Chapter 350: The Sacred Sword and the Battle for National Honor

Chapter 350: Stealing the Shoots from Yezhushan

Tenth Hideout.

Two experts spent a full two hours examining a samurai sword with professional instruments – magnifiers, miniature microscopes, and more.

Their final conclusion was…

“Its name is… Aoi Mon Echizen Yasutsugu!”

“Crafted by the famous Edo-era swordsmith Echizen Yasutsugu.”

“A Yu God Sword enshrined at Owari Atsuta Shrine.”

“It’s called Aoi Mon Echizen Yasutsugu because it was bestowed the Aoi crest by Tokugawa Ieyasu to the Tokugawa family.”

“But… this sword is clearly authentic. So what about the one at Owari Atsuta Shrine? Could it be a fake?!”

One appraiser looked utterly baffled, his expression one of deep existential doubt.

Zhou Lie and Shen Mei, both team leaders, were equally shaken.

They stared at Xiao Yu as if he were a deity.

It actually was… a divine weapon!

Can you believe it?

A Yu God Sword enshrined in a national shrine.

To the people of that nation, calling it a divine weapon was spot on.

How did they know it was genuine?

They spared no expense, even deploying intelligence agents to verify its authenticity.

Combined with the experts’ testimony, the answer was crystal clear.

Yet one question still puzzled them.

How could a national symbol, a sacred artifact,

have appeared within the country decades ago?

Such an item embodies a nation’s honor.

It’s like the national imperial seal, the ultimate treasured antique.

Imagine if foreigners got hold of it – how would you feel?

Would you feel as if your nation’s pride had been savagely slapped?

So they had no choice but to retrieve the sword, right?

A mischievous plan flashed in the corner of Xiao Yu’s mind.

For instance,

tossing the ‘Aoi Mon Echizen Yasutsugu’ into a cesspit,

taking a photo, then uploading it online?

No – I cannot let them steal the bamboo shoots from Yezhushan.

As a pure and virtuous young man,

that isn’t my style at all!

Coming back to his senses, Xiao Yu looked toward his senior comrades.

Shen Mei and Zhou Lie were buzzing with excitement as they circled the experts.

They wanted one more definitive check on the sword’s authenticity…

Why were the two team leaders so agitated?

Let’s put it this way:

In the past, during an enemy invasion, a soldier captured a general’s sword from the oppressors.

That single sword exchanged hands and earned commendations.

This isn’t a laughing matter!

And now, before you, this divine weapon symbolizing a nation’s honor…

Do you even dare imagine what it represents?

It’s not just a sacred weapon.

It also embodies a nation’s pride.

And serves as the most potent historical evidence of wrongdoing!

……

Leaving the Tenth Hideout,

Zhou Lie carefully prepared to pack the ‘Aoi Mon Echizen Yasutsugu’.

Shen Mei’s phone rang.

Xiao Yu glanced over and noticed the face of the Team Five leader darken.

“Wu Hanran, you think you can negotiate with me?”

Shen Mei’s cold retort cut through the tension.

Wu Hanran?

Xiao Yu and Zhou Lie exchanged looks as they watched Shen Mei’s phone call.

How dare he call?

“You…”

Shen Mei’s face turned ashen.

“What’s going on?” Zhou Lie asked.

“Wu Hanran is in City X.”

Shen Mei replied icily, “Let’s hand over the Yu God Sword to him!”

“So he’s after the sword, as expected.”

Zhou Lie scoffed, “Dream on.”

Xiao Yu listened calmly to their conversation.

“Dream on?”

No – if Wu Hanran is calling, he must have some backup.

Sighing, Shen Mei said, “He’s planted a bomb at a busy spot in City X.”

Zhou Lie’s expression suddenly darkened.

Sure enough… Xiao Yu’s face turned grim.

He had no way of making threats in return – is that all a Special Forces operator can do?

And as for making bombs,

for someone like him, it was just basic skills.

Using everyday items,

even ordinary people could assemble a bomb with massive power if they were in Special Forces.

“Where is the exchange going to take place?”

Xiao Yu said steadily, locking eyes with Shen Mei.

“He didn’t say,”

Shen Mei shook her head, “He only mentioned he’d call again.”

None of them brought up phone tracking.

What method can track a Special Forces agent by phone?

Enough messing around!

“What do you think we should do?” Zhou Lie asked coldly.

“Let’s give him the item,”

Xiao Yu declared impassively, “Foreign stuff isn’t worth equating to the lives of our people.”

Shen Mei and Zhou Lie nodded in agreement.

Their mission was to protect the nation and its citizens.

Without such principles, they wouldn’t deserve to be leaders in National Security.

“What’s our next move?” Shen Mei asked, looking at Xiao Yu.

Zhou Lie was also watching the junior closely.

Unbeknownst to them,

·0 Shower with applause·0

Xiao Yu had taken command of this operation.

This was not the first time Zhou Lie had been in such a situation.

Once, during an incident involving mercenaries crossing borders!

Xiao Yu commanded Group Nine, Team Two, and Special Forces units.

But after subduing the mercenaries and capturing suspects… the subordinate had fled!

Big Boss personally arrived in Bincheng, yet the subordinate was nowhere to be seen.

In the end, Big Boss ended up meeting the fugitive couple himself.

All the team leaders who received the news gave a thumbs-up at that moment.

Incredible… daring to court death with such audacity!

But you have to admit, Xiao Yu certainly had the skills.

Furthermore, Xiao Yu’s identity was… Team Ten leader.

Strictly speaking,

all leaders from the Nine Special Forces teams were his subordinates.

When required, he had the authority to command all nine teams.

………………….

That’s the power granted by Big Boss!

What should we do… Xiao Yu furrowed his brows.

Of course, he had to meet with Wu Hanran.

Shen Mei’s phone rang again.

“I’ll take it,” Xiao Yu said, extending his hand.

Shen Mei handed the phone over to the junior.

“Wu Hanran?”

After connecting the call, Xiao Yu asked,

“Who is this?”

A cold, middle-aged voice answered over the phone.

“Team Ten leader Xiao Yu,” Xiao Yu replied in a steely tone.

There was a brief silence, then, “Team Ten?”

Naturally, this sparked confusion.

The caller didn’t doubt Xiao Yu’s identity,

since hardly anyone could take over the phone of a Team Five leader.

But he had indeed never heard of a Team Ten in National Security.

At least, not since his retirement!

“Yes,”

Xiao Yu inquired, “Why do this?”

“I have no choice – my daughter must not die.”

Wu Hanran’s voice remained even and unwavering, “Bring the item and meet me – it’s best for everyone.”

Xiao Yu pressed on, “Where are you?”

“You’re on your own with the item and the phone. I expect you to follow through exactly as instructed.”

Wu Hanran’s tone turned threatening, “Understand?”

“Understood,” Xiao Yu replied calmly.

“Now head to the XX Mall in XX District, Capital City S. You have exactly ten minutes.”

Wu Hanran warned, “If you’re not there in ten minutes, or if I detect any suspicious presence, you know the consequences!”

The call ended!

……

PS: Sorry, I just got up. There will definitely be seven updates tonight. Rest assured! Ten.