Chapter 698: , Kenshin's Ancestral Bones Stolen!

PS: This part is really hard to write, give me some time to think carefully. The Emperor here thanks everyone~

Jiang Tougangzhi's experience is like a mirror, reflecting the growing pains of Japan's era of transformation and the confusion of a group of people.

Regarding this point, in fact, every country has gone through it—the decline and destruction of Germany's Ruhr industrial region, and in the US from the 1970s to the 1980s, a generation "went under," the "years of rock decadence"; after losing India for many years, the British Empire still had a "Secretary of State for India" and an "India Office," where the people inside had no idea what they were supposed to do or could do, yet refused to disband, idling away while maintaining the entire department. This logic is also subtly present in "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister." As everyone knows, the British civil service system is extremely bloated and inefficient, but in reality, this civil service system corresponded to the entire British Empire, filled with countless truly elite bureaucrats, like Arnold Humphreys, a genuine elite. But by the time of the drama, most of them no longer knew what they should do or could do, because the areas they could truly control had shrunk to just the British Isles and a few regions.

It's like putting a super engine into an old car—press the accelerator and it falls apart.

Japan's once-glorious industrialization era began deindustrializing with the bubble economy—this was historically inevitable, but any grain of sand from the era falling on an ordinary person becomes a mountain. Jiang Tougangzhi is one who failed to adapt to the tides of change and was buried. Moreover, the Japanese national character places special emphasis on "dignity" and "not causing trouble for others." Out of traditional male responsibility and dignity, he ultimately snapped.

Is it his fault? Of course it is—this is an outright criminal act. Premeditated rape followed by murder is among the gravest crimes. East Asian nations—Germany, Japan, and South Korea—impose extremely harsh sentences for rape (South Korea the strictest, Japan next, Germany third). In contrast, in the US, rape carries only a 3–5 year sentence (and can even be reduced). If he committed such a rape-murder in Japan, even with just one victim, there would be a small chance of receiving the death penalty!

But after hearing his accusation, everyone could only sigh and let them take him away.

Uesugi Muneshige shook his head, thinking that the end of industrialization was inevitable—even "Ma Gong," whom he had most admired and favored in his past life for championing industrialization and productivity development, admitted that the tons of outdated, backward junk produced by over-industrialization were actually worthless.

The logic of the industrial party is as follows.

We need more high-energy gas, so we need to build more high-energy gas plants. Then, what is the purpose of building more high-energy gas plants? Of course, to produce more high-energy gas! And what is the use of producing so much high-energy gas? Naturally, to build more high-energy gas plants!

They believe all social problems can be solved through "producing more high-energy gas—building more high-energy gas plants—producing more high-energy gas."

But is that possible?

What a joke! Produced goods need buyers!

And when the industrial party finds its products won't sell, it thinks of using demands to make other countries absorb its excess capacity, demanding open markets and free trade to buy its goods—thus beginning to shift. Either it's the Great Depression economic crisis, or it's the "wash-head Laozi" path. This is why capitalism and the Stalinist model naturally drift rightward.

The workers' dream should wake up, Mr. Jiang.

Uesugi Muneshige's gaze was complex—he too had once been an industrialization enthusiast, but having lived two lives, he now realizes some things are inevitable. A person's fate, of course, depends on personal struggle, but must also consider the march of history.

As when a Nobel economist was interviewed and asked whether a young person with the same education could achieve the same success in an "economic upswing" versus an "economic downturn," the economist replied: "almost never!"

"There's no doubt about it, Muneshige." At that moment, Mai Gakusei, via "Ichiren Tōshō," softly said to Uesugi Muneshige: "Jiang Tougangzhi's murderous intent was not without trace! In fact, someone must have guided him to commit this atrocity!"

"From him accidentally finding the amulet, with its strange symbols, he could sleep soundly, and from his own account of picking up that murder weapon—the heavy industrial paper cutter—there is no doubt this was a premeditated, induced crime." Mai Gakusei whispered: "I know some secret arts that can induce people."

"You mean Nishino Mikiji and Jiang Tougangzhi were both induced?" Uesugi Muneshige nodded, thoughtful: "If you say so, then everything has a reasonable explanation."

"After completing the wish-fulfilling shoot that day, the group disbanded. Nishino Mikiji and Kawabe Mayu were misled by some force, but Kawabe Mayu happened to be saved by the owner couple of the wagashi shop, while Nishino Mikiji was led to this vicinity. Jiang Tougangzhi likewise—he would obtain the knife not by chance."

