Chapter 328: The Venue Dispute (2)

Chapter 328 – The Arena Conflict (II)

If the savage summer tiger still walked the earth, he could scarcely imagine that his own skull would be wielded as a threat by others.

Just as Angmu Jiao, risen to the rank of hundred‑household, never dreamed that a severed head might one day daunt him.

For the wound, raw and white from dried blood, twisted and grotesque, eyes stubbornly staring, still holding a deathly stillness laced with resentment and shock.

All these Angmu Jiao can ignore, yet the greatest trouble is that he recognizes that face, knows the other's station.

When every element joins, they form an invisible hand that constantly stirs the fear deep within his heart.

One of the four great companies of the Wajō lands, the Angyō Group, whose martial force is led by the fifth‑ranked commander, Ōji‑no‑Shō.

How could such a figure meet death at the hands of those from Inuyamashiro?

Moreover, it seems Inuyamashiro has not paid a heavy price.

Gurgle!

Angmu Jiao’s throat rumbles, his fierce expression stiffening, his mind involuntarily regretting the useless threats he uttered, thrusting himself into such an awkward plight.

“A ghost king has departed, and now a Yama‑kun appears—your Inuyamashiro truly boasts great bravado!”

A deep, resonant voice timely sounds.

Angmu Jiao’s demeanor instantly eases, and he casts a grateful glance toward the clear‑king who has spoken for him.

“The dog has not yet barked, and the master jumps out? Is his mouth not sharp enough, preparing to bite himself?”

Li Jun at this moment is like a beast in a red haze, indiscriminately slapping anyone who speaks, giving no quarter to the “local snake” of Edo‑jō city, the hundred‑household clear‑king.

He had long known from Xie Bi’an that this evaluation conference plotted to target Inuyamashiro.

Thus, regardless of whether the Kiji‑ro interlude unfolds, he will today confront the “three‑tier” households led by the clear‑king head‑on.

Fan Wujiu is also as clear as a mirror, so he steps forward to shield Kiji‑ro.

The clear‑king narrows his eyes, “Yama‑kun, do you truly think that a savage summer tiger’s skull can become the capital that lets you run riot here?”

“I cannot say whether it is capital, but I know some cannot kill the savage summer tiger, even having to bow and scrape before these foreign folk. Those he cannot provoke, I can. Those he cannot kill, I can slay!”

Li Jun’s words contain no explicit naming, yet all present turn their gazes to Angmu Jiao, eyes laced with mockery, lips twitching as if stifling laughter.

“Everyone here are hundred‑households; Yama‑kun, you’d better keep your words in check!”

“Such a person, also worthy of being a hundred‑household?”

Li Jun flicks his finger, tapping the long table, pointing at Angmu Jiao.

“Yama‑kun, you are being too overbearing!”

A surge of anger dispels his inner fear; Angmu Jiao, however, lacks the ability to swallow his pride, and roars at Li Jun: “Do you dare insult me?”

“Yama‑kun is right; some dare not strike the strong, yet are merciless toward their own, thus deserving the title of hundred‑household?”

The former Kiji‑ro chief, whose words were insulted by Angmu Jiao, speaks up, his face flushed crimson.

Rongzhe embraces him, heartened, encouraging: “Heavy armor, you speak well—what grievances lie within? Speak them all today!”

This Kiji‑ro chief, who calls himself “Heavy Armor,” looks at his own hundred‑household Xiao’s back, eyes brimming with a sour, reddening ache, and rubs his face fiercely.

“The phoenix seeks to strike Kiji‑ro; you, the brother‑city of Okayama, chose to hide and not report, and we accept that—only that our intelligence was lacking, our defenses weak. Yet in the subsequent pursuit, you know how many brothers perished because of your sudden interference!”

“Half of the Kiji‑ro Shinkeshitai have died or been wounded! Many perished because your sudden involvement caused chaos in formation, falling to the phoenix’s self‑detonation! Your martial skill is vital—does that mean our brothers’ lives are insignificant?”

Heavy Armor’s hoarse, stammering voice reverberates through the hall, low in tone yet like a thunderclap on a dry plain, deafening.

The angular dragon’s silhouette trembles, veins bulging on his fists.

Li Jun lifts his brow, cold light flickering in his eyes.

The clear‑king shows no expression; the wild man tightens his brows.

