Chapter 128 Collecting Corpses

In just one day, the ship arrived in Nanjing.

Looking into the distance, the river was not deserted at all; it was still filled with sails and merchant ships coming and going, much to everyone's surprise.

The group inquired at a merchant ship and learned that the Japanese pirates had set up checkpoints on the river, allowing passage as long as money was paid, without killing anyone.

The group looked at each other in bewilderment. Did these Japanese pirates intend to stay here permanently and collect tolls?

"My boat can't go any further," the boatman said, pointing ahead. "If we go any further, we'll be discovered by the Japanese pirates."

The group disembarked ahead of time and stealthily made their way towards Nanjing along the riverbank. After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the terrain suddenly opened up ahead, and Jiangdong Gate came into view in the distance.

The city gates were tightly shut, and the banners on the city walls hung low; not a single person was in sight. Outside the city gates, a vast, dark encampment of Japanese pirates stretched as far as the eye could see, numbering at least a thousand. Within the camp, pirates patrolled back and forth, their weapons like a forest, their defenses impeccable.

To everyone's surprise, there were no signs of burning, killing, or looting outside the camp. The houses of the people, though tightly closed, were intact, and there were no corpses on the ground.

Qu Feiyan whispered, "Have these Japanese pirates changed their ways? Why aren't they looting anymore?"

Sarutobi Higetsu narrowed his eyes, stared at the Japanese pirate camp for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "It seems that Hattori Sengun is treating the Japanese pirates as soldiers and not just killing them indiscriminately. This guy even wants to fight his way back to his hometown. He has big ambitions."

Lin Zhennan nodded and said, "These Japanese pirates are different from the others."

Longkui asked Hattori Shichiro, "What exactly is your brother trying to do, blocking the gates of Nanjing and collecting taxes on behalf of the government?"

Hattori Shichiro said, "My brother is still dreaming of going back to his hometown and destroying Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He forbids his subordinates from raping and plundering. Heh heh, I'm not as stupid as him."

Everyone scoffed. This guy had said he was going to Anqing to be a vanguard, but it seems he really couldn't stand Hattori Sengun's military discipline.

The group walked a few more steps, rounded a grove of trees, and the scene outside Jiangdong Gate came into full view. Shi Potian suddenly stopped, his gaze fixed on a tall flagpole standing in front of the city gate.

The flagpole was about ten zhang tall, with a corpse hanging from its top. The body was suspended by a rope around its neck, swaying slightly in the wind. Its clothes were tattered, and it was covered in blood, making its face unrecognizable.

Following Shi Potian's gaze, Changjiang Shuangfeiyu's expression suddenly changed drastically.

"Master Long!" Master Qi cried out, his legs buckling and he almost knelt on the ground.

Master Yi trembled violently, his eyes red-rimmed, staring intently at the corpse, crying out, "It's Master Long...it's Master Long..."

The two could no longer hold back their tears. Master Qi suddenly stood up, about to rush towards the flagpole: "Master Long! I'll go and snatch Master Long back!"

Lin Zhennan grabbed him, saying, "No! That place is full of Japanese pirates. They're hanging there to deter anyone who dares to resist. Going there would be like walking into a trap!"

"Let me go!" Hall Master Qi hissed. "Master Long has treated me with the greatest kindness, how can I let him die without anyone to claim his body!"

Hall Master Yi, his eyes red, stood up as well: "Brother is right, even if it means death, we must bring Master Long back!"

The two struggled to rush forward, but Qu Feiyan stepped forward, blocking their way, and scolded, "All you do is show off! If you go to your deaths, will no one collect your Dragon Master's corpse?"

The two of them froze, standing there dumbfounded.

Sarutobi Higetsu stared at the flagpole for a moment, then slowly drew his katana: "I'll go."

Before he finished speaking, he had already leaped out and rushed straight for the flagpole!