"But the inducer likely didn't expect that, after initial induction, Jiang Tougangzhi's nature would explode—he was originally a wild-type wanderer, long dwelling on society's edge, not wanting to be known. If he had merely killed or injured someone, the police wouldn't have thought of this group, nor would I."

"But long-term sexual repression and instincts etched into DNA let his physiological function override the induction, so he committed the violence. Afterward, no matter what, Jiang Tougangzhi himself is of working-class origin, with some education and discernment. He quickly realized he had committed a grave crime, so he went all in—no hesitation—and killed Nishino Mikiji."

"This may have exceeded the inducer's original intent…… but…… now we have two problems: first, what exactly did the inducer want to do? What was the purpose of inducing Nishino Mikiji and Jiang Tougangzhi? Second, did this outcome truly align with what the inducer wanted to see?" At that moment, Uesugi Muneshige and Mai Gakusei almost in unison, as if sharing one mind, spoke a name together.

"Kawabe Mayu!"

"Oh no!"

They inwardly cried out, thinking perhaps this matter is not only related to Kawabe Mayu but also connected to the entire female idol organization behind her—but now Kawabe Mayu is not only outside their sight, but possibly facing danger again!

"We must return immediately!" Uesugi Muneshige said at once.

"Agreed, but before that, notify A Xiu right away!" Mai Gakusei added calmly: "Let A Xiu Ling and Sakura go mix with Mayuyu's trail, and have Date follow! And the Metropolitan Police Department..."

"... has not received local guidance or support requests, so they cannot come directly. However, it's said that Section Chief Sugida, along with Kai and Okada, plan to come under the pretense of visiting the sick and tourism—they should be en route now." Uesugi Muneshige smiled: "Originally, Minami and Ererena were supposed to come, but after hearing from their father that this is an extremely heinous rape-murder case, they forbade female officers from coming."

"Pfft!" Bai Chuan Mai couldn't help laughing, shaking her head repeatedly, thinking: really… at this moment realizing they are indeed female officers. Female officers are ultimately women, deserving protection—this parallels Jiang Tougangzhi's resentment and society's general bias against men, in a strange but similar way, but it's also indeed something we must consider.

Just like on a train, when a female high school student grabs a salaryman's hand and says he touched her butt, police usually ignore it at first, then pin him down and speak.

But if a salaryman grabs a female JK's hand and says she touched his butt, police will only burst out laughing, implying, "Dude, you scored." For example, Uesugi Muneshige was once groped on the butt—by Ererena, Minami, Mai Gakusei, Asuka, Kashiwagi Misa, and several female anchors from Fuji TV—secretly doing this. The list is long, and includes two female police officers.

Soon, after Chief Yamagata Police and Prefectural Police Headquarters Chief Tongtian discussed, they reached a conclusion.

The case was officially named the "Yamagata North Rest Area Murder and Corpse Abandonment Case," confirmed as a premeditated, extremely heinous crime: a transient individual targeting strangers for sexual assault and murder.

Perpetrator Jiang Tougangzhi, 52, no fixed residence or job, a complete "wild sleeper" detached from social supervision. His motive was determined as "severe psychological distortion, personality disorder, and antisocial tendencies from long-term social detachment, triggering under specific conditions by sexual impulse and extreme nihilistic emotions."

Regarding the "amulet" and any possible references to "ritual" or "induction," the official report merely states: "Suspicious items found at the scene; their connection to criminal psychology awaits further evaluation by mental health experts"—deliberately downplaying any supernatural aspect.

The report highlights the swift response and meticulous investigation by Yamagata Prefectural Police, emphasizing that when early leads contradicted and investigation stalled, thanks to the specially invited expert Uesugi Muneshige—forensic analysis based on rigorous science and criminal psychology—provided a precise profile, ultimately leading to the suspect's capture and arrest. As for the embarrassment of two wrongful arrests, it was reframed as "police acting prudently and responsibly, not overlooking any clue, while respecting scientific evidence and courageously correcting course"—a positive image.

It lists evidence seized from the suspect: the weapon (paper cutter, matching wound morphology and trace residue), clothing stained with the victim's biological material, rope matching the scene's binding materials, and trace substances from his hideout matching the environment—forming a "closed loop."

"Jiang Tougangzhi will be handed over to prosecutors, charged with murder, sexual assault, and abandonment of a corpse, while his mental state will undergo judicial evaluation. We, Yamagata Prefectural Police, will cooperate with local authorities to strengthen attention and management of urban fringes and transient populations to prevent similar tragedies." Chief Yamagata said to Uesugi Muneshige.

