Chapter Forty-Eight: Sworn Brotherhood with Cai E

Cai E never imagined that his longtime adjutant would betray him; his heart was utterly shattered.

“Adjutant Cai, why did you betray me?” Cai E could not help but ask.

“People strive to ascend, water flows downward. My abilities are no less than yours, Cai Jin Jun, but for years I’ve been subordinate to you—how could I not resent it? Though you’ve always treated me as a brother, what’s brotherhood worth these days? Cai E, prepare to die. For the sake of our years together, I’ll make it quick! Fourth Master, when you strike, please be decisive,” Cai Jin Jun said to Yang Old Four.

“That’s easy enough,” Yang Old Four replied, raising his hand and pulling the trigger. He thought it would be difficult to kill Cai E, but it turned out to be surprisingly smooth.

Yet, they had greatly underestimated Cai E’s skill. At the very instant Yang Old Four fired, Cai E twisted his toe sharply, sending a stone flying beneath his feet. As everyone stood stupefied, the stone struck the bullet in mid-flight, coldly knocking it to the ground. No one could have guessed that Cai E possessed such skill.

Yang Old Four, realizing things had gone awry, fired a second shot in panic. But Cai E gave him no chance. The second stone flew from under Cai E’s foot, striking Yang Old Four’s wrist. With a cry, Yang Old Four dropped his pistol.

The brothers of Cai Jin Jun and Yang Old Four hadn’t yet reacted before the contest between Cai E and Yang Old Four was settled.

“Hurry, shoot!” Cai Jin Jun shouted anxiously. Having followed Cai E for years, he knew that if Cai E survived, there would be endless trouble.

Perhaps out of fear and panic, Cai Jin Jun held a pistol himself but commanded others to fire.

As Cai Jin Jun shouted in confusion, Cai E darted behind a horse. When the others raised their guns, they found there was no target to shoot.

While they searched for Cai E, several shots rang out from beneath the horse’s belly. Three bullets struck the foreheads of Yang Old Four’s men, and they immediately collapsed into puddles of blood.

Yang Old Four and Cai Jin Jun, however, were no fools. Along with a few others, they had already taken cover, using tables from nearby vegetable and fruit stalls as shields.

All were seasoned fighters, knowing the art of preemptive attack. Cai E and Cai Jin Jun fired almost simultaneously, while Yang Old Four and his companions provided support from the other side.

A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, but neither side gained the upper hand.

As time passed, bullets dwindled until both sides were out of ammunition—especially Cai E, who only had one pistol.

He had been hiding behind the horse, but the frightened animal bolted, forcing Cai E to take cover behind a wall. By now, Yang Old Four and his men were also out of bullets.

The distance between Cai E and Yang Old Four was only separated by two wall segments. Cai E, young and brash, was unafraid of death. Since others sought his demise, he resolved to take them down first.

Without regard for whether the enemy had bullets left, Cai E leapt forward. Yang Old Four, excited to face a worthy opponent, tossed aside his pistol and rushed to engage Cai E in hand-to-hand combat.

Yang Old Four’s two brothers and Cai Jin Jun, seeing the situation, hurried over, realizing their leader was no match for Cai E.

Thus, four men surrounded Cai E.

Even a hero cannot withstand a pack of wolves; in just a few rounds, Cai E began to falter.

“Fourth Master, the three of us will keep him busy, you strike from behind,” Cai Jin Jun said slyly.

“Nonsense! I’ve never killed anyone from behind!” Yang Old Four shouted.

“Oh come on, Fourth Master, at a time like this, you still cling to those old rules? Think about it—if the four of us don’t cooperate, we’ll never kill Cai E. Hurry, strike now!” Cai Jin Jun urged, a despicable scoundrel.

“Yes, boss, we’ve already taken their money. If we fail, it’ll damage our reputation, and we’ve lost three or four men already,” another henchman chimed in.

