"Uh..."
Upon hearing Akita Hideko's words, the entire delegation from Donghai Martial Arts Academy, including Jiang Wuming and Xia Xueqin, was stunned.
Evidently, they hadn't expected to encounter someone from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy provoking them immediately upon arriving in the Land of Ninjas, and moreover, it was a teacher, and even related to Jiang Zhan!
On the other side, the teachers and students from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy were also somewhat bewildered.
Only two individuals were exceptions.
Miyamoto Shangjing, the Vice President of Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, and the young man behind Akita Hideko who had previously shown killing intent towards Jiang Wuming.
They both knew Akita Hideko's identity—she was the daughter of Akita Shingen, the President of Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, and also the former lover of Sato Shinobu.
Back then, it was Akita Hideko who actively pursued Sato Shinobu.
Sato Shinobu was solely focused on martial arts and viewed personal relationships lightly. However, for the sake of family interests, and with the considerable help he had received from Akita Shingen, he agreed to be with Akita Hideko. But before they could get married, Sato Shinobu was killed by Jiang Zhan!
This caused Akita Hideko to harbor resentment towards Jiang Zhan to this day. She had just now, without any concealment, transformed that hatred into killing intent, pressing down on Jiang Wuming!
"Oh, I see."
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Xia Xueqin responded calmly and then, without reservation, released her aura as a Three-star War God, instantly suppressing Akita Hideko.
*Swish!*
Akita Hideko's expression abruptly changed. She quickly shifted her gaze from Jiang Wuming to Xia Xueqin, and the killing intent emanating from her vanished without a trace.
At this moment, she was like a lamb encountering a fierce tiger, completely subdued!
"I have always heard that Dean Xia is the foremost swordmaster of Donghai Martial Arts Academy in Dragon Country, possessing immense strength. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved."
Sensing the terrifying aura released by Xia Xueqin, Miyamoto Shangjing stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Akita Hideko. He shielded Akita Hideko from Xia Xueqin's oppressive aura while simultaneously praising Xia Xueqin, attempting to smooth things over.
Xia Xueqin did not respond to Miyamoto Shangjing. Instead, she cast a cold glance at Akita Hideko. While it seemed like a deterrence to Akita Hideko, it was, in fact, a warning: anyone who dares to touch Wuming, I will fight to the death!
"Dean Xia, these two are also teachers from our Kyoto Martial Arts Academy..."
Miyamoto Shangjing, understanding the situation perfectly, subtly knitted his brows but did not release his aura to counter. He smiled awkwardly and continued to introduce the other two individuals to Xia Xueqin.
Upon hearing this, Xia Xueqin gave a slight nod to the two teachers from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy as a response.
"Dean Xia, these three are the three martial arts prodigies from our Kyoto Martial Arts Academy: Sato Taro, Karasawa Hirofumi, and Matsunaga Hisahide."
After introducing the teachers from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, Miyamoto Shangjing then pointed to three students from the academy.
Among them, Sato Taro was the young man who had previously shown killing intent towards Jiang Wuming!
He was the most powerful martial arts prodigy in Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, and also the strongest among the younger generation of the Sato family!
"Dean Miyamoto, are introductions for the students still necessary?"
Xia Xueqin frowned. She considered Miyamoto Shangjing's actions to be superfluous. Even from a courtesy perspective, she had no need to know about the students from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy!
Furthermore, when she had disembarked from the plane earlier, she had keenly sensed the killing intent Sato Taro had directed towards Jiang Wuming!
"Dean Xia, if they were ordinary students, introductions would indeed be unnecessary."
Miyamoto Shangjing smiled slightly and then delivered a startling announcement: "The reason I am introducing these three is because they will represent Kyoto Martial Arts Academy in martial arts practical sparring with your academy's students!"
*Swish, swish, swish...*
Instantly, the expressions of all members of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy delegation changed.
No one, including Jiang Wuming and Xia Xueqin, had expected Miyamoto Shangjing to publicly announce the students Kyoto Martial Arts Academy had informed Donghai Martial Arts Academy about for the martial arts practical sparring.
This was an open declaration from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, a display of confidence – we've told you who our sparring students are, so send anyone you wish!
