Urban Martial Saint

The Sect Master had indeed heard about Fu Qingping’s injury. He was actually puzzled as to how Fu Qingping, after being injured, managed to capture those Iga-ryu elders. Now, listening to the ”Great Elder,” he finally understood the matter.

As it turned out, these elders were not captured by Fu Qingping, but were ambushed and injured by people from Koga-ryu, and then captured by Ye Qing and the others. The fact that Koga-ryu was also involved in this matter was quite troublesome.

The National Martial Artists from Huaxia are not yet aware of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. That’s why Ye Qing kept referring to it as a Bone Stick. If Ye Qing knew that the Bone Stick was actually the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, it might not be so easy to reclaim it. However, with Koga-ryu involved, if they also vie for the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, things could get complicated. With both major ninja organizations fighting over this Bone Stick, Ye Qing will undoubtedly want to understand what this Bone Stick truly is. If Ye Qing learns about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, reclaiming it might become quite challenging.

Furthermore, although Iga-ryu and Koga-ryu are Japan’s two most powerful ninja organizations, they have always harbored enmity towards each other, each trying to swallow the other up. The reason Iga-ryu is so eager to obtain the Heavenly Cluster Clouds from the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master is precisely because of this. Without the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, they stand no chance against Koga-ryu and will inevitably be overtaken by them.

In short, if Koga-ryu gets involved, this matter becomes even more troublesome. Previously, it was just Iga-ryu fighting for the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, but now, with Koga-ryu in the mix, it becomes a struggle between Iga-ryu and Koga-ryu, or rather a matter of survival for Iga-ryu.

Therefore, upon hearing about Koga-ryu, even the Sect Master could not remain calm. He took a deep breath and said solemnly, ”How much do people from Koga-ryu know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds? And Ye Qing, how much does he know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds?”

”People from Koga-ryu probably don’t know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds yet. Otherwise, their previous attack on us wouldn’t have been so simple,” said the Great Elder. ”Last time they attacked us, they had no intention of seizing the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. It seemed their purpose was just to target us. So, they probably don’t know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds; they only know about our struggle over the Tomb of Ghost Valley Master and wanted to harm us from the shadows. As for Ye Qing, he has become suspicious of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds and specifically inquired about it when pressing us.”

”And how did you respond?” the Sect Master asked urgently.

The ”Great Elder” glanced at the Sect Master and said, ”Of course, we didn’t reveal anything about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. We just said that the Bone Stick is related to a secret of our Iga-ryu, involving a significant secret, and that we must retrieve it. Ye Qing did not suspect much and hasn’t guessed about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds.”

Hearing this, the Sect Master breathed a sigh of relief and said, ”That’s good. Ye Qing doesn’t know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, and neither do the people from Koga-ryu, so we still have a lot of hope!”

”I think we must act swiftly on this matter, or it could become dangerous,” the Great Elder said. ”The people from Koga-ryu don’t know about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds now, but there’s no guarantee they won’t pursue the matter. If they really learn about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, it could be trouble for us. Regardless, getting the Heavenly Cluster Clouds in our hands is the most crucial thing!”

”Indeed, you’re absolutely right,” the Sect Master nodded repeatedly and said, ”Alright, let’s do as you say and get the Heavenly Cluster Clouds first!”

Hearing the Sect Master’s response, the ”Great Elder” couldn’t help but feel relieved. It seemed that what Wen’er’s mother said was not untrue. Although the Sect Master is the leader of Iga-ryu, his authority isn’t as great as that of the Great Elder. Moreover, the Great Elder is the father of the Sect Master, so the Sect Master still has to listen to the Great Elder in many matters, which makes their task of rescuing Huangfu Ziyu a bit easier.

”The most crucial thing now is to get the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. To do that, we must first bring Huangfu Ziyu over!” the Great Elder said, looking at the Sect Master. ”By the way, did you bring Huangfu Ziyu with you?”

”Of course, I brought her, but do we really need to bring her over there?” the Sect Master asked with some doubt. ”This Huangfu Ziyu still has her uses. By keeping ahold of her, we can gain more from Ye Qing.”

”The top priority is the Heavenly Cluster Clouds. Only by obtaining it can we Iga-ryu continue to develop,” the Great Elder said in a deep voice. ”Of course, it would be best if Huangfu Ziyu could stay. Taking Huangfu Ziyu over is mainly to prevent any accidents. If we fail in the seizure, we must use Huangfu Ziyu for exchange. There must not be the slightest mistake about the Heavenly Cluster Clouds!”

The words of the ”Great Elder” prompted the Sect Master to nod in agreement and say, ”That’s indeed the case.”

