Chapter Forty-Three: Preserving Her Chastity

Hideki Tojo spoke as he drew the pistol from his waist, striding out with fierce determination.

“Wait!” Suddenly, Yamamoto Taro called out, “Esteemed advisor, I am afraid I am the master of this dojo. Here, my word is the law, is it not?”

“Ah, yes, of course, of course, forgive my boldness. Please, elder, after you.” Hideki Tojo’s face was awkward and uneasy as he spoke.

“Hmph! Putian, lead the way,” Yamamoto Taro ordered.

“Yes, Master!” Koji Putian shot Hideki Tojo a disdainful glance.

Although Hideki Tojo was displeased, he dared not lose his temper before Yamamoto Taro. With a sullen face, he followed the two out.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fei had already broken through the ranks of the dojo’s disciples and reached the inner hall.

Yamamoto Taro spotted Xiao Fei from afar, his brows knitting in displeasure. “What an arrogant Chinese youth!”

“Stop! Stop at once!” Koji Putian, the senior disciple, stepped forward. “Who are you, daring to cause trouble at the Hongwu Dojo?”

“I’ve got no time to stir up trouble here. Tell you what—hand over Tanaki Qingyi, now! He kidnapped a Chinese girl without reason!” Xiao Fei replied bluntly.

On the way, Xiao Fei had made up his mind. Though venturing deep into enemy territory was fraught with danger and he might not return, even in death he would not bring shame upon his fellow countrymen.

Hearing this, Yamamoto Taro frowned deeply. He knew his second disciple well—clever at martial arts, but lecherous by nature. The girl Tanaki Qingyi had seized was likely either a prostitute or an innocent young woman.

The Hongwu Dojo’s rules were strict: disciples were forbidden to frequent brothels in China, and forbidden from provoking Chinese civilians without cause. Yet Tanaki Qingyi had broken these rules.

“You’re spewing nonsense. When did our second brother ever do such a thing?” Another disciple stepped forward to question him.

Xiao Fei already had little respect for these men. He figured they were defending their brother, and the abducted Liu Ruyan, being the famed courtesan from the Red Lotus House, was likely an exceptionally beautiful woman. Since Tanaki Qingyi was nowhere to be seen, could that scoundrel be…

Xiao Fei did not dare to finish the thought. Rage surged within him as he leapt forward, engaging the two nearest Hongwu Dojo disciples.

Seeing Xiao Fei attack without explanation, the disciples rushed him as a group, but Yamamoto Taro barked them back, “Stop! Outnumbering the lone is not the way of Kendo. Koji Putian, spar with this young hero. Third brother, take a few men and fetch your second brother from the inner quarters.”

“Um…” The third disciple seemed to know something. He hurried to Yamamoto Taro’s side and whispered, “Master, second brother did bring back a girl from the Red Lotus House. We tried to stop him but couldn’t.”

“Scoundrel! Hurry and bring that beast here!” Yamamoto Taro roared in fury.

Several disciples rushed into the inner quarters—the dormitory, in essence.

“Kid, I can see you’re skilled. Come, let’s see what you’ve got,” Koji Putian challenged.

Xiao Fei said nothing more. He readied himself, anxious for Liu Ruyan’s safety, unwilling to waste a single moment. “I’ll knock you all down first!”

With a swift movement, Xiao Fei darted to Koji Putian’s side, launching a fierce punch. Yet Koji Putian dodged it with ease.

Using the same approach as against Tanaki Qingyi, Xiao Fei showed no mercy. He followed with a flying kick and another punch, but not only were his attacks easily evaded, his wrist was suddenly seized.

This was bad, Xiao Fei thought. Koji Putian was far tougher than the pig-headed Tanaki Qingyi—Xiao Fei could gain no advantage, and was instead restrained.

Still, Xiao Fei had ways to break free. Risking his life, he flipped and jabbed his elbow hard into Koji Putian’s jaw. Koji Putian, stunned, released him.

Xiao Fei sprang behind Koji Putian and landed a punch. This time, even Koji Putian couldn’t evade the blow.

Koji Putian staggered aside, barely steadying himself before Xiao Fei’s next attack came.

Yamamoto Taro, watching, secretly applauded. This youth had guts and spirit—reckless and fearless, just as Yamamoto himself had been in his prime. Truly a worthy talent.

Meanwhile, Hideki Tojo, observing from the side, was deeply shocked by Xiao Fei. “Yoshi! If such a talent could serve the Empire, it would be the Empire’s good fortune!”

