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Chapter 78: Orange Dog's Shock, Points Galore, Lin Ye Goes Mad, Dragon Goes Numb [1.2 words, seeking first-time subscription]

[Fuyao's birthday is tomorrow, so please consider subscribing to this chapter a birthday gift, okay? (。?ω?。)ノ?]

……

Rumble!

Like thunder roaring, the river surged and roared.

Its name is Tama River. It originates from a thousand-meter-high mountain in Yamanashi Prefecture, where it flows down like a silver river from the heavens, eventually becoming a long waterfall that rushes into Tokyo.

There are many mountain ranges here, and the most majestic of them all is Mount Fuji. It is the highest peak in all of Japan and is also known as the father of volcanoes. You can see thick black smoke rising straight into the sky from the snow-capped summit, as if a fiery river of lava will erupt from the crater at any moment. If that moment comes, Japan will not be far from its demise.

Many people believe this is the entrance to hell because of the frequent volcanic eruptions that have not subsided even after millions of years. In fact, these intricate mountain ranges, including Mount Fuji and all the other peaks, are layers of solidified lava ejected after volcanic eruptions. They have been attached year after year until, after millions of years, they have gathered together to form Mount Fuji, which is three thousand meters high.

In the eyes of the ancients, the golden lava flowing from the inside of the volcano was perhaps regarded as the water of the underworld, and they used its scalding power to punish sinful souls. Therefore, the ancients built a shrine here to suppress the gates of hell.

Every year, a ritual to appease Yama is held here to prevent the so-called waters of the underworld from flowing into the human world and causing widespread suffering.

clap clap clap!

Each raindrop struck the awning heavily, making a loud noise, like the booming of thousands of war drums.

Masahiko Sakurai wiped the rain off his face. He wasn't even wearing a raincoat because the wind and rain were too strong and wearing one would make him look clumsy.

The hydraulic drilling rig roared as it operated at full power, rapidly advancing deeper into the earth.

Through his glasses, Masahiko Sakurai looked at the ground being dug up.

He deserves much credit for being able to detect the third-generation species fluctuations in the underground river beneath the Tama River so quickly.

Because a research institute was actually built next to Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. To be precise, Japan built the research institute here after the beginning of the 21st century, with the aim of studying these dormant volcanoes and constantly monitoring the condition of Mount Fuji.

Typically, numerous boreholes are drilled into the mountainside, and long, narrow probes are inserted straight into the bottom of the boreholes. Sensors are embedded at the end of the probes, which transmit various fluctuation data from deep within the earth. Through analysis, summarization, and organization by research institutes, various status reports on the surrounding dormant volcanoes and Mount Fuji can be compiled during this period. The focus is on Mount Fuji, as any abnormality in this supervolcano known as the "father of volcanoes" is a terrifying situation that requires very serious attention.

After all, this supervolcano appears to be dormant, but this dormancy is not deathly stillness; it's like it's asleep, and who knows when it will wake up.

We might really have to ask the ghosts then, because when Mount Fuji erupts, the entire city of Tokyo will be destroyed in an instant, and tens of millions of people will die. Once these people become ghosts, they will naturally know when Mount Fuji erupted.

Even those who are lucky enough not to be instantly covered by lava will not escape disaster later on, because this is a supervolcano. Once it erupts, the waterfall formed by lava will reach the sky and the volcanic ash will fall like torrential rain, drifting over Tokyo for years. The entire city will not see the sun for a long time to come, which will be an incredibly long and despairing cold night.

Therefore, even those humans who were lucky enough to survive the first wave of lava eruptions could not escape their eventual death. Perhaps dying early meant a better life and spared them the despairing and oppressive slow death that followed.

Imagine this place turning into a dead city in the future, so dark that there isn't even a ray of light, and the air is filled with the pungent smell of sulfur. Survivors will feel suffocated, and because there is no sunlight, the temperature will drop sharply. Those who survive will face suffocation, cold, hunger, and all sorts of despair. This place will become a true hell.

Faced with this sudden situation, the Japanese government had no other options but to evacuate, and all personnel had to leave.

The reason for this continuous monitoring over the years is to ensure that people can evacuate more quickly when the actual incident occurs. This is the so-called cooling-off plan, which means that when the moment comes, the entire population of Tokyo will be evacuated. Of course, the Imperial Family and Cabinet will be the first to be sent overseas for refuge.

One cabinet official jokingly said, "What's the use of running away? When that moment comes, Japan will truly perish. What good is the Imperial Family and the Cabinet if the country is gone? What's the point of having an Imperial Family and a Cabinet then? But if that happens, there's nothing they can do, because it's a disaster that no human can withstand."

well, let's get back to business.

In fact, Masahiko Sakurai had been working at this research institute for six years. He was an informant planted by the Hebi-Hachi family in the institute, with the aim of monitoring all movements of Mount Fuji. This was actually a basic operation of the Hebi-Hachi family. In Japan, almost every important position is held by a member of a family, so to some extent, the Hebi-Hachi family is the actual controller of this country.

