Returning to the Mysterious Era

Chapter 161 - White Wind Organization

Skyfall Cross Sect, Three-Eyed Mad Lion Sect, Winged Serpent Fist, White Water Sword, Raging Sea Sect, Steel Fist Dao, Skyfall Rain Sect, Thunder Blade Sect...and more. Any sect qualified to participate in the Northern Covert Martial Arts Alliance had sent people to the south.

And they weren't simply ordinary disciples; they were the core forces of each sect, practitioners who had achieved considerable mastery in Covert Martial Arts. They represented the true strength of a sect, their roles even more crucial than many of the elders and leaders.

As the black-and-red train doors opened wide, disciples with formidable auras and sharp gazes trickled out. They quickly gathered around the elders leading their respective sects, assembling in groups.

Cassius glanced at one of the nearby sects.

Regardless of gender, the young disciples were all tall and muscular, with short hair and bronzed skin. They had an intense presence even as they did something as mundane as walking and chatting. Their exposed arms were thick and powerful, and their fists were noticeably larger than normal disciples in the sects, with swollen and hard knuckles plus bulging veins. Some of the youths' fists gleamed faintly in the sunlight with a metallic, slightly white sheen, although it seemed darker from another angle.

Cassius recognized that to be a result similar to his own practice of hardening Qigong. Their Covert Martial Arts or techniques had altered the muscles and skin of their arms to suit the demands of combat better.

Steel Fist Dao focused on training the fists. After decades of honing, their fists became as indestructible as cast iron when fully channeling their Qi. They could easily withstand blows from cold weapons and could be used as iron weapons in combat.

Cassius looked away and to his left.

There were some disciples with slimmer builds, though "slim" was relative compared to the other sects. They still had large frames and lean, tough muscles. Their hands were calloused, the base of their thumbs especially thick. Their gazes were sharp and felt like looking at the edge of a blade.

Thunder Blade Sect was a Covert Martial Arts sect that specialized in blade techniques. The blades they used weren't ordinary long swords but a rather peculiar weapon that, although it resembled a machete, was distinctly different. That weapon was known as the Thunder Blade and boasted a strange and sinister wielding technique.

In the northern Covert Martial Arts world, Thunder Blade Sect and White Water Sword were long-standing rivals. They were at odds in every generation, often opposing each other, with many disciples dying at the hands of the other sect as a result. Whenever one side took part in a meeting or operation, the other typically stayed away. Sometimes, they even deliberately took opposing sides in an operation.

But for once, Thunder Blade Sect and White Water Sword had finally agreed to cooperate. The Soul Power was just too alluring, and it wasn't like it would kill them to sit down and talk.

When Mi An and Duomo went to persuade various sects in the northern Covert Martial Arts world half a month ago, they were somewhat concerned about the tense relationship between Thunder Blade Sect and White Water Sword. To their surprise, offering up a little information about the Soul Power was enough to reconcile Thunder Blade Sect and White Water Sword.

It was said that the higher-ups held a joint meeting overnight, during which both sides had a fierce fight. By the next morning, the atmosphere between them was respectful and harmonious, at least, outwardly.

It seemed that, until Black Rain Manor was brought down, Thunder Blade Sect and White Water Sword were willing to play along with each other, doing their very best to not tear into the other, because during the battle, the Northern Covert Martial Arts Alliance needed to present a united front. This was non-negotiable.

If any sect acted out of line, it would be kicked out. Neither Thunder Blade Sect nor White Water Sword wanted that to happen—at least for the moment. Hence, they had no choice but to obey the rules.

By the time morning ended, the first batch of disciples from the northern Covert Martial Arts sects who had arrived in East Sea City had been brought to the manor.

They would rest for the night, then take the train from East Sea City to Anta City, where there would be people waiting to receive them. Those people would then lead them to do some preparatory work.

Pronk Manor was located on the outskirts of East Sea City, surrounded by woods on one side. Not too far away, a small town with distinct southern characteristics stood atop a small hill. The town's tallest building was a three-story house, with square corners and entirely whitewashed walls covered in a dense layer of ivy.

