Training Camp: Beating People Up and Making Money at the Same Time

Seeing his reaction, Lu Tinghui smiled even more broadly and patted him on the shoulder. "That's more like it! I knew I wasn't wrong about you. But there's no need to rush into the job."

His tone turned more serious. "You're efficient and meticulous, but we've also noticed that your marksmanship fell short during your previous missions. It's a weakness, and a liability when you lead a team on major missions in the future. So we've decided to send you to the Special Higher Police for a month of specialized training. You'll improve your marksmanship while learning the Special Higher Police's combat techniques and the basics of team command. Once you pass the training, you'll officially take up your post as captain of the Special Operations Squad."

Shen Yan immediately agreed, his tone respectful and a little grateful. "Thank you and the section chief for going to all this trouble, Director! I'll train hard and practice diligently. I won't let either of you down. I'll do my best to pass as soon as possible and take command of the squad!"

He looked sincere, but he was already making plans. Slacking off on the clock... going to school on the clock. The ultimate dream of a working man. Things are looking up for me!

Lu Tinghui continued, "Someone will come to pick you up shortly. You don't need to pack anything; the training base has everything you'll need for daily life. You'll be confined to the base for the entire month of training. I'll keep an eye on your progress, and I hope to hear good news from you!"

As soon as Lu Tinghui finished speaking, two soft knocks came from outside the door. A Japanese army sergeant in a black military police uniform entered and saluted Director Lu, then turned to Shen Yan and said in stilted Chinese, "Captain Shen, please come with me. I've been ordered to take you to the training base."

"Sorry for the trouble!"

Shen Yan rose, saluted Lu Tinghui and took his leave. He followed the Japanese sergeant out, stopping by Old Chen's desk to tell his godfather before leaving the police station under his worried gaze.

The car traveled west through streets still quiet in the early morning and entered Avenue Pétain in the French Concession. It slowed to a stop in front of a complex of red-brick buildings hidden behind high walls and dense plane trees.

This was the former site of the American School, now the Special Higher Police's base at Japan Kempeitai Headquarters.

Fully armed military police stood on either side of the gate, their steel helmets gleaming coldly in the morning light. Beyond the entrance lay a broad lawn, with a three-story red-brick main building at the far end. A white, pointed tower rose from its center toward the sky, imposing and solemn. The white stone of the cornices and window arches contrasted starkly with the exposed red brick. The once-elegant American campus was now pervaded by an atmosphere of menace and oppression.

"This is the special training headquarters," the Japanese sergeant said expressionlessly. "Starting today, you'll receive special training in shooting and combat here every morning. In the afternoons, you'll attend courses in espionage, intelligence, interrogation, torture, surveillance and other subjects. Follow the instructors' arrangements in everything you do. I'll take you to collect your daily necessities now and show you to your dormitory!"

Shen Yan nodded and thanked him. His fluent Japanese and standard pronunciation softened the military policeman's expression considerably.

After collecting sheets, a tooth mug, a toothbrush, a towel and other supplies, Shen Yan followed the military policeman to the dormitory door.

Before they entered, he heard people talking in Japanese inside.

"Have you heard? A Chink has joined this round of special training."

"I heard. I really don't know what those big-shot officers are thinking, letting a Chinese monkey join the ranks of the empire's elite!"

"Let's teach him a lesson later and make him give up!"

"That's right! Having an inferior race like him in our dorm will leave us unable to hold our heads high at the base!"

The military policeman who had led him there gave Shen Yan a look that said he was on his own, then turned and left.

He had no intention of shielding this Chinese man. The empire's soldiers needed fighting spirit, and anyone who couldn't endure would simply be eliminated!

Shen Yan smiled indifferently and pushed open the dormitory door.

The room fell silent at once. Five trainees in workout clothes turned to look at him in unison, their contempt and hostility undisguised. Their earlier taunts still hung in the air, and now they openly scrutinized him as if he were a piece of trash.

Shen Yan looked the men over, and their information promptly appeared.

Name: Yamada Tarō

Sex: Male

Identity: Japanese army senior private, a valiant fighter specially recruited for the training team

Good and Evil Points: -150

Core thought: Chinks don't belong here. I have to drive him out.

Name: Matsumoto Kiyokazu

Sex: Male

Identity: Japanese army private first class, a valiant fighter specially recruited for the training team

Good and Evil Points: -120

Core thought: This Chink is no different from the ones I've killed before.

Name: Takahashi Tetsuya

Sex: Male

Identity: Japanese army senior private, a valiant fighter specially recruited for the training team

Good and Evil Points: -80

Core thought: I can be a little ruthless when we fight later and establish my place here.

Name: Miyamoto Kenta

Sex: Male

Identity: Japanese army private second class, a valiant fighter specially recruited for the training team

Good and Evil Points: -50

Core thought: A Chink made it here. Does he have connections?

