https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-629-Nan-Guling-Has-Only-One-Choice/12597472/
Chapter 630: Ninjutsu of Iga? Or Just Street Acrobatics?
Chapter 630: Ninjutsu of Iga? Or Just Street Acrobatics?
Qu Fu, Ni Mountain
The morning mist veiled the mountain in an otherworldly haze, with the wind whispering through the leaves in a melodic symphony of insects and birds.
As they traversed the misty forest of Ni Mountain, it felt as if they were wandering through the heavens, meandering amidst the clouds.
Chu Liu Xiang exclaimed, "Even though I've just arrived, the trivial conflicts of the past already feel like a distant memory. Living here, even an ordinary person like me could become an enlightened scholar."
"Your father must have wished to build a thatched cottage and live in seclusion here. Unfortunately, he was too occupied during his lifetime, and this wish could only be fulfilled after his passing," Nangong Ling said.
"Do you miss him dearly?" Chu Liu Xiang asked.
Nangong Ling expressed that without Ren Ci, he wouldn't be here. Ren Ci was a kind and amiable man.
Jin Ban Hua remained silent throughout the journey, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. Soon enough, he spotted someone he had been eagerly waiting to see.
Ahead lay a sheer cliff, with a gap of more than thirty feet between its edges. In the middle, a single stone beam barely two feet wide connected the two sides.
Seated cross-legged on that narrow beam was a man. The mountain wind billowed his garments, creating a rustling sound. Yet, his eyes remained closed, his body utterly still, as if he were asleep.
This man had waxen-yellow eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a hooked nose. His bare feet rested on the beam, and in front of him lay a pair of high-toothed clogs and an Eastern Sea sword.
Chu Liu Xiang, with his sharp eyes, noticed the embroidery on the man's billowing robe, which bore eight bold characters: "Deadly Sword, No Forgiveness!"
"Who is this?" Chu Liu Xiang inquired.
Nangong Ling shook his head.
"Is Ren Fu's dwelling on the opposite side?" Chu Liu Xiang asked again.
Nangong Ling nodded in affirmation.
Understanding the situation, Chu Liu Xiang confidently strode forward, cupped his fist, and smiled as he said, "Friend, may I borrow this path?"
The man remained unresponsive.
Chu Liu Xiang projected his voice and asked again, "Friend, may I pass by?"
Still, the man gave no reply.
Chu Liu Xiang turned and smiled as he said, "This friend is just shy of saying, 'I dug this mountain and planted this tree. If you wish to pass, leave a toll.' "
Finally, the man opened his eyes, his voice hoarse and grating like a knife being sharpened, "In this vast world, why insist on traveling this path? Why do you insist on going there?"
A thought occurred to Chu Liu Xiang, "May I ask your esteemed name?"
The man replied indifferently, "Tian Feng Shi Si Lang."
Chu Liu Xiang's eyes flickered, "Are you not a native of the Central Plains?"
The man's eyes, like sharp knives, swept across Chu Liu Xiang's face, "I hail from the Eastern Sea state of Iga Valley."
Chu Liu Xiang was astonished, "Are you the ninja warrior of Iga?"
Jin Ban Hua scoffed, "Ninja, wanderer, or Wokou pirate—I've never heard of a ninja being referred to as a warrior. As expected of a lone rogue, you know how to flatter your comrades-in-arms. I've only heard of such antics from street performers under the capital city's overpass."
In a single breath, Jin Ban Hua offended two people. Liao Gang and Ye Jin, who were accompanying them, felt their hearts drop to their stomachs, fearing that it was too late to stop Jin Ban Hua.
Chu Liu Xiang, of course, paid no heed, and neither did Tian Feng Shi Si Lang.
Nangong Ling also completely ignored Jin Ban Hua and stepped forward. With a bow, he said, "Ninja warrior of Iga, unrivaled in the world, you must be the one who appeared in Min-Zhe two decades ago, right?"
"Indeed," Tian Feng Shi Si Lang affirmed.
Subsequently, Nangong Ling inquired about his duration here, to which the man replied that he had been here for five days.
Nangong Ling requested him to step aside, but Tian Feng Shi Si Lang angrily refused. He claimed that he had endured Ren Ci's humiliation for the sake of Qiu Ling Su, and after Ren Ci's death, no one else could meet Qiu Ling Su.
Naturally, Chu Liu Xiang would not give up. He intended to give it a try.
To intimidate Chu Liu Xiang, Tian Feng Shi Si Lang displayed a silver ring. With a swift spin, the ring severed a tree, which was indeed mysterious and extraordinary.
"This is one of the nine secret arts of ninjutsu, the 'Dead Scroll Technique.' What if that tree was your neck? How would you fare?" Tian Feng Shi Si Lang cackled sinisterly, "Are you not afraid of death? Leave now if you value your life!"
