Chapter 96: The Big Shot Has Arrived

Wah... crack, crack...

With the long blast of a whistle, a black train slowly pulled into Ice City Station. As soon as the train stopped, the passengers inside began to stir.

However, the station was under strict lockdown today. Japanese soldiers wearing military police armbands stood one after another on the platform.

The security was tight.

This atmosphere suggested that some important figure had arrived in Ice City.

A master and his disciple squeezed into a four-person sleeper compartment. The air inside was stale and suffocating, making them eager to get off and breathe some fresh air. They had departed from inside the pass and traveled all the way here.

Like this pair, most of the passengers on the train had been on the road for nearly a week. Finally reaching Ice City, yet being forbidden to disembark, naturally left everyone feeling frustrated.

“Master, what’s going on? There are so many Japanese soldiers outside...” The young disciple, Xiao Hai, excitedly pressed his face to the window and peered out.

“Mind your own business. And remember to watch your luggage carefully. If you lose it, you can crawl back to your hometown in Shandong yourself.” Master Liang Yiming sat calmly on the bed, like an old monk in meditation, unmoved by the commotion.

“Don’t worry, Master.” The disciple promised.

...

Indeed, an important figure was arriving today. The platform was heavily guarded, and besides the military police, even the garrison troops had been deployed.

Passengers were not allowed to disembark until the VIP on the train had gotten off. Only then were they permitted to leave.

After waiting for a full ten minutes, a train police officer finally came to notify them that they could get off.

The master and disciple picked up their suitcases and stepped onto the platform, inhaling the cold air and glancing up at the gray sky.

At last, they had arrived. Life on the train had been unbearable; if not for the young disciple accompanying him, the master’s journey would have been even lonelier.

Pairs of military police lined up and withdrew from the platform, evidently the important guest had already disembarked and been picked up.

The station no longer required guard.

The master and disciple walked across the platform and through the exit, where their tickets and identification were checked before they were allowed to leave.

“Master, we’re home. Why do you look so unhappy?” The young disciple carried his suitcase and glanced back at his master.

The master’s expression was complex. After all, he had been away from his hometown for seven or eight years, and returning naturally stirred a kind of homecoming hesitation.

Clang, clang...

After leaving the station, a tram was waiting at the platform. The master and disciple boarded the vehicle bound for the Daowai district.

North Third Street.

They stood in front of a dilapidated house, stunned. Although eight years had passed, the house was still there.

Inside the yard, snow was piled high. Even if they cleared the frozen snow, it would take three to five days. Clearly, it was uninhabitable now.

“Liangzi is back?” An old man leaning on a cane appeared at the door. Seeing the returning master and disciple, he immediately recognized them.

“Uncle Gui, I’m back.” Liang Yiming turned around, seeing the familiar face of the old neighbor, and hurried over to greet him.

“Where have you been all these years? There’s been no news of you, and the neighbors often mention you.” The old man was moved; after all, he had watched Liang grow up and was a close neighbor.

“I went back to my hometown in Shandong for a while, then did business elsewhere for a few years.” Back then, people like them had ventured into the Northeast; their ancestral roots were all in Shandong.

“Oh, it’s good that you’ve come back.” The old man smiled happily. Seeing the young disciple behind Liang, he asked, “And who is this?”

“This is my disciple, Xiao Hai.” Liang introduced. “Xiao Hai, say hello to Grandpa Gui.”

“Hello, Grandpa Gui.” Xiao Hai bowed politely.

“Well done, well done. Liangzi, this child is well-mannered, not bad.” The old man said. “In the blink of an eye, you’ve taken on a disciple. Good. The craftsmanship of the old Liang family can finally be passed on. We all grew up eating your father’s cooking, never thought we’d get to do so again. Didn’t expect you to come back.”

“If you want to eat it, that’s no problem. This time I’m back for good. When the time comes, I’ll invite all the old neighbors and cook for you.” Liang Yiming said.

“Good, good. Liangzi, this house isn’t livable anymore. Come stay at my place. I have a spare room. You and your disciple can squeeze in for now.”

