"Sorry, I'm beat. That's it for today!" Ye Liang casually made up an excuse and hopped down from the arena.
No hope?
Then there was no point sticking around. Might as well move on.
"Sir, please return here at noon in three days. We will present rewards to each competitor then," the female referee called out as Ye Liang turned to leave.
"Hn."
Ye Liang walked away from the plaza.
"Where would I hide if I were Akatsuki?" He reached out again with his sensing ability for the Flying Thunder God Shuriken, but still got no response.
"How did these guys block my detection? This shouldn't be happening," he muttered, glancing around as he decided to find a place to stay temporarily.
It was already evening.
After walking a bit longer, just as he was about to enter a hotel, two ninjas approached rapidly from a distance!
"Mr. Ye Liang, our lord respectfully invites you!"
The two ninjas blocked Ye Liang's path directly.
"My lord? Sorry, I need rest." Though puzzled, Ye Liang strongly suspected these two were from Kasumi Country.
He ignored them and continued toward the hotel entrance.
Slam!
The hotel attendant slammed the main door shut right in front of him!
"Now would you please come with us?" said one ninja.
Helpless,
Ye Liang could only shrug.
Not long after,
he followed the two men to an elaborately decorated mansion.
"Our lord is waiting inside for you."
After explaining briefly, the two ninjas immediately left the estate entrance.
Ye Liang marched forward confidently.
This place was huge and nicely lit—an ideal residence.
Taking a couple more steps forward, he encountered someone in the courtyard.
A man with dark skin wearing typical attire from Kumo Village.
"Bro, how come you're here too!" Ye Liang asked.
This person was none other than Heiluyi, who had previously sparred against him!
"It should be *me* asking *you* that! You ruthless guy, what are *you* doing here?"
Why would he think like that?
Ye Liang felt annoyed by this misunderstanding but chose not to explain—it wasn't worth wasting breath on someone who couldn't even handle a Fuma Shuriken.
Just then,
the tightly closed door swung open suddenly.
"There's no need for conflict between the two of you, gentlemen. Both of you are honored guests of House Butsuma! Please sit calmly," spoke an old man sitting inside the room with a large belly.
Pushing the door wide open, he extended an inviting gesture. Ye Liang didn't hesitate and strode into the room.
Heiluyi slipped in right behind him.
"Are you indeed Mr. Ye Liang?" The old man asked calmly after watching Ye Liang settle into his seat.
"Yes, that's me. And who might you be?"
Before Ye Liang could finish his question, Heiluyi beside him hastily exclaimed, "How dare you speak so boldly! This is Lord Butsuma, the first minister of Kasumi Country! Even the Daimyo of Kasumi doesn't command as much respect as him!"
"Lord Butsuma? So you're the one he mentioned—the usurper?" Ye Liang asked curiously.
"You fool, what nonsense are you spewing now!"
"Ye Liang, you insolent brat!"
Hearing Ye Liang's words, Heiluyi's expression instantly changed. He quickly stood up and drew a shuriken from his waist, determined to redeem his humiliation.
At that moment, the old man raised his hand to stop him.
"What you said isn't entirely wrong," the elder admitted.
Ye Liang's eyes flickered slightly. This old man had sharp eyes; though aged, he still exuded vigor and wisdom—definitely no ordinary person.
The elder extended his hand.
"My name is Butsuma. I'm also the prime minister of Kasumi Country. This time, I'd like to ask for your help in defeating Shaw Sanlang!" Butsuma spoke earnestly, then poured Ye Liang a pot of tea.
Ye Liang ignored him completely. Instead, he simply shrugged with a lazy indifference.
"And what does that have to do with me?" His tone remained indifferent, completely disregarding the outstretched hand before him.
Butsuma furrowed his brows again.
"Ye Liang, are you really going to be this cold-hearted?"
"Cold-hearted? We're both grown men—what makes you think there should even be a bond between us?"
"Hmph..."
After hesitating again for a moment, Butsuma realized there was nothing inappropriate about that statement.
Right!
"I've personally witnessed your match before. You're indeed powerful—perhaps comparable to the Kage of the Kasumi Ninja Village. However, strength alone won't make you the winner of the Martial Arts Contest for Suitors! If you could just assist me with one small favor, I can ensure your marriage with Princess Shaw."
Butsuma assumed since Ye Liang participated in the martial contest for suitors, he must have feelings for Princess Shaw.
"Princess Shaw? Who's that? And how am I involved?"
Ye Liang shook his head again, completely ignoring the elder's presence.
"What the hell!"
This time, Butsuma's demeanor finally shifted.
He flew into a rage, his eyes finally revealing murderous intent as he pointed at Ye Liang and roared, "Ye Liang, are you really going to keep playing dumb?!"
"Heiluyi was my chosen future son-in-law! You defeated him publicly—how am I supposed to maintain an advantage now? Yet you still claim this has nothing to do with me?"
"That's right. It really has nothing to do with me." Ye Liang suddenly stood, speaking loudly enough that even the guards outside the mansion could hear.
Heiluyi's face twisted with rage.
To be honest, it was Heiluyi's lack of skill that caused the plan to fail.
That was precisely why he suggested letting Ye Liang take over from him in the contest. Unfortunately, Ye Liang proved unresponsive to any negotiations, not even granting him a proper conversation—an extremely awkward situation indeed.
"Reckless!" Heiluyi gritted his teeth and snapped at Ye Liang, "How dare you speak to Minister Butsuma like that? Show some respect—butsuma is a figure of global significance. Keep your voice down!"
"What did you say? I couldn't hear you," Ye Liang mockingly raised his ear, maintaining an arrogant attitude as if completely ignoring Heiluyi's introduction.
"Goddamn it!"
In an instant, Heiluyi drew a shuriken and hurled it toward Ye Liang.
"I'll kill you right now!" After throwing the weapon, he pulled out his lightning sword and charged at Ye Liang.
Although he had lost during their previous duel, Heiluyi always believed it was because he was taken by surprise. In close combat, he was certain he wouldn't lose to Ye Liang.
"Just this?" Ye Liang smiled.
Heiluyi's lightning sword moved with incredible speed, carrying killing intent without hesitation!
But did Ye Liang fear him?
Ye Liang simply raised his hand and slapped straight toward him!
"Get lost!"
Peng!
The slap sent Heiluyi spinning dizzyingly, crashing hard into the wall three meters away.
He collapsed unconscious!
"Mr. Ye Liang, you—"
Butsuma Jiro stared at Ye Liang in disbelief, momentarily stunned!
He never expected anyone to dare cause trouble inside his own mansion, especially after he had revealed Heiluyi's identity!
Unbelievable!
"If you're going to nag at me like this, I'll really walk out."
"No! No! Mr. Ye Liang!" Butsuma finally caved. With a fawning smile, he ushered Ye Liang to sit down and got straight to the point.
"The truth is, I invited you here today because I want you to take Heiluyi's place. I originally planned for him to marry the princess so I could manipulate the government of Kasumi Country entirely. But I never expected him to be this weak!"
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