On a semicircle white balcony on the third floor, a girl with short hair, dyed a rare blue color, held binoculars and peered out. She was dressed in a purple floral skirt that barely covered her thighs, highlighting the pale, taut curves of her calves below. A wide brown belt cinched her slender waist, and above that, she had a voluptuous figure that ultimately led to a delicate oval face with bright, striking features. Her short hair added a sharp edge to her appearance.

She stood at the edge of the balcony, leaning her weight on the railing, with her binoculars locked on Pronk Manor. She had been in that position the entire morning.

A hoarse voice floated from behind. "Well, Olin? Have you found the person?"

The blue-haired woman jumped, turning her head to look inside. A burly man was seated on a brown sofa, dressed in a black leather jacket, and his wild, curly brown hair cascaded over his shoulders. He wore a black mask that had three holes for the mouth, nostrils, and left eye; the entire right side was smooth and intact. The man was likely blind in that eye.

Seeing the mask, Olin immediately let out a sigh of relief. She then walked back inside and somewhat nervously prepared tea for the man. Olin sat on the opposite sofa, speaking slowly, "Deputy Leader, I've found him. I can confirm that he lives in Pronk Manor. I've seen him coming and going often."

The one-eyed man, known as the Deputy Leader, nodded slightly. "That man called Twilight has the qualifications to become a core member of our organization. We need to recruit him."

The one-eyed man sighed inwardly. The White Wind Organization still had far too few members. While it was easy to recruit peripheral, formal, and elite members, they couldn't nurture true core members. Each of their core members was a defector from Black Rain Manor, a powerful marked-one who had escaped the pursuit of the Decaying Knights through various means. It was something impossible to replicate.

For that reason, every successful defector was a prime recruitment target for the White Wind Organization. Somehow, they had managed to track down Joachim Manor and had learned from nearby villagers of the intense commotion that day. From the manor's ruins, they deduced that a powerful marked-one had betrayed Black Rain Manor, used everything at their disposal to delay the Decaying Knights and successfully escape Black Rain's reach.

Since then, the White Wind Organization had been secretly investigating and searching. They finally found that marked-one in East Sea City.

The person was Cassius, whose current name was Twilight. Recently, he had been moving between East Sea City and Anta City.

"Core member!" Olin's beautiful eyes widened. She had been recruited as a peripheral member of the White Wind Organization five years ago, making some significant contributions to the organization since then, including completing many tasks before becoming a formal member. And to think this man called Twilight could already be directly recruited as a core member. It was quite incredible.

Olin was very envious of this man who was able to jump three ranks in one step. The White Wind Organization was not an ordinary interest group but a powerful secret society. Even becoming a peripheral member granted one wealth and status, and once recruited as a formal member, one could learn and master mysterious powers.

The elite and core members were rarely seen, as they constantly moved across the Northern and Southern Reef Continent, traveling back and forth for a secret purpose. As for what that purpose was, Olin didn't yet know. With her status the way it currently was, she wasn't qualified to know.

Olin had just happened to be in East Sea City when the Deputy Leader enlisted her to remotely monitor Pronk Manor and to keep an eye on that man called Twilight. She had been watching all morning.

"Is Twilight still in the manor?" The masked man took a small sip of tea; the opening in his mask around the mouth was wide enough that he could even eat.

"Yes, he's in the manor now. He returned about half an hour ago." Olin nodded, taking a sip of her tea.

"Good, I'll go have a chat with him now." The masked man set down his cup and was about to get up.

"Wait, Deputy Leader!" Olin suddenly looked up.

"What is it?"

"Well...it seems many strong men are patrolling Pronk Manor, at least two or three hundred, and they seem to be bringing in firearms. I saw trucks carrying a large number of guns and explosives into the manor. It looks like a big gang, or... or maybe the military..." Olin bit her lip.

"A gang? The military?" The masked man was a bit puzzled.

"Yes, and it seems that Twilight is on good terms with this gang. He might even be a high-ranking member," Olin said.

The masked man fell silent.

Half an hour later, on a small hill near Pronk Manor, the masked man and Olin appeared, each holding a pair of binoculars as they peered into the manor.

