Chapter 8

The next morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Ouyang Yun woke up. The biological clock he had brought from the future hadn't changed at all. This morning, there was a light mist, faintly scattered in the courtyard, where three new graves were hidden, adding a touch of ethereal beauty. They stood together, reminding Ouyang Yun of the guards at the entrance of the special forces camp. Thinking back to the night before, when they were still lively and full of life, he sighed faintly—indeed, in chaotic times, human lives are as cheap as grass. He had to be more careful. He touched his chest, where there were two fresh holes in the camouflage uniform. If it weren't for the bulletproof vest, he would have become a handful of yellow earth here. He looked at the window, which was actually being used as a door, with a complex mood, shook his head, took two deep breaths, stretched his chest, kicked his legs, and then started doing push-ups and frog jumps.

As the sun rose, it was another sunny day, and the mist had already dissipated. After finishing his handstand, he stood up, but Bai Liusu didn't come out. Recalling her words from last night, he wondered if she had really left. Could she have really taken him for a "wild chicken"?

"Wild chicken!" What a despicable nickname—

There was nothing moved in the room, and the bedding was cold. He was sure that this mysterious woman had really left.

Ouyang Yun sat on the threshold, with a computer on his knees. The sunlight shone into the courtyard, making it very bright. The street outside the courtyard was noisy, just like the day before. A worm kept appearing in front of his eyes. He shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Am I really falling for a plain woman? Pah!"

On the computer screen, a text document was open, with the name "Bai Liusu" written several times. Bai Liusu, Bai Liusu... The more he saw the name, the more unique it seemed. After about ten minutes, the screensaver automatically appeared, showing a vivid old man's smile.

It was General Chen, who had promised to give Ouyang Yun a gift: "Ouyang, what are you daydreaming about?"

He was lost in thought and was startled by the words: "General!" He thought the old man had also traveled through time. After calming down, he realized what was happening. The old man had learned from Zhuge Liang and was trying to predict the unknown. However, if he didn't let the screensaver appear, wouldn't the old man's well-intentioned efforts be in vain?

"Alright, I think you're settled now. It's time for me to reveal the gift. Watch carefully..."

The old man's gift was to help him carry out this so-called mission, providing some technologies that China currently lacked—indeed, they had put a lot of effort into it.

The production process for penicillin; detailed blueprints for the AK-47 assault rifle and the MG-42 general-purpose machine gun; production techniques for some low-end lathes, milling machines, and boring machines; oil refining; production processes for 1950s advanced tanks and cars...

Ouyang Yun was dazzled and exclaimed, "Crazy! What does this old man want to do?!"

"Little Ouyang, if the Sino-Japanese War hasn't started, you should first set up a pharmaceutical factory to produce penicillin. That stuff is as valuable as gold. With the money, set up a military factory to produce AK-47s and MG-42s. Of course, sniper rifles are also necessary. Our Type 88 is good, and I've prepared the blueprints for you. Then, if you have the ability, you can also produce tanks, planes, and cannons..."

"Produce them for fun? Hmph, do you think this is a video game? Does the main character have an invincible body?" Ouyang Yun grumbled. The old man was too wicked. This gift was more like the apple in the Garden of Eden—tempting, but the consequences of eating it were unpredictable.

"Little Ouyang, do you like this gift?" The screensaver finally looked like a screensaver, with beautiful women and scenery floating by. However, the old man's last words were quite disappointing. Ouyang Yun leaned against the door frame, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

This gift was clearly a heavy burden. If he failed, would the old man say, "You've let down the people and the Party"? At the very least, he would feel that he had let down his ancestors, his conscience, and the 320 million people.

"I've been tricked. This is clearly a game they set up! With 100% realism, and I'm the only player! If only I had been a medic back then..."

What Ouyang Yun didn't know was that when General Chen and Designer Huang were formulating the "Anti-Japanese" plan, the latter had indeed had such doubts: "Old Chen, why do I feel like we're designing a game?"

General Chen, who loved war games, had his eyes light up and said, "You intellectuals are sharp. The 'Anti-Japanese' plan is indeed a game—oh, I envy Ouyang Yun so much. He's the only player!"

