Tokyo Knights: The Odd Jobs X Files

The cold voice said.

Li Xin sighed inwardly. These two seniors had reached an unbelievable level of martial arts, yet they had no more ties to the outside world and could only live in seclusion atop this Tianshan Mountain. How tragic...

Li Xin bowed to the two snowmen again and was about to descend the mountain when a cold voice suddenly called out to him.

"etc!"

Li Xin stopped and asked, "May I ask if there is anything else you need, senior?"

The cold voice sighed and said to Li Xin, "You have too many martial arts techniques, which is not conducive to your actual combat... How about this, I will also pass on a secret formula to you. Remember it, it may be helpful to you."

Then he recited the mantra to Li Xin: "Sever yourself from birth and death, be detached from thoughts and worries, transcend form and knowledge, sit upright and learn the fasting of the mind..."

Unlike the gentle voice's previous set of incantations, the incantations taught by the cold voice were profound and difficult to understand, even containing many theories of the I Ching. When Li Xin practiced the "Wedding Dress Divine Skill," he studied some I Ching with Secretary Wang in order to understand the contents, but even so, there were still many parts of the incantations that were difficult to comprehend at first listen.

This incantation was still short, similar to the one in the gentle voice, and Li Xin memorized it after hearing it once.

After memorizing the two incantations, Li Xin bid farewell to his two seniors, "Wind and Snowman" and "Cloud and Snowman," and was about to leave when two voices suddenly called out in unison, "Wait!"

Li Xin stopped again and asked, "Seniors, is there any other martial arts technique you wish to teach me?"

A cold voice sneered, "Dream on."

The gentle voice smiled slightly and said, "It's not about martial arts, but there's something I need to ask you."

Li Xin was puzzled. The two of them had just said they had no worries while they were away, so why were they now saying they had something to ask him?

However, Li Xin was still very happy to be able to help the two seniors. He never liked to owe others anything. He had received such a great favor from the two seniors, "Feng" and "Yun". If he didn't have to repay them, he would feel uncomfortable.

"Please speak, seniors!"

Li Xin's spirits lifted.

Seeing that Li Xin still looked happy while helping others, the gentle voice couldn't help but find it amusing. He said, "If you step into the Divine Realm within ten years, come here again."

"If you fail to enter the realm of gods within ten years, then you don't need to come back after ten years."

The cold voice said.

Ten years...

Li Xin muttered to himself, the more his strength increased, the more distant the legendary divine realm seemed to him.

Even though Li Xin felt his chances of entering the realm of gods were slim after ten years, he still decided to give it his all!

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two snowmen, "Wind" and "Cloud," and said, "This junior will do his utmost!"

Within ten years, he will surely ascend to the summit of Tianshan again!

The gentle voice concluded, "Before you leave, could you please perform the 'Heavenly Frost Fist' one more time?"

Li Xin clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Yes!"

As Li Xin practiced the "Heavenly Frost Fist," both the gentle voice and the cold voice fell into reminiscence.

How I miss those days, how I miss the time we practiced martial arts together, Senior Brother Shuang...

Chapter 748 "The Two Heavenly Yama Kings"

Descending the mountain was no challenge for Li Xin, who had already mastered the "Wind God Leg" technique to a whole new level. He didn't even use his military coat as a parachute; he jumped directly from the snow-capped peak, using the wind to counteract the force of his fall, and landed safely in a relatively flat area on Tomur Peak.

Looking back at the summit of Tomur Peak, Li Xin bowed deeply before heading off in a certain direction.

Knowing that Li Xin was climbing Tomur Peak in search of snow lotuses from the Tianshan Mountains that were over 500 years old, as a reward for Li Xin's practice of the "Heavenly Frost Fist," Senior "Feng" told Li Xin where he could find snow lotuses from the Tianshan Mountains that were old enough.

On the way to the Tianshan Snow Lotus, Li Xin was filled with many thoughts.

The two seniors, "Feng" and "Yun," were fellow disciples. They instructed him on "Feng Shen Tui" (Wind God Leg) and "Piao Yun Zhang" (Cloud Dispelling Palm), but not "Tian Shuang Quan" (Heavenly Frost Fist). Li Xin guessed that they must have had another senior or junior brother—most likely a senior brother. The three disciples each practiced one of the three ultimate martial arts of "Leg, Palm, and Fist" and brought it to its full glory. However, that senior brother either lacked talent or had a tragic fate and was unable to accompany them to the end. The two disciples initially instructed Li Xin after seeing him perform "Tian Shuang Quan," and they couldn't help but project their longing for that senior brother onto Li Xin.

