Chapter 26: Another Little Girl

However, Ichiro Fujiwara was by no means an ordinary figure. Unlike Yoshihiko Noda, who had been ensnared by the charms of Li Shishi and thus fell prey to their scheme with ease, Ichiro Fujiwara, though not of the highest rank in the R** world, had mastered the true arts of R Country—ninjutsu, swordsmanship, blade techniques, and illusions—and possessed espionage experience equal to the most advanced international standards of the time. He was not someone easy to deal with.

Sensing that the “Yoshihiko Noda” before him was likely an imposter, he immediately became alert. Yet since Noda was his superior, he dared not act rashly without confirmation and could only probe further.

Ichiro Fujiwara had long felt that the bodyguard at Noda’s side seemed odd—standing there in silence for an inordinate amount of time. Little did he know this was because the “bodyguard” was a fake, none other than Qin Tianxiang in disguise, who did not speak a word of Japanese and therefore dared not open her mouth.

Seizing on this flaw, Fujiwara stood up and addressed Qin Tianxiang, “Sir bodyguard, you’ve had a hard day. Why not join us for a drink?”

By usual custom, bodyguards were never permitted to sit and drink with their superiors. Fujiwara’s invitation was a test to see how the imposter would respond.

At that moment, Qin Tianxiang’s heart was pounding in her throat, as was everyone else’s. Though she was naturally bold and loyal, and bore a deep hatred for the R Country’s people, this was her first undertaking of such a daunting mission, and now the enemy was right before her, moments away from seeing through her disguise. How could she not be tense? Being exposed was not the worst—at most, it would cost her life. But failing to complete the mission and prove herself to that damned Xiao Fei would be a fate worse than death.

Seeing that the “bodyguard” could not utter a single word, Fujiwara grew even more suspicious. He surreptitiously signaled his own guards nearby with a coded message to keep a close watch on everything.

Xiao Fei and Li Shishi had already considered their options. If they moved now, their chances of success were slim. The ** was in the box held by Qin Tianxiang, and with Fujiwara so close, action was impossible. Though Xiao Fei carried a pistol, he could never take out all the R Country’s people present, and if any of them escaped, it would only alert the enemy, inviting fierce retaliation.

Weighing the risks, Xiao Fei decided to delay and buy time, seeking to ease the tense atmosphere.

Fortunately, he remained composed and was well-versed in the ways of the R** world. He spoke in a low, steady voice: “Mr. Fujiwara, you seem a bit out of line. You know well that he is my bodyguard. How could a bodyguard possibly join his superior at the table?”

Hearing this, Fujiwara’s face darkened. He still could not be sure whether the “Yoshihiko Noda” before him was genuine, so he dared not gamble further. “Oh, forgive me, General, forgive me. Here, I’ll drink a penalty cup myself.”

“No need for that,” Xiao Fei replied with agility. “The task you entrusted to me, I too have failed to accomplish. We're even. It’s all my fault—these days I spend every night tangled up with Li Shishi and have let everything else slip my mind.”

Fujiwara found this response reasonable. The general was known for his indulgent, womanizing ways, and his nightly entanglements with Li Shishi were public knowledge. It was not impossible that he’d forgotten a task for such reasons. Considering his speech and manner, Fujiwara found no flaws at all.

It seemed he had been overly suspicious, he thought to himself.

At last, the tense situation eased somewhat. As the song ended, Li Shishi walked gracefully to “Yoshihiko Noda’s” side and collapsed languidly into his arms, the very picture of envy for all.

Though they had passed this test, there was no guarantee Fujiwara would not come up with another cunning trick. Clearly, acting sooner rather than later would be wise.

At that moment, the pig-faced Hu Baiwan rose to bid Fujiwara farewell, claiming he had received orders to return home at once.

Damn it, lucky you! Your dog life is spared for now! Xiao Fei cursed at Hu Baiwan’s retreating back.

“Master, by eliminating Yoshihiko Noda, the head of the invasion, you have saved tens of thousands of civilians from the ravages of war. The system awards you 10,000 energy points,” came Xiao Ling’s ethereal voice in Xiao Fei’s mind.

