Yama Reborn

As a religious organization that still legally existed six years after the subway sarin attack, the headquarters of the Truth Society and its several strongholds in Tokyo were actually public knowledge. This fact might come as a shock to those who were unaware. But that was how things were in Japan. Of course, the few publicly known locations naturally didn't hide any real organizational secrets. The Truth Society, in fact, had declared bankruptcy in 2000 and changed its name to "Afrai," continuing to operate. However, people still habitually referred to them as the Truth Society.

Chen Nuo didn't visit any of the Truth Society's public strongholds in Tokyo, and he also ignored the so-called "headquarters" that were out in the open. Thanks to his experiences from his past life and Lan Mei's years in Japan specializing in hunting down sinners of the Truth Society in the shadows, Chen Nuo was very clear about several of the Truth Society's important secret strongholds in Tokyo. One of these strongholds, particularly well-hidden, was where the current leaders of the Truth Society were located.

Leaving Tokyo and heading west for about 80 kilometers, one would reach the foot of Mount Fuji, a place called Shimomutsuichi Village. A forked road branched off from the main thoroughfare, leading straight to the village entrance. Nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, the village was originally very secluded, and now it seemed even more tranquil. After nearly twenty years of development, involving substantial investment in purchasing land from nearby villages and subsequent relocations, the once-small village had become the main base of the Truth Society. It had been transformed into a self-contained hamlet. There were no ordinary residents left; those living here were the most devout core followers and the upper echelons of the Truth Society's leadership.

To the northwest side of the village stood an ancient Shinto dojo and temple, which the Truth Society had taken over more than a decade ago. After nearly ten years of extensive construction, it had been developed into an educational institute for the Truth Society.

Although it was summer, thanks to Mount Fuji's perennial snowcap and the localized microclimate, the temperature here was several degrees lower than in downtown Tokyo. Even in the height of summer, standing in the courtyard and looking at the white snow on the distant peak of Mount Fuji, the air was cool and refreshing; at night, there was even a hint of chill. The courtyard was located behind the large preaching institute. From the low courtyard wall, one could glimpse the towering temple roof of the institute nearby. The courtyard itself maintained a distinctly Japanese garden style. Outside the side wing of the house, there was a wooden veranda, and the garden was dotted with carefully pruned ornamental trees.

An elderly, white-haired man slowly slid open a door and walked out from his room. He stood beside a stone lantern in the courtyard, looking at an ancient pine tree, one of the garden's feature trees. He clapped his hands. Soon, servants entered from outside, carefully placing a cushion under the tree, and a small tea table with tea was also brought over.

"Chief Professor, Hashimoto from Tokyo has something to report to you," a man in a gray robe said, bowing respectfully.

The white-haired elder snorted, slowly knelt on the cushion, picked up the teacup before him, took a sip, then shook his head and said, "Hashimoto always acts too impulsively. What trouble has he caused this time?"

"He says that the person behind the assassinations of several key members in Tokyo has been caught."

The white-haired elder nodded silently. "Tell Hashimoto to interrogate the culprit thoroughly and clarify things before reporting to me! What's there to discuss if they've only just caught him?"

The man in gray exhaled, lowered his head, and said, "Hashimoto said... this matter involves an Ability User!"

The term "Ability User" made the white-haired man's expression subtly shift. To the outside world, the Truth Society always proclaimed that its church had Psychics, especially the Sect Hierarch himself, who was promoted as a god-like Psychic. But internally, the church members themselves knew... these were merely tricks to fool the public. The Sect Hierarch himself was actually just a lame, blind man; let alone possessing Special Abilities like flying or phasing through earth—he'd struggle to walk a few steps without assistance! Yet, despite being a fraudster, he was an extremely intelligent man and a genius at beguiling people.

As for the white-haired elder himself… Kobayashi Hirokawa. He was currently the "Chief Professor" of the Truth Society. According to the Truth Society's internal power structure, the "Chief Professor" was second only to the Sect Hierarch. The Truth Society's Sect Hierarch was currently arrested and imprisoned by the Japanese government. It could be said that the Truth Society was now effectively under the control of this Kobayashi Hirokawa. Not the Sect Hierarch, but in practice, he was.

Ability Users were Kobayashi Hirokawa's prime concern. The Truth Society had existed for nearly twenty years, always using the banner of Special Abilities in its public dealings. However, it was only in recent years that the Truth Society had gradually come into contact with the world of Special Abilities. Through years of effort, they had finally, in secret, begun to recruit some Psychics—whom they referred to as Ability Users. Both the imprisoned Sect Hierarch and Kobayashi Hirokawa himself considered the development of Psychics a top priority in their religious affairs.

"…" Kobayashi Hirokawa fell silent for a few seconds, then slowly said, "Please ask Mr. Tree to come over. I need to consult him about this matter involving Ability Users."

