Chapter 25: The Five from Fusang

Gu Xiangnan kept his eyes closed, as if lost within his own world, indifferent to the sounds around him. When a scream pierced the air once more, his body tensed, and he was overtaken by a sudden release.

“As expected, the first time is always brief.” Rising from the small hot spring pool, Gu Xiangnan addressed the woman. “Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon, and then we’ll do it properly.”

He slipped on his clothes, and as his gaze fell on Su Hanyan’s swollen, reddened lips, he suddenly bent down and kissed her again, then turned and left the room.

Half an hour earlier, five men had arrived at the hot spring hotel, moving slowly toward the front desk. The night clerk on duty was a young woman in her early twenties, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“You, do you have any large hot spring baths?” The man speaking had a scar on his face, looked to be in his thirties, and was muscular and imposing.

The ponytailed girl pondered for a moment before understanding his meaning. “Sir, we have public baths that can accommodate many people at once.”

The man glanced at his companions. One of them, an older man in his fifties, spoke in hushed Japanese. “Nomura, we have important business tonight. Keep a low profile.”

Nomura bowed. “Yes, boss.”

He turned back to the receptionist and, in awkward Chinese, said, “No public. Want one in room.”

She nodded and checked the computer. “You’d like a room with a large private bath, correct?”

After completing the check-in, the five men entered their room. Once the older man was already soaking in the bath, the others followed him in.

Nomura bowed respectfully to the man. “Boss Sakamoto, please assign us our tasks for tonight’s operation.”

Sakamoto nodded, his voice low and grave. “The operation will begin at 10 p.m. tonight. We’ll split up, each heading to the designated location. Everything you need is in the car trunk. Collect your supplies before departure.”

“Yes, sir!” the four replied in unison.

“Boss Sakamoto, we’re only the advance team, but I’ve heard others will be joining us later. Why so many hands this time?” Nomura queried with a hint of confusion.

Sakamoto’s stern face grew even more serious. “His Majesty the Emperor has no heir, making the succession a grave issue. He’s entrusted Mr. Suzuki to seek a miraculous cure here in China. After much inquiry, Mr. Suzuki discovered there’s a legendary herb known as the Immortal Spirit Seed, which is said to bear fruit only tonight.”

Nomura nodded solemnly. “Boss, I understand. Our mission is to secure the Immortal Spirit Seed. It’s indeed a matter of utmost importance.”

Sakamoto’s gaze sharpened. “Remember, if there’s a mistake, we cannot answer to Mr. Suzuki. By our code, it means losing a finger in punishment.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Eat something first—keep your strength up,” Sakamoto ordered.

At once, Murano picked up the phone by the pool and called the front desk to order dinner.

Soon after, the same ponytailed girl arrived with their meal.

As she entered, she was startled by the extensive tattoos covering the men’s bodies. Murano instructed her to set a small table by the bath so they could eat while soaking.

Nervous, the girl only wanted to finish her task quickly and leave. She knelt and arranged the dishes on the table.

Sakamoto, glancing idly, caught sight of the girl’s smooth, fair nape as she bent over. His Adam’s apple bobbed. His gaze slid to her raised backside, and he wiped his mouth with his hand.

With a splash, Sakamoto rose from the water.

Startled by the sound, the girl instinctively turned her head.

“Ah! Why aren’t you wearing clothes?”

Seeing Sakamoto standing naked, the girl fell back in fright and quickly turned away.

Sakamoto strode from the bath, reaching her in two steps.

The girl scrambled up, desperate to escape.

He grabbed her around the waist from behind, pinning her in place.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” She struggled, kicking and flailing.

“You, come play with me,” Sakamoto leered, his hand roaming over her body.

The girl fought with all her strength, her face flushed red. “Let me go, or I’ll call the police!”

Sakamoto laughed. “Police? Not afraid. If you won’t, we’ll force you.”

The girl shouted for help as loud as she could. Tonight was the Qixi Festival, and many couples were staying at the hotel for the hot springs. If she screamed, perhaps someone would come.

The other four men in the bath approached, grinning wickedly.

Together they pinned the girl, forcing her to kneel.

“Help!” she screamed again.

Murano sneered. “Shout all you want. You Chinese are cold-hearted. Just a few of us can make hundreds of you die.”

He shoved her head toward Sakamoto. “Hurry up, open your mouth.”

Tears streamed down the girl’s face as she resisted, but she was no match for the men’s strength. The thing was already pressed to her nose.

She kept her lips sealed tight, refusing to open up.

Murano slapped her hard across the face, twice.

He then forced her jaw open, trying to shove it inside.

“What are you doing?” A man’s voice called from the doorway.

The girl, having entered only moments before and not closed the door fully, now saw a couple standing at the entrance.

All five men turned to look.

An angry Chinese man stood at the threshold.

Sakamoto’s expression turned dark, his business interrupted.

He signaled to his men.

Murano glared at the newcomer, threatening harshly, “You, leave now. Mind your own business!”

The Chinese man’s girlfriend, standing outside, pulled at his arm in fear. “Honey, let’s just go!”

He shook her off and stepped into the room. “Japanese dogs, let her go! Don’t think you can bully our women.” His voice rose in fury.

The five men released the ponytailed girl, grabbed towels to cover themselves, and advanced toward him.

Sakamoto grinned and spoke in Japanese to his men. “There are five of us—how can one woman be enough? Brothers, let’s have some fun with his girlfriend.”

The others laughed maliciously.

Though the Chinese man did not understand their words, the predatory looks they cast at his girlfriend made their intentions clear.

He shouted nervously, “Xuanxuan, run!”

But Xuanxuan, worried for her boyfriend, hesitated at the doorway.

“Go now, or it’ll be too late!”

But it was already too late.

The five Japanese split into two groups: four surrounded the Chinese man, and the last chased after Xuanxuan.

“Help!” Xuanxuan screamed in terror.

The hotel’s soundproofing was good; the cries of the receptionist had barely carried. This Chinese couple had only heard her because the door was ajar as they passed.

Now, Xuanxuan’s desperate cries echoed down the hallway, reaching every room. Gu Xiangnan heard them, too.

“Help—!”

Xuanxuan was dragged back into the room by the Japanese man. As the door slammed shut, she summoned all her remaining strength and screamed once more.