“Heaven truly favors me! Ling’er, help me plan—how should I best use all these points?” Xiao Fei asked excitedly.

“Master, to upgrade to Level 2 Energy Conversion System requires 2,000 points. To purchase a military prison also requires 2,000 points. To construct a military base needs 8,000 points. Of course, there are many other useful items you may choose to buy: for every 10 points, you may exchange for a Browning bullet; for every 100, a submachine gun; for every 1,000, an airdropped bomb; for every 10,000, an unarmed tank; for every 100,000, an armed tank, and so on...”

“Stop, stop, Ling’er! I’m not interested in the rest for now. Tell me, what exactly does it mean to purchase a military prison or construct a military base?” Xiao Fei pressed urgently.

“Master, to put it plainly, both the military prison and military base are virtual spaces within the intelligent system—similar to the storage treasures you may have heard of in the cultivation world. These virtual spaces function much like those artifacts, allowing you to store objects and people without occupying any real-world space. For instance, if you own a military prison, you may detain anyone you have subdued there, to torment or punish as you see fit. If you establish a virtual military base, you may place your real-world troops inside to train intensively with advanced alien equipment and combat doctrines,” Xiao Ling quickly explained.

Bang!

The words struck Xiao Fei’s mind like a bombshell—utterly incredible. He never imagined the intelligent system would be so powerful.

In his previous life, Xiao Fei had spent hundreds of yuan on the game “Empire Rise” building a military base, only to have it destroyed in a single stroke by a German opponent—his greatest regret. Who would have thought that, after being reborn, he could not only make up for that loss, but do so even more perfectly?

“Ling’er, you’re amazing! You anticipate my every need. I do indeed require a military base and a prison—execute at once!” Xiao Fei commanded.

Though they exchanged a great deal of information, their communication via the quantum brainwaves took almost no time at all.

Xiao Fei had long considered his options. As the saying goes, a capable man kills with skill; a wise man employs others. He would be both capable and wise. He knew Fujiwara possessed many abilities and vital intelligence about the R** world—his value was immense. Rather than kill him outright, it would be far better to torment him slowly and make him serve his own ends.

Now that he owned a military prison, what better choice than to lock Fujiwara there for the time being?

In an instant, the designs for the military prison and base appeared in Xiao Fei’s mind, their luxuriousness startling him greatly.

Xiao Ling also explained the intelligent procedures for detaining personnel. There were requirements: among the nine universal mortal classes, ordinary people could be detained without restriction; warriors could be detained at will within ten meters; generals and above could only be detained once subdued.

According to Xiao Ling’s scan, of all the R Country officers present in the main hall, only Fujiwara exceeded that threshold—he was already a Level 1 General, three ranks higher than Xiao Fei, who was just a Level 1 Warrior.

Clearly, concentrating all efforts on Fujiwara was key to success.

With that thought, Xiao Fei sprang up, ready to activate the military prison, when suddenly a crisp voice called out behind him, “Papa, Papa, everyone’s having so much fun—why didn’t you call me to join?”

He turned with a start. A young girl in Qing Dynasty attire ran out from the back hall—innocent, lively, and strikingly beautiful, as though crafted by the gods themselves: a touch too much would be excess, a touch less would be wanting. Her sweet smile and sparkling eyes seemed to speak on their own, utterly enchanting.

Fujiwara’s face changed dramatically. He immediately stood up. “Meiko, why are you out here? Stop misbehaving! How many times have I told you—call me ‘Father,’ not ‘Papa’! And you must learn to wear a kimono!”

But the girl paid him no mind. Her gaze swept the room, suddenly landing on the box in Qin Tianxiang’s arms beside Xiao Fei.

Curious, the girl ran straight over. “Oh? What’s this box for? It’s so pretty—let me see!”

Before Qin Tianxiang could react, the girl had already snatched the box and opened it. “Nani? What’s this?”

It was over! Their carefully laid scheme was undone by a little girl blurting “Nani” in Japanese. Heaven’s plans are no match for man’s, Xiao Fei thought bitterly. He, Li Shishi, and Qin Tianxiang sprang into action—survival was now the only priority!