Ryūsei Danmori, the foremost powerhouse of the Sun Nation, his legends were known by every child, even those as young as three.
He once annihilated a pirate organization of three hundred men with nothing but a single blade. He had also slain eighteen international fugitives in a single day.
He wasn't a genius, but through sheer effort, he had become the Sun Nation's strongest, protecting its people for decades.
Yet today, he was dead, killed by an unknown youth barely out of his teens. In the end, not even his corpse remained.
The only thing left at the scene was Ryūsei Danmori's blade, Kusanagi, one of the Sun Nation's three great demon blades.
"A fine blade, but the wielder was lacking."
Shen Lang grasped Ryūsei Danmori's treasured sword, sensing its palpable killing intent. The blade could cleave through iron like mud. After a wry remark, he sheathed the sword and tied it to his waist.
This was a trophy, to be kept for collection. He could show it off to his daughter, and it would become a heirloom passed down through generations.
"This..."
At this moment, all the Sun Nation people present finally reacted. Upon discovering that Ryūsei Danmori had turned to dust and his sword now hung at Shen Lang's waist, they were stunned into silence, unable to accept the reality.
In the eyes of many, Ryūsei Danmori was an invincible god. His "Godslayer's Single Strike" was unstoppable, slaying gods and buddhas alike. They had envisioned Shen Lang being brutally cut down in a single blow, never expecting this outcome.
Dead, Ryūsei Danmori was dead, killed by an unknown youth, leaving no trace behind. A generation's Sun Nation powerhouse had vanished like smoke.
In an instant, the screams and cries of despair echoed from everyone present and those watching the live broadcast. Their voices were hoarse, their anguish bone-deep.
"Damn it, why did it turn out like this?"
At the same time, within the imperial palace, the elder in a kimono, witnessing the scene, turned ashen-faced with fury. "Ryūsei Danmori was the spiritual pillar of the Sun Nation. His defeat by an unknown youth will be a severe blow to our national confidence. We must find a way to rectify this. This brat must die."
With that, the elder in the kimono turned to a white-haired old man. "King Dong'an, what is your plan?"
"I recognize him. This brat is Shen Lang. My son, Ryūsei Shōwa, died by his hand."
The white-haired old man's face was grim. "Ryūsei Shōwa was my only son. His death will not go unavenged. Please grant me permission to lead forces to eliminate this brat."
At Sushi Restaurant in Nanning Middle School, Ryūsei Shōwa had attempted to assault Yu Xiao. Yu Xiao, fighting desperately, had failed to resist. Enraged, he had slashed Yu Xiao over a dozen times with his sword and pushed her from the fourth floor. Had Shen Lang not arrived in time, Yu Xiao might have already perished.
In his fury, Shen Lang had used his "God-Shocking Finger" to ruthlessly blast Ryūsei Shōwa's head off.
This incident was naturally not hidden from the Sun Nation. Soon, Ryūsei Shōwa's father, Ryūsei Tenzuki, learned of his son's demise and identified Shen Lang as the killer.
The Dragon Nation was a taboo. Ryūsei Tenzuki dared not seek revenge personally. However, now that Shen Lang was in the Sun Nation, Ryūsei Tenzuki would never let him leave alive, especially with Shen Lang now being a public enemy of the Sun Nation.
"Brother, do you have confidence in eliminating Shen Lang?"
The elder in the kimono's expression lightened slightly upon hearing Ryūsei Tenzuki speak. "Shen Lang's ability to kill Ryūsei Danmori means his strength cannot be underestimated. We must act only when we are certain of a killing blow."
"Very well. I will mobilize thirty Imperial Guards for you, and twelve Imperial Envoys. Can you ensure Shen Lang's life is taken within the Sun Nation?"
Upon hearing this, Ryūsei Tenzuki sighed. "These people are enough to kill Shen Lang. However, if we resort to assassination, it might tarnish the Sun Nation's honor. Therefore, I wish to openly challenge and kill him in Sakura Square."
"Openly kill him?"
The elder in the kimono pondered for a moment. "Very well. You shall lead these forces to kill him. Remember, no need for a one-on-one fight. Attack him directly. Although it may be considered an ambush by overwhelming numbers, it is the surest path to victory."
"Understood. I will bring Shen Lang's head back."
After his final words, Ryūsei Tenzuki turned and left, quickly leading the thirty Imperial Guards and twelve Envoys towards Sakura Square.
"Father, are you sending King Dong'an and the others to act?"
After Ryūsei Tenzuki and his party departed, Miyamoto Yukiko entered, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes. With Ryūsei Danmori, the Sun Nation's strongest, dead, our backbone is broken. If Shen Lang is not killed, our people may never recover."
The elder in the kimono said, "You intended to use Shen Lang as a whetstone, but never imagined this whetstone would be so sharp, even capable of breaking the blade, didn't you?"
Hearing this, Miyamoto Yukiko's expression turned grim, but she still spoke, "Shen Lang's strength far exceeded my imagination. I worry that King Dong'an and the others may not be able to defeat him. If they lose, our nation's confidence will suffer an unprecedented blow. We must be prepared."
"Will they lose?"
The elder in the kimono's face was calm. "Thirty Imperial Guards plus twelve Imperial Envoys. Such a force configuration, even Ryūsei Danmori could not defeat them. Although Shen Lang defeated and killed Ryūsei Danmori, after consecutive battles, he must surely be at the end of his strength. King Dong'an and the others are more than enough to kill him."
He then turned to Miyamoto Yukiko. "Yukiko, you have contacts with the Hidden Sword School and the Blade Tomb. What are their thoughts on this matter? Are they willing to intervene?"
The Hidden Sword School and the Blade Tomb were the two most mysterious and powerful factions in the Sun Nation's martial arts world. However, for decades, they had remained in seclusion. In the entire Sun Nation, besides Miyamoto Yukiko, no one could contact them.
"Father, I can contact the Hidden Sword School and the Blade Tomb, but they stated that unless they are certain of defeating Song Shidao and Shen Tianjun, their people will never emerge from seclusion."
Miyamoto Yukiko sighed. "Twenty years ago, during the great battle, Song Shidao and Shen Tianjun slaughtered the Hidden Sword School and the Blade Tomb, causing rivers of blood and an eighty percent loss of their strongest fighters. They bear deep grudges against Song Shidao and Shen Tianjun, and nothing else matters more to them."
"Yukiko, isn't Shen Lang Shen Tianjun's son? Can we inform them of this news to secure their intervention?"
The elder in the kimono's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Father, the attitude of the Hidden Sword School and the Blade Tomb is clear. Other than eliminating Song Shidao and Shen Tianjun, they will not emerge for any other reason."
Miyamoto Yukiko said, "Everything must rest on us."