Peach Blossom Dual Cultivation - Chapter 69: A Strange Event

“Master, how are we going to treat Yamamoto?”

Muto Yukiko asked. From Yamamoto Yuki’s furrowed brow moments earlier, she could tell that Yamamoto Hiroshi’s injuries were severe and difficult to treat.

“His wounds are too severe. His heart meridian has been damaged. Even with my abilities, I doubt I can save him. If my master were still alive, even he would have less than a ten percent chance of success,” Yamamoto Yuki sighed.

“The ninja techniques passed down by our ancestors are primarily martial skills. Aside from that, there are five paths for the ninja. Mental control techniques are dangerous and unsavory. I’ve warned him before not to delve too deeply into them. The hunter may focus on catching geese every day, but eventually, the goose will peck his eyes out.'”

Ninjas are a mysterious faction.

During Japan’s feudal era, ninja techniques reached their peak. However, in modern times, ninja practices have mostly faded in Japan, with only a few factions remaining.

The Iga school is the largest remaining ninja faction in Japan, though it now only has about a hundred members. Despite their small number, in modern society, they remain a formidable force. As the master of the Iga school, Yamamoto Yuki holds significant status in Japan.

To put it simply, ninjas are not so different from spies. They specialize in reconnaissance, ambushes, and assassinations. In addition to their martial prowess, ninjas must also master the Five Ninja Paths: food, scent, medicine, breath, and body.

These Five Ninja Paths are the core disciplines required of ninjas, commonly known as the Five Ways of the Ninja.

Food refers to the strict dietary control ninjas maintain. To move with agility on rooftops and tree branches, a qualified ninja typically weighs no more than 60 kilograms. Their diet mainly consists of black rice, oats, tofu, and konjac. To maintain their strength, they also consume protein, iron, and vitamin-rich foods like sesame seeds, pine nuts, brown sugar, and quail eggs. In short, they adhere to a low-calorie, high-nutrition diet.

Scent refers to a ninja’s ability to deduce a person’s social status and wealth by the smell of their clothing. To conceal their identities, ninjas often disguise themselves as merchants, beggars, or other commoners. They carry spices like cloves, sandalwood, and cinnamon, along with compounds that create specific body odors. These allow them to blend seamlessly into the roles they assume.

Medicine means a true ninja must be a doctor and an expert in pharmacology. They skillfully use plants and herbs from the mountains and forests to treat injuries and illnesses. When hiding for long periods, they carry insect repellents to prevent bites. They also carry items like knockout incense, potent poisons, and sulfur for various missions.

Breath refers to mental discipline. Ninjas cultivate their focus, allowing them to act decisively and remain calm under pressure.

Body involves the physical conditioning of muscles and joints, supplemented by meditation, breathing exercises, massage, and acupuncture to keep their bodies battle-ready.

In addition to these five paths, ninjas are also trained in astronomy and chemistry, enabling them to predict weather patterns by observing the stars and to create explosives and firearms. Though ninjas once mainly used cold weapons, many now carry modern firearms.

With the decline of ninja practices, it’s rare to find ninjas proficient in all five disciplines. Some, unwilling to endure the rigorous training, have turned to less honorable methods.

Yamamoto Hiroshi was one such ninja. Although he belonged to the Iga school, he hadn’t even reached the level of a beginner ninja. Instead, he delved into mental control techniques. After several years of research, he made some progress. After helping wealthy individuals eliminate a few competitors, he gained a certain reputation.

Pleased with his success, Yamamoto Hiroshi abandoned his training in traditional ninja techniques, using mind control to make money. For the sake of wealth, there was nothing he wouldn’t do. The number of innocent lives he took was countless. But, as the saying goes, “Those who do evil will meet their demise.” His downfall came when he encountered Zhou Lang.

“Master, didn’t the old master leave you a few Heart Protection Pills? Maybe those elixirs could save Yamamoto,” Muto Yukiko suggested.

“Those pills are incredibly precious. I wouldn’t waste one on this fool. Besides, even a Heart Protection Pill might not save him. It would be a waste,” Yamamoto Yuki replied.

“Master, if you don’t save your cousin and word gets out, it could have a negative impact. If morale drops, reviving the Iga school will be difficult,” Muto Yukiko said. Her frankness indicated that Yamamoto Yuki trusted her.

“Yukiko, you’re too naive. Few people know about this. I can simply say that my cousin died despite taking a Heart Protection Pill. At worst, I’ll go to Feiyun City tomorrow and avenge him myself. That way, none of my subordinates or the old relics can complain,” Yamamoto Yuki said coldly. In her eyes, Yamamoto Hiroshi wasn’t worth a single Heart Protection Pill.

“Master, you are wise,” Muto Yukiko replied.

Yamamoto Yuki and Muto Yukiko carried Yamamoto Hiroshi into a large house on the estate. About ten minutes later, Yamamoto Hiroshi began convulsing. His eyes widened with terror as he realized that death was near.

“Yamamoto is awake,” Muto Yukiko, standing by his side, said.

But Yamamoto Yuki did not move. Less than a minute later, Yamamoto Hiroshi stopped convulsing. His eyes grew vacant, and soon, he stopped breathing. Yet, his eyes remained open, filled with a sense of unwillingness.

“We can’t take his body back. To avoid trouble, cremate him. Rest early tonight; tomorrow we head to Feiyun City,” Yamamoto Yuki said. She didn’t even approach his body, giving only simple instructions before leaving.

After Yamamoto Yuki left, Muto Yukiko took out a small black bottle and dripped a few drops of black liquid onto Yamamoto Hiroshi’s body.

As soon as the liquid touched his body, smoke began to rise. His body quickly caught fire, with flames glowing blue above the red. Within minutes, Yamamoto Hiroshi’s body was reduced to ashes, leaving only a pile of black dust. Muto Yukiko collected the remains in a box and emptied them into the toilet.

The next evening, as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the land, Yamamoto Yuki and Muto Yukiko arrived at the villa district where the Ye family lived. Sitting in a black car, they used binoculars to observe the Ye residence.

The gate to the Ye family home was closed, and everything seemed quiet.

“I hope the Ye family is home. Tonight, we’ll capture Ye Tian and Ye Qianqian and find out Zhou Lang’s whereabouts. Based on what we know, Yamamoto Hiroshi was injured at the Ye family villa. His death is linked not only to Zhou Lang but also to the Ye family,” Yamamoto Yuki said.

But as she finished speaking, thick smoke suddenly billowed out of the Ye family villa. Within seconds, seven or eight spots of smoke appeared, and in less than a minute, flames engulfed the villa.

“What’s going on?”

Both Yamamoto Yuki and Muto Yukiko were stunned. They had come to investigate, but now the Ye family home was on fire. And the fire seemed… strange!