Chapter 95: Ninjutsu
Natural Yin-gathering land was relatively difficult to destroy. However, this particular area likely had something buried beneath it, making it different from a natural Yin-gathering land. Just like the so-called Aijia Village from before, when the authorities couldn’t resolve the issue, they resorted to the most primitive method—killing an entire village to protect the surrounding areas.
Shao Xiaoya nodded solemnly. "But... won’t this implicate you?" She knew that even if she told her father, it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference.
This area was complicated, and with many outsiders present, any casualties would be highly unfavorable for the government, let alone an unjustified demolition.
"Are we cultivators supposed to fear difficulties and stand still?" Mu Lichuan glanced at her before leaving. In truth, talking to Shao Xiaoya wouldn’t achieve much—only someone with real authority like Mi Shen could make a difference. Of course, whether the government would take action remained unknown.
If incidents like killings or other violent events occurred in this area, it would be due to the influence of the Yin-gathering land. And if the government tried to cover it up, it would be extremely difficult.
Shao Xiaoya couldn’t refute her idol’s words. She could only watch helplessly as he disappeared from her sight.
Qin Xiaocao—she had always considered her a close friend, yet this person turned out to be so malicious, even resorting to raising a malevolent spirit to harm her. After all, her body back then—no, even now—couldn’t withstand the slightest unclean influence. The fact that she wasn’t feeling any discomfort now was undoubtedly due to the exorcism talisman Mu Lichuan had given her.
Mu Lichuan reported the matter, but there was no follow-up. The area’s population was complex, and even the government needed time to mediate all the relationships involved.
"People from Country R are demanding an explanation?" Mu Lichuan frowned. Before the Yin-gathering land issue was even resolved, the conflict had escalated to a national level.
Mi Shen nodded gravely. "For now, don’t go out. Even if Country R doesn’t act openly, behind the scenes..." He didn’t finish, but the implication was clear. Sato’s death had been over a confession, after all.
Mu Lichuan sneered. "Do you think I’m afraid of their so-called ninjas?" It just so happened that he could see for himself what other countries called "ninjutsu."
Ninjutsu, also known as the art of stealth, was a hidden martial art from ancient Country R's martial traditions. Like karate, judo, and kendo, it shared some origins with Chinese martial arts and Buddhism.
Ninjutsu was a technique used for espionage in ancient Country R. It included assassination, causing chaos, self-cultivation, and intelligence gathering. Training involved disguise, escape, concealment, assassination, terrain familiarity, medicine, and fire techniques.
"It’s not about fear, but..." Mi Shen felt somewhat helpless in the face of the young man’s arrogance.
Mu Lichuan looked at him. "Our Country C is not afraid of Country R at all. I just don’t understand why our leaders insist on a 'harmony above all' approach." In his view, strength commanded respect. If the nation’s overall power rose, other countries wouldn’t dare say a word—let alone over the death of a mere exchange student.
"Sato brought his death upon himself by provoking a ghost. The people from Country R know this perfectly well—they’re just using it as an excuse." Mu Lichuan’s words were firm, showing no fear of Country R’s so-called ninjutsu.
Mi Shen gave him a look. "You’re right. If we’re afraid of them over a single death, what face would our country have left? When the time comes, we may need your help. Will you assist?"
Mu Lichuan smiled and nodded. "No problem." When it came to the nation’s dignity, he would never stand idly by.
Mu Lichuan’s life remained peaceful. As for his schoolmates, they believed that Country C hadn’t even pursued Sato’s killings at school, yet Country R had the audacity to make demands. This was the perfect opportunity to show them that Country C’s people weren’t to be trifled with.
"Classmate Mu, some students Sato brought are causing trouble—they’re demanding to see you!" Class monitor Xie Dong hurriedly reported. He had nothing but admiration for this school idol, who could still rank first in the grade without even attending classes. They were so impressed that envy was impossible—only sympathy remained when they heard about the confession from a Country R student. Now, this mess had landed on his lap.
"Let them come. I thought they’d slink away with their tails between their legs." Mu Lichuan stood up, his tone indifferent.
"Classmate Mu, we’ll all go with you!" Ouyang Xing rolled up his sleeves. When it came to fights, he never backed down—studies, though, were another matter.
