Chapter 54: The Assassination of Taro Yamamoto

“Ling’er, where is this guy? Why do I feel like he’s right next to me? But we’re in an inn, and everyone around is my people. How could he have gotten in here?” Xiao Fei asked in confusion.

“Uh, Master, you’re mistaken. This is a method of transmitting sound called ‘secret sound transmission.’ The speaker can send their voice, especially their words, directly to a specific person, while others cannot hear it at all. There’s also a technique called ‘sound transmission over a thousand miles,’ which allows one’s voice to travel over great distances, but in that case, the sound isn’t targeted—everyone nearby can hear it. Master, didn’t you ever watch martial arts dramas in your previous life? I’m sure they mentioned things like this,” Xiao Ling explained.

“Damn, so this kind of mystical ability really exists? I’ve seen it before, but I never believed it could be real. I can’t believe I’m experiencing it myself now. Judging from this, Tojo Hideki’s martial arts must be extraordinary,” Xiao Fei sighed in amazement.

“Yes, Master. Only those with profound inner strength can use secret sound transmission, and one must be at least a first-level battle master to achieve it. Tojo Hideki has already reached the second level, while you’re currently only a third-level battle general. That’s exactly why I said just now that, for the moment, there’s no way to save Miss Jin Wanyu,” Xiao Ling said.

“Oh? And why is that?” Xiao Fei asked anxiously.

“Master, what Miss Jin Wanyu has been poisoned with is the world’s rarest toxin, Golden Widow. Besides obtaining the antidote, you also need someone with extremely deep internal power to clear her meridians and send the antidote into her organs. Also, the one who performs the cure must have been physically intimate with the patient. That part, of course, you can manage. However, your current inner strength is far from sufficient,” Xiao Ling replied.

“What the hell are you saying? What do you mean by ‘physically intimate’ is easy for me?” Xiao Fei grumbled, but now was not the time to dwell on such matters. As Xiao Ling just said, the prerequisite to saving Jin Wanyu was to get the antidote. Besides, he had already resolved to take down Tojo Hideki, so he had no choice but to fight this battle.

Xiao Fei turned and left the room. To avoid worrying the others, he kept things hidden, merely saying he was going out to buy medicinal herbs, and forbade anyone from following him, leaving the inn, or entering Jin Wanyu’s room. No one dared question him.

After giving his instructions, Xiao Fei left the inn and, after reaching a deserted place, quietly activated his Thunder Wings and sped straight toward the mass grave twenty miles outside the city.

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At Hongwu Dojo, in Yamamoto Taro’s secret chamber.

Yamamoto Taro, who was meditating and cultivating, suddenly sensed a strong, unusual presence approaching his door. He prepared himself with caution, and soon heard someone knocking.

“Who is it?” Yamamoto Taro asked in a deep voice.

“Master, it’s your unworthy disciple, Tanagi Seiichi, here to beg your forgiveness,” came Tanagi Seiichi’s voice from outside.

Hearing Tanagi Seiichi, Yamamoto Taro frowned. Wasn’t this fellow handed over to the Chinese authorities? How could he be here? What had happened?

With these doubts, Yamamoto Taro let Tanagi Seiichi in, flicking the switch to open the secret chamber. Indeed, it was Tanagi Seiichi standing outside.

The moment he saw his master open the door, Tanagi Seiichi dropped to his knees with a thud. “Master, your disciple has shamed you.”

“Hmph, so you do know shame. How many times have I warned you, but you never listened! Weren’t you in prison? How are you here before me?” Yamamoto Taro barked.

“Master, I was convicted of murder by the Chinese authorities, and sentenced to death. But the Chinese officers, in their magnanimity, gave me a chance to say farewell. Master, you raised me yourself; please, allow your disciple to see you one last time,” Tanagi Seiichi pleaded through tears.

At this sight, Yamamoto Taro’s heart softened, and tears welled in his eyes. After all, this was the disciple he’d raised himself. Though he had erred, now they were to be separated forever. The old man could not help but feel reluctant.

Ah, so be it. Let him in for a final farewell.

“Very well. Come here, let your master look at you properly,” Yamamoto Taro said.

“Thank you, Master.” Tanagi Seiichi approached, knelt again before his master, and embraced him. “Master, I’ve come to bid you farewell. I won’t be by your side any longer. Please take care of yourself.”

