Xia Xueqin.
As Sato Ijin was attempting to forcibly take Jiang Wuming away, Xia Xueqin, clad in white and wielding a treasured sword, appeared at the villa's entrance.
As a Three-Star War God, she had naturally sensed the auras of Tengu Wuhiro, Sato Tianichi, and others, deducing their intentions and arriving in time.
Hearing Xia Xueqin's words, Tengu Wuhiro, Sato Tianichi, Akita Shingen, and the staff of the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association all turned to face Xia Xueqin, their faces betraying no surprise.
After all, they had long anticipated that Xia Xueqin would prevent them from taking Jiang Wuming, and had already sensed her aura rapidly approaching the villa hotel.
Meanwhile, Sato Ijin continued his advance towards Jiang Wuming, unfazed by Xia Xueqin's warning. As long as Sato Tianichi did not intervene, he would act against Jiang Wuming right before Xia Xueqin's eyes!
Clang!!
Seeing this, Xia Xueqin swiftly drew her sword.
"Do you wish to declare war on the Dragon Country martial arts community?!"
With her sword unsheathed, Xia Xueqin's aura erupted like a volcano, her fighting spirit soaring. The tip of her sword pointed directly at Tengu Wuhiro and the others, and she let out another low shout.
War?
Upon hearing these words, Tengu Wuhiro's pupils contracted sharply. He then raised his hand, making a gesture of restraint.
Sato Ijin saw Tengu Wuhiro's action, hesitated slightly, and paused, looking at Sato Tianichi.
Despite Tengu Wuhiro's restraining gesture, he still sought Sato Tianichi's silent approval with his eyes.
Sato Tianichi frowned and, with a hint of displeasure, shook his head at Sato Ijin. He then cast a cold gaze at Xia Xueqin and said in a low tone, "Just an hour ago, the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall illegally trespassed into Ninja Country and brutally massacred the Sanhe Association, killing several members of the Sato family. Xia Xueqin, are you aware of this matter?"
"I've just heard about it, but as you said, it was the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall. What does this have to do with Wuming?"
Xia Xueqin's face was as cold as frost, and she replied in a chilling voice.
"This matter was indeed carried out by the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall, but it is widely known that Jiang Wuming is a member of the Battle Dragon Hall, and is suspected to be the disciple of the Hall Master. The Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall once went to Dragon Country for him and engaged in a life-and-death battle with Liu Xin of Dragon Country!"
Sato Tianichi continued, his voice laced with iciness, "We strongly suspect that Jiang Wuming knows the whereabouts of the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall, and therefore we are questioning him. However, he is not cooperating!"
"I have already clearly told you that I do not know the whereabouts of the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall. Yet, you have broken into my room and are attempting to forcibly take me away. Is this how you expect me to cooperate?" Jiang Wuming retorted coldly.
"You have broken into Wuming's room and are attempting to forcibly take him away based solely on conjecture and suspicion. This matter requires an explanation from our Donghai Martial Arts Academy and the Dragon Country martial arts community!" Xia Xueqin said indignantly.
"An explanation?"
Seeing Xia Xueqin invoke the Donghai Martial Arts Academy and the Dragon Country martial arts community, Sato Tianichi did not appear intimidated. Instead, he sneered, "The explanation is that we believe Jiang Wuming is lying— he definitely knows the whereabouts of the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall! We intend to take him to the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association's base for further questioning, and simultaneously use special instruments to monitor his every word! If he lies, our instruments will detect it!"
"Tengu Wuhiro, I would like to know, does Sato Tianichi represent the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association? Or rather, do Sato Tianichi's words represent the intentions of the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association?"
Xia Xueqin did not respond to Sato Tianichi directly, but instead shifted her gaze to Tengu Wuhiro.
"Dean Xia Xueqin, I assure you on behalf of the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association that we will only question Jiang Wuming and will not harm him!"
Tengu Wuhiro finally spoke. He did not directly answer Xia Xueqin's question, but indirectly provided the answer.
"It seems you are determined to forcibly take Wuming away?!"
Xia Xueqin's expression grew even colder, and a terrifying killing intent emanated from her.
"Yes!"
Sato Tianichi, fearing that Tengu Wuhiro might waver, spoke first, asserting his position with great force.
"You can take Wuming away if you can step over my dead body to leave this door!"
Xia Xueqin was even more assertive, clearly stating her stance: she would never allow Jiang Wuming to be taken.
She was unsure of what the instruments Sato Tianichi mentioned were. If they could truly detect Jiang Wuming lying and force him to reveal his secrets, then Jiang Wuming would be lost forever.
Furthermore, even if Jiang Wuming were to be taken today and ultimately unharmed, it would severely damage the reputation of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy and the Dragon Country martial arts community.
More importantly, due to her love for Jiang Zhan over the years, she felt indignant about Jiang Zhan's fate and deeply sympathized with Jiang Wuming, treating him almost like her own child. How could she tolerate the people of Ninja Country humiliating Jiang Wuming in such a manner?!
"Dean Xia Xueqin, I have already clearly stated that we will not harm Jiang Wuming. We will return him after the questioning is complete."
Tengu Wuhiro frowned.
Although he had agreed to the suggestions of Sato Tianichi and Akita Shingen to question Jiang Wuming in hopes of finding the whereabouts of the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall, he did not wish to, nor did he dare to, engage in a physical confrontation with Xia Xueqin! Otherwise, the nature of this matter would change!
This time, Xia Xueqin did not speak. Instead, she continued to point her sword at Sato Ijin, her stance unequivocally clear—if Sato Ijin made a move against Jiang Wuming, she would retaliate!
"Xia Xueqin, you are merely a Three-Star War God. There are more powerful individuals here than you. You cannot stop us from taking him."
Sato Tianichi stared grimly at Xia Xueqin for a few seconds. Seeing her resolute expression, he turned to negotiate with Tengu Wuhiro, "President Tengu Wuhiro, since Xia Xueqin insists on obstructing us, I will personally take Jiang Wuming."
"Alright!"
Tengu Wuhiro remained silent for three seconds before finally nodding. The situation had escalated to this point; he and the Ninja Country Martial Arts Association, along with its martial arts circles, were like an arrow already nocked and drawn.
"I remind you again, if you take Wuming away today, it will be a declaration of war against the Dragon Country martial arts community!!"
Xia Xueqin was furious, yet she also clearly understood that if Sato Tianichi were to make a move to take Jiang Wuming, she would indeed be unable to stop him. After all, Sato Tianichi was a Four-Star War God!
"Declare war?"
Hearing these words again, Sato Tianichi did not fear but rather laughed, "Xia Xueqin, can you represent the Dragon Country martial arts community? Or can he represent the Dragon Country martial arts community?!"
"—"
Perhaps not expecting Sato Tianichi to be so aggressive, Xia Xueqin was rendered speechless.
"President Tengu Wuhiro has already stated that we are merely questioning him and will not harm him. If the Dragon Country martial arts community declares war on the Ninja Country martial arts community because of this, do you think the War God Palace would agree?"
Seeing Xia Xueqin fall silent, Sato Tianichi's aura intensified, and he sneered repeatedly, "I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that the War God Palace will absolutely not agree! Moreover, your Dragon Country martial arts community will incur public wrath because of this matter! Therefore, do not keep muttering about war. It will not scare us, nor will it change our decision to take him away and question him!!"
"Ding—"
This time, Sato Tianichi was met with a soft chime. Xia Xueqin's phone suddenly rang. Hearing the sound, Xia Xueqin's heart skipped a beat. She immediately took out her phone and saw the caller's name. Qi Wufu. The leader of the Dragon Country's Ministry of War!
...