Two men in black suits exchanged glances, and one of them entered deeper into the hot spring facility.
The other man bowed and said, "Please wait here, Group Leader Asano and Yuanshi-jun!"
As he spoke, he cautiously scrutinized the so-called "Yuanshi-jun". Incredibly, the renowned peerless genius of the Five Elements Alliance was actually a dashing, tall woman?
Though she wore sunglasses, it was easy to see from the outline of her face, the curve of her chin, and her pale, sensual lips that she was a beauty.
While the black-suited man was marveling inwardly, his companion who had gone to report returned hastily, bowing and saying, "The Group Leader and several Deputy Group Leaders have been waiting inside for a long time."
As he spoke, he made a "please" gesture.
Asano Ryo immediately led Zhang Yuanqing inside, passing through a courtyard blooming with flowers, and entering the building. They proceeded along a Japanese-style retro corridor, and soon stopped outside a tatami room.
From the room separated by a door, came the sounds of men and women drinking and making merry, as well as the sounds of a biwa and small drums.
Purposely putting on such a lavish display at this time, is it meant to imply that the Tsurukaze Group is confident and at ease? Zhang Yuanqing speculated inwardly.
"Group Leader, Yuanshi-jun has arrived," Asano Ryo said at the door, bowing.
The laughter and musical instrument sounds in the room stopped, and then the door slowly slid open. A young woman with her hair styled high and wearing a kimono opened the door for them.
The light from the room poured into the slightly dim corridor, and Zhang Yuanqing saw the scene inside.
Tatami mats covered the entire room. Six low tables were arranged neatly, and the tables were filled with various Japanese delicacies. Men in kimonos sat cross-legged or sprawled lazily at the tables, with young and beautiful kimono-clad women obediently kneeling beside them, holding sake pots in their hands.
At the head of the table sat Kobe Ichiro, about fifty years old, with a square face, thick eyebrows, a high nose, and sharp eyes, giving off an air of a heroic figure, exuding great authority.
This man's life palace is bright and shining, his fate extraordinary, he is a heroic figure. His relationship palace is chaotic and obscure, indicating serious defects in his marriage, social life, and interpersonal relationships. But his friendship palace is bright, indicating that he has many close confidants, he is a leader whom his subordinates trust. Then the problem lies in his marriage.
His offspring palace is dim, foreshadowing incompetent children or no successor. Combining it with the state of his relationship palace, this Kobe Ichiro is probably the type who doesn't care about women and family, and focuses solely on his career...
With sunglasses to conceal, Zhang Yuanqing boldly activated his Astrology skill. Through facial analysis, he gained a relatively deep understanding of Kobe Ichiro, the Group Leader of the Tsurukaze Group.
Kobe Ichiro was also sizing up the Yuan Shi Tianzun who had come from afar. Seeing that it was a corpse puppet, he nodded in satisfaction. "Yuanshi-jun, you are a samurai of noble character, please take a seat!"
In fact, Silver Phantom Princess is much more awesome than me... Zhang Yuanqing sat down without pretense and said, "Nice to meet you, Group Leader Kobe!"
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, his vocal cords seemed to have been severely injured, or were already damaged.
Asano Ryo knelt beside him, pouring wine with great awareness. She had experienced many such occasions. Every time her father hosted a banquet at home to entertain Ryuzaki Ichi, she would sit beside her teacher and pour wine.
And at the Tsurukaze Group's leadership gatherings, she was also responsible for pouring wine.
Of course, things would be different in the future. When she became a Deputy Group Leader, she would also have a beautiful kimono-clad sister pouring wine for her.
Zhang Yuanqing sat upright at the table, listening to Group Leader Kobe Ichiro introduce the four Deputy Group Leaders, with Asano Ryo providing translation.
"Ryuzaki Ichi, swordsman, Ryo-chan's teacher, leads the Tsurukaze Group's Disciplinary Department."
Ryuzaki Ichi was a rigid and serious middle-aged man with severely downturned corners of his mouth and not the slightest smile on his face. He simply nodded slightly as a greeting.
"Watanabe Kitta, the Tsurukaze Group's only Mountain God, is the head of the Tsurukaze Group's Watanabe Real Estate Company. Watanabe Kitta is short, about 1.65 meters tall, but he is the most physically robust of everyone present, with a broad back and thick waist. In addition, he has the standard temperament of an Earth Spirit – dull."
"Ono-dera Yosuke, a Fangshi, leads the Tsurukaze Group's Think Tank."