At that moment, a moan came from outside the door. “Master, don’t trust him—he wants to kill you.”

It was none other than Koji Putian, Yamamoto Taro’s senior disciple.

But before the words had fully left his mouth, Tanagi Seiichi threw off his jacket, drew a bloodied dagger from his sleeve, and stabbed it deep into Yamamoto Taro’s body.

Yamamoto Taro’s moment of kindness had enabled Tanagi Seiichi’s wolfish ambitions.

Tanagi Seiichi gripped the dagger handle tightly, twisting it several times. Yamamoto Taro immediately coughed up blood, spraying it all over Tanagi Seiichi’s face.

“You beast! Today, I shall cleanse my sect!” Yamamoto Taro pressed several acupoints on his body to slow the poison’s spread, then, summoning all his strength, struck Tanagi Seiichi to the ground with a palm.

Yamamoto Taro was, after all, a descendant of the Shinbu school, and his internal skills were far superior to ordinary men. He leapt up and launched a flying kick, but severely wounded as he was, the blow was far weaker than before. Moreover, Tanagi Seiichi was no longer the same man he had once been. He dodged the kick with ease.

“Haha, old man Yamamoto, you still think you can fight me? If you want to die now, come at me! When you expelled me and handed me over to the Chinese, you should have known this day would come. The humiliation I suffered—I, Tanagi Seiichi, shall reclaim it all today!” Tanagi Seiichi shouted, leaping up to engage Yamamoto Taro in battle.

This was truly a fight between masters, both determined to kill the other, showing no mercy.

Sparks flew as the two clashed fiercely. Though the advantage shifted back and forth, Yamamoto Taro was already wounded and soon fell at a disadvantage.

Tanagi Seiichi gave him no chance to catch his breath. He drew a military saber and said coldly, “Come, draw your blade, and let’s settle this with a duel to the death! Let’s see whose swordsmanship prevails!”

Yamamoto Taro struggled to draw his own blade. “Hah!”

But blood gushed out faster the more he exerted himself. At over a hundred years old, he was no match for Tanagi Seiichi.

Yamamoto Taro staggered, supporting himself with his sword, nearly collapsing.

“Haha, old man, you’re done for. If you beg for mercy, maybe I’ll let you die more easily. Killing you is just the first step. I will have my revenge, and that Xiao Fei must die as well!” Tanagi Seiichi snarled.

These words struck a nerve in Yamamoto Taro. Furious, he roared, “What? You—how dare you harm Xiao Fei!”

Tanagi Seiichi hadn’t expected the old man’s rage, nor that this Chinese youth would affect him so deeply.

Tanagi Seiichi continued, “Ha! Since you’re already dying, I don’t mind telling you more. I’ve pledged myself to Lord Tojo Hideki. And you’d never guess—the poison in your body is none other than the world’s deadliest Black Widow. Not only are you poisoned, but Xiao Fei and his companions will be as well. They’re doomed. He’s already at the mass grave, entangled by Tojo Hideki, and will soon meet his end. Ha ha!”

“No, you can’t! You mustn’t harm Xiao Fei. I will stop your plot!” Yamamoto Taro declared, making one last desperate attack. But he was no match for Tanagi Seiichi, who kicked him to the ground with ease.

“Master, run!” At that moment, Koji Putian suddenly grabbed Tanagi Seiichi’s legs from behind.

Tanagi Seiichi spun around and cursed, “Idiot! If you don’t let go, I’ll kill you right now!”

“I won’t! Master, run! Go!” Koji Putian shouted.

“Koji…” Yamamoto Taro cried out, but, realizing the danger Xiao Fei faced, he had no choice but to leave. He would not let Xiao Fei die.

“Go!”

“Let go!” Tanagi Seiichi kicked Koji Putian again and again, but Koji clung to him with a death grip.

Yamamoto Taro knew he had to go, or Koji’s sacrifice would be in vain. “Koji, your master will avenge you one day!”

Yamamoto Taro said this and ran out.

“Die!” Tanagi Seiichi stabbed Koji Putian several more times, but even as the man breathed his last, he never let go.

In the end, the ruthless Tanagi Seiichi was forced to sever both of Koji Putian’s arms with his saber before he could break free. Then, in haste, he sped toward the mass grave outside the city.