Espionage: Mastering the Ten Cruelest Tortures of the Military Intelligence Bureau from the Start

The morning sunlight, filtering through the gaps in the blinds, cast dappled shadows on the floor of the chess club.

A faint smell of smoke still lingered in the air.

Su Mingzhe sat on the sofa.

On the coffee table in front of them was a detailed map of Shanghai.

On the map, seven locations are circled in red.

Next to each position, there was a small cross.

These were all places he had "visited" last night.

【Ding! 】

[Congratulations, host, you have completed the hidden quest chain – "The Judgment of Spades".]

[Task Evaluation: Perfect.]

[Mission Reward: 5000 Sin Points]

[Host's remaining lifespan: 25 days, 1 hours, 08 minutes, and 36 seconds...]

A series of system notifications rang in his mind.

Su Mingzhe's face, however, remained expressionless.

He used his sin points to buy a bottle of gene repair fluid, which relieved the pain somewhat.

This deal is very worthwhile.

It can both eliminate the Japanese devils and scum, and also be used to exchange for repair fluid to restore one's body and complete one's final plan.

He picked up the newspaper on the table. The front page headline, in shockingly large font, reported on the series of bloody incidents of the previous night.

"The Ace of Spades has appeared in the underworld, seven celebrities from all walks of life have died suddenly, and everyone in Shanghai is in danger!"

The newspapers vividly described the horrific scenes at each crime scene, portraying the "Ace of Spades Killer" as an elusive, cold-blooded, and ruthless god of revenge.

Su Mingzhe looked at these reports and a smile appeared on his lips.

He knew that from today onwards, the identity of "Yubu Tahira" would become more "safe".

Because everyone's attention will be drawn to this suddenly appearing "Ace of Spades Killer".

The Japanese and the 76th Division will be racking their brains trying to track down this mysterious killer.

He, on the other hand, can then more calmly complete his final plan.

"Ring ring ring——"

The phone on the table suddenly rang.

It's Minglou's dedicated line.

Su Mingzhe picked up the receiver.

“Mr. Tian Ping, the sales channels for the ‘local specialties’ have been arranged.” Ming Cheng’s calm voice came from the other end of the phone. “However, the other party hopes to finalize some details with you in person.”

"Time and place," Su Mingzhe said succinctly.

"Tonight at nine o'clock, Paramount, third floor, 'Vienna' VIP box."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, a hint of doubt flashed in Su Mingzhe's eyes.

He knew that this so-called "finalizing of details" was just an excuse.

Minglou wants to see me again, something must have gone wrong.

Perhaps, it was an attempt to offer a final word of advice.

Or perhaps, it was a farewell to himself.

……

As night falls, the lights are on.

The nights in Shanghai are still as extravagant and decadent as ever, filled with singing and dancing.

The Paramount Ballroom, as the premier entertainment venue in the Far East, took this extravagance and decadence to the extreme.

Neon lights flashed, and jazz music blared.

The dancers, dressed in cheongsams with graceful figures, and the men in suits and ties, with their big bellies, swayed and embraced each other on the dance floor, living a life of decadence.

This place is a den of iniquity for the powerful and wealthy.

It is also the intersection of intelligence and crime.

Su Mingzhe, dressed in a sophisticated black suit and with his hair neatly combed, slowly walked into this glamorous place.

His appearance immediately attracted the attention of many people.

The name "Tianping Youbu" was a well-known name in the upper-class society of Shanghai.

He was a favorite of the Japanese Navy, the director of the "Giant Ship Project," and an object of flattery for countless people.

Along the way, people kept bowing and greeting him warmly.

Su Mingzhe simply nodded politely in response, a distant yet polite smile on his face.

He walked through the noisy dance floor and went straight up to the third floor.

Two burly men stood at the entrance to the "Vienna" VIP box.

He was Mingcheng's subordinate.

Upon seeing Su Mingzhe, the two immediately and respectfully opened the door for him.

The lighting in the private room was extremely soft.

The melodious classical music flowed gently through the air.

Minglou sat alone in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine, quietly looking out at the night sky, which was dyed with colorful neon lights.

He turned his head when he heard the door open.

"coming."

"Director Ming is in high spirits."

Su Mingzhe walked to the opposite side of him and sat down.

A glass of the same red wine had already been prepared for him on the table.

"I'm not well." Minglou put down his wine glass and got straight to the point. "I'm not well at all."

"The Ace of Spades, is that you?"

Su Mingzhe did not answer, but simply picked up his wine glass and swirled it gently.

"Do you know how dangerous what you're doing is?" Minglou's voice carried a hint of barely suppressed anger. "You've drawn all the hatred onto yourself! The Japanese and the 76th Division have gone mad! They'll search high and low to find you!"

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” Su Mingzhe retorted. “A target that is eye-catching enough can buy you more space and time for your actions.”

Minglou was suffocated.

He found that he couldn't refute it at all.

Su Mingzhe is right.

The appearance of the "Ace of Spades" did indeed greatly facilitate their intelligence work.

But he couldn't just stand by and watch his comrades take such a risk.

"Mr. Tian Ping," Ming Lou's tone softened, "Have you forgotten the important matter you're about to undertake? What if you encounter danger?"

"Didn't you want to go home? I've already arranged a secret route. Let's leave now, there's still time."

Su Mingzhe laughed. "Director Ming, do you think someone sentenced to death would care whether they die on the gallows or the guillotine? 'Home, I long to go back, but my body won't allow it.'"

After saying that, he raised his wine glass and gestured to Minglou.

"For me, the Amaterasu is my best and final stage."

Minglou looked at him, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

He picked up his wine glass and gently clinked it against Su Mingzhe's glass.

"Ding."

The crisp sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet private room.

“Mr. Tian Ping,” Ming Lou’s voice was somewhat hoarse, “On behalf of the organization, I thank you for everything you have done.”

"This glass of wine is for you."

He tilted his head back and downed the glass of red wine in one gulp.

Su Mingzhe also finished his drink and asked, "Do you regret taking this path? Living in anonymity, walking alone in the darkness, unable to recognize your family, unable to be with your lover. You might even die without anyone knowing your achievements, and instead bear a lifetime of infamy."

Minglou fell silent.

He looked out the window at the false prosperity, and after a long while, he slowly spoke.

“My older brother, Mingtai, sent me a letter a few days ago.”

"In his letter, he said that he hated me, hated me for being a traitor and disgracing the Ming family."

He said that after the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan, he would personally clean up the mess.

A bitter smile appeared on Minglou's face.

"Tell me, do I regret it?"

He didn't answer directly, but the answer was self-evident.

Su Mingzhe also smiled.

Yes.

Regret?

maybe.

But what if we gave them another chance to choose?

They will still embark on this thorny path to the light without hesitation.

Because behind them lies this devastated country, and its 400 million compatriots struggling in misery.

Someone has to light the torch.

There will always be someone who uses their own flesh and blood to illuminate this boundless darkness.

"Comrade."

Su Mingzhe stood up and extended his hand to Minglou.

Minglou also stood up and tightly grasped his hand.

Two hands, clasped tightly in the soft light.

Not too many words.

But they both understood the determination and resolve in each other's eyes.

for a long time.

Su Mingzhe said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving!"

"Mr. Tian Ping, the reason I invited you here today is actually to discuss another important matter, but I'm not sure if I should say it."