Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Overestimating Oneself (2nd Update)
Translator: 549690339
Ginza Clubhouse.
At this moment, the major crime families of Tokyo had all gathered here.
Additionally, corporate conglomerates such as the Inoue Family and the Matsushita Family were also in attendance.
One could say that any individual in this room, if placed outside, would be a high-ranking figure.
Yet many people did not even have a seat.
Because only the most elite of Country R could sit here.
“If you ask me, this Chinese martial artist Xue An is simply too arrogant, ever since he arrived, Takeuchi Kiyoko of the Takeuchi family has become more and more domineering!” a grim-faced crime boss said.
“Indeed! Our family has also suffered many losses! This Xue An must be eliminated!” someone echoed.
The room began to buzz with discussion, but the primary topic was how to get rid of Xue An.
Just then, a cool voice came through, “Sister Songmu, you look so pale, what’s wrong?”
No one dared to speak.
They saw an almost bewitchingly handsome man looking at Songmu Feihua with great interest.
Songmu Feihua’s face turned red, and she shook her head, “It’s nothing, I’m just not feeling very well!”
The man leaned back on the sofa and smiled faintly, “I heard that Sister Songmu has been in contact with this Xue An, but I wonder what you think of him?”
All eyes in the room converged on Songmu Feihua, as some people covertly swallowed.
This woman… was simply too alluring.
Songmu Feihua shook her head with a wry smile, “I can’t describe this man, but he personally said that he came to Country R to find something, and that he would leave as soon as he found it!”
“Oh? Looking for something? What is it?” the man asked, frowning slightly.
“I don’t know!” Songmu Feihua shook her head, her complexion somewhat pale.
Because she was reminded of the scene she had witnessed that night, especially Xue An’s gaze.
The man let out a cold laugh, “Don’t know? Doesn’t that mean he might never find it and will never leave?”
Songmu Feihua dared not speak.
This man who looked almost like a woman was Ming Shifeng, who had once ruled the underworld of Tokyo for seven or eight years.
Songmu Feihua knew well that this man was capricious and deep-rooted, and had connections with many of Country R’s top Sword Dao practitioners.
So even she dared not offend him.
Ming Shifeng looked at a few secretly taken photographs on the table, his lips curving into a chilling smile.
“There is a saying in China, ‘even a mighty dragon cannot crush a local serpent.’ Since you’ve come, I must treat you well!”
Songmu Feihua couldn’t help but speak, “Lord Ming Shifeng, this Xue An is a top Chinese martial artist, ordinary people simply cannot get close to him.”
Ming Shifeng nodded, “Of course I’m aware of that, but I’ve been prepared for some time.”
With that, Ming Shifeng stood up and walked over to the window.
“Look, the Obon Festival is coming soon, and every family is busy making spirit banners to pay homage to their ancestors.”
This seemingly random statement left everyone in the room puzzled.
Ming Shifeng continued, “Every year during the Obon Festival, practitioners from the Hokushin Ittō-ryū, the Shintō Munen-ryū, and the Iaido Batto Association all come to Sensoji Temple in Jingdu to pay homage, and this year is no exception!”
Songmu Feihua shuddered, a look of shock crossing her face.
“And there’s Sakata Kinji from the Great Sun Shrine, High Officer Ohara from Kyo-wa Shrine, I have extended invitations to all these people this year.”
Excitement, almost sickly in nature, flickered across Ming Shifeng’s face.
“Moreover, every year during the Obon Festival, the major Heidao families also come to Sensoji Temple to pay their respects.”
“When the masters from Country R gather, I refuse to believe that this Xue An really has three heads and six arms. Even if he does, I’ll cut them off one by one!”
The people in the room couldn’t help but show their pleasure, all nodding in agreement, “Mr. Ming Shifeng is indeed unparalleled in strategy!”
Only Songmu Feihua had a flicker in her eyes, feeling some surprise and suspicion.
Could things really be that simple?
Meanwhile, as everyone was discussing, a young man carrying a pitch-black long sword also stepped into Tokyo under the moonlight.
“It’s been so many years since I’ve been here, Tokyo has changed so much!” said Watanabe Kiyomi as he looked at the neon-lit skyscrapers.
But behind the glitz of this city lies a corner oozing with a dark atmosphere.
It seemed as if sensing this presence, the long sword was trembling slightly, as if it couldn’t wait any longer.
Watanabe Kiyomi smiled, “Fear not, Demon God, on the mid-year festival, I shall let you gorge on blood.”
“Master!” Kiyoko Takeuchi stepped into the room, calling out respectfully.
Xue An nodded, “Any news?”
“Not yet, but tomorrow is the mid-year festival. As per tradition, every family will go to Sensoji Temple to pay respects. It’s always been my father in the past, but this year…”
A difficult expression crossed Kiyoko Takeuchi’s face.
After all, she had only recently taken over the Takeuchi family and her authority wasn’t yet solidified. It was only by leveraging Xue An’s influence that she had been able to command respect from everyone.
This time it was a gathering of Daoist families, and she worried that something unforeseen might happen if she went alone.
Xue An nodded, “Tomorrow, I will go as well!”
“Thank you, Master!” Kiyoko Takeuchi exclaimed with delight.
“Daddy, what is the mid-year festival? Is it fun?” Xue Xiang asked.
Before Xue An could reply, Kiyoko Takeuchi had already answered.
“Miss, the mid-year festival is a very important holiday in Jingdu. On this day, each household makes prayer flags to commemorate the deceased, and the major temples hold ceremonies to redeem the spirits. There’s also going to be a grand fireworks display! It’s very lively!”
Xue Xiang’s eyes lit up.
“Daddy, can we go too?”
“Of course, we can!” Xue An said with a smile.
An Yan hesitated slightly, “Husband, those people are all fierce and malevolent, won’t we be in the way if we go?”
Xue An smiled faintly, “In my hands, there are no wild beasts that can’t be tamed, don’t worry!”
Benqiao Meijia had been somewhat absent-minded these past few days.
Her colleague and close friend Kawada Momoe noticed something was off and couldn’t help asking with concern, “Meijia, what’s wrong? You’ve been restless these last few days?”
Benqiao Meijia shook her head, “It’s nothing, just feeling a bit troubled inside!”
“Tomorrow is the mid-year festival. I hear this year’s fireworks at Sensoji Temple will be even grander. Let’s go see the bustle together! It might help you feel better.”
The moment Benqiao Meijia hesitated, Kawada Momoe stepped forward and shook her shoulder, “Okay? Pretend you’re going for me!”
Benqiao Meijia gave a wry smile, “Alright! But I’ll have to wear sunglasses and a mask!”
She didn’t want to be recognized by fans, that would be too terrifying.
“Yes! Meijia, you’re the best!”
Benqiao Meijia smiled, but the image of a man’s silhouette floated in her eyes.
She later learned about what had transpired at the Heavenly One Shrine, all the Divine Officers had perished.
Could such thunderous methods be the work of that mysterious man?
Would she ever see him again?
