Chapter 269 – The Cherry Blossoms Fall
It was nighttime. In one of the guest rooms of the stilt house, under dim lights, Tsuruomi Haruma placed the silver hat on her head, completing her final preparations.
With a black base, her outfit was adorned with white and red floral embroidery, and exquisite silver accessories on top. The once elegant and demure Japanese girl had transformed into a proudly dressed Miao girl.
“Zhang Yu-kun, do you think Jingu-kun will be surprised to see me like this?”
Lifting the hem of her dress, she turned around in front of the mirror, squinting her eyes and completely ignoring the current situation and the more pressing matters at hand.
“Zhang Yu-kun?”
After waiting for more than ten seconds without any response from behind, her brows slightly furrowed.
“Um… yes…”
Bai Yu Qian Zhen finally came back to her senses, withdrawing her gaze from the girl’s back and quickly bending down. The hasty response might just be a habit.
“Is everyone ready?”
Having admired herself enough, Tsuruomi Haruma began to remove the silver accessories from her body, her expression once again becoming numb, and her voice gradually chilling.
“Haruma, Lord Jushan and Lord Chikyo’s bait team has already set off. We have one hour left,” Bai Yu Qian Zhen lowered her head, speaking very softly, “Mr. Zhong sent the secret escape route this afternoon. I have verified it secretly; it should be problem-free.”
Uncle Jushan and Tanaka Chikyo… They didn’t realize you went out alone, did they?
Tsuruomi Haruma looked back slightly, contemplatively.
“Um… I went under the pretext of reconnaissance to check the blockade.”
Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s tone was calm, his face filled with a confident smile: Mr. Zhong also asked me to convey to the young lady that the Hua Kingdom’s Dark Arrow has reached an agreement with the main family; the young lady and Lord Chikyo bear no crime and are not on the wanted list.
“Just the Dark Arrow? Doesn’t the Wang family have any objections?”
Tsuruomi Haruma turned around, slightly surprised.
“The Wang family just… as long as Fujimoto Jushan dies, the main family has no objections.”
Additionally, there’s a rumor I can’t verify; it seems that once you return to Japan, you will inherit the position of the chief elder of Fujimoto Jushan.
Bai Yu Qian Zhen lowered his head further, and his way of addressing Fujimoto Jushan subtly shifted.
“Haha, I’m inheriting the position of chief elder? In the eyes of the sovereign, my value seems to have risen higher than before. Does that mean I’ll become the goodwill ambassador between the main family, the Wang family, and even the Hua Kingdom’s Dark Arrow?”
Tsuruomi Haruma almost laughed to tears, but despite the laughter, she was deeply impressed by the Fujimoto family’s ability to see through situations and adapt—as Jushan had gotten too close to the Engel family, now proving that this path temporarily wouldn’t work.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Fujimoto family’s higher-ups, the relationship between Tsuruomi Haruma and Yin Jingu is essentially a representation of relationships with the Wang family, with Kazuhira, and with the Dark Arrow, replacing Fujimoto Jushan wouldn’t be a loss, and they might even benefit.
This is the pragmatism of the Fujimoto family; they always seek a new way out amidst bad situations, handling small and large matters alike with ease.
“Alright, that’s enough talking. You can go out now; I need to change.”
As the laughter gradually subsided, Tsuruomi Haruma took off the silver hat, reverting to her cold expression, and waved her hand dismissively at Bai Yu Qian Zhen.
With the door closed, the unique creaking of the stilt house’s floor slowly faded away.
Soon, the black western dress replaced the Miao outfit, and Tsuruomi Haruma regained her original appearance.
“Jingu-kun, I really want you to see me in this outfit; it feels like I’m running out of time.”
Rubbing the dazzling silver hat, a sweet smile appeared on Tsuruomi Haruma’s face.
Outside the stilt house, from an unknown direction, the sound of a hulusi was vaguely heard.
The melody was melodious and lingering, resonating deeply, expressing countless emotions.
…
…
In a small western-style house, on the second floor, in one bedroom.
Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao had both changed into the standard combat uniforms of the Dark Arrow. The former was busy hanging various tactical gear, while the latter was holding a bulletproof vest, lost in thought.
“Sis, do you really want to go back to the Dark Arrow?”
Suddenly, Jiang Yao raised her head, mumbling behind Jiang Yan.
“Go back to the Dark Arrow? Who will protect you then? You’ve offended both Wan Jie and the Wang family now.”
