Figures like ghosts and spirits approached, cold glints suddenly appeared, shooting towards Chen Fan.
Ninja shuriken!
There were seven figures in total, all dressed as masked martial artists.
These were Mitsui Yuta’s subordinates, now attacking together for the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
Chen Fan, unable to gain a foothold and facing a siege, condensed his fighting spirit. His true qi surged, forming a vortex around him.
The vortex spun, and the flying shuriken were swept away by inner force, flying out with loud bangs.
Sword light rose, the sword momentum simple yet most direct.
A ninja’s head flew off, blood spraying like rain.
A ninja’s body was split in two, killed by a single sword strike.
Chen Fan’s attacks were so simple, yet none of these ninjas, hidden in the darkness, professionally trained, and renowned in the global underworld, could withstand a single sword strike from him.
Holding the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in hand, Chen Fan became like a Shura.
Below the Grandmaster level, none were his match.
“Kill!”
A sharp roar rang out, and two sword lights rose, one left, one right, attacking Chen Fan.
Blocking all angles, the killing intent refined.
The two Grandmasters, Watanabe and Yagyu Juubei, attacked together, each a killing blow.
Their sword intent, martial will, and lifelong cultivation were all integrated into this strike.
As martial arts Grandmasters, they knew the situation was deteriorating, and in any ordinary circumstance, they would have retreated.
But this was different. To reclaim the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, they would pay any price.
The two sword lights crossed and slashed, like a giant pair of scissors descending from the sky, capable of cutting through any obstruction.
Facing this slash, Chen Fan had to be cautious.
He let out a long breath. The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in his hand vibrated, the cloud patterns on the sword seeming to come alive, expanding or contracting, transforming into numerous giant eyes, becoming even more sinister and ferocious.
Sword qi vibrated, following the changes in the cloud patterns of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, pouring out and spreading in an instant, like a raging storm.
Rumbling, the sword qi was like a torrent.
The ancient ferocious beast had truly awakened.
Boom, within the storm of sword qi, the phantom of a giant serpent faintly appeared.
That giant serpent had several heads, ferocious and terrifying, its malevolent aura obscuring the sky.
The storm swept through, and the sword light dimmed and shattered.
Everyone stared in astonishment.
Ise Akiyo swayed precariously, looking at this scene, despair and unwillingness filling her aged eyes.
Following that, the storm raged, and two figures staggered backward. One fell to his knees with a thud, crimson blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The other staggered back, leaning on his sword for support, his clothes torn, his expression dejected.
Chen Fan advanced with his sword, his expression indifferent. He said nothing more and swung his sword.
The one kneeling was Watanabe Mohei. He struggled to raise his sword to block, but closed his eyes.
The next moment, Watanabe’s long sword flew from his grasp, and his head was flung into the air, hot blood splattering onto the deck of the old cargo ship.
Ise Akiyo let out a sigh and slumped to the ground. His life force depleted, he knew he was powerless.
A wave of regret washed over him. If he had known, he might truly have agreed to Chen Fan’s proposal earlier, avoiding his might and then planning to reclaim the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.
However, as things stood, regret was useless.
Their desire for the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi was too urgent, making them unable to wait even a moment.
This was a divine artifact of Sakura Country. To die under such an artifact was also a form of归宿 (guisù - belonging/homecoming/end), but to be unable to bring the divine artifact back to Ise Grand Shrine, it would ultimately be filled with regret and unwillingness.
Chen Fan did not stop, walking towards Yagyu Juubei with his ferocious long sword.
Yagyu Juubei held his sword with both hands, placing it horizontally in front of him.
Only death awaited, and as a martial arts Grandmaster, he felt no fear, only the lingering unwillingness to be unable to bring the sword back to Sakura Country.
Just as he was planning a life-burning strike, Chen Fan suddenly turned.
Over a dozen figures rushed forward, surrounding Chen Fan and Yagyu Juubei.
Following them, several figures strode forward. It was none other than Zuo Lizhou.
In a corner of the cargo ship, on a container, Huangfu Xi, who had boarded the ship with Chen Fan earlier, stood and said, “Is this what you wanted to see?”