Thus, the words "If I were forty years younger, this good thing wouldn't be yours" were said to Ouyang Yun.

The sun slowly rose above the treetops, climbing to the center of the sky, and the temperature gradually rose. Ouyang Yun stood on the roof, sweat beginning to form on his forehead. The old man's words weighed heavily on his heart, making it hard to breathe. Not far away, the gate of Yanjing University was open, and a group of students poured out. Chen Jiayao, holding a stack of lecture notes, walked towards Chu Tiange, who was waiting at the gate. They talked as they walked towards this "haunted house."

Ouyang Yun jumped down from the roof and waited quietly for them.

As soon as Chu Tiange entered the courtyard, he rushed to Bai Liusu's room, didn't see anyone, and shouted loudly, "She's really not here?"

Seeing the three graves, Chen Jiayao's face turned pale, and her brows furrowed—after all, this was her family's property, and now it had become a cemetery. As the owner, she naturally had objections.

Ouyang Yun naturally understood her thoughts and said, "They are all heroes. Burying them here won't disgrace this house. Jiayao, I want to buy this place. What's your price?"

Forcing a smile, Chen Jiayao said, "It's fine. I'll give you the house."

Chu Tiange only then noticed the new graves and said, "They deserve to be called heroes. Big Brother Ouyang, where's Phoenix?"

"She's gone."

"I saw her this morning."

"You saw her? Where?" Ouyang Yun stared at him, his tone suddenly agitated. He didn't know why she had to leave, but he was sure that a woman would take some extreme actions. Shen Jian had died at the hands of the Japanese Black Dragon Society, and the Black Dragon Society in Beiping clearly hadn't just lost a few members. Her temper was too stubborn. Would she go to their headquarters alone?

"She went into the city. I saw her at Xizhimen." Chu Tiange said, unfolding a poster he had been carrying.

The poster was a classmate's art collection, well-preserved. The "great thief" on it had a black mask over her face, a scar running from her eye to her nose, and large, vivid eyes.

Ouyang Yun immediately recognized Bai Liusu.

Chu Tiange: "She seemed to have put on makeup, and the scar on her face was hidden, but she was still recognizable."

Bai Liusu's hair was white, a very distinctive feature. As long as someone was observant, they could connect her "great thief" identity from her hair, regardless of whether she had a scar on her face.

Ouyang Yun frowned and asked, "Tiange, answer me honestly, have you heard of the Japanese Black Dragon Society?"

"I've heard of them. They have a restaurant in Sanzi Hutong. My senior and I even went to challenge them." Chu Tiange said, a hint of shame on his face, "But we lost badly."

Actually, it was more than just badly. They were carried back, and he had been bedridden for over a month.

Ouyang Yun grabbed him and said, "Quick, take me there."

Chu Tiange was dazed, "Okay."

The two quickly walked out, and Chen Jiayao, looking at the three new graves, felt the courtyard was filled with a chilling atmosphere. Her face turned even paler, and she shouted, "Wait for me, Big Brother Ouyang, the exam papers."

Ouyang Yun turned and shouted, "Jiayao, go back to school first. I'll come for the exam papers later. Remember to lock the door." Then he pulled Chu Tiange, who was hesitating, and ran into Desheng Hutong, pushed him into the car, started the engine, and drove away.

In Sanzi Hutong, on the east side of Deshengmen Street in Beiping, the Japanese Black Dragon Society's secret base was set up in one of the quadrangle courtyards.

After inquiring at the restaurant across the street, Ouyang Yun confirmed that a woman had indeed entered earlier. He tucked the front and back of the long robe he had just bought into his belt and said to Chu Tiange in a low voice, "Go back."

Chu Tiange refused, "Why?"

Ouyang Yun's lips curled into a cold smile, "I might kill someone."

Chu Tiange was startled, blinked a few times, and exhaled heavily, "I can kill too."

Ouyang Yun looked at him for a moment and laughed mockingly, "If you die, don't blame me. Chen Jiayao is waiting for you to grow old together."

