Thus, Wan Zhang, the divine official, pressed his hand down, directly interrupting Jiu Tiao, the divine official, and asked with a half-smile, "I wonder, am I right?"
Upon hearing Wan Zhang's question, Jiu Tiao nodded vigorously, emitting a syllable from his throat.
"Mm."
From Jiu Tiao's expression, it was clear he had little confidence in Wan Zhang's proposal.
After all, Atsuta Musashi, one of the Five Great Martial Gods, had just fallen at Chen Fan's hands.
If they were to send someone to seize the sword again, and it was to be Kashima Rei, the strongest among the Five Great Martial Gods, Jiu Tiao harbored hidden worries.
He was deeply concerned that Kashima Rei might suffer the same fate as Atsuta Musashi.
Once two of the Five Great Martial Gods were lost, their combat power would be insufficient to suppress the restless forces across the nation!
"We've already lost one of the Five Great Martial Gods; we can't afford to lose another. This risk is a bit too great," Jiu Tiao said with a troubled expression, rubbing his temples, his face etched with worry.
Seeing Jiu Tiao's troubled look, Wan Zhang burst into laughter.
"Haha, Jiu Tiao, does your brain never turn a corner?" Wan Zhang said, pointing at Jiu Tiao as he chuckled.
No one would be in good spirits after being ridiculed.
Seeing Wan Zhang laughing so heartily, Jiu Tiao said indignantly.
"Wan Zhang! Stop attacking me personally! If you have a good idea, just say it!"
Noticing Jiu Tiao beginning to get angry, Wan Zhang quickly reined in his smile.
Then, adopting a very serious demeanor, he spoke.
Wan Zhang said, "The plan is simple: fight in a closed venue. Then, if the challenger dares not come, we'll spread rumors that he's afraid. Our face will be saved, and our authority will remain."
Wan Zhang's idea was undoubtedly insidious!
Upon hearing this plan, Jiu Tiao's face lit up with joy.
Moreover, his anxious anger had subsided considerably due to Wan Zhang's excellent suggestion.
However, a cloud of worry still lingered in his eyes.
In his view, while Wan Zhang's method was good, it faced a significant uncontrollable factor!
"Wan Zhang, what if the challenger dares to come? With only Kashima alone, the chance of victory is still slim," Jiu Tiao asked Wan Zhang, furrowing his brow.
This was the biggest problem, the very source of Jiu Tiao's anxiety!
That challenger was extraordinarily powerful!
Wan Zhang's idea of setting a trap seemed good, indeed!
But what if the challenger, upon arrival, simply stabbed Kashima Rei into vapor with a single strike? Wouldn't their side lose even more face?
Upon hearing Jiu Tiao's question, Wan Zhang merely shook his head. "Jiu Tiao, I really can't be bothered with you. You're too foolish."
Hearing this, Jiu Tiao immediately became displeased, his fiery temper surging. He raised his voice slightly and angrily questioned Wan Zhang.
"How dare you say that! I'm stating a factual problem! If you don't solve this problem, any plan you propose is just empty talk, a mere battlefield of the mind, and won't help us defeat that challenger!"
"Keep your voice down!" Wan Zhang said, glaring sternly at Jiu Tiao. "Do you want the warriors outside to know our current predicament?"
Being glared at by Wan Zhang, Jiu Tiao instantly realized his lapse in composure and hastily lowered his head. "Yes! It's all my fault. I lost my composure. I apologize!"
"Alright, alright. After so many years, I'm already used to it," Wan Zhang said with a helpless expression, waving his hand at Jiu Tiao.
"Yes, thank you for your tolerance over the years. I, Jiu Tiao, am truly ashamed!" Jiu Tiao's face flushed with embarrassment.
After apologizing, he sincerely asked Wan Zhang, "So, what exactly should we do? If there's no accurate and feasible plan, I find it difficult to suppress my anger! I... I wish I could ascend Mount Kusa right now and cut down that challenger!"
"It's actually very simple," Wan Zhang said nonchalantly. He then rolled up the car window and revealed his countermeasure to Jiu Tiao.
"Then don't let Kashima go alone!"
"When the time comes, if the challenger dares to come, all four remaining Martial Gods will go, along with all the experts found from across the country!"
"If necessary, you, I, and Mitsui can also act."
Wan Zhang spoke his words concisely, and Jiu Tiao, sitting beside him, was completely stunned!
"This... isn't this a bit too insidious?" Jiu Tiao's voice was filled with disbelief as he looked at Wan Zhang and asked.
Upon hearing Jiu Tiao's question, Wan Zhang let out a cold laugh and retorted.
"Insidious? Do you want to go from being a high-ranking divine official to a worthless pawn trampled underfoot?"
Wan Zhang's words cut to the very essence of the situation.
Because, that was the essence of it all!
What about the martial honor of the Land of Cherry Blossoms, what about worrying about the restless forces, what about this and that...
All these excuses and reasons were ultimately for one purpose!
That was to preserve existing vested interests!
Wan Zhang had spoken so plainly that even Jiu Tiao, despite his slow mind, finally understood.
The anger that had been simmering within him was now completely extinguished!
His anger stemmed from their own incompetence!
The point of his anger was that in the vast martial world of the Land of Cherry Blossoms, there was no one who could defeat the challenger on the mountaintop—
Even if Jiu Tiao himself were to fight, it seemed he wouldn't have much chance of winning!
But now, Wan Zhang had offered him another path.
That was to go together!
All the top martial artists of the Land of Cherry Blossoms, all of them would go together!
If they couldn't win in a one-on-one fight, could so many people attacking one still fail?
Although it was a bit despicable, the battle would take place in a closed venue at that time!
If the opponent dared not come, their face would be saved, and their vested interests would be temporarily unharmed.
Dare to come?
Hmph!
He would surely die!