A cultured man in a kimono and glasses, reeking of alcohol, was groping the woman beside him, looking quite like a refined rogue.
"Kotori Wazato, Fire Demon, Head of the Execution Department."
A burly middle-aged man with a circle of stubble around his mouth, a long scar on his left cheek, and a mouthful of yellow teeth, looking like a gangster boss in every way.
Kotori Wazato laughed loudly, "Yuanshi Tianzun, don't you have any more corpse puppets? You actually sent a woman here, not like a real man."
Watanabe Kitta and Ono-dera Yosuke roared with laughter.
Kobe Ichiro calmly looked at Yuanshi Tianzun, without stopping his officers' rude behavior.
Zhang Yuanqing looked at Asano Ryo beside him: "What did he say?"
Asano Ryo translated into Chinese with a troubled expression and added in a low voice:
"Deputy Group Leader Kotori is just like that, he's not mocking you... okay, he is mocking you, but he doesn't mean any harm, uh, he does mean harm, but, but..."
But he's a Fire Controller, Fire Controllers are just this punchable, I understand, but it's a bit of a dig at me. Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, raised his hand, and signaled Asano Ryo not to explain.
A cliché negotiation tactic... Zhang Yuanqing silently took out a small speaker and roared, "Baka yarou!"
Scaring everyone present.
Zhang Yuanqing said loudly:
"We are about to carry out a mission that concerns the future of the Tsurukaze Group, yet you are here drinking and making merry. Look at your dissolute appearance now. As high-ranking members of the Tsurukaze Group, don't you feel ashamed!
"I attach great importance to this operation. For this reason, for three whole days, I haven't even had a sip of alcohol, and I only drink cola every day.
"As a samurai of noble character, I find your behavior very disgraceful."
After scolding, he turned to Asano Ryo and said, "Translate it for them."
Asano Ryo was initially a little frightened, afraid that Yuanshi-jun would have a conflict with the Tsurukaze Group officers, but as she listened, she felt that Yuanshi-jun was indeed a samurai of noble character, and translated it loudly into Island Country language.
The Tsurukaze Group officers listened in a daze, wanting to say something, but unable to utter any rebuttal.
These words were spoken with great righteousness, standing on the moral high ground, making it difficult to refute, just like the male protagonist in a shonen manga.
The spacious room suddenly fell silent.
Asano Ryo said in a low voice, "Yuanshi-jun, you are really amazing."
Amazing? Learned it from watching anime... Zhang Yuanqing silently complained.
"Ahem!" Kobe Ichiro cleared his throat and waved his hand:
"You all go out first!"
The musicians playing instruments in the corner, as well as the women accompanying at the tables, stood up one after another, bowed, and retreated.
The officers also put away their dissolute expressions and knelt properly.
After they left, Kobe Ichiro said in a deep voice:
"Yuanshi-jun, can we see the key?"
"Of course!" Zhang Yuanqing lifted the duffel bag at his feet onto the table, unzipped it, and took out a jade plate the size of a bowl.
The eyes of the Tsurukaze Group officers seemed to be screws attracted to a magnet, unable to look away.
Kobe Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief, nodded in satisfaction, and asked:
"Yuanshi-jun, do you know the legend of Takamagahara?"
The Deputy Group Leaders knelt upright, all looking at the corpse puppet wearing sunglasses, no one spoke, their eyes sharp and calm.
Here it comes, he's testing whether I know the hidden story behind Emperor Qin's sending Xu Fu to sea... After listening to Asano Ryo's translation, Zhang Yuanqing said indifferently:
"As a graduate of Beijing University, my history skills and classical Chinese foundation are not bad. I still recognize the Qin Dynasty's totem. Emperor Qin sent Xu Fu to Island Country back then because there was treasure here, right? Xu Fu was unwilling to return to the Central Plains and stayed in Island Country to become Amaterasu, which is also the reason."
Kobe Ichiro and the Deputy Group Leaders exchanged glances, abandoning their lucky thoughts, and sighed:
"History books say that Emperor Qin sent Xu Fu to the immortal island to seek the elixir of immortality. This should be wrong, because both Xu Fu and Emperor Qin have become historical dust."
After Asano Ryo translated, Zhang Yuanqing said in a hoarse voice, "Group Leader Kobe, what Emperor Qin sent Xu Fu to find may be the elixir of immortality."
"If the elixir of immortality is real, how could Xu Fu still die? Did you really study hard, you graduate from Beijing University?" Kotori Wazato laughed loudly after Asano Ryo finished translating.