At the same time, a dozen figures were chatting in a vacant lot beside the manor's lawn. All of them were elders of the northern Covert Martial Arts world. Some were discussing plans for the Northern Covert Martial Arts Alliance, while others were simply catching up.

Old friends and rivals who hadn't seen each other in a long time started sparring as they talked. For instance, Elder Oro of Skyfall Cross Sect and Elder Aomori of Steel Fist Dao were getting ready to have a go at each other over a disagreement. The others were more than happy to watch, and Cassius was also eager to see the different Covert Martial Arts styles of the northern sects. It would be a way to broaden his horizons.

The elders of the various Covert Martial Arts sects spread out on the vacant lot until only Oro of Skyfall Cross Sect and Aomori of Steel Fist Dao remained as they faced off against each other. Two invisible auras expanded silently, distorting and rippling the air between them due to some unseen force.

"It seems the last time we sparred was ten years ago. You beat me by one move that time, but this time..." Aomori shook his head.

"Heh..." Oro sneered. "Stop dawdling. Let's do this."

Almost in the next second...

Boom!

Aomori instantly disappeared from his spot, reappearing in the next moment in a punching stance. His steel fist, which possessed a terrifying force, struck, and the air exploded.

Oro had already moved from that spot like lightning. His hands which were originally tucked in his pockets suddenly shot out. The cross-shaped muscles on the back of his hands bulged as immense power surged.

Swish!

Two powerful streams of energy struck, heading toward Aomori's back at a thunderous speed. It looked less like a sparring move and more like a deadly blow.

Smack!

Aomori's toes dug deep into the ground. He instantly twisted his body and punched, his hands becoming a blur of black shadows. At that moment, their palms and fists clashed nearly a hundred times in the air. The rapid crackling sounds were like deafening firecrackers, and their sleeves were ripped apart from the force.

Aomori's black fist tore through the air at high speed, but Oro dodged, his body nearly brushing the ground. Using some unknown technique, he pivoted on his toes and sailed over in an arc.

It was as if he had rubbed oil all over his body. He effortlessly appeared behind Aomori. The hands still in his pockets suddenly swelled. As if performing a quick-draw technique, he speedily pulled his hands out of his pockets.

"Gale Cross Mark!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A black cross streaked through the air. His palm struck Aomori's back with a crisp, popping sound, shredding Aomori's shirt and revealing the lean, bronze muscles beneath and a strong back like a bat's. There was a crimson cross-shaped mark in the center of his back.

"You're...getting more and more slippery with age!" Aomori let out a low growl, the veins on his face bulging like dense tree branches and throbbing terrifyingly. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a burst of energy, his clothes exploded. The muscles underneath squirmed and rippled like mice, an intimidating mix of black and red. He stomped the ground, launching himself like an arrow.

At the same time, Oro stepped forward but was forced to lean back as if he were about to fall. Aomori was faster, his hands turning into a series of afterimages like javelins that were being thrown.

Oro also made his move, and their arms collided again. A tremendous force exploded in the air, creating a blurred shockwave.

If a third person were watching from the side, they would see that the collision between the two was extremely strange. One was advancing while the other retreated, as they moved, almost as if they were sliding, at a sixty-degree angle to the ground. The vacant lot looked as if it had been plowed by an ox, with dirt exploding and flying everywhere.

The two figures flashed by at high speed, drawing a clear black arc. Wherever the arc passed, dust surged and the ground collapsed. A decorative tree with a diameter of about half a meter was even forcibly broken by the two. It was like elephants had stampeded through the scene.

Whoosh!

Oro spread his arms wide and flung a long tree trunk into the air. Aomori's eyes flashed coldly as he executed a swift whip kick on the spot, fiercely kicking the heavy trunk away. The trunk soared over the wall, tracing a long arc in the air before finally landing on the hillside with a thud.

The masked man and Olin felt their legs go numb. They silently lowered their binoculars and then glanced at the tree trunk embedded five meters away.

"D-Deputy Leader, m-maybe we should back off for now... These gang members seem a bit too intense..."