This reminded Yang Old Four, a man who prized his reputation above all. No one had ever escaped his hands when he struck personally. After this job, he’d earn enough for several generations and could retire, never again committing such heinous acts.

“Alright, let’s go!” Yang Old Four said.

As the four conspired, Cai E sought an opportunity. He endured excruciating pain; the bullet from Cai Jin Jun’s sneak attack had pierced his shoulder and blood flowed freely. His left shoulder was almost useless.

Cai E knew his chances were slim, but he hated betrayal above all. Even if he died, he would take Cai Jin Jun with him.

With this resolve, Cai E charged forward, determined to perish as a moth to the flame. Cai Jin Jun retreated in terror, and as Cai E diverted his attention, Yang Old Four and the others attacked from both sides and behind. Cai E hadn’t reached Cai Jin Jun before he was kicked twice, and worst of all, Yang Old Four struck him hard in the neck.

With a cough, Cai E spattered blood onto Cai Jin Jun’s face.

Cai Jin Jun screamed, “Quick, kill him!”

“Cai Jin Jun, even as a ghost, I will not forgive you!” Cai E called out, struggling.

Yang Old Four roared, leaping to stomp on Cai E’s back. With Cai E grievously wounded, death seemed inevitable.

At that moment, a figure with golden wings descended like an angel, kicking Yang Old Four away.

Yang Old Four screamed, his head crashing against the wall, knocking out two front teeth.

His henchmen were terrified; they had never seen such a winged creature and cried, “Monster!” as they tried to flee.

But they could not escape. Before they’d gone far, bullets struck each of their heads in exactly the same spot, splitting their skulls open and scattering brain matter across the ground.

None recognized that this ‘angel’ was Xiao Fei.

By chance, Xiao Fei had activated his Thunder Wings to infiltrate Hongwu Dojo and investigate Hideki Tojo. He stumbled upon a group assaulting a young man. Though he didn’t know who they were, their numbers against one were clearly villainous.

Xiao Fei acted decisively, not bothering to hide his Thunder Wings, and descended abruptly, saving Cai E’s life.

At the time, Xiao Fei had no idea that the man he rescued was General Cai E.

Xiao Fei landed before Cai Jin Jun, about to strike him down, when Cai E called out, “Hero, wait! I have questions for him.”

Cai E struggled to his feet and approached Cai Jin Jun. Suddenly, he saw the face of his savior and exclaimed, “It’s you, Xiao Fei!”

Thunder Wings withdrawn, Xiao Fei was taken aback. “You know me?”

“Heh… cough… of course I do,” Cai E said, overcome with emotion and coughing.

Cai Jin Jun, seeing the two engrossed in conversation, signaled Yang Old Four and the others to escape.

But Xiao Fei drew his Browning and fired two shots; bullets struck the legs of Cai Jin Jun and Yang Old Four, forcing them to their knees, unable to flee.

“Haha, of course I know you. You’re Xiao Fei, descendant of Lord Xiao. I am Cai E, Governor of Yunnan,” Cai E said excitedly.

Hearing the name Cai E, Xiao Fei was stunned. He hadn’t expected to meet such a Republican hero of the era so soon, let alone save his life.

Cai E recounted how he and Xiao Fei’s eldest brother, Xiao Zhong, were sworn friends; before Xiao Zhong died, he’d entrusted Cai E to look after the Xiao family, especially his fourth brother, Xiao Fei. This deeply moved Xiao Fei.

“Brother Xiao Fei, I am but a humble man, a few years your senior. You saved my life, and are my benefactor. If you do not object, shall we become sworn brothers?” Cai E said, clasping his fists.

What? Cai E wants to swear brotherhood with me? Xiao Fei was shocked again, for he was but a minor figure, and Cai E a legendary hero.

But on second thought, Xiao Fei reasoned: in his previous life, perhaps he was ordinary, but things had changed. Even Cai E, a hero, had been saved by him.

Thus resolved, Xiao Fei clasped his fists and said, “Big brother, from now on, let us conquer the world together.”