As night fell, the funeral of Ye Chuan Gongzi drew to a close.
At the request of Ye Chuan Saigong, the funeral was not overly grand, and everything was kept simple. Therefore, Ye Chuan Gongzi was soon "buried."
However, those who watched the funeral did not let down their guard because of this.
Now that Ye Chuan Gongzi was gone, Ye Chuan Saigong had no restraints in her heart. What path she would take thereafter, no one could predict.
Boundless fear had, unknowingly, already spread throughout the Eastern Island ninja world.
At the same time, they prayed that the Blood Asura would not go to extremes. Otherwise, it was feared that the entire Eastern Island nation would experience violent upheaval.
Of course, this was merely the surface phenomenon seen by most. The minority, however, did not have such worries.
For instance, the Prime Minister of Eastern Island.
In the Prime Minister's mansion, Koizumi Eishiro stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his study, gazing at the calm night scene before him, holding a wine glass filled with mellow red wine.
He appeared to be in high spirits.
Behind him stood an old man.
It was Kimura Takeo, who had been accompanying Ye Ming and the others.
It seemed now that his relationship with the Prime Minister was not as distant as it appeared on the surface.
One had to know that in Eastern Island, the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office were two entirely different institutions.
One could even say that certain powers of the Cabinet surpassed those of the Prime Minister's Office.
Therefore, to avoid any unnecessary gossip, the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office would generally maintain a certain distance and not get too close.
Yet, it seemed that Kimura Takeo and the recently appointed Prime Minister paid no heed to such matters.
Their appearance together at today's funeral was testament to this.
"What do you think of this person, Ye Ming?"
Koizumi Eishiro raised his wine glass and took a gentle sip, asking casually as if engaging in idle chatter.
"What do I think!"
Regarding this question, Kimura Takeo could only sigh and give a wry smile. "Having just interacted with him, he gives off a humble impression, fitting for a young man's demeanor. I couldn't sense the heart of a strong individual."
"And then?"
Koizumi Eishiro put down his wine glass, knowing there was more to come.
"Later, I saw his overbearing side. Very sharp, yet with a hint of gentleness. Especially towards Miss Chiyomi, this gentleness was amplified countless times," Kimura Takeo recalled the conflict at the restaurant earlier, commenting, "He should be considered a person a woman can entrust her life to!"
"Oh! Should be?"
Koizumi Eishiro noticed these two keywords and seemed to understand something, revealing a smile that men would understand. "It seems his relationship with Ye Chuan Saigong is also unusual?"
"That's why I didn't give him a full endorsement!"
After all, Kimura Takeo had lived for decades and could see through some matters. "However, for a strong individual like him, a bit of philandering is perhaps normal!"
"Hahaha! You say that..."
Koizumi Eishiro burst into laughter, not taking the bait.
"Isn't it?"
Kimura Takeo looked at the Prime Minister with amusement, as if hinting at something.
"Cough cough cough! I... let's get back to the topic!"
Koizumi Eishiro turned around, avoiding the scrutinizing gaze, feeling a bit awkward.
"So, what about the end? Your evaluation of him must be more than just this!" Koizumi Eishiro's smile faded, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"The end!"
At this point, Kimura Takeo instinctively recalled the scene at the Ye Chuan residence.
Ye Ming had displayed strength beyond human comprehension then, and even now, he still felt a lingering fear.
"If there truly are gods in the world, then..." Unconsciously, his cloudy pupils began to gleam with fervor and worship.
"He is God!"
This was his final evaluation.
"God?"
Upon hearing this word, Koizumi Eishiro, perhaps recalling something, had a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Do you know? The God you speak of, I might have seen as well!"
Koizumi Eishiro exhaled, saying something that made Kimura Takeo tremble.
"You... you have seen!"
Kimura Takeo could see unprecedented solemnity, even a hint of fear, in his expression.
"Yes! I have seen!"
Koizumi Eishiro said somewhat weakly, "And, God gave me a choice!"
A choice?
"The choice given by God?"
It had to be said that Kimura Takeo's heart was in turmoil at this moment, as if the world he knew was slowly collapsing.
"And in a month, it will be the final deadline!" Koizumi Eishiro said gravely.
"Wh... what?"
Upon hearing this, Kimura Takeo felt a chill run down his spine, and large drops of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. He instinctively took a step back.
"A choice! What kind of choice?"
As Kimura Takeo asked this question again, he already had a general idea in his mind.
"The God gave me... No!"
Koizumi Eishiro shook his head. "They call themselves Angels! And the choice the Angels gave me is..."
"Return to the Angelic wings and enjoy the glory of God's kingdom!"
...
Concurrently, in Kyoto, China.
At the headquarters of the Ancient Martial Arts Association.
"Dead... dead!"
In a cultivation chamber, an old man stared at the freshly received news in his hand, his entire being struck by lightning. He sat there, dazed.
Due to his prolonged period of secluded cultivation, he could not receive outside news immediately. Thus, he had missed an event that would cause him lifelong regret.
The old man's hands trembled, seemingly unwilling to accept this fact.
"No... impossible! No..."
He abruptly stood up, his aura surging, a terrifying pressure raging around him. Countless air currents converged, filling the confined space and swirling turbulently.
At this moment, the entire Ancient Martial Arts Association seemed to be at the center of a storm, and no one dared to approach lightly.
"Wh... what is happening? What is this aura?"
"It seems to be coming from the cultivation chamber. Did someone break through?"
"No... that's not right! This aura clearly carries emotions of anger, it's definitely not a breakthrough!"
"Why does it feel so familiar?"
"Run! Let's... let's get out of the association first!"
"..."
This sudden turmoil instantly caused panic. Especially among the members within the association, who fled outwards frantically, fearing they would be buried in this unstable building.
In a villa several kilometers away.
"Hmm?"
At this moment, a middle-aged man who was in quiet contemplation also seemed to sense the fluctuations in the air and said in a deep voice,
"What is Gu Taiyi throwing a tantrum about?"