79: Chapter 79 The Ninja Leader's Farewell

They didn't give them a single moment of hesitation to let the Shikigami appear.

Tang Tongbi pursed her lips. "I am not as good as her."

Du Fosong laughed. "Isn't that great? The job is done, and our chances of survival are higher."

"Mia said I wouldn't be able to dodge that cursed blade, and would be decapitated..."

"If you get killed, I'll turn around and run," Du Fosong said with a grin.

"Mia's notes even wrote down that you would say that, specifically for me. She said you are saying one thing while meaning another. You'll die too."

"Uh, well, it's a pity that this girl doesn't set up a banner under the overpass to tell fortunes..."

The couple exchanged a deep look, then gazed solemnly at the three Shikigami and the Onmyoji who had arrived before them. They wanted to test the Onmyoji's mettle head-on, rather than killing him through trickery.

Earth-Wood Flow Technique activated! They launched a preemptive strike against the Onmyoji hiding in the shadows. Using an overwhelming combination of speed and power, they repelled the two newly joined Shikigami before piercing through the Onmyoji's skull.

Meanwhile, while Wang Li and Tang Mingyi were fighting the Ninja Group and the sumo wrestlers, they still triggered the signal flare in the ninjas' hands.

The Japanese officer led his elite troops to reinforce the various hidden sentry posts. Eita also used Shunpo to leave the barracks and joined the battle to snipe the Tang Clan experts...

"It's finally different from what she said..." Tang Tongbi began to look a bit smug. But Du Fosong grabbed her and they ran backward at full speed.

Eita, who was sneaking up from behind, was also a bit stunned as he watched Tang Tongbi and her husband retreat into the distance...

A heavy hammer wreathed in suffering, along with a burly man covered in armor, smashed toward Eita like a meteor...

On the other hand, the First Master's stealthy approach had not yet been discovered by the Shinobi Leader, because he had learned in advance that the Shinobi Leader's [Ripple] could detect malice, so he had been desperately suppressing the murderous intent in his heart.

He slowly approached the Shinobi Leader. The Shinobi Leader held a kunai in his hand, but was puzzled, not knowing where to throw it.

"Come out! Your stealth technique is superb, but I have already discovered you! Your assassination has failed." The Shinobi Leader shouted toward the empty forest.

Zuo Jin, You Jin, Madam Kyo, the Onmyoji, and the Shinobi Leader surrounded the First Master's position. The Shinobi Leader still fired the kunai toward the First Master's hiding spot. They were less than twenty paces from the First Master. Standing in the heavy encirclement, the First Master chuckled, "Although that girl's intelligence is useful, I simply cannot suppress my murderous intent toward you lot."

The Shinobi Leader was somewhat surprised. "Intelligence? You know our intelligence?" Sometimes an unknown enemy is terrifying, but it is far less chilling than an enemy who understands you. "Everyone, do not underestimate him! Do your best to take him down!"

Madam Kyo can neutralize poison. Although I have already released the Dan-Shi, it will still take some time for them to die. The First Master calculated. Two long swords, a cane, and two Shikigami surrounded him.

Facing the long swords, the First Master dodged the vital spots but was struck in the chest. He smiled and crushed the [Guan Yuan] in his hand. "Life and death are truly unpredictable this time. It's all thanks to that girl named Mia; otherwise, this trip would truly have been a death sentence. Heh!"

Surrounded by enemies, the First Master quickly drank the small bottle of purple potion Mia had given him, then concentrated his Qi, releasing the Dan-Shi completely into the surrounding air. Two long swords and a cane pierced his body. He drank the red and white potion bottles in succession, grabbed the ninja sword that had pierced his body from behind, and leaped backward with all his might...

The First Master's vital spot had been pierced, and he slumped helplessly to the ground. The Shinobi Leader raised his hand, stopping Zuo Jin and You Jin from drawing their swords to slash him.

"So, who gave you the intelligence? Would it be convenient to tell me?" The question seemed respectful and polite, but it was laced with the mockery of a cat playing with a mouse.

"Before that, I have a question. Can the Shinobi Leader answer the doubts of a dying old man?" The First Master also threw out his question.

"Other factions joined the Japanese war against the Great Xia in their personal capacities, or just a few scattered individuals. But the Bihe Mountain ninjas participated in this sinful war as an entire organized unit. You, as the Shinobi Leader, what moved you to make such a desperate gamble?" After speaking, the First Master coughed up another mouthful of blood.

"Now, due to the shift in political power, the Meiji Government's 'Charter Oath' has allowed many factions to move from behind the scenes to the front stage. Walking on the street, one no longer needs to worry about being slashed by a noble lord. But we, the ninjas, remain their dirty weapon; called upon when needed, and sealed away in the deep mountains when not..." The Shinobi Leader began to recount the various injustices he and his Ninja Group had faced, as if he had met a kindred spirit.

"So, you and the heads on your shoulders are our military merit. With this merit, we can gain a foothold on this blood-stained land and become a respected force under the sun!" The Shinobi Leader's impassioned speech ended, and their lives were also nearing their end.

"You may have misunderstood. Although we in the Tang Clan also do dirty work that cannot see the light of day, I truly hope to exterminate you invaders. The time for the Dan-Shi has come; it's time for you to head on your way."

At this moment, the several high-ranking Bihe Mountain Shinobi surrounding Tang Jiaren were already experiencing violent reactions from deep poisoning. Without hesitation, they launched their final, dying strike against Tang Jiaren. The First Master used the little bit of strength he had just recovered to resist with all his might, making his injuries even more severe.

On the winding mountain road, the Tang Clan's Laughing Yama—Tang Jiaren. He still could not finish the last leg of his journey home because his injuries were too severe, and he fainted by the side of the road.

When he fell, his lips still held a smile, just as always. Because this time, he could at least say he had killed his target and retreated safely. At least he wouldn't be surrounded by the Japanese and watch his own severed limbs in the miserable state described in the information he had received. In any case, he had won...

In the very last moment of his consciousness, he seemed to see a flash of red streaking toward him in his field of vision...

"Seventy-three years old and still so troublesome, sigh..." Mia sighed. She first cast [Healing Spell Lv5] on Tang Jiaren, then used [Mimicry Lv2] to stop the bleeding where the old man's blood was gushing out, making his life force fade more slowly. After prying open his mouth and performing [Infusion] with [Primary Vitality Potion EX], she just sat in front of the First Master.

"I wonder how many of these people will survive..."