Other great cities’ Shinkeshitai hundred‑households are solemn; the commanders behind them express discontent silently.

“Damn it, a bunch of dog‑shit turtles!” Fan Wujiu snarls.

Angmu Jiao’s expression is gloomy and unsightly, “I must ask how many times— the Shinkeshitai has already intervened in the investigation, this matter bears no relation to my Okayama city. Yet you persist in harassing, do you not regard the Shinkeshitai at all?”

Li Jun looks toward the man beside him and asks, “Xuanlong, who was the one in charge of the investigation at that time?”

“Land Chengjiang.” Xuanlong answers one character at a time.

“Then it is he who is at fault. The dead can still cause trouble, and only he can be blamed.”

Li Jun nods, a roguish look, gesturing at Angmu Jiao’s jaw, “Do not wield the Shinkeshitai’s name to oppress others; you know in your heart what you have done.”

“When you mix with the Shinkeshitai, your face is your own. If you enjoy being without shame, remember that even if Inuyamashiro and Okayama are far apart, one day our jurisdiction’s phoenix may wander onto your ground. Then you’ll need Land Chengjiang to speak for you.”

A stark threat makes Angmu Jiao’s face turn a shade of cyan.

“The Shinkeshitai conducts affairs with evidence, and with protocol.”

The clear‑king scoffs, “A hundred‑household who does not understand protocol runs rampant here, Yama‑kun—surely you, as a hundred‑household, are unaware?”

“I have just taken office, indeed I am not well‑versed. Might you, clear‑king, teach me?” Li Jun flashes a grin.

“Certainly, I, as a hundred‑household, excel at nurturing the next generation.”

“There are many people and words here; I cannot fully hear your rules—how about you and I have a private lesson?”

“If Yama‑kun wishes that, I will gladly accompany you to the end.”

Li Jun lifts the corner of his mouth, asking, “Life or death?”

The clear‑king nods lightly, whispering, “It is up to you.”

“Silence, all of you!”

Money Phoenix slams a palm on the table, the surface trembling, flipping the savage summer tiger’s skull once more.

“This is the Shinkeshitai, not the black markets of your jurisdiction! When two hundred‑households clash over words, what exactly occupies your minds?”

The tense atmosphere, bristling with swords and spears, is completely shattered by Money Phoenix’s angry roar.

“Xuanlong, sit down.”

Money Phoenix fixes a fierce gaze on the clear‑king and Li Jun, then turns to Xuanlong, “The matter of Kiji‑ro will be personally reported to the thousand‑household after this evaluation conference ends, to give you all a just explanation!”

Xuanlong’s face brightens, and he bows, “Many thanks, Hundred‑household!”

“Angmu Jiao, sit down as well; if you have no guilty conscience, fear not the knocking of ghosts. If you have not interfered with Kiji‑ro’s case, I will have Xuanlong walk on foot from Kiji to your Okayama, to atone with humility.”

Angmu Jiao’s countenance shows discontent; he sticks out his neck, intending to retort to Money Phoenix, but is pressed down by a single glance from the clear‑king, forced to sit in bitter silence.

Seeing the fire‑smoke atmosphere in the hall finally subside, Money Phoenix sighs inwardly.

He does not wish to continue arguing with these brawny men whose brains are smaller than their fists; instead he pushes the meeting toward its final step.

“Next, we proceed to the last agenda item of this evaluation conference.”

Money Phoenix declares loudly, “The old rule: the ten city Shinkeshitai households are ranked according to last year’s achievements, determining this year’s budget and the Ministry’s allocation.”

“Since an evaluation is to be held, a regulation and judging standard are required.”

Just as Money Phoenix’s words fall, Li Jun seizes the opportunity, crowding to the end where the Silla city hundred‑household Wild Old steps forward to finish the sentence.

“Wild Old, are you also confused? What are the regulations for ranking in an evaluation? Do none of those present know?”

Three or five times being interrupted causes even the usually gentle Money Phoenix to become angry.

"Of course I know, but I'm afraid someone will pretend to understand while actually being confused!"

The old man said gravely, "That's why I insist that, before the evaluation announcement, the deadline for this merit review be set as New Year's Day, following the previous convention!"

"Ping."

Li Jun licked his lips, which had become dry from the heated argument, and suddenly snapped his fingers.

Professional tasks should be left to professionals.

He wasn't very skilled at this kind of argument that required some reasoning.