Jiang Yan turned around, sitting down next to Jiang Yao, gently stroking her beautiful light golden hair, sighed: “Don’t think too much. Sister Wan and I, from the beginning to the end, never considered sacrificing ourselves to achieve any purpose.”
“What if I wasn’t such a liability?”
Jiang Yao pressed on, holding onto the bulletproof vest, not looking up.
Jiang Yan shook her head, her tone calm: “There’s no if, because we are queens, especially you, you are a potential threat in the eyes of many… so we can only do our best to protect ourselves and prove that we qualify to coexist peacefully with everyone in the world.”
“Sis, we already have the ability to protect ourselves, so after tonight, let’s find a deserted place together…”
“No, that’s impossible!”
Jiang Yao interrupted Jiang Yan’s words, her expression more serious: “Little Yao, people are social animals; even if the world is ugly, I don’t want you to punish yourself with isolation. There are still good places that can accommodate us, just like the hyacinth.”
“You can distrust the Wang family, but you must believe in Sister Wan! If there comes a day when I’m not around, you must…”
“I don’t want to hear this!”
Jiang Yao suddenly looked up, gripping Jiang Yan’s arm tightly, her face filled with fear.
There was a knock at the door, and moments later, Meng Huai walked straight to Jiang Yao’s side, voluntarily picking up her tactical backpack.
“Uh, is it just like this? I don’t have my gear?”
Zhong Jing gestured to himself, his expression a bit awkward.
“Cut it out, look in the mirror, who needs a little lord like you to step up…”
Jiang Yao pouted, quickly putting on the bulletproof vest, and ignored Meng Huai, who was almost within reach.
“You stay here; don’t go anywhere!”
Meng Huai glanced at his younger brother, showing a serious expression.
“Ha, this operation is still coordinated secretly by me and Tsuruomi Haruma. In case of any unexpected events, she doesn’t trust you either.”
Zhong Jing turned his head, snickering repeatedly.
“Then stay in the command vehicle with Chief Han!”
Meng Huai snorted coldly, no longer looking at Zhong Jing, taking Jiang Yao’s hand and heading out the door.
“Zhong Jing, Meng Huai is right; you are a normal person, so don’t get too close to the front lines. Don’t worry; we’ve discussed the operational plan several times… Um, I’ll go down first; you both hurry up!”
Liang Tai quickly tried to smooth things over and then wisely left the room.
“You’ve been in a bad mood these days because I’ve been in contact with Tsuruomi Haruma?”
Once everyone left, Zhong Jing sighed, sitting next to Jiang Yao, handing her a bottle of cola: “Tanaka Chikyo is Baron Apennine; you will likely become his primary target. I asked Doctor Lu, and you currently don’t have any apparent pregnancy bleeding contraindications, but you should minimize participation in such operations. Just in case something goes wrong…”
“What do you even know about my situation to care so much?!”
Jiang Yao increasingly grew impatient, grabbing the cola he handed her and smashing it to the ground, “Sister Wan, you, and Sis are all fighting to take revenge on Meng Huai; what does it have to do with me!”
Staring at the broken cola bottle and the rolling foam on the floor, Zhong Jing couldn’t help but smile bitterly: “He is still my older brother…”
“Yes, yes, yes, you Zhong Jing are a loyal and righteous good person! Then let’s agree on something—once Fujimoto Jushan is taken care of, I won’t take responsibility for anything afterward! Tsuruomi Haruma is a great benefactor to your Zhong family; don’t forget your gratitude!”
Jiang Yao donned the final piece of gear, grabbing a nearby shotgun and standing up, even too lazy to tie her hair.
“I will make it clear to her…”
“Who said you need to make it clear? She cares for you so much, and you want to kick her aside? You really are ungrateful! Do you think I will feel grateful to you? Pfft!”
Jiang Yao turned around and spat in Zhong Jing’s face.
Wiping his face, Zhong Jing was left speechless.
Late at night, 11 PM.
It was again the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the full moon hanging high, the moonlight like satin, spilling silver over the southern mountains.
The stilt house cast a mottled shadow in the moonlight, and the wooden floor slightly creaked. Fujimoto Jushan, dressed in a formal black robe, holding an exaggerated katana, slowly walked down.
Behind him, Tanaka Chikyo was similarly attired but empty-handed, his expression ambiguous. Tsuruomi Haruma, clad in her usual black western dress, with a sword on her back, wore a face as cold as ice.
In the darkness, rustling footsteps could be heard; one by one, black-clad masked figures converged from all directions, silently standing below the stilt house, their black clothing billowing gently in the night wind, like a patch of unexpected bamboo grove.
