Bear School Astartes

The soldiers surrounding the circular formation gradually retreated, while Lann continued forward.

The distance between them kept growing until they could no longer see each other.

At the upper layer of the bamboo forest, a member of the Lonely Shadow Group — Zheng Jiu, was nimbly stepping on the bamboo poles, watching Lann seemingly move carelessly along the road in the distance.

There was malice in the eyes above his face veil.

The number of people they sent to the Hirata Residence this time was not many because they wanted the scene to appear like a bandit raid, rather than an operation by the Inner Mansion.

In this way, the remaining forces of the Hirata Family would be mostly cleaned up by the Iwami people themselves.

The warriors could not tolerate failing to protect their fellow clansmen during a bandit raid.

That would make them feel their dignity was damaged... This is the 'Warrior Spirit' of the samurai.

Thus, this time, his subordinates only drove the remaining bandits forward from the back; they would not appear on stage themselves.

While he was stalling this small military group at this time.

However, the foreign warrior mentioned in the intelligence actually advanced towards the inner residence alone...

Is there such a custom in Ming Country to sacrifice oneself for loyalty?

Zheng Jiu learned from the Owl that this Ming Country warrior was learning the ninja techniques of the Lonely Shadow Group. Yet he assured with his own talent and training.

Even if he himself was a powerful warrior, it's not easy to grasp ninja techniques so readily.

Even with top-notch talent, it would take at least two months to get started!

Yet now, it hasn't even been ten days since he got the "Lonely Shadow Group Ninja Techniques Book," what can he develop from it?

"I really am... underestimated."

At the top of the bamboo forest, Zheng Jiu crossed his arms, facing away from the full moon, gazing coldly below.

With a swooshing sound, the ninja in black and purple stripes vanished into the branches and leaves of the bamboo forest.

Lann appeared to walk ordinarily on the road, but he had already skillfully gripped a Quen Rune with his lowered left hand.

For this Rune, Lann did not employ extra techniques but unleashed it in its original form.

After a slight flicker of magic power, a layer of protective shield adhered closely to Lann's body.

Precisely because he practiced the Lonely Shadow Group's ninja techniques and achieved modest results, he knew more about how tricky these ninjas who made a name for themselves really were.

His senses had undergone drastic changes and surpassed those of mortals, no doubt.

Yet ninjas too had honed their skills to exceed mortal bounds to perform tasks in this world.

Absolutely cannot be little... uh!?

Lann's eyes suddenly widened, barely feeling a slight weight on his shoulder, like a cat landing softly.

But next, the ninja blade crossing his neck was certainly not something a cat would have!

The snow-bright blade reflected the moonlight, cold and desolate.

The ninja atop, half-squatting on Lann's shoulder, uttered the same icy declaration from beneath his face veil.

"I am Yafu Zheng Jiu, farewell!"

With his words, the ninja sword in position rushed up to the neck sharply!

Based on Zheng Jiu's countless killing experience, next Lann's blood would spray from the neck like a fountain, splattering three meters afar.

"Clap!"

The knife blade dragged across the front of the neck, yet the sound made Zheng Jiu's expression change drastically.

Because both the sound and the feeling... were not what a blade entering flesh should be!

This person is problematic!

The muscles in his legs tightened, the Light Body Skill activated with breathing, Zheng Jiu intended to spring off Lann's shoulder now.

But Lann had been waiting for this moment for long; he wouldn't miss.

The spiked leather glove clutched the ankle on the shoulder.

The heavy and oppressive sounds of leather squeezing and rubbing against fabric resonated.

"Ugh!"

Under tremendous grip, even with Zheng Jiu's忍耐忍者忍耐力,也禁不住发出闷哼.

Turning his ninja blade in hand, he prepared to plunge the knife directly into Lann's crown.

Is this supernatural defensive power? Let's see if you have a limit!

However, the muscle activation on the ninja's shoulder was entirely captured by Mentos.

Lann knew his intended move even before Zheng Jiu's arm!

Clenching the ankle, his wrist began a slight twist but caused Zheng Jiu's entire muscle movement to be distorted!

The ninja who could stand atop bamboo poles and admire the moon now seemed like falling directly off Lann's shoulder.

The bulging muscles generated tremendous force as Lann, about the same height as the Lonely Shadow Group, swung up like a stalk!

Directly slammed to the ground!

With a "thud," the mud below shook up with considerable splashes.

Yet Lann's brows furrowed.

For during the opponent's slam with the ground, he noticed distinctly the weight in hands had lessened.

Activating breathing instantly and using Light Body Skill to reduce impact damage... this guy, no wonder he is one of the 'Seventeen Adopted Sons'!

Moreover, while gripped by Lann Zheng Jiu had tried escaping twice or thrice but was horrified discovering each time before he could utilize enough muscle groups, the opponent had completed dismantling it!

This Ming Country warrior practiced his 'body sensation' to perfection!

Close-combat head-on, he simply couldn't defeat such a flawless body, technically perfect monster!

But that doesn't matter... he is a ninja!

Lann, through Mentos' correction, could clearly discern the muscular force flow of this fellow on his hand.

But this time, he wasn't using the bodily muscles but merely the mouth muscles.

Lann didn't possess Inner Strength to interfere with the mouth through one hand.

Thus Zheng Jiu smoothly flipped his lips, and brought out a short whistle from beneath his tongue.

A rhythmical blow.

"Beep—"

A few shurikens sliced through the air from the bamboo forest, spiraling towards Lann.

Under the moonlight, burst forth from the bamboo forest were... three dogs?!

Lann paused momentarily, then dragged Zheng Jiu as a human shield before him.

He now understood why this guy was called Yafu... turns out he trained ninja dogs!

The three dogs wore special ninja vests; a head tilt would let them grab a shuriken from the vest and a head shake would shoot them, achieving power akin to short bows!

Furthermore, moving silently, body without odor, shedding no fur.

Biting dogs do not bark; looking at these ninja dogs' eyes and jaws, Lann figured out one alone could battle a pack of wolves.

But only three… hardly a bother.

Right-hand gripping Zheng Jiu, Lann gently hooked fingers with his left hand, mechanically moving sounds of 'click-clack' sounded from the left arm gauntlet.

The ninja dogs strategically encircled to flank, while Lann merely raised his left arm, aiming each successively.

"Alder's Rune Triple Shot!"

Three consecutive explosive air crack sounds, even Zheng Jiu in Lann's hand hadn't responded.

Three of his meticulously nurtured ninja dogs were all blown apart within less than a second by supersonic projectiles!

Upon successfully implanting the Second Heart, Lann's body recovered Chaos Magic Power faster, with total capacity higher.

Three rapid-fire runes seemingly didn't exhaust him.

Zheng Jiu's awaited distraction and obstruction in Lann's actions, those ninja dogs accomplished none.

Not even had they completed the close distance, yet they were all wiped out.

The purple-clothed ninja, in fright, faced another slam on the ground.

His Light Body Skill remained excellent; if Lann couldn't devise a solution the second time, that would be truly laughable.

With reinforced plates boots raised, as Zheng Jiu landed instantly, stomping straight onto the head!

"Boom!!!"

The mud splashed up a spray of muddy water.

Lann released the nervously flinching ankle, letting him fall to the ground.

"Honestly, buddy..."

"I care little about anything ninjas do beyond the initial surprise attack."