“The blood of the Fujita family flows through your body. The men of our family should not be weak and incompetent, but should be full of fighting spirit.” Fujita Noo put one hand behind his back. “I’ll give you the advantage of one hand.”

Before Fujita Kiyono could react, he had already swung his blade down.

Fujita Kiyono dodged to the side.

“Draw your sword!” Another horizontal slash came.

Fujita Kiyono blocked the sharp blade with his scabbard. “Father!”

Fujita Noo showed no mercy. The tip of his blade grazed his left cheek, immediately leaving a bloody mark on his cheekbone in the shape of an inverted mountain.

“A man’s body should bear sword scars! You look like a pretty porcelain doll right now!” Fujita Noo pressed forward with each strike. “Cut your hair! Act like a soldier!”

Fujita Kiyono kept dodging, still unwilling to draw his sword.

After several slashes, Fujita Noo stopped and used his sword to support himself against the ground. His lips pressed tight, he looked seriously at his son. “If you defeat me, these three men will be yours to dispose of.”

“Really?”

“Let me see your ability.” Fujita Noo let out a terrifying ape-like cry and slashed diagonally toward him.

Fujita Kiyono threw off his scabbard. In a flash of blade light, he quickly blocked his father’s sword. Using one hand to wield his blade, he was still somewhat unskilled, but the swordsmanship he had learned was etched in his memory. After a few moves, he was handling it with ease, his body light as a swallow as he dodged his father’s sharp edge.

Fujita Noo’s strikes all missed, yet he laughed. “Good speed. Stop dodging and fight back!”

Fujita Kiyono became serious. He turned sideways to face his father, legs spread apart, upper body slightly leaning forward, legs slowly bending and lowering, right hand holding the sword behind his back. He observed his father’s footwork—somewhat old-fashioned and easy to predict. From those few strikes, his speed seemed sluggish, with only his explosive power being somewhat overwhelming.

Fujita Kiyono watched his father’s blade movements intently, his eyes faintly revealing a shadowy fierceness, as if he had completely transformed into another person, filled with desire for victory.

His swordsmanship was fierce, thanks entirely to his teacher from school. He didn’t want to circle around his father too much—he wanted to defeat him in one move without causing any harm.

Fujita Noo changed his sword grip, his right elbow bent and raised to hold the sword, left arm extended straight and taut, placing the back of the blade at the tiger’s mouth of his left hand. Showing a slight offensive posture, he waited for Fujita Kiyono to step forward two paces. Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, he scraped his blade tip along the ground, striking from bottom to top, fast and accurate. Before Fujita Noo could react, his sword had been knocked from his hand and fell to the ground.

Fujita Noo’s hand trembled slightly from the shock, but he immediately steadied his wrist and smiled with satisfaction. “I’ve grown old.”

Fujita Kiyono picked up his sword, lowered his head, and offered it back. “I’m very sorry.”

“Worthy of being first place. To achieve this after three years without practice.” Fujita Noo patted his shoulder. “If I had insisted on sending you to the Army Academy to continue your studies, you would have become an excellent imperial soldier like your brother. I shouldn’t have indulged your so-called hobbies and ideals, letting you become weak and overly merciful. That was my mistake.”

“Father, I don’t like war. I hope—”

Fujita Noo didn’t give him a chance to speak, immediately interrupting: “I hope you can face your current identity. From the moment you set foot on this land, your body and soul belong only to the Emperor. What you must do is expand territory for Greater Japan.”

Fujita Kiyono remained silent. His shoulder-length hair brushed against the blood on his face, sliding out streaks of blood that, combined with his melancholy eyes, gave his face a wild, withered beauty.

Fujita Noo suddenly raised his hand and wiped away the blood on his face with his thumb. “Does it hurt?”

Fujita Kiyono shook his head. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“I was just too anxious, hoping you could change your thinking quickly. Hurting you also pains my heart. I’m sorry.”

Fujita Kiyono immediately lowered his head. “Father, please don’t say that.”

Fujita Noo suddenly clutched his stomach.

Fujita Kiyono nervously raised his head and supported his arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m getting old, and my body isn’t what it used to be. I can’t look after you all the time. Now that your brother is gone and Michi is a girl, you are our family’s only hope.” Fujita Noo covered his hand. “Kiyono, I hope you won’t resent me. Try to understand my intentions and inherit our family’s honor.”

Fujita Kiyono gritted his teeth. What he couldn’t bear most was his family showing weakness, which immediately softened his heart. “I’m sorry for worrying you. Please take care of your health.”

