Chapter Twenty-Five: Identity Exposed

Things were progressing far more smoothly than Xiao Fei had anticipated. His admiration for Li Shishi, this extraordinary woman, grew with each passing moment. She seemed capable of anything; even the art of disguise, long lost in the martial world, she wielded with consummate skill. Through her hands, Xiao Fei was transformed, alive and breathing, into the likeness of Noda Yoshihiko, who had already reported himself to the underworld.

Although Xiao Fei’s frame was a touch leaner, his height matched Noda Yoshihiko’s closely. Coupled with Li Shishi’s masterful disguise, even Noda’s own security detail was deceived.

Earlier, in Li Shishi’s boudoir, she had meticulously instructed Xiao Fei in Noda’s mannerisms and speech, and Xiao Fei had imitated them flawlessly.

Not only that, Li Shishi and Xiao Fei also succeeded in sneaking Qin Tianxiang into the convoy. Qin Tianxiang, dressed as a man, played the role of Noda Yoshihiko’s young attendant, carrying a purple-red box meant for women’s cosmetics. She claimed it contained Li Shishi’s makeup, and as women, especially courtesans, loved beauty, bringing such items to a grand banquet was hardly unusual. With Noda’s personal guards watching over her, no one dared suspect otherwise. When entering Fujiwara Ichiro’s mansion, no one dared search the box, but in truth, Qin Tianxiang’s box was filled with explosives.

To be honest, Xiao Fei felt a hint of anxiety along the way. Yet, seeing Li Shishi’s courage and ability, he thought, if she could manage all this as a woman, what could he not achieve?

As they traveled, Xiao Fei quietly communicated with Li Shishi and learned that Noda Yoshihiko had fallen for her charms thanks to a sorcery she learned from the Western Regions, known as “Bore Brahma Chant,” a kind of ancient magic akin to Western illusions.

Though Noda Yoshihiko had spent many nights with Li Shishi, he was lost in illusion every time—not once had he touched even a finger of hers.

Xiao Fei couldn’t help but think mischievously: Could Li Shishi still be a virgin?

Li Shishi had also inquired about Xiao Fei’s wings, but he deflected her questions with talk of mystical arts.

After the three successfully infiltrated Fujiwara Ichiro’s mansion, tension gripped their hearts. Fujiwara Ichiro was not Noda Yoshihiko; he was a prominent figure in the R-country, a martial arts elder, skilled and shrewd. They would need to tread carefully.

Yet, among all the R-country guests that day, Noda Yoshihiko held the highest rank. So when Xiao Fei, disguised as Noda, appeared, a stir arose, and even Fujiwara Ichiro himself came out to welcome him.

What made things even more remarkable was that Xiao Fei, in his previous life, had mastered fluent Japanese at university, motivated by a desire to understand what the actresses in R-country art films cried out in moments of passion. This drive led him to acquire a perfect Tokyo accent.

No matter how skilled Li Shishi was in disguise, she could not mimic language. Therefore, she deeply respected Xiao Fei.

Li Shishi quietly explained to him who the surrounding R-country guests were, so he could avoid mistakes. Xiao Fei handled everyone with ease, and as the highest official, he didn’t need to address each person individually.

No sooner had Xiao Fei taken his seat than a fat, big-eared senior official from the Central ** walked up, bowing and scraping.

Li Shishi quickly stepped forward, saying, “Ah, isn’t this Commander Hu? You haven’t visited our Pleasure Pavilion in quite some time.”

Xiao Fei frowned. Whoever this man was, as a high official from the Central ** appearing in the mansion of R-country dignitaries, it was outright treachery. And this pig-like man was none other than Hu Baiwan, infamous for shamelessly plundering the people’s wealth.

Xiao Fei felt a surge of impulse; if the chance arose, he would deal with this pig-headed traitor as well.

The banquet was filled with music and dance, wine and laughter, but Xiao Fei and his companions were calculating when best to strike.

As Xiao Fei and Li Shishi exchanged glances, Fujiwara Ichiro approached with a wine cup, bowing respectfully. “General Noda, I’ve heard the lady beside you, Li Shishi, is the foremost singer of Jiangning. Today is my mother’s eightieth birthday; might I be honored to invite Miss Li to perform for our guests?”

“Very well, very well…”

Fujiwara’s invitation brought cheers from all present.

At this point, Li Shishi could not refuse. She glanced at Xiao Fei and promptly rose. “Fujiwara, you flatter me. Since you are interested in our Chinese music and dance, I shall oblige and perform for everyone.” Li Shishi stepped gracefully to the center of the hall and began to dance.

