Chapter 569: The Show Begins
Martial Alliance, meeting hall.
Akira Mikawa was anxiously waiting. Upon seeing Nami Amayama return safely, his spirits immediately lifted.
"Protector Amayama, what's the situation? Where is Guardian Shiro?" As he spoke, Akira Mikawa looked behind Nami Amayama.
Nami Amayama had already prepared her response. Calmly, she said, "Lord Mikawa, there's no need to panic. Just as you suspected, that Ling Fan isn't Ling Beiming, but Ling Beiming's brother, Ling Youde!"
Upon hearing this, Akira Mikawa's heart relaxed, and he nodded, saying, "Just as I thought. However, I didn't expect Ling Beiming to have a brother. As for the name, it's hardly commendable compared to Ling Beiming's. It lacks any presence!"
Nami Amayama secretly chuckled. This was a new nickname she had intentionally coined for Ling Fan, which sounded quite down-to-earth.
"Right, where is Guardian Shiro? Why isn't he here?" Akira Mikawa asked again.
"Lord Mikawa, rest assured, I crossed fists with that Ling Youde. We were evenly matched, and he wasn't as terrifying as imagined. During his fight with Kohara Aozora, he indeed suffered some hidden injuries!
After grappling with him for a while and fearing an ambush, I retreated first. Guardian Shiro didn't show himself and stayed behind to monitor secretly. Lord Mikawa, you can be at ease!" Nami Amayama explained.
"Hahaha, I see, you've thought this through well. Since that's the case, let's go. I shall claim that rebel's head!" Akira Mikawa's heart surged with confidence.
Nami Amayama pursed her lips and quickly advised, "My lord, please hold on, there's no rush at this very moment. If that guy is seriously injured, it definitely won't be a matter of one or two days for recovery.
In my opinion, arriving by the final agreed time tomorrow will suffice. If we can wait for the Alliance Leader to return, that would be the safest course of action, and there's no need for Lord Mikawa to take risks recklessly!
If the Alliance Leader doesn't return, then we can still make a move later. When we go, let's bring more people for a grander show! Having them by your side to boost morale is also beneficial. What do you think, Lord Mikawa?"
Nami Amayama was doing her best to buy time, trying to give Ling Fan a chance to recuperate. Also, by planning to rally more people tomorrow, she hoped to drain some resources of the Martial Alliance.
After that incident, she would not be able to stay in Snow Country any longer. Fortunately, she had no attachments and was alone, so it did not really matter to her!
Akira Mikawa pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Protector Amayama, you are indeed thoughtful. I'll follow your advice. Among all the protectors of the Martial Alliance, I think most highly of you!"
Nami Amayama noticed that he took her advice and heaved a sigh of relief internally. "Thank you for your compliments, Lord Mikawa. Serving the Martial Alliance is our duty!"
Akira Mikawa had no doubt about her words; with Guardian Shiro keeping watch, he felt quite assured.
In the time that followed, the night passed without another word. Meanwhile, in the Ninja Village of Yinghe and Koga, a large number of ninjas were seen frequenting the area.
By the afternoon of the next day, the Shrine Chief Priest also received news about Ling Fan and Yukieko from the Sakura Association.
"Darn it, Yukieko has shown up, so why hasn't any news been sent back?" the Shrine Chief Priest cursed nervously and angrily.
This task had been personally assigned by the Shrine, and if mishandled, it could cost him his life; he couldn't help but feel tense.
During this period of waiting, he was on tenterhooks, unable to eat or drink, let alone sleep!
He immediately picked up the communication device, trying to contact the ones he had sent.
At that moment, he suspected that the people he sent might have failed in their mission.
After attempting to make contact, he finally got through.
"Darn it, Yukieko appeared yesterday, so why hasn't the person been brought back yet?" the Shrine Chief Priest roared into the phone in anger.
"Lord, the person they are with is a powerful individual who moves in and out of the Martial Alliance freely. Therefore, I am waiting for an opportunity. This afternoon, the people from the Martial Alliance should be returning, and I will seize the moment then!" The speaker was the shadow who had been lurking near the Sakura Association.
The Shrine Chief Priest's expression eased somewhat upon hearing this and calmed his agitated emotions, "Make sure to complete the mission today without any mistakes!"
"Yes, I guarantee the mission will be completed!" a shadowy figure responded over the phone.
The Shrine Priest had just hung up when he received a call from the Shrine Abbot.
"Damn it, what's the situation on your end? I've already got word that Yukieko was seen in the Martial Alliance yesterday!" the Shrine Abbot also roared into the phone at the Shrine Priest.
The Shrine Priest wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and, trembling, repeated to the Shrine Abbot the information about the ambush at the 'Sakura Association' by the Dead Servant.
"Damn it, you must complete the mission today!" the Shrine Abbot snorted coldly and hung up the phone.
After hanging up, the Shrine Priest found his back soaked with cold sweat. Being a chief priest was truly not easy, it was nothing like what others saw on the surface!
Meanwhile, the Diamond Princess cruise ship had arrived at the Snow Country coast port two hours earlier than expected.
According to the plan, the ship was to dock there for one night, and leave the following morning.
Everyone knew that Snow Country had a well-developed culture of customs, with legal brothels and gigolo clubs.
Both men and women could enjoy the services they needed here!
The majority of the passengers aboard the cruise ship were there just for this distinctive service of Snow Country.
As the ship docked, thousands of passengers, like birds set free, excitedly surged toward the land of Snow Country.
After disembarking, these people were not subjected to strict scrutiny because the Diamond Princess was backed by the Ais Duchy Federal Consortium, with Beth as a guarantor!
Moreover, Snow Country was somewhat subordinate to Ais Duchy, so they naturally allowed safe passage, a complete green light!
Once everyone was off the ship, they swarmed into the red-light district, but no one noticed that among them, two thousand people quietly blended in with the crowd and disappeared without a trace, like a drop in the ocean!
"Ladies and gentlemen, our people from Dragon Gate have arrived!" Nora put down the phone and immediately addressed a group of Elder Leisure People.
At her words, everyone immediately perked up.
"OK, instruct your people to head to the designated locations. Black and White Impermanence, Xiao Qing, Koala, Eagle, Nora, you all head to Mount Hachiman in Koga to meet with the people from Dragon Gate; the rest come with me to Amaterasu Mountain to strike at the Yinghe lineage!" Elf promptly issued the orders solemnly.
Azure Dragon felt a bit annoyed by the nickname 'Xiao Qing' that Elf had given him, but he could do nothing about it!
If his subordinates knew about this, they would die laughing!
"Hey, Elf, my name is Qing Yun. Next time in such a serious situation, could you please use a formal address!" Azure Dragon voiced his frustration.
"Hehe, you dare to complain!" Elf teased mischievously.
The others exchanged glances and smiled, realizing that the name 'Qing Yun' was not going to change, always at a disadvantage in front of Elf!
Vanessa knew this guy was the leader of Dark Dragon, so she deliberately called him that every time she addressed the Dark Dragon leader as 'Xiao Qing,' feeling a delightful pang in her heart.
No choice there, the Elf girl had a bursting girlish heart.
Azure Dragon shrugged his shoulders, choosing not to argue any further, knowing there would be no result!
This scene was something Nora watched with envy. She too wanted to join this group but found it hard to fit in, as she had not yet gained everyone's approval!
"Alright, everyone keep in touch, and move out!" Elf promptly instructed.
Immediately, everyone, without a word, shouldered their packs and set off, fully equipped.