Urban Martial Saint

After the twists and turns on the road with the Wanyan Family, the five ”Elders” did not encounter any other attacks. Half an hour later, they arrived at a small town in the North Suburb.

Seeing the town, the five ”Elders” sitting in the car were quite surprised. Although it was a small town, it was incredibly bustling, the most prosperous town in Shenchuan City. Even in the evening, it was extremely lively with people coming and going.

The Sect Master is hiding so well; the five ”Elders” initially thought he would find a more secluded place to conceal himself. Unexpectedly, he chose such a high-profile location to hide. Wasn’t that too conspicuous?

However, upon further reflection, this Sect Master indeed had an excellent strategy. Previously, when Ye Qing and others speculated, they thought the Sect Master must be hiding in a secluded place. Thus, Ye Qing had been paying attention to the most hidden places in Shenchuan City. Who would have thought the Sect Master hadn’t hidden in an obscure place but had instead come to such a bustling place? This was something Ye Qing hadn’t expected, proving the hiding spot was actually quite well chosen.

The driver wound around the streets of the town and finally arrived outside a very luxurious mansion. The driver went to knock on the door, and shortly after, the mansion’s gate opened, allowing the driver to drive in.

As soon as the car stopped, two people walked over and opened the car doors on both sides. One of them respectfully said, ”Elders, the Sect Master is waiting for you upstairs. Please follow me!”

The five ”Elders” had come here to find the Sect Master. Unexpectedly, they would meet him so easily, which made all five secretly pleased. The leading ”Great Elder” signaled to the other four ”Elders” and then got out of the car first, following those two people towards the front pavilion.

The four ”Elders” tightly followed suit, not lagging behind at all. They were now close to the Iga Ryu Sect Master, who purportedly gathered many masters of Iga Ryu. Although Iga Ryu didn’t have many Peak Masters now, this place was undoubtedly formidable. After all, the Sect Master’s prowess was the strongest in Iga Ryu. It was hard to fathom just how powerful he truly was.

Under the guidance of those two people, the five ”Elders” went directly into the pavilion. The pavilion’s hall was decorated opulently, looking like the home of a wealthy person, entirely unlike the stronghold of these Iga Ryu individuals.

”Please wait here for a moment, Elders. I will invite the Sect Master out,” the leading man arranged for everyone to sit there and then went upstairs.

The five ”Elders” exchanged glances, becoming even more alert upon reaching this place. Pretending to act nonchalant, they assessed their surroundings while gradually moving to the table to sit down, dispelling the doubts of those nearby.

This pavilion was not large, only two and a half stories high, typical of a detached villa type. The front and back yards were quite spacious, but there were no buildings within them, suggesting there couldn’t be anyone hidden there. Therefore, if Huangfu Ziyu was indeed in this mansion, she should be held in this building.

However, the building had quite a few rooms. On this floor alone, there were six rooms, with even more upstairs. In this situation, guessing which room Huangfu Ziyu was held in wasn’t easy. Thus, in order to rescue Huangfu Ziyu, one must first pinpoint her exact location!

The five ”Elders” slowly sat down while secretly exchanging opinions, speculating on Huangfu Ziyu’s location. Within two minutes, footsteps were finally heard from upstairs, prompting the five ”Elders” to simultaneously look up, only to see a short-built man slowly descending the staircase.

This man was estimated to be under 1.6 meters tall, seemingly just an ordinary person when walking on the street, without any remarkable features. The distinguishing factor was his eyes; the fierce expression in them revealed this individual was undoubtedly a formidable figure, seemingly the Iga Ryu Sect Master.

As the man descended from upstairs, his gaze fixated on the five ”Elders” downstairs, not saying a word throughout. And since the five ”Elders” were unsure of his identity, they dared not act recklessly. If he wasn’t the Sect Master, then they would be in trouble if they made any mistakes.

The confrontation lasted about half a minute. The leading ”Great Elder” then took a deep breath and sternly asked, ”Why hasn’t the Sect Master come out yet?”

Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise appeared in the eyes of the other four ”Elders” who were left wondering why the ”Great Elder” suddenly said such a thing. Wouldn’t this imply the person before them was not the Sect Master? But how could he be certain this man wasn’t the Sect Master?

Upon hearing the ”Great Elder’s” words, the previously tense-faced man now visibly relaxed, looking at the ”Elders” with an increased hint of flattery.