Her exquisite voice and graceful movements captivated everyone, Xiao Fei included. “The title of Jiangnan’s foremost singer is truly deserved!”

Soon, Fujiwara Ichiro brought his wine cup to Xiao Fei, knelt down, and whispered in his ear, “General, I purposely sent Miss Li away. She is, after all, a Chinese, and I have important matters to report to you.”

“Oh? Go ahead,” Xiao Fei replied in flawless Tokyo dialect, secretly pleased. Ha! This fool really thinks I’m Noda Yoshihiko.

“General, recently our agents discovered that Chen Yongjie, a student active in Jiangning, has mastered many of our army’s biological warfare tactics. If our army uses biological warfare against China or any other nation, it would be a devastating blow to us.” Fujiwara spoke quietly.

Xiao Fei was inwardly shocked. So the little R-country really was secretly developing biological warfare—an egregious violation of international conventions and an inhuman atrocity.

“Has Chen Yongjie been captured yet?” Xiao Fei asked in a grave tone.

“Forgive me, General. We have not found Chen Yongjie. He is being protected by patriotic Chinese organizations,” Fujiwara replied.

“Idiots!” Xiao Fei mimicked Noda Yoshihiko’s anger.

“Yes, yes, I apologize to General Noda, and to His Majesty the Emperor,” Fujiwara stammered. “General, please grant me more time. We have learned Chen Yongjie’s precious daughter is hiding among the bandits of Qinglong Mountain. If we capture her, Chen Yongjie will surely appear.”

“Let’s hope you succeed. Otherwise, Fujiwara, prepare to commit seppuku for the Emperor.”

“Yes, yes, General. One more matter: Germany has declared war on Russia, France, and England—the First World War has begun. We should seize the opportunity while Germany is distracted to snatch their occupied Chinese territories, like Shandong, a juicy prize. General, though you are not directly in charge, as subjects of His Majesty, should we not do our part? Our warships are preparing to land at Qingdao; such a historic achievement cannot fall to others,” Fujiwara said slowly.

Hearing this, Xiao Fei was deeply startled. It was now early August 1914, just as Germany triggered the First World War. Within days, R-country warships would land at Qingdao, seize Jiaozhou Bay, and conquer Jinan. History’s footsteps had come so quickly.

No! Without me, perhaps nothing would change. But now that I am here, how can I allow your tiny nation to trample my vast China?

Xiao Fei was visibly agitated, but for the sake of the larger plan, he forced himself to endure.

From Fujiwara’s tone, it was clear he was eager to distinguish himself in the invasion of China, but his rank was too low compared to Noda Yoshihiko, so he hoped to draw Noda into helping seize Shandong.

Humph, scoundrel! You don’t even know if you’ll live past tomorrow, yet you dream of invading my great China? Absurd!

Seeing Xiao Fei’s shifting expression, Fujiwara feared he had said something wrong and hurriedly apologized. “Forgive me, General. Just pretend I said nothing. Oh, by the way, General, regarding the matter I asked you about my daughter Fujiwara Emi, have you considered it?”

“What matter with your daughter?” Xiao Fei replied absent-mindedly, worried about the impending R-country landing at Qingdao. He was not Noda Yoshihiko and had no idea what Fujiwara was referring to.

This reply immediately aroused Fujiwara’s suspicion. Just three days ago, he had personally met with Noda in secret, begging him not to send his daughter as a political gift to the American envoy Steve. At that time, Noda had promised to handle it, so how could he forget so soon?

In 1911, after the Xinhai Revolution and the abdication of the last Qing emperor Puyi, America severed diplomatic ties with the Qing government and withdrew their envoy. But from 1913, America recognized Yuan Shikai’s northern regime and sent envoys—Steve was the first during the Beiyang government.

At that time, America was one of R-country’s most feared rivals. To curry favor and keep America from interfering in the invasion, R-country resorted to vile diplomatic tactics, offering Fujiwara Ichiro’s daughter as a political gift to envoy Steve.

But how could Fujiwara bear to sacrifice his daughter? He secretly sought Noda’s help for another solution.

Unexpectedly, within days, this “Noda Yoshihiko” had forgotten it all. Fujiwara’s doubts about his identity grew.

Li Shishi, unable to prompt Xiao Fei about prior matters, was anxious, but her dance was only halfway done; if she left now, it would be tantamount to admitting everything.

The situation grew tense, the arrow poised to fly. Xiao Fei decided to strike first and immediately issued orders to Qin Tianxiang.