Spy war in the Republic of China, peak undercover

Lu Yang, carrying a heavy suitcase, emerged from the shadows at the alley entrance. The night breeze blew, bringing a hint of dampness. Under the dim streetlight across the street, Old Huang hunched over, rubbing his hands. The forced smile on his face froze, as if doused by cold water, the moment he saw Lu Yang.

"Commander Lu!"

Old Huang's voice was as dry as a millstone, trembling with disbelief. He noticed the dirt and dust on Lu Yang's body, and even more so the bulging suitcase in Lu Yang's hand, as if it contained his deepest nightmare.

Lu Yang walked up to him with steady steps, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

"what happened?"

Lu Yang's voice was calm, without any ups and downs, but Old Huang felt that the voice was like an ice cone, piercing straight into his heart and stirring up a chill.

Fine beads of sweat oozed from Lao Huang's forehead. He kept rubbing his hands, his eyes rolling around, trying to find the most appropriate words.

"Commander Lu... Commander Lu, why... why are you here?"

He asked stutteringly, seeming extremely surprised by Lu Yang's appearance.

Lu Yang did not answer, but just looked at him quietly, his eyes like a deep pool, leaving Old Huang nowhere to hide.

Old Huang was determined, knowing he couldn't hide it, so he had to explain in a low voice: "I...I saw you were gone for so long and didn't come out, I was a little worried."

He pointed to the car parked nearby and said in a flattering voice, "I just thought, didn't you say you needed a car before... so I drove the car over here and waited."

Lu Yang's eyes fell on the car. The license plate was no longer the temporary one. He raised his eyebrows slightly but said nothing.

When Old Huang saw that Lu Yang noticed the license plate, his face turned even paler, but there was also a hint of an inexplicable "taking credit" in his expression.

"That...that license plate...is fake."

His voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz.

"I was afraid you'd get into trouble later, so I... I changed it."

Lu Yang withdrew his gaze and looked at Lao Huang again, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Where are those people?"

He was referring to the five gendarmes in the car who had been knocked unconscious by him.

Old Huang's body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning.

"I...I hid them...."

He almost leaned close to Lu Yang's ear and spoke in a whisper, fearing that any ghost under the street light would hear him.

"Where is it hidden?"

Lu Yang's voice was still calm, but Old Huang felt that there was a huge chill in that voice, which made the hairs on his body stand up.

"It's... right down this street."

Old Huang pointed tremblingly at a dark shop on the street.

"I saw a shop with a rent notice outside, and I thought there was no one inside."

He paused and looked at Lu Yang cautiously.

"I... I pried the door open, went in and took a look. It was indeed empty, so I threw... I threw those people in the car... in."

When he mentioned "throwing it in", there was an indescribable tremor in his voice, as if he was talking about something extremely terrifying.

The corners of Lu Yang's mouth curled up slightly.

"Is the license plate fake?"

He asked again, consideration in his voice.

"Yes...it's true."

Old Huang stammered, he couldn’t quite tell whether what Lu Yang asked was true or false.

"What about that fake license plate from before?"

Lu Yang asked.

"on the car."

Old Huang pointed at the car.

"There are a few more pairs, all in the car."

Lu Yang smiled and looked at Lao Huang deeply, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"I didn't realize, Old Huang, you're really capable."

A fawning smile appeared on Lao Huang's face, like a loyal dog being praised by its master.

"Commander Lu, you're too kind. I'm just... just trying to make a living. I've learned some basic skills."

Lu Yang didn't ask any further questions. He knew that Lao Huang's life and background might be much more complicated than he let on. That didn't matter. What mattered was that Lao Huang was now firmly in his grasp. Furthermore, Lao Huang's "skills" might prove to be an unexpected aid in the next mission.

Lu Yang lifted the heavy suitcase in his hand, filled with the money he had "borrowed" from Liu Yiguang at great risk. This money was too important to him.

He needed a safe place to store the money temporarily, and he couldn't just carry it to the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Department, which would undoubtedly cause trouble. He glanced at the brightly lit plaque of the police station across the street.

police station.

That was where he was about to call his superiors to inform them. It was also the place he could think of where the Japanese would least likely find him, yet also the place where he could most logically "leave" the box.

This decision is a bit risky, but there is no other choice.

He looked at Lao Huang. Lao Huang felt uneasy when he saw Lu Yang's gaze and his body stiffened slightly.

"Old Huang."

Lu Yang spoke, his voice low and powerful.

"I need a favor from you."

Old Huang immediately nodded and bowed like a servant who had received an order.

"Commander Lu, please give me your orders! Whatever you want me to do, I will do it even if it means death!"

Lu Yang knew that Lao Huang was scared at the moment, but what he needed was Lao Huang's obedience.

"I need to make a call to the police station."

Lu Yang said.

"in addition……"

His eyes fell on the suitcase, and his voice was full of unquestionableness.

"This box needs to be placed in a safe place."

Old Huang's mind raced, instantly grasping Lu Yang's intention. He was going to leave the box at the police station, and he, Old Huang, might be responsible for guarding it. Old Huang's face paled again. Leaving such an important item at the police station, and being responsible for it himself, was a risk far greater than a catastrophe. But looking at Lu Yang's cold eyes, he knew he had no choice.

"Commander Lu, you...you mean..."

Old Huang asked cautiously.

Lu Yang said, "When we get to the police station, hold this box and wait for me inside."

"I'll come back to you after I finish my call."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious.

"Remember, no matter what happens, you cannot leave the police station."

"Don't even open this box."

"Do you understand?"

Old Huang nodded vigorously, like pounding garlic.

"I understand! I understand!"

He knew that this was a chance Lu Yang was giving him, a chance to escape from his previous troubles and perhaps even climb the ladder of military intelligence. If he could do this well, Lu Yang might help him.

"Then...then Commander Lu, are you planning to let me join the military intelligence department?"

Old Huang finally couldn't help but asked about his greatest expectation.

Lu Yang was stunned by this. He hadn't expected Old Huang to be so direct, and his misunderstanding so outrageous. He'd initially just improvised, wanting Old Huang to accompany him to Shanghai and establish several safe bases there for emergencies. He had never considered having Old Huang join the military intelligence department, because that would have turned his base into a military intelligence safe house, losing its privacy and being under the leadership of the military intelligence department's Shanghai branch.

But on second thought, a subtle smile crossed Lu Yang's face. Having Old Huang join the military intelligence department wasn't a bad idea. At the very least, with the discipline of the military intelligence department, it would be much easier to mobilize Old Huang. For example, if he went to Shanghai, Old Huang would have to go, whether he wanted to or not. Furthermore, Old Huang's connections in both the black and white worlds of Shanghai, and his mediocre skills, could prove very useful in the future. Despite the unknown risks, Lu Yang trusted his own vision and believed he could control Old Huang.