Chapter 75: Cleaning the Gate

On a Harbin morning, the cold wind swirled snowflakes into people's throats. Li Ping'an crouched in front of a wonton stall in Daowai District, holding a steaming bowl, his ears pricked to the sounds around.

Did you hear? Little Devils are using live people for experiments, damn, they're nothing! How could anyone not know? It's in the newspapers! Shh... lower your voice! If the Pseudo Police hear, it'll be trouble...

The stall owner, an old man with a wrinkled face, muttered while making wontons: This world, what immoral thing can't you do? A few years ago Commander Yang was a good man, yet he somehow sold those who were about to be butchered...

Li Ping'an's hand suddenly stopped, the soup spilling out. He looked up and asked: Old man, what happened to those traitors you mentioned... later?

The old man glanced around, lowering his voice: What else could they do? They became collaborators! That kid Cheng Bin is the worst, I heard he became a Team Captain of the garrison in Shenyang, specializing in anti‑Japanese elements. Zhang Xiufeng seems to be doing well in New Capital... Pah! These ungrateful scum!

Li Ping'an silently finished the wontons, paying a few extra copper coins. As he turned, his gaze was as cold as ice in the dead of winter.

First, Cheng Bin.

Three days later, a mountain‑goods collector appeared in Shenyang. Li Ping'an wore a leather hat, a half‑worn cotton robe, spoke with a Hebei accent, and roamed the major restaurants and teahouses. After a few bottles of strong liquor, the Pseudo Police and collaborators couldn't keep quiet.

Team Captain Cheng? He was a big name before Lord Tai! I heard he captured a few remnants of the anti‑Japanese resistance a couple of days ago, probably about to get a promotion... He now lives in the Japanese concession, ordinary people can't get close to him...

Late at night, Li Ping'an slipped into the Japanese concession. The Western‑style buildings here were grander by the block, each entrance guarded by patrol police. He moved like a night owl among the rooftops and soon found Cheng Bin's residence—a two‑story small Western house, with a black sedan parked in the courtyard.

What a pleasure. Using heroes' blood to buy wealth and honor.

He lay on the opposite roof, observing. Cheng was indeed cautious; the courtyard housed two wolfhounds, two armed guards at the gate, and apparently a bodyguard inside.

But even the strictest defenses have gaps.

In the latter half of the night, during the guard change. Li Ping'an silently slipped into the courtyard, clutching two medicated Meat Buns. The wolfhounds sniffed, then collapsed motionless.

He pressed like a shadow against the wall base, listening to the sounds inside.

... Lord Tai said, as long as we capture a few more important people, he'll recommend me for a post in New Capital... a smug voice came from the second floor. "Captain Gao Ming! Come, let me toast you again!"

Li Ping'an's gaze hardened. Now!

He clung to a drainage pipe, climbed to the second‑floor balcony, and gently pushed open the unlocked window. Inside, Cheng was drinking and bragging with a few subordinates, the table a mess of cups and plates.

One bodyguard remained alert, reaching for his gun.

Too slow. Cheng's wrist twitched, three iron nails shot out! Two bodyguards and a subordinate fell, each with a blood hole in the throat.

Cheng, frightened, sobered up half, tried to grab the handgun on the table. But Li Ping'an was already ghost‑like behind him, the cold barrel of the handgun pressed to the back of his skull.

Spare me, good man! Take all the money you want... Cheng trembled all over. How did Commander Yang treat you? Li Ping'an's voice was as cold as ice.

Cheng shivered violently, his face turning deathly pale: You... you are... those brothers who fought side by side with you, how could you raise your hand?

I... I was also forced, no choice... Cheng fell and knelt, "The Japanese captured my mother... nonsense!" Li Ping'an kicked him over, "Your mother died of illness last year! It's you who are cowardly!"

Cheng's face turned ashen, and he suddenly drew a dagger from his boot and lunged! But Li Ping'an was faster, sidestepping, twisting his wrist and snapping it off!

Crunch! The arm snapped. This was for Commander Yang.

Another kick to the knee! This was for those betrayed brothers.

Finally, the barrel pressed to the forehead. This was for the countless Chinese you killed.

