Ten Japanese military police had died—this matter completely spiraled beyond Fujita Kiyono’s control. At dawn, the Mei Agency came to arrest people under Furukawa Hiroshi’s orders. They also summoned Fujita Kiyono to come along for questioning. He was a friend of Fujita Takeshi and teacher of Fujita Reisou, with deep connections. During his time in Shanghai, he had been taking care of Fujita Kiyono.

Furukawa Hiroshi was short and fat, looking like a cute winter melon, but his expression was extremely fierce. Especially when scolding with a stern face, his gaping mouth opened and closed as if he would swallow someone alive.

He had been berating Fujita Kiyono for nearly fifteen minutes.

“An enemy agent lurked beside a high-ranking military official for nearly half a year. Such a massive quantity of internal classified documents leaked through your hands, yet you were completely unaware and even preparing for marriage.” Mentioning this made him even more furious. “What utter disgrace!”

“This matter still has questionable aspects. I will investigate thoroughly and give you a satisfactory answer.”

Furukawa Hiroshi took a light breath. “Don’t interfere anymore. Leave it to the Mei Agency to handle.”

“General, please give me two more days.” Fujita Kiyono bowed deeply in request. “She’s carrying my child.”

“You—” Furukawa Hiroshi pointed at him, shaking his head in disappointment. He glanced at his watch. “You have forty-seven hours and fifty-nine minutes left.”

“Thank you, General.”

…

Xie Chi was locked in the Mei Agency’s prison cell.

Fujita Kiyono had just exited the office when he ran into He Feng head-on. His expression changed slightly as he concealed his earlier sharpness. “Ryuji, what brings you here?”

He Feng lifted up two bottles of sake—special editions from Yamamoto Brewery that only produced ten bottles per year. He had treasured them for a long time, waiting for the right moment to use them. “I came to deliver sake to General Furukawa.”

“Seze style, rarely seen.” Fujita Kiyono stepped aside. “Go ahead.”

He Feng went in for half an hour. When he came out, his face bore an even more relaxed smile. Seeing Fujita Kiyono standing at the end of the corridor, he asked, “Waiting for me?”

“Yes.”

“I heard your fiancée was arrested.”

“Yes, turns out she was a spy.” Fujita Kiyono deliberately sighed. “When you get a chance, please put in a good word for me with General Furukawa.”

He Feng laughed. “In terms of connections, yours are stronger than mine.”

“I’m going to the prison cell. Want to come along?” Fujita Kiyono added, “She won’t confess. Perhaps you could persuade her a bit.”

“Sure, I haven’t seen the Mei Agency’s prison cells yet anyway.”

This prison cell had high ceilings and was quite spacious and impressive. Xie Chi lay on the bed, hearing footsteps approaching. She played deaf and mute, not moving at all.

He Feng looked at her back, thinking about the child in her belly, and wanted to blow this place up from heartache.

“Wanzhi.”

Xie Chi didn’t respond.

“Ryuji has come to see you.”

Xie Chi’s heart tightened. She opened her eyes but still didn’t get up.

She recalled what Fujita Kiyono had said yesterday: I will personally bring him before you.

Fujita Kiyono walked over and pulled her up.

Xie Chi sat on the bed, pulling her sleeves to hide her wrists that had been chafed red by the handcuffs. She lifted her gaze and looked at them calmly.

These small movements obviously didn’t escape He Feng’s eyes. He leaned lazily against the table and smiled. “Who would have thought Miss Xie was also a female hero.”

Xie Chi immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t been exposed—good, thank goodness.

“Ryuji, I heard you’re best at beating women. Why don’t you handle the interrogation?” Fujita Kiyono handed him a whip. “I don’t trust others to do it. I trust you—show some mercy.”

“That was just playing around.”

Fujita Kiyono held out the whip insistently. He Feng took it, looked at Xie Chi, walked over and crouched in front of her. “Miss Xie, since we know each other, why don’t you just tell us simply. Such a beautiful face—it wouldn’t be good if it got damaged.”

Xie Chi looked down at his brows and eyes. “If you want to hit, then hit. Cut the nonsense.”

He Feng’s lips moved, silently mouthing: Don’t be afraid.