Chu Liu Xiang was indeed curious to test it out.
Thus, Tian Feng Shi Si Lang made his move, but Chu Liu Xiang's body moved like the wind, faster than the silver ring. In the end, a few dark projectiles shot out from Chu Liu Xiang's hand, knocking down the silver ring and breaking the man's technique.
"You dare to break my 'Dead Scroll Technique'? Very well, watch my 'Dan Heart Technique'!"
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang released a purple mist, from which a solitary purple star emerged. Chu Liu Xiang dodged, and a loud boom, like thunder, reverberated as a tree behind him split in two, its wound singed.
Chu Liu Xiang's heart raced, but he had already landed on the stone beam, just a few feet away from Tian Feng Shi Si Lang.
"The Iga ninjas have a plethora of tricks up their sleeves. Be cautious, Chu ge," Nan Gong Ling warned.
Jin Ban Hua shouted, "He's utilizing boomerangs and hidden explosives! Those buskers in the capital often have a few tricks to entertain, but this man employs them to kill! He might also possess deadly skills like chest strikes that can break stone, throat-gun balancing acts, tightrope walking, fireball projection, and face-changing illusions, all for self-preservation or taking lives!"
Nan Gong Ling still refused to glance at Jin Ban Hua, but his face alternated between pallor and a sickly green, his emotions clearly perturbed.
Chu Liu Xiang couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you for the reminder, Jin ge. I'm well-versed in the tricks of those performers in the capital, so rest assured, I'll be careful."
Jin Ban Hua nodded. "Don't die. You still owe me a white jade beauty statue!"
Chu Liu Xiang sighed. "I know..."
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang's lips twitched. "Do you also believe my nine ninja skills are mere tricks?"
Chu Liu Xiang smiled. "All things in this world are interconnected. Various martial arts styles in the Central Plains mimic animals, such as the Monkey Fist, Eagle Claw, and Tiger Claw. Why be so narrow-minded, especially since..."
"Especially since...?"
"...I, too, wish to experience your deadly sword."
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang interrupted. "You wish to witness my 'Welcome the Wind with a Single Slash'?"
Chu Liu Xiang nodded. "Even if you let me pass right now, I won't leave. My interest in you has surpassed that of Ren Furen. After experiencing your 'Welcome the Wind with a Single Slash', I'd like to engage in a proper conversation with you."
A peculiar light seemed to shine in Tian Feng Shi Si Lang's eyes. "This 'Welcome the Wind with a Single Slash' is the pinnacle of swordsmanship. When the sword is unsheathed, it guarantees death, and there is no room for forgiveness. After witnessing it, you will never be able to speak to another soul again."
Chu Liu Xiang remained silent, his eyes fixed on the sword, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang also fell silent and gripped his long sword, slowly drawing it from its scabbard.
The two men stood facing each other.
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang stood as immovable as a boulder, his killing intent enveloping Chu Liu Xiang. Chu Liu Xiang didn't flinch, not revealing the slightest opening.
Whoever made the first move would be at a disadvantage.
After a tense stalemate, Tian Feng Shi Si Lang made the first move, inching forward on the balls of his feet while attempting to maintain his posture.
Chu Liu Xiang remained unmoved.
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang attacked with his sword sheath first, forcing Chu Liu Xiang to retreat. Then, Tian Feng Shi Si Lang unleashed his deadly sword technique!
He had calculated that Chu Liu Xiang had no room to evade and executed a lethal slash, infusing it with his spirit, energy, and intent. He believed it to be an invincible strike that encapsulated the essence of swordsmanship and the wisdom of facing an enemy.
A smile appeared on Tian Feng Shi Si Lang's face as he believed Chu Liu Xiang was doomed.
Then, Chu Liu Xiang fell, dropping off the stone beam.
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang's sword sliced through the air, making a "ding" sound as it struck the stone beam.
But Chu Liu Xiang had already flipped back up, displaying extraordinary agility. Then, he grabbed Tian Feng Shi Si Lang by the hair. "Where do you think you're going now...?"
The next moment, Chu Liu Xiang's laughter ceased as he realized he was only holding a wig and a mask.
Tian Feng Shi Si Lang had already rolled down the cliff, shooting out a silken thread from his sleeve and anchoring it into the cliff wall. He swung a few times before landing by the flowing stream at the bottom and fleeing.
"Chu Liu Xiang, what do you make of this Iga 'Empty Cicada Technique'? Is it the most marvelous skill in the world?"
Jin Ban Hua offered an explanation, "Isn't this just Li Xiuniang's fancy swing trick from under the bridge?"
(End of Chapter)
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