Chu Tiange's face turned slightly red, "Don't talk nonsense. It's not even a sure thing." Thinking of something, his tone turned somber, "There's no future between us. I know myself—seeing the Japanese, I can't stand them. If I can trade my life for a Japanese, it's worth it."

His words were firm, and Ouyang Yun admired him. He patted his shoulder and smiled, "Kid, you've got guts! Let's go, not a single one left alive!"

"Not a single one—left alive?!" Chu Tiange drew a sharp breath.

Ouyang Yun exhaled, pulled out a steel needle with his right hand, and walked up to the door, knocking.

A minute later, the door cracked open, and an eye appeared in the gap, cautiously looking at the two strangers outside. Just as he was about to ask a question, his vision blurred, and his eye suddenly felt intense pain. He fell to the ground, his mouth wide open but unable to make a sound.

Ouyang Yun's move was quick and ruthless. As soon as the eye appeared, the steel needle flew out, piercing his eyeball. The poison on the needle took effect immediately, felling the man. Chu Tiange watched in shock, a chill running through him. He had practiced martial arts and recognized the skill. Ouyang Yun's move looked simple but required high speed and accuracy. Without rigorous training, it was impossible to achieve such an effect. Moreover, he showed no hesitation, a level of ruthlessness that made Chu Tiange wonder if he really intended to leave no one alive.

Ouyang Yun slipped through the door, turned to see Chu Tiange still in a daze, and pulled him inside, closing and locking the door. "Be careful," he said, and then strode inside.

"Yudao, who is it?" someone shouted in Japanese from the main room.

Ouyang Yun replied in Japanese, "It's me," already at the door of the main room.

In the main room, three Japanese men in samurai attire, wearing wooden sandals and carrying long swords, were sitting and standing. The one who had asked the question was walking towards the door. Seeing Ouyang Yun, he paused, puzzled, and asked, "Who are you?"

Ouyang Yun smiled, showing a row of white teeth, and without stopping, walked up to him. "Death!" He flicked his left hand, sending two steel needles towards the two seated men, and thrust his right hand forward, the steel needle piercing the other man's abdomen.

"Death—" The man who had asked the question couldn't finish his word, his mouth open, his body collapsing. At the same time, the two seated men rose a few inches, their mouths open, and their swords drawn a foot long, but then they fell back, collapsing in their chairs—Ouyang Yun's movements were too fast. Although they instinctively reacted, they were still a step too slow. Their swords fell back into their scabbards, and their mouths never closed again.

Ouyang Yun caught the man in front of him, gently placing him on the ground, pulled out the steel needle, and quickly stabbed his heart. He stood up, pulled out the man's samurai sword, and moved towards the room on the right. He lifted the curtain, saw no one, and quickly moved to the room on the left, also seeing no one. He then ran to the back courtyard.

On both sides of the courtyard were side rooms, and in the middle were some flowers and plants, including two cherry trees, about two meters tall, in full bloom, with red and white flowers, very beautiful. It seemed the Black Dragon Society had been using this place as a secret base for some time.

The main house had two rooms. On the left was a combined training room, and on the right was a bedroom. In the training room, a dozen or so Japanese men were sitting along the walls, and in the center, two Japanese men were practicing with wooden swords, while a man in his thirties, with his hands in his sleeves, watched coldly. In the bedroom, the Black Dragon Society's Beiping leader, Hirano Akihiko, with his left arm in a sling, glared at Matsushita Shigeki, who was standing with his head down.

"Has the Chinese woman woken up?"

"Not yet."

"Still no news from Watanabe and the others?"

"No."

"Go to Yanjing University and bring Dr. John over. We must save the Chinese woman. To recover that 'contribution money,' we must act through her."

"Hai, I'll go now."

"Change your clothes first. Stilwell is a stubborn old man."

"Hai!"

Matsushita Shigeki left the study and hurried to his room. Looking up, he saw Ouyang Yun running in and frowned, shouting, "Who are you?"

Ouyang Yun didn't stop, his right hand wielding the samurai sword in a flourish, and he smiled, "Challenging the dojo!"