Xie Chi looked at him, feeling like she could barely hold herself together. She forced back the ache and looked up at Fujita Kiyono pleadingly. “I’m not a Communist. I’m not.”

He Feng stood up, threw down the whip and walked out. “Interrogate your own woman yourself.”

Fujita Kiyono observed her impassively without saying a word, then followed him out. He caught up with He Feng. “Do you think she could be Asparagus?”

“You’ve been with her for half a year and don’t know—you’re asking me?”

“What do you think—could Cuckoo be in Shanghai?”

“Perhaps.” He Feng lifted the corner of his mouth. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be in business—I’d be in intelligence work.”

“Where are you going next?”

“Home to rest.”

“Not going drinking?”

“Any more drinking and I’ll collapse.” He Feng got into his car. “Want a ride?”

“No need.” Fujita Kiyono leaned on the window looking at him. “Want to go to the kendo hall?”

“What for?”

“Exercise a bit.”

“You still have the mood to exercise? Don’t want your fiancée anymore?”

“If she really is one, I have no choice.”

“After being together for half a year, you’re really willing to give her up.”

“When she used me again and again, she should have thought this day would come.” Fujita Kiyono straightened up. “Going or not?”

“Not going. I need to go back and handle documents.”

“Tomorrow then?”

He Feng smiled and agreed. “I’ll tell you in advance—I can’t use a sword.”

“No problem. We’ll drink and chat, relieve some boredom. I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”

“Alright, I’m leaving.”

The car drove away.

He Feng gripped the steering wheel tightly, driving like he was riding the wind and clouds, charging forward at full speed.

There was a batch of medicine recently transiting through Shanghai. He Feng wanted to send a telegram using Xie Chi’s code name to prove that Asparagus was still active outside. To make it absolutely authentic, he had to get hold of their codebook. The Special Service Headquarters still had archived copies of all the intercepted telegrams they had captured before, just unable to decode them. Only by using their codebook to send telegrams, combined with the intelligence that Zhang Ya had already revealed, could he slightly clear Xie Chi’s suspicions.

A’Ru knew nothing when asked, and Xie Chi’s contact point had been raided. He Feng could only place his hopes on Jiang Shouyue. But she was still unconscious in the hospital, heavily guarded by numerous agents.

At night, He Feng changed into a white coat, put on a mask and glasses, and snuck into the hospital. The Action Division agents took shifts guarding, but they inevitably dozed off sometimes. At this hour, drowsiness was thick, but hearing Japanese, they thought he was a Japanese doctor and weren’t too alert. Just as they were about to let him pass, he grabbed them and twisted their necks, and they fell. The other man was about to shout when He Feng quickly covered his mouth and twisted forcefully at his throat. He dragged both corpses into the bathroom of the hospital room.

Jiang Shouyue had already awakened. “Who are you?”

He Feng pulled out her IV needle and dragged a gurney to the bedside. “Come with me.”

“Who are you?”

He Feng pulled down his mask and quickly put it back on.

“It’s you.”

“Shut up. I’m taking you out.”

He Feng lifted her horizontally and placed her on the gurney, covering her face with a blanket, then brazenly pushed her out.

He ran into an agent eating chicken legs head-on. Before the agent could ask questions, He Feng took out a specially-made thin arrow from his pocket and threw it at him, piercing straight through his throat.

After killing three people along the way, the bodies in the hallway were quickly discovered. Whistle sounds rang out, echoing urgently through the corridors. He Feng pushed her to the stairwell and lifted the blanket. “Do you have the strength to hold on tight to me?”

“Yes.”

He Feng pulled her onto his back. “Hold on tight.”

“Okay.”

As it turned out, she couldn’t hold on tight. Jiang Shouyue was in excruciating pain.

He Feng jumped directly from the second floor. He landed steadily, but Jiang Shouyue fell straight backward. He Feng grabbed her hand and pulled her back to steady her. “I told you to hold tight.”

Jiang Shouyue was drenched in cold sweat, clutching his neck desperately.

“I said hold tight, not strangle me to death.”

Jiang Shouyue loosened her grip. “Sorry.”

He Feng moved quickly, running all the way to the wall where he easily vaulted over, landing steadily. He immediately ran far away, stuffed her into a car he had prepared in advance, and sped off.

