Chapter 55: Journey South to the Land of Cherry Blossoms

Cloud Peak Mountain Villa.

As soon as Xiao Yu received the call from Liu He, his expression turned grim.

For the second time! Once again, Xiao Yu had failed to protect Ye Shihan, allowing her to be captured by agents of Sakura Nation because of his own mistake. The actions of Sakura Nation had thoroughly awakened the long-dormant fury in Xiao Yu’s heart.

“Phoenix, bring Liu He and Tai Sui back. The rest of you, clean up these bodies.” Xiao Yu hung up the phone and gave orders to those nearby.

A closer look revealed several men in black samurai attire sprawled haphazardly around Xiao Yu. So, even this Cloud Peak Villa was not as safe as it seemed. Not long after Liu He departed, Xiao Yu and his companions at home were assaulted by a group of ten black-clad ninja assassins.

What they hadn’t anticipated was that Xiao Yu was not alone in the house. All twelve of the Celestial Descendants were present.

The moment these men appeared, they immediately clashed with the Celestial Descendants. But these elite ninjas were no match for the twelve; within moments, they were all wiped out.

Xiao Yu returned to the main hall, his face dark. The thought of Ye Shihan being taken by Sakura Nation made him anxious.

“Boss, it’s handled. What should we do next?” The Celestial Descendants—Ta Yin, Vermilion Bird, Tai Chang, and the others—also returned to the hall, looking to Xiao Yu for guidance.

“They’ve taken your sister-in-law. They’ll try every means to leave Yanxia. We must intercept them before they escape. Head straight to the sea—they have no other way out.” Xiao Yu spoke in a low, serious voice, his brows furrowed.

“Yes!” The group accepted their orders and quickly left the hall.

After they departed, Xiao Yu took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Lord War King! What are your instructions?”

As soon as the call connected, a respectful voice sounded.

“Wolf Shadow, use your Sakura Nation contacts to assassinate anyone connected to the Ten Great Streams! My wife has been taken by their people. We’ll be heading to Sakura Nation within days!”

Xiao Yu’s voice was cold as he spoke into the phone.

“Yes!”

Wolf Shadow, a subordinate Xiao Yu had placed in Sakura Nation for years, had built his own power base there. This force would be Xiao Yu’s most loyal death squad.

After the call ended, Wolf Shadow, in Sakura Nation, revealed a rare smile. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling city outside, his lips curled into a cold smirk.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu in Yanxia wasted no time. After dispatching the Celestial Descendants, he went alone to the Ye family ancestral hall.

He made no attempt to conceal Ye Shihan’s capture, telling Ye Qinghai everything.

“From now on, all matters of the Ye family are in your hands. I’ll take my men to Sakura Nation to rescue Shihan. The project with Huayi Group can proceed as usual. If anyone in Phoenix City tries to interfere, call this number—he’ll solve any problem for you.”

Xiao Yu handed Ye Qinghai a business card as he spoke.

“Be careful, all of you.” Ye Qinghai now regarded Xiao Yu as the Ye family’s great benefactor, concern for him evident in his words.

Xiao Yu nodded, stood up, and left without delay.

“Big brother, Liu He and the others are already on their way to Sakura Nation. When do we leave?” As Xiao Yu stepped out of the ancestral hall, Tai Sui and Li Ge hurried forward, faces solemn.

“Are you healed?” Xiao Yu’s eyes reflected concern as he looked at Tai Sui, whose face was still pale.

“Don’t worry, big brother, it’s just a minor injury.” Tai Sui grinned.

“Good! Looks like we’ll be fighting side by side again.” Xiao Yu patted Tai Sui’s shoulder and smiled.

The three headed straight to the airport, boarding a flight to Sakura Nation. After a long journey, they arrived safely at Sakura International Airport. Liu He and his group had arrived earlier, and soon, everyone gathered at Wolf Shadow’s base.

Within the Yagyu Half-Moon Stream.

Yagyu Guard was all smiles. Though this operation had cost him two disciples and failed to kill Xiao Yu, at least they had brought back Xiao Yu’s closest kin.

“Is the woman well guarded?” Yagyu Guard asked two kneeling disciples.

“Rest assured, master. Xiao Yu’s wife is hidden in an absolutely secret location, watched by masters from five major streams. She won’t escape.”

“Hmph, Xiao Yu, I want to see if you’ll throw caution to the wind and come to Sakura Nation for your wife. In Yanxia you may be king, but once you step onto our land, you’ll never leave alive!” Yagyu Guard sneered, muttering to himself.

Wolf Shadow’s base.

Xiao Yu sat in the seat of honor, expression indifferent. On either side, the Celestial Descendants lined up, while Wolf Shadow stood respectfully before him.

“Any news?” Xiao Yu asked calmly.

“Reporting to War God: two days ago, a group from the streams returned, but your wife was not among them,” Wolf Shadow replied respectfully.

“What’s the point of investigating? She must have been taken by the Ten Great Streams. The man I fought was a dual-blade master,” Tai Sui snorted.

“Indeed, not only were there dual-blade fighters, but the two who died at my hands wore the attire of the Yagyu Half-Moon Stream. Why not just attack them directly?” Liu He’s face was filled with murderous intent.

“Lord Liu He, this requires careful discussion. I’ve been in Sakura Nation for years and am familiar with the current power structure. The Ten Great Streams are not what they once were. After their defeat last time, they’ve fallen under official control. If we attack directly, it’ll mean war with all of Sakura Nation,” Wolf Shadow quickly explained.

“So what! Those scum from Sakura Nation infiltrated Yanxia and kidnapped our sister-in-law—how is that not a provocation? It’s already happened. If we hesitate now, what honor is left for the Celestial Descendants?” Tai Sui was furious.

“Enough, you three. Let’s hear what big brother thinks.” Seeing the argument brewing, Phoenix immediately intervened.

Upon hearing Phoenix, Tai Sui quieted down. Among these men, only Xiao Yu and Phoenix could truly command his respect.

Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes, pondering.

“Target: Dual Blades.”

His cold voice echoed through the hall. At his words, a chilling aura of murderous intent swept through the room.