Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 163 The Shadow of the Candle and the Sound of the Axe
That wasn't a knife, nor a gun.

It was a short-handled, sharp axe! The blade was gleaming, with a chilling curve.

Xie Zhipan's movements were so fast that they exceeded the limits of what the naked eye could capture.

With a single step forward, his body was released like a taut bowstring. Using the strength of his waist and abdomen, the deadly axe drew a shrill silver arc in the air, slashing down with a sharp sound as it cut through the wind!

With a "whoosh!"
The small axe's target was Tang Shaoyi's nape, which was completely exposed due to his focused appreciation!

Time seemed to freeze in the wake of this thunderous strike.

Tang Shaoyi's focused and inquisitive expression froze instantly; he didn't even have time to change his expression.

In the depths of Zhao Lijun's pupils, only a cold glint of light, symbolizing the end, could be seen cleaving through the air.

"puff!"

A dull thud, sharp enough to make your scalp tingle, sounded like a blunt instrument striking thick, soaked wood. The axe blade was deeply embedded between flesh and bone!

Tang Shaoyi's body jolted violently, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer. A faint, short, almost non-existent "uh" sound escaped his throat.

The immense impact caused him to lurch forward, his forehead slamming heavily against the hard, sandalwood edge of the desk with a dull thud.

Blood, not spurting, but gushing out from the terrible wound like an uncontrolled spring, instantly staining his gray hair and dark silk collar red.

A strong, pungent smell of blood instantly filled the air.
The changes came far too quickly!
The smile on Zhao Lijun's face hadn't even completely faded, and the respect on the butler Tang De's face was still frozen.

Xie Zhipan did not pause at all, his eyes as cold and hard as iron.

Instead of pulling out the axe, he used the momentum of Tang Shaoyi's forward fall to suddenly flip and press down with his wrist!
The axe, deeply embedded in his neck bone, was slashed down again with even more ferocious and thorough force!

"Crack!"

This time, it was the clear, crisp sound of bones being forcibly split and crushed!

The axe blade was completely embedded, almost severing the neck!
Tang Shaoyi's body went completely limp, like a sack of grain that had lost its support, sliding down the edge of the desk and falling heavily onto the Persian carpet.

He lay face down, his body twitched slightly, and then remained still.

Crimson blood quickly seeped into the ground beneath him, drawing an intricate and ornate pattern on the carpet.

The antique vase that triggered everything was slightly affected by Tang Shaoyi's tackle on the edge of the desk, causing it to sway and lose its balance.

"Wow!"

A crisp, piercing cracking sound echoed through the deathly silent study!

The so-called "Northern Song Dynasty official kiln" piece instantly disintegrated, turning into countless sharp, bluish-white fragments that scattered around the ever-expanding pool of blood beneath Tang Shaoyi.

"master!"

At the door, the butler, Tang De, finally snapped out of his extreme shock. He was about to call out when Zhao Lijun, who was prepared, covered his mouth from behind.

At that moment, all color drained from his face, leaving only a deathly pale ashes. His cloudy old eyes widened in extreme terror, and his body trembled violently.

The last trace of warmth on Zhao Lijun's face had vanished, replaced by a cold calm.

Zhao Lijun exhaled a soft breath, and with a sudden burst of strength in his hands, a clear sound of bones cracking came from Tang De's neck.

"Crack!" In an instant, Tang De's body slumped down like a lump of mud.

Zhao Lijun didn't even glance at Tang De's corpse; his gaze fell precisely on the body at his feet, which was still twitching slightly.

A thick, pungent smell of blood filled the air, mingling with the original scent of ink and wood from the study, creating an extremely eerie atmosphere.

He calmly looked at Tang Shaoyi's body, the bloodstains on the carpet gradually congealing, his face still bearing the last trace of shock and confusion.

Zhao Lijun's voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through Tang De's desperate sobs and heavy breathing: "Old Tang, don't complain."

He paused, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards almost imperceptibly, forming a cold, emotionless smile: "Boss Dai asked me to give you his regards..."

Tang Shaoyi seemed to understand everything. His lips trembled slightly, but he didn't make a sound. However, Zhao Lijun understood what he meant.

"You are... Military Intelligence Bureau..." On the morning of September 18, 1938.

The news of Tang Shaoyi's assassination was quickly published on the front page of major newspapers in Shanghai.

The consulate's third-floor office.

The heavy curtains shut out everything from the outside world.

On the huge mahogany desk, a specially made leather evidence box was laid out.

In the center of the box lay quietly the murder weapon that had cleaved Tang Shaoyi's head in two—a small axe.

Under the cold light, the fine wood grain of the axe handle was clearly visible, covered with large patches of completely dried and hardened bloodstains and a few tangled strands of hair.

The curled notches on the axe blade silently testify to the terrifying force and cruelty with which flesh and bone were cleaved.

Knock, knock, knock, a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in." Kagesa's voice was terrifyingly low.

"Senior Kagesa," Chen Yang pushed open the office door and bowed respectfully.

"Chen Sang, did you see today's news? I want to know how you arranged Tang Shaoyi's security." Yingzuo suddenly looked up and said, "Why did this happen?"

"Didn't you tell me that the Nanjing Special Service Committee could protect Tang Shaoyi from any harm?"

"How are you going to explain this to me now?"

Chen Yang bowed slightly and said, "I'm sorry, Senior Yingzuo."

"The Southern Transportation Department has been too busy lately, which has slowed down the Empire's progress on the front lines."

"The supply of materials between various departments requires unified planning and coordination by the Southern Transportation Department."

“I have entrusted everything to Director Zuo. I bear an inescapable responsibility for what happened.”

Yingzuo's expression softened slightly: "Chen Sang, I know you have indeed done your best for the Empire."

"However, we cannot neglect the supervision of the Jinling Special Service Committee just because of the Ministry of Transport's affairs."

"You are their direct superior, and you must shoulder the responsibilities of a superior."

"This is a report that was just sent by the Special Higher Police."

"Zhang Zixian, the leader of the group guarding the front gate, has gone missing, and three of his group members have been killed one after another."

"According to their driver, Zhang Zixian saw his woman with a strange man, and after he chased after her, she disappeared."

"Based on the driver's description of the man, Ando from the Special Higher Police Department judged that the man was very likely a Kuomintang agent."

Chen Yang frowned slightly and said, "Senior Yingzuo, could there be some misunderstanding? As far as I know, Zhang Zixian is quite capable."

"Moreover, he was the one who killed Zhang Xiaolin during the previous crackdown in the French Concession."

"Plus his relationship with Director Zuo..."

Yingzuo said in a deep voice, "Enough, none of this may be true. As a special agent, disguise is a required course! I now suspect that Zhang Zixian may be a spy for the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"You're in charge of finding out the truth about this..."

"Hi." Chen Yang bowed slightly, took the report from Yingzuo's hand, and turned to leave the office.

Shanghai, 625 Daxi Road, Jinling Special Service Committee Shanghai Office.

Zuo Mingquan rushed in from outside. As soon as he went up the stairs, he saw Xiao Lin, the duty officer, pacing back and forth in front of the office with a furrowed brow.

Upon seeing Zuo Mingquan appear, Xiao Lin hurriedly went to greet him: "Director, you're finally back."

"Director Chen has been waiting for you inside for a long time. Judging from his expression, something doesn't seem right. Please be careful..."

(End of this chapter)