“Senior Brother Huangfu, please enlighten me!”
Standing beside Huangfu Xi was none other than Wu Zhao, whom Zuo Lizhou had forced Lu Bicheng to meet.
He was dressed in a custom-made suit, impeccably attired, and said, “Chen Tianjiao is a most formidable blade. With the Shenmu Pearl and the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Zuo Lizhou would have to pay a price to kill him!”
“Your schemes run deep.”
Huangfu Xi said, “You believed Chen Tianjiao’s strength was still insufficient, and even used my hand to deliver the Shenmu Pearl.”
“Senior Brother Huangfu will also gain greatly.”
Wu Zhao said, “In this vast world, among all sentient beings, there is only one Chen Tianjiao!”
“You are correct. Chen Tianjiao is indeed extraordinary.”
Huangfu Xi said, “But with such schemes, aren’t you afraid Chen Tianjiao will eventually cleave you with his sword as well?”
“Isn’t Senior Brother Huangfu here? You wouldn’t just stand by and watch, would you?”
“That’s hard to say.” Huangfu Xi chuckled. “I invited Chen Tianjiao for a drink earlier, and we got along quite well.”
“Senior Brother Huangfu, you’ve found someone new and forgotten the old.” Wu Zhao said with a smile.
Elsewhere on the cargo ship, Feng Qianluan’s face was filled with shock. “This sword is that powerful?”
“Sakura Country’s divine sword is indeed extraordinary.” Feng Chengmo said. “This sword is very evil; ordinary people probably cannot unleash its full power.”
“Chen Tianjiao’s will is unyielding, allowing him to wield such a ferocious weapon.”
Feng Chengmao also spoke, his eyes filled with admiration. “Three years ago, we failed to kill him in one encounter, and he escaped, alarming the military.”
“This person can be considered to have great fortune, it’s a pity.”
“Father, what’s a pity?” Feng Qianluan couldn’t help but ask.
Feng Chengmao shook his head, showing no intention of elaborating.
On the other side, Ye Yunchen, gripping the edge of the ship, was shocked but made no move.
“Chen Tianjiao, today is your day of death!”
Zuo Lizhou’s gaze was icy. “You are too bold, daring to board the ship alone.”
Chen Fan’s gaze swept around. Not seeing Wu Zhao, he said, “Enough nonsense. Zuo Lizhou, do you dare to fight me one-on-one?”
Zuo Lizhou sneered and said, “You wield a divine weapon; why should I fight you one-on-one?”
If Chen Fan did not have the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Zuo Lizhou would not have minded fighting him personally and killing Chen Fan to establish his authority.
But now, with the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in Chen Fan’s hand, he had no guaranteed victory.
“Then enough with the nonsense.”
Still carrying a hint of wine’s fervor, Chen Fan strode forward, paying no heed to how many experts or Grandmasters were beside Zuo Lizhou.
He pressed forward, invincible!
Raging on the battlefield, creating utter chaos.
Zuo Lizhou was originally on his kill list. In the past, he had many reservations, but on this cargo ship, all reservations had vanished.
It was a fight to the death anyway!
Zuo Lizhou raised his hand.
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
Amidst the sharp roars, the martial arts experts surrounding Chen Fan hesitated no longer and lunged at him.
Palm strikes surged, sword momentum flowed.
Although no Grandmasters intervened, the momentum was still significant.
Chen Fan raised his sword and slashed, severing a Hua Jin (化劲) expert, his sword and body, in one go.
A palm strike landed on Chen Fan’s body.
Chen Fan remained motionless, his circulating true qi neutralizing the palm strike.
A sword thrust sideways, sword qi piercing through the blade’s momentum, piercing the eyebrow of another Hua Jin expert.
A saber fell.
Chen Fan did not look back, merely stepping forward.
The saber’s glow cut through his protective true qi, leaving a bloody mark on his body.
Chen Fan seemed oblivious. After taking a step, his sword qi scattered like rain, engulfing three Nei Jin (内劲) experts.
The three men became dead.
Only then did he turn sideways and thrust his sword, piercing yet another martial arts expert.
Unstoppable!
None were his match for even one move!