Comprehension against the sky, creating the Five Thunders in the real world

Soon, several representatives of the Yin-Yang School reported the matter to the higher-ups in Sakura Country, hoping to draw their attention and thoroughly investigate the truth of the case.

To their surprise, the higher-ups did not respond at all.

Previously, when the Yin-Yang School participated in operations against China, they suffered a complete defeat, losing not only a large number of experts but also thwarting the plans of the Sakura Kingdom.

Since then, the upper echelons of the Sakura Kingdom have paid less and less attention to the Yin-Yang School, and have even shown some subtle rejection towards them.

Even though the Yin-Yang School repeatedly emphasized that the old man's death might be related to the dragon vein of Mount Fuji, and might even threaten the fortune of the Sakura Kingdom, the higher-ups did not focus their attention on it.

All their energy was focused on the situation in China—the failure of the Kunlun Mountain stronghold had caused them heavy losses, but this did not mean that the "Red Mist" biological project had completely failed.

They are still secretly preparing, looking for new opportunities to continue advancing their plans.

In their view, the death of an old man from the Yin-Yang School was far less important than the biological project.

Even though the Yin-Yang School made the matter sound extremely serious, not many people focused their attention on it. Instead, they were more concerned about the situation in China and had no intention of abandoning the biological project.

The failure at Kunlun Mountain does not mean that their plan has completely fallen through.

Honda Kawa sat at the head of the rosewood conference table, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface. His gaze swept over the several high-ranking officials from Japan, his tone carrying a hint of resentment, yet also revealing a certain determination.

In his view, the Kunlun Mountain stronghold was just one of many key points in the "Red Mist" plan. Even if this stronghold was destroyed by China, they still held other secret strongholds—some hidden in the deep mountains and forests of Hokkaido, some disguised as abandoned factories in Kyushu, and some even built on uninhabited islands near the Ryukyu Islands.

As long as these outposts remain, the plan could be restarted.

"You all need not be too discouraged,"

Honda cleared his throat, breaking the silence in the meeting room. "The losses at Kunlun Mountain did exceed expectations, but we still have a backup plan."

Our next step is not to dwell on the failure, but to quickly adjust our deployment and ensure the security of other outposts.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Tieban Dahe, who was sitting to the side, couldn't help but speak up, his tone clearly filled with resentment:

"That's true, but the losses this time are too great! Not only was the base destroyed, but three core researchers were also lost. If someone hadn't leaked the information, how could China have accurately located the Kunlun Mountains? In my opinion, we still need to investigate thoroughly to find out who is behind this!"

When the topic of "leaking information" came up, everyone's eyes unconsciously turned to each other again, and the suspicions that had been temporarily suppressed due to the termination of the internal investigation quietly resurfaced.

Just then, the conference room door was gently pushed open, and an attendant bowed as he entered, whispering a few words into Honda's ear.

After listening, Hondakawa frowned slightly and said to everyone:

“The Yin-Yang School sent an envoy, saying they have important matters to report.”

Hearing "Yin Yang School"

Upon hearing those three words, Tieban Dahe's face instantly darkened, and he let out a cold snort:
"Hmph, these guys still have the nerve to show their faces? We asked them to help monitor China's movements before, and they didn't get a single useful piece of information. Now they're coming to us on their own initiative!"

Several other senior executives echoed this sentiment, their words filled with dissatisfaction.

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark kimono with a solemn expression walked into the conference room.

He looked to be around forty years old, with sharp eyes, a steady gait, and an aura that set him apart from ordinary people.

"Honda-sama, ladies and gentlemen,"

The middle-aged man bowed slightly to the crowd, his tone respectful but not humble, "I am an envoy sent by the Yin-Yang School. I have come here to discuss with you gentlemen the recent events that have occurred at Mount Fuji."

Before he could finish speaking, Honda leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and spoke with a hint of sarcasm:

"Hehe, those guys from the Yin Yang School are just unreliable."

We entrusted you with protecting the dragon vein of Mount Fuji, and what happened? Now you come here to discuss things with us. I bet you can't come up with any solutions and want us to clean up your mess, right?

Honda's words were like a fuse that was lit, and the other executives immediately echoed his sentiments.