As for the identities of the two seniors, "Feng" and "Yun", Li Xin had a general idea.

As Zhen Yuanzhai previously stated, the reason why there was no "catastrophe of world destruction" in the Central Plains was because more than four hundred years ago, three near-god level experts accomplished their task in one battle, eliminating the "Great Catastrophe of a Thousand Autumns." One of them died from exhaustion, while the other two near-god level experts disappeared without a trace afterward.

The two seniors, "Wind" and "Cloud," should be the two near-god level experts who went missing back then. However, for some reason, they could only stay on the summit of Tianshan Mountain, and even when the Central Plains suffered a calamity, the two were unable to lend a helping hand.

Li Xin vaguely felt that the two seniors, "Feng" and "Yun," wanted him to enter the Divine Realm and then go up the mountain within ten years, which might be related to the "Great Tribulation of a Thousand Autumns" back then. The fact that they specifically set a ten-year deadline must also have a special purpose. In short, within ten years, Li Xin must find a way to become a near-god level expert and go up the mountain again to help the two seniors.

Upon arriving at the place indicated by the "Wind" senior, Li Xin indeed found a quietly growing Tian Shan snow lotus. When he met the mountain people before, Li Xin asked them how to distinguish the age of Tian Shan snow lotus. Using this method, he determined that this Tian Shan snow lotus was probably more than five hundred years old.

The miraculous medicine that could prolong life was right in front of him, but Li Xin did not pick it because Senior "Feng" had reminded him that the Tianshan Snow Lotus was most potent when picked in early July, when the flowers were fully open but had not yet formed seeds. The Tianshan Snow Lotus was still in bud and would need to wait about another month for it to fully bloom.

With nothing else to do, Li Xin settled down around the Tianshan Snow Lotus and practiced martial arts day and night, mainly focusing his energy on the two sets of oral instructions and mental techniques taught to him by the two seniors "Feng" and "Yun" before he went down the mountain.

The mantra and mental technique passed down by the senior "Feng" is called "Ice Heart Mantra". When Li Xin first recited it, he thought it was a method to suppress distracting thoughts and bring peace to the mind. However, after careful study, Li Xin discovered that this mantra actually utilizes and integrates distracting thoughts, rather than simply suppressing them.

It is important to understand that people living in this world will inevitably be disturbed by the complexities of worldly affairs. If distracting thoughts cannot be completely eliminated, suppressing them may instead lead to the growth of demonic thoughts.

Some people who have practiced spiritual cultivation throughout their lives suddenly experience a drastic change in their temperament in their later years, becoming reckless and willful. This is the backlash caused by excessive self-control.

However, the "Ice Heart Technique" is intended to resolve and reconcile with the distracting thoughts in one's mind. It even utilizes the distracting thoughts that were originally obstacles to cultivation, thus greatly enhancing the efficiency of cultivation.

The mantra and mental technique "Wuqiu Yijue" passed down to Li Xin by the senior "Yun" is even more powerful. Although Li Xin has not fully understood it yet, he can roughly know that this mantra takes "Dao follows nature and reverses it" as its core theme, advocates to unite oneself with the external world, follow nature and follow the laws, and emphasizes the state of being without desire.

Of course, this is the core spirit of "Easy Secrets of No Need for Struggle". In practice, it can enhance the artistic level of martial arts. Even ordinary martial arts can unleash amazing power when integrated with these secrets, which is exactly what Li Xin needs right now.

So while waiting for the Tianshan snow lotus to bloom, Li Xin studied the two martial arts manuals and rebuilt his internal energy, trying to recover the scattered "Wedding Dress True Qi," "Bright Jade True Qi," and "Return to Origin True Qi"... no, it should be "Wind and Cloud True Qi."

As time passed day by day, while Li Xin patiently cultivated himself, many things were happening in Tokyo.

....................................

"X" Agency, Crocodile swallowed hard, looking at the two menacing guests in front of him with some bewilderment.

"What? You're saying that kid went off to cultivate?"

Wu Ji frowned, and the slightest leak of his aura made Crocodile feel like he was going to wet his pants.

Unlike Li Xin, Wu Jike never knew what "approachable" meant. As the sect leader of the Great Rakshasa Sect, he was always full of authority. Only in front of those who could earn his favor would his attitude be slightly better. Crocodile was obviously not that kind of person.

