Chapter 145: Anti-Espionage Unit

Chapter 145: Anti-Espionage Task Force

Liu Xiaobing turned around to see Bai Zeshao walking over with bandages wrapped around him. With a smile, Bai Zeshao said, "I'm fine. If it weren't for your shout just now, I probably would have been blown into a pile of minced meat."

"As long as you're alright. Who would have thought that what was supposed to be a sure-fire encirclement would turn into this? Tian Yaopeng is truly vicious," Bai Zeshao said, his expression darkening.

"It looks like the higher-ups are bound to be furious this time," Liu Xiaobing sighed. "By the way, Xiao Bai, why are you here? I heard you were injured during your mission yesterday and were given time off. I was actually planning to visit you today."

"I heard that Tian Yaopeng had been captured, so I came over to take a look," Bai Zeshao explained.

"They've already escaped," Liu Xiaobing shook his head helplessly. "Xiao Bai, who do you think the people who rescued Tian Yaopeng could be? Could it be the Red Party?"

"The Red Party? He nearly brought total destruction upon the Shanning underground organization; why would the Red Party ever save him? Besides, you already know the answer in your heart—aside from the Japanese, what other faction has such immense capability?" Bai Zeshao said with an angry roar.

He never could have imagined that a cornered Tian Yaopeng would actually defect to the Japanese. Given Tian Yaopeng's background, the Japanese would soon be able to acquire a vast amount of confidential information regarding the Shanning Red Party, the Special Service Office, and the Party Affairs Office.

This was the most terrifying aspect. The outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war was now imminent, and once war truly broke out, these files would become ticking time bombs.

"That traitorous dog," Liu Xiaobing cursed bitterly.

"Let's clean up the scene first. Once that's done, the higher-ups will definitely make arrangements regarding this incident," Bai Zeshao paused and said.

"Mm."

Looking at the scattered limbs and broken bodies covering the ground, no one's mood was particularly good. However, Tian Yaopeng's mood at that moment was quite pleasant.

Having successfully escaped, he was brought to the Sunshine Grocery Store. Looking at the middle-aged man standing with his back to him, Tian Yaopeng smiled and said, "You must be the Mr. Gao they mentioned. Thank you for saving my life."

Gao Fei turned around, glanced at Tian Yaopeng, and smiled faintly, "It's nothing. I simply appreciate talent, and I rather admire your ruthlessness."

"I already knew about you beforehand. After all, not every man can remain immune to the temptation of beauty, and even go so far as to hire someone to rape a suspect just to extract a confession. Very impressive. By the way, my name is Gao Fei, and I'm the proprietor of the Sunshine Grocery Store. You can call me Manager Gao."

"Manager Gao," Tian Yaopeng addressed him with an unchanged expression, then briefly surveyed the grocery store's environment. "Who would have thought that this small grocery store serves as a secret liaison point for the Japanese in Shanning?"

"Hehe, you must be tired now. You should go downstairs and get some proper rest first," Gao Fei chuckled and said.

"Alright, then I thank Manager Gao," Tian Yaopeng nodded with a smile.

Since he had arrived, he would take things as they came. He no longer had anything to fear. Furthermore, since the other party had rescued him, they certainly wouldn't harm him. As for the fact that they undoubtedly had motives for saving him—well, if the other party wasn't in a hurry, Tian Yaopeng was even less in a rush.

After Tian Yaopeng left, the captain from earlier walked in and asked, "Mr. Gao, why attach such great importance to this Tian Yaopeng, even risking discovery to rescue him back here? You must remember, before this, he was the one who nearly caused..."

"Enough, say no more. Do you think I don't know what you're talking about? But the headquarters has sent telegrams urging me to clarify the military deployments of the Shanning forces as quickly as possible. For the Holy War, for the Empire, what do those personal matters even matter?" Gao Fei said coldly.

"Yes," the captain acknowledged, and then left.

Leaving Gao Fei standing alone in place, deep in thought, his brow tightly furrowed.

The Special Service Office.

After Bai Zeshao and Liu Xiaobing returned, they parted ways. Originally, Bai Zeshao hadn't wanted to return since he was supposedly on leave; however, Wu Zhengke had issued an order canceling his leave and demanding that he report back to his unit immediately.

As soon as he stepped into the office, he saw Wu Zhengke wearing a foul expression. In truth, it was hardly surprising—all the recent trouble had been stirred up by this Tian Yaopeng, yet they still hadn't managed to capture him.

Especially today's incident, which had caused a massive uproar. A large-scale shootout in broad daylight resulted in heavy casualties, yet the targets had still managed to escape.

Both the upper echelons of the Special Service Office and the senior government officials were furious about today's events, ordering the Special Service Office to solve the case within a strict deadline. After all, counter-espionage and catching spies were their core responsibilities.

Now, the Japanese were committing frantic murders in broad daylight, which was not only a blatant provocation against the authorities but also stripped the Special Service Office of all dignity. It was the result of their operational failures, and even the Director of the Special Service Office had been disciplined.

Wu Zhengke could already imagine that tomorrow's newspapers would feature these reports. Although the published content would certainly be beautified, insiders knew the truth—what was in the newspaper was only meant for the ignorant public.

"You're here," Wu Zhengke said coldly.

"Mm, the office must have reached a decision by now, right?" Bai Zeshao nodded and asked.

"That's right. Just as you were returning, the office held an emergency meeting, demanding that we solve the case within three days. They've also established a specialized Anti-Espionage Task Force, with Department Chief Qian appointed as the head."

"Intelligence, operations, and logistics will all provide full support. Whatever we ask for, we will get, but we must crack the case. If we fail to solve it by the deadline, everyone will be demoted, including the Director. Furthermore, everyone who participated in today's operation will be demoted to labor reform in prison or even executed."

Listening to Wu Zhengke's words, Bai Zeshao couldn't help but frown, a chill running through his heart. It seemed the authorities were truly determined. Whether to appease public opinion or to salvage the government's dignity, they had to eliminate this Japanese secret cell lurking in Shanning.

Because of this, their pressure would be immense. The crucial problem was that the time frame was simply too short.

"Captain, what is my mission?" Bai Zeshao didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.

"I recommended you for this Anti-Espionage Task Force. You better put on a good performance for me," Wu Zhengke said solemnly.

"Understood. I'll go report to Department Chief Qian right now," Bai Zeshao stated directly.

"Mm, hurry along," Wu Zhengke waved his hand with a headache. This period had truly been an eventful autumn, leaving him dizzy with exhaustion.

When Bai Zeshao arrived at Qian Yihai's office, he saw Liu Xiaobing, along with Qin Shuai from the General Affairs Section and Ren Qiang from the Telecommunications Section.

However, Qian Yihai had shed his usual smiling demeanor and spoke with absolute solemnity: "You are all old acquaintances, and you've cooperated with each other before, so I won't bother with introductions. You all know what happened, and you're well aware of how heavy the pressure is. Nevertheless, you must solve this case for me."

"Understood."

"Very well, get started. If you need anything, just come straight to me." Qian Yihai had other matters to attend to, so after finishing his instructions, he left directly.

Bai Zeshao and the others exchanged glances before sitting down to begin their discussion.