Sato Takeru, the head of the Sato family, who was sitting to the left of Honda River, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said slowly:

“I’ve said it before: the Yin-Yang School is unreliable. They claim to be able to understand Yin and Yang and know good and bad fortune, but when it really comes down to it, they can’t even protect the safety of their own ancestors. What are they talking about protecting the dragon vein?”

Hiroshi Suzuki, the head of the Suzuki family on the right, also nodded in agreement.

"Who says otherwise? Can we really count on them? They were making excuses when the plan was in progress, but now that there are problems, they suddenly want to talk to us."

"I had already determined that the Yin Yang School's plan would not succeed."

Takahashi Takashi of the Takahashi family tapped the table lightly with one finger, his tone full of certainty, "Their tricks and gimmicks might work on ordinary people, but they're utterly useless against real masters!"

Finally, Yuichi Tanaka of the Tanaka family burst out laughing:

"If they succeed, the sun will rise in the west, haha! In my opinion, the Yin-Yang School should have been eliminated by the times long ago. Keeping them around will only delay our important matters!"

The high-ranking officials present spoke one after another, their words filled with sarcasm and insults directed at the Yin-Yang School.

In fact, they all knew that such extreme remarks were not entirely out of dissatisfaction with the Yin-Yang School, but more of an opportunity to vent their pent-up emotions—after the failure of the Kunlun Mountain Project, everyone was under tremendous pressure, but could not find a suitable outlet.

Now that the Yin-Yang School's envoy has come knocking, it has become their target for shifting responsibility and finding a scapegoat.

They were figuring out how to shirk their responsibilities when the Yin-Yang School unexpectedly found themselves in the line of fire.

Seeing the middle-aged man remain silent, Tieban Dahe felt even more disdain and directly challenged him:
"You're just a bunch of good-for-nothings who're good for nothing. Do you expect us to personally escort you out? If it weren't for your age, I would have kicked you out long ago."

His voice was loud and clear, filled with obvious hostility, as if he wanted to vent all his dissatisfaction on the other person. However, just when everyone thought the middle-aged man would choose to swallow his anger, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes sharpened, and his voice was firm and resolute:
"Have you said enough? I came here with good intentions to warn you about the potential crisis facing the dragon vein of Mount Fuji, and this is how you treat me! It's fine if you insult me ​​personally, but you have no right to insult the entire Yin-Yang School!"

This sudden rebuttal silenced the meeting room instantly.

Everyone thought that the middle-aged man would back down out of fear in the face of so many accusations from high-ranking officials, but no one expected that he would be so fierce.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath and continued:
"I am here today on behalf of the entire Yin-Yang School, and I am here as an envoy of the Yin-Yang School to meet with you all."

I know you've encountered some obstacles in the 'Crimson Mist' project recently, and it's understandable that you harbor resentment. But that's absolutely no reason for you to vent your anger on the Yin-Yang School! Moreover, you may not know that the old man who died on Mount Fuji was a senior member of our Yin-Yang School, over a hundred years old, who dedicated his entire life to protecting the dragon vein of Mount Fuji!

As an envoy of the Yin-Yang School, he certainly had the confidence to say those words.

It should be noted that the Yin-Yang School has a thousand-year-old tradition in Japan and is one of the most influential schools of thought in the country. Whether in terms of popular culture or historical heritage, it far surpasses any other family present.

Even though the Yin-Yang School is not as powerful as it used to be, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Its foundation and connections are far beyond what these families that only care about profit can match.

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's assertive response, the executives present fell silent.

Although they were dissatisfied with the Yin-Yang School, they were also aware of its significance. If they truly offended this ancient school, they might face even more trouble later on.

But Teppanyaki Taiga was an exception. He first glanced at the silent Yamamoto Sage not far away, seemingly wanting some support from him, then a proud smile appeared on his lips as he disdainfully swept his gaze over the middle-aged man:

"What are you babbling about here? It's just an old man who died, some rotten sweet potato and bird eggs. Is it really worth you making such a big fuss about it?"

"So what if you've lived a long time? What are you yelling about here for?"

Tieban Dahe's voice grew louder and louder, and his tone became increasingly arrogant, "If you dare to say another word, believe me, I'll shoot you dead! You idiot!"

