The departure of Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi did not significantly impact Kagoshima, much like their presence had not. Shen Feng had initially intended to extort a substantial sum of gold and silver before leaving, but the danger had arrived too quickly. The Butian Hui from Tokyo posed an immense threat, and Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi fled in haste, not even notifying the Seven Great Families.
Upon learning of the departure of the two powerful ability users, the Seven Great Families finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi had not committed any heinous acts, their expenses for food and lodging were considerable. However, they had always been an unstable factor, and with their departure, the sword hanging over everyone's heads had vanished.
"They're finally gone! Quickly scatter salt to ward off evil spirits!" an elder hastily instructed his servants. This was a superstitious practice, believing that scattering salt could repel evil.
The servants, hearing their master's command, immediately retrieved salt from the kitchen and began to sprinkle it onto the street. Everyone was overjoyed, finally having seen off the malevolent spirits and no longer having to live in constant fear. They had all worried about retaliation from the ability users, as centuries of animosity existed between the two nations. If these two were to lose control, Kagoshima would suffer immense damage!
Fortunately, such days were now a thing of the past. The terrifying ability users were gone and would never return!
However, as evening approached, a group of people arrived in vehicles from afar. These individuals were clad in cloaks and wore masks of various designs, most likely acquired from a local festival. Kagoshima had many wild gods, and consequently, a multitude of corresponding masks could be found at stalls, featuring deities and spirits.
The soldiers guarding the city, spotting the group's attire through their binoculars, immediately fell into a panic. The distinctive clothing made it impossible to ascertain their appearances, and their cloaks concealed their builds. Were these the legendary Butian Hui, known for their pillaging and burning in Tokyo?
"Quickly close the city gates! Hurry, close them! The enemy is here!" the soldiers on the ramparts shouted down. It was said that the Butian Hui had killed tens of thousands in Tokyo and destroyed over a dozen streets, behaving like demons from hell.
The soldiers scrambled to close the gates. The gates were electronically operated, and with the press of a button, they would swiftly descend. The iron gates were embedded into the city walls on both sides, making it impossible to enter the city through them. As the gates thundered shut, those on the ramparts finally relaxed. With the gates lowered, these people would surely not be able to enter so easily now, right?
However, the captain dared not underestimate the situation. If these enemies were indeed ability users, then mere city gates would be utterly incapable of stopping them. He had personally witnessed the power of formidable ability users; they could ascend a ninety-degree vertical city wall without the slightest hindrance!
As a precaution, the captain immediately reported the sighting of the Butian Hui ability users. He then tightly gripped his rifle, remaining vigilant against any danger.
When the convoy arrived at the city walls, someone stepped out of a vehicle and immediately declared, "Open the gates! Hurry, open them! We are ability users from China, and we only wish to find Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi. This has nothing to do with you. Open the gates quickly!"
The city gates remained motionless, showing no sign of opening.
At this moment, another person appeared beside the one calling out, stating calmly, "Most likely, these people don't understand Chinese, which is why they aren't responding to you at all!"
"Alas, this is truly inconvenient when you're in a foreign land. It would have been better to return home earlier. However, if we can find Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi this time, things should be much simpler!" the person calling out said with a sigh.
The members of the Seven Great Families, who had been rejoicing over Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi's departure that morning, as the sword hanging over their heads had vanished, were now dismayed to hear that more ability users had arrived, and fifteen of them at that! This news sent a chill down the spines of the family members.
Upon receiving this news, Fujino Ranko fell silent. She knew some of the inside story. When she had handed the newspaper to Shen Feng earlier, Shen Feng had explicitly stated that these Butian Hui ability users might be his enemies. Therefore, Fujino Ranko dared not reveal her previous intimate relationship with Shen Feng.
However, the other six families immediately sprang into action, leading their men to greet the newcomers. They exclaimed, "We must not offend them! We must take good care of these ability users; we are no match for them!"
Ranko did not wish to participate, but as the head of the Fujino family, it was impossible for her to abstain from the welcoming ceremony in such a situation. This was precisely what the other families wanted to see. They all wished to know how Ranko, who had a close relationship with Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi, would be treated by their enemies.
When everyone arrived at the eastern city gate, the gate was opened to welcome the guests. The six families eagerly stepped forward. The family heads who spoke Chinese said, "Welcome, esteemed guests. We apologize for any lack of hospitality."
The other family heads, who did not speak Chinese, brought their translators to ensure they could communicate on this important occasion.
Ranko brought Sayaka to her side. Although both had become ability users, their strength was limited. They were only first-tier ability users, far more powerful than ordinary people, but their strength was still too meager compared to the other formidable ability users!
The man leading the group wore a red mask, resembling an evil spirit. He directly inquired, "Where are Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi? We have come to find these two. Tell us their location immediately!"
