Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 194 - 185: Appearing at the Venue: Manifesting from the Void and Treading on Flames (Part 1)

"Perhaps I’m overthinking this."

Ooshima Junichi replied calmly, saying no more.

He knew he couldn’t possibly convince everyone present.

But then again, it didn’t really matter.

If that person really did make a move, it would indeed cause immense destruction and chaos. But could he truly stand against all of Japan, or even the pressure from the entire international community, all on his own?

Even though he had once been defeated by Yi Beidou, even though he had witnessed the battle between Yi Beidou and Devi, he still didn’t believe one person could reach such a level.

Although Japan’s military strength was greatly reduced after its defeat in the war, they had, for that very reason, placed even greater importance on the Martial Arts Realm and the Cultivation Realm. As a result, their corresponding foundations were now exceptionally deep.

Back then, the Twelve Martial Saints had entered Donghua. Today, the number of Saint Realm experts within Japan’s borders was even greater.

And besides the figures known to the public, he was also aware of certain "secrets" hidden within the country.

"As for this Yi Beidou, we’ve reviewed the prior intelligence. He has countless ties to the Hidden World, which may involve quite a few secrets."

"And with the strength and potential he’s displayed, he has surely caught the eye of many Secret Organizations. His defection from Donghua isn’t actually that strange. He may have even accepted an invitation from one of them."

"In short, there’s no need to be so jumpy. We haven’t reached a point where just anyone can push us around. But this is a risk, after all. We can take certain measures to ensure there are no mistakes. I’ll leave that for your Special Investigation Bureau to arrange."

Another tall, elderly man in a Japanese-style kimono spoke faintly.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll notify the districts that tonight’s All Martial Arts Conference will proceed as scheduled."

Beichuan Tian nodded. Seeing that the many Saint Realm experts seemed full of confidence, his own worries abated.

However, the necessary preparations still had to be made. For instance, measures like strengthening the security checks around the venue, reinforcing on-site security, and even increasing the number of Saint Experts present.

「Before they knew it, night fell.」

The plaza in front of the Nagaki Comprehensive Sports Hall was a sea of people. Not only were there many locals dressed in traditional Japanese attire, but there were also quite a few foreign faces.

Unlike Donghua’s Martial Hero Conference, which required proof of national identity to purchase tickets, Japan had no such restrictions. This was due to different national policies and a desire to push the popularity of the All Martial Arts Conference to new heights. Even temporary foreign residents or overseas tourists could come watch, as long as they managed to snag a ticket.

At this moment, Qian Haochuan and his group had also arrived in the plaza.

It wasn’t just the eight of them. Beside them were five other young people—two men and three women. These five were also friends from their circle in Modu. Some were currently studying abroad in Japan, while others had stayed to build their careers there and had a fair bit of influence locally.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to get so many tickets at once.

Qian Haochuan’s group followed the crowd, curiously looking around. They spotted many small factions dressed in various matching Martial Arts Uniforms or traditional Japanese clothing.

"Extreme Explosion Karate Dao. Their lineage isn’t very long, but they’re a famous Martial Arts School in Nagaki and even all of Japan. It’s said that their founding master survived that devastating explosion in Nagaki back in the day. He not only survived but broke through to the Martial Saint realm and created this school. They’re very influential here in Nagaki."

"The Beichen Xin Yin School is a famous school from Xiongben. They’re very powerful and are said to have a Martial Saint overseeing them. It’s very likely he’ll be here tonight. This school has over ten thousand disciples, and they have deep connections with the local military, political, and business circles."

"The Godslaying Ninja Dao is the largest Ninja Dao school in the Kyushu Region. I hear they also have a Saint presiding over them. Their new-generation ’All Transmission’ successor is said to be astonishingly talented and extremely strong. He’s the favorite to win the Kyushu Region’s tournament."

"..."

Among the five newcomers, a young man with glasses and meticulously combed hair, exuding the air of an elite, spoke up.

This was Meng Qihua, the oldest in the group. His family ran an ocean freight business with considerable assets and influence in Japan. He had arranged almost all of their activities for this trip.

