Chapter Eighteen: The Assassination of the Japanese Colonel

However, Xiao Fei was not one to rest on his laurels. He was not intoxicated by a small victory. As Hu Baiwan launched his grand campaign to sweep through Green Dragon Mountain, Xiao Fei made thorough preparations. He dispatched his men in all directions: some to gather intelligence on Hu Baiwan’s advance, others to guard every entrance into the mountain.

Fortunately, the terrain of Green Dragon Mountain was treacherous and easy to defend but hard to attack. That was precisely why it had always been a coveted stronghold for warring factions.

When Hu Changqing learned that his uncle had indeed colluded with the Japanese and was mercilessly oppressing the local people, he was deeply disheartened. He swore an oath, and immediately penned a letter to his family, declaring a severance of all ties with Hu Baiwan, stating that the next time they met would be amid the clash of weapons.

Under Xiao Fei’s leadership, everyone on Green Dragon Mountain was fully prepared.

Yet Xiao Fei knew that if Hu Baiwan truly launched a massive assault, the current situation left Green Dragon Mountain with little hope of victory. After all, Xiao Fei’s forces numbered fewer than four thousand, while Hu Baiwan claimed forty thousand soldiers.

For others, such odds might have spelled doom, but Xiao Fei was not an ordinary man; he was confident in his strategy.

The old adage rang true: capture the leader first to defeat the bandits. As long as Hu Baiwan—or the Japanese power behind him—could be eliminated, the crisis at Green Dragon Mountain would be averted.

Still, after much consideration, Xiao Fei acknowledged that Hu Baiwan, for all his faults, was Hu Changqing’s uncle. Perhaps it would be best to let him live a while longer. Yet with Hu Baiwan plundering the people of Jiangning City, Xiao Fei could not stand idly by.

The best way to resolve this crisis would be to eradicate the Japanese forces entrenched in Jiangning City.

Thus, Xiao Fei formed a plan: he would personally infiltrate Jiangning City, facing the danger alone. Though the risks were great, he had no choice. He was no longer just a solitary man, but the leader of an army, bearing a much heavier responsibility.

Night fell. Xiao Fei climbed to a high vantage point, gazing towards the bustling Jiangning City thirty miles away. The famous Qinhuai River encircled it—a scene that should have been harmonious and beautiful. Yet with the warlords’ presence and the arrival of Japanese criminal forces, a dark cloud hung over Jiangning City, arousing deep concern.

“A great nation, rich but not strong, is bullied from all sides, its walls threatened. Seeking compromise, shunning weapons, over time, dogs turn to wolves. How many young men aspire to the battlefield? Alas, my China, wounded everywhere; my beloved land, no longer the realm of Tang.” Xiao Fei unconsciously recited these verses. Had he not experienced this moment himself, he would never have felt the misery of China around the time of the Xinhai Revolution, suffering under the oppression of foreign powers, its people destitute and desperate.

He lamented the misfortune of the Beiyang government and was enraged by its lack of resistance.

“It’s getting chilly. Uncle, you should return inside and rest,”

Just then, a garment was draped over Xiao Fei’s shoulders. He turned abruptly to find Liu Susu standing behind him, the moonlight shining on her face, accentuating her pure and gentle beauty.

“Sister-in-law, thank you.” Warmth filled Xiao Fei’s heart. Here, Liu Susu was his only family. Perhaps it was the melancholy he felt moments before, but he couldn’t help yearning for his past life, for his friends and relatives. He was not originally of this world, nor meant to bear so much responsibility, yet history had chosen him, and he could not escape.

Liu Susu, ever perceptive, seemed to see through Xiao Fei’s thoughts. Over the past days, she had watched his profound transformation, though she did not know what had caused it. She understood that any metamorphosis brought pain—like the forming of a pearl within its shell, or the moment a chrysalis breaks and a butterfly emerges. Only through immense suffering could one become something beautiful.

This was the source of Xiao Fei’s allure. Somehow, he had embedded himself deep within Liu Susu’s heart. Yet, as his sister-in-law, she refused to admit it.

Liu Susu’s denial did not mean Xiao Fei would deny it too. Under the romantic moonlight, Xiao Fei didn’t want to let this moment slip away. Unable to restrain himself, he spoke: “Sister-in-law, do you remember when you slapped me? You really didn’t hold back.”

“Hmph, you were rude to me, so you deserved it,” Liu Susu replied, her cheeks flushed as she hurriedly turned away.

“Sister-in-law, I’ve always wanted to ask you something. You and my third brother are married in name, but not in reality. Are you really content to spend your life alone?”

“Uncle, why are you saying such things? Since I’ve married into the Xiao family, I belong to the Xiao family, in life and in death!” Liu Susu said solemnly.