It's simple: we won't shortchange your contribution, but it's best to stop here—you're done, Chief Uesugi, go enjoy your vacation!

At this moment, Uesugi Muneshige had no mind to linger here with the Yamagata Prefectural Police; he nodded, then told Mai Gakusei they'd retreat to the inn to discuss further. Time rewinds to earlier today, when police were fully mobilized hunting Jiang Tougangzhi, media focused on the rest area, and production staff were anxious—behind the main hall of Uesugi Shinai, in the treasure house, an unexpected visitor arrived.

A mysterious black-clad figure wore a dark, mobile-friendly outfit, avoided main routes, used prior reconnaissance of the shrine layout, and slipped in through a long-neglected side wall almost buried in shrubbery. Inside, the few attending shrine staff were restless—either uneasy about the murder near the holy ground, or annoyed by occasional inquiry calls.

He glided like a shadow through the corridors, using a specially made metal strip with complex patterns to easily open the treasure house's seemingly heavy but actually aged wooden door.

Inside, light was dim—only the faint glow of the eternal lamp.

The air smelled of incense, fireworks, and rotting old wood.

The mysterious black-clad figure's target was clear: the central altar, where an unassuming, black-lacquered ancient wooden box lay, carved with a bamboo sparrow pattern. This was the "Gokotsu-bako," the sacred casket enshrining part of the remains of Uesugi Kenshin.

He showed no reverence or hesitation, swiftly opening the waterproof satchel he carried, pulling out a pre-prepared imitation lacquer box of similar size, and swapping the genuine "Gokotsu-bako" into his bag. The entire process took less than three minutes.

Before leaving, he glanced at other artifacts in the gloom, his lips curling into a cold arc.

These lifeless objects will soon be given new meaning, to play a role in a greater "ritual."

He vanished as silently as he came.

Until several hours later, a shrine elder responsible for daily cleaning vaguely felt the objects before the shrine "felt off," but couldn't say why.

Under the lingering low pressure brought by the murder case, this slight sense of "oddness" was easily dismissed as nervous agitation, and no timely report was made. Not until the evening, while preparing for the New Year's visit ritual, did the Uesugi Shinai staff conduct an inventory—and only then did they horrifyingly discover that Lord Kenshin's "Gokotsu" had been stolen! The ashes of Uesugi Kenshin, which had been kept here for four hundred years, were gone!

But by now it was the eve of the visit, and since everyone must take responsibility when something goes wrong, the shrine held a secret discussion—completely at a loss, unsure what to do.

What to do? Kenshin's remains are missing!

Hide the death? Should we let countless New Year visitors worship fake remains?

Go public? Then isn't the shrine ruined? Who would come to worship this obviously fake Buddhist altar? And even if we later announced we recovered the remains, wouldn't we have to prove once and for all they're truly Kenshin's? And if we don't recover them—what then?

This is it—we're done for!!!

After long discussion, the shrine priests had one key suggestion.

Isn't Uesugi Muneshige here?

He is a forensic pathologist, most skilled at handling and tracking the dead!

Moreover, Kenshin Kō is his ancestor! Ancestral matters—how could he not care?

Other things can be forgotten, but this matter must be made known to him, and he must be urgently asked to come and handle it!

Great idea! This way, even if we pass the blame outward, we notify externally, we have an explanation internally, and whether we find it or not, it has nothing to do with us—if found, it's Uesugi's excellence; if not found, it's Uesugi's inadequacy!

"Call him now!" The shrine chief priest immediately dialed Uesugi Muneyuki's phone.

At this moment, Uesugi Muneyuki was sitting in the Mercedes-Benz 660, wearily rubbing his brow, when the phone vibrated—inside was the shrine chief priest's slightly urgent voice: "Uesugi Muneyuki-san! Please trouble yourself to come over! We feel Kenshin Kō's sacred bones seem… a bit… off, but we dare not confirm it, nor make a fuss."

Sacred bones? Kenshin Kō?

Uesugi Muneyuki's pupils instantly widened to their maximum.

Archaeological excavation of divine bone ash? Kishimoto Kimomi's potion? Akimoto Yasushi? Idol God? High Plain of Heaven? Logic Tide? Kenshin's words? A string of key words exploded in his mind.

"What's wrong, Muneyuki?" Mai Xuejie stepped on the accelerator, casually asking: "Did something happen at the inn? Or is it Kawabe Mayu?" "No, it's Kenshin Kō's sacred bones that were stolen!" Uesugi Muneyuki said solemnly: "Just today!"

"What what???"