263: Tear it down! Tear it down immediately!

The next day.

Major TV stations, news websites, and social media platforms in Sakura Country were almost simultaneously flooded with the same news.

“Breaking! Suspected Kunlun Academy Students Appear at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto!”

“Shocking! Three young men from Dragon Country stroll through Osaka Castle Park, wearing Kunlun Academy uniforms!”

“Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Nagoya… Kunlun Students’ footprints are all over the country. What exactly are their intentions?”

In the news footage, young people from Dragon Country, in groups of two or three, wearing the light blue and white academy uniform that had become deeply ingrained in people’s minds during the global live broadcast, were either leisurely strolling through scenic spots, stopping in front of ancient kendo dojos, or lingering outside remote shrines.

They appeared relaxed and composed, yet their presence caused a mysterious pressure for all people of Sakura Country who saw the footage.

It was like a sharp sword hanging over their heads.

In the presidential suite on the top floor of the hotel, Li Heng looked at the scrolling reports on the giant screen in front of him, picked up his teacup, and took a light sip.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward, forming a satisfied arc.

Xie Wangsheng, that kid, certainly has a good head on his shoulders.

This tactic of “scaring the snake by beating the grass” was played beautifully.

It not only put immense psychological pressure on those old demons hiding their true identities but also ensured that the Sakura Country officials dared not make any move, forcing them to cooperate obediently.

Most importantly, it also allowed the students to gain experience in real combat.

Killing three birds with one stone.

“Not bad, truly not bad.”

Li Heng put down his teacup and evaluated, muttering to himself.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the suite door.

“Dean.”

Zhang He’s voice came from outside the door, carrying a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

“Come in.”

Li Heng spoke indifferently.

The door opened, and Zhang He walked in quickly. Behind him, followed a trembling, sweating middle-aged man.

It was the Prime Minister of Sakura Country.

“Dean Li!”

As soon as the Prime Minister saw Li Heng, he immediately performed a standard ninety-degree bow, his posture humble to the extreme.

“On behalf of the Sakura Country Imperial Family and Cabinet, I sincerely invite you to attend tonight’s state banquet to express our highest respect and deepest apologies!”

Li Heng didn’t even lift his eyelids, his gaze still fixed on the young figures on the screen.

After a long while, he slowly spoke.

“State banquet?”

“Fine.”

...That night, the Sakura Country Imperial Palace was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Those invited were, without exception, the top figures in Sakura Country’s political, business, and even hidden worlds.

They were impeccably dressed and elegant in their demeanor, yet at this moment, they all looked like elementary school students waiting for inspection, their eyes occasionally glancing at the young figure drinking alone at the main table.

Finally, someone couldn’t hold back.

A patriarch of a financial conglomerate, who wielded immense power in Sakura Country’s financial circles, held a wine glass, his face full of fawning smiles, and cautiously walked towards Li Heng.

“Dean Li, I’ve long admired your name. I am Mitsui…”

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a soft yet irresistible force gently push him away, causing him to stagger back several steps, almost falling.

Seeing this, the people around immediately stopped, their faces showing looks of horror.

Immediately after, several other influential political figures and representatives of Onmyoji Families, who refused to believe, tried to step forward.

But without exception, they couldn’t even get within three meters of Li Heng.

Li Heng didn’t look at them once, merely swirling the wine in his glass, his expression indifferent.

That invisible Qi wall seemed to silently declare:

You are not worthy.

Everyone was rebuffed and could only retreat dejectedly.

Some people’s eyes flashed with resentment, but when they remembered that the Sword Immortal who flattened the Ryūsei Sword Sect and the Divine Being who slew the Great Tengu were merely this Dean’s students, that resentment instantly turned into deeper fear, and they could only lower their heads and gulp down the bitter wine in their cups.

Meanwhile, others with more active minds cast their gazes elsewhere.

Since this Dean was unapproachable, what about his students?

If they could win over one or two Kunlun Academy Students to serve their Family, wouldn’t their hundred-year foundation be as stable as Mount Tai?

For a time, undercurrents surged within the hall.

Just then, the crowd automatically parted, creating a path.

The Prime Minister of Sakura Country, supporting the white-haired Emperor, walked falteringly to Li Heng.

Both of them bowed deeply to Li Heng again.

“Dean Li.”

The Emperor’s voice was old and hoarse.

This time, Li Heng finally put down his wine glass, raised his eyes, and gazed at them calmly.

“Stop with these formalities.”

Li Heng went straight to the point, his tone devoid of any ripple.

“I ask you, your Imperial Family, and all you so-called Onmyoji and Shrine Priest Families, do you have any connection with those demons and monsters hidden underground?”

As his voice fell, the Prime Minister and the Emperor’s faces instantly turned pale.

The two looked at each other, their lips trembling, as if something was caught in their throats, unable to utter a single word.

Seeing their expressions, Li Heng knew the answer.

There was indeed something fishy going on.

However, he was too lazy to pursue it now.

From Shuten Dōji’s memory, he already knew that these so-called Ancient Great Demons were nothing more than a group of pathetic creatures barely clinging to life.

With his group of fierce students, cleaning them up was only a matter of time.

His true purpose for this trip was the strange mass of flesh beneath Mount Fuji.

“Forget it.”

Li Heng waved his hand, seemingly losing interest in questioning further.

He slowly stood up, looking down at these two people, whose status was supreme in Sakura Country, his tone suddenly turning cold.

“I only have one request.”

The Prime Minister and the Emperor trembled, quickly burying their heads even lower.

“Please instruct us, Dean!”

Li Heng’s gaze passed through the palace window, looking towards the distant night sky, and he spoke word by word.

“Tear down the Yasukuni Shrine for me.”

“I want it to be a global live broadcast.”

Boom!

As soon as these words were uttered, the Prime Minister and the Emperor were struck by lightning, suddenly raising their heads, their faces filled with terror and disbelief.

Tear down the Yasukuni Shrine?

And a global live broadcast?

This… this was practically digging up their roots!

Those enshrined there were their “heroes,” symbols of their militaristic spirit!

Once they did this, they would have no place to stand domestically!

Seeing the two of them caught in an internal struggle, Li Heng sneered.

He didn’t bother to look at them again, turning and walking out of the hall.

“I have things to do; I don’t have time to waste with you.”

The cold words drifted over.

Seeing Li Heng about to leave the main hall, the Prime Minister and the Emperor completely panicked.

They had no doubt that if they couldn’t satisfy this esteemed person today, tomorrow, what might be demolished could be their entire Imperial Palace!

“Dean Li! Please wait!”

The Prime Minister scrambled after him, but was stopped by Zhang He.

He was sweating profusely, shouting incoherently at Zhang He.

“Colonel Zhang He! Please be sure to tell Dean Li! We agree! We agree to everything!”

“Tomorrow! No! We’ll prepare tonight!”

“First thing tomorrow morning, we’ll start demolishing! It must be live-streamed! A global live broadcast!”