"Bakana!" Matsushita Shigeki was furious, shouting to the training room, "Ryu, come out, someone is challenging the dojo!" He glared at the Chinese man in front of him, about to continue his business, when he saw a white streak fly towards him, accompanied by a whistling sound. He was startled and instinctively stepped back, but it was too late—his neck suddenly felt intense pain. By the time he realized he was being attacked, his head and body were already separated. "Is that my body?"—his head flew in the air, looking at his body, which was still spraying red blood, and thought, "Is that my body?" His eyes lingered on the blooming cherry blossoms before losing consciousness.

In the training room, the sound of "clomp, clomp" was heard as Ryu Shintaro and his disciples rushed out, along with the two Japanese men from the side room and Hirano Akihiko.

Seeing the gruesome scene in the courtyard, they immediately shouted in Japanese and surrounded Ouyang Yun. Hirano Akihiko and Ryu Shintaro's faces were ashen, the latter shouting, "Chinese pig, state your name!"

Chu Tiange had just entered the courtyard and saw Ouyang Yun decapitate a man with a flying knife. The smell of blood rushed into his nose, and his stomach turned, and he vomited uncontrollably.

His vomiting didn't affect the others. Some of Ryu's disciples also vomited. The remaining ones, about seven or eight, without waiting for their master's command, drew their swords and rushed at Ouyang Yun.

A moment ago, Ouyang Yun's gaze had fallen on the "Ryu Dojo" sign hanging at the training room entrance, and he smiled mockingly, saying in Japanese, "You have the courage to run a dojo but not the guts to hang a sign. Japanese are always Japanese, never able to show their true colors!"

Ryu Shintaro was enraged, "Looking for death!"

In the next moment, Ouyang Yun faced the charging Japanese, slashing and kicking, decapitating two, killing one, and kicking three away, sacrificing his long robe in the process.

The "Ryu Dojo" had twenty-one disciples. Four were already dead, and now three more were dead and three injured. One was left in the basement to guard Bai Liusu, leaving ten. Two of the ten were too weak from vomiting, leaving only eight who could fight. They held their swords with both hands, looking at Ouyang Yun as if he were an ancient demon, their samurai spirit completely gone, trembling and hesitant to advance.

Hirano Akihiko's right hand reached into his waist and gripped the gun handle; Ryu Shintaro's eyes were bloodshot, and he drew his sword, teeth clenched, and slowly walked down the steps. When he was about two meters from Ouyang Yun, he suddenly shouted and rushed forward.

Ouyang Yun grabbed his long robe with his left hand, tearing it with a "rip" and throwing it at Ryu Shintaro, then crouched and moved forward.

Ryu Shintaro's eyes were fixed on the flying robe. He suddenly stopped, his hands moving in a flurry, a bright blade of light slicing the robe to pieces. He then shouted, pulling his sword back and slashing at Ouyang Yun's sword.

Ouyang Yun parried, kicking his right foot at the other's wrist. There was a "clang," and his sword was a step too slow, the tip being cut off.

Ryu Shintaro, not letting up, cut off Ouyang Yun's sword tip and followed with a slash—

Without the sword tip to protect him, Ouyang Yun's kick was sent to the blade. He quickly retracted his foot and leaned back.

In a flash, Ryu Shintaro's move was over, and he shouted, flipping his wrist and slicing upward, aiming for Ouyang Yun's abdomen.

Both were moving too fast. Ouyang Yun only knew to counter the move, without any special feeling. Chu Tiange, watching from the side, drew a sharp breath, thinking it was bad—this slash would surely gut Ouyang Yun.

Ouyang Yun, of course, knew the danger. In the midst of the chaos, he shifted his center of gravity and fell to the ground, holding the broken sword in front of him to guard against any further attacks.

Ryu Shintaro's slash missed, and his sword naturally fell towards Ouyang Yun's abdomen.

"Good!" "Kill him!" The onlookers, all experts, cheered as Ryu Shintaro gained the upper hand. Hirano Akihiko's right hand left the gun handle, a cold smile on his face. Chu Tiange, however, gripped his sword handle, ready to rush in and save Ouyang Yun.

Ryu Shintaro's sword was incredibly sharp. Ouyang Yun had anticipated the attack, but his sword blade was immediately broken by the other's sword tip. Now,