Dongtang Qihai's fist stopped inches from Ye Ling's face. It was close enough to smash Ye Ling's head, yet he couldn't throw another punch!
From the depths of Longshe Mountain, a voice echoed, forever etched into Dongtang Qihai's soul.
It was Sakura Moon's voice.
"Mas-master?"
Dongtang Qihai's eyes were filled with disbelief, his body trembling.
He couldn't fathom that his master, who had been in seclusion in the forbidden area, had actually appeared!
To the members of the Bushi, whether ordinary disciples or the Grand Hall Master, their master's words were absolute!
Even if Sakura Moon ordered them to their deaths, they would do so without hesitation!
Now that Sakura Moon had told Dongtang Qihai to stop, he naturally could not continue his attack.
Upon hearing Sakura Moon's voice, Dongtang Qihai's killing intent towards Ye Ling had completely transformed into fear of Sakura Moon.
Ye Ling gently pushed aside Dongtang Qihai's fist and chuckled, "It seems you've all been well-trained by Sakura Moon. With just a word, you stop. You don't even care about the backlash."
Dongtang Qihai's forced stop had already subjected him to severe backlash. Fortunately, his physique was far superior to ordinary people, allowing him to barely endure it.
Had it been anyone else, even Mizuno Asaka, such an abrupt halt would have shattered her heart meridians!
Even Dongtang Qihai had sustained not-insignificant internal injuries.
However, Dongtang Qihai paid no heed to his own injuries. He stared at Ye Ling with disbelief and exclaimed, "Do you truly know the Master?"
Ye Ling smiled, "I wouldn't say I know him. We met a few days ago; there's some old business between us."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, Dongtang Qihai immediately retracted his fist and apologized to Ye Ling, "This humble one was blind and offended you, Senior. I beg for your punishment!"
In Dongtang Qihai's eyes, anyone who had a grievance with their master must be a paramount figure of the Red Dust Immortal level. His actions just now were tantamount to offending a Red Dust Immortal!
If Ye Ling decided to pursue the matter, no one could save him!
Not only Dongtang Qihai, but after Sakura Moon's voice, the expressions of all the Bushi members present changed. Mizuno Asaka, in an attempt to salvage their earlier gaffe, even led everyone in kneeling and begging for forgiveness, "We were blind before and offended you, Senior. We beg for your mercy!"
Wang Liren watched the Bushi members' attitude undergo a complete 180-degree turn and felt an endless wave of emotion.
However, he wasn't marveling at their rapid change of demeanor.
In his eyes, a fifth of the Bushi members present possessed strength superior to his own, and dealing with him would have been effortless.
Yet, these powerhouses trembled at Sakura Moon's words and knelt before Ye Ling.
And Sakura Moon, who was considered supreme in the eyes of these powerhouses, had been utterly defeated by Ye Ling just a few days prior...
With such a vast disparity, Wang Liren could no longer imagine what kind of existence Ye Ling was in this world.
A god?
Wang Liren suddenly had a premonition that even the gods and immortals in the heavens might not be Ye Ling's match.
After all the Bushi members knelt, cherry blossoms drifted down from the sky, and Sakura Moon, holding a folding fan, descended like a petal, landing softly.
Seeing Sakura Moon appear, Dongtang Qihai forgot about Ye Ling and hurriedly bowed to Sakura Moon, "Dongtang Qihai pays respects to the Master!"
The other Bushi members also turned from Ye Ling to Sakura Moon, performing the grand ritual of three kowtows and nine bows.
To the Bushi members, Sakura Moon was the god of assassins, the supreme being in their hearts.
Upon Sakura Moon's appearance, they couldn't help but offer him their highest reverence.
However, Sakura Moon did not acknowledge the Bushi members' kowtows. He looked at Ye Ling and cupped his hands in greeting, "May I ask why you are visiting our Bushi Grand Hall today, Sir?"
Ever since Ye Ling had let him go last time, he had increasingly felt Ye Ling's terrifying power. Even when his superior ordered him to gather sacrifices, he hesitated to approach Ye Ling due to his own fear!
Now that Ye Ling had come to him, Sakura Moon, while appearing outwardly calm, was inwardly as panicked as Dongtang Qihai.
He feared Ye Ling would make a move.
Ye Ling chuckled, "I'm here about that matter from before."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Sakura Moon's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly said, "Didn't you say you wouldn't investigate this matter? Why are you going back on your word now?"
Ye Ling replied, "I originally had no intention of investigating. But by sheer coincidence, I just took in a young maid. She happens to have the same mark as Jue within her, and you just happened to find her, making her very unwell now."
"Your actions have affected my person. Tell me, should I resolve this?"
"Qi Zhuyue is your maid?" Sakura Moon was shocked, his expression one of disbelief. "I have been watching Qi Zhuyue for twenty years, and I never knew she had any connection to you. Are you perhaps deliberately looking for trouble?"
Ye Ling shook his head, "Although this indeed looks like I'm looking for trouble with you, the fact is, after I took in that girl, you made a move against her."
"That's why I've come here to seek an explanation from you."
Sakura Moon's face turned extremely grim, and he quickly asked, "Did Qi Zhuyue tell you everything?"
Ye Ling replied, "Not quite. I came to ask you."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's answer, Sakura Moon breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped a disaster.
However, Sakura Moon's current demeanor was a disaster for the Bushi members!
In the eyes of the Bushi members, Sakura Moon was their god, omnipotent and invincible!
But now, they saw fear and panic in Sakura Moon's eyes, and in an instant, Sakura Moon's image collapsed in their hearts.
Sakura Moon had fallen from his pedestal.
"Master, why?"
Dongtang Qihai looked at Sakura Moon with confusion, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
Unfortunately, Sakura Moon ignored the distress of the Bushi members and spoke to Ye Ling again, "Sir, I have warned you once. Do not investigate this matter further; it will bring you no benefit!"
Ye Ling smiled, "And if I insist on continuing to investigate?"
"Then you are seeking death!" Sakura Moon stated decisively, "Not only you, but I, and this world... will all perish because of your curiosity!"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Sakura Moon's warning, Ye Ling became even more interested, saying, "I'd like to know what it is that can threaten me?"
Sakura Moon said solemnly, "You are too arrogant... If you insist on pursuing this, you will bear the consequences!"
Ye Ling: "Of course. Can you tell me now?"
Seeing Ye Ling's stubbornness, Sakura Moon took a deep breath, his eyelids fluttering slightly as he closed his eyes.
After a long moment, he said solemnly, "Since that is the case... please follow me."