Not long ago, after Sakurai Masahiko detected the fluctuations of pure-blooded dragons in this area, he immediately reported it to his family. In a short period of time, his family arranged a series of backup plans. Dozens of large armored vehicles were dispatched, filled with mercury and thermite incendiary bombs. It was clear that they wanted to corrode the monster hidden deep in the underground river to death. But these were just backup plans.

When the three-meter-diameter spherical deep-sea submersible was brought in, Masahiko Sakurai knew the family's intentions.

They planned to send people down to hunt down the pure-blooded dragon first. Once the dragon was completely incapacitated, they might use mercury and thermite incendiary bombs as a precaution, to prevent the dragon from retaliating before it died and causing various changes to Mount Fuji.

But what Masahiko Sakurai didn't expect was that the person preparing to enter the deep-sea submersible would be the young master, Genjiro.

From the moment they appeared, the other party kept consulting with the instruments, and a dedicated staff member explained things to them. Yuan Zhisheng even personally entered the deep-sea submersible to experience it and kept adjusting it.

The young master's noble status and the family's expectations of him all demonstrate the importance of Yuan Zhisheng. His safety is even more important than that of the patriarch. However, it was unexpected that he was preparing to dive down to the underground river to hunt down pure-blooded dragons of the third generation.

It was especially unbelievable to see that the patriarch, Tachibana Masamune, also accompanied them.

What made Masahiko Sakurai even more speechless was that the person who went down with the young master, Genjiro, was not one of the top-level combatants from the families he knew, but rather an unknown nobody.

Wait, this guy looks like that top male escort from Takamagahara!

Sakurai Masahiko confirmed it several times until a female colleague next to him exclaimed in surprise. When she saw Lin Ye appear, she was completely infatuated and couldn't resist, clearly a fan of his.

This female colleague was just a staff member dispatched by the research institute to be responsible for observation. She was not a member of the Snake Clan. They only needed her observation skills in this area. Afterwards, she would naturally be hypnotized and brainwashed. However, I didn't expect that this female colleague had been to Takamagahara and even recognized Lin Ye, the top courtesan.

For a moment, Masahiko Sakurai felt a sense of disillusionment with life. Everything seemed to be developing in an unpredictable direction. However, no one seemed to notice this, and instead thought that everything was reasonable.

It is said that our young master went to such a dangerous place with only a male prostitute by his side. What about this river?

Oh right, this seems to be in a river, and it's even an underground river.

He rubbed his face hard, trying to snap himself out of his disillusionment.

Although the location of the suspected third-generation species' resting place in the underground river has been found, the information was obtained from the drilled holes. If we want to take a deep-sea submersible to the river, we must expand the more than 300-meter-deep tunnel again until it can accommodate the submersible.

This is an essential item for this dive. Being inside it not only allows you to withstand the immense water pressure, but more importantly, the submersible's toughness makes it perfectly usable as a defensive weapon. In the event of a powerful attack, the submersible will act as an indestructible shield.

After all, no one knows what strange things might be in the underground river, especially with a lurking pure-blooded dragon among them, so they have to be extra careful.

Since there are dragons, other creatures might also emerge. Although they may not be as powerful as that dragon, anything tainted with dragon blood would certainly be a terrifying creature.

Fortunately, the drilling and expansion work has been going on all night, and it will be fully completed in another half hour at most, allowing people to take a deep-sea submersible down to the underground river more than 300 meters deep.

……

"Lord Lin Ye, when my daughter had an accident last time, it was you who risked your life to save her. As Erii's father, I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. Now, I'm asking you to risk your life to enter the dark river and fight against dragons. I am truly ashamed."

Tachibana Masamune said to Lin Ye with a wry smile.

At this moment, he was not the powerful patriarch of the Snake Clan, but rather a remorseful old father yearning for the boy's forgiveness.

The staff around him felt that Tachibana Masamune was even more charming. How could a father who deeply loves his daughter, such a loyal and affectionate person, not cherish the Snake-Headed Eight Family?

Over the years, Tachibana Masamune has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Hebi-Hachi family. The family's prosperity today is inseparable from the hard work of this patriarch for decades. Many family members have never seen him take a day off. He is either in a meeting or on his way to a meeting every day. With such a busy schedule, how could he possibly have time to spend with his family?

The patriarch hasn't even had a woman by his side all these years. He has truly sacrificed everything for the family, even putting his own feelings aside for the time being. Now, seeing the patriarch's face full of guilt as he tries to gain Lin Ye's forgiveness, one can only say that the patriarch has truly devoted his life to the family. Although he deeply loves his daughter, he cannot spare any time for her. Like a lit candle, Tachibana Masamune illuminates the entire family but cannot warm his own. This is so pitiful, lamentable, and yet admirable.

