Chapter 85: Coercion and Temptation

"Thank you for Chief Shibuya's trust and guidance, but I fear I am not equal to such a daunting and complex task," Zhou Sen was clearly about to refuse.

If this matter went wrong, it might cost him his head now or in the future. Was it worth risking everything just to eke out a few more years of life?

"Zhou Sen, you managed to investigate the murder of Sheerkin and swiftly identify the culprit. Such analytical and deductive skills are rare," Shibuya Saburo pressed.

"I was just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse..."

As Zhou Sen uttered this, Suzanna's expression soured as she looked at him. She was a trained agent, yet Zhou Sen—a frivolous, lustful heir—had seen through her so easily? Did this not mean she was too incompetent?

"I meant no offense to Miss Suzanna," Zhou Sen hastily amended. "Solving that case was not my achievement alone. Mr. Akiyama, Miss Jin Sucheng, Director Lin Dakuan from the Special Affairs Bureau, and Commissioner Li Shaotang from the Justice Department all contributed greatly. I merely reaped the reward."

"You are quite modest, not greedy for credit," Shibuya Saburo chuckled. "But that is precisely your strength. As the old saying goes: 'Those who labor with their minds govern, those who labor with their bodies are governed.' Zhou Sen, it seems you have the ability to govern others."

Sweat trickled down Zhou Sen's forehead. These Japanese were intent on forcing him into a dead end.

"Zhou Sen, the Empire of Japan is about to embark on an unprecedented grand enterprise. This is your and my chance to achieve greatness. Surely you do not wish to live an obscure, mediocre life?" Shibuya motioned for Suzanna to pour drinks for the three of them.

Grand enterprise, indeed—if he followed them, sooner or later he would be ground to dust, cursed for eternity as a traitor.

"Zhou Sen, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we succeed, you will be the Empire's greatest hero. Wealth, beauty, power—all will be yours to take!" Akiyama joined in the persuasion.

"Chief Shibuya, Mr. Akiyama, it's not that I don't appreciate your favor, but this matter is serious. If I take on such an important task, I fear I will not sleep or eat in peace," Zhou Sen replied nervously.

"Zhou Sen, do you not wish to avenge your foster father?" Shibuya asked. "Those Soviet agents are terrorists—if they ever conquer Bingcheng, none of us will have a place to die."

Zhou Sen fell silent. Shibuya's words were tinged with hatred toward "communism." In a sense, "madmen" do possess idealistic qualities, but the latter part rang true.

Years later, those fervent revolutionaries and the invading forces that ravaged his homeland would indeed die without burial.

"Zhou Sen, we know you are not Russian, but Mr. Anthony raised you for over ten years. Do you feel nothing for him?" Akiyama pressed.

"Mr. Akiyama, I don't even know who the enemy is. How can I avenge him?" Zhou Sen replied with a bitter smile.

Shibuya and Akiyama exchanged a glance, smiling slightly. "Anthony's enemy is not personal—it's all of Red Russia, the Soviet party. If we overthrow the Soviets and destroy communism, it will count as avenging Mr. Anthony."

"I don't understand communism, but if I can avenge my foster father, I am willing. Yet, how can I alone contend with a nation?" Zhou Sen tiptoed around the subject. The pit Anthony had dug was too deep; he desperately did not want to fall in, but someone kept pushing him.

He felt like a tightrope walker, one misstep away from plummeting.

"Zhou Sen, your filial piety is evident. Come, let us drink to our shared cause," Shibuya raised his glass.

Zhou Sen tasted bitterness in his mouth but still lifted his glass and drank. This sake truly lacked any flavor.

"Zhou Sen, since you already know Suzanna's identity, let her be your assistant and secretly protect you. Right now, you are vital to us," Shibuya set down his cup.

"This isn't right. I'm a grown man; how can Miss Suzanna protect me?" Zhou Sen muttered.

"Suzanna is professionally trained. I doubt three of you together could match her. If you don't believe it, you can try," Akiyama said with amusement.

"Mr. Zhou Sen, please!" Suzanna, dressed in deep crimson kimono, approached Zhou Sen and bowed deeply.

