Chapter 43: The Assault

Lingchi!

The moment those two chilling words left Tai Sui’s lips, terror seized the man’s face, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Monster! You devil!”

All traces of composure vanished from the man; his panic-stricken expression made it clear that Tai Sui’s brief utterance had completely shattered his inner defenses.

Tai Sui paid no heed to his fear. Gripping a small knife tightly, he approached the man. Under the lamplight, the blade glimmered with a cold sheen.

“Don’t come any closer! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!” The man could no longer withstand the pressure; as soon as he saw Tai Sui advancing slowly, all his resistance crumbled.

All that talk of bushido spirit—nothing but empty words. When faced with real danger, who would still care about such things?

“You surrender so easily? How dull.” Tai Sui’s face showed a trace of disappointment, as though dissatisfied by the man’s quick capitulation.

“All right, that’s enough.”

At that moment, Xiao Yu stepped forward, patting Tai Sui’s shoulder before turning his gaze to the man.

“Speak. What organization are you from? Who sent you?” Xiao Yu’s tone was calm.

“My name is Miyamoto Zang. I am a lower-ranking ninja of the Yagyu Crescent School, one of the top ten factions of Sakura Country,” the man answered with his head bowed, revealing everything.

“The Yagyu Crescent School? Then the one who sent you must be your sect leader, Yagyu Mamoru.” As soon as Xiao Yu heard the name of the man’s school, he understood.

Xiao Yu really did have some history with the Yagyu Crescent School. The decisive battle that had earned him his title as King had been fought against the leaders of seven of Sakura Country’s top ten schools, one of whom was Yagyu Mamoru, master of the Yagyu Crescent School.

In that battle, Xiao Yu had single-handedly faced seven sect leaders and emerged unbeaten. As his cultivation advanced, he defeated them all one by one, becoming the undisputed first War King of Yanxia.

“Yes, it was the sect master who sent me,” Miyamoto Zang nodded hastily.

“Now tell me—what’s your purpose here, and how many of you have come this time?” Xiao Yu asked.

“Our purpose in Yanxia is simple: to kill you! News of your grave injury and retirement is no longer a secret. Not just us from Sakura Country—both the Americans and the British have sent experts to infiltrate Yanxia in secret,” Miyamoto Zang said, meeting Xiao Yu’s gaze with murderous intent.

“As for our numbers, I might as well tell you. There are twenty of us this time. I am the weakest among them. Among the rest, there are ten upper-rank ninjas, and our leader is a master with the power of a Ninja King! Xiao Yu, you’re doomed! Hahaha!”

As he spoke, Miyamoto Zang broke into wild laughter. He knew his own fate was sealed. Even if Xiao Yu were to spare him, his comrades would not—for in Sakura Country, betraying one’s companions was the gravest taboo.

Death was now inevitable for Miyamoto Zang.

Hearing his words, everyone present—except Xiao Yu—wore grave expressions. Tai Sui and Jiang Qin both frowned deeply. None of them had imagined Sakura Country would take such a risk to kill Xiao Yu, infiltrating Yanxia in secret.

If these enemies had shown themselves openly, they might not be so concerned. But hidden in the shadows, they would be hard to track down, and every day would bring the risk of assassination—a troublesome situation indeed.

“Big brother, the enemy is in the dark while we’re exposed. We’d better be on our guard,” Tai Sui said in a somber tone.

“They’re nothing but a disorderly mob. Since they’ve just entered Yanxia, let’s make this their burial place,” Xiao Yu replied coolly, his expression calm.

“Should I have Liuhe send a couple of men over? That way, at least we can ensure our sister-in-law’s safety. These people from Sakura Country will stop at nothing—if they discover her existence, the consequences could be dire,” Tai Sui said gravely.

Liuhe, one of the Twelve Heavenly Guardians and among Xiao Yu’s earliest followers, was known as the Sword Demon—he had once cut down dozens of martial experts single-handedly on the battlefield.

“Yes, it’s been a long time since we brothers have gathered. Let them all come—this crisis is only just beginning. It’s a good chance for us to reunite and fight side by side once more,” Xiao Yu nodded in agreement. As Tai Sui had said, he cared little for his own safety; these people from Sakura Country posed no threat to him. But Feng City was no longer safe, and here lived those dearest to him. He would not let his troubles bring disaster upon them.

“Understood. What should we do with this man?” Tai Sui asked, glancing at Miyamoto Zang.

“Kill him. Give him a quick death,” Xiao Yu replied impassively, then strode out of the office.

Tai Sui slowly stepped up to Miyamoto Zang, reaching out to clamp a hand around his throat. As Tai Sui’s grip tightened, Miyamoto Zang’s face flushed purple, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth, until at last he died in Tai Sui’s grasp.

“Have someone clean this up.”

Seeing that Miyamoto Zang was no longer breathing, Tai Sui released his grip and wiped the blood from his hand with a handkerchief.

Jiang Qin, hearing this, quickly pulled out his radio. Moments later, several subordinates arrived, efficiently bundling Miyamoto Zang’s corpse into a burlap sack and carrying it away.

As for how they would dispose of the body, that was no longer Tai Sui’s concern. As soon as Xiao Yu left the room, Tai Sui and Jiang Qin hurried after him, and the three of them took the elevator to the top floor of the building.

Xiao Yu stood by the guardrail, hands clasped behind his back, surveying the distant vista—every corner of Feng City within his gaze. A commanding aura radiated from him, like a sovereign surveying his realm.

“The skies over Feng City are about to change,” Xiao Yu murmured softly, a sigh in his voice. Behind him, Tai Sui and Jiang Qin looked solemnly ahead.

Xiao Yu had thought his retirement would bring him a few years of peace, time to spend with his beloved. Yet it had only been a few months, and already his enemies had tracked him down. This tranquil life...