As one of the finest hotels in the Land of Ninjas, the Ninja Hotel boasts the best restaurants in Kyoto and the entire Land of Ninjas.
The restaurant is situated by the sea, composed of over a dozen water houses. These water houses feature floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing guests to savor their meals while enjoying the sunset. However, those outside cannot see within, ensuring absolute privacy.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, the Kyoto Martial Arts Academy hosted a banquet for the teachers and students of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy delegation at the Ninja Hotel's restaurant.
The teachers and students were seated separately in two water houses, positioned at a considerable distance from each other.
"Dean Xia, I sincerely apologize, but Dean Akita Shingen has a crucial meeting tonight and cannot join you for dinner. He has specifically entrusted me to host you and the distinguished masters," said Miyamoto Jōi, greeting Xia Xueqin and the five others in front of the best-situated water house on the easternmost side.
"Dean Miyamoto, why are the teachers and students separated? And why are they so far apart?" Xia Xueqin inquired.
"It's like this: we were concerned that the students might feel constrained dining with their teachers, so we separated them," Miyamoto Jōi explained the reason for the arrangement.
"Alright."
Hearing this, Xia Xueqin said no more. Led by Miyamoto Jōi, she proceeded towards the water house restaurant.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wuming, following at the rear, couldn't help but glance towards the water house several hundred meters away.
That water house was where Huangfu Weixia, Xiao Han, and other students from the Donghai Martial Arts Academy delegation were dining.
At that moment, Jiang Wuming felt a vague unease, suspecting a trick in the Kyoto Martial Arts Academy's arrangements, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact issue.
Shortly after, as Jiang Wuming, Xia Xueqin, and the others entered the water house restaurant, Huangfu Weixia, Xiao Han, Chu Feng, Xia Dong, and ten other students from the Donghai Martial Arts Academy delegation entered the restaurant on the other side.
The restaurant was a traditional Land of Ninjas cuisine establishment, with its layout and decor exuding a distinct ninja style.
Inside the restaurant, servers and chefs had been waiting for a long time.
The servers were all young women dressed in kimonos, while the chefs, clad in their culinary attire, stood rigidly in the cooking area.
"Distinguished guests, welcome. A menu is available at your tables. Each of you may order according to your preferences, and our chefs will prepare your meals fresh on the spot based on your selections."
As Huangfu Weixia and the others entered, the head server stepped forward, bowed, and welcomed them with a radiant smile.
Furthermore, she spoke in the Dragon Country's language, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
"Alright, thank you."
Huangfu Weixia, leading the group, thanked the head server and then led Xiao Han, Chu Feng, and Xia Dong to their seats.
Huangfu Weixia, Chu Feng, and Xia Dong were more familiar with each other and sat at the innermost table.
Xiao Han, being more introverted and preferring solitude, took a seat at the outermost position.
After everyone was seated, they ordered their respective dishes and watched the chefs prepare them, eagerly awaiting the food.
However—
Before the first dish could be served, Huangfu Weixia and the others sensed an approaching presence. They turned their heads towards the entrance in unison, only to see Sato Tarō appearing at the restaurant's doorway.
This discovery initially stunned everyone, and then they all glared at Sato Tarō with displeasure.
This was due to Sato Tarō's previous actions, which had greatly annoyed them!
"What are you doing here?"
From his seat closest to the entrance, Xiao Han frowned and directly questioned, making no attempt to hide his aversion to Sato Tarō.
"It's like this: our Land of Ninjas has always been a land of etiquette. Dean Akita Shingen of our academy severely reprimanded me after learning of my previous conduct and specifically asked me to come and apologize to you.
I am truly sorry for being too impulsive today and offending you!"
Despite Xiao Han's unfriendly questioning, Sato Tarō showed no anger. Instead, he apologized humbly and bowed to Xiao Han and the others, demonstrating the utmost courtesy and appearing genuinely contrite.
What is going on?
Seeing this scene, everyone, from Xiao Han at the entrance to Huangfu Weixia and the other students, was bewildered.
"You can leave now."
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Xiao Han spoke again.
Although Sato Tarō had apologized, Xiao Han was more inclined to believe that pigs could fly than that Sato Tarō was sincere. He also did not wish for Sato Tarō to continue disrupting their meal.
"Heh... are you in such a hurry to get rid of me because you're afraid I'll reveal your secret?"
This time, as soon as Xiao Han finished speaking, Sato Tarō suddenly let out a cold laugh.
Xiao Han's secret?
Upon hearing Sato Tarō's words, Huangfu Weixia and the others were taken aback.
Xiao Han had always kept to himself at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy. Apart from publicly acknowledging Jiang Wuming as his master, he generally acted with discretion.
They had never heard of Xiao Han having any secrets!
"You bastard, what do you mean?"
Xiao Han, believing Sato Tarō was deliberately causing trouble, lowered his voice and questioned sternly.
"I originally came with sincere intentions to apologize, but since you are treating me with such disrespect, I will reveal your secret to everyone!"
Sato Tarō deliberately feigned anger, then shifted his gaze from Xiao Han to Huangfu Weixia, and said with a cold laugh:
"You all know very well that Huangfu Weixia likes Jiang Wuming.
However, I heard that Xiao Han likes Huangfu Weixia, and even confessed his feelings to her, even forcibly embracing her!"
Xiao Han likes Huangfu Weixia?
And he even embraced Huangfu Weixia?!
Hearing Sato Tarō's words, everyone, including Xiao Han and Huangfu Weixia, and the other Donghai Martial Arts Academy students, was stunned.
At this moment, except for Huangfu Weixia, everyone else's gaze collectively turned towards Xiao Han.
"You... you're spreading rumors! I've never done what you're saying! Explain yourself!!"
After a brief shock, Xiao Han roared in anger, lunged forward, and attempted to grab Sato Tarō by the collar, intending to force him to clarify the situation publicly.
"What are you doing?!"
Sato Tarō allowed Xiao Han to grab his collar, then deliberately struggled, while secretly jolting his right shoulder, and slammed his entire body like a great mountain towards Xiao Han.
"Bang!"
"Crack—"
In an instant, two sounds occurred almost simultaneously.
Sato Tarō's shoulder forcefully collided with Xiao Han's chest.
This impact was well-calculated and vicious on Sato Tarō's part. Xiao Han's internal protective energy was unable to withstand it. His chest instantly caved in, ribs broke, and bright red blood gushed out uncontrollably!
"Pfft—"
Subsequently, Xiao Han was sent flying backward, spewing blood from his mouth. His face turned deathly pale, his meridians were torn, and his internal organs were somewhat damaged, sustaining severe internal injuries!
All of this happened so quickly that no one, including Huangfu Weixia, could react.
Bang!
Immediately after, Xiao Han's body slammed heavily onto a dining table, shattering it completely.
"Xiao Han!"
"You damn Jap, you're asking for death!!"
The sudden noise snapped Huangfu Weixia and the others out of their shock. They all shouted, and simultaneously, their figures flashed. Some lunged towards Xiao Han, while others surged towards Sato Tarō.
Facing all this, Sato Tarō's face showed no trace of panic, only a cold smile of a successful conspirator!
Injuring Xiao Han to the point of incapacitation, preventing him from participating in the martial arts sparring match!
...