At this moment, everyone below the stilt house wore a numb expression.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we go home!
Fujimoto Jushan glanced around, raising his weapon, his gloomy face filled with intense killing intent.
“Ha-i!”
Except for the bait team that had already set off, the dozen black-clad ninjas below all raised their arms, drawing their long blades, the white edges gleaming under the moonlight.
“Uncle, I’ve confirmed with Brother Chikyo— the Wang family and the Zhou family are ambushing to the east and west; the Blood Dragon Team and the Fast Brigade are to the north, while the Luo family and the Cavalry Brigade are to the south.”
Tsuruomi Haruma took half a step forward, glancing at the people below, and slightly bowed: “Please make your decision.”
Fujimoto Jushan looked at Tanaka Chikyo, saw him nod slightly, then turned to face the south: “Haruma, you should break through to the south; that’s where the Luo family is weakest.”
Haruma, I roughly guess the main family’s intention; to protect you and Chikyo, minimizing losses. If the situation becomes too dangerous, you can abandon resistance, trusting that the main family will not give up on you.
As he spoke, he placed a hand on Tanaka Chikyo’s shoulder, speaking with heartfelt seriousness: “Chikyo, we will go west together. The Zhou family doesn’t have Baron Apennine so they should not be able to stop you. I will work hard to create an opportunity for you to break through! This is the last thing an uncle can do for you!”
Fujimoto Jushan’s heroic and resolute demeanor in the face of death compelled Tsuruomi Haruma and Tanaka Chikyo to bow their heads in respect.
The series of footsteps faded away. When Fujimoto Jushan’s chaotic aura completely vanished, Tsuruomi Haruma finally raised her head. By her side remained only Bai Yu Qian Zhen and six loyal retainers, knights and servants being perfectly balanced.
Do you all want to live?
Tsuruomi Haruma waved her hand, and from the darkness, her pet calico cat, which had been missing for some time, surprisingly emerged, jumping into the girl’s arms like a long-lost family member, nuzzling against her.
In its current state, the pet still showed traces of the last battle, its beautiful coat mottled, with fresh flesh visible.
Just a few moments ago, everyone, including Fujimoto Jushan, believed that Tsuruomi Haruma’s blood beast had been killed in the previous breakout.
Surveying the six subordinates present, Tsuruomi Haruma comforted her long-hidden pet. Suddenly, a mysterious smile appeared: “Let’s go north; the other three directions are already doomed…”
Bai Yu Qian Zhen and the others exchanged glances, then looked at the calico cat in the girl’s arms. The six of them knelt on one leg: “Ha-i!”
…
As it neared midnight, in the deep mountains of the southern border, a railway construction site that looked like daylight had forcibly opened up the mountain gorge like a dragon.
Yet, where there should have been twenty-four-hour rapid construction, the site was now deserted.
Various sizes of engineering machinery were scattered around, with a dozen black armored vehicles stationed at both ends of the construction route, nearly a hundred armed Dark Arrow troops scattered within, and occasionally, a black helicopter flew overhead.
Tsuruomi Haruma, along with six subordinates, quietly walked along the ridge parallel to the railway construction site.
With just a hand signal, the followers behind Tsuruomi Haruma crouched down, not daring to make a sound.
Several naturally knightly presences appeared about a hundred meters ahead in the bamboo forest; clearly, the Dark Arrow’s Blood Dragon Team had left no unexamined places, even such remote and hard-to-reach grounds.
A few minutes later, the presences faded, creating a brief opportunity, and Tsuruomi Haruma and the others continued on their route.
At midnight, after nearly an hour of departure, through the dense forest, they could already see the lights of a village below the mountain.
At this moment, Bai Yu Qian Zhen unexpectedly walked to the front of the group. To the astonishment of his companions, he led them to an unfinished hydrological culvert.
The gigantic culvert made of reinforced concrete had an internal diameter of over five meters and a length approaching fifty meters, dark as a giant serpent’s open mouth.
Such culverts are common in southern Hua Kingdom, primarily managing agricultural water resources and directing floods during rainy seasons. Now it served as a temporary passage for Tsuruomi Haruma and her companions to evade north.
With Bai Yu Qian Zhen in front, Tsuruomi Haruma in the middle, and those lying down taking rear guard, all seven entered the culvert in turn.
The walls of the tunnel shielded the moonlight and blocked the heat of the southern land. After going only a short distance, it was already pitch black inside.