Crocodile Man stammered, "Yes, yes... Ah Xin has gone out to cultivate and won't be back for a while..."

"Tch, he got away!"

The Martial Arts Are Not Satisfying.

He had just recovered from his injuries and felt that his strength had increased again. He was just about to test his skills against Li Xin when Li Xin went off to cultivate.

What's with all this cultivation? Come back and fight me!

Since Li Xin wasn't there, Xiang Ying suggested, "Let's go find Hayabusa and wait for Ah Xin there."

Wu Ji nodded: "That works too. His place is spacious, so it'll be more enjoyable to fight there."

(Ryu Hayabusa: Don't come any closer!)

After Wu Ji and Xiang Ying left, Crocodile Lao wiped the sweat from his forehead. Luckily, these two old men were gone, otherwise he really couldn't afford to offend either of them.

While Wu Ji and Xiang Ying were in Tokyo looking for Li Xin, a massive earthquake also struck the "Darkness" side.

"What? Your Excellency, you want to withdraw from the 'Darkness'?"

Kaoru Tsujiri stared wide-eyed at Shiki Kira no Suke, who had made such a startling decision.

Shiki Kōnosuke remained calm and said, "That's right, I'm leaving 'Darkness'."

Kaoru Tsujiri's throat bobbed.

There is a rule in "Darkness" that members who join "Darkness" cannot leave, otherwise they will be hunted down by all members of "Darkness". And this rule... was set by Shiki Kōnosuke himself.

This is normal. Underground organizations like "Darkness" control their subordinates through strict rules and have zero tolerance for betrayal. There is no such thing as escaping unscathed. What if others follow suit if a precedent is set? So of course, this phenomenon must be eradicated.

However, when the person who set the rule takes the lead in breaking it, things suddenly become complicated. They are "dark," so should they hunt down Shiki Kōnosuke?

Shiki Kōnosuke naturally saw through Tsujizane Kaoru's thoughts, and he said directly, "If you want to hunt me down, then come on, I welcome you. Of course, you should also be prepared to be killed by me. I will definitely not surrender."

These words gave Tsuji Kaoru another headache.

Who are they hunting down?

Hunting down Shiki Kōnosuke?

Hunting down "Two Heavenly Yama Kings", the leader of the "Eight Blades of Sin", and one of the founders of "Darkness"?

Hunting down a peak-level extraordinary expert whose strength is at the pinnacle of the world, even when near-godhood is absent?

Who's killing whom? Are you even speaking human language?

Kaoru Tsujiri asked cautiously, "Boss, may I ask why you chose to leave 'Darkness'? Is there something we did wrong?"

The fact that Shiki Kōnosuke has withdrawn from "Darkness" is a huge event, so huge that it could almost shake the very foundation of "Darkness".

Putting aside the fact that Shiki Kōnosuke's departure from "Darkness" will cause "Darkness" to lose a transcendent powerhouse, or even a peak transcendent powerhouse, his violation of "Darkness's" rules alone will trigger a series of chain reactions.

It's important to understand that the establishment of "Darkness" largely relied on the prestige of "Ninja King Yama." If Shiki Kōnosuke leaves "Darkness," what about those skilled individuals who joined "Darkness" out of admiration for him and a desire for his guidance? Will they remain in "Darkness," or will they follow Shiki Kōnosuke's example and leave?

In a daze, Tsuji Kaoru seemed to see the "shadow" shatter into pieces.

My Lord, even if you really decide to do this, don't just tell me. At least summon the "Eight Blades of Sin" and the "One Shadow Nine Fists" to announce it in public. Who am I to just tell me? Do you think I have the authority to make such a decision?

Kaoru Tsuji was so desperate she wanted to die. If she died, she wouldn't have to worry about things that were completely beyond her level.

"This is a notification, not a discussion."

Shiki Kōnosuke's expression was very indifferent, which made Tsujizane Kaoru's heart tremble.

Kaoru Tsuji had noticed that since emerging from seclusion, Kou no Suke seemed to have become increasingly indifferent to his surroundings.

While the former Shiki Kōnosuke didn't care much about worldly affairs, he gave Tsujizane Kaoru the impression of being "too lazy to bother with them," but now he is "completely indifferent."

The two may look similar, but they are completely different in essence. The current Shiki-Kounosuke has completely lost his worldly emotions compared to before.

Kaoru Tsujiri felt an overwhelming sense of dread looking at Shiki Kira no Suke, but she still mustered her courage and asked, "What will happen to the weapons team after that? Without a leader, who will lead us?"