Mr. Tree was the most powerful among the Ability Users recruited by the Truth Society. When Kobayashi Hirokawa met this Mr. Tree three years ago, he had brought this master, who called himself Mr. Tree, back from a swordsmanship dojo in Hokkaido. Initially, he had some reservations about Mr. Tree's strength. But soon enough... Mr. Tree demonstrated his abilities right in front of Kobayashi Hirokawa. When he used a wooden sword to defeat all six Ability Users the Truth Society had recruited at the time, Kobayashi Hirokawa believed he had successfully found the sharpest sword for the Truth Society! And in a subsequent demonstration, Mr. Tree, using a Tachi, split a bullet fired at him clean in half! That scene made Kobayashi Hirokawa feel for the first time that perhaps the most powerful Psychics in the world were no more than this! Abilities akin to those of ghosts and deities!

Mr. Tree soon arrived. This Mr. Tree also appeared to have white hair, but his face did not look very old; he seemed to be in his forties. He was tall and burly, dressed in a pitch-black long robe with a wide, snow-white belt around his waist. As he walked, he was followed closely by two servants taking quick, small steps.

"Chief Professor, you must have something important to discuss, having called me away from my meditation?" Mr. Tree's voice was somewhat raspy, but when he spoke, his presence was commanding, unlike other followers who would act subserviently in front of Kobayashi Hirokawa.

"Master Fan has arrived," Kobayashi Hirokawa said with a smile, gesturing toward the cushion opposite the tea table. "Please, take a seat."

Master Fan was the title Kobayashi Hirokawa had given Mr. Tree within the Truth Society. Generally, the title "Master Fan" in Japan was reserved for supreme masters serving the royal family, such as those who taught martial arts to the crown prince or the Emperor. But the Truth Society had long considered itself royalty internally. The Sect Hierarch had already proclaimed himself the "Holy Pope" and had even structured the church's internal hierarchy to mirror that of the Japanese government, establishing departments similar to intelligence, autonomy, defense, and construction ministries—akin to a counterfeit Japanese petty court. Thus, the title of Master Fan was only natural.

Once Mr. Tree was seated, Kobayashi Hirokawa poured him a cup of tea before speaking slowly, "There has been an incident in Tokyo. It's not a significant issue, but Hashimoto sent word that it involves an Ability User. An Ability User has been secretly assassinating our key members in Tokyo. I am concerned…"

Mr. Tree pondered for a moment, then laughed. "Actually, there's no need to worry too much. There are not many Ability Users in Japan. In all these years, among those I've met, very few could be called truly outstanding." As he spoke, this Master Fan unexpectedly pulled a small folding fan from his waist, snapped it open with a flick, and waved it gently, exuding an air of calm composure. "On Shima Island, among Ability Users, I reign supreme! The rest are not worth considering."

The sheer audacity of this statement took Kobayashi Hirokawa aback for a moment. He then let out a breath and slowly asked, "Then…"

"If they are provocateurs, kill those who must be killed, investigate those who must be investigated. Once they are identified, root them out completely. That will be the end of it."

Kobayashi Hirokawa smiled. "Then, I'll have to trouble Master Fan to take action when the time comes."

"Of course."

The two men at the apex of the Truth Society's power structure exchanged a knowing look and leisurely lifted their teacups.

Outside the village. On the road leading to the village entrance, a motorcycle sped along and came to a stop before the village gate. The entire Shimomutsuichi Village had been transformed into what was essentially a vast manor. It was surrounded by high walls, and there were even checkpoints at the village entrance. The village gate was a stone gatehouse, built to resemble an ancient city gate, with massive double wooden doors set within its archway.

As Chen Nuo got off his bike, he attracted the attention of the armed guards at the gatehouse.

"Whew!" Chen Nuo dismounted, stretched, and glanced at his watch. Hmm, forty-five minutes all the way from Tokyo. Eighty kilometers, that was quick. He had opted for a motorcycle instead of a car to avoid city traffic jams.

"Hey! Who goes there!" a guard on the village gate shouted down.

Chen Nuo looked up at the guards, who were clearly on high alert, a smile playing on his lips hidden beneath his helmet. Then, he raised his hand and waved to the guards above.

…

"Is that guy down there waving at us?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Who is he?"

"Probably just a tourist who wandered here by mistake. Send someone down to chase him off."

As the two guards on the wall conversed, they suddenly saw the individual in the motorcycle helmet below walk slowly up to the main gate… Then, he raised his hand and pressed it against the wooden door panel.

"What is this guy… doing?"

Then, the next second…

Suddenly, a peculiar radiance materialized from the person's hand…

"Wh-what… what is that! Are you kidding me?!! AHHHHH!!!!!!"

Amidst a brilliant burst of light, the village gate, four meters wide and over three meters tall, collapsed with a thunderous crash! The surrounding stone walls and the gatehouse itself disintegrated into dust under that intense light!

Chen Nuo stood his ground, calmly lowering his hand and waving away the dust in front of him. Beneath the splinters and rubble, an unknown number of Truth Society guards lay buried; some struggled, gasping for breath, their cries and screams piercing the air…

"Silence!" Chen Nuo sneered. He felt not a shred of mercy or sympathy for these cultists of the Truth Society.

The village gate, now a pile of rubble before him, was gone. Chen Nuo leaped lightly over the debris and strode slowly into the village…

After less than half a minute of silence… gunshots erupted from the direction Chen Nuo had taken into the village, echoing along his path…

[More to follow.]