In the thick darkness, the ambient temperature dropped considerably, feeling damp and chilly.
After we get through here, we’ll be safe. Bai Yu-kun, please go ahead and find a place to rest nearby.
Leaving less than ten meters from the culvert’s exit, Tsuruomi Haruma threw down her pet and slowed her pace, stretching as though she were finally at ease. However, halfway through the motion, the smile on Tsuruomi Haruma’s face froze.
Slowly turning around, she saw two figures emerging from the direction they had come, two familiar chaotic presences faintly approaching.
The voice of Fujimoto Jushan resonated in the dark culvert: “Haruma, colluding with the Hua Kingdom is not a commendable act.”
In Tsuruomi Haruma’s eyes, the small Fujimoto Jushan was stepping closer, wearing a sly smile, while the face of Tanaka Chikyo behind him was obscured.
“You followed me all this while, and Lord Chikyo deceived me with his abilities…” Tsuruomi Haruma drew a knife from behind her, coldly regarding Fujimoto Jushan just a few meters away, “How do you know that the route I chose is safe?”
“Haha, Haruma, my people have never been lacking around you; they were there before, and they are now. Do you still believe in luck? I am aware of your covert contacts with Zhong Jing, but thank you for finding a way for me to survive.”
His maniacal laughter echoed in the culvert, as if Fujimoto Jushan had foreseen everything as a behind-the-scenes mastermind.
Tsuruomi Haruma turned around, scanning the faces of her six subordinates, her expression neutral.
“Young lady, you go first…”
Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s face darkened, drawing the long knife from behind him and standing protectively beside Tsuruomi Haruma, watching the remaining five companions vigilantly.
The other five also stepped back, gripping their weapons with trembling hands, unsure whether Fujimoto Jushan’s earlier words were a way to sow discord or if there was actual truth to them.
The calico cat, Xun Jiang, had entered a fierce state, transforming into a small blood beast with a grotesque appearance, arching its back and baring its teeth at Fujimoto Jushan, letting out piercing screams.
“No, let him finish speaking. I’m actually quite interested in any words he has right now.”
Tsuruomi Haruma pushed past Bai Yu Qian Zhen, quietly watching opposite: “Uncle, since you already know, do you have any last words of wisdom for me?”
“Hey, I may have been abandoned by the family head, but my position should not be occupied by a traitor who betrays their own uncle; Chikyo is more qualified than you to be the chief elder.”
Fujimoto Jushan slightly patted Tanaka Chikyo on the shoulder, with a more severe look on his face: “I won’t return to Japan, but you won’t go back either. Without you, the cooperation between the main family and Zhong Hai will not cease. Haruma, this is the price of your betrayal!”
Tsuruomi Haruma turned away, no longer looking at Fujimoto Jushan, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth: “Hehe, how do you know you will definitely survive…”
“Be careful!”
Just as her words fell, one of Tsuruomi Haruma’s subordinates suddenly screamed.
In an instant, a violent pheromone storm erupted within the culvert as a long knife, gleaming with silver light, pierced through Tsuruomi Haruma’s abdomen, its silver edge igniting flesh and blood, spewing blood across the front and back of the girl.
With a brutal twisting motion, the long knife was retracted, followed by three bone spikes resembling javelins protruding from Tsuruomi Haruma’s chest.
At the same time, in the dark culvert, several long knives were drawn simultaneously, screams erupted, and three of Tsuruomi Haruma’s attendants were brutally slain by former knight comrades, happening within just a second.
The long knife pierce and the three spikes piercing through her body all came from Bai Yu Qian Zhen.
The short Bai Yu Qian Zhen, supported by the broad, mutated skeleton, hunched over like a one-armed ghoul; the culvert, originally five meters in diameter, suddenly felt considerably smaller.
“Bai Yu…”
Tsuruomi Haruma struggled to turn her head, looking at her once most trusted confidant, blood slowly dripping from the corner of her mouth.
The charred tissue around her waist quickly constricted, preventing her wounds from worsening, yet this was merely a reflex from her harsh training from a young age. The real fatal blow stemmed from the three spikes piercing through her chest.
“Ah, the Caucasian baron’s spikes… you’ve been using the hidden blood medication, haven’t you…”
Tsuruomi Haruma swayed, slowly leaning against the tunnel wall, her smile bitter as she looked down at the spikes that penetrated her chest, realizing everything.
From Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s violent aura, she finally deciphered the true answer.