Jiang Shouyue’s wound had torn open again, blood flowing freely.

He Feng brought her to a rental room where he had prepared gauze and medicine in advance. He threw them to her. “Handle it yourself.”

“Thank you.”

He Feng sat at the table with his back to her. “She’s been captured.”

Jiang Shouyue was unbuttoning her clothes when her expression froze. “Someone confessed?”

“The shop assistant from the qipao store.”

“Traitor.” Jiang Shouyue clenched her fist and pounded the bed board hard. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have involved him.”

“Blaming anyone now is meaningless.” He Feng took out a yellow paper bag from his chest and placed it on the table. “Are you finished changing?”

“Wait a moment.” Jiang Shouyue continued applying medicine.

“How many more of you are there?”

“Of the small groups I know about, except for those who were captured, they’ve all sacrificed themselves. Only one telegraph operator and two couriers remain, but none have combat capability.”

“What about Cuckoo?”

Jiang Shouyue didn’t answer. “Are you our comrade?”

“No.”

“Are you Juntong or Zhongtong?”

“Does it matter?”

“Sorry, we have discipline. I cannot reveal that to you.”

“Is discipline more important than human life?”

“This is top secret.”

He Feng really wanted to curse at her.

Jiang Shouyue finished bandaging and put on her clothes. “Alright, you can turn around now.”

He Feng threw the paper bag on the table to her. “Eat something when you’re hungry.”

“Thank you.”

“I want to save her.”

“How?”

“Tell me your codebook.”

“No.”

“I’m not interested in your intelligence. After I save her, you can just change to a new one.”

“Are you confident?”

“I want to send a telegram for your people. You need to cooperate with me.”

“What exactly do you want to do?”

“Exchange her out.”

…

Nighttime was when spies of various factions were most active. Several Japanese communication vehicles also continuously circled the city.

He Feng took the codebook and radio to an alley densely packed with residences. Usually transmission time couldn’t exceed five minutes, or there would be great risk of being detected. He deliberately sent a long, lengthy message, waiting for the communication vehicles to locate his position.

Soon, the sound of car wheels came from outside.

He hid the radio, burned the codebook, and jumped out the back window.

Based on their speed climbing the stairs, the book would be discovered and extinguished after burning just one corner. The circulation level of this book was enough for them to easily identify it.

Communication vehicles didn’t run alone—they were usually followed by one or two carloads of people to ensure immediate capture of radio operators.

He Feng had just jumped down when he was discovered. A group of people shouted and chased after him.

He had already wrapped his head and face in cloth, leaving only his eyes exposed, wearing a heavy long coat that concealed his true build. Even very familiar people might not recognize him.

The dragging clothes didn’t hinder his agility. To prevent gunshots from revealing his position, although he carried guns and ammunition, he consistently used short arrows he had made beforehand. Fortunately, he had practiced diligently in his youth and had good aim—almost no arrows missed. Each one hit enemies, silently bringing them down.

A short man hid behind a wall—Liu Maoye, who had recently joined the Action Division. He was timid. Seeing his teammates fall ahead, he didn’t dare advance. Crouching and stealing a glance, he saw the black shadow’s feet seemed to have hooks, and in two moves it climbed the wall and flipped over.

He Feng escaped.

Team Leader Wang was furious, kicking the car to vent his anger. “So many people can’t catch one person—are you all just eating for free?”

“Team Leader, that person could scale walls and roofs.”

Team Leader Wang kicked Liu Maoye over. “What’s next—he can fly through heaven and burrow through earth!”

“Eighty percent chance he can.”

Team Leader Wang raised his fist to hit him. Liu Maoye covered his head and dodged backward.

“Keep searching! Search house by house!”

…

Things developed in the direction He Feng had planned. The transmitted telegram, combined with the codebook left behind, was decoded. The Action Division of the Special Service Headquarters disguised themselves and waited around the coffee shop like hunters waiting for prey.

Team Leader Wang stood at the window smoking, watching pedestrians on the street. He glanced at his wristwatch—it was almost time.

A man wearing a red scarf appeared at the entrance, sneakily entered the coffee shop, and sat in the second row by the window facing the door.

The sniper aimed. “Target appeared.”

“Wait.” Team Leader Wang blew out a smoke ring. “What’s the rush? The big fish hasn’t come yet.”