“I’ll be leaving Nanking in a few days. You’ll come with me to Shanghai first, then you’ll go to Shandong. You need to establish military merit now.” He gripped his son’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

Fujita Kiyono looked toward the three men not far away who had their eyes blindfolded. “Father, what about them?”

“As promised, you won. They’re yours to dispose of.”

“Thank you, Father.” Fujita Kiyono gestured, signaling two soldiers to release the three men and escort them away.

Fujita Noo put his arm around his shoulder as they walked toward the car. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to a friend.”

…

On the other side, Matsushima kicked the corpses into the ditch. Yoshikawa sighed. “You said to let them go, but then you killed them.”

Matsushima kicked at the soft soil. “You’re being foolish too. These three were Chinese soldiers.”

Yoshikawa crouched by the grass, lit a cigarette, and beckoned him with his finger. “I heard someone saw ghosts last night.”

Matsushima gave a lewd laugh. “Female ghosts? Were they pretty?”

“Aren’t you afraid, having killed so many people?”

“I’m not scared. Besides, even if I were scared, it should be Fujiwara who’s afraid. He’s cut down forty-nine people, I’ve only killed seventeen.”

Yoshikawa looked at the three corpses, slowly exhaled smoke, and adjusted his rifle upward. “Really disgusting. Let’s go back.”

…

The two soldiers Fujita Kiyono had stationed at the hospital had no effect.

That evening, another squad of Japanese soldiers charged in, abducted two nurses, and killed a man.

The man didn’t die completely. With multiple stab wounds, Dr. Wilson immediately performed surgery.

His lower body had been half cut off. Xie Chi stood beside him holding a tray, looking at the continuously bleeding wound, her hands trembling slightly.

The doctor held her hand. “Do you want to rest for a while?”

Xie Chi shook her head. “No need.”

The surgery continued until midnight, and they saved the man’s life.

Outside, a one-eyed little girl stood in the corridor holding a pillow. Xie Chi crouched down wearily. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

The little girl touched her face, said nothing, and ran back to the ward.

Xie Chi leaned against the wall, pressed her temples for a moment, then straightened her back and started working again with renewed energy.

…

The next day, Fujita Kiyono received news of trouble at Gulou Hospital and rushed over early in the morning, causing panic throughout the hospital.

He found Xie Chi. “Are you alright?”

Fujita Kiyono wore a full military uniform and had even shaved his hair, looking no different from those murderous devils outside. Seeing this, Xie Chi felt regret again. Even if he still had some humanity now, under the influence of Japanese bushido spirit and militarist ideology, how many could remain soft little sheep forever?

She really should have killed him.

“Please don’t come looking for me anymore.”

“I’m very sorry. The two nurses have been returned.”

Seeing the patients in the room were frightened and hiding their heads, Xie Chi walked out of the ward and stood in the corridor. “They need rest. Please leave.”

“Sorry for disturbing you.” Fujita Kiyono lowered his eyes. “I’m relieved that you’re safe.”

Xie Chi ignored him and quickly walked away.

Fujita Kiyono watched her figure disappear at the end of the long corridor before lowering his head and walking out. At the doorway, he vaguely heard a girl’s soft voice behind him.

As soon as she spoke, her mother immediately covered her mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Fujita Kiyono stood still for a long time before stepping away, his mind filled with those words.

“Mama, why are the Japanese so bad?”

…

Four women were thrown at the entrance of the safety zone. The person in charge sent them to Gulou Hospital. Each one had severe genital decay and serious sexually transmitted diseases.

Xie Chi didn’t see those cruel scenes. When she saw Jiang Shouyue, she was lying quietly on the hospital bed, changed into clean clothes, with the filth on her body wiped away, leaving only large and small terrifying bruises.

Nearly a month had passed since Nanking’s fall. She had been missing since the thirteenth until today. Xie Chi couldn’t bear to imagine what inhuman torment she had endured during this time. She had seen too many such women. Whether from illness or psychological torture, too few, too few survived in the end…

That night, one of the four women brought in passed away, while another regained consciousness and cooperated with Magee in filming evidence of the crimes Japanese soldiers had committed on her body.

“That’s a row of buildings, a temporary barracks where Japanese soldiers are stationed. There are about two to three hundred soldiers inside, I’m not very sure. They divided two rooms on the second floor specifically for holding women.” She spoke while crying, looking at Jiang Shouyue still unconscious on a nearby bed. “She and I were better looking, so we were locked in a small room alone. Most of those who violated us were officers, more than ten came every day.”

The listeners felt heavy-hearted and remained silent. Several nurses covered their faces and wept.

