Spy war in the Republic of China, peak undercover

The dusk was like a huge black cloth, slowly covering the sky. The wind blew into their collars from all directions, stinging their skin.

Lu Yang tucked his neck into his collar, lowered his head, and followed Ye Wanru.

They were like three ghosts blending into the darkness, their footsteps heavy, as if treading on the cold reality. Their destination, Fengtian, was like a huge whirlpool, waiting for them to jump in.

Ye Wanru walked ahead, her steps steady, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, like a cat searching for its way in the darkness. Her mind raced through her next steps, meticulously considering every detail. The enemies they faced weren't just snarling minions, but truly ruthless Japanese spies and heartless traitors. She knew that the slightest misstep would spell doom.

Qinglan followed Lu Yang closely, occasionally looking up at the night sky. The stars dotted the sky, emitting a faint glow, like countless pairs of eyes, watching over this silent land. Her emotions were mixed, a mixture of fear of the unknown risks and excitement for the upcoming battle. Ever since she picked up the scalpel and then switched to the gun, she had completely swallowed up the fear. As usual, she reached into her pocket and felt the cold scalpel, like touching a loyal comrade, and a sense of peace settled within her.

They walked through the desolate wilderness, surrounded by endless darkness, with only the distant cries of unknown beasts adding to the eerie and terrifying night. They had been walking for a long time, their backs almost breaking from fatigue and their feet blistered, but no one uttered a word of giving up. Their eyes burned with a desire for victory and a deep love for their country and its people.

"Want to take a break?" Ye Wanru suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lu Yang and Qing Lan. Her voice was low but full of concern, her tone as cold as ever. Her forehead was already covered with a thin layer of sweat from the long journey, and it shimmered in the faint starlight.

Lu Yang rubbed his aching waist, let out a long breath, looked at Ye Wanru and nodded. "That's good, we need to conserve our energy." As he spoke, he rubbed his frozen cheeks with his rough fingers, the touch feeling like rubbing rough stone.

They reached a slightly sheltered spot by the roadside and sat down against a stout old locust tree. They took out their dry food and water and devoured them without saying a word. Their stomachs seemed to be roaring with hunger, and they urgently needed to fill their stomachs to regain their strength.

"This time in Fengtian," Qinglan said, breaking the silence after taking a few sips of water. Her eyes held a resolute tone, her voice slowing. "We must be cautious and not let our guard down." Her brow furrowed, as if burdened with worry and uneasiness, but as the words reached her lips, they were replaced by a strong conviction. "That Songxia, I heard, is a difficult character. And that Zhang Daya, he's no good." As she spoke, her expression was slightly childish, like a child who hadn't grown up yet. But her eyes held a maturity and composure beyond her years.

Lu Yang raised his head, gazing at the cold, clear moon in the sky. Its light shone on the snow, casting a silvery glow. It reminded him of those warm, carefree nights back home, surrounded by family and friends. But these fond memories, like a mirror, only served to illuminate the peril of their current situation. "Those devils and traitors," he said firmly, a chill in his voice, "will pay! I'll make them pay for their crimes with blood!" His tone carried the ruggedness and boldness typical of northerners, tinged with intense indignation and murderous intent. Though he often appeared carefree and unassuming, when the safety of his country and nation was at stake, he would unleash incredible strength and never flinch.

Ye Wanru glanced at him, her lips curling up slightly in a faint smile. "I know you can do it. I... also believe you can protect us." Her tone was calm, as if it was a matter of course, but her trust and support were unconditional and sincere. In such a chaotic era, mutual trust is the best comfort.

Lu Yang turned to look at her, their eyes meeting, their affection unspoken. "Of course! Even if it costs me my life, I won't let you get hurt." His eyes were filled with tenderness, like a warm bonfire on this cold winter night, a warmth that could be felt by everyone around them. Although he usually enjoyed showing off his skills and talking nonsense, he had a deep-seated chivalrous spirit towards his female compatriots.