"A snake cannot move without a head." The weapon group is led by the "Eight Blades of Sin," which is headed by "Two Heavens Kings of Hell." With the loss of the leader, Shiki Kōnosuke, who will lead the "Eight Blades of Sin" in the future?

Although in his previous life, Kōnosuke was only the nominal leader and usually focused on his own training, rarely leading the weapons team to do anything, it can't be said that he didn't do anything at all!

A leader can be a figurehead, or even a puppet, but he cannot be absent!

Shiki Huangwo Zhizhu casually said, "Go find 'Nine Heavens Thunder God'. He is also an extraordinary powerhouse, and he is young. He has a great chance of reaching the peak of the extraordinary in the future. With him in the weapon group, the weapon group will not fall."

probably.

Shiki Kōnosuke added a sentence in his mind.

Even though Tsujizane Kaoru was Xiang Ying's man (as she considered herself), she couldn't help but say, "But the 'Nine Heavens Thunder God' is still missing!"

Although Shiki Kōnosuke doesn't care about the Weapons Group's affairs, at least the Weapons Group can find him when they need him. As for Xiang Ying... Xiang Ying is usually impossible to find. He's even less responsible than Shiki Kōnosuke. Tsuji Kenkaru is the most qualified to say this.

"That's none of my business."

Shiki Kōnosuke shrugged and dismissed Tsujizane Kaoru: "Alright, you can leave now."

Kaoru Tsujiri felt utterly hopeless, thinking to himself, "How can these bastards be so irresponsible?" Suddenly, Kou no Suke called out to Kaoru Tsujiri again, "Wait!"

Just when Tsuji Kiri thought that Seki Kou no Suke had changed his mind, Seki Kou no Suke said again, "I almost forgot, this is a 'dark' place, I should be the one leaving."

Then he abandoned Tsuji Kaoru and left alone, his departing figure exceptionally dashing, showing no lingering attachment to the elegant Japanese garden or the power of the leader of the "Dark" weapons group.

In his previous life, Kōnosuke said that "Shin-nosuke" was the most suitable martial art for him, and that was absolutely true.

At the very beginning, Shiki Kōnosuke killed two of his closest disciples to prove his resolve after suffering two defeats at the hands of Li Xin, and began to practice "Mindful Slash".

However, after he began practicing "Heart Slash," Seki Kōnosuke's hatred for Li Xin disappeared.

"Mindful Slash" is not only a sword technique, but also a mental cultivation method. The first thing to cut is the chaotic emotions that are useless to martial arts. After practicing "Mindful Slash", Shiki Kōnosuke realized that his hatred for Li Xin was ridiculous and not something a martial artist should have.

It was at that time that Shiki Kōnosuke completely clarified his thoughts, and his strength improved by leaps and bounds... no, it should be said that he returned to his peak.

Originally, Shiki Kōnosuke was a peak extraordinary expert who had already reached the "enlightened" realm, and his martial arts were extraordinary and saintly.

As time went by, Shiki Kōnosuke's skills became more refined and his swordsmanship more exquisite. However, due to the establishment of "Darkness," he was burdened by various mundane affairs, and his mind became clouded, causing him to fall out of the "Clarity" realm and his combat power to be greatly reduced.

Previously, Shiki Kōnosuke and Li Xin had fought twice and both suffered losses and retreats. In addition to Li Xin's reasonable use of tactics, a big reason was that Shiki Kōnosuke's realm had deteriorated, and he had the power but could not unleash its strongest power.

When the world's most powerful hero, Kou no Suke, unleashed his first strike, severing all those complex emotions, he immediately regained his extraordinary peak combat power.

But that wasn't enough. After being defeated by the old drunkard Chin Gentsai, Seigaku Kogawa no Suke realized that this was not enough to reach the ultimate "Shin-saku" (Severance Slash). So he unleashed a second strike, severing his ties with the world—exiting the "darkness".

After unleashing two consecutive strikes, Shiki Kōnosuke felt his mental state had improved significantly, and his understanding of swordsmanship had become more profound.

Compared to worldly power, this improvement in martial arts was what pleased Shiki Huangwozhi more. His previous hatred for Li Xin had now turned into gratitude.

He was truly grateful to Li Xin. If Li Xin hadn't woken him up, he would probably still be obsessed with worldly things like famous swords and power. As a token of his gratitude, he would be determined to kill Li Xin and duel him!