Bear School Astartes

As Lann and Black Conical Hat Li stepped out of Hirata Manor, the situation regarding Immortal Peak Temple had already started spreading among the populace.

The matter of Yamai Diansan's broken leg could not be concealed at all. As the Iwami General responsible for the manor's defense, he couldn't remain unseen for long periods.

As a leader, his health was not only his private affair but also a public matter for which he must be accountable to his subordinates and superiors.

An injury must have a reason, and under the deliberate care of Iwami Yixin, Yuzi Jiu Lang, and others, the news that "Immortal Peak Temple has fallen into heresy and become a Demon Cave" spread like wildfire.

This was the reason why Lann made a special trip back to the Hirate family.

After learning from Black Conical Hat Li about the collaboration between Immortal Peak Temple and Iwami, he knew it was impossible to borrow people from Iwami to purge Immortal Peak Temple.

But he returned anyway and made this request.

People generally tend to compromise. If you want to inform the common people about Immortal Peak Temple's situation, the Samurai General will certainly be unwilling.

But if you say you want to lead people directly to kill into Immortal Peak Temple and have broken one of the Samurai General's legs, then he is likely to pay no heed to the spread of rumors.

And these rumors could cause many originally intending to ascend the mountain to seek the Buddha to have doubts and save their lives.

Both Black Conical Hat Li and Lann's stamina were not that of ordinary people.

According to Black Conical Hat Li's estimation, the day's journey from Hirata Manor to Immortal Peak Temple would quickly pass.

If he were alone, the speed could be even faster. These ninjas mingling in Iwami seemed to be adept at long-distance grappling hooks to deal with the rugged terrain of this mountainous small country.

Black Conical Hat Li's was on the same level as the Lone Wolf's, naturally much faster than Lann.

When the two reached Vajra Mountain, Lann truly felt that the scenery Kotaro had described was not exaggerated at all.

In the autumn of Vajra Mountain, the maple leaves mixed with yellow and red had already covered the mountain tops. However, while walking on the mountain paths, one could still see some evergreen grasslands.

The touches of green made the maple leaves covering the mountain top appear more solemn and harmonious.

Even if one didn't know there was an Esoteric Buddhism temple here, one couldn't help but praise its deep Zen-like quality.

But in the eyes of the two who knew the truth of Immortal Peak Temple, these solemn and peaceful, yellow-red maple leaves looked more like they were stained with the tainted blood of innocent people.

At a glance, it seemed like a Buddhist Pure Land; upon closer inspection... it was a cannibalistic Demon Cave.

To say something a bit discordant, Lann even felt as if he had stepped into the territory of Little Leiyin Temple.

Black Conical Hat Li led Lann across a wooden bridge, the railings of redwood, and the floors of yellow wood. It spanned a cliff, appearing clean and elegant.

"After crossing this bridge, we are considered to have stepped into the range of Immortal Peak Temple. At this time of year, Vajra Mountain would normally have quite a few visitors. However, we've seen not even a ghost on our way here... though the fame of Immortal Peak Temple still remains, some slight abnormality has already been sensed by the people."

"It's only 'slightly' though. Many still come in admiration, only to be taken and used as materials by the monks... like my friend."

Whenever the Demon Hunter mentioned Kotaro and the Tairou Soldier, whose name he didn't even ask, Black Conical Hat Li always felt a chill down his spine.

He knew that in Lann's eyes, he wasn't a good person. He was also well aware that he only had a change in mindset because of his son's death.

The sins of abducting children in the past were indelible.

Probably, after he familiarized Lann with the Immortal Peak Temple, he would also be dealt with?

Ninjas who worked in the dark always anticipated such a day would come.

However, the usually timid and cautious self... didn't want to run this time.

Whether it's for some laughable redemption, or simply because after losing his son he had lost the will to live, either way... this time, before he dies, he wants to help Lann finish things.

Not for the ninja mission, but as a matter of his own decision.

"The monks inside Immortal Peak Temple are not to be underestimated." Black Conical Hat Li lowered his head and issued a warning to Lann.

"They are all Martial Monks; the 'Immortal Peak Temple Martial Arts' is quite famous. The Tairou Soldiers inside will also see you as an intruder of the temple. In such circumstances, you must not expect those fools to hold back as they do outside."

"I can help you handle the guarding Chaos Wave Group inside; I am familiar with their patrol routes and style, making it not difficult to assassinate. But there is a group I probably can't handle."

"Aren't you the Leader of Chaotic Wave?"

"Heh." A cold laugh came from beneath Black Conical Hat Li.

"After the monks committed such acts, how could they still trust outsiders? They selected a few from among the monks who were agile and nimble for us to train for a while. They count as part of the Chaos Wave Group but certainly won't listen to me. Their combat style is something I cannot counter."

"Wielding Double-Bladed Glaives, using ninja , and with the resilient physiques honed from . They could spin in mid-air like bamboo dragonflies, slicing out more than a dozen cuts in an instant... Those guys are terrifying, even for you!"

Lann frowned and turned to look at this Short Melon Ninja, who seemed ready to spill everything he knew all at once.

This guy... is he planning to die here?

"Are there any other enemies to watch out for, speak up."

"...Your friend who went to participate in the Star Offering Ceremony." Black Conical Hat Li hesitated a bit in his tone, but after a deep breath, he came clean.

"He probably has been transformed into one of the Hundred-Foot Clan, and he might look a bit... hard for you to accept. But you absolutely cannot be distracted by this! They have already lost consciousness; that is merely your friend's body enduring suffering. You must deliver a killing blow the moment you see him! Otherwise... the skills of the Hundred-Foot Clan are extraordinarily quick."

"And the last, the one I am most unsure about... are those who have already attained the immortal state of the 'Living Buddhas'."

"Living Buddhas? You wouldn't mean..."

A look of disbelief flashed in Lann's eyes.

He had once visited Nanyue Temple during a trip to East Japan in his hometown world, where a Living Buddha cultivated by Iron Dragon Sea Master was enshrined.

It was a cruel Buddhist ritual.

Almost like making oneself into a mummy while still alive!

First, drink toxic medicine for body preservation, then enter a sealed underground chamber, living only on water and chanting. When no daily bell sound is transmitted from the mechanism, disciples will completely seal the chamber, only reopening it after three years.

When opened, if the body hasn't decayed or been insect-eaten and roughly maintains the cross-legged position of chanting, it can be called a 'Living Buddha'.

Would it still be undead to such an extent?

And according to Black Conical Hat Li... does it even retain combat strength?!

"Seems you understand a little." Black Conical Hat Li chuckled.

"Even I don't quite know how they... stay alive. It's so creepy I don't dare to get close. But many centipedes crawl on their bodies, should be what the 'Sword Saint' referred to as 'Insect Possession'."

"You're the expert on killing monsters; how to kill such things is your headache."

As they spoke, the two had already crossed the wooden bridge.

Lann nodded, indicating he would assess the situation and find a way.

After crossing the bridge, a series of heavy footsteps sounded from the side.

Lann frowned, with a peculiar expression, looking towards the source of the sound.

This kind of footsteps was quite common... in the Magic World.

The iron plates colliding and grinding with each step, the enormous weight stomping a muffled thud on the ground... This was not a sound that should exist in East Japan!