Chapter 8: Assassinating the Emperor (VII) Madman

After firing a shell at the Tokyo registry office, Li Wensheng quickly packed up the mortar, picked up his luggage, and walked out of the alley. He wore the same panicked expression as the frightened pedestrians, blending into the crowd and heading left. When he reached the street corner, he turned sharply and slipped into a narrow side alley. He had barely taken two steps when—bang! Li Wensheng was suddenly tackled from behind and pinned to the ground.

Over the past year, completing system tasks had earned him rewards of every kind—except none that improved his physical abilities. Li Wensheng's skills were mediocre at best; during his training at the Revival Society, he had always ranked below average in his class. Now, as he lay on the ground, he quickly tried to retrieve a pistol from his system storage, but a harsh, low voice snarled by his ear, "Why are you here? Are you a traitor?"

A wave of relief washed over Li Wensheng. He turned his head and addressed the stern-faced Wang Tianfeng, "Instructor, I came to this country after submitting an application to the Shanghai station. I wanted to understand the locals better, so I could more effectively deal with their spies."

Back when Li Wensheng was in the Revival Society, Wang Tianfeng had been one of the instructors, specializing in surveillance techniques. At first, Li Wensheng thought he had crossed into the world of "The Disguiser," but later realized that wasn't the case.

Wang Tianfeng didn't believe Li Wensheng's explanation; it seemed impossible that the Shanghai station would approve such an application. But this was not the place for questions. Wang Tianfeng ordered in a low voice, "Come with me. If you try to run, I'll shoot you."

He released Li Wensheng, who stood up and glanced around, spotting Zheng Yaoxian and two others. Li Wensheng had met Zheng Yaoxian at the Revival Society training camp and heard about him from classmates, but the other two were strangers. Still, if Wang Tianfeng and Zheng Yaoxian had come to this country together, Li Wensheng could guess why. The shelling of the Imperial Palace and the explosions across the country would surely have reached home. They must have come because of—

"Could they really be after me?" Li Wensheng muttered to himself. Surrounded by the four, he followed Wang Tianfeng back to the previous room.

"Speak! Why are you here? Did you betray us?" As soon as the door closed, Wang Tianfeng turned and barked.

"Instructor, I really applied through official channels. If you don't believe me, you can telegraph the Shanghai station," Li Wensheng replied helplessly. Now that Wang Tianfeng had caught him, even if his story was verified, this madman would never let him go. He would force him to cooperate in their mission, leaving no chance for his own plans.

Wang Tianfeng frowned and looked at Chen Zhipeng.

Chen Zhipeng understood immediately. "I'll contact someone to send a telegram to the Shanghai station," he said, and left.

Zheng Yaoxian, who had been observing Li Wensheng, asked, "A request to observe this country—why would the Shanghai station approve such an application?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I've always completed my missions well, so it's clear I wouldn't defect. Or maybe it's because I'm from Fenghua," Li Wensheng replied.

The three believed his explanation. If he really had official approval, being from Fenghua did carry a certain privilege in the Revival Society.

"How long have you been here? Did you find the person who bombed the Imperial Palace?" Xu Baichuan asked.

"I've been here half a month, but I haven't found him. But I've been terribly unlucky—wherever I go, that's where he bombs," Li Wensheng said with a feigned look of helplessness.

Wang Tianfeng's eyes lit up. "Tell me everything," he urged.

"My first stop here was Chiyoda Ward, since it's the country's center. But soon after arriving, the Imperial Palace was shelled and the entertainment district bombed. Chiyoda was locked down, so I fled to Tokyo. As soon as I got there, the Metropolitan Police Department was bombed. Then I went to Yamanashi Prefecture, but the day after I arrived, Mount Fuji was bombed. I hurried back to Tokyo, and right after, the registry office was bombed—and I happened to be nearby. Anyone who didn't know better would suspect it was me," Li Wensheng said helplessly.

The three stared at him in disbelief. That was some rotten luck. As for his last remark, none of them believed Li Wensheng could be the one who bombed the Imperial Palace and declared war on the emperor.