“No, Uncle Gui. We’ve already rented a room at an inn. Besides, we’ll only be here a few days. Once we clean up the house, we’ll move back in.” Liang Yiming declined politely. He didn’t want to trouble others, and besides, he had more important matters. Staying at someone else's house would be very inconvenient.

“Master, I’m hungry...”

“Let’s go eat first.” Xiao Hai, still a growing boy, needed to eat a lot and got hungry easily.

Though he hadn’t been back for eight years, the streets hadn’t changed much, nor had the houses. Many familiar shops were gone, replaced by numerous “Japanese-style” signs.

Japanese people were everywhere, even more common than in cities inside the pass.

“Xiao Hai, I’ll go buy some daily necessities later. You go back and clear the snow in the yard. Wait for me to come back.” After the meal, Liang Yiming instructed his disciple.

“Master, please come back early.”

“I know. If I’m not back before dark, lock up and go straight to the inn.” Liang Yiming waved his hand.

“Okay.”

...

“Extra! Extra! Big news, big news!” The newsboys’ shouts echoed through the streets today louder than usual.

“Mysterious man wins the heart of Daowai’s number one beauty!”

“Boss Bai of Ningxiang Pavilion and her new boyfriend attend Su Wenqing’s daughter’s engagement banquet...”

“Bai Yulan’s old ox eats tender grass; new boyfriend suspected to be a wealthy young master?”

“Breaking news! Where will the widow Bai’s affections fall? ...”

...

Almost all the newspapers carried news about Zhou Sen accompanying Bai Yulan to Su Wenqing’s daughter Su Yun’s engagement banquet, some even with photos.

Some papers boldly placed their story on the front page, while the newlyweds from last night received only brief mentions.

The gossip tabloids went even further, spinning tales of love, hate, and intrigue among Zhou Sen, Bai Yulan, and Su Wenqing, embellishing details with all sorts of lurid language.

As for Zhou Sen himself, he woke up in the morning, had breakfast, and as usual took the streetcar to the “Sen” store in Haicheng Street for work.

He was so unconcerned he didn’t even bother to clock in, as it seemed the Special Services Division’s high-level agents didn’t have to report to the police station.

His days were leisurely, but Zhou Sen knew this calm wouldn’t last long; training was drawing near.

“Bro, are you really with Boss Bai now?” As soon as Zhou Sen arrived at the “Sen” store and barely warmed his chair, Ye San’er barged in, looking like he was about to blow his top.

Zhou Sen ignored him, sipping his hot tea slowly. “Who told you that?”

“It’s all in the papers. Look here...” Ye San’er spread several newspapers before Zhou Sen.

“Not bad, learning to read the paper?” Zhou Sen glanced over the headlines, already expecting this.

Reporters had seen him and Bai Yulan arm in arm outside the New World Hotel last night. Like wolves detecting the scent of meat, today’s papers had to cover their story.

Since the Japanese blocked outside news to keep the public in the dark, people sought gossip from non-local sources.

Daowai’s number one beauty’s new partner was a topic on many lips.

With this news breaking, the Ice City press couldn’t help but celebrate.

“I can’t read many words, but I recognize faces. Brother, that face of yours, you’re definitely—”

“Recognizable even turned to ash?”

“Slip of the tongue. Just say yes or no, everyone’s talking about it.” Ye San’er hurriedly apologized.

“So what if I am or not? Is it your business?” Zhou Sen snorted.

“If that’s true, then when we see Boss Bai in the future, do we have to call her ‘sister-in-law’?”

“Call her if you want. No one’s stopping you.” Zhou Sen smiled faintly, tacitly admitting it.

“Got it.” Ye San’er’s eyes sparkled.

“Alright, get back to work and stop being a nuisance.” Zhou Sen waved him away and picked up a newspaper.

Strangely, Anna hadn’t come today. Wasn’t she supposed to be personally overseeing and protecting him?

No matter. It was more comfortable without her.

