Nippon Province's Yasukuni Shrine was located north of Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was dedicated to the soldiers and their families who had died in battle since the Meiji Restoration. Most of them were officers from Nippon Province who had died in the war against China and the Pacific War, as well as the 30,000 soldiers of Nippon Province, such as the Takasago Volunteer Army. The shrine was composed of the Reihimbo Hall, the main hall, the worship hall, the shrine gate, the Youju Hall, the Zhating Hall, and so on.
That morning, the shrine's priests had all come out to welcome the visitors. They had been informed by Koizumi Junichiro the night before that the governor of Tokyo would be visiting the shrine today.
More than a dozen police officers arrived at the shrine early in the morning. They searched the front and back of the shrine, then thoroughly searched the interior of the shrine. Other than the priest, who was familiar with the shrine's management, everyone else was chased away. They searched the place five times and even used professional detectors to check every inch of the place, just in case there were any hidden bombs.
After that, they searched the Reihimbo Hall, which was only open to the governor of Nippon Province, thoroughly, including the ceiling beams. Even a fly would not be able to escape such a search.
In addition, both the police officers and the 300 Self-Defense Forces secretly following them had a code to verify their identity. If they were still suspicious of the code, they would use the fingerprint reader they carried with them. The Millennium Killer, Xiao Han, could disguise himself as someone else, but his fingerprints could not be changed.
Koizumi Junichiro, who was accompanied by Miyazaki Ronjin, Asou Shuyao, and more than a dozen police officers, walked into the shrine through the shrine gate. Curiosity and confusion flashed across his face. He turned to Miyazaki Ronjin and asked, "The shrine is 17 kilometers away from where I live. The Millennium Killer, Xiao Han, did not attack me. Did he know that this was a trap?"
"Probably," Miyazaki Ronjin replied.
Ever since Xiao Luo became a wanted criminal, he had changed his usual sloppy appearance. It was as if he had been rejuvenated and had regained the aura of a patrol leader.
Although he said so, he felt uneasy. He always felt that a pair of eyes were watching them from the dark, like a dormant poisonous snake, ready to strike at any time.
"That bastard is not stupid. He must have sensed that we are on guard." Asou Shuyao wanted to have more say in front of the governor of Dongjing, so she was looking for opportunities to strike up a conversation with Koizumi Junichiro.
"Then he's going to disappoint me. I didn't expect him to be a coward."
Koizumi Junichiro touched the bulletproof vest on his body with a trace of regret in his eyes. He then leaned on his walking stick and walked into the shrine.
The process of paying respects to the shrine began with the worship hall, followed by the worship hall where the Spirit Seal Book was enshrined. The Spirit Seal Book contained the names and black and white photos of more than two hundred Japanese soldiers who had died in battle, including his father's name and photo.
"Good morning, Mr. Koizumi Junichiro!"
The highest-ranking member of the shrine greeted Koizumi Junichiro with an amiable smile. He was wearing a black priest's hat, holding a ceremonial tablet in his hand, and a special white priest's robe. His white hair made him look very different from the rest of the shrine.
"Good morning, Mr. Priest!"
Koizumi Junichiro bowed slightly to the priest and then clasped his hands together in return.
"Please come in." The High Priest extended his left hand.
"Alright."
Koizumi Junichiro nodded and walked into the shrine with the help of his walking stick.
Miyazaki Ronjin took out a fingerprint detector and said solemnly, "Mr. Priest, please place your thumb on this to test your fingerprint."
"I've known the High Priest for a long time. I can assure you that there is no problem with his fingerprints," Koizumi Junichiro said with a frown.
"Governor, it's better to be cautious," Asami Shuyao said respectfully.
Asou Shuyao said respectfully. She had reached a consensus with Miyazaki Ronjin on this matter.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh … I'll do as you say."
The High Priest smiled and placed his left thumb on the fingerprint detector. A green light appeared, indicating that his fingerprints did not match those of the suspect, Xiao Han, and he was cleared of suspicion.
"Can we do it now?"
Koizumi Junichiro was displeased with Miyazaki Ronjin and Asami Shuyao. The High Priest was not to be doubted. Although their actions were for safety reasons, it was also a fact that they had offended the High Priest.
Miyazaki Ronjin and Asami Shuyao bowed slightly to express their sincere apologies.
"Hmph!"
Koizumi Junichiro snorted in displeasure and strode into the shrine.
The Heavenly Magistrate followed closely behind with small, quick steps.
To pay respects to the shrine, one had to wash one's hands instead of washing one's body. The High Priest fetched some water and poured it over Koizumi Junichiro's hands. Then, Koizumi Junichiro passed the ladle from his left hand to his right hand and rinsed his mouth with the water from the ladle. After spitting out the water in his mouth, he used the remaining water from the ladle to rinse his left hand and rinsed the handle of the ladle before putting it back.
He shook the bell three times and inserted the money into the money box. Then, he bowed at a right angle twice …
All of this worshipping process had to be assisted by a Heavenly Priest.
BOOM!
Suddenly, there was a deafening explosion outside the shrine. The ground about a dozen meters away from the shrine was lifted, and rocks, grass, and dirt flew everywhere.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
The police officers in the shrine took out their pistols and kept a close watch on their surroundings.
"Is that Xiao Han here?"
Koizumi Junichiro, who was in the middle of paying respects, was shocked when he heard the explosion, but he quickly regained his composure. After all, there were 300 Self-Defense Forces outside. If Xiao Han dared to come, he would be walking right into their trap.
"I'm not sure. I'll go and take a look."
Miyazaki Ronjin did not trust the Self-Defense Forces. "Protect the Governor!" he ordered the police officers in the shrine.
He turned around and ran out.
As soon as he left the shrine, the High Priest who was assisting Koizumi Junichiro in paying respects suddenly unleashed a murderous aura. The ceremonial tablet in his hand was like a sharp sword. It pierced through Koizumi Junichiro's throat and came out from the back of his neck.
"Pfft!"
Koizumi Junichiro looked down at the ceremonial tablet that had pierced through his neck. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth. He looked up at the High Priest's eyes. They were the eyes of a wolf.
This was not the High Priest. This was the Thousand-Faced Killer, Xiao Han in disguise!
"Governor!!!"
Asou Shuyao and the police officers were shocked. Who would have thought that the High Priest, who was familiar with the etiquette of paying respects and had even passed the fingerprint verification, was actually the Thousand-Faced Killer, Xiao Han in disguise? How was this possible? How did he pass the fingerprint verification?
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The police officers pulled the triggers and fired at Xiao Luo. Bullets flew everywhere, and the sound of gunfire was deafening.
Xiao Luo used his Wave-like Subtle Steps. His body was like a phantom, and he easily dodged the bullets. Then, he used his palm as a knife and slashed at the police officers' shoulders. In less than three seconds, more than a dozen police officers were unconscious and fell to the ground.
"Xiao Han, I'll kill you!"
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