That last swear word completely shattered the peace in the meeting room.

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone looked at Tieban Dahe with disbelief, as if they couldn't believe that he dared to say such a thing to the envoy of the Yin-Yang School.

Hondakawa sat in the main seat, secretly worried for Teppanyaki Taiga.

He thought to himself:

When did this kid become so fearless? Are the Yin-Yang School people easy to offend? Before, they used the excuse of venting their anger to make a few accusations because they thought the middle-aged man looked gentle and easy to bully. But now this envoy's attitude is so tough, he is obviously not someone to be trifled with. This is enough to explain a lot of things - how could someone sent by the Yin-Yang School to meet with the higher-ups be an ordinary person?

But Tieban Dahe was completely oblivious to the danger. Instead, seeing everyone's silence, he became even more smug.

"What's wrong? Are you all too afraid to speak? Are you really afraid of this envoy from the Yin-Yang School?"

His gaze finally settled on Yamamoto, his tone laced with provocation:

"Yamamoto Sage, weren't you very arrogant before? You even led the criticism of the Yin-Yang School, why are you silent now? Are you afraid of this insignificant Yin-Yang School?"

Faced with the provocation of the Iron Plate River, Yamamoto Sage slowly raised his head, a cold smile playing on his lips, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"I am not afraid of the Yin-Yang School, nor have I ever been afraid of any power."

But I always believe that the most important thing between people is mutual respect.

I am not afraid of the Yin-Yang School's strength, but I also deeply respect the contributions made by the Yin-Yang School's predecessors to the Sakura Kingdom, especially those elders who have protected the nation's heritage.

When he said these words, Yamamoto Senjin showed no unnatural expression, as if he was not the first person to stand up and insult the Yin-Yang School.

This inconsistent attitude drew silent contempt from many present, but due to the power of the Yamamoto family, no one dared to point it out openly.

Iron Plate River thought disdainfully to himself:

Haha, you coward. You're clearly scared, but you're making up so many excuses.

However, upon further reflection, he felt something was amiss—the Yin-Yang School was indeed not to be easily offended, but the middle-aged man in front of him looked ordinary and didn't seem to have any real skills.

In Tieban Dahe's view, the rebuttal just now was more like a desperate struggle, nothing more than an attempt to salvage some face for the Yin Yang School in front of everyone.

The more he thought about it, the more certain he became:

If the other party truly had real skills, how could they have endured so much abuse from so many people? Instead, they waited until everyone had finished criticizing before standing up to refute them—that was clearly a sign of incompetence! Thinking of this, the slight unease in Tieban Dahe's heart vanished instantly, replaced by an even more arrogant attitude.

He leaned forward, his gaze sweeping contemptuously over the middle-aged man, making no attempt to conceal his insult:

"Judging from your expression, you seem quite unconvinced? I guess you must have some real skills, but can your mediocre abilities be faster than my bullets? Why don't you state your name and let me hear which 'master' of the Yin-Yang School you are, so that I can see just how powerful the so-called skills of the Yin-Yang School really are."

His demeanor was extremely arrogant, as if he were looking at an insignificant ant.

The middle-aged man stared quietly at the iron plate river, his eyes showing no anger, but rather a hint of understanding.

He slowly raised his hand, straightened his kimono, and then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable aura:

"Hehe, I am but a humble person. I am Yamamoto Kojiro, the seventy-ninth patriarch of the Yamamoto family."

The middle-aged man's voice wasn't loud, but it exploded like thunder in the silent conference room, every word clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

As an envoy sent by the Yin-Yang School, he was no ordinary person. Within the Yin-Yang School, he was known as "Master Qingxuan," and his Yin-Yang skills had already reached the pinnacle, making him unworthy of even the respect of ordinary disciples.

He did not want to reveal his true identity when he came to the high-level meeting in Japan, after all, he had not mentioned the title of "79th generation patriarch of the Yamamoto family" in front of outsiders for a full thirteen years.

Back then, in order to devote himself to the highest realm of Yin-Yang arts, he deliberately withdrew from the daily affairs of the Yamamoto family, leaving only a letter before retiring to the sacred Yin-Yang site deep within Mount Fuji. (End of Chapter)