The red scarf man ordered coffee and sat leisurely. After about ten minutes, seeing no one had come, he ordered dessert. Soon, the female waitress brought over a small cake and quietly said to him, “Plans have changed. Operation canceled.”

Red Scarf nodded. Without eating the cake, he got up to leave.

Team Leader Wang quickly had people stop him.

Red Scarf had just exited the coffee shop when several guns pointed at him. He was so frightened he immediately raised his hands.

Team Leader Wang walked over with a smile. “I knew it—how could the famous Asparagus be a woman.”

Red Scarf didn’t understand. “Officer, what are you doing? I’m a law-abiding citizen.”

“Law-abiding citizen?” Team Leader Wang put his arm around his shoulder. “Alright, law-abiding citizen, what were you doing here?”

Red Scarf looked down guiltily. “Doing some small business.”

“Small business?”

A subordinate brought over the waitress who had just passed information.

“I saw all your whispering just now.”

The female waitress trembled with fear. “Officer, I just passed on a message. A man called and told me to tell the customer wearing a red scarf that plans had changed and the operation was canceled. I don’t know anything.”

Team Leader Wang looked at Red Scarf. “Let’s go, Asparagus. Let’s have a nice chat at headquarters.”

Red Scarf naturally knew what kind of place headquarters was—Number 76 was a demon’s den. Just hearing this name made his legs weak. “Officer, I don’t know anything either.”

“Then let me tell you. You’re called Asparagus, here to meet your superior Cuckoo.” Team Leader Wang forcefully pulled off the man’s red scarf. “Meeting place, meeting time, red scarf—not one detail missing, and you’re still playing dumb? Speak! Where’s Cuckoo!”

Red Scarf was confused. “What Asparagus? What Cuckoo? I don’t understand.”

“When we get to headquarters, you’ll understand everything.” He said to the people around, “Pack up.”

Red Scarf knelt down directly in front of him. Seeing the situation was wrong, he confessed honestly, “Officer, I really was just here for business. I run a brothel. This morning someone contacted me saying there were some girls sold from Anhui, and asked me to meet at this coffee shop.” He pointed to the red scarf around his neck. “He told me to wear a red scarf so they could recognize me!”

Team Leader Wang sneered, bent down and blew smoke in his face. “Make up stories, keep making them up. We’ll go back to headquarters and make up more stories slowly.”

“Officer, I’m innocent.” Red Scarf was handcuffed and forced toward the car. He resisted and retreated, constantly turning back to beg for mercy. “I really am law-abiding. If you don’t believe me, check my shop—32 Huade Road, exclusively serving the Imperial Army! Captain Yamada! Captain Yamada and Captain Takagi are both my friends, Officer! You can’t just arrest me like this! Officer, Officer…”

…

After Zhang Ya confessed, he was still held in the Special Service Headquarters prison. Although helping to catch people and confiscate radios was considered a great merit, he still hadn’t regained his freedom.

Team Leader Wang was eager to claim credit, describing this arrest vividly with matching times, places, witnesses, and evidence. Zhang Ya was called to confront him. He didn’t recognize this person and didn’t understand why he would be arrested as Asparagus.

Of the two people arrested with Zhang Ya, one had been tortured to death without speaking, and the other was barely alive, no longer human in appearance. He had barely closed his eyes for two nights, consumed by guilt and regret, plagued by nightmares, several times wanting to end his own life.

Team Leader Wang saw him not speaking and roared, “I’m asking you—is it him or not?”

Red Scarf had been beaten black and blue. “Little brother, you must tell the truth. I’ve never seen you before. If I were a Communist, may I be cursed to have no sons and grandsons, may I… may I die without a complete corpse.”

Zhang Ya looked at his pathetic appearance and suddenly answered, “It’s him.”

Red Scarf was stunned. “I’m not! This is a grave injustice! I’m not!”

Team Leader Wang looked at Zhang Ya with interest. “Then why are you identifying your boss?”