As the exchange continued, Xiao Fei forced Koji Putian against the wall, aiming a fierce kick at his heart.

Suddenly, a dark shadow intervened.

Under the pressure, Xiao Fei stumbled back several steps. He felt a rush of wind by his ear, glimpsed a figure, and saw an old man with white hair standing before Koji Putian, blocking the kick.

Xiao Fei knew this must be Yamamoto Taro, the dojo master. Had the old man not held back, he could have struck Xiao Fei dead with a single blow to the temple.

Xiao Fei shivered inwardly. A true Kendo master indeed!

“Young man, why must you seek to end another’s life? Heh, I am Yamamoto Taro, master of Hongwu Dojo. If my disciples have offended you, I apologize on their behalf,” Yamamoto Taro said.

“Master, how can you apologize to him?” Koji Putian protested.

“Useless fool, step aside,” Yamamoto Taro scolded.

As the Japanese dojo master, such humility surprised Xiao Fei. Yet the Japanese were notoriously cunning, and Xiao Fei remained wary.

Yamamoto Taro’s conduct, however, made Hideki Tojo seethe. He thought, Hmph, this is a disgrace to the Empire!

But he dared not speak out.

Just then, Tanaki Qingyi slunk out, knowing he’d erred. After being beaten by Xiao Fei, he had avoided alerting his master, returned quietly, and tried to rally loyal disciples to retaliate against Xiao Fei. But before he could act, Xiao Fei had stormed the dojo and even reached the master, terrifying him.

Tanaki Qingyi trembled, “Master, please stand up for me! That Chinese pig wounded me and several other disciples!”

At the words “Chinese pig,” Xiao Fei clenched his fists, longing to smash this scoundrel.

“Beast! Still lying? Where is the girl you seized? Speak the truth!” Yamamoto Taro thundered.

“Second brother, Master knows everything. You’d best tell the truth,” Koji Putian urged, seizing the chance. The two had long been rivals; Koji Putian would not miss such an opportunity.

Cornered, Tanaki Qingyi confessed, “Master, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, ah…”

“Hmph, you’ve shamed your teacher!” Yamamoto Taro kicked Tanaki Qingyi to the ground.

Even Hideki Tojo felt Tanaki Qingyi had disgraced the Empire, but he blamed the Chinese youth for it and his hatred for Xiao Fei deepened.

Hideki Tojo stepped forward, “Elder, forgive my bluntness—perhaps there has been some misunderstanding. Allow me to mediate; let’s release the girl.”

Xiao Fei burned with anger at this, now noticing the Japanese officer in the corner. He looked up, startled, feeling the man was familiar but couldn’t recall where he’d seen him.

In his previous life, Xiao Fei had seen a photo of young Hideki Tojo online, but now, meeting him in person, he could not remember.

Saving Liu Ruyan was paramount. Without further delay, Xiao Fei followed the disciple into the inner quarters, opened the door, and saw Liu Ruyan, blood streaming from her head, repeatedly banging it against the wall. She was tightly bound and, unable to move her hands or speak, must have been trying to kill herself to preserve her honor.

Xiao Fei rushed forward and stopped her. Blood covered Liu Ruyan’s face, and Xiao Fei didn’t get a clear look at her features.

“You beasts!” Xiao Fei cursed, grabbing a sheet and gently wiping the blood from Liu Ruyan’s face.

Liu Ruyan was a fierce and proud woman. Dragged here by force, she would rather die than be defiled. Bound and gagged, unable to bite her tongue, she could only bash her head against the wall to preserve her chastity.

Time was pressing. Xiao Fei quickly picked her up to carry her out. At close range, he caught a familiar scent, but didn’t linger on it, instead hurriedly carrying Liu Ruyan outside.

These beasts—one day I’ll tear their bones apart and skin them alive! Xiao Fei cursed inwardly.

Yamamoto Taro watched Xiao Fei depart, sighing. None of his disciples could compare to this youth. A pity his skills had no worthy heir.

Hideki Tojo knew there was no point in staying, so he left quietly. Yet the treacherous man was not finished; he secretly incited Tanaki Qingyi to seek revenge. Though Tanaki Qingyi feared his master, he could not swallow his humiliation, so he enlisted Hideki Tojo’s help, gathering men to trail Xiao Fei.

Xiao Fei, carrying Liu Ruyan, hailed a rickshaw and sped toward the nearest pharmacy. But suddenly, a bullet was fired from behind. Though Xiao Fei and Liu Ruyan escaped unharmed, the rickshaw driver was killed on the spot.