Many clansmen felt a lump in their throats and silently shed tears. At this moment, they felt that Tachibana Masamune's seemingly old and frail figure stood tall and firm in their hearts, like a majestic mountain supporting the Snake-Headed Eight Families.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ye couldn't help but chuckle.

"Headmistress, I'm with Erii, so of course I'll take full responsibility for her safety. And I want to say that no matter what hurts her, I'll make them pay the most terrible price. I won't let anyone who hurts Erii die immediately, but I'll torment them little by little, just like I tormented that dragon-shaped dead servant that day, making them scream in agony. Don't you think that sound is beautiful? I swear, anyone who dares to hurt Erii will live a life of hellish torment and pain for the rest of their life."

So please rest assured, everyone. And please keep a close eye on me. As a man, I'll keep my word. I will definitely fulfill my promise perfectly, and that day is almost here..."

Lin Ye smiled broadly, like a boy next door, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

But the boy's seemingly nonchalant tone, combined with the chilling content of his words, gave one the feeling of being targeted by a demon.

"...We look forward to your triumphant return."

Tachibana Masamune twitched his eyes, which were full of crow's feet. Lin Ye's words had completely stumped him, and he could only give an unnatural instruction.

But his acting was still very good, with a deep smile always on his lips.

"I'm also really looking forward to this triumphant return. I hope that when I see you again, patriarch, you'll still be smiling so brightly," Lin Ye said earnestly.

"...As you wish."

Tachibana Masamune felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Lin Ye's gaze towards him was the same as the one he had given to the dragon-shaped dead servant who had been toyed with to death the night before.

What the heck?! Did I give myself away?!

Tachibana Masamune thought to himself with suspicion.

However, he quickly dismissed this unbelievable idea. After all, how could Lin Ye possibly see through him unless the other party knew everything he had done, but that was undoubtedly wishful thinking.

His past has been buried in that devastating snowstorm, and everyone who knew it is dead. He is a wandering ghost in this world, drifting from Siberia all the way to Tokyo, and no one will ever know anything about him.

Unless the other party is also a true demon who knows everything about him.

But in this world, when it comes to true evil, who can compare to Herzog? He devoured all his rivals along the way, and finally stood at the highest point in Tokyo. He is the head of the Snake-Headed Eight Families, and he is also the king general of the Demon Clan. He almost controls the whole of Japan, and in the future, he will become the White Emperor, control the whole world, and let all the hybrids and resurrected dragons in the world be devoured by him. He wants to be the master of the whole world.

So how could this boy possibly be a more evil demon than him? It's ridiculous!

Just as Tachibana Masamune was lost in thought, his gaze inadvertently glanced over and he was so startled that he made a strange movement.

It's like when a cat is greatly frightened, its fur stands on end, and its body arches up suddenly, or even leans back.

This was an extremely rare instance of Tachibana Masamune losing his composure.

"Patriarch, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

The surrounding staff immediately gathered around and asked with concern.

"Master, rest assured, we will monitor the young master's condition in the deep-sea submersible and the movement of the underground river in real time. If any unexpected situation occurs, we will immediately implement another plan. If possible, please go to the car and rest for a while. We will notify you if anything happens."

Miyamoto Shio also quickly came over.

He thought that Tachibana Masamune was too worried about the safety of the young master, Genjiro, so that his mental state had deteriorated, and that it was a serious problem. The usually composed patriarch was trembling, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his aged face had turned ashen, as if he had contracted a serious illness.

"No need, I'm fine."

Tachibana Masamune waved his hand, took the towel handed to him by his subordinate, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and indicated that he had nothing else to say.

He glanced at the deep pit with lingering fear.

The submersible had already carried Lin Ye and Yuan Zhisheng into the cave, heading towards the underground river, the Red Demon River.

But Tachibana Masamune's aged hands were still trembling slightly.

Although Lin Ye was no longer visible, it was this boy who had just smiled at him through the submersible's porthole—a smile that was utterly chilling. [The eerie smile of the little girl in the hospital in the first Detective Chinatown movie]

As a true demon, Tachibana Masamune was all too familiar with that kind of smile.

Because every time he had toyed with his opponent, he would reveal this morbid and evil smile, and each time his opponent would be tormented to death by him in the most painful and desperate state.

Therefore, Masamune Tachibana was very familiar with this smile; it was exactly the feeling of being targeted by a demon.

In short, every opponent who gets his eye on with that smile ends up in a very miserable state.

How could Lin Ye possibly show such a smile to him? They weren't even that familiar with each other, yet the other person seemed to see right through his lewd, ruthless, treacherous, and cunning nature.

Could this boy have actually discovered some of my secrets?

For a moment, Tachibana Masamune's heart was in turmoil, and his mind was completely unsettled.

Although Lin Ye could no longer be seen, the boy's eerie, cold smile was deeply imprinted in his mind.

A biting wind carrying icy rain swept in, and Tachibana Masamune couldn't help but shiver violently.

For some reason, he suddenly felt that he would be in great trouble in the near future.

……