Chapter 46

Sakai Mieko straightened slightly, was about to turn and leave, then snapped upright again, somewhat doubtful: 'Section Chief, I don't understand why we can't just blow up the freighter?'

'Wouldn't that be more convenient, freeing up some manpower to do more?'

'Forgive my bluntness, but our manpower is already severely insufficient.'

'Moreover, with the Migrant Bird Team ambushed, the manpower we can divert is even more stretched thin.'

'Since we already know the freighter Marie is a Nationalist military supply ship, we should just send someone to blow it up.'

Yenping Tarō's pea‑sized eyes flashed with a cold light as he said in a cold voice, 'Mieko, destroying the freighter is merely the cargo of one ship.'

'If we could discover their secret arms depot, we could destroy far more munitions and greatly weaken their military strength.'

'Mieko, you must remember: as an agent you must learn to weigh pros and cons, never act on impulse, lest you lose the big picture over small gains.'

"'Hai, I understand!' Sakai Mieko snapped to attention and bowed."

'Go arrange it!' Yenping Tarō said.

……

Liu Family Villa.

After Chen Yongren, Zhang Haifeng, Liu Shuyun, and Liu Ying had lunch together, they each returned to their rooms to rest.

Too many things have happened today.

Lü Yan's betrayal, Station Chief Chen Xing's sacrifice, and the discovery of Sakai Mieko's whereabouts.

Nishino Shōta's Migrant Bird Team was uprooted, so Sakai Mieko will surely take new action.

If we go to Red Mouth now, we might gain an unexpected harvest.

After a moment's thought, Chen Yongren jumped straight up from the bed, grabbed the briefcase on the table, and said, 'Let's go, Haifeng, out the door.'

'Mm!' Zhang Haifeng rose with him, then, feeling a bit lost, asked, 'Where to?'

'Red Mouth.' Chen Yongren mused: 'Yesterday we wiped out a squad of Japanese spies; Sakai Mieko must have caught wind of it.'

'They will surely keep sending people to tail us; now is a good chance to take out a few more Japanese spies, and perhaps we can even uncover Sakai Mieko and the pangolin's whereabouts.'

Hearing that, Zhang Haifeng had no objection, quickly followed behind Chen Yongren, greeted A Cai, and told him not to wait for them to finish dinner.

The two once again walked out of the Liu Family Villa.

Watching Chen Yongren's retreating back, A Cai respectfully said, 'Madam, they seem to be heading out again to kill Japanese spies?'

Hearing that, Liu Ying chuckled lightly: 'Keep tailing them; this time we must keep a close watch—I want to see just which brand of Japanese spies they're killing!'

'Yes!' A Cai received the order and left.

……

Not long after the two left the villa, several Party Affairs Office agents began to follow them, scattered behind.

'A Ren, they're tailing us again—these Party Affairs Office folks are like evil spirits that won't disperse!' Noticing someone behind them, Zhang Haifeng said.

Chen Yongren replied calmly: 'Let them follow however they want; we don't need to worry.'

'A Ren't you afraid they'll interfere with our operation?' Zhang Haifeng scratched his head and asked.

Chen Yongren smiled: 'Having them tail us is actually a good thing for us right now.'

'A good thing?' Zhang Haifeng eyed Chen Yongren skeptically: 'A Ren, have you lost your mind? How could this be a good thing?'

Chen Yongren said: 'Since we can't contact the Military Intelligence Bureau, having the Party Affairs Office people bear witness for us isn't bad either.'

Zhang Haifeng first blinked, then suddenly understood: 'I get it, A Ren—you want the Party Affairs Office agents to see us killing Japanese spies, thereby clearing our suspicion of treason.'

'There's no better witness than the Party Affairs Office.' Chen Yongren gave a slight smile, hailed a rickshaw, and all the way arrived at Red Mouth.

After ensuring the trailing agents were also following, Chen Yongren then activated his Insight, and together with Zhang Haifeng they took to the streets as loafers.

This place indeed has the most Japanese; the streets are mostly filled with Japanese wearing kimonos and wooden clogs.

Even the sides of the street are mostly traditional Japanese shops.

'This is truly a fertile land; I want to live here forever.'

'Imperial soldiers ought to seize this land at once!'

"Despicable Chinese, they simply don't deserve to have such a prosperous city; everything here will be ours."

……

All the chaotic thoughts around flooded into Chen Yongren's ears.

Those Riben scum who smile on the surface are so despicable inside; they constantly think of taking over others' nests and invading other countries.

Damn it, sooner or later I'll slaughter you all!

Chen Yongren suppressed his inner anger while screening the information, also observing whether there were any suspicious people around.

After all.

This is the Japanese concession, where there's no shortage of Japanese devils; you might even run into a few Riben spies.

"A Ren, what have you found?" Zhang Haifeng really couldn't see any clue, scratched his head, and looked at Chen Yongren asking.

Chen Yongren was about to speak when a voice poured into his ears.

"That Lü guy is simply too arrogant; I, after all, am also a captain."

"He's nothing but a surrendered stray dog, yet he dares to make me buy him food."

Hearing this thought, Chen Yongren instantly became energized.

Surname Lü?

Could it be Lü Yan?

Chen Yongren immediately stopped in his tracks.

At the same time, the total focus skill activated.

Those chaotic sounds were instantly sucked away, leaving only the thoughts Chen Yongren wanted to hear beside his ear.

"If it weren't for Section Chief Sakai's instructions to me to try to satisfy his reasonable demands now, I would definitely throw this damn bastard out."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongren's heart was instantly overtaken by great joy.

Section Chief Sakai must certainly be Sakai Mieko.

The bastard surnamed Lu is almost certainly the traitor Lu Yan.

Damn it.

We really came to the right place.

Chen Yongren looked around, seeking the source of the voice, and quickly locked his gaze onto a person on the right side of the street.

Dressed all in black, with a constipated expression, he held a lunchbox in each hand, briskly walking down the street.

Chen Yongren felt a stir, focusing his Insight solely on him.

"You filthy Chinese pig, still saying you want to try traditional Japanese food."

"I'll eat you to death, you bastard!"

"Don't think that with Section Chief Sakai protecting you, you can act lawlessly."

"One day, I will thoroughly deal with you!"

Indeed it was him; Chen Yongren looked at the Japanese spy's back, a faint smile touching his lips.

As long as we follow him,

we will surely be able to drag out those two bastards, Lu Yan and Sakai Mieko.

"Is there something wrong with him?"

Zhang Haifeng followed Chen Yongren's gaze, likewise locking onto that man.

Chen Yongren nodded with a smile, and said in a low voice: "There's a bulge at his waist, surely a gun; his steps are steady, his walk brings wind—this is the gait only a soldier can have."

"Stay close to him; we might just bring ourselves some unexpected surprises."

"Good." Zhang Haifeng had no objection.

Chen Yongren and Zhang Haifeng had a cigarette in their mouths, following him at a leisurely pace until they saw him enter a villa, at which point they stopped tailing.