The Prophet clearly understood Chen Fan's meaning.
His King of the Night was not planning to leave!
But!
His current situation was not optimistic, how could he not leave!
"My King, are you not leaving with us yet?" the Prophet asked over the phone.
"I still have unfinished business to attend to," Chen Fan replied calmly to the Prophet's inquiry.
However, upon hearing Chen Fan's words, the Prophet became anxious and quickly said,
"My King! The Night's intelligence department has sent word that due to the great threat posed by the Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi in your possession, all cultivators in the land of Sakura now view you as an enemy and are heading to the port of East Sakura City to kill you and seize the Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi!"
Chen Fan was aware of what the Prophet had said.
And the answer he was going to verify and obtain was precisely an opportunity!
Therefore, he could not leave! He had to confront them!
"I know about this, and I am staying precisely because of it."
"This... why do you say that? Isn't this very dangerous?" Hearing Chen Fan's reply over the phone, the Prophet became even more confused and asked helplessly.
"Danger and opportunity go hand in hand," Chen Fan told the Prophet.
"Prophet, I have discovered something strange, and it is very important to me, so I must stay and fight."
As Chen Fan finished speaking, tears welled up in the Prophet's eyes, and he choked out a moan.
"My King, I am willing to die for you..."
However, Chen Fan did not let the Prophet finish and interrupted him, "You don't need to die, you just need to help me with one thing."
Although it was over the phone, upon hearing Chen Fan's serious tone, the Prophet instantly straightened his posture and said respectfully.
"My King, you command, and I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"Go to the black market and post something, signed 'The Provocateur,' and write this—" Chen Fan paused for a moment.
Then, after composing his thoughts, he said,
"At Mount Kusakami, Qi Yu County. Victory wins the sword, defeat means death!"
Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, the Prophet's heart sank.
He understood that Chen Fan's actions this time were resolute and would be carried out.
"Yes, my King."
The Prophet could no longer dissuade Chen Fan, and after uttering these four words in a heavy tone, Chen Fan hung up the phone.
Then, he began to post on the dark web black market as Chen Fan had instructed.
"...Victory wins the sword, defeat means death!" After writing these words on the screen, the Prophet sighed heavily.
"My King, I believe you will always be invincible!"
As soon as the post was sent, the entire black market erupted!
Especially the cultivators from the land of Sakura were extremely excited.
Because the one named 'The Provocateur' had made his intentions very clear.
Victory wins the sword, defeat means death!
This meant that the person had no intention of returning the Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi to the Atsuta family, nor was he going to hand it over to the imperial family!
The words were clear: who gets the sword depended on individual prowess!
Who wouldn't be tempted by such a valuable item if they had a chance to obtain it?
For a moment, all the cultivators in the land of Sakura, whether they were already heading towards the port of East Sakura City, planning to watch the spectacle, or harboring other intentions,
All of them cast aside their original plans and rushed directly to the address Chen Fan had posted!
That place was Mount Kusakami, Qi Yu County.
The sky was nearing noon. Chen Fan had already arrived at Qi Yu County and handed over Miyamoto Shinkai to the Prophet and others.
Now, they were piloting the giant ship towards international waters.
Chen Fan, on the other hand, walked alone and arrived at his chosen location – Mount Kusakami.
It was still early, and the cultivators of the land of Sakura had not yet arrived.
Chen Fan truly did not take them seriously. After ascending the mountain, he found a small pavilion and lay down.
He basked in the sun and dozed off for a while.
At this moment, Chen Fan appeared to be extremely at ease.
However, in reality, he was far from as relaxed as he seemed.
Because, the black power within him was currently locked in a struggle with the pesky demon core energy!
The sensation was not pleasant!
Just as Chen Fan, with his eyes closed, began to achieve a subtle balance between these two forces, the various martial artists from the land of Sakura had also arrived at Mount Kusakami one after another.
However, as they had all heard the news beforehand that the Five Martial Gods and major influential martial arts families would be arriving,
Even though they had arrived and knew that Chen Fan was lying asleep in the pavilion on the mountaintop,
None of these ordinary martial artists dared to make a move.
In fact, not knowing why Chen Fan could still be in the mood to lie there and sleep at this time,
Fear gnawed at their hearts, and they dared not disturb Chen Fan.
Hundreds of people surrounded Chen Fan, but due to their extreme caution, none dared to speak or move!
This quiet situation was soon broken.
Because Atsuta Musashi, who was closest to the location, had arrived at full gallop.
"Make way, make way!"
"The Martial God is here! All onlookers, retreat!"
"..."
Atsuta Musashi followed behind, and his attendants, with stern expressions, cleared a path through the crowd.
The sounds around them suddenly became chaotic.
Chen Fan lost the mood to continue mediating between the two forces. He yawned, rolled over, and sat up from the bench in the pavilion.
Rustle—
Seeing that Chen Fan had woken up and the Martial God had arrived, the other martial artists, adopting a spectator's attitude, parted to create a large open space!
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Atsuta Musashi, the current Martial God of the Atsuta Shrine, clad in a magnificent samurai uniform and holding a blood-stained katana, stood in the open space cleared by everyone.
Chen Fan stretched lazily, glanced at him, and casually opened his mouth first.
"Are you the first? State your name."
As Chen Fan's words fell, Atsuta Musashi, with a cold smile, drew the katana in his hand, assuming a stance ready for battle.
At the same time, with an air of disdain and contempt, he said coldly to Chen Fan,
"Me? Does my name even matter to a dying thief like you?"
Atsuta Musashi's words implied that Chen Fan was a thief who had stolen his Atsuta family's treasured sword!
These words were undoubtedly provocative and clearly intended to enrage Chen Fan!