Chapter 70: The Exposed Emperor of Shadows

Watching the dozen royal ninjas vanish into the white mist, Xiao Yu’s expression grew cold and indifferent. His right hand slowly lifted the longsword.

At that moment, the ground behind Xiao Yu suddenly surged, and two figures shot up from beneath, their blades gleaming with icy intent, aiming directly for Xiao Yu’s head.

Simultaneously, as these two appeared, the earth around Xiao Yu churned, surging from all directions to engulf him. One after another, figures burst forth from underground, launching attacks against him from every side.

Surrounded by these attacking ninjas, Xiao Yu remained composed, only moving his sword and twisting his body when their strikes were about to land.

Illusory shadows of the longsword flickered around him, deflecting their assaults. The air filled with the clash of blades and muffled groans.

Whistling sounds echoed as the sword’s phantom danced through the air, striking the ninjas again and again. In moments, several of them crashed to the ground, unable to rise. Those who managed to dispel Xiao Yu’s sword aura retreated swiftly.

Throughout, Xiao Yu stood unmoving, dispatching several royal ninjas with effortless gestures. The mountaintop fell into a sudden silence.

But the matter was far from over. Xiao Yu’s gaze remained fixed on the retreating ninjas. He raised the sword again, and before him, an unsettling pattern formed, intricate and strange.

Once the pattern coalesced, Xiao Yu struck forward with his palm. A violent aura surged toward the royal ninjas.

Just regaining their balance, the ninjas’ faces paled as they sensed this destructive force. The bizarre pattern split apart, transforming into countless sword lights that flashed toward them like a thunderstorm.

Terrifying—only this word could describe Xiao Yu in their minds.

As everyone regained their wits, they vanished into the rising white mist, their forms disappearing, while Xiao Yu’s myriad sword shadows lost their targets and faded into the air.

Xiao Yu slung the longsword across his back, his eyes sweeping the surroundings. When his gaze settled unwaveringly on a certain spot, he smiled faintly and said, “You come to Yanxia to die without mastering your own signature techniques? Since you insist, I’ll grant your wish.”

With that, Xiao Yu stepped forward, appearing in a seemingly empty place, and stabbed his sword ahead. Strangely, the moment the blade thrust forward, the sound of a sword piercing flesh rang out from the empty air.

A black figure slowly materialized before him, staring at Xiao Yu in disbelief, never understanding how his invisibility technique had been seen through. Xiao Yu withdrew his blade, blood spattering as the ninja collapsed in unwillingness.

Ignoring the fallen ninja, Xiao Yu spun and struck fiercely behind him. Another black figure, exposed mid-flight, tumbled away.

Seeing his subordinates toyed with, the Ninja Emperor flew into a rage, raising his blade and attacking Xiao Yu.

Sensing the Ninja Emperor’s approach, Xiao Yu finally smiled. As the blade swung toward him, he twisted his wrist, deftly redirecting the attack.

Though Xiao Yu easily parried the strike, his expression remained solemn. It seemed he had underestimated the Ninja Emperor’s strength; both his power and aura surpassed the priests he’d faced before. Perhaps the Ninja Emperor hesitated to use his full force, fearing the aftermath might harm Yamamoto Keiko, who stood afar.

But Xiao Yu cared little for such concerns. Since this enemy was not easily dealt with, it was better to eliminate the lesser foes first. With this resolve, Xiao Yu smiled at the Ninja Emperor and vanished.

Before the Ninja Emperor could react, muffled groans echoed from the void around them, and Xiao Yu’s figure moved swiftly across the open mountaintop.

The Ninja Emperor, once he came to his senses, was furious but helpless. Xiao Yu’s movement technique was the pinnacle of martial arts, leaving him unable to track Xiao Yu’s position. In this brief span, the mountaintop was littered with a dozen corpses—all members of the royal ninja squad.

These men were at least ninja kings, yet Xiao Yu dispatched them as easily as chopping vegetables. In less than two minutes, all the royal ninjas had met their end.

Even Yamamoto Keiko, watching from afar, could not help but widen her eyes in terror, staring at the calm Xiao Yu.

Previously, the Ninja Emperor had warned Yamamoto Keiko that Xiao Yu, the War King of Yanxia, was not easily subdued. But accustomed to privilege, Yamamoto Keiko dismissed such words, even feeling contempt for the Ninja Emperor, believing him cowardly.

Unable to sway her, the Ninja Emperor followed her orders, leading the royal ninjas to bind Ye Xuemei, setting the stage for the events unfolding now.

“You! Despicable!” The Ninja Emperor glared at Xiao Yu, breathless with fury. The slain men were the elite force of Sakura Nation. With so many ninja kings lost, how could the future ruler of Sakura Nation ever wrest control from the five great shrines?

“Despicable? Compared to you Sakura people, I’m not even a tenth as despicable. To force me to appear, you targeted my innocent family. Is this your so-called samurai spirit?” Xiao Yu replied with disdain.

Upon hearing this, the Ninja Emperor took a deep breath. He had always opposed such tactics, but as a vassal, he was compelled to obey the royal family’s commands.

“There’s no point in words. You’ve slain more than a dozen of my royal ninjas. Today, I will take your head to answer for my fallen countrymen!”

He finished with a furious cry, thrusting his gleaming blade into the earth. As the sword struck the ground, the mountain shook violently. A fissure opened, spreading from his blade toward Xiao Yu’s position.