Courtyard House: Reborn in the 1940s, Starting with Killing Japanese Devils

But he remained outwardly calm, saying with admiration, "The Director is brilliant! This move is a double-edged sword, both testing Zhao Heng's loyalty and dealing a heavy blow to the Red Party's underground liaison points."

Dai Li sneered: "Go, but be sure to proceed with caution and do not make any mistakes."

Guan Yongshan accepted the order and left the secret room, but his heart was in turmoil. He knew that this matter was tricky, and that he could offend Zheng Yaoxian if he was not careful.

Instead of taking the initiative yourself, it's better to push this difficult problem onto Fei Zhengpeng and let him play the role of offending people.

The next morning, inside the Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters building.

When Fei Zhengpeng received the task, his brows furrowed, and he cursed inwardly. He saw through Guan Yongshan's intentions at a glance—this was clearly an attempt to shirk responsibility and avoid directly confronting Zheng Yaoxian.

But military orders are absolute, and even though he was extremely unwilling, he had no choice but to accept them.

Fei Zhengpeng took a deep breath, forced a smile, and pushed open the door to Zheng Yaoxian's office: "Sixth Brother, I apologize for disturbing you today, but I have something important to tell you."

Zhao Heng, Zheng Yaoxian's adjutant, stood at the door, observing Fei Zhengpeng's every move without making a sound, taking in every subtle change in his expression.

Zheng Yaoxian, a cigarette dangling from his lips, raised an eyebrow, exhaled a smoke ring, and asked in a calm tone, "Director Fei never comes without a reason. You must have brought the Director's orders today, right?"

Fei Zhengpeng suppressed his dissatisfaction and said in a heavy tone, "Sixth Brother is right. The Director has ordered Zhao Heng to lead the action team to Rongchang Department Store to destroy one of the Red Party's underground transportation stations."

Rongchang Department Store? Zheng Yaoxian's heart tightened—that was the secret stronghold of Yuan Nong, the underground Communist Party member in Chongqing, and he already knew about it through Zhao Heng.

A complex look flashed in his eyes. He slowly stubbed out his cigarette and said thoughtfully, "Director Fei, this matter is of utmost importance. Zhao Heng is still young and prone to impulsive actions. I'm afraid he won't be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility alone."

Fei Zhengpeng knew exactly what was going on, but he just sneered, "Sixth Brother, don't worry, the Director has everything planned out."

Zheng Yaoxian gave Zhao Heng a deep look, secretly calculating: if he directly refused Dai Li's order, it would probably bring him trouble.

He abruptly changed the subject, interrupting Fei Zhengpeng: "How about this, Lao Fei. Zhao Heng is my brother, and the team has a lot of people, so I'm really worried about letting him go alone. Let Song Xiaoan bring his men along, so they can look out for each other."

"If you don't agree, I will go to see the Director in person and explain my concerns."

Standing to the side, Zhao Heng appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil. He knew perfectly well that this was a life-or-death test from Dai Li.

Damn Dai Li, he's so cunning! Zhao Heng gritted his teeth inwardly—he was an underground party member, yet now he was ordered to arrest his own comrades.

Moreover, Yuan Nong is weak-willed. If he is captured and tortured, he might betray Lu Hanqing, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lu Hanqing is Zheng Yaoxian's liaison. If something happens to him, it will implicate the entire underground party organization in the mountain city, and they will face annihilation.

What should he do? Zhao Heng's brain raced.

He has never met Yuan Nong, and Yuan Nong has no idea of ​​his true identity as "Lone Shadow".

It seems there is only one way to save the situation: silence Yuan Nong forever and make him disappear completely.

A resolute glint flashed in Zhao Heng's eyes, but his expression remained calm and composed.

He knew that every step he took at this moment was a matter of life and death, and he had to be extremely careful.

He stepped slightly to the side into the office, came up behind Zheng Yaoxian, bent down close to his ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Sixth Brother, I understand your concerns and thank you for your arrangements. But I must handle this matter personally to ensure everything goes smoothly. As for Song Xiaoan, let him stay by your side in case of any unforeseen circumstances."

After listening, Zheng Yaoxian stared sharply at Zhao Heng, as if trying to find more information in his eyes.

After a moment, he slowly nodded, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips, clearly approving of Zhao Heng's decision: "Alright, since you're so determined, then let's do as you say. Remember, safety is paramount. If you sense anything amiss, retreat immediately and do not linger in battle."

Zhao Heng nodded solemnly, already having a well-thought-out plan in mind.

He turned to face Fei Zhengpeng, his tone calm yet unwavering: "Director Fei, please convey to the Bureau Chief that I, Zhao Heng, will not let him down and will guarantee the successful completion of the mission."

Seeing that things had come to this point, Fei Zhengpeng had no choice but to force a smile and agree, even though he was unwilling.

He then hurriedly took his leave, secretly plotting how to report back to Dai Li, while also secretly rejoicing, feeling that Zhao Heng had courted his own death.

After Fei Zhengpeng left, Zheng Yaoxian beckoned Zhao Heng closer and whispered, "Gu Ying, this operation is extremely dangerous. You have to deal with the resistance from the Red Party and also be wary of the traps Dai Li has set in the dark."

"I will arrange for Zhao Jianzhi to secretly meet and protect you, but in the crucial moment, you will ultimately have to rely on yourself. Remember, no matter what happens, your safety is always the top priority."

A warm feeling welled up in Zhao Heng's heart. He knew perfectly well that in this world of intrigue and betrayal, Zheng Yaoxian was one of the few people he could entrust his heart to.

His expression was solemn, and he nodded slightly, his eyes filled with determination: "Kite, rest assured. Having chosen this path, I have already disregarded life and death. For the faith in my heart, for the ideal I have pursued all my life, I am willing to give my all."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Heng turned and left. In the sunlight, his back was straight and resolute, revealing an unwavering determination.

On the other side, Zheng Yaoxian sat in his office, picked up the red landline, and dialed the number of his subordinate Zhao Jianzhi.

"Hey, Jianzhi. There's something I need your help with, Sixth Brother."

At that moment, Zhao Jianzhi was playing bridge with his brothers when he heard Zheng Yaoxian's voice. He immediately perked up and replied, "Sixth Brother, just give the order! We brothers will go through fire and water for you without hesitation."

Zheng Yaoxian slowed his speech and recounted in detail the events surrounding Fei Zhengpeng's arrival, his tone serious: "Fei Zhengpeng said that this was an order personally given by the Director."

"Zhao Heng is my brother. He saved my life back in Beiping. I don't want anything to happen to him in this mountain city. You understand what I mean."

Zhao Jianzhi was silent for a few seconds, then immediately realized, "Sixth Brother, I understand. You want me to lead the brothers to secretly protect Zhao Heng?"

"That's right. I know Boss Dai's character all too well. He's suspicious by nature and doesn't trust anyone, not even me."

Zheng Yaoxian spoke frankly, without any attempt to conceal his true feelings.

Zhao Jianzhi opened his mouth, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but was momentarily speechless—because what Zheng Yaoxian said was all true. Within the Military Intelligence Bureau, everyone knew that Boss Dai was ruthless, and any so-called trust was as thin as paper.