“We were relatively lucky because there were fewer officers. The other girls were raped dozens of times daily, the oldest being over fifty, the youngest only twelve. People died every day. The dead were carried out and thrown away. Those with serious venereal diseases were either driven out or killed directly.”

Xie Chi couldn’t listen anymore. She quickly walked out of the ward and stood by the window at the end of the corridor to get some air.

In the distance, black smoke billowed from ruins. The devils were burning something again.

She leaned against the windowsill and bent her back deeply.

She was almost being consumed by this enormous sense of helplessness. So tired, so tired.

…

Tonight was Xie Chi’s rest shift. She didn’t return to the nurses’ dormitory to rest but stayed by Jiang Shouyue’s side.

She didn’t know how she would react when she woke up, but undoubtedly it would only be worse than imagined.

After sitting for a long time, Xie Chi dozed off from tiredness. In the latter half of the night, Jiang Shouyue woke up.

She raised her hand and gently touched Xie Chi’s hair.

Xie Chi immediately sat up and held her hand. She didn’t want to appear overly sorrowful, which might infect her emotions and make them worse, so she said softly: “You’re awake.”

Jiang Shouyue was much calmer than expected. She hummed in acknowledgment and looked around.

Xie Chi said softly: “This is the hospital.”

Jiang Shouyue closed her eyes. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes. She didn’t cry loudly or make a scene, just sobbed quietly like this, suppressing her cries.

Xie Chi wiped away her snot without saying anything.

After crying for a while, Jiang Shouyue opened her eyes and looked at her. “Am I going to die soon?”

“It’s alright, it can be cured.”

“Wangyun came to Nanking with me. Have you seen him?”

Xie Chi nodded. “He’s helping at the Red Cross. I haven’t told him you’re back yet.”

“Then don’t tell him.”

“Alright, okay.”

Jiang Shouyue pulled out her hand and turned her face to the other side. “I miss my mother.”

Xie Chi bit her teeth, trying hard not to lose emotional control.

“I miss my father.” She looked at the small window not far away. “I want to leave. I don’t want to stay in Nanking.” She turned back and gripped Xie Chi’s wrist. “Take me away. Anywhere but here. I don’t want to come to Nanking again.”

“When you’re better, we’ll leave.”

“I don’t want to wait. I want to leave now. Please help me.” Her tears streamed down. “I don’t want to die in Nanking. Don’t bury me in this place.”

Xie Chi leaned forward and hugged her shoulders. “You won’t die.”

“Staying here, I will die.” Jiang Shouyue hugged her waist. “Please, send me away.”

“Alright, I’ll find a way.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

…

The situation wasn’t too bad. At least she didn’t immediately seek to end her life.

So the question was: how to get out?

“Is there really no way to leave?”

McCallen shook his head regretfully. “I’m powerless too. The Japanese army’s inspections are strict, and smuggling is impossible. We can only wait now.”

Xie Chi pressed her temples, annoyed to the point of headache.

“However…” McCallen paused for a moment. “Perhaps there’s someone who could help you.”

Xie Chi lowered her hand, her gaze wandering aimlessly to rest on a stack of books on the table. In fact, she had thought of this long ago, but didn’t want to ask him.

“That Japanese officer seems to care for you quite well. He appears different from other officers, very polite. Perhaps you could seek his help.” McCallen suddenly walked to the table, crouched down, lifted the carpet, opened a small wooden panel, and took out a small roll of film. “These are photos of Japanese military massacres taken by Mr. Magee, hidden here all along. Some were taken at the risk of his life. They don’t allow such photos to spread, trying to cover up what happened here.”

Xie Chi took it. She immediately understood his meaning. “You want me to take this out.”

“I know that as a Chinese person, psychologically crossing this step when facing your compatriots’ suffering is difficult. But if we can let the outside world know the situation here, using international public opinion to restrain the Japanese government and stop the Japanese army’s atrocities, it should be of great help to Nanking.”

“But even if Fujita Kiyono is willing to help me, won’t the Japanese soldiers search us when we pass checkpoints?”

“Do you know whose son he is?” McCallen rarely showed some relieved expression. “His father is a lieutenant general. If you can get his help, I think the Japanese soldiers wouldn’t dare make things difficult for you.”

Xie Chi returned the film to him first. “Let me think about it.”

“Alright, don’t feel psychological pressure. After all, this is a risky matter.”

“Mm.”

Xie Chi fell into a whirlpool of dignity versus life, unable to sleep all night.

Two Japanese soldiers were still stationed not far from the hospital. Xie Chi watched them for a long while, finally making up her mind and walking toward them.

