Chapter 78: Meeting Okada

“Reporting, Major.” A Japanese army officer said, “At present, it can basically be confirmed that it was the Chinese Lixingshe Special Service Office that carried out the raid on Yang Million’s residence. Multiple Imperial agents have died in service, and it is suspected that Imperial agents were severely wounded and captured.”

“I want news of Kawada-kun!” Okada Toshihiko waved his arm, his expression ferocious. “Did Kawada-kun die in service to the nation, or was he captured by the Chinese? I want exact information.”

“My apologies, Major. There is still no definitive information. The incident occurred suddenly, and the Chinese agents and police have maintained extremely strict security.”

“Then go investigate!” Okada Toshihiko said coldly. “Activate Ruler and determine the situation as quickly as possible!”

“Major, the Chinese will certainly be especially vigilant right now. Activating Ruler at this time...”

“That is an order!”

“Yes, sir!”

Okada Toshihiko was somewhat agitated.

He naturally understood that activating Ruler at this moment could very likely expose this senior agent who had been undercover for many years.

There were not many ace agents like Ruler under his command.

The loss of any one of them would pain him greatly.

But he had no choice.

Kawada Eikichi’s status was too important.

He was General Dofihara Kenji’s assistant.

That status itself was not the most important thing.

The key was the countless classified pieces of intelligence that came with that position.

If Kawada Eikichi had died, he would mourn the loss of his friend.

But if Kawada Eikichi had been captured alive by the Lixingshe Special Service Office, that was something Okada Toshihiko was even less willing to see.

He was willing to trust Kawada Eikichi’s loyalty to the Empire.

However, he could not rule out unexpected circumstances.

The moment Sanben entered, he saw the floor covered with shattered porcelain fragments and the anxious Okada Toshihiko pacing back and forth.

“Sanben-kun, what have you learned?”

“My source within the police department reports that this operation was carried out independently by the Special Service Office. The police were responsible only for perimeter searches and inspections.” Sanben shook his head with a serious expression. “Therefore, the exact situation remains unknown.”

“The Chinese acted with remarkable decisiveness this time. Not the slightest hint leaked beforehand.” Okada Toshihiko said.

“This does not resemble the methods of our old adversary He Qichen.”

He continued.

“It wasn’t He Qichen.” Sanben also shook his head. He Qichen did not possess that kind of capability.

“Then it was the Special Service Office headquarters!” Okada Toshihiko and Sanben exchanged glances.

Both nodded.

They had already received intelligence that the Lixingshe Special Service Office maintained an organization in Hangzhou directly subordinate to headquarters.

However, because the other side had maintained excellent secrecy, the Japanese agents in Hangzhou had exhausted every means available and still failed to uncover further information.

Ring, ring, ring.

The telephone on the desk rang.

Okada Toshihiko picked up the receiver.

After listening to the report on the line, he first looked surprised, then delighted.

“Bring him in.”

“Okada-kun, what is it?” Sanben asked.

“An Imperial citizen has come to see me carrying Kawada-kun’s business card. He says he has an important matter to report.” Okada Toshihiko said.

“Carrying Kawada-kun’s business card?” Sanben also revealed an excited expression. “Could it be that Kawada-kun escaped disaster?”

The news he most hoped to hear was that Kawada Eikichi had escaped the arrest.

However, due to the intense manhunt, he had been unable to reach the Japanese Concession and had therefore asked an Imperial citizen to deliver a message.

If that were the case, it would be the best possible outcome.

A short while later, a middle-aged man dressed in a kimono entered with an extremely handsome young man wearing a trench coat.

“You are?” Okada Toshihiko accepted the business card from the butler.

It was indeed Kawada Eikichi’s business card from Manchukuo.

This surprised Okada Toshihiko.

Kawada-kun was an extremely cautious man.

The fact that he had given the other party his Manchukuo business card showed that this person had earned Kawada-kun’s trust.

“Imperial citizen Miyazaki Kentaro. Entrusted by another, I have come to find Major Okada Toshihiko to report an important matter.” Cheng Qianfan glanced at the two men in the room, one a short, sturdy man in a suit, the other a middle-aged man in a Japanese military uniform.

“I am Okada.” Okada Toshihiko nodded. “You said you have an important matter to report. You may speak.”

“Are you Miyazaki Kentaro?” Sanben, who had been coldly observing Cheng Qianfan the entire time, suddenly asked.

At this very moment.

Qingdao, Xiaogang Wharf.

Tao Weiran carried a wooden case as he followed the bustling crowd ashore.

Stepping onto Qingdao soil, he raised his head and gazed into the distance at this city that had been repeatedly seized by Germany and Japan and had finally returned to Chinese territory fourteen years earlier.

Although it was late at night, the wharf was equipped with floodlights, and street lamps lined the roads.

Nearby buildings could still be seen vaguely.

It was a city possessing a strong German character blended with Japanese influences.

The marks left by two periods of colonial rule could not be erased in a mere fourteen years.

Of course, Tao Weiran was a rough man.

He knew nothing about architecture and had no time to appreciate the night scenery.

He was waiting for the person who would meet him.

He took a few steps and stood beneath a street lamp to make himself easier for his contact to identify.

Inside a Japanese goods shop some dozens of meters away.

“Is that him?”

A thin man accepted a pair of binoculars.

“Orange-red wooden case, duckbill cap, black long-handled umbrella in hand, black-and-white scarf.”

“It should be.”

“Go then. You know what to say?”

“I know.”

Tao Weiran carried the wooden case and had walked a dozen or so steps when he saw a thin man in a black fedora, holding a newspaper, approaching him.

“Sir, do you need lodging?”

“No. A friend is coming to pick me up shortly.”

“What a coincidence. I was also entrusted by a friend to receive someone.”

“What is your friend’s surname?” Tao Weiran asked.

“Xu. Xu Baihe.” The thin man said. “As for myself, my compound surname is Ouyang, given name Lu.”

A change flashed through Tao Weiran’s eyes.

Then he was overjoyed and shook the man’s hand.

“Hello. I am Lu Weiran.”

“Brother Lu, this way please.” Ouyang Lu said happily. “Everything has already been arranged. A welcoming banquet has been prepared to wash away the dust of your journey.”

Hearing that Sanben actually knew Miyazaki Kentaro, Okada Toshihiko was greatly surprised.

At the same time, he felt several degrees more trust toward this suddenly arrived Imperial citizen.

“Miyazaki-kun is Kawada-kun’s fellow townsman.” Sanben explained to Okada Toshihiko. “Kawada-kun mentioned Miyazaki-kun to me before.”

“So that’s how it is.” Okada Toshihiko nodded. “Miyazaki-kun, you were saying that you had an important matter...”

“Yes.” Miyazaki Kentaro’s expression became serious. “Something has happened to Kawada-kun. He encountered a Chinese attempt to capture him.”

“Where is Kawada-kun now?” Okada Toshihiko immediately asked anxiously.

“I don’t know.” Miyazaki Kentaro’s face was filled with concern. “Two hours ago, while I was evading Chinese soldiers and police, I encountered Kawada-kun’s nephew, Kawada Atsuto, who was also hiding from military and police searches. Atsuto informed me that something had happened to Kawada-kun.”

“Kawada Atsuto is unharmed?” Sanben suddenly asked excitedly.