tano said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto’s eyes lit up. “Then perhaps we should take action. Mount Fuji is a perilous place surrounded by bottomless chasms. The duel will surely attract many martial artists, including Jingong’s people. Since our martial strength is lacking, we’ll use cold weapons. Arrange artillery to surround Mount Fuji, and then...” He smiled slyly.

Tano Tomohito said nothing but merely nodded, then slowly disappeared into the depths of the hall.