Seeing this man’s demeanor, the four other ”Elders” collectively breathed a sigh of relief. According to the ”Great Elder’s” hunch, this man was indeed not the Sect Master.

In fact, these four ”Elders” were unaware that when the ”Great Elder” made his earlier statement, it was merely speculative, and he was extremely tense. He dared to speak those words because he felt the man’s reaction was peculiar. Normally, the Sect Master would not just stare at them without speaking unless this was a facade to test them.

Moreover, he had heard Wen’er’s mother mention that the Great Elder was the Sect Master’s father, hence the Sect Master wouldn’t treat the Great Elder this way. Therefore, he decided to say that sentence, holding the ’try and see’ mindset, recognizing that if he guessed wrong, they’d have to risk going all out. Unexpectedly, his guess was accurate, and the man’s reaction confirmed he was not the Sect Master.

Sure enough, shortly after the ”Great Elder” finished his sentence, a voice suddenly came from upstairs: ”Elders, you have suffered!”

Upon hearing this voice, the five ”Elders” slightly altered their expressions. They had been vigilantly attentive, yet when this person upstairs appeared, they heard no sound at all. Evidently, the individual upstairs had skills likely surpassing theirs. Looks like this person was indeed the real Iga Ryu Sect Master, his prowess was indeed shockingly formidable.

Unlike the preceding individuals, this person was speaking Japanese instead of Huaxia language. The crux of the matter was that these five ”Elders” couldn’t understand Japanese.

However, this wouldn’t stump them. They had already considered this situation beforehand and naturally had a strategy for it.

The five ”Elders” looked upwards at the second floor, seeing an even shorter man standing at the top of the staircase. This man wore black clothes, with a black cloth covering half of his face, surprisingly not revealing his true appearance. His attire resembled that of a ninja ready for combat. Although he was small in stature, his entire being seemed infused with an explosive force. Just by looking at him, one could understand that this Iga Ryu Sect Master’s prowess was anything but ordinary!

”Alas!”

The ”Great Elder” sighed, seemingly quite displeased, and said, ”You’re finally here!”

The Sect Master curiously asked, ”Why do you speak to me in Huaxia language?” He continued speaking Japanese.

The ”Great Elder” noted the query in the Sect Master’s tone, knowing he was questioning why he spoke Huaxia language. Without giving the Sect Master the chance to speak further, he swiftly replied, ”Luckily, you’re here just in time, let’s quickly retrieve the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. Otherwise, I fear it might be snatched by Koga-ryu guys!”

This was the strategy formulated before setting off by Wen’er’s mother and Ye Qing. If they encountered Iga Ryu ninjas speaking Japanese, the ”Elders” wouldn’t reply. However, if the Sect Master addressed them in Japanese, then they would immediately change the subject by mentioning this. The Heavenly Cluster Clouds and Koga-ryu were bound to divert the Sect Master’s attention. After all, the Heavenly Cluster Clouds held little utility for Huaxia National Martial Artists. But it was different with Koga-ryu; if they intervened in the struggle, the Sect Master surely wouldn’t remain calm, nor would he have the luxury to worry whether the language spoken was Japanese or Huaxia.

”What?!”

The Sect Master’s reaction was anticipated. Learning that Koga-ryu was also vying for the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, he naturally couldn’t bother about why the ”Great Elder” spoke Huaxia language. In his excitement, he too switched to speaking Huaxia.

”How are Koga-ryu people getting involved? They’re supposed to be unaware of this matter, aren’t they?” the Sect Master gravely asked.

Recognizing the Sect Master was speaking Huaxia language, the ”Great Elder” exhaled in relief. Since he was speaking Huaxia and was engrossed in this matter, it was relatively easier to handle.

”I don’t know how Koga-ryu people learned of this, but they did start snatching.”

The ”Great Elder” gave the Sect Master a glance, speaking solemnly, ”You assume we fell into Ye Qing’s hands how? It was when leaving the tomb, ambushed by Koga-ryu, getting injured, eventually caught by Ye Qing. If not for Koga-ryu’s ambush, how could Ye Qing have captured us!”

”Ah?” The Sect Master was surprised again, questioning, ”Aren’t you captured by Fu Qingping?”

”Fu Qingping?” The Great Elder shook his head, replying, ”You don’t know Fu Qingping’s condition? He was severely injured, barely able to act. Had we not been wounded, he couldn’t possibly have captured us!”