Blood blossoms splattered the exquisite wallpaper. Li Ping'an didn't even glance at the corpse, and began a thorough search of the house. Sure enough, under the bedroom bed he found an iron box; opening it revealed golden bars that glittered, along with plenty of jewelry. Behind a bookshelf was a hidden compartment containing several antique calligraphy and paintings.

All of it is the people's blood and sweat... Li Ping'an snorted coldly, waved his hand, and stored all this ill‑gotten wealth into a pocket space. This money can be used for the anti‑Japanese cause later, far better than leaving it to the Japanese.

He took a paper from his coat, written in blood: "Collaborator's end", and gently placed it on the corpse's chest.

The next day, Shenyang erupted in chaos. News that the big collaborator Cheng Bin had been killed at home spread through every street and alley. The common folk whispered with glee, while the Japanese Soldiers were furious, imposing city‑wide martial law and a manhunt.

Meanwhile, Li Ping'an was already on the train bound for New Capital.

Next target: Zhang Xiufeng.

That guy is even more cunning than Cheng Bin, hiding inside the Pseudo Manchurian Military‑Political Department, rarely leaving his door. Li Ping'an roamed New Capital for three days, yet couldn't find a chance to strike.

But the fox will eventually show its tail.

On the fourth day, Li Ping'an crouched in a teahouse opposite the Military‑Political Department, finally waiting for Zhang Xiufeng to emerge—turns out a Japanese advisor's birthday was being celebrated, and these collaborators were all attending.

A good opportunity. A faint cold smile curled at Li Ping'an's mouth.

That night, the Japanese advisor's residence was festooned with lanterns, lively beyond measure. Zhang Xiufeng, dressed in a brand‑new uniform, bowed and toasted the Japanese.

Zhang Sang, I heard Commander Cheng had an incident? a Japanese advisor asked with narrowed eyes. Yes... that's right... but Lord Tai, rest assured, I will strengthen security... Yo Xi! You must stay well!

Li Ping'an disguised as a waiter, carrying a tray of wine, weaving through the crowd. He timed Zhang Xiufeng's trip to the restroom, and silently followed inside.

You... who are you? Zhang Xiufeng startled at the person behind him. "I'm the one here to settle the score." Li Ping'an tore off his mask.

Zhang Xiufeng's face turned pale, reaching for his gun. But Li Ping'an moved faster, pinning him onto the sink, a cold dagger pressed to his throat.

Spare me, good man! I can give you money... a lot of money... Commander Yang treated you like a brother, and this is how you repay him?

I... I had no choice either... Zhang Xiufeng trembled all over, "Cheng betrayed first, if I hadn't followed... I'd also be dead..."

So you took the Japanese to capture those villagers hiding food? Took people to secret camps? Li Ping'an pressed harder, "Those soldiers who froze to death in the snow—did you ever think of sparing them?"

The dagger made a light slash, a bead of blood oozed. This cut was for the brothers who froze and starved.

Another slash, tearing the uniform. This cut was for the civilians you killed.

Finally, the tip of the blade pressed to the chest. This cut was for Commander Yang.

Zhang Xiufeng's eyes widened, and he slowly slipped to the ground. Li Ping'an also left a "Collaborator's end" note. He also took the gold watch and money clip from the boy, counting it as interest.

The consecutive killings of two major collaborators shook the entire puppet Manchurian state. The Japanese Soldiers ordered a full‑scale hunt, raising the bounty repeatedly.

But Li Ping'an vanished as if he had evaporated from the world, leaving no trace.

In reality, he was hiding in a cellar in the outskirts of Changchun, carefully researching the whereabouts of the other two traitors—Zhao Tingxi and Li Zhengxin. These minor figures are harder to locate; one is said to be hiding in the countryside, the other changed his name and hides in a mine run by the Japanese.

Run? See how far you can get. Li Ping'an wiped his handgun, his gaze icy.

Just then, a clamor of footsteps and dog barks erupted from outside!

Search house to house! We don't believe he can fly! Lord Tai said, if we can't catch him, we'll all be unlucky!

Li Ping'an's heart tightened. Discovered? Impossible, he believed he left no trace.

The footsteps grew nearer, about to discover the cellar...