In a small courtyard behind the Taoist temple on Longpan Mountain, Ling Tian had been staying for three days.
These three days felt like a swift ride on a spring breeze, seeing all the flowers of Chang'an at once.
To be honest, with three confidantes accompanying him, Ling Tian was truly reluctant to leave. But he had to. If he didn't leave soon, he'd be too immersed in this haven of tenderness to ever get out.
Ling Tian bid farewell to his masters and his three confidantes, leaving Longpan Mountain. A sea eagle soared into the sky. His destination was still Japan, as Ling Tian now had an account to settle!
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Black Dragon Group at the foot of Mount Fuji, Kurofuji Takumi paced back and forth in his room like an ant on a hot pan.
Three days had passed, and there was no news from the people he had sent to China. Even with his heels, he knew something must have happened!
He had used a vast network of connections and contacts to inquire in China if anything had occurred in Jiangshan City. The result was that everything was calm, with no unusual events.
Kurofuji Takumi felt his right eyelid twitch, a bad omen dawning upon him.
Just then, someone reported that Takagi Ryuubi had arrived.
Takagi Ryuubi had just finished his training. His body had absorbed a large amount of electrical energy, and every cell was extremely active. Just as he was feeling invigorated, Fujiwara Takumi sent someone to find him, stating there was something important to discuss.
Takagi Ryuubi dared not delay. After changing his clothes, he rushed over immediately.
"Grandfather, what are your orders?"
"Ryuubi, something has happened!" Fujiwara Takumi's expression was grim, as if he had lost his parents.
"Grandfather, please calm yourself. In this world, there are no unsolvable problems, nor any insurmountable obstacles."
Although Takagi Ryuubi was arrogant, he held deep respect for his grandfather.
"Ryuubi, I sent people to China!"
"Nani?" A sense of foreboding arose within him.
"I sent some people to China, to Longpan Mountain, to capture that woman. To ensure success, I also hired an Onmyoji to deal with that barrier.
Furthermore, I dispatched ten God-Bestowed Warriors. I thought that by sending these individuals, our chances would be greater, and it would also serve as a test for them...
However, it has been three days since the scheduled mission time, and there has been no news from them. I sent people to inquire in China, but there is still no information..."
Takagi Ryuubi's expression also turned grim.
"Grandfather, I recall I warned you that the waters in China are very deep and not to wade in carelessly. Why didn't you listen to me!"
"Baka! Ryuubi, you are a warrior, where has your courage gone!
Our Black Dragon Group, formerly the Black Dragon Society, has a mission to expand Japan's territory!
We have endured hardship and cultivated our strength for so many years, all for the purpose of venturing out!" Kurofuji Takumi was extremely displeased at being reprimanded by his grandson, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Grandfather, please calm your anger. I do not oppose your ambition to conquer China, but the terror of Longpan Mountain, I have experienced it firsthand!
I believe the immediate priority is to gather our forces, strengthen our defenses, and prepare to face retaliation from China.
I even have a premonition that this 'Human Stick Immortal' might come looking for trouble!"
"Nani!"
Kurofuji Takumi suddenly felt his scalp tingle. That 'Human Stick Immortal,' who was known for turning people into human sticks, had become the nightmare of the entire Japanese underworld.
More than a dozen syndicates, including major ones like the Sumiyoshi-kai, had already been attacked by the divine stick immortal.
Imagine, dozens or even hundreds of members at a time were reduced to human sticks. The medical expenses, compensation, and subsequent pensions for these individuals were astronomical.
The vast majority of the attacked gangs faced bankruptcy because they couldn't afford these costs!
It was said that the leader of one gang refused to pay these expenses and was subsequently dismembered by his enraged subordinates.
Think about it, if one were targeted by such a pervert, they wouldn't be able to sleep soundly ever again.
"Grandfather, please rest assured. I will be here to hold the fort. I believe that 'Divine Stick Immortal' is likely an esper like myself!
If he doesn't come, so be it. But if he does, I will ensure he never returns!"
"Furthermore, I suggest you contact the military. Tell them that the losses this time were incurred while helping them verify the power of the God-Bestowed Warriors. They should at least provide some compensation, and at the very least, they should send more God-Bestowed Warriors!
With me and the God-Bestowed Warriors here, that 'Divine Stick Immortal' will surely never return!"
"Yoshi, then I'll leave it to you, Ryuubi!"
After the grandfather and grandson finished their conversation, Kurofuji Takumi quickly contacted the Japanese military official, Hirano Saburo. Upon hearing the news, Hirano Saburo became furious.
"Baka, baka! Who allowed you to send God-Bestowed Warriors to China? Do you know that if this news leaks, the God-Bestowed Warrior project will face immense resistance!
Also, do you know the cost we incurred to create these ten God-Bestowed Warriors!"
Hirano Saburo's anger was understandable. Although the God-Bestowed Warriors were powerful, they were not cheap, especially since they were still in the research and development phase and not yet mass-produced, making the production costs naturally high.
The ten God-Bestowed Warriors cost billions of US dollars to create, averaging nearly 200 million US dollars per warrior, a price higher than the most advanced F-35 fighter jets.
What was even more critical was that if China learned that this matter was related to the Japanese military and that they were researching such taboo human weapons, they would not stand idly by.
If this matter were to be exposed, the Japanese military would likely face global condemnation. Even their American benefactors would not easily let them off the hook. No matter how strong his backing, he wouldn't be able to protect himself, and he would truly have nowhere to be buried.
"General Hirano, it was you who approached the Black Dragon Group and asked us to help you test the God-Bestowed Warriors!
You never told me not to use the God-Bestowed Warriors overseas. Now that something has happened, you're blaming me!
If these God-Bestowed Warriors can't even handle a small place like China, then I suggest you cease this project!
Furthermore, I will contact my partners and halt funding for this project!"
"Baka!" Hirano Saburo was furious. He hadn't expected Kurofuji Takumi to dare to threaten him. However, he managed to suppress the curse that was about to escape his lips.
There was no other way. He who eats from others' hands is short of words. The sponsors behind the God-Bestowed Warrior project were all brought in by the Black Dragon Group.