The Fangshi, Ono-dera Yosuke, pushed up his glasses and said
"Kotori-kun, don't be in a hurry to draw conclusions, listen to Yuanshi-jun's insights."
Seeing everyone looking over, Zhang Yuanqing said in a hoarse and difficult voice:
"You are all Saints, you should have learned about the existence of ancient cultivators through the dungeons. Since ancient times, there have been quite a few demigods, but has anyone seen a demigod live to the present day?
"Then why couldn't ancient cultivators live forever, and fell one by one?"
Ono-dera Yosuke slowly said:
"Demigods have a limited lifespan, they can live long but are not immortal. In addition, the spiritual energy in ancient times was depleted, gradually becoming insufficient, and demigods could not maintain their rank, so they all perished."
Zhang Yuanqing asked back, "If what Emperor Qin sent Xu Fu to find was a treasure to overcome the depletion of spiritual energy, then for him, that would be the elixir of immortality."
After Asano Ryo translated, the officers were thoughtful.
Kobe Ichiro nodded slightly, praising:
"What Yuanshi-jun said makes sense. Your rich knowledge of the Spirit Realm is admirable."
Ono-dera Yosuke nodded repeatedly: "Good idea, I want to write it in my thesis."
Kobe Ichiro straightened his back and said in a deep voice:
"Since the birth of the Spirit Realm, as the level of Spirit Realm Walkers has become higher and higher, more and more secrets have been unearthed. Walkers in the two major regions have discovered that the Spirit Realm can be traced back to the age of mythology. Myths and legends reflect, to some extent, the ancient super-powered people.
"So, a century ago, the Tsurukaze Group began to study our country's mythology. Combining many clues, we believe that the supreme Amaterasu is actually an ancient super-powered person, and Takamagahara is real.
"But Takamagahara is too mysterious, there are no historical records of its location. In myths and legends, it is an island floating on the sea and in the clouds. After many years of research, there have been no gains. Within the Tsurukaze Group, voices of opposition gradually appeared, believing that Takamagahara had already been buried in history, or had become some Spirit Realm, and that spending manpower and resources to find Takamagahara was a foolish act."
He took a sip of wine and continued:
"Because there were too many objectors, and the situation was turbulent, the investigation into Takamagahara had to be suspended. It wasn't until 1955, when the key to Takamagahara was unearthed, that we truly confirmed that Takamagahara existed and had not returned to the Spirit Realm.
"But at that time, the entire Tsurukaze Group was controlled by Heavenly Retribution and had become a puppet. The senior leaders at the time chose to be patient and did not restart the plan to find Takamagahara.
"After enduring bitterly for decades, the Tsurukaze Group gradually regained control. Heavenly Retribution's control over the Tsurukaze Group weakened, and the previous Group Leader secretly launched the plan to find Takamagahara.
"Heaven does not disappoint those who have a mind to it. After countless deductions and verifications, we found Takamagahara."
Speaking of this, he waved his hand.
The wooden door behind him slid open automatically, revealing a large courtyard with a hot spring pool, from which steam could be seen even in the height of summer.
Zhang Yuanqing's eyes swept across the courtyard, looking into the distance, where Mount Fuji could be seen directly.
Kobe Ichiro did not turn around, gazing at Yuanshi Tianzun, and slowly said:
"The island floating above the sea of clouds refers to Mount Fuji. The white snow on the top of the mountain is like clouds in the sky."
It really is there... Zhang Yuanqing asked:
"Didn't you think that Takamagahara would be on Mount Fuji before?"
"From the previous generation onwards, we have been surveying Mount Fuji, but it is too large, and it has an extraordinary significance to our country. The survey of it must be cautious, and we must also guard against Heavenly Retribution's agents, so the progress has been very slow." Kobe Ichiro told slowly.
A week ago, Watanabe-kun excavated Mount Fuji and finally found the legendary Takamagahara."
The Mountain God Watanabe Kitta interjected:
"I found a huge stone carving in the belly of the mountain, about fifteen meters high, with the image of a bird, with three claws and one eye. The eye is concave, without a pupil, and the size and pattern are exactly the same as it. It is the eye of that bird."
His gaze turned to the jade plate in front of Yuanshi Tianzun.
Kobe Ichiro added:
"We suspect that the stone carving is the entrance to Takamagahara. As long as the eye returns to its place, the passage to Takamagahara can be opened."
Zhang Yuanqing swept over the wine and dishes on the table and said:
"I think the legendary Takamagahara should be more attractive than these delicacies."
He was reminding the Tsurukaze Group officers that it was time to act.
