If you had to choose an identity to go undercover, you'd choose a gynecologist.

Chen Qing did not go directly to No. 76, but waited at a hotel not far from No. 76.

A lingering, sinister atmosphere permeated No. 76. The incandescent lights on the walls flickered, making the "Pacify the Crimes and Maintain Order" slogans hanging on both sides even more glaring.

Mingcheng, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, ignored the probing gazes of the secret agents along the way and headed straight for Liang Zhongchun's office.

With a creak, the door opened, and Liang Zhongchun was leaning back in his chair, smoking a cigar, with a smuggling ledger spread out on the table.

Seeing Mingcheng enter, he raised his eyelids and a worldly smile appeared on his lips: "Brother Cheng is here. We just caught a big fish in the Red Party. It seems Commander Ming heard about it and came here? Want to share some credit? But unfortunately, that woman Wang Manchun is quick and has taken over the interrogation work. It's no use coming to me."

Mingcheng pulled up a chair and sat down, without any intention of pleasantries: "That Red Party member, did he confess?"

"It's not that easy. The Red Party members are tough nuts to crack and can take a beating. I reckon Wang Manchun won't get any results from this interrogation today."

Mingcheng's tone carried a hint of provocation: "Director Liang is quite composed. But what if those Red Party members can't hold out and spill the beans about their superiors and subordinates? That would be an incredible achievement. If Nantian Yangzi is pleased, not only will she not receive praise, but the position of deputy director of No. 76 will likely fall to Wang Manchun. At that time, Director Liang, you 'old hand,' you might be squeezed out of your position, right?"

Liang Zhongchun's expression changed slightly. The person he feared most was Wang Manchun. The two had been fighting openly and secretly for many years, each wanting to climb the ranks.

He stared at Mingcheng, his eyes becoming wary: "What do you mean, Commander Ming? You want me to help rescue people? That won't do. The Special Higher Police are watching. If Nantian Yangzi finds out, I'll be in deep trouble."

Mingcheng chuckled lightly: "What kind of relationship do we have? Why would I let you do something so risky? Our smuggling business is making a fortune, but if Wang Manchun becomes the deputy director, she's always been arrogant and doesn't get along with us, so this business is probably going to fall through. I came to you for our common interests."

"Common interests?" Liang Zhongchun raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you want me to do? Help me save that Communist Party member?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Tonight, find a way to get someone into that prisoner's cell, do the job, and then send him away. You don't need to worry about anything else."

"Send someone in?" Liang Zhongchun immediately shook his head. "Acheng, you're thinking too simply! Wang Manchun isn't stupid. How could she not know about such a small trick? If they investigate, I won't be able to escape responsibility."

"If they can't find any trace, I guarantee the prisoner will die that very night. If they can't find the cause of death, they'll just say that Wang Manchun tortured him too much and beat him to death. My older brother will step in and make her swallow this bitter pill."

Liang Zhongchun fell silent. He knew Minglou's abilities and was also aware of the benefits that Wang Manchun's downfall would bring him, but the risk was too great. Once exposed, it would mean certain death.

Liang Zhongchun looked at him with a half-smile, his eyes full of suspicion: "Aren't you afraid I'll report you now, saying you're a communist sympathizer?"

Mingcheng didn't say anything, but slowly took out a photo from his pocket and handed it over.

Liang Zhongchun took the photo with a puzzled look, and when he saw the person in the photo clearly, his face turned pale instantly, and the cigar in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

In the photo, his wife and son stand in front of the Presidential Palace in Chongqing, smiling brightly.

"You...you're despicable!" Liang Zhongchun stood up abruptly, his voice trembling with anger, his eyes filled with fear. He hadn't expected that Mingcheng would actually send his family to Chongqing.

"Director Liang, you can't put all your eggs in one basket. I'm not threatening you, I'm paving the way for your future. After this is done, I'll not only guarantee the safety of your family, but I'll also help you get the position of deputy director of No. 76. At that time, won't you be the one calling the shots in No. 76?"

Liang Zhongchun's chest heaved violently, a mixture of anger, fear, and hesitation. He knew he had no choice; Mingcheng had already seized his weakness.

After a long silence, he slowly sat down, picked up his cigar, took a deep drag, and looked up at Mingcheng: "Fine. But you have to tell me, which side are you on? Chongqing or Yan'an?"

"Don't ask so many questions," Mingcheng said calmly. "I can only tell you that if the Japanese are defeated one day, I can ensure your safe landing so you won't end up as a traitor, but rather as a hero."

Liang Zhongchun's eyes hardened: "A gentleman's word is his bond!"

Mingcheng stood up, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his face: "A swift horse, a whip."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door.

Liang Zhongchun watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the photo in his hand and sighed heavily.

He had no choice but to wade into these muddy waters. The power struggle within the 76 was always a matter of life and death, and he had no choice but to take a gamble.

………………

Interrogation Room No. 76.

