On a distant peak, several figures were observing in secret.
"Mere savages from beyond the borders dare to act brazenly in the Central Plains?"
"This so-called ninjutsu is quite intriguing!"
The leader scoffed at the sight of the fleeing figure in the distance, disdain flashing in his eyes.
"Lord, should we act now?"
"If we seize the Myriad Sword Diagram and hand it over to the Bad Marshal, we'll surely be rewarded handsomely by either him or His Majesty."
"No rush! The area is likely crawling with spies and cultivators from other nations. We mustn't be the first to make a move."
"This is a contest of patience."
"Soon, it will become clear who is the hunter and who is the prey!"
"This mission isn't just about the Myriad Sword Diagram."
A subtle, malicious glint appeared on the face of the Bad Marshal.
To him, everyone else was the enemy and could be used as pawns, especially the Ming Dynasty, which was their primary target.
==========
Elsewhere, in an even more hidden location.
"Lord, why haven't we moved yet?"
"The National Master gave strict orders, we must acquire the Myriad Sword Diagram and never let it fall into the hands of other nations!"
"Standing around like this feels wrong."
"If we jeopardize the Khan's and the National Master's grand plans, none of us can bear that responsibility."
A large man in foreign garb questioned harshly.
"Idiot! Can't you see others lurking nearby?"
"If we make a move now, we'll become their target practice. We may handle one group, but not all of them."
"They're hoping we charge in first to draw everyone's attention."
"Know nothing, talk less!"
"The National Master put me in charge of this mission. Follow orders or shut your mouth!"
The slightly more refined man also had a temper.
"Hmph. Let's see if your clever plans actually work."
"If we lose men or fail the mission, I'll personally report you to the Khan."
"Suit yourself. For now, my word is final."
A flash of sinister intent passed through the leader's eyes.
He had to find a chance to eliminate this troublesome man, before he ruined everything.
==========
"Big brother, are we still not going to act?"
"That short, ugly fellow is about to leave our ideal attack range."
"Wait. The Supreme Master Yuwen gave us different instructions. The Myriad Sword Diagram is not our primary objective."
"What? Didn't the National Master desire it greatly? Why abandon it now?"
"Seems His Majesty has little interest in the diagram."
"Fine. Let's stick to orders. We obey the National Master without question."
"I think I spotted agents from the Tang Dynasty's Bad People. Those pesky shadows are everywhere."
"Add one more task: no matter what, we must not let the Bad People get the diagram."
"The Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty are mortal enemies. Better to let the Qin Dynasty or Ming Dynasty have it than the Tang Dynasty."
"I agree. Killing a few Bad People agents would feel great."
==========
"Lord, Jiang Yuyan demanded we obtain the Myriad Sword Diagram, but our leader told us to conserve strength. Which command do we follow?"
"Technically, we should follow our leader, but Jiang Yuyan is terrifying."
"If we fail her orders, she might drain all our inner power."
"Even if the leader wants to protect us, he may not succeed."
"I'd rather die in battle than suffer that miserable fate."
"Same here. Jiang Yuyan has grown more vicious under the leader's grooming. She's hardly human anymore, and honestly, I'm scared."
"Brothers, we'll observe a bit more. If there's a chance to take the diagram, we strike. I'll handle the explanation to the leader."
"Bah, what's there to explain? At Jiang Yuyan's current rate of growth, it won't be long before she surpasses the leader."
"The leader's still delusional, thinking he can control her."
"Just wait. He's going to suffer a huge loss at her hands someday."
"If we don't plan ahead, it won't be the leader who dies, it'll be us under her wrath."
This team from the Han Dynasty had their own concerns.
Especially their commander, whose headache grew with each passing word.
The once-loyal troops began leaning toward Jiang Yuyan.
Not out of loyalty, but out of fear.
Compared to Jiang Yuyan, the hunchbacked leader seemed vastly inferior in both cunning and cruelty.
If not for the fact that the leader was still stronger, they would have defected openly.
Still, their growing fear of Jiang Yuyan made them more rebellious toward their current superior.
Grinding his teeth, the commander finally decided.
Follow Jiang Yuyan's orders first.
He'd come up with an excuse later.
With her rapid development, Jiang Yuyan would soon surpass the hunchback.
He had no intention of dying alongside the wrong leader.
"Brothers, I understand your concerns."
"Listen to my command."
"Whatever else happens, we must secure the Myriad Sword Diagram and deliver it to Lady Jiang Yuyan."
"Yes, Lord!"
==========
"Lord, are we still not going to act?"
"The Qin Emperor values the Myriad Sword Diagram highly."
"We, the Black Ice Platform, are his most trusted force, far above Shadow Secret Guard and Net Trap. We can't afford mistakes."
"Otherwise, we won't be able to face His Majesty or our leader."
The Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform also closely monitored the situation.
