Chapter 015: Lu Shi’s New Circumstances

On December 24, 1924, having returned from Miyazaki to the Army Academy, Qingxuan Aoki reported to the Security Office to cancel his leave, then returned to his dormitory and put down his luggage.

It was the afternoon, and his classmates were outside attending field exercises, so the dormitory was empty.

“System prompt 1: During the host’s absence from school, the Military Law Office has been covertly investigating the host’s identity and recent conduct.”

“System prompt 2: During the host’s absence, Zhao Yiyue has been secretly investigating the reason for Chen Jiehua’s disappearance and the host’s recent behavior.”

“So it’s true what they say—when you run into someone from your hometown, beware the knife in your back.” Upon hearing the system’s warning, the first thought that came to Chen Jiehua’s mind was precisely this—people from your own region can’t be trusted, after all!

Let me think. Ever since the head of the Military Law Office let me out of that cell, I don’t think I’ve done anything suspicious. Their investigation into my identity probably started because of the actions of Jin Saburō Masaki, the head of the Academic Affairs Office. But if they’re probing my recent performance, that field simulation—when I slid down the dirt slope, and Zhao Yiyue followed—might raise questions. If the Military Law Office interrogates Zhao Yiyue and he responds poorly or breaks under torture, there could be trouble.

But why is Zhao Yiyue so fixated on investigating me?

However, the most pressing issue right now isn’t Zhao Yiyue—it’s how to dispel the suspicions of Chief Tomonari of the Military Law Office! That insidious man.

Thankfully, the system gave me a heads-up.

What’s the point that aroused his continued suspicion? Is it the absence of Chen Jiehua’s body? The corpse can’t be handed over now—it’s been over two weeks; at this point, producing the body would be impossible to explain.

“System, aside from the missing Chen Jiehua, the only thing that could arouse his suspicion must be my behavior, right?”

“But according to the original memories of Qingxuan Aoki, there was no direct interaction with Tomonari, so his investigation can only rely on Qingxuan Aoki’s conduct before and after the cell incident.”

“So as long as I stick to my established routine and behave properly, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“The crucial thing is the ranking evaluation in January—everything comes back to that. I entered as third in the class, but after a few months I’ve dropped to the twenties. Without a solid explanation, it’s hard to get by.”

“So, you really don’t have any enhancement elixirs? There’s only a month left until the evaluation!”

“Host, please study and train diligently.”

Chen Jiehua covered his face in despair, feeling as though he couldn’t even survive the “beginner’s village.”

“Other transmigrators become wealthy heirs, or at least live without fear for their lives. At worst, they end up as minor characters in their own country, with plenty of time to arrange things. But I’m stuck right in the enemy’s stronghold, facing life-and-death situations one after another. System, this is too much! Can I request a restart?”

“System reminds the host not to entertain unrealistic fantasies. Your immediate priority is to keep your feet on the ground and resume training.”

Chen Jiehua thought, “I’ve already lost more than ten days at home, then my grandfather passed away, and my family’s in turmoil. It’s reasonable to intensify my training, right? Damn it, if Tomonari keeps watching me, worst comes to worst, I’ll take care of him first.”

After this inner conversation, Chen Jiehua, as Qingxuan Aoki, returned to the training grounds to resume his solitary recovery training.

Swordsmanship, physical conditioning, and hand-to-hand combat were all part of the evaluation, but swordsmanship was the most important. Qingxuan Aoki’s swordsmanship was number one in his current class, so Chen Jiehua prioritized kendo practice.

Qingxuan Aoki’s kendo had always been taught by his father, Saburō Aoki, on the seashore. It was a style popular in Kyushu, but neither the teacher nor the students knew its true name—it was different from the Shiken-ryu and Yakumaru Jiken-ryu of Kyushu, and it wasn’t the Shinkage-ryu popular outside the island, either.

Back then, Nobumune Aoki had tossed a book to Ichirō Aoki before leaving for China and rarely came home afterward, so there was hardly any guidance. As a result, the Aoki family trained blindly from the book.

Still, Qingxuan Aoki’s talent and perseverance were first-rate; even with a nameless style, he managed to become the best in his class—an impressive feat.

“Host, the system has obtained a copy of ‘Yagyu Shinkage-ryu Swordsmanship Secret Manual’ by Aizu Ikosai. It closely resembles the kendo in Qingxuan Aoki’s memories. Would you like to try it?”

After Chen Jiehua had practiced swordsmanship to the point of exhaustion, the system suddenly reappeared, tempting him like the wolf in disguise.

“!!!”

“System! Sister System! I kept asking whether you had enhancement elixirs or methods, and you always said no! Didn’t you say you couldn’t provide anything that would affect the balance? Why do you have something now? I want it! Quick!”

“This does not violate the balance. The system has determined that Qingxuan Aoki was originally practicing this ancient Kage-ryu swordsmanship, though the techniques were not entirely standard. The manual only serves to correct your training, without affecting historical equilibrium.”

The “Kage-ryu Swordsmanship Secret Manual” dropped into his inventory.

Chen Jiehua didn’t have time to argue further with the system. He immediately opened the manual, and as expected, it was almost identical to the Japanese swordsmanship in Qingxuan Aoki’s memories. “Kage-ryu” emphasized practical combat, correcting several flaws in his current practice—perfect timing!

He continued his sword training.

Maintaining his solitary persona, Chen Jiehua followed the daily routine of study and practice at the academy. When he saw Zhao Yiyue, he observed him carefully—there were no injuries or signs of impaired movement, and his eyes and demeanor seemed normal. It appeared he hadn’t been tortured.

In fact, reviewing their conversation that day, it seemed he hadn’t said anything particularly incriminating to Zhao Yiyue. Even if Zhao went to the Military Law Office, it should be explainable.

No need to approach Zhao Yiyue for now.

So, Chen Jiehua spent each day studying with his classmates, participating in field exercises, and practicing swordsmanship alone in his spare time.

As for Zhao Yiyue, ever since the incident on the small slope, Qingxuan Aoki—now Chen Jiehua—had never sought him out again. Once suspicion was sown, it began to take root.

It was almost certainly a Japanese conspiracy—Chen Jiehua’s chances were slim. Or perhaps he was being held in secret? Further investigation was necessary, and if found, an attempt at rescue would follow.

Today, Qingxuan Aoki was absent from class. Upon inquiry, it was discovered he had gone through the procedures to return home—something was up!

But before any useful information could be gathered, Qingxuan Aoki returned.

On January 15, 1925, the Imperial Japanese Army Academy welcomed an unexpected visitor.

Okamura Ninji, who had returned to Tokyo with Qingxuan Aoki on December 24, was, under orders from Crown Prince Hirohito—already acting as regent—about to leave Japan for Shanghai to serve as the Imperial Army’s military attaché to China.

Full of ambition, Okamura Ninji had come specifically to bid farewell to Qingxuan Aoki. It was odd for a senior to take the initiative to say goodbye to a junior, wasn’t it?

Since being transferred from the Aoki residence back to headquarters in 1919, Okamura Ninji had been unable to distinguish himself. In 1921, he traveled to Europe, persuading a group of young officers studying or stationed in Europe to secretly meet the traveling Crown Prince Hirohito (the famous "Baden-Baden Trio").