Zhou Sen's lips twitched—he could see the intense fighting spirit in Suzanna's eyes. She clearly wanted to use this opportunity to avenge the time he detained her at the police station. He was no fool. He quickly said, "I think it's better not to. As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not fight with a woman.' Winning is inglorious, losing is disgraceful."

Shibuya and Akiyama exchanged smiles.

Suzanna's eyes flashed with disappointment and disdain.

"Suzanna, your face is still wanted. Change it, then you can follow Zhou Sen," Shibuya instructed.

"Yes, sir."

"You may leave; we have more to discuss with Zhou Sen," Shibuya waved her away.

"Zhou Sen, since you've agreed to cooperate with the Empire, from now on you are its most loyal friend. Come, let's drink to our partnership!" Shibuya raised his glass.

"Cheers," Zhou Sen replied awkwardly, lifting his glass.

"Zhou Sen, the most important thing now is the secret roster left by your foster father, Anthony. Our plan revolves around that list," Shibuya said. "Did Anthony leave you any items or special instructions before he departed?"

"No. Before leaving, my foster father only said he was going to Fengtian for business, and it might take three to six months. He didn't mention anything else," Zhou Sen replied after thinking.

"Could the list be in Sheerkin's hands?"

"It's possible. If Mr. Akiyama hadn't told me about my foster father's affairs, I wouldn't have known he had another identity," Zhou Sen explained.

Shibuya nodded. After days of surveillance, tracking, and probing, nothing unusual had been found about Zhou Sen.

"How was your relationship with Mr. Anthony?"

"It was fine. I used to be disobedient, often got beaten. Later, as I grew up, he hit me less. He was busy with business, I was in school—especially during police academy, I lived in the dorms. We didn't communicate much. If he hadn't forced me to attend police academy, I might have become a somewhat renowned writer," Zhou Sen said.

"I believe that. Zhou Sen, your talent in writing is evident," Shibuya chuckled, clearly insincere.

"Now that Sheerkin is dead, we hope you can find the list. It matters to your future and is closely tied to the Empire's interests," Shibuya said.

"What if... what if I can't find the list?"

"If you can't find it, the consequences will be very serious. Zhou Sen, I trust you understand my words," Shibuya smiled slightly. The previous warmth vanished, replaced by a chilling threat.

Zhou Sen broke into a sweat again. Damn it—these bastards were forcing him into the fire. If he could, he'd dig a pit for them too.

If all else failed, he'd have to find the organization. If he could, there was hope.

He had considered this before, but this was Bingcheng, under Japanese control. Unless the organization found him, it was nearly impossible for him to find them.

Even if luck favored him and he found the organization, as someone who used to be a police officer, who would trust him?

"Zhou Sen, we believe you can do it—and you will," Shibuya added.

Zhou Sen, just moments ago sweating from fear, now felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss.

"Zhou Sen, once you witness the Empire's power, you'll be glad you made today's choice," Akiyama moved to sit beside him.

"Mr. Akiyama, I'm only afraid of disappointing Chief Shibuya and you..." Zhou Sen forced a smile.

The words were empty.

"That's the spirit, Zhou Sen. Come, let's toast our partnership!"

...

Zhou Sen hadn't drunk much, but his mind was burdened. Drinking on an empty stomach—he barely touched the so-called delicacies.

He was slightly tipsy as he left "Musashino," helped out by a waiter. Wu En, waiting across the street with the carriage, hurried over and helped him in.

"Brother, are we going home?" Wu En whispered in Zhou Sen's ear.

"No, not home. Anywhere else..." Zhou Sen commanded with the last of his consciousness. The house was bugged by the Japanese. If he said anything reckless while drunk, it would spell disaster.

Wu En thought for a moment—there was nowhere else to go but the Fragrant Pavilion.

...

"Akiyama, what do you think of tonight's conversation?" After Zhou Sen left, Shibuya and Akiyama remained.

They continued drinking and called for a geisha performance.

"He seems very unwilling. If it weren't for Chief Shibuya's threat, he wouldn't comply," Akiyama observed.

"He's timid and cautious, but clever. He knows the danger, so his reluctance is normal," Shibuya laughed.

"Isn't it too soon to expose Suzanna's identity?" Akiyama asked.

"Time waits for no one. Sooner or later, we must reveal everything," Shibuya explained. "From now on, Suzanna will contact you directly."

"Yes, sir."