Chapter 016: The Aura of Neji Kamimura

After returning to his homeland, Okamura devoted himself to encouraging the younger generation to assist Crown Prince Hirohito in seizing power as regent. After years of toil, the moment of takeoff was finally approaching. Before soaring, one must find someone to show off to—where else does emotional value come from? However, his friends were either in Europe or China, so Okamura remembered Aoki Seigen. He had to share his joy with Aoki Seigen! This young man didn’t speak much, but every time, he hit the sweet spot.

At this moment, Okamura felt gratitude toward his mentor, Aoki Nobumitsu, for four years of guidance at the Aoki mansion, and he also cherished the camaraderie he had built with his “nephew” Aoki Seigen during his master’s funeral, when they had shared a bed for several nights.

Naturally, Aoki Seigen’s “uncle” found this equally comforting.

Okamura’s visit altered the trajectories of three lives.

First was Miyaji Hisuma, the current principal of the Army Academy. This old man, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, had crossed paths with Okamura many times. Upon receiving a report from the security office, Miyaji didn’t hesitate to personally welcome Okamura—now a favored figure at the Crown Prince’s side—into the principal’s office, expressing his desire to return to the Kwantung Army.

For Okamura, recruiting talent for the Crown Prince was part of his mission. Miyaji’s voluntary allegiance could not be refused.

The second was Masaki Shinsaburo, the unofficial senior disciple. Masaki also received the security office’s report. After Okamura graduated from the Army Academy, he attended the Army Staff College, then returned to the Academy as a teacher; Masaki, as the nominal senior, naturally came to the principal’s office to greet him.

The last time they met was in Miyazaki Prefecture, where Masaki didn’t know that Okamura was Nobumitsu’s final disciple, so he ignored him. Later, at the funeral, after finding out, he felt a twinge of jealousy, since Nobumitsu never publicly acknowledged Masaki as his disciple, so he kept his distance.

This time, however, he had no choice. Though his military rank was much higher, Okamura was the rising star. Jealousy aside, acknowledging his junior meant joining a faction—and following the Crown Prince promised many benefits.

For Okamura, though Masaki lacked official recognition from their master, he had nevertheless received his teachings and was a senior—using one’s own people brought peace of mind.

The third was Nagatomo Tsugio, the head of the military legal office. This shrewd and suspicious man had been secretly investigating Aoki Seigen, nearly uncovering the clandestine meeting between Zhao Yiyue and Chen Jiehua on the earthen mound.

But when Chen Jiehua finally rushed into the principal’s office, the words “uncle” and Okamura’s exaggeratedly cooperative embrace scared Nagatomo out of pursuing the investigation.

What kind of relationship was this? Calling Masaki “uncle,” and the dazzling Okamura “uncle” as well—is this a background I could possibly investigate?

Thus, Nagatomo abandoned his inquiry, escaping an early demise.

In fact, this saved a fourth person, Zhao Yiyue. Had Nagatomo followed the original path and investigated the mound meeting, Zhao Yiyue would have faced torture at minimum, if not death.

Moreover, when Nagatomo discovered Zhao Yiyue was secretly investigating Aoki Seigen, he filled in the blanks himself, reconfirmed that it was Aoki who lived, and later even summoned Zhao Yiyue for a conversation, intimidating him into halting his investigation of Aoki Seigen.

Naturally, this only deepened Zhao Yiyue’s suspicions toward Aoki Seigen.

The Japanese conspiracy was confirmed; even the head of the military legal office was involved. What should he do? This was Zhao Yiyue’s honest thought at the time.

At the school gate, as Okamura was being seen off by the school’s dignitaries, he deliberately ran over to embrace the deliberately avoiding Aoki Seigen again.

After the embrace, he patted Aoki’s back, reminding him to join him in Shanghai for his graduation internship.

As for the diploma—was it important? Would the principal, whether Miyaji or Masaki, withhold it? Such were the blatant benefits of having connections in Japan at the time.

The initial impact of Okamura’s unexpected visit on Chen Jiehua and Aoki Seigen had just faded; on January 18, the Army Academy students faced the semiannual competition.

First came the kendo tournament—the internal battle among the 17th Infantry class. Relying on his enhanced Yagyu-style swordsmanship, Aoki Seigen advanced triumphantly, meeting the class’s top student, Isomura Takeaki, in the finals.

In the final, their bamboo swords clashed fiercely, breaking three in the process. Isomura, unable to overcome Aoki, admitted defeat.

This was, in truth, another benefit brought by Okamura. Isomura, clear-headed, glanced at Aoki after conceding, and received Aoki’s responding look.

Satisfied! He lost without leaving a trace, and the other acknowledged him—perfect!

Next, with the kendo champion decided, there was little else to watch. Principal Miyaji Hisuma, observing from the sidelines, directly appointed Aoki Seigen as the top student for this round’s assessment.

Simple and direct!

This meant Aoki Seigen was exempt from further assessments—no more tests!

In reality, the half-year evaluation for first-year students didn’t require the principal’s presence at all, but such was Aoki’s standing in this class.

After bowing to the principal and examiners in thanks, Aoki bowed to his classmates, maintaining his aloof persona, and left the kendo room without a word.

Chen Jiehua’s steps were almost too light to contain.

“Damn, am I dreaming? The assessment that troubled me for months is just over like that?”

“If I meet Okamura again, should I thank him? The invisible figure at Nobumitsu’s funeral is now my backer!”

“No need to curse the author anymore, right? The opening hurdle is behind me; at least my student life is now on the fast track.”

Back in the dormitory, Chen Jiehua, having shed his psychological burden, lay on his bed while his classmates were still out—not to sleep, of course, as that wouldn’t fit his persona.

After the assessment came a brief winter vacation. Thinking about returning home for the break, Chen Jiehua realized he and Zhao Yiyue were both from Jiangsu. The winter vacation lasted two months—they were going back!

The key was, Chen Jiehua finally understood why Zhao Yiyue suspected him.

During the break, Zhao Yiyue would return home. There, he’d meet Chen Jiehua’s family. The two were inseparable, but now only one had returned, while the other was missing—neither alive nor dead. It truly was difficult.

But better for him to be in trouble than for me! After all, better the other’s misfortune than my own.

Moreover, this man couldn’t be killed. When I return to China, I’ll need someone to relay information to the organization. Finding someone else isn’t as reliable as a classmate!

“The system believes your previous communication with Zhao Yiyue was too risky! An unnecessary adventure! You should first confirm if he can withstand torture. If he’s captured later, and confesses under torture, there’s no explaining that!”

“That’s true, but how would you test that? Should I capture him and torture him once?”

“The system thinks that’s feasible.”

“No need for now, I think. Besides, during my previous communication, I didn’t say anything fatal. Even in the worst case, if he reports me, in Japan—especially at school—who would they believe, him or me?”

Let’s put Zhao Yiyue’s issue aside for now.