Sarutobi Higetsu's lightness skill was already formidable; with a few leaps, he covered dozens of feet and was about to reach the flagpole. Suddenly, a whistle rang out from the camp, and dozens of Japanese pirates poured out of their tents, each wielding a bow and arrow. They formed three teams and took turns firing a volley at Sarutobi Higetsu!

Arrows rained down, densely packed!

Sarutobi Higetsu was greatly alarmed and quickly brandished his katana to protect himself. A series of crisp clanging sounds rang out as arrows were deflected, but the rain of arrows was too dense, wave after wave, forcing him to dodge left and right, his advance being abruptly halted.

Another volley of arrows rained down, and Sarutobi Higetsu faltered. An arrow grazed his shoulder, spraying blood. He groaned, knowing that charging forward would only lead to certain death, and could only grit his teeth and retreat.

When the Japanese pirates saw that Sarutobi Sun Moon had retreated, they did not pursue it, but instead cheered and laughed loudly in Japanese.

Sarutobi Higetsu returned to the group, his shoulder bleeding profusely, his face dejected: "I didn't expect Hattori Senjun to have archers. It seems this guy acquired quite a few military formations in Nanjing. This arrow formation is too dense; I'm incompetent and can't break through."

Hall Master Qi and Hall Master Yi exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with despair.

"I'll go."

A calm voice rang out.

Everyone turned around and saw that Shi Potian had already stepped forward.

"Ping'er!" Madam Wang said urgently, "The arrow formation is too dense; we mustn't act rashly out of loyalty..."

Lin Zhennan also advised, "Two fists can't fight four hands, let alone a thousand troops."

Shi Potian shook his head and said, "Don't worry, these arrows can't hurt me."

Without saying anything more, he moved and darted away.

With his Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Path of Lightness, he moved so fast that he left no afterimage and was incredibly fast. In just a few flashes, he was almost at the foot of the flagpole.

The Japanese pirates only saw a blur before their eyes, and suddenly another young man was already at the foot of the flagpole. They were terrified, not knowing where this person had come from, and quickly fired another volley.

Before the arrows even hit, Shi Potian leaped into the air, and all the arrows flew past his feet, missing their mark.

As the second volley of arrows came, Shi Potian tapped the flagpole and leaped upwards again, ascending as if walking on flat ground, his speed undiminished. This time, the Japanese archers raised their guns, but the arrows once again missed Shi Potian's feet; they had never expected the young man to be so fast.

Shi Potian severed the rope suspending the corpse with a single palm strike, catching the body of the Dragon Incense Master steadily.

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows!" the Japanese pirate leader roared hoarsely in Japanese.

Dozens of arrows were fired at the same time, as dense as locusts, heading straight for Shi Potian in mid-air!

Shi Potian was in mid-air, holding the corpse in one hand and flicking his sleeve with the other.

This seemingly casual flick of the wrist acted like an invisible barrier, sending dozens of arrows flying backwards after striking it! The arrows came fast and went even faster. Before the Japanese pirates could react, they were shot down by their own arrows, their screams echoing throughout the land.

Shi Potian landed steadily and turned to leave.

Dozens more Japanese pirates rushed out of the camp, some wielding knives, others spears, howling as they charged forward. Shi Potian didn't even raise his eyes, but thrust out with his left palm.

The roar of the dragon shook the heavens.

This palm strike was like a tidal wave. The few Japanese pirates at the forefront were swept away by the palm wind without even uttering a sound, and were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings, knocking over a large number of people behind them.

Shi Potian did not stop. He continued to walk forward while carrying the corpse, and then pushed out another palm strike.

The dozens of Japanese pirates were indeed fierce and brave, rushing forward again one after another, only to be scattered and sent flying by the second palm strike.

Shi Potian walked and struck out with his palms as if he were in an empty place, and no one could get within three feet of him.

Behind them, Japanese pirates lay scattered on the ground, their groans and screams filling the air.

Once outside the camp's perimeter, no more Japanese pirates dared to pursue them.