The leader wore a serious expression.
"Wait. I just checked. All nations' agents are present."
"But Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard are nowhere to be seen."
"Could they be up to something?"
"No, we must be extra cautious. If the Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard ambushes us, we'll be thoroughly humiliated."
Years of secret warfare had given them deep knowledge of rival spy networks.
Tang Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, even Song Dynasty had tricky agents.
But none worried them more than the Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard.
The Ming Dynasty appeared to rely on East and West Factories and the Embroidered Uniform Guards.
But the true sharp blade of the Emperor was the Dark Guard.
They were the equal of the Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform.
The two groups had clashed countless times.
With mixed results.
Which is why they never let their guard down.
A single misstep here could mean death.
And worse, it was happening in Ming Dynasty Territory.
Ming Dynasty's home ground.
The Dark Guard' battlefield.
Everything favored them.
Being overly cautious was better than being dead.
"Very well, Lord. We'll wait."
"If the Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard don't appear, neither will we."
"Maybe they're already hiding in some dark corner, watching us like hawks."
"I bet they're more anxious than we are."
"There's no way they'll sit back and let the Myriad Sword Diagram fall into foreign hands."
"The moment they act, that's our chance!"
==========
On a high, unseen peak.
Zhu Houzhao and the Dark Guard Leader observed the entire situation.
A faint smile tugged at Zhu Houzhao's lips.
"Interesting. Not a single trace of Yuan Tiangang, Phagpa, Yuwen Tuo, or Huang Shang."
"I was looking forward to their presence. Disappointing."
"Never mind. I'll leave this to you. Carry out the plan as arranged."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Dark Guard Leader saluted.
==========
Shortly after Zhu Houzhao departed.
While the other nations still hesitated, the ordinary cultivators hiding nearby could wait no longer.
After all, they lacked the vision and patience of professional spy organizations.
Suddenly, a Great Grandmaster stepped out with over ten Grandmaster Realm followers.
They blocked the path of the black-clad figure.
Their eyes locked on the Myriad Sword Diagram.
"Hand over the Myriad Sword Diagram, and we'll spare your worthless life."
"Bakayaro! Anyone in my way will die!"
The black-clad man roared in rage.
Many of their comrades had died for this diagram.
Even their leader, a true Land Immortal, perished in the attempt.
He had to deliver the diagram to the Yamato King.
Only then would their sacrifices be worth it.
Only then would the King's dream of conquering the Central Plains come true.
And now, a bunch of weaklings dared stand in his way?
Though he wasn't a true Land Immortal, he was at least half a step into that realm.
A group of Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters were nothing but ants.
His kunai flickered.
A sharp arc in the air.
In the next moment, every one of his opponents, Grandmasters included, had their throats slit.
Blood sprayed.
Not one survived a single strike.
Without lingering, he dashed into the distance.
Unless a true Land Immortal appeared, he feared no one.
He would never relinquish the Myriad Sword Diagram.
Witnessing this scene left everyone present in shock.
"Damn! He's escaping! That short guy is too dangerous. Let's all strike together!"
"Whoever helps will get a chance to view the Myriad Sword Diagram later!"
"Alright! Let's move!"
The Great Grandmasters panicked.
Even non-sword cultivators couldn't ignore this opportunity.
They might gain insight from the diagram that would help them break through.
Maybe even step into the Land Immortal Realm.
Even half a step would be worth it.
With one call, over a hundred figures appeared.
Almost all were Great Grandmasters.
No one imagined there were so many of them hidden away.
Even the nations' spies were stunned.
It truly broadens their horizons.
Great Grandmasters were rarely seen, yet here they appeared in droves, as if worthless.
The black-clad man's expression changed.
Now over a hundred Great Grandmasters blocked his way.
Panic rose in his eyes.
So many!
Even killing them all would take time.
And escaping the encirclement wouldn't be easy.
He never imagined the Central Plains had this many Great Grandmasters.
"Kill him!"
A shout rang out.
The battlefield erupted.
Everyone swarmed the black-clad man.
Even the spies and cultivators hidden in the shadows were dumbfounded.
The ferocity of the fight exceeded expectations.
So too did the power of a Half-Step Land Immortal.
Despite facing over a hundred Great Grandmasters, the black-clad man did not falter.
Every swing of his kunai, shuriken, or sword claimed a life.
In just a few seconds, more than ten Great Grandmasters lay dead.
The rest were horrified.
Still, the black-clad man suffered too.
He wasn't truly a Land Immortal.
There was still a fundamental gap.
He was simply stronger in combat.
Not invincible.
Trading ten Great Grandmasters for a body full of wounds, the tide began to shift.
"Great! He's hurt! We can beat him!"
"Push harder! The Myriad Sword Diagram is almost ours!"
"Hahaha! That foreigner dared to steal from the Central Plains? He's finished now!"