Seeing the expression on the Sect Master’s face, the ”Great Elder” felt even more joyful in his heart. It seemed the Sect Master had been completely persuaded by him. He nodded and said, ”Then first bring Huangfu Ziyu out, later we’ll take her to the manor of the Seven Steering Committees of the Hong Alliance. If we can’t seize the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, we’ll have to use her for a trade!”

”Very well!” The Sect Master nodded, gesturing to the people nearby to bring Huangfu Ziyu out, while addressing the few ”Elders,” he said: ”By the way, you were suppressed by Bai Li Xi’s poison, I’ll use the Heavenly Cluster Clouds to detoxify you first!”

The issue of detoxification was of little concern to the ”Elders.” The key was still to see Huangfu Ziyu. However, since the Sect Master said so, they naturally couldn’t refuse; otherwise, the Sect Master might become suspicious.

”Very well.” The Great Elder nodded and said, ”First detoxify us. We were ambushed on the way, and the Seventh Elder was captured. After we seize the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, we still have to rescue the Seventh Elder!”

Only then did the Sect Master remember the matter of the Seventh Elder being captured and hurriedly asked a few more questions. Upon hearing that it was the Wanyan Family who did it, he furrowed his brow tightly, as he couldn’t understand why the Wanyan Family would capture the Seventh Elder. After all, there was no conflict of interest between the Wanyan Family and Iga-ryu, on the contrary, they had a common enemy. Why would the Wanyan Family do something so detrimental?

Not long after, the two people who had left returned, and behind them was a graceful woman, who was none other than Huangfu Ziyu.

Huangfu Ziyu looked slightly haggard compared to before her disappearance, but she didn’t seem to have suffered any injuries. It appeared that the treatment she received here at Iga-ryu wasn’t too bad; at least, Iga-ryu people did not make things difficult for her.

In fact, the Iga-ryu people really didn’t give Huangfu Ziyu a hard time. She was captured by the Sect Master personally, but this Sect Master, in order to use Huangfu Ziyu to control Ye Qing, naturally didn’t dare to harm her in the slightest. Although they had taken away her Sun Shooting Bow and sealed her martial arts, they assigned two girls to attend to her closely. So, during her time being detained here at Iga-ryu, although her movements were restricted and she was put under house arrest, her overall living situation wasn’t bad, and she suffered no abuse. It’s just that being under long-term house arrest took a toll on her spirits, which couldn’t help but make her appear somewhat haggard.

Upon seeing Huangfu Ziyu, the five ”Elders” stirred slightly. Their purpose for coming here was to see Huangfu Ziyu, and now that they finally saw her, their objective was also fulfilled. Now, as long as they rescued Huangfu Ziyu, the other matters wouldn’t be a concern.

The five ”Elders” moved strategically closer to Huangfu Ziyu, each occupying a position that perfectly protected her behind them. In this way, even if the Sect Master discovered their identities, they could still protect Huangfu Ziyu.

However, the Sect Master had not yet suspected the identities of these five ”Elders,” and was instead still pondering the issue of the Wanyan Family. It seemed he was quite puzzled by the Wanyan Family’s actions.

The other four ”Elders” exchanged a look with the ”Great Elder,” inquiring if they should act now. The ”Great Elder” slightly shook his head at the four, then looked at the Sect Master and said, ”Sect Master, forget about the Wanyan Family’s matter for now. Bring out the Heavenly Cluster Clouds and detoxify us first.”

Upon hearing this, the four ”Elders” could not help but chuckle to themselves. The ”Great Elder” was not just aiming to rescue Huangfu Ziyu; he also had his eyes on the Heavenly Cluster Clouds of Iga-ryu. He asked the Sect Master to bring out the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, clearly intending to seize it from Iga-ryu as well.

”Yes, yes, the Heavenly Cluster Clouds, the Heavenly Cluster Clouds.” The Sect Master finally snapped out of his thoughts and said, ”Five esteemed Elders, please wait a moment. I will retrieve the Heavenly Cluster Clouds immediately!”

After speaking, the Sect Master went directly into the inner chamber. The five ”Elders” exchanged glances, each showing a hint of a smile. The smooth progress of their plan was beyond their expectations. It seemed this time they would not only rescue Huangfu Ziyu but also seize the Heavenly Cluster Clouds from Iga-ryu!

In fact, the five ”Elders” felt a sense of anticipation. The name of the Heavenly Cluster Clouds was something they had heard of but never seen. Now they were finally going to see the legendary Heavenly Cluster Clouds, said to be the embodiment of Yamata no Orochi’s power, and each felt a slight anticipation, eager to see what the mythical Heavenly Cluster Clouds looked like and what kind of power it held.

Huangfu Ziyu stood at the back, filled with suspicion. She didn’t understand why the Sect Master suddenly called her out, and moreover, the five ”Elders” in front of her seemed a bit odd, leaving her unclear about the situation. In fact, her mind was more occupied with planning how to leave this place.