Chapter 108: Deception
Kobayashi Jun hated Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke.
While the Special Service Office agents were torturing Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke,
Cheng Qianfan keenly noticed that Kobayashi Jun, who was also being tortured at the time, had begun screaming less.
At one point, his screams even disappeared entirely.
Cheng Qianfan quietly walked over and saw a strange gleam of “excitement” flickering in Kobayashi Jun’s eyes.
Earlier, when Cheng Qianfan had pointed his pistol at Kurai Shinnosuke in order to “threaten” Eguchi Hideya, he had observed an almost bizarre excitement in Kobayashi Jun’s emotions.
Yes, excitement, not anger.
When Eguchi Hideya “yielded” and agreed to confess in order to “save” Kurai Shinnosuke’s life,
Kobayashi Jun’s excitement vanished, as though the effect of an anesthetic had worn off, and he once again cried out in pain because of his injuries.
Therefore, Cheng Qianfan arrived at a conjecture:
Kobayashi Jun’s relationship with Kurai Shinnosuke and Oguri Motomitsuro was not harmonious, and could even be described with the word “hatred.”
“Mr. Kobayashi, watching those two suffer must feel quite satisfying.”
“One question. Who was the person who frequently came to Hengrun Teahouse to see Endo Hiroshi?”
“Answer me, and I’ll continue helping you get your revenge.”
Cheng Qianfan spoke very slowly, his tone somewhat gentle, while his eyes remained fixed on Kobayashi Jun, trying to catch every facial expression as a basis for judgment and verification.
Cheng Qianfan’s conclusion that a very important person frequently visited Endo Hiroshi was based on deductions from Gu Changyou’s testimony.
Gu Changyou had stated that every time he went to see Endo Hiroshi, Endo always met him in a private room on the left side.
He had never once entered the private room on the right.
According to Gu Changyou, he had accidentally entered the right-side room once, and Endo Hiroshi had become extremely angry upon seeing him.
Cheng Qianfan had inquired about the condition of that room.
Clean.
Neat.
A freshly washed tea set sat on the table.
Therefore, Cheng Qianfan deduced that another important figure frequently met Endo Hiroshi there in secret.
Moreover, since a private room was used, this person was not a member of Hengrun Teahouse itself but someone who visited disguised as a regular customer.
“You should know who that person is. Tell me, and I’ll continue taking good care of Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke.”
Seeing that Kobayashi Jun seemed tempted, Cheng Qianfan added another sentence.
“Fine, Officer. Kill Kurai Shinnosuke first, and I’ll tell you.”
Blood covered Kobayashi Jun’s face as he smiled.
The smile disappeared from Cheng Qianfan’s face, and his expression instantly turned icy.
“I’ve said before that none of you are qualified to make demands of me.”
“Continue!”
“Group Leader Cheng, we’re up to the fourth brick.”
“I said continue.”
Kobayashi Jun let out a scream.
Sweat poured from his body like rain.
One could even clearly hear the grating sounds of the bones in his feet nearly snapping.
After one scream, Kobayashi Jun fainted.
The tiger bench’s structure was simple.
Nothing more than a long bench and a wooden pole fastened to one end.
Yet this simple device was extraordinarily cruel and terrifying.
The tiger bench primarily functioned by applying immense pressure to a person’s legs and joints, causing the body’s nerves to transmit unbearable pain.
“Wake him up.”
An agent first removed one brick.
Then a basin of cold water was splashed directly onto Kobayashi Jun.
Watching Kobayashi Jun slowly regain consciousness, Cheng Qianfan did not question him immediately.
Instead, he studied him.
This was a very young Japanese agent, perhaps eighteen or nineteen years old, with rather delicate features.
After learning of the special relationship between Kobayashi Jun and Endo Hiroshi, Cheng Qianfan had attempted to make him the breakthrough point.
As Endo Hiroshi’s bed companion, Kobayashi Jun ought to know certain secrets unknown to Eguchi Hideya.