[Ding! Temporary mission issued: Convince them with reason and establish your place in the dormitory! Mission success rewards a corresponding number of Good and Evil Points. Mission failure deducts half your current Good and Evil Points and grants the title "Spineless Coward"!]

Shen Yan smiled. Convince them with reason?! What I do best is convince people with reason-or force!

Yamada, who was sitting on the bed closest to the door, was the first to stand. He strode over to Shen Yan and looked down at him, his voice full of contempt and provocation. "Chink! You don't belong here. Get out!"

As soon as he finished, Yamada reached out and shoved hard at Shen Yan's shoulder.

Shen Yan had been on guard. He shifted slightly to the side and easily dodged the shove. Yamada missed, lost his balance and nearly stumbled to the floor. The smug look on his face froze, and his embarrassment immediately turned to rage. "You dare dodge?!"

The guileless expression vanished from Shen Yan's face, replaced by a fierce glare.

"You called me a Chink three times just now. I'll pull three of your teeth as an apology!"

"Nani? Baka!" Yamada roared and swung a punch at Shen Yan's face. The blow cut sharply through the air; he was clearly trained. "Today I'll teach you a proper lesson, Chink, and show you who deserves to stand here!" Seeing this, the trainees around them cheered and raised their fists, shouting, "Yamada, beat him good! Make him get out!"

Shen Yan's gaze darkened. Dropping his pretense, he ducked slightly to avoid the punch and shot his right hand out like lightning, clamping it precisely around Yamada's jaw. His fingertips tightened slightly. Yamada's face went deathly pale with pain, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Unable to throw another punch, he cried out, "It hurts... let go! Let go, now!"

Shen Yan didn't loosen his grip. There was no warmth left in his eyes. "We Chinese keep our word. I said three teeth, and not one less!" With that, he thrust his other hand into Yamada's mouth and wrenched with his fingers. Snap! Snap! Snap! Three bloody teeth were torn out! Yamada convulsed in agony, his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, his fist dropping limply to his side.

The cheering stopped abruptly. The mocking expressions on the other three trainees' faces froze, replaced by disbelief. They had never imagined that this plain, awkward-looking Chinese man could fight so well. Unwilling to accept it, Matsumoto Kiyokazu charged forward and kicked at Shen Yan's knee, roaring, "Chink, you don't get to throw your weight around here!"

Shen Yan's expression didn't change. He sidestepped the kick and hooked his own foot upward with the motion. Matsumoto Kiyokazu dropped into a perfect split and hit the floor hard, his eyes bulging as he clutched his crotch and hissed in pain.

The two remaining trainees exchanged a glance and lunged at him together. One punched high while the other swept at his legs. Their moves were vicious, delivered with lethal force!

Shen Yan calmly and nimbly retreated, avoiding both attacks. Then he struck swiftly, accurately and ruthlessly, gripping one man's arm with his left hand and pressing down on the other's shoulder with his right. With a little force, he sent them both howling in pain. Clutching their dislocated arms, they backed away, staring at him in shock and uncertainty. In just over ten seconds, Shen Yan had subdued all four Japanese trainees who had provoked him.

Shen Yan planted his feet and dusted off his hands. His face resumed its guileless look, and he spoke mildly. "Come on, line up, everyone! I heard what you called me outside the door, and I remembered every word. It's time to settle the bill."

Yamada covered his bleeding mouth and looked at Shen Yan. His earlier arrogance was gone, leaving only apprehension and resentment. The other three trainees got to their feet, heads lowered, their faces full of fear and their hearts full of regret.

After a while, footsteps sounded in the corridor. It was the Japanese sergeant who had brought Shen Yan there.

After all, Shen Yan was a trainee Section Chief Kuroiwa had personally named for admission. If he were crippled on his first day, it would reflect badly on the section chief. So the sergeant had to come back and check on him, rescue him, and warn Yamada and the others not to go too far.

The military policeman pushed open the dormitory door and was stunned by the sight before him. Shen Yan stood in front of his bed, quietly arranging his sheets, while Yamada and the others knelt neatly in a row with both hands raised high. Blood trickled from the corners of every man's mouth...

"Oh, you're here, Senior!"

Hearing the noise, Shen Yan politely straightened up to greet him, then glanced at Yamada and the others, who wanted to speak.

At Shen Yan's icy look, Yamada and the others immediately abandoned their thoughts of asking for help and knelt even straighter.

"This is... never mind. I came to remind you to finish getting settled quickly. The lights-out call will sound soon. Get some rest; training officially starts tomorrow."

"All right, Senior. Thank you for the effort! We'll turn in right away."

The military policeman nodded, then went to Kuroiwa's office and reported everything he had seen in full.

After hearing the report, Kuroiwa Masao was not angry. Instead, he smiled faintly. "As expected of the man I chose! Pay it no mind. Those arrogant imperial soldiers should learn that there's always someone better than them! The empire's successive victories are indeed worth being proud of, but that's no reason to look down on everyone else!"