Zhang Ya’s mind raced. They were still trying to determine the real Asparagus, had arrested the wrong person, and definitely had no evidence or they couldn’t close the case. Perhaps now he could make up for the mistake he had committed. He recalled the scripted responses from long ago when team members met—if one party was captured and couldn’t withstand torture, the accused party must never admit anything without conclusive evidence. They had practiced various scenarios, and everyone had several sets of explanations. Zhang Ya spoke rapidly, “Asparagus operates secretly. I don’t know his specific whereabouts either. But in that situation, if I didn’t confess, you definitely wouldn’t have let my mother go. That woman surnamed Xie docked my wages every month and made me work constantly! She also mingled with devils every day, acting high and mighty—who does she think she is! She’s just a traitorous lackey. I’d rather die than let her drag me down!”

Team Leader Wang punched him in the face. “You’ve got some nerve, kid, not watching what you say or where you are.”

Zhang Ya wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. He stared at Red Scarf. “Asparagus, now that you’re here, confess. Tell them where Cuckoo is.”

Red Scarf was stunned for a moment, then tried to kick him. “You’re fucking framing me!”

…

He Feng was currently at the kendo hall.

He had never revealed his skills all these years. In everyone’s eyes, he was just a useless person who couldn’t lift a finger to fight. He sat to the side drinking tea, watching Fujita Kiyono spar with others.

It had to be said, this little devil had some skills.

Fujita Kiyono won four matches in four tries. Finding it boring, he took his wooden sword to He Feng. “Come try with me.”

He Feng lounged comfortably on his side, sipping tea. “I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“My body’s stiff. I can’t handle this stuff.”

Fujita Kiyono handed the wooden sword to someone standing nearby, then knelt across from He Feng at the table, pouring himself tea. “You should join the military. Your bearing is like a soldier’s.”

“I’m like a soldier?” He Feng laughed mockingly. “First time anyone’s said that.”

“Maybe they haven’t seen through you.”

He Feng became slightly alert. This statement sounded strange.

“Do you think she’s like a Communist?”

“Yes.” He Feng sat up. “Especially that calm composure in the face of danger.”

Fujita Kiyono smiled faintly and poured him more tea.

Someone from the kendo hall came to report, “Mr. Fujita, Director Li from the Special Service Headquarters requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Director Li came over happily, bowing to them both. “Mr. Fujita, Mr. Koike.”

Fujita Kiyono didn’t look at him. “Come sit.”

Director Li hesitated somewhat.

Fujita Kiyono looked back at him. “Sit.”

“Yes.”

Director Li learned to kneel Japanese-style. Fujita Kiyono poured him tea. Director Li was flattered. “Thank you, Mr. Fujita.”

He Feng looked at him casually with a light smile, asking knowingly, “Director Li seems so happy—is there good news?”

“The Action Division caught the real Asparagus. Miss Xie was framed.”

Fujita Kiyono looked up at him. “The real Asparagus? Who?”

“Huang Laopi. On the surface he runs brothels, but actually does underground work. He escaped last night, but sent another telegram today which our Communications Division intercepted. This afternoon the Action Division’s two teams caught him red-handed.”

Fujita Kiyono put down his cup. “So Zhang Ya’s confession was false?”

“We verified it. Just as Miss Xie said, he deliberately framed her, wanting to drag her down.”

“What about Cuckoo?”

“Didn’t catch him. He probably got wind of something and retreated temporarily.”

Fujita Kiyono smiled and looked at He Feng across from him. “Do you believe it?”

He Feng half-lowered his eyes looking at Director Li, eyebrow slightly raised. “Director Li has always been thorough in his work. Since you caught him red-handed, there’s no question about it.”

Director Li nodded humbly with a smile. “Thank you for the praise, Mr. Koike. This humble servant still needs to work harder.” Director Li suddenly frowned and turned to Fujita Kiyono. “However, the only questionable point is the gunfight incident near your residence. I heard accomplices used flashlights to send signals, and we lost ten Imperial Army soldiers. Since Asparagus isn’t Miss Xie, this humble servant is slow-witted and hasn’t figured out why they would do this.”

He Feng said casually, “The identities of these undercover agents are all top secret. Probably some underground Party members heard that Asparagus was captured and wanted to confirm the identity, but were discovered, leading to inevitable combat.”

Director Li nodded in conviction. “That makes sense.”

Fujita Kiyono knew the truth but didn’t expose it. He stood up and patted Director Li’s shoulder. “I heard Director Li’s swordsmanship is quite good. Come spar with me.”