Fujita Kiyono immediately rushed over upon receiving the message.

He agreed to Xie Chi’s request without the slightest hesitation. Coincidentally, he was leaving Nanking tomorrow and had originally planned to come say goodbye.

“Can I bring two more people?” Xie Chi looked at him hopefully.

Fujita Kiyono didn’t ask many questions. “Yes, the back seat can fit three people. You can bring your good friends.”

…

A’Ru had been helping in the hospital warehouse. Seeing Xie Chi arrive, she excitedly rushed over. Though they weren’t far apart, they rarely had chances to meet. With so many refugees and colleagues, Xie Chi couldn’t help everyone. She could only selfishly take her friend away.

After seeing A’Ru, she took off her nurse’s uniform and left the safety zone.

She felt her way in the dark to the basement of the qipao shop. Inside, everything remained as when she had left. He Feng and Li Changsheng had never returned.

Where were they hiding?

Were they still alive?

Xie Chi sat in a daze for a while, found a stone, and wrote a few words on the wall.

“Safe. Leaving the capital tomorrow. January 8th note.”

Xie Chi didn’t go looking for him.

In the vast city of Nanking, even if she were split into ten people, it would be hard to find them, whether living or dead.

On the way back, she didn’t feel excessive grief.

She vaguely felt that her stalwart lover was still in some corner, silently struggling.

He shouldn’t die here.

…

Fujita Noo’s car left first. Taking advantage of his departure, Fujita Kiyono had the driver detour to the safety zone. Xie Chi was already waiting at the entrance with Jiang Shouyue and A’Ru, accompanied by a male reporter.

Fujita Kiyono called Xie Chi aside. “The car can’t fit this many people.”

Xie Chi said: “I won’t go. Please make sure to safely escort them out.”

“No.” Fujita Kiyono frowned deeply. “Nanking isn’t safe. You cannot stay here.” He didn’t give her a chance to speak. “If you don’t go, I won’t take any of them.”

Xie Chi looked at the group. At this moment, abandoning one person would be a difficult choice. “We can squeeze together. We’re all thin, we can fit.”

Fujita Kiyono looked at the man and shook his head. “It won’t fit. Only three can go.”

The reporter saw Xie Chi’s anxiety. “I won’t go. You take them away. Besides, as a man, I might be detained even if I reach the outskirts.”

A’Ru also pulled her. “Sister, then let me stay.”

The reporter backed away. “Don’t argue, hurry and leave.” He stared meaningfully at Xie Chi. “Make sure you get out safely. It’s up to you now.”

Xie Chi nodded.

Fujita Kiyono looked at his watch. “Get in the car.”

Xie Chi helped Jiang Shouyue into the back seat. Just as she was about to get in, a woman holding a child came crying and kneeling behind her.

Fujita Kiyono’s driver raised his gun at her. “Back off.”

Fujita Kiyono immediately pressed his arm down. “Lower it.”

The woman crawled on her knees toward Xie Chi. “Can you take the child?”

Xie Chi looked at Fujita Kiyono. “Small children don’t take up space. I can hold him.”

Fujita Kiyono nodded slightly.

Xie Chi quickly helped the woman up. The woman kissed her child reluctantly and handed him to her. “His name is Li Guoqiang. I can’t survive. No one in my family is left. Please raise him, or send him to an orphanage.” The woman knelt to her again. “Or find him any family when you get out, save his life, please.”

Xie Chi quickly helped her up. “I’ll treat him well. Don’t worry.”

The woman was in tears, crying uncontrollably. “Thank you.”

…

The driver looked displeased but dared not say anything. They traveled smoothly without any Japanese soldiers stopping them. The only time they wanted to check luggage, Fujita Kiyono refused.

The car slowly drove away from Nanking city.

Xie Chi had stayed in the city the whole time and had never seen the scene outside. It was indeed as those who escaped with their lives had said—corpses piled like mountains.

She looked back at the broken city walls where several Japanese soldiers stood, with the Japanese flag flying in the air.

She felt a moment of confusion. After holding out for so long, she was finally leaving.

The child in her arms suddenly started crying, pulling her thoughts back as she rocked and gently coaxed him.

Fujita Kiyono looked back at her with a slight smile. “When we arrive, I’ll find some milk for him.”

Xie Chi glanced at him coldly without responding.

Jiang Shouyue lay on A’Ru’s lap with her eyes closed, whether sleeping or not wanting to acknowledge anyone.

A’Ru pressed her face against the car window, looking outside, tears streaking the glass.

She bit her lip, not daring to cry aloud, only thinking how lucky she was among these hundreds of thousands of people.

…