The hundred or so martial artists dared not answer Chen Fan, but instead whispered to those beside them!
"Everyone, perhaps we should retreat first?"
"Indeed, this person's strength is extraordinary. If we want to defeat him, we must reconsider."
"Stop with the nonsense, if we can't win, just say so. Let's go, let's forfeit..."
"..."
Soon, the hundred or so martial artists from Sakuraguni reached a consensus.
They forfeited!
Even the Ama-no-Murakumo no Tsurugi was not as good as staying alive!
At this time, at the foot of the mountain.
Inside two private cars parked side by side, someone observed the scene of a large group of martial artists filing down the mountain. They couldn't help but call over the attendants they had dispatched to inquire about the situation.
"What's the situation? Why is everyone going down the mountain?" In the car, the hot-tempered Priest Kujo asked impatiently, addressing the attendant standing with his back hunched by the car window.
In the other car parked alongside, Priest Manjo also overheard the commotion and waited for an answer.
The attendant, who had witnessed everything on the mountain, his face ashen with fear, first bowed to both priests.
Then, with a trembling voice, he said, "Reporting to Your Excellencies, Atsuta Bushin has lost."
"Lost? So quickly? It's only been a few minutes?" Upon hearing the attendant's words, Priest Kujo glanced at his wristwatch in surprise and asked.
"Your Excellency, Atsuta Bushin couldn't even withstand a single move before... before being turned into smoke by that challenger with a single sword." Facing Priest Kujo's inquiry, the attendant recalled the terrifying scene of Atsuta Bushin vaporizing and shivered, recounting the events.
Turned into smoke with a single sword?!
Upon hearing the attendant's words, both Priests Manjo and Kujo couldn't help but gasp!
They both believed they lacked such power!
"Who possesses such immense strength!" Priest Kujo exclaimed in shock.
"I... I don't know his true identity, but on the dark web, he calls himself 'The Challenger'." The attendant shook his head, speaking the truth.
"Manjo-kun, since the opponent's strength is so formidable, what do you think we should do now?" Although he hadn't met Chen Fan yet, Priest Kujo was already beginning to feel fear and anger towards him.
"Don't panic." Priest Manjo in the other car gestured to Priest Kujo.
Then, Priest Manjo got out of his car and entered Priest Kujo's car for ease of conversation.
In fact, as a High Priest, Manjo was also very agitated at this moment.
Sakuraguni was an ancient country with a history of thousands of years, and in all these years, the martial arts world had never faced such a formidable enemy.
"What's the situation now? Who is the next sword contender?" Rubbing his throbbing temples, Priest Manjo asked the attendant.
As the public peak figure in Sakuraguni's martial arts world, Manjo had to understand the situation and intervene.
However, facing Priest Manjo's inquiry, the attendant spread his arms helplessly and said.
"There are none left. Everyone... everyone was so scared, they've all run down the mountain."
As soon as the attendant finished speaking, Priest Manjo's face darkened.
He, the dignified Sakuraguni, was filled with martial artists!
And today, there were more than just Atsuta Bushin who had come with such grandeur to seize the sword!
But the tragic and laughable thing was that after Atsuta Bushin died, the other martial artists simply stopped fighting, stopped vying for the sword, and collectively fled down the mountain with their tails between their legs!
This was a complete loss of face!
"Manjo, what do you think we should do about this? Our face has been completely disgraced by those useless fools!" Daifeng Novel Network
Priest Kujo, well aware of the extent of the embarrassment, was so enraged that his lungs were about to explode. He angrily asked Priest Manjo.
Facing the now furious Priest Kujo, Priest Manjo also felt quite helpless.
He knew full well how embarrassing this was, but the situation was already set, and anger was meaningless.
Moreover, he disliked Priest Kujo's temper the most!
He would get angry at the slightest provocation, which was hardly befitting a priest!
"Kujo, how many times have I told you, don't get angry so easily." So, Priest Manjo looked at Kujo with some impatience, and instead of answering his question, he first admonished him.
In Priest Manjo's opinion, Kujo could get angry anytime, but not at this moment.
After all, there were martial artists all around the car.
If Priest Kujo's angry demeanor were seen, wouldn't that be an even greater loss of face?
However, Priest Kujo paid no mind to his uncontrollable emotions.
"Not angry? We've completely lost face!" Upon hearing Priest Manjo's scolding, Priest Kujo not only didn't restrain himself but even retorted with a defiant sneer.
Seeing his attitude, Priest Manjo knew he wouldn't be able to persuade this hot-headed fellow today.
So, Priest Manjo helplessly waved his hand at him and said generously, "Face can be lost, and then regained."
With Priest Manjo's concession, Priest Kujo became even more emboldened.
"Regain it? How? That kid from the Atsuta family is already dead." He irritably reached out of the car window, pointing towards the peak of Mount Kusanagi, and questioned Priest Manjo.
At this moment, Priest Manjo no longer cared about Priest Kujo's rude behavior.
Because he knew that although Priest Kujo had a bad temper, he was genuinely considering the overall situation.
He wasn't so petty as to quarrel with him over such a minor issue of attitude.
"That kid from the Atsuta family was the youngest and weakest among the Five Bushin." Thus, Priest Manjo extended his hand, pushed down Priest Kujo's hand pointing out the car window, and said earnestly to his companion.
"To regain our honor, we should send in the strongest, Kashima."
As soon as Priest Manjo spoke, he brought up Kashima, who was the strongest fighter among the Five Bushin.
At this moment, the two priests were united in their objective.
That is, the challenger on Mount Kusanagi must not be allowed to remain!
However, upon hearing Priest Manjo's words, Priest Kujo said with a tone of helplessness.
"Manjo, I understand what you mean, but the opponent's strength is not weak. Kashima going alone might..."
Priest Kujo's meaning was simple, and before he could finish speaking, Priest Manjo had already understood his intention.
"Are you afraid Kashima won't be a match for him?"