Chapter 97: The "Old Gun" Strikes (Please Subscribe and Vote!)

Anna did not arrive at “Sen’s” until noon for lunch. Zhou Sen was too lazy to ask where she had been; if she wanted to say, she would say. There was no use asking about things that shouldn’t be mentioned—why seek trouble for oneself?

His current strategy was simple: “passive resistance.” On the surface, he appeared to be diligently investigating the whereabouts of the “roster,” but in reality, he did nothing.

“Captain Shibuya asked me to tell you that in a couple of days, someone will be assigned to assist you in searching for the roster,” Anna said.

“Another person assigned to me?” Zhou Sen asked in surprise.

“This time, the person sent isn’t ordinary. Be careful not to let him catch you making any mistakes,” Anna warned.

“Is that so? How capable is he?” Zhou Sen asked curiously. “Have you met him? Can you share anything?”

“No, I haven’t,” Anna replied coldly.

After lunch, Zhou Sen surprisingly stayed at “Sen’s” and did not leave, which surprised Anna. Usually, he would go to the Ningxiang Pavilion in the afternoon or just have lunch and then stay there the whole afternoon.

“How do you use this camera? Teach me,” Zhou Sen said, pulling out Sheerkin’s Leica camera. He was hesitant to mess with it, fearing damage, since the parts were hard to replace.

“Didn’t you study photography at the police academy?” Anna asked in surprise.

“Yes, but I rarely had the chance to handle one. Such an expensive camera—if I break it, it wouldn’t be worth it,” Zhou Sen said.

“All right, I’ll teach you. Open this, load the film here, this is the shutter, turn this to take a picture, and this is how you adjust the lens,” Anna nodded.

“Anna, let me take a picture of you,” Zhou Sen said. He wasn’t slow-witted and quickly learned how to use the camera.

“No, I don’t have my picture taken,” Anna refused.

“What’s the harm? Let me test my photography skills. Come on, don’t refuse. Later, you can take one of me too,” Zhou Sen insisted.

“Wen, come over here, let’s take a photo together!”

They spent the afternoon mostly taking pictures. Zhou Sen took individual photos of everyone around him and some group shots. The film roll was almost used up with only about seven or eight shots left. He put it away, planning to go to Ningxiang Pavilion the next day to take some photos of Bai Yulan and Ah Xiang so that they could develop all the film together.

“Sheerkin’s house has a darkroom with complete developing equipment. How about we move it here sometime?” Anna suggested.

“Is that appropriate?” Zhou Sen asked.

“What’s inappropriate about it? You’ve already emptied Sheerkin’s study; why not move the darkroom too?” Anna smiled.

“If we move the darkroom here, where would I put it? I’ve basically arranged everything here,” Zhou Sen looked around.

“There are plenty of rooms at Ningxiang Pavilion. Just pick one and set up a darkroom; it’s not difficult,” Anna reminded him.

“Oh right, I forgot about that. I’m going to rent a place at Ningxiang Pavilion to open a tea and snack shop anyway. I can set up a darkroom in an extra room there. That would work,” Zhou Sen said, something he had already been thinking about but was glad Anna brought it up.

“Let’s get this done tomorrow since we have time. What do you say, Miss Anna?”

“Of course,” she agreed.

“All right then, Wen, come in here!”

...

Wenchang Bridge, Su Residence.

“Master, these newspapers are nonsense. Don’t take them to heart. Haven’t we seen this before?” Su Xing didn’t know how else to comfort Su Wenqing.

Su Wenqing read these newspapers daily. Though he could not stop himself from reading them, how could his mood be good when he saw what was written?

Everyone in Bingcheng knew that Su Wenqing would only marry Bai Yulan, while Old Qin Seventh also had similar intentions.

But that was mostly out of spite, to deflect Su Wenqing’s attention elsewhere. Old Qin Seventh had already taken a concubine in the fifth or sixth house and was half-buried in the ground. Even if he had the intention, he lacked the power. Marrying her would only make him a widower.

Yet, this seemingly guaranteed matter was suddenly intercepted by a little-known policeman.

How could he swallow such an insult?

“Ah Xing, no matter what means you use, make this person disappear from Bingcheng!” Su Wenqing’s murderous intent was fully ignited.

“Master, he is a policeman, and he has a good relationship with the young lady. If she finds out...” Su Xing, having served his master for decades, knew better than to ignore the warning.

“Wait until Xiaoyun and Ah Hua have left for Beiping,” Su Wenqing said.

“What about Boss Bai?”

“She has already cut ties with the Old Ma family. With only the Ningxiang Pavilion, how much trouble can she cause? My woman will not tolerate others laying a hand on her,” Su Wenqing clenched his fists, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Over the years, he had cultivated himself, but he had not forgotten how his family’s fortune was made.

“I understand. I will arrange Ah Hu to handle it personally,” Su Xing did not resist. He knew once Su Wenqing made up his mind, no one could stop him.

“Make it look like an accidental disappearance or death. As long as the police have no evidence, they can’t touch us,” Su Wenqing nodded.

“All right,” Su Xing nodded and left the study.

...

Night fell with a strong wind. In a nearly hundred-meter-long alley dimly lit by yellow light, a shadow stretched long, humming an incomprehensible folk tune.

The figure had just left someone’s house, fully satisfied, when a cold wind suddenly blew through the collar.

He shuddered.

Glancing back, he saw nothing unusual and continued walking.

After a few steps, his body froze mid-stride. A bloodline appeared on his neck, blood spurting instantly.

