A hint of relief flickered across the elder's face upon hearing Miyamoto Yukiko's words. "Since you have your own plans, then go ahead. However, I hope the final outcome will not only satisfy me, but everyone."
"Father, rest assured, Shen Lang will definitely fail in the end."
Miyamoto Yukiko smiled faintly and, after her final sentence, turned and walked out of the imperial palace.
She once owed Shen Tianjun an immense favor and never wished to be his enemy. Similarly, she did not wish to be an enemy of Shen Tianjun's son.
However, Shen Lang was simply too arrogant, challenging the entire martial arts world of Yang Country single-handedly. This had already touched upon Yang Country's dignity, so Miyamoto Yukiko had to make Shen Lang fail, no matter what.
Of course, Miyamoto Yukiko was not in a hurry to act. As she had said, she wanted to use Shen Lang as a whetstone to hone her own blade.
Miyamoto Yukiko believed that no matter what variables occurred, the final outcome would be within her grasp. For now, she only needed to let Shen Lang continue his commotion.
"Master of the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, head of the Yagyu family, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, has arrived!"
As Miyamoto Yukiko looked towards Sakura Square, a BMW stopped in the square. Then, a white-haired elder emerged from the car, and his two subordinates simultaneously shouted out.
"What? Yagyu Tajima-no-kami himself has come?"
"Yagyu Tajima-no-kami is the strongest in Yang Country today. Why would he come? Could it be that his son, Yagyu Muya, is dead, and he's here for revenge?"
Upon seeing Yagyu Tajima-no-kami arrive in person, the surrounding Yang Country citizens were both surprised and delighted, filled with questions.
However, the joy was more prominent. With Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's personal intervention, Shen Lang's arrogance would come to an end, and Yang Country's honor would be preserved.
"Kid, your strength is considerable. Unfortunately, you are too presumptuous."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's car was at least five hundred meters away from Shen Lang, but in the next instant, he teleported directly before Shen Lang. After scrutinizing him, he spoke, "You are young and strong, but that is not a capital for your arrogance. You are doomed to die today, no matter what. You can say any last words you wish; don't say I didn't give you the chance to leave words for your family and friends before your demise."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami was at least eighty years old, his hair and beard white. Yet, his muscles were still filled with explosive power, and his eyes were bright and spirited, as if he were not an eighty-year-old man but a vibrant youth.
A heavy killing intent emanated from Yagyu Tajima-no-kami. The moment he appeared, a terrifying aura enveloped Sakura Square, sending shivers down spines and a subconscious urge to flee.
This was the strongest in Yang Country, the head of the Yagyu family.
"And you? Do you have any last words?"
Shen Lang had not expected Yagyu Tajima-no-kami to appear so soon. Despite his shock, he became noticeably excited. "If you have any last words, say them now. Otherwise, you won't be able to later."
"Insolent brat, how dare you speak so arrogantly to Yagyu Tajima-no-kami! What do you think you are? Mr. Yagyu could flick you to death with a single finger."
Shen Lang's words immediately drew dissatisfaction from the onlookers. They roared, "Insolent brat, if you want to die quickly, you'd best kneel and beg for mercy now. That way, Mr. Yagyu might grant you a swift end."
"Yes, kneel and beg for mercy!"
Shen Lang's words caused the already enraged Yang Country spectators to erupt in a barrage of criticism.
"Hahaha, for me to kneel? On what grounds?"
Faced with the crowd's anger, Shen Lang was not only unfazed but laughed heartily. "In my eyes, neither Yagyu Tajima-no-kami nor any of you are worth mentioning. For me to kneel? That's a dream. You can have anything in your dreams."
With that, Shen Lang's gaze fell upon Yagyu Tajima-no-kami. He smiled and said, "It seems killing your son has angered you greatly. Otherwise, you wouldn't have acted so hastily."
"Indeed. I originally intended to deal with you later, but I didn't expect you to kill Yagyu Muya. He was my most beloved son. You killed him, and no one can save you now."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami gritted his teeth and said, "Yagyu Muya is dead, and you should follow him to the grave."
"Haha, losing one Yagyu Muya makes you so furious? Then what if I told you that besides Yagyu Muya, I also killed another of your sons? Wouldn't you go mad?"
Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's face instantly turned as dark as pouring water. He probed, "You killed Yagyu Tengu?"
Yagyu Tengu was also Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's cherished son, considered by Yagyu Tajima-no-kami to be his most satisfactory son.
Therefore, when Shen Lang mentioned the death of his other son, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami completely panicked.
"Haha, you guessed it perfectly."
Shen Lang looked at Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's shocked expression and smiled. "I originally intended to capture He Yaodong, but suddenly a man in red appeared. He wanted to save He Yaodong, and I got annoyed and killed him."
"Ah, apologies. I killed two of your sons. Do you have any others?"
Shen Lang said playfully to Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, "If you have no other sons, won't you be without an heir?"
"Really, you're already eighty. It's unlikely you can have more children. Since that's the case, I can only send you to hell to accompany your two sons."
Seeing Shen Lang's mocking expression, joking about killing his two sons, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami was furious. "Shen Lang, you little beast, you're utterly inhuman! I will have you slowly sliced to death."
"Kill me? No, you can't."
Shen Lang's expression shifted from playful to mocking. He said to Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, "While chatting with you just now, I've seen through your strength. You are a strong practitioner at the intermediate Heavenly Realm. Worldwide, there are not many people at your level. However, killing you will be easier than you imagine."
"Kill me?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami roared, "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds of my peak Earth Realm martial cultivation. That seems a bit lacking, but with this left hand of mine, it will be more than enough."
Shen Lang slowly removed his left glove, then pointed his five fingers at Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, smiling. "Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, have you ever witnessed the power to instantly destroy everything?"
"Kid, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami looked at Shen Lang, who was talking to himself, and angrily said, "Are you trying to distract me and then take advantage of an opening?"
"Let me tell you, don't even think about it. Before the absolute power of a lion, any cunning stratagem of a fox is useless. So, accept your death with peace of mind."
As his voice fell, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami drew the long sword from his waist. "My son's 'God of Slaughter's Blade' couldn't kill you. I will use this strike to avenge him."