He couldn’t go to Ningxiang Pavilion today; the situation was too sensitive. Best to keep a low profile for now. Tomorrow would be fine.

Still, he had to call Bai Yulan to check on her.

...

Second floor of Nangang Police Station, Kendo practice room.

Akiyama Shinosuke sparred with a Japanese policeman named Kobayashi. After thoroughly defeating him, he removed his headgear. Jin Suying hurriedly handed him a hot towel.

“Did you attend Chairman Su’s daughter’s engagement banquet last night?” Akiyama wiped his sweat and, after Jin Suying helped remove his gear, changed into a loose kimono.

“Yes, Mr. Akiyama.”

“How was it? Any impressions?”

“It was crowded with guests, grand and lively.”

“Manchurians love to show off their wealth and status. It’s their weakness,” Akiyama said with a smile.

“Yes, all superficial things.”

“You’re right. Those are all empty displays. In the face of real strength, they’re just jokes. Did Zhou Sen and Bai Yulan of Ningxiang Pavilion attend?”

“Mm.”

“You don’t seem pleased.” Akiyama took Jin Suying’s hand and gently stroked it, showing no concern for the superior-subordinate boundary.

“I’m not unhappy. I just can’t stand that upstart’s arrogant attitude.” Jin Suying pouted.

“Upstart, haha, that’s an apt description. But he’s crucial to the Empire now, so you’d better not provoke him. Otherwise, if anything happens, I won’t be able to protect you.” Akiyama’s words caused Jin Suying to fall into his arms with a soft “Oh.”

“Such a big stir—won’t the higher-ups do anything?”

“That’s none of your concern...”

...

Nangang Park, Triangle Pavilion.

“You’re at least half an hour late from the agreed time.”

Leaning against a chair, the disguised Liang Yiming sat down. “I just arrived in Ice City, had to familiarize myself with the surroundings.”

“This is the target.”

A rolled-up newspaper was slid under the table. Liang Yiming took it and slowly unfolded it, looking at a photo. On the back was information about the target.

“You folks are quite inconsiderate. I haven’t even caught my breath before you want me to work?” Liang Yiming complained.

“We don’t want to either. There was an unexpected situation; no suitable person was found, so we asked you to lend a hand,” the other party said.

“When the train I took arrived, the station was under lockdown. Did someone important arrive in Ice City?”

“Not clear yet. We’ll notify you when there’s news. Find a place to settle and a cover job for long-term undercover work.”

“I understand. You—pay attention to the news in the papers.” Liang Yiming stood, pocketed the newspaper, and quickly left.

From start to finish, the two never faced each other, never saw the other’s face.

This was the best way to protect both parties.

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm!”

Shen Changqing walked down the street. When meeting acquaintances, they nodded or exchanged greetings.

But no matter who it was, no one showed any extra expression, as if indifferent to everything.

Shen Changqing was used to this.

After all, this was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution maintaining the stability of the Great Qin Empire, tasked mainly with exterminating demons and monsters, but also involved in other side businesses.

One could say that everyone in the division bore blood on their hands.

Having seen life and death so often, people naturally grow indifferent to many things.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he found it hard to adapt, but over time, he grew accustomed.

The division was large.

Those who stayed were either powerful experts or had great potential.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter.

The division had two roles: Protector and Demon Exterminator.

Everyone entering the division started as the lowest-level Demon Exterminator, then gradually promoted, with the hope of eventually becoming a Protector.

Shen Changqing’s previous self was an apprentice Demon Exterminator, the lowest rank.

With the memories of his predecessor, he was very familiar with the division’s environment.

Not long after, Shen Changqing stopped before a loft.

Unlike the rest of the division’s grim and bloodstained places, this loft stood out, serene amid the carnage.

The loft’s door was wide open, with occasional comings and goings.

Hesitating only briefly, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Upon entering, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

A faint scent of ink mixed with a subtle metallic tang hit his nose, causing his brows to knit instinctively before relaxing.

The bloodstained scent clinging to everyone in the division was almost impossible to wash away.