Kobe Ichiro sat still, his expression becoming serious:
"Are you sure the three sacred treasures are in Takamagahara?" Zhang Yuanqing asked back.
"The three surviving sacred treasures are all ordinary objects. If they are as powerful as in the myths, then they must be props. Therefore, the real thing should be hidden in Takamagahara," Asano Ryo explained.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded and said, "Okay!"
He was not afraid that the Tsurukaze Group would go back on their word, because if they dared to break their promise, he would immediately report to headquarters.
From the Tsurukaze Group's standpoint, as long as they could control the treasures, it was completely cost-effective to give up some benefits and appease Yuanshi Tianzun. They were the ones who were most afraid of tipping over the table.
In addition, Zhang Yuanqing had another mission besides sharing the treasures, which was to study the connection between Takamagahara and the hidden missions of Qin Feng Academy.
He also didn't want to tip over the table.
Immediately, Kobe Ichiro took out a brass book, which was a Knight profession prop that the Tsurukaze Group had bought with heavy money from the Heavenly Retribution organization.
Both parties signed a contract under the witness of the brass book.
Then, Kobe Ichiro and the others changed clothes in the house, disguised as tourists climbing the mountain, left the hot spring facility together, and took a car to Mount Fuji.
It was the height of summer, but the temperature at the fifth station was still not high, around 5 degrees Celsius.
Zhang Yuanqing saw many scenic spots, buildings, and endless streams of tourists along the way, as well as private cars and buses coming and going.
If I have time, I can bring Little Aunt or Guan Ya to play.
He thought to himself.
Of course, he was not enthusiastic about traveling, it just crossed his mind, and he would forget about it as soon as he turned his head.
As they climbed Mount Fuji, they gradually moved away from the buildings and tourists, and the population became smaller and smaller. Leaving the crowds, they no longer restricted their speed, running at high speed in the mountains. The higher they went, the sparser the plants became. After more than ten minutes, they stopped in an area near the "white head".
There were no plants here, and all that could be seen were black-brown soil and stones.
The destination had arrived.
As the Mountain God, Watanabe Kitta squatted down and said loudly:
"I'm going to open the passage. It will probably drop two or three hundred meters. Even for Saints, this depth is a challenge that cannot be ignored. Everyone, protect yourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ground under everyone's feet collapsed, revealing a bottomless pit.
After the group of seven people fell into it, the pit closed automatically, like a monster closing its mouth.
Pitch black, falling rapidly. Kotori Wazato threw out fireballs towards the bottom, illuminating the dark pit and bringing light to everyone.
In the blink of an eye, the bottom of the passage was in sight.
Kobe Ichiro reminded:
"Get ready."
The swordsman Ryuzaki Ichi grabbed his katana, preparing to use his weapon as a pickaxe to slow down the rate of descent.
The Fangshi, Ono-dera Yosuke, panicked a little and took out a jetpack.
Just as everyone was busy preparing to land, suddenly the bottom of the pit "鸣" sounded, and a terrifying hurricane blew up. The chaotic and powerful airflow canceled out the force of gravity, allowing everyone to fall safely like light leaves.
"Hoo!"
The Fire Demon Kotori Wazato raised his palm, igniting a fireball to dispel the darkness.
Everyone looked at Yuanshi Tianzun's hands. There was no doubt that it was a Wind Controller prop.
Being able to stir up such a strong wind, the quality was not low.
While everyone was examining the Gale Gloves, Zhang Yuanqing's gaze pierced through the darkness, seeing the scene at the bottom of the pit.
This was a huge stone cave, with hard rocks and soil layers intertwined. In the front stood a huge stone carving, spreading its giant wings, with three feet on its abdomen, and the feathers carved into flame-like shapes.
It only had one eye, and there was no pupil in the eye socket, but a concave round hole. The pattern inside the hole was exactly the same as the round plate.
Seeing this statue, a mythological creature flashed in Zhang Yuanqing's mind - the three-legged Golden Crow.
"Yuanshi-jun!" Kobe Ichiro stepped forward, side by side with him: "Open Takamagahara."
Zhang Yuanqing "Hmm" sounded, took out the round plate from his duffel bag, and turned into a dreamlike starlight that dissipated.
The starlight then rose from the top of the stone carving's head.
Star Escape Technique? She, she's not a corpse puppet... Seeing this scene, the faces of several Group Leaders changed slightly.
Zhang Yuanqing took out the round plate, leaped into the stone carving's eye socket, and embedded the round plate in it.