The clan’s unique secret pact can conceal one’s true strength and simulate pheromones below their actual level, creating false pretenses.
Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s actual level was that of a low-tier Caucasian baron rather than the peak of an upper-tier knight she had once believed.
The blood beast, Xun Jiang, let out a furious roar, directly lunging at Bai Yu Qian Zhen; however, this oily skin could not offer it enough maneuvering space. Within mere seconds, Xun Jiang, having broken past its blood threshold and transformed, was caught in Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s grasp.
As a blood beast of the British blood lineage, Xun Jiang’s speed was still no match for the Caucasian baron’s unmatched speed.
Xun Jiang struggled fiercely, legs kicking and claws flailing, desperately trying to tear away from Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s bony grip.
Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s morphing head had lost any semblance of a human face, only those protruding deep red eyes coldly staring. The blood beast, Xun Jiang, was met with absolute indifference and cruel bloodthirsty intent.
The skeletal grip slowly tightened; Xun Jiang’s cries grew increasingly sorrowful, its struggles more frantic. Unfortunately, still reeling from its injuries, Xun Jiang could not escape from Bai Yu Qian Zhen’s palm.
“Meow…”
As Xun Jiang was crushed by the bone claws, its form severely deformed, it finally let out a last faint meow.
As its vitality faded, Xun Jiang looked longingly at its master leaning against the culvert wall, its head drooping.
“Don’t, Xun Jiang…”
The familiar scent of the blood beast, cultivated over decades, swiftly dwindled, eventually silencing. Tsuruomi Haruma futilely extended a trembling hand into the darkness.
With Bai Yu Qian Zhen at the forefront, the three surrounded Tsuruomi Haruma with cold expressions.
From start to finish, Fujimoto Jushan remained like an audience in a luxurious private room, watching this ruthless “overthrowing” drama unfold.
The piercing from the three bone spikes brutalized Tsuruomi Haruma’s entire heart and lung functions. The black-dressed girl leaned against the tunnel wall, her body slightly twitching, struggling to breathe, near the brink of death.
“Save me, Uncle… I still… I haven’t finished… what I wanted to say…”
Tsuruomi Haruma’s chest continued to rise and fall with every breath, each rise releasing a drop of blood; yet at this moment, the girl instead displayed a relaxed expression.
“You lot, take care of her; we’ll continue forward.”
Fujimoto Jushan scoffed coldly, stepping over the bodies on the ground, confidently striding towards the culvert’s exit.
“Hehe, I already knew, knew there were those around you… but who he is, I… I really don’t care… because he might just become… your gravedigger…”
Tsuruomi Haruma’s eyes, clear as ever within the dark culvert, held onto her glimmering laughter, her smile broadening.
“Mm!?”
Fujimoto Jushan suddenly halted, slowly turning around, shock evident on his face.
“I know someone will inform you, and you will follow me, so here… this will be your dead end… you cannot escape…”
Tsuruomi Haruma coughed up a mouthful of blood, laughing softly as her gentle laugh echoed in the culvert; it sounded frail yet thunderous.
“Run!”
Fujimoto Jushan instinctively glanced over his shoulder, goosebumps prickling all over his body; overwhelmed, he dashed back into the culvert.
“I… Jingu-kun… Jingu-kun, I haven’t… shown you… the cherry blossoms in Japan yet…”
The sound of Fujimoto Jushan and others fleeing rushed past her ears; everything before her felt darker than the night. Tsuruomi Haruma’s voice grew smaller and smaller, her head slowly tilting downward.
…
At the culvert’s exit, a few figures burst out. Yet, before they could properly find their escape direction, they were illuminated by the stark white column of searchlights appearing from the west.
Dozens of meters away, in front of several armored vehicles, over thirty members of the Hua Kingdom’s Dark Arrow Blood Dragon Team formed a fan-shaped encirclement around Fujimoto Jushan and the others.
Leading them was Baron Apennine’s butcher’s guard and, alongside him, Baron Kalberia from the Blood Dragon Team.
With his eyes blood red, Fujimoto Jushan, nearly instinctively, turned his feet and hurried back into the culvert.
Leaping over Tsuruomi Haruma’s body in that instant, Fujimoto Jushan seemed to see the deep scorn and delight in her eyes.
Only ten meters into their flight, his steps halted again; three fully armed figures had reappeared at the culvert entrance, two women and one man.
Outside the back of the culvert exit, a hail of gunfire erupted. The powerful beams of light pouring into the culvert brought an overwhelming rumble, echoing like a funeral bell.