He was now quietly introducing the various factions waiting in the plaza to have their tickets checked.

This so-called All Martial Arts Conference was also a grand event for Japan’s related circles.

Hearing him recount information about these schools as if they were his own family treasures, Qian Haochuan and the others couldn’t help but exchange a glance.

"Brother Meng, how do you know all this in such detail?" someone couldn’t help but ask.

"It can’t be helped. In my family’s line of work, we inevitably have to deal with these kinds of powers. Plus, these schools are all about to step fully into the public eye and will have a huge impact, so we have no choice but to learn about them."

Meng Qihua said with a hint of resignation.

"Brother Meng, you probably know about the Martial Hero Conference that Donghua held not long ago. Who do you think is stronger, Japan’s Martial Arts Realm or our own Donghua Martial Arts Realm?"

Qian Haochuan asked curiously. The others couldn’t help but turn their attention to the conversation as well.

"That’s hard to say. I’m not an insider, so my understanding isn’t that deep. But you should never underestimate Japan. Their martial arts atmosphere is much better than back home, and the government places great importance on this kind of heritage."

"Take one thing for example. About ten years ago, Japan made martial arts a required course in middle school. But for our peers ten years ago, or even now, when does the PE teacher not get ’sick’? And Japan is covered in martial arts gyms and Dao Fields. Although they no longer have a formal army, their education in martial prowess has never stopped. They have immense potential."

"Under these circumstances, there are bound to be many experts. After this All Martial Arts Conference, this potential of theirs will surely be unleashed. They can’t be underestimated."

Meng Qihua said with a grave expression.

Although he lived in Japan and sometimes felt a sense of pride and superiority because of his status here, deep down, he didn’t want to see Japan become too powerful.

If Japan became strong, outsiders like them would lose their standing.

Hearing this, Qian Haochuan and his friends exchanged a look.

"So, where do you think ’that guy’ is right now? Will he show up directly at the venue?"

Taking advantage of Meng Qihua’s group not paying attention, Qian Haochuan and his friends started whispering among themselves.

"Probably not, right? He’s strong, but he’s still flesh and blood. I heard there are several Saint Realm experts on-site this time, and security is extremely tight. With so many people here, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t just show up and cause a provocation, right? This is another country, after all."

"I agree. He’ll most likely seek out his opponents in private, just like how Martial Artists from other countries do when they enter Donghua."

"Makes sense."

"..."

The group whispered amongst themselves.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Meng Qihua and his friends looked over, a little curious.

"N-nothing!"

They all shook their heads frantically.

Meng Qihua’s group just looked at them strangely.

And at that moment, Qian Haochuan and his friends weren’t the only ones at the venue discussing Yi Beidou’s movements.

On the other side of the plaza, a man and a woman who looked like a married couple stood arm in arm, not squeezing into the crowd but waiting quietly.

"Still no news on him?" the woman asked the man beside her in a low voice.

"None. He already has the ability to be unseen even when right in front of you. This isn’t our home country; our available resources are limited. It’s impossible to track his movements."

"However, word from our superiors is that he was last seen at Wusong Port. If he’s come to Japan, Nagaki would have been his first stop. And with the second round of the All Martial Arts Conference being held in Nagaki now, it’s bound to attract his attention," the man said in a low voice.

The two of them were undercover agents for Donghua’s Special Security Bureau in Japan.

"Do you think he’ll really come directly to the All Martial Arts Conference? From what our orders say, we’re supposed to pay special attention to the conference in Nagaki," the woman said, looking around, a little uncertain.

’Even a Saint Expert can’t be this brazen in a foreign country, can he?’

The very thought seemed incredible.

"How could you and I possibly fathom the actions of someone like him? I, for one, hope he doesn’t put himself in danger. I’ve heard that Japan received news of his ’defection’ and has already strengthened the security for the Martial Arts Conference to some extent," the man said helplessly.

And just as everyone was discussing him, on the rooftop of the building across from the sports hall, Yi Beidou stood at the edge, his arms crossed. The Demon Flame around his body distorted his surroundings as he silently watched the dense crowd in the plaza below.