Wang Manchun gripped a leather whip soaked in salt water, her face twisted with ruthlessness, staring intently at Uncle Li, who was chained to the rack.

"I'll ask you one last time, is Mingjing one of your people? If you nod and identify her, I'll release you immediately and even give you a way out!"

Uncle Li slowly raised his eyes, his gaze as cold as iron, staring back at Wang Manchun without uttering a word.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!" Enraged by the silence, Wang Manchun raised her whip and lashed it down hard. With a crisp "crack," the sound of flesh tearing was clearly audible, and another deep, bone-revealing welt appeared on Uncle Li's shoulder.

She seemed to have gone mad, whipping the leather whip like a windmill, striking Uncle Li again and again, almost making it smoke.

In just half an hour, Uncle Li had been whipped until his skin was torn and bleeding. His original clothes were torn into strips and hung on his body, stained with dark red blood.

But he still stood tall, even though he was in so much pain that his jaw was clenched and cold sweat soaked every inch of his skin, he didn't utter a single word or beg for mercy.

Wang Manchun stopped, panting heavily, and looked at the still silent Uncle Li, her eyes flashing with even more ruthlessness. "Bring me the bamboo skewers!"

The slender bamboo skewer was driven deep into Uncle Li's fingernails. The excruciating pain made him tremble violently all over, and the veins on his forehead throbbed, but he still gritted his teeth and didn't utter a sound.

Immediately afterwards, the tiger bench was brought up, bricks were added to his calves one by one, and the excruciating pain of dislocated bones made his vision go black; chili water mixed with gravel was poured into his throat, burning his internal organs as if they were on fire; a red-hot branding iron was pressed against his chest, sizzling and emitting white smoke, and his flesh was instantly charred; cold electrodes were attached to his body, and the moment the current passed through his body, Uncle Li convulsed and foamed at the mouth, but he kept his mouth tightly shut and did not utter a single word.

Torture instruments were used one after another. The screams, the clanging of instruments, and the burning of flesh mingled together in the interrogation room, creating a horrifying scene.

From noon until nightfall, the heavy rain gradually stopped, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened. Uncle Li was covered in blood, with not a single patch of good skin on his body. His breath was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind. He fainted again and again, only to be woken up by being splashed with cold water. The interrogation continued, but he still did not yield in the slightest.

"Chief, we can't continue the interrogation!" Seeing Uncle Li barely breathing, the subordinate agent couldn't help but step forward to dissuade him. "He's dying. If we continue, he'll really die, and we won't be able to get anything out of him!"

Wang Manchun kicked the torture device next to her hard, her face full of resentment, but she also knew that her subordinate was right.

She glared fiercely at Uncle Li: "Send him to jail! Call a doctor to treat him, don't let him die! Have people guard him in the jail 24 hours a day, I have plenty of time to slowly wear him down!"

After saying that, she threw down the whip, and, reeking of blood and violence, turned and walked out of the interrogation room.

Back in her office, Wang Manchun had just sat down and taken a sip of tea when the door was gently pushed open.

Minglou walked in, carrying a food box, with a gentle smile on his face: "Manchun, I know you've had a long day, so I specially asked my family to make chicken soup. I brought it over to you personally to help you recover."

When Wang Manchun saw Minglou, a subtle feeling of emotion welled up inside her.

She stood up, her voice softening: "Senior brother, you're so kind."

All the anger and exhaustion of the day seemed to find an outlet the moment he saw Minglou.

"In this place, if I don't care about you, who will?" Minglou stepped forward, opened the food box, and a rich aroma of chicken soup wafted out.

He personally ladled a bowl and handed it to Wang Manchun, his eyes gentle. "Drink it while it's hot to nourish yourself. You look so tired."

Wang Manchun took the chicken soup and sipped it slowly. The warmth slid down her throat and into her stomach, and her fatigue seemed to lessen considerably.

After watching her finish her drink, Minglou casually asked, "Any results from today's interrogation of that prisoner?"

When Uncle Li was mentioned, Wang Manchun curled her lip: "No, the Red Party members are very stubborn. We beat them all day, almost to death, and they still wouldn't say a word."

Minglou reached out and took her hand, comforting her, "Don't rush, take your time. Good things come to those who wait. As long as he's alive, we'll eventually get him to talk. Get some rest first, we can interrogate him again tomorrow."

"Hmm!" Wang Manchun nodded, leaning back in her chair and feeling the warmth of Ming Lou's hand.

For some reason, a sudden heat rose in my body, and my cheeks gradually turned red.

Unable to contain her inner turmoil, her face flushed, she looked up at Minglou: "Senior brother, let's go home. We've been busy all day, we're all sweaty and sticky, let's take a shower together."

A fleeting glint of shrewdness flashed in Minglou's eyes, but he quickly regained his gentle smile and gently took her hand: "Okay, whatever you say. Let's go now."

He helped Wang Manchun up, and the two walked out of the office side by side.

………………