Bear School Astartes

Black Conical Hat Li faced Yamai Diansan's fundamental questioning without panic, instead turning his head to look at Lann, who was sitting against the wall by the door.

"You are right, foreign warrior. When discussing an organization, not mentioning the source of finance is like a joke."

"Let me make it clear to you then, General."

Black Conical Hat Li turned back, boldly facing Yamai Diansan's questioning.

"This kind of sugar, surely you're not unfamiliar with it."

As he spoke, the Short Melon Ninja took out two candy pieces that looked like fruit hard candy, one red and one blue.

The texture was like jade, clearly not ordinary goods.

The expressions on the faces of those present clearly showed this.

"The Haha Sugar and the Hum Sugar, special products of the Immortal Peak Temple. By crushing the candy and simultaneously assuming the corresponding Arhat position, one can achieve spirit possession. It enhances strength and defense, and is quite famous among the samurai community of East Japan as Buddhist candy."

"General, you previously said that Immortal Peak Temple and Iwami share a close relationship; then since last year, you should know if there has been any change in the price of this Buddhist candy supplied to Iwami?"

The tables turned. Facing Black Conical Hat Li's questioning, Yamai Diansan's mouth twitched, and he clenched his teeth tightly.

Even the young Yuzi Jiu Lang could tell from his expression that the price changes were not optimistic.

And Black Conical Hat Li's questioning didn't end there.

"Raising prices for Iwami, that's indeed a large amount of money, but it still doesn't compare to the offerings previously received by the Immortal Peak Temple. Then what do the gentlemen think those monks will do?"

"Ha." Iwami Yixin, half-lying in the main seat, sneered coldly.

He was old and held a high position, so even in such a posture in the main seat, no one could say anything.

"Although I don't understand much about commerce, I imagine besides raising the price, they must increase the sales volume?"

At this, even Yuzi Jiu Lang's expression tensed.

Buddhist candy is used for enhancing combat ability, and the main buyers are, of course, warriors who live by martial strength.

And since Vajra Mountain is located in Iwami Country, already sealed off by the Inner Mansion, if they want to sell in large quantities, besides supplying Iwami Country, it's obvious who else could consume large amounts of Buddhist candy.

"They're colluding with the Inner Mansion?! Yamai Diansan, does Genichiro know about this?"

Yuzi Jiu Lang was so shocked that he unconsciously straightened his back.

And the gigantic Iwami General remained silent, only glaring fiercely like a man-eating tiger at Black Conical Hat Li in the center of the room, and Lann, who was sitting against the wall with his head down.

"You, your words are unfounded!"

"Unfounded? I personally delivered Buddhist candy to the Lonely Shadow Group in the Inner Mansion. Currently, it's only these two kinds of candy being sold, but I think if the monks' financial gap gets a bit bigger, they might even sell... Yaksha Slaughter Sugar."

This seemed to be an even more forbidden and powerful, lesser-known type of Buddhist candy.

Judging by the name, the Haha Hum duo were at least guardian Arhats, whereas Yaksha belongs more to the category of evil deities and demons in the Eight Divisions of Buddhism.

At least Iwami Yixin's previously mocking cold smile turned into a frown for a moment upon hearing this name.

"Moreover, the monks' methods of making money aren't just limited to selling Buddhist candy. I heard on the way that your Hirata Manor had Tairou Soldiers among the enemies on that disaster night? Heh..."

Black Conical Hat Li's laughter ticked off the few present.

"Don't tell me you really think those were led away by mountain bandits from beside the Immortal Peak Temple? Those gigantic figures over two meters tall, capable of donning armor and wielding heavy weapons. Although they resist harming people, once on the battlefield, they naturally can't stop themselves. Simple-minded and not even demanding rewards matching their battle achievements. Such warriors... How much do you think the Inner Mansion would pay?"

"You Iwami people also hire Tairou Soldiers from the Immortal Peak Temple, right? You should know how useful they are, right?"

Yamai Diansan now didn't even have the strength to glare. He just clenched his fists tightly and sat kneeling with his head down.

"So, considering all of the above."

Black Conical Hat Li, ignoring Yamai Diansan who was loyal to the current Lord of the Country, bowed towards the withered old man in the main seat.

"Even if you gentlemen feel nothing regarding the Immortal Peak Temple's departure from the Buddhist path or their insane research, just to prevent the Inner Mansion from driving a wedge into Iwami Country, we should wipe out this evil temple!"

The leader of the Chaos Wave Group's voice was sincere and earnest, leaving no doubt about his intention to act against the chaotic situation inside the Immortal Peak Temple.

Yet Iwami Yixin looked past the bowing ninja to Lann sitting against the wall.

In his sharp, single eye, there was great interest.

"So... this is the result you want, Lann? To annihilate the whole Immortal Peak Temple?"

Instantly, all eyes focused on that otherwise unnoticeable corner.

Underneath his splendid silver hair, Lann's face slowly lifted, and those cat-like eyes met Iwami Yixin's single eye without flinching.

"According to Black Conical Hat, my two... let's call them friends, who went to the Immortal Peak Temple yesterday, have probably already been experimented on by those monks."

"Of course, you know me. I don't care about your standing or family when making friends. So even those two people aren't significant figures in the small estate of Hirata Manor."

"A common lower-level warrior, disliked for his appearance. A Tairou Soldier I personally captured. To you present, they're less than ants. But..."

Lann's expression remained calm, and his voice was flat. But when he glanced around with that calm gaze, even Lady Butterfly and Yamai Diansan instinctively clenched their weapons.

It was only now that they sensed the atmosphere Iwami Yixin and the Wolf felt upon entering.

That feeling of a blade, heated red-hot under an icy shell, suspended above their heads!

That contradiction so unbearable!

Lann didn't intimidate those around him with his demeanor, but the heat rising from his heart naturally made an impact.

"Lord Yixin, the lower-level warrior Kotaro and the released captive Tairou Soldiers, I signed off on their procedures."

"I signed, and I'll be responsible. Meanwhile, Iwami can eliminate a hidden threat, achieving a win-win."

At this point, no one cared about the kneeling ninja in the center of the room.

Everyone knew the simple temple ninja had not come up with such logical pretexts and knowledge.

Black Conical Hat Li was merely a messenger.

Lann's messenger.

All eyes were on the foreign warrior.

Yamai Diansan seemed unable to hold back any longer. He abruptly lifted his head, his voice taunting and harsh due to anger.

"Win-win? What do you know, foreigner!"

"You think Lord Genichiro is unaware of the situation at Immortal Peak Temple? You think we're oblivious to the temple's collusion with the Inner Mansion?!"

By the end, this General even roared before Iwami Yixin and Yuzi Jiu Lang.

"You think, we Iwami people are blind and stupid, needing a foreigner to tell us the situation is urgent? Foreigner!"