Chapter 137: Why Only Me?

Within the ruins, Li Tian spread his spiritual power, linking all the powerful figures together.

Then he began to speak.

“Huaxia is a land of courtesy. Though we observe propriety, we have never allowed ourselves to be bound by empty formalities. Have we forgotten every lesson handed down through the ages? Huaxia has never truly known peace, from ancient times to the present. Countless invaders have coveted our land, yet wave after wave has perished. No matter how powerful they were, none could establish a foothold on Huaxian soil.

“The appearance of the Kunlun Secret Realm was entirely unexpected. But now that it has appeared, we must take it seriously. The Kunlun Secret Realm is not an object to be claimed. You intercepted our conversation, so you should already know that countless humans dwell within it. They have inherited the legacy of ancient times, and their strength is not to be underestimated.

“None of us has the right to decide where those people belong. They belong to themselves. Though the Kunlun Secret Realm lies within Huaxia, you may rest assured. Since you have already learned the general circumstances of the realm, we will no longer conceal anything from you. In a little while, we will provide you with all the information we possess.

“As for whether the humans within the Kunlun Secret Realm can come to Earth and live here, Huaxia reserves judgment. Earth is already riddled with wounds. The spiritual revival has lasted far too briefly, and the invasion of the Dark Realm is imminent.

“We must determine whether the people of the Kunlun Secret Realm stand with us. This is something everyone must consider and ensure.

“If anything goes wrong, the disaster inflicted upon Earth will be beyond imagination.

“At present, one faction within the Kunlun Secret Realm has extended an olive branch. Once the passage stabilizes, its leader wishes to enter Earth to cultivate.

“You are all powerful human beings. Though our dealings began unpleasantly, we share a common enemy. When it comes to Earth’s future, all of you are important decision-makers.

“So speak. What are your thoughts?”

When he finished, Li Tian gave an awkward smile.

In truth, Huaxia was not nearly as confident as his words had made it sound.

The four of them did indeed possess strength unrivaled among their peers. But Earth was home to many formidable figures, and Huaxia was not the only place with experts of their level.

The Western Pope and the Greek Saintess were two such known examples.

Huaxia had no ability to hold back everyone.

Their original plans had once again been disrupted, leaving Li Tian and the others deeply frustrated.

…

Outside the Kunlun Secret Realm.

Zhang Daoyi was still discussing the affairs within the realm with Li Xianyi.

Suddenly, Zhang Daoyi leaped into the air and thrust his spear into the void.

Ripples spread across the otherwise tranquil sky.

Then two figures tumbled down.

One was tall and the other short. Their faces were covered, and they wore the kind of ninja garments usually seen only on television.

“Such audacity! How dare a mere Japanese cross our border…” Zhang Daoyi roared as he thrust out his spear.

The tall ninja drew his samurai sword and clashed with Zhang Daoyi.

Zhang Daoyi shouted, “Asahida Kenjiro, you are no match for me!”

The two weapons collided at the instant of his roar. Zhang Daoyi’s momentum surged, and with a single thrust, he knocked Kenjiro flying.

Before he could do anything else, the short ninja appeared beside him without warning.

“Hmph… You skulking vermin dare set foot on Huaxian soil? A petty nation that has repeatedly trespassed along our borders. The fact that Huaxia has tolerated your past offenses is already an act of great-nation courtesy. I never imagined you would grow so bold as to press your luck. Very well. Very good…”

As he spoke, Zhang Daoyi brought his spear close to his body and spun around. The shaft caught the samurai sword that struck from behind.

The short ninja vanished immediately after the blow.

“Parlor tricks. Do you know that your kind of technique was discarded by our ancestors long ago? An illusion technique? In our day, it was nothing more than a street performance…”

Even as he spoke, Zhang Daoyi’s spear flashed out like a dragon, stabbing repeatedly into the void.

The tall ninja, Asahida Kenjiro, who had been sent flying, returned to the battlefield.

Instead of charging directly into the fight, he hovered in midair and rattled off a long string of words.

Zhang Daoyi threw back his head and laughed.

“Hahaha! You came here and still think you can leave? Do you think Huaxia is a place you may enter and exit whenever you please? Since you have trespassed upon this land, you will leave behind streams of blood!”

His spear spun in his hands, relentlessly striking the empty air.

Suddenly, a thread of blood appeared in midair. The short ninja, who had been concealed, fell out of hiding.

Seeing this, Asahida Kenjiro hurried forward.

At that moment, a golden staff came hurtling through the mist.

It struck Kenjiro’s attack aside.

Zhang Daoyi said irritably, “I don’t need your help. Go stand somewhere else.”

The golden staff swayed through the air without paying him the slightest attention, then crashed down upon Asahida Kenjiro with tremendous force.

Zhang Daoyi did not argue. His spear shot forward like a downpour.

More and more wounds opened across the short ninja’s body.

His aura grew weaker and weaker.

The instant Zhang Daoyi’s spear pierced through the short ninja’s throat, Asahida Kenjiro panicked.

He knocked the golden staff away and turned to flee.

Before he could take a single step, he heard Zhang Daoyi’s voice behind him.

“For every inch of mountain and river, an inch of blood is shed. You will never understand that truth!”

When the frantic Asahida Kenjiro turned around, all he saw was a spear breaking through the void.

…

That very day, while Li Tian and the others were still discussing matters within the ruins, reports arrived that trespassers had appeared throughout the country. Japanese ninjas had even broken through to Mount Kunlun, only to be slaughtered by Zhang Daoyi.

The moment they received the report, Xia Qiuming, Li Tian, Han Daohong, and Dongfang Kui, who had been engaged in friendly discussions, exploded with rage.

“For every inch of mountain and river, an inch of blood is shed. Do you take Huaxia for a joke?”

“Our territory is sacred and indivisible. Our borders are solemn and inviolable!”

Dongfang Kui immediately threw a fist into the heavens, attacking Japan’s sole eleventh-rank expert.

The various factions were all left with pounding headaches.

The nations that had dispatched their people fell silent, hoping only that Huaxia would vent its fury upon Japan.

Those that had sent no one felt immensely relieved.

Huaxia now resembled a beast protecting its food. The moment anyone harbored even the slightest ulterior motive, Huaxia would react exactly as it had now—launching into battle without a word and entirely disregarding the threat of the Dark Realm.

In truth, the powerful figures gathered there felt rather helpless. The orders had been issued the moment they intercepted the news. Who could have expected the previously unyielding Huaxia to compromise in the end?

Yet at this critical juncture, their own people, who had already abandoned the plan to investigate, began to act.

It was impossible to say who was right or wrong. Each side had its own position.

But Dongfang Kui cared nothing for that. At this moment, he was filled with pent-up fury.

First, their conversation had been secretly overheard. Then they had been surrounded and attacked from all sides. Just as negotiations were about to begin, a group of petty intruders had entered Huaxia again.

That was something Dongfang Kui could not tolerate.

The Dragon Fist erupted in full force.

He punched toward Japan’s eleventh-rank ninja.

Kojirō was furious as well.

It was not as though he alone had sent people into Huaxia. Why was he the only one being attacked?