Chapter 117: The Conspiracies of the Great Empires

Under Xiao Yu’s proactive and powerful assault, Feng Qingge managed to block the strike, but the vibration from the clashing blades still left his arm numb.

Sensing Feng Qingge’s vulnerability, a wicked smile curled across Xiao Yu’s face. A surge of potent vital energy erupted from within him, and Xiao Yu pressed his sword down with renewed force. With a sharp jolt, he sent Feng Qingge, already on the defensive, flying backward.

Before Feng Qingge could recover, Xiao Yu surged forward, his sword dancing in a strange, intricate pattern as he thrust toward his opponent.

Seeing this, Feng Qingge was struck with alarm. Using the momentum of his backward flight, he rolled in mid-air and flashed to the side.

Though Feng Qingge was fast, Xiao Yu’s sword was faster. While Feng managed to evade the lethal blow, the powerful sword qi clinging to Xiao Yu’s blade still tore through the fabric on his back, leaving a shallow gash.

For Feng Qingge, a peak martial arts master, to suffer a flesh wound after only a few exchanges with Xiao Yu left him seething with rage. He had not experienced such a thing in a long time; not even during his secret duel with Abe Harutsuka had he been injured.

Xiao Yu watched him with a smile and said calmly, "I told you, it’s best to give your all when fighting me. If you want to test me, the price might just be your life."

Feng Qingge’s expression darkened. Xiao Yu was right; throughout the exchange, Feng had been holding back, intending to test whether Xiao Yu was truly as formidable as the rumors in the martial arts world suggested. It was clear now that he had underestimated him. Not only had Xiao Yu seen through his intentions, but he had also struck him, delivering a humiliating blow.

In the distance, the Twelve Heavenly Descendants erupted in cheers upon seeing Xiao Yu injure the so-called number one master of the Sakura Country’s martial arts world. Ignoring Tojo and the others nearby, they behaved like fans witnessing their favorite idol.

"My lord, Feng Qingge was actually wounded by Xiao Yu! Just how strong has this Xiao Yu become?" Sakai Masamune asked, his face full of shock.

"Hmph, Feng Qingge was arrogant. He thought Xiao Yu couldn't be his match, so he held back from the very beginning. Now, he has suffered the consequences," Tojo said coldly. A peak martial arts master who had been in seclusion for decades would not be so easily defeated; Tojo had seen from the start that Feng Qingge hadn't used his full strength, otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught so easily.

"Ha, I didn't expect to fall for your trap. Xiao Yu, I must admit you are a martial arts prodigy. To possess such strength at such a young age—you know, in our era, every peak master was enough to shake the entire world. Yet you have achieved in a short time what took us decades of cultivation."

Feng Qingge took a deep breath. As he spoke, the aura radiating from him began to climb steadily. The wound on his back was already healing at a visible rate.

Feeling Feng Qingge’s rising aura, Xiao Yu finally found the thrill of battle he had long craved. Back in Yanxia, facing Tojo and Abe Harutsuka, he had been injured and unable to fight properly. The powerful pressure emanating from Feng Qingge now ignited his long-dormant fighting spirit.

Similarly, Feng Qingge felt his own competitive fire stoked by Xiao Yu. As a master, he was lonely; he had vanished from the martial arts world because he felt no one in the Sakura Country could stand against him. It wasn't until the appearance of Abe Harutsuka three years ago that he realized new talents were constantly emerging. To defend his title as the number one master, he had to challenge powerful opponents; only then could his own cultivation reach new heights.

On this point, Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge were of the same mind.

While the battle on Mount Fuji continued, a group of special guests arrived at the Sakura Country’s imperial palace.

In the grand hall, Emperor Yamamoto Ichiro sat on his throne with a smile, while on both sides of the hall sat a dozen people in various garbs. Despite their different attire, they shared a common appearance: golden hair and blue eyes.

"In the face of this disaster in the Sakura Country, I am grateful for the arrival of the envoys from each empire. On behalf of the Sakura Country, I welcome you all," Yamamoto Ichiro said, looking at the crowd below.

As he finished, the dozen people rose and bowed. A middle-aged man in armor spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty is too kind. The Sakura Country is an ally to our empires. We have come under the orders of our own sovereigns, hoping to help the Sakura Country overcome this crisis."

The others nodded in agreement. These were representatives from the seven great empires, including Siam, the French Empire, and the British Empire, who had come to provide support.

"Emperor Yamamoto, is it truly the War King of Yanxia, Xiao Yu, who has turned the Sakura Country upside down?" asked a powerful figure from Siam.

"Indeed, it is he. Relying on his high martial skill, he has slaughtered innocents in our martial arts circles and caused countless casualties among the imperial ninja forces. It is truly hateful!" Yamamoto Ichiro said viciously.

"Did our empires not sign a ceasefire agreement with Yanxia after the last war? With Xiao Yu acting like this in the Sakura Country, has there been no response from Yanxia?" asked a hulking man, two meters and three inches tall, with bulging muscles.

"Lord Bru, what do you mean by that?" Yamamoto Ichiro frowned, confused.

"I mean, since we are still in a phase of truce and peace talks with Yanxia, and Xiao Yu and his group are figures from Yanxia, I believe it is necessary to inform their high command and make them step in," Bru said with a sinister smile.

"You mean to use the ceasefire agreement as leverage?"

As a sovereign, Yamamoto Ichiro was no fool; he understood immediately.

"Exactly! Notify Yanxia and dump this mess back into their laps. It is obvious now—Xiao Yu and his group have caused such a commotion that the authorities in Yanxia cannot possibly be unaware. Why have they not reined him in? Only they know the answer to that."

Hearing Bru’s words, the others realized the implication. The great empires had signed a ceasefire with Yanxia, but they could now use the events in the Sakura Country to point fingers at Yanxia once more, forcing them to shoulder the blame.