"Right, we’ll all go!" The other classmates chimed in.
When Sakura Momoko and the others saw the large group approaching, they were startled. "Mu Lichuan, are you using your numbers to bully us exchange students?"
Sato had been their leader. Now that he was dead for no reason, they would face ostracism when they returned. And in their eyes, Mu Lichuan was the culprit.
In Country R, a confession wouldn’t lead to death—Mu Lichuan must have done something.
Mu Lichuan raised an eyebrow. "When did I bully you? If anything, you’re the ones who ruined my reputation. Aren’t you here to apologize?"
Sakura Momoko’s face twisted with hatred. "You killed Sato with dark magic!"
Mu Lichuan flicked a talisman forward. The thing attempting to invade instantly crackled with a "sizzling" sound, shocking the surrounding students.
Seeing this, Sakura Momoko’s expression darkened further, while Mu Lichuan’s previously indifferent face turned icy.
He didn’t know what that thing from the ground was, but he could sense an overwhelmingly sinister aura. If it had entered a human body, nothing good would come of it.
"Sakura Momoko, this is Country C, not Country R. This isn’t a place for you to act arrogantly." Mu Lichuan’s voice was laced with cold authority. The bizarre incident just now would leave psychological scars on many students. Luckily, it was broad daylight—otherwise, those with weaker minds might have been plagued by nightmares.
Sakura Momoko snorted. "Let’s go." Now that they had confirmed Mu Lichuan was a "special ability user," Sato’s death was undoubtedly his doing. But in this age of science and reason, they couldn’t use this openly.
Sato had indeed been a drug user and womanizer, and his family held considerable influence in Country R—enough to indulge his whims. Their job was simply to report the facts.
Xie Dong and the others frowned. "What was that just now? That spark?" Though it had vanished quickly, everyone had heard the explosion and faint screams. Despite the bright sunlight, it sent chills down their spines.
"Probably some kind of magic trick they brought," Mu Lichuan said innocently. The younger generation was better off not delving into superstitions.
"A magic trick? You sure it wasn’t dark magic?" Ouyang Xing looked baffled. Though he enjoyed fantasy novels, experiencing such things in real life was far less appealing.
Mu Lichuan shook his head. "No idea. The school will probably take action. Let’s get back to class." He was grateful for his classmates’ concern and would repay them in time.
Mu Lichuan kept the matter in mind. He knew that if Country R couldn’t pressure them openly, they would act in the shadows. He needed to stay vigilant.
He didn’t know what kind of dark arts Country R employed, but trying to show off in front of a cultivator was a fool’s errand. Still, caution was warranted against the unknown.
After school, as usual, Mu Lichuan jogged home alone. "Sizzle—" He dodged an attack in an instant.
He stopped in his tracks. The road leading to the villa district was quiet, with only birdsong in the trees.
"Boom—!" Mu Lichuan dodged again. The spot where he had stood was now a smoldering crater. The assailant had tried to ambush him—had it not been for his keen spiritual senses, he wouldn’t have escaped unscathed.
Mu Lichuan smirked, a trace of mockery in his expression. Country R was in such a hurry to kill him? Their actions likely reflected their government’s stance.
What should have been a minor incident had escalated into an international dispute, proving Sato’s family held significant power in Country R. Otherwise, a simple investigation would have sufficed.
Country R’s ninjas were nearly undetectable to ordinary people—they blended into the environment seamlessly. If not for Mu Lichuan’s acute soul perception and his identity as a cultivator, he wouldn’t have noticed them. He had to admit, their ninjutsu was impressive.
"You have one second to come out!" Mu Lichuan stared into the empty air before coldly tossing out an explosive talisman.
He looked down at the two bloodied figures now sprawled on the ground. Dressed head-to-toe in black with only their eyes exposed, they stared at him in shock.
"Your ninjutsu is impressive, but you forgot one thing—you still need to breathe. And as long as you breathe, I can sense your presence."
The assassins’ eyes widened in disbelief. Before they could bite down on their suicide pills, Mu Lichuan immobilized them with a binding talisman.
"You’re valuable evidence. Death is too easy—living will be your real punishment."
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