Director Li stood up as well, slightly bowing his head. “This humble servant is untalented. I hope Mr. Fujita will instruct me.”

…

Using Huang Laopi as a scapegoat wasn’t unjust—he illegally trafficked young girls from various places to serve the devils.

He thought it would end smoothly. While escorting Red Scarf to the Mei Agency, Liu Maoye, who was guarding by the car, suddenly called out to Team Leader Wang, “Something’s not right, Team Leader.”

“What’s not right?”

“I saw Asparagus’s silhouette that night. It’s not this person—it was a very tall man.”

Team Leader Wang’s expression became serious as he lowered his voice. “You can’t talk nonsense.”

Liu Maoye frowned, examining Red Scarf again and stated firmly, “I absolutely wouldn’t mistake him. He was a full head and a half taller than this person, and not this fat.”

Team Leader Wang pointed at him. “Swallow those words and act like you know nothing.”

“What do you mean swallow?” The speaker was Intelligence Division Director Yang Minguo, famous for being meddlesome. After hearing Liu Maoye’s words, he had Red Scarf taken back to the prison and re-interrogated.

…

At midnight, He Feng brought A’Ru to Jiang Shouyue’s hiding place.

“They’re going to execute Wanzhi.”

“Didn’t you say you found a scapegoat to clear her suspicions?”

“Yes, I don’t know what went wrong.” He Feng gave her a gun. “Tomorrow afternoon she’ll be taken to the execution ground.”

Jiang Shouyue frowned. “You want to raid the execution ground?”

“The Mei Agency is heavily guarded. Only at the execution ground is there a chance.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“In your condition, it’ll be good enough if you can protect yourself.” He Feng looked into the room. “I’m leaving these two in your care. I’ll arrange a boat for you.” He Feng gave her a map. “Tomorrow afternoon I’ll have someone pick you up here. If I haven’t brought her by three o’clock, you should leave.”

“Just you alone? No way, it’s too dangerous. How can you manage by yourself?”

“I have my ways.”

“But—”

“Don’t waste words. Just do what I’ve asked you to do. I’m leaving.”

Jiang Shouyue called after him. “Wait.”

He Feng turned back.

“Join our ranks.”

He Feng laughed mockingly. “You’re bringing this up at a time like this?”

“Hasn’t she talked to you about it?”

“No.”

“Think about it.”

“We’ll talk about it if we can stay alive.”

…

After leaving there, He Feng went to Old Ji’s place to get a pile of ammunition. Old Ji blocked the door. “What are you going to do?”

“Save someone.”

“Save who? What have you been up to mysteriously lately?”

“My woman was captured.”

“Your… who’s your woman? The captured Communist?”

He Feng didn’t answer and tried to leave with the supplies. Old Ji absolutely wouldn’t let him go. “You’re not going. Regardless of whether she’s one of us or not, even if she were, you can’t take such a huge risk. Have you lost your mind?”

“Move aside.”

“What exactly is this for? Haven’t you always been clear-headed?”

He Feng pushed him away. “That’s my wife and child.”

Old Ji was stunned for a moment. “When did you get involved with a Communist?”

“Move aside.”

“I’m both your superior and responsible for protecting your cover. I can’t let you take risks.”

He Feng pointed a gun at him. “If you block me again, I’ll shoot you too.”

Old Ji glared at him fiercely. “Then shoot me!”

…

Two trucks led the way, followed by four motorcycle sidecars.

All were Japanese soldiers.

The vehicles stopped at the execution ground in the southwestern outskirts of Shanghai. Five Communist underground Party members were pulled from the trucks, all wearing black hoods with their hands bound behind them, kneeling in a row two meters apart.

Xie Chi was gagged tightly with cotton cloth, handcuffed, and tied to the truck rail. A thick tarpaulin hung from the truck roof, leaving only a narrow slit that allowed her to see the outside situation.

Fujita Kiyono stroked her head. Xie Chi struggled to avoid him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, preventing her from moving. “Wanzhi, let’s make a bet.”

He smiled as he looked toward the woman in the middle of the five people in the distance—wearing Xie Chi’s clothes and with a figure very similar to hers. “Let’s bet on whether your mysterious lover will come to save you.”

…