With a thud, the body fell to the ground silently, blood quickly congealing into ice.

During the day, many walked this alley, but at this hour, it was deserted.

...

Early the next morning, Wen had rented a horse-drawn cart to dismantle the darkroom at Sheerkin’s house. Just as Zhou Sen and Wen were about to leave, a car arrived with a beeping sound. Jin Suying stepped out.

“Zhou Sen, Yuan Wenfu is dead, right in Peach Blossom Alley,” Jin Suying reported solemnly.

Zhou Sen was startled but understood that his risky probe had elicited a response from the Soviet Consulate.

He hadn’t expected them to be so ruthless, killing the leader of the surveillance team at the “Chunming” Photo Studio.

Peach Blossom Alley was also Bingcheng’s famous red-light district. The group of brothels was located there, a place of debauchery.

Zhou Sen knew little about Yuan Wenfu, barely knew him, but some agencies knew more.

“Chunming” Photo Studio was directly opposite the Soviet Consulate. Zhou Sen didn’t believe they hadn’t noticed its true purpose. Perhaps they had known all along but kept silent. Removing this photo studio wouldn’t stop the Japanese from opening bookstores or grocery stores. Such actions were meaningless.

“I understand,” Zhou Sen nodded.

“You’re from the Tokkō Branch; why aren’t you concerned about this case?” Jin Suying asked angrily.

“I’m not familiar with Yuan Wenfu, never even met him. Why should I care?” Zhou Sen countered. He had reluctantly joined Tokkō Branch and didn’t expect to develop feelings for someone who never respected him.

“He was your subordinate. As his superior, you don’t inquire?”

“Am I his superior?” Zhou Sen retorted. “Is there an official appointment? Has he reported to me?”

“That’s just because you don’t want to take over the Tokkō Branch.”

“That was approved by Mr. Akiyama, wasn’t it?” Zhou Sen refuted.

“All right. Now that the deceased is from our Nangang Police Department’s Tokkō Branch, and you hold the highest Tokkō post, you must visit the scene,” Jin Suying insisted.

“Did you ask Mr. Akiyama for permission?” Zhou Sen asked. As a protected special individual, going to the scene lightly might not be wise.

“What do you mean?”

“Mr. Zhou can’t go to the scene,” Anna appeared at the door, answering for Zhou Sen and refusing Jin Suying.

“Who are you? What right do you have to speak here?”

“My name is Anna, Mr. Zhou’s secretary,” Anna entered, raising an eyebrow with a smile as she introduced herself. “If you want to know more, ask your boss, Mr. Akiyama.”

Hearing this, Jin Suying immediately withdrew her disdain. Anna was clearly Russian. Her presence by Zhou Sen’s side must have a reason. Akiyama Osuke had warned her not to provoke Zhou Sen; there must be secrets.

Watching Jin Suying get into her car and leave, Anna muttered, “This woman is a bit...”

“Clueless,” Zhou Sen shrugged. “Anna, let’s get in the carriage.”

“Coming,” Anna replied, turning to board the cart, heading toward Gogol Street and Sheerkin’s house.

They broke the seal and entered. The house had been empty for a long time; inside was as cold as outside.

The desolation gave an eerie feeling.

Sheerkin’s darkroom was on the first floor. Originally a storage room, it was converted into a darkroom after he rented the house.

Zhou Sen had inspected the scene last time and even searched the darkroom, finding nothing unusual.

This time, they came to dismantle the developing chemicals, photo paper, and related equipment to move them.

There were also some professional photography tools, hard to purchase, so they would pack those as well.

“This developing equipment and materials are more than enough to run a professional photo studio!” Anna remarked.

“I’m just doing it for fun. Maybe I’ll lose interest in a few days,” Zhou Sen chuckled.

“Photography skills are a required training for agents. With this, you can quickly get started and save time to improve other skills,” Anna hinted.

“I’m a policeman. Why study these? I don’t need to be like you,” Zhou Sen laughed carelessly, though his mind was already stirring. The Japanese sending him to police academy training was probably not so simple.

“These chemicals are toxic and corrosive. Be careful when handling them. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Anna cautioned.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Did you ask?”

“...”

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm!”

Shen Changqing walked the street, greeting acquaintances with nods or brief hellos.

But no matter who it was, everyone’s face was void of emotion, seemingly indifferent to everything.

Shen Changqing was used to it.

This was the Demon Suppression Division, an organization maintaining stability in the Great Qin Empire, primarily responsible for slaying demons and monsters, with some other auxiliary duties.

In the Demon Suppression Division, everyone’s hands were stained with blood.

When one becomes accustomed to life and death, many things lose their significance.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he was somewhat unaccustomed but gradually adapted.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who stayed were either formidable experts or had the potential to become so.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter.

The division had two professions: Guardians and Exorcists.

Everyone entered as the lowest rank, an apprentice Exorcist, then advanced step by step, hoping to become a Guardian.

Shen Changqing’s previous self had been an apprentice Exorcist, the lowest rank.

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

He soon stopped before a loft.

Unlike the other grim and deadly places in the division, this loft stood out like a crane among chickens, offering a rare tranquility amidst the bloodshed.

The loft’s doors stood open, with occasional people entering and leaving.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Inside, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

A waft of ink fragrance mixed with a faint metallic blood scent greeted him, making him frown instinctively but relax quickly.

The blood scent clinging to every member of the Demon Suppression Division was almost impossible to wash away.