Previously, Cheng Qianfan had speculated that Kobayashi Jun hated Kurai Shinnosuke and Oguri Motomitsuro.
Thus, he had looked forward to forming a cooperative arrangement with Kobayashi Jun.
However, after Kobayashi Jun demanded that Cheng Qianfan kill Kurai Shinnosuke, Cheng Qianfan began to doubt his own judgment.
“Mr. Kobayashi, let’s change the question. What position does Yingzuo Eiichi hold within the Inoue Residence?”
Cheng Qianfan asked.
“Answer this question, and I can guarantee that Oguri Motomitsuro will regret ever coming into this world.”
“Sure. Kill Oguri Motomitsuro, and I’ll tell you about Yingzuo-kun.”
Kobayashi Jun grinned.
“Give Mr. Kobayashi the full treatment.”
Cheng Qianfan flew into a rage.
What he had just said to Kobayashi Jun was actually a trap.
He had spoken of torturing Oguri Motomitsuro.
Yet Kobayashi Jun’s response had been to demand that he kill Oguri Motomitsuro.
Just like the first time he had questioned him, when Kobayashi Jun demanded that he kill Kurai Shinnosuke.
Something was wrong.
When someone truly hated another person to the bone, and was presented with a choice:
Torture that person, then kill him.
Or kill him immediately, which would spare him further interrogation and effectively serve as a release.
Choosing the first option would be the normal response.
Kobayashi Jun’s insistence that Cheng Qianfan kill Kurai Shinnosuke and Oguri Motomitsuro naturally aroused suspicion.
It seemed more like an attempt to trick Cheng Qianfan into granting the two Japanese agents a merciful release.
Yu Ping’an’s office.
The desk was covered with documents.
Yu Ping’an was reviewing them one by one.
All were urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
At that moment, the telephone rang.
Yu Ping’an picked up the receiver.
“Deputy Director Yu, this is Lu Yanhao. Congratulations, congratulations! I always said that Brother Yu was destined to accomplish world-shaking feats sooner or later. Heroes emerge with the times. Congratulations on once again uncovering a hidden Japanese spy group, hahaha...”
“Chief of Staff Lu? What are you talking about?”
Yu Ping’an frowned.
The caller was Lu Yanhao, Chief of Staff of the Hangzhou Garrison Command.
The man also had another identity, he was the brother-in-law of the wealthy Hangzhou magnate Yang Million.
“Brother Yu, I’ve already heard all about it. Still trying to keep it from your old brother? The news is all over town now. You’ve rendered another great service. All right, I won’t interrupt Deputy Director Yu’s investigation any further. It’s settled then, another day I’ll host a banquet in your honor, hahaha.”
Yu Ping’an was about to continue questioning him when he heard a burst of laughter from the other end of the line, followed by the click of Lu Yanhao hanging up.
Yu Ping’an set down the receiver.
His face darkened ominously.
Yu Ping’an pressed the call bell.
“Someone come in.”
A moment later, Wu Yuanfang pushed open the door and entered.
“Go investigate. Find out what’s being said outside about today’s operation.”
Yu Ping’an slapped the desk.
“Deputy Director Yu, outside?”
“Someone just told me that the news is everywhere, that even women and children know about it!”
Yu Ping’an practically ground the words out through clenched teeth.
“Understood.”
Cold sweat broke out on Wu Yuanfang’s forehead as he hurried off to investigate.
How could news of such a highly secret Special Service Office operation have spread outside?
If it was true, the problem was enormous.
Yu Ping’an’s anger had still not subsided.
Normally refined and scholarly, he could not help cursing twice.
Lu Yanhao’s call had been intended as mockery and ridicule.
He was calling to enjoy the spectacle.
Because of the matter involving Yang Million, the Special Service Office and Lu Yanhao had already become enemies.
That bastard had probably been waiting eagerly for a chance to laugh at the Special Service Office.
He might even have already sent a report to Nanjing behind their backs.
Yu Ping’an pressed the call bell again.
“Go to the interrogation room and tell Cheng Wufang to come see me.”