After their surprise, Zheng Yaoxian immediately asked, "Why did you return to Tokyo from Yamanashi, instead of going to Nagano or Shizuoka?"

Wang Tianfeng and Xu Baichuan instantly understood Zheng Yaoxian’s reasoning. Since Li Wensheng’s movements matched the bomber’s, understanding his thinking might reveal the bomber’s intentions.

Li Wensheng was no fool; he saw through the question at once. An idea flashed in his mind. "I heard that when their soldiers go to war, the emperor himself comes out to boost morale. I wanted to see what the emperor looks like. If I went too far, I might not make it back in time."

Wang Tianfeng’s pupils contracted—he realized what the bomber was aiming for.

"In my opinion, we should just stake out the Imperial Palace. That person will show up sooner or later," Zheng Yaoxian said, turning his gaze to Wang Tianfeng.

Wang Tianfeng’s eyes gleamed. He smiled. "We’ll keep watch on the Imperial Palace, but we can’t just sit and do nothing. That person bombed the Tokyo registry office. Let’s bomb Yamanashi Prefecture’s registry office. Every time he blows up a place, we’ll strike somewhere else. We’ll confuse their thinking, leave them baffled."

Zheng Yaoxian and Xu Baichuan stared, inwardly shouting, “Madman!” The enemy was already a volcano on the verge of eruption. The bomber came and went like a ghost, leaving them nowhere to vent their fury. But if they bombed as well and left the slightest clue, it would trigger a frenzied investigation. If they were discovered, they’d all die.

Despite thinking Wang Tianfeng’s plan was insane, Zheng Yaoxian and Xu Baichuan didn’t object. The plan would increase the bomber’s chances of survival—and thus the likelihood he could assassinate the emperor. If they lost their lives here, but increased the bomber’s odds, it was worth it. Even more so if their sacrifice raised the odds of the emperor’s death.

Li Wensheng’s mind went blank for a moment. He’d only wanted Wang Tianfeng and the others to focus on the emperor, so when he attempted the assassination, they’d distract the guards. He hadn’t expected Wang Tianfeng to be so reckless.

At that moment, Wang Tianfeng looked deeply at Li Wensheng and said, "Li Wensheng, we’re about to carry out a crucial mission. Your leave is over. You’ll follow my orders from now on. Tomorrow night, you’ll lead a team to Yamanashi and bomb the registry office."

Li Wensheng’s eyes widened, cursing inwardly, "Damn, this lunatic is sending me to my death." Mount Fuji had been bombed yesterday; security in Yamanashi would be tight. Leading a team there now was suicide.

Xu Baichuan opened his mouth to suggest someone else take the job, given Li Wensheng was from Fenghua. But remembering they’d all die here anyway, he swallowed his words.

"Instructor, I’m with the Shanghai station. You have no authority to command me," Li Wensheng protested, his mind racing.

Wang Tianfeng laughed. "I’ll have Shanghai station issue an order placing you under my command temporarily."

Li Wensheng glared, then closed his eyes in silence.

Soon, Chen Zhipeng returned. "It’s confirmed—Shanghai station specially approved his observation mission. Also, after receiving orders, Shanghai station will send a team to assist you," he whispered to Wang Tianfeng.

Wang Tianfeng’s eyes gleamed. He told Chen Zhipeng, "Transfer a team from your station, prepare explosives, and head to Yamanashi with him. Tomorrow, bomb the registry office."

Chen Zhiming’s eyes widened in shock—this was a suicide mission! But if someone had to die, better them than him. He replied quickly, "Yes, I’ll get ready immediately."

After Chen Zhipeng left, Wang Tianfeng looked at Li Wensheng, who still had his eyes closed. "Wensheng, the nation is in crisis. Since you joined the Revival Society, you must be ready to die for your country. I might die here too. If you fail tomorrow, you’ll only be ahead of me by a step."

Li Wensheng opened his eyes and gazed deeply at Wang Tianfeng. Straightening his back, he replied resolutely, "I’ve long been prepared to die for my country."

"Good," Wang Tianfeng replied. He began sipping his tea, quietly contemplating his next move.