They rested for a moment in the darkness before continuing on their journey. Their nerves were tense and their vigilance heightened, ready to respond to any emergency. They were like three lone wolves, wandering the vast darkness, driven by a quest for revenge.

As the sky began to lighten, they finally saw the outline of Fengtian. It was an ancient, weathered city, its towering walls separating it from the outside world and creating a sense of oppression. The air was thick with the pungent, pungent smell of coal smoke.

"Is this Fengtian?" Qinglan gazed at the city before her, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Her voice was soft, as if she wasn't about to disturb the sleepy behemoth. "This place is much gloomier than I imagined." In her mind, she had imagined Fengtian as a place full of vitality and hope. Now, the reality was far from her expectations.

Lu Yang also surveyed the city before him. Its appearance seemed strange to him. Although he had lived in this city as a child, those fond memories were now shrouded by the smoke of war. "Yeah, it's definitely different than before." A feeling of powerlessness and sadness welled up within him, and those childhood memories turned into a heavy sigh.

Ye Wanru was still so calm. She whispered, "Okay, now is not the time to be sentimental. We have to go into the city as soon as possible. Let's find a place to stay first, and then find out the news." She has become accustomed to this fast-paced life, and she cannot stop even when she arrives in Fengtian.

A thin layer of fog enveloped the early morning hours of Fengtian City, like a vast gray sheet, burying the city's clamor and bustle. The air was thick with the pungent smell of coal smoke, mingled with the cries of vendors at the morning market, creating a sense of chaos and disarray. Lu Yang, Qing Lan, and Ye Wanru followed the crowd slowly through the city gates, like drops of water merging into a river, lost in the throng, becoming insignificant.

They were dressed in the most ordinary local attire: gray cotton jackets and trousers, felt hats on their heads, and coarse cloth packages on their backs. They blended in unnoticeably with the migrant workers coming to the city. But as they walked, their eyes were alert and their ears were sharp, not missing a single movement. They were not ordinary people, but hunters waiting in the dark for an opportunity.

After entering the city, Lu Yang looked up at Fengtian City. Rows of houses lined up, densely packed with shops, and everywhere was bustling with people. The crowded and noisy atmosphere, filled with the hustle and bustle of the market, gave him a sense of long-lost familiarity. He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all his childhood memories into his lungs to ward off the desolate feeling of the changed people and things before him. "This place has changed, many things are different," he muttered to himself, a hint of sadness and helplessness in his eyes.

Qinglan saw the turmoil in his heart, and she patted Lu Yang's arm gently, "Don't think too much. The top priority now is to complete the task assigned to us by the organization, and don't let down the trust of our comrades." Her tone was gentle but powerful, like a spring breeze, blowing through Lu Yang's heart.

Lu Yang smiled, "Yeah, I know." A strong sense of responsibility and mission rose in his heart. In this dark era, he must be like a sharp knife, piercing the heart of the enemy.

Ye Wanru didn't join in their conversation. As she walked, she carefully observed her surroundings. She knew now was not the time to dwell on the past; she had to focus and look for any hidden dangers. Her eyes were calm and sharp, like a sharp knife, slicing through everything around her, searching for any suspicious spots.

According to their pre-planned plan, they first needed to find a place to stay. They avoided the bustling commercial streets and entered a secluded alley. This alley was located on the edge of the city. The houses on both sides were dilapidated, and the air was filled with a musty smell. It was a place where all kinds of people lived together, making it a perfect place for them to hide.

They entered a shabby inn with a broken sign that read "Anle Hotel." The lobby was dimly lit, lit only by a single, yellowish oil lamp. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and cigarette smoke, and the walls were covered in thick dust, as if no one had cared for them for a long time.

A thin old man was sitting behind the counter, his eyelids drooping, drowsy. He was wearing a dirty gray robe with greasy cuffs, and his face was covered with wrinkles, like a piece of dried old bark.