Where did Kyoto Martial Arts Academy derive such confidence?
At this moment, Jiang Wuming frowned as he looked at the three, Sato Taro, and discovered that they were a Nine-star martial artist, an Eight-star martial artist, and a Seven-star martial artist, respectively. Their strength levels aligned with the regulations for student participants in martial arts practical sparring, but they were not considered absolute geniuses.
Given the strength of the students brought by Donghai Martial Arts Academy this time, they were entirely capable of defeating Sato Taro and the other two!
"Aren't you being too arrogant and disrespectful?"
The next moment, before Jiang Wuming could figure out the reason behind this, Sato Taro, with a frown, stared coldly at Xia Xueqin. "Eighty years ago, when our Imperial Army swept across Dragon Country, you Dragon Country people wouldn't dare to act like this!"
"What do you mean?"
"You little devil, are you looking for trouble?"
"Who do you think you are, daring to question Dean Xia?!"
As soon as Sato Taro finished speaking, the students from Donghai Martial Arts Academy erupted, angrily denouncing Sato Taro.
Xia Xueqin raised her hand to stop the students from speaking further, then looked at Sato Taro with a blank expression: "Dragon Country has a saying, 'Things are not what they used to be' – today's Land of Ninjas doesn't even qualify to be mentioned in the same breath as Dragon Country! If you don't understand, go ask your elders."
*Swish!*
Upon hearing Xia Xueqin's words, Sato Taro's expression changed. He tried to retort, but after opening his mouth, he found himself utterly unable to do so.
This was because Dragon Country was no longer the Dragon Country of eighty years ago!
Today, Dragon Country's national strength and martial arts prowess were sufficient to crush the Land of Ninjas!
"Dean Miyamoto, I will also introduce the teachers from our Donghai Martial Arts Academy..."
Xia Xueqin directly averted her gaze, deeming Sato Taro unworthy of further attention. Instead, in a reciprocal gesture, she introduced Jiang Wuming and a few others to Miyamoto Shangjing.
When she introduced Jiang Wuming, he could clearly feel the hostility from the teachers and students of Kyoto Martial Arts Academy. Especially Sato Taro and Akita Hideko, who seemed to wish they could tear him apart with their eyes!
After introducing the teachers from Donghai Martial Arts Academy, Xia Xueqin did not introduce the students. Instead, she led Jiang Wuming and the others to shake hands with Miyamoto Shangjing and the three teachers from Kyoto Martial Arts Academy.
"You think you're worthy of shaking my hand?"
When Jiang Wuming was about to shake hands with Akita Hideko out of courtesy, Akita Hideko sneered.
Before Jiang Wuming could reply, she turned and walked away.
Jiang Wuming calmly withdrew his hand and then squinted at Akita Hideko's retreating back, saying nothing.
"Sato Taro, take these two and go greet the students from Donghai Martial Arts Academy."
Seeing this, Miyamoto Shangjing spoke again to smooth things over, giving instructions to Sato Taro.
"Yes, Dean."
Sato Taro sneered, shifting his gaze away from Jiang Wuming, and then led Karasawa Hirofumi and Matsunaga Hisahide towards Huangfu Weixia and the others.
"Your name is Huangfu Weixia. You are one of the three Nine-star martial artists from Donghai Martial Arts Academy, and also the strongest student in the Donghai Martial Arts Academy delegation this time."
Sato Taro approached Huangfu Weixia and said with a cold smile, "I also know that you have feelings for that Jiang Wuming."
"Uh..."
Stunned by Sato Taro's words, Chu Feng, Xia Dong, and the other students from Donghai Martial Arts Academy were taken aback.
They hadn't expected Sato Taro to know so much about Huangfu Weixia, even knowing information like Huangfu Weixia's feelings for Jiang Wuming!
At the same time, Huangfu Weixia frowned, staring at Sato Taro: "What do you mean by that?"
"I'll tell you two things.
First, the scoundrel you like is about to die.
Second, your opponent in this martial arts practical sparring will be me.
I will make you kneel before me like a bitch in front of that scoundrel during the martial arts practical sparring!!"
Sato Taro raised his head high, looking down at Huangfu Weixia, a contemptuous and chilling smile curling on his lips.
...