"Reporting, sir, those two flew away this morning. They must have been afraid of your formidable strength. However, we can report that while Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi were staying in Kagoshima, two women were constantly with them, and they are here!" the head of the Matsushita family quickly stated, pointing directly at Ranko and Sayaka, who were hiding behind the crowd.
Ranko's face turned pale. She had never imagined that even as an ability user, she would encounter such a dangerous situation. Now, even distancing herself from Shen Feng was impossible.
"What are you talking about? Aren't we on the same side?" Ranko questioned the other family heads.
However, these family heads immediately declared righteously, "Who is on the same side as you two wretched women? Don't flatter yourselves. Only you ignorant and shameless women would debase yourselves to serve enemies. We were merely biding our time. Now that the Butian Hui have arrived to uphold justice, we naturally must abandon the darkness and embrace the light!"
At this moment, the heads of the six great families all turned their attention to Ranko. Their true intention was simple: to use the incoming ability users to kill Ranko and Sayaka. During this period, the strength of each family had diminished, yet the Fujino family had gained two ability users. In time, the Fujino family would undoubtedly become very powerful, and such power could not be allowed to grow unchecked, as it would lead to endless misfortune!
Facing the accusations, Sayaka stepped forward and declared, "We are with Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi. If you want revenge, come at us. Killing us is simple, but don't think you can use us to threaten Yue Hengyi!"
At this moment, Sayaka was prepared to face death. She had watched Yue Hengyi leave Kagoshima, her wish fulfilled. She believed Yue Hengyi would never appear again, and thus, Sayaka was willing to sacrifice her life to protect him.
Ranko shook her head helplessly and began to observe the surrounding situation. She had no desire to die. However, she had not forgotten her abilities. With a mere thought, she could control the people around her. Although she could not kill the ability users before her, she could at least impede them.
Ranko resolved to escape. After all, she was an ability user. As long as she survived, there would always be opportunities to rise again. Just as Shen Feng had said, if she could hide in the mountains and emerge only when she became powerful, then no problem would be insurmountable!
However, at this moment, the leader of the Butian Hui inquired, "So, you are all enemies of Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi?"
The members of the six great families quickly nodded in agreement, "That's right. We have always been enemies of Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi. We endured because we couldn't defeat those scoundrels before. Now, with your arrival, we will cooperate fully to liquidate Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi's influence in Kagoshima!"
At that, the six great families had already made plans to annex the Fujino family. As long as the ability users present cooperated, they could directly kill Ranko and Sayaka, and then all the Fujino family's assets would belong to them!
The leader with the red mask chuckled, "I never imagined that after Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi stayed here for so long, only two women would be their associates. How absurd!"
"Are you done laughing? If you're done, then let's act!" someone beside the leader said to him.
"Yes, yes, let's act now! What a show this has been!" The leader's hand suddenly erupted with a ball of red flame, followed by a fire dragon that shot out. The fire dragon instantly began to coil around the surrounding people, incinerating them. The target of the fire dragon's attack was, surprisingly, the members of the Seven Great Families who had been fawning over him!
Ranko and Sayaka were stunned by the scene. They never expected that at this moment, Shen Feng's enemies would kill members of other families while they themselves remained unharmed. The fire dragon circled in the air, and as soon as it entangled someone, it would instantly roast them alive, burning them to death in an instant.
Before long, only Ranko and Sayaka remained among those who had come to welcome the Butian Hui.
The leader of the Butian Hui walked up and said calmly, "Don't be afraid. We are friends of Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi and will not harm you. As for you two, clean up the mess. Also, find us a boat; we are preparing to return home!"
...
Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi took to the sky in a glider. The glider was more than three hundred meters above the sea, an altitude where the strong winds could be felt. However, it was at this height that the glider could fully utilize its speed. Despite being a glider, its speed was not slow, comparable to that of pigeons and seagulls.
It was Yue Hengyi's first time riding in a glider. Looking at the sky and the sea below, he found it incredibly beautiful. This was true freedom, the sky as vast as birds could fly. It was an entirely new experience.
"Brother Feng, our speed is very fast. Can we reach the mainland within a day?" Yue Hengyi couldn't help but ask.
Shen Feng leaned back in his seat, looking at the compass in his hand to confirm their direction, and replied, "No, it will take at least two days! We'll rest in South Korea tonight, and tomorrow we'll reach Weihai. That's in Shandong province. Then, you'll go to Yanjing, and I'll return to Yuzhou!"
Hearing Shen Feng's words, Yue Hengyi felt a pang of reluctance. After all, he had spent more than half a year abroad with Shen Feng, and now they were to part ways. To be honest, he was still a bit sad. However, Yue Hengyi thought carefully; they would meet again in the future, so there was no need to be overly sentimental.
"We're finally going back. After enduring so many trials, we have finally achieved our great task!" Yue Hengyi finally exclaimed with a sigh.