“You’re only twenty, in the prime of youth. Are you willing to let it go to waste?”

“Uncle, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“Susu…” Xiao Fei suddenly called her name with deep affection, making Liu Susu tremble. “Susu, I want to give you happiness!”

“Uncle, are you drunk again? You, you… Oh…” Liu Susu exclaimed, turning to run.

But Xiao Fei blocked her path. “Susu, you should know how I feel.”

“Uncle, let me go! If you don’t, I’ll, I’ll…” Liu Susu was so anxious she almost burst into tears.

“What will you do? Are you going to hit me again?”

“Uncle deserves a beating!” As Liu Susu raised her hand to strike him, Xiao Fei caught it.

Their fingers intertwined, their eyes met, their faces nearly touching. Bathed in the ambiguous, hazy moonlight, the atmosphere was impossibly intimate.

From the surrounding grass came the occasional chirp of crickets, as if singing for their love.

Gradually, Xiao Fei’s lips inched closer to Liu Susu’s.

“Lord, so this is where you are!”

By an unfortunate coincidence, Qin Tianbao arrived just then. Against the backlight, he failed to notice the intimate moment between Xiao Fei and Liu Susu.

The sound of another approaching made both Xiao Fei and Liu Susu panic—after all, Liu Susu was his sister-in-law!

Flustered, Liu Susu hurried away. “Oh, you two have matters to discuss. I’ll take my leave.”

Heavens, so close! If that annoying sissy had arrived a moment later, I would have succeeded! Xiao Fei was thoroughly frustrated.

“You damned sissy, what do you want?” Xiao Fei asked irritably.

“You! Hmph, don’t think just because you’re the boss now that I’ll tolerate your insults!” Qin Tianbao retorted sharply.

Everyone on Green Dragon Mountain followed Xiao Fei’s commands—except for Qin Tianbao and Chen Xiangyi, who regarded him with disdain.

Especially Chen Xiangyi: she couldn’t be beaten, scolded, or reasoned with, and she’d bite at the slightest provocation. Xiao Fei had no way to deal with them.

Xiao Fei knew that Qin Tianbao wouldn’t seek him out unless it was urgent, given their constant bickering. So he got straight to the point. “Well, what is it?”

“Our spies in Jiangning City have returned with new information. Among the Japanese ruffians, there’s one named Fujiwara Ichiro, in charge of the Chen Yongjie affair. He’s bribed Hu Baiwan heavily. Tomorrow is Fujiwara Ichiro’s mother’s birthday; he’s hosting many Chinese and Japanese dignitaries. Major Noda Yoshihiko, stationed in Nanjing, will attend as well. This is our chance to strike,” Qin Tianbao said seriously.

Xiao Fei was surprised—not by Qin Tianbao’s information, but by his apparent planning against the enemy.

“Oh? What kind of opportunity?” Xiao Fei feigned ignorance.

“Hmph, you’re so clever, Lord, do I need to spell it out? You’ve been sending spies into Jiangning City to gather intelligence, all to capture the Japanese ruffians. Only by eliminating them can we resolve the crisis at Green Dragon Mountain.” Qin Tianbao replied smugly.

“So I can’t hide anything from you, sissy!”

“You! Hmph! This time I must avenge Xiangyi’s mother!” Qin Tianbao said firmly.

“Hmm? So you intend to go into Jiangning City?” Xiao Fei asked.

“Of course. I started this whole thing, so I’ll see it through!”

“Ridiculous! No one acts without my orders—you know that!” Xiao Fei said angrily.

“No way! I’m going, whatever you say! I’m here to inform you, not to ask your permission! I’ve said what I needed. Goodbye!” With that, Qin Tianbao left.

“You! Outrageous! He’s just like that spoiled Miss Lin Siyu!” Xiao Fei muttered.

Afterwards, he felt a pang of sorrow, missing his girlfriend from his previous life, Lin Siyu.

“Siyu, I’ve been gone so long—are you well?” Xiao Fei silently wondered.

Wait, why am I comparing this sissy to my former girlfriend? Isn’t that an insult to her? Damn sissy!

Xiao Fei cursed inwardly, but let it go.

Qin Tianbao’s news was important—this was indeed a golden opportunity.

Just three days ago, the First World War broke out in full, with Japan declaring war on Germany. At this moment, Japan would be too preoccupied to spar with the Beiyang government. Now was the best time to expel Japanese forces from Jiangning City.

Little Japan, just wait and see! Xiao Fei’s coming! he thought, then turned in for a good night’s sleep, resolved to infiltrate Jiangning City himself at dawn and assassinate the Japanese major.