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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Feng crouched low, weaving through the intricate alleyways until the cacophony behind him was completely blocked by the towering brick walls. He finally found a secluded corner, piled high with old, discarded items that exuded a damp, decaying odor—an excellent refuge that allowed him to calm his mind and study the life-or-death note in his hand.
Dim yellow light struggled to filter through the gaps, illuminating his sweaty yet focused face. The note was densely packed with information from the Wang Wei Secret Service Agency regarding recent recruitment. It detailed various positions, requirements, and some brief background information. Lin Feng's eyes darted across the words as his mind raced, analyzing the pros and cons and potential opportunities within.
"Confidential Secretary," required proficiency in both Japanese and Chinese, familiarity with case handling; "Intelligence Analyst," skilled at unraveling complex information with a background in military and political knowledge—these phrases danced before his eyes. Lin Feng calculated silently; the position of Confidential Secretary might grant access to core secrets, but competition would undoubtedly be fierce. The Intelligence Analyst role, while specialized, could lead to uncovering more valuable intelligence once selected.
Just as he pondered further, a piercing broadcast from the street shattered the brief silence like a flash of lightning. A mechanical, cold voice in Japanese mixed with garbled Chinese echoed through the streets: "Attention all citizens! A citywide inspection of foreign residents is underway. Please report to designated locations for registration within two hours. Failure to comply will result in severe punishment!"
Lin Feng's brow furrowed instantly as he cursed inwardly. This sudden inspection posed yet another formidable obstacle before he could infiltrate Wang Wei. He understood well that this move by the Rijun was aimed at rooting out hidden anti-Japanese forces while simultaneously demonstrating their authority over the populace. Any negligence could plunge him into an irretrievable abyss.
He quickly folded the note and tucked it into a hidden compartment in his shoe—his only lifeline that must not be compromised. Next, Lin Feng began assessing his appearance, contemplating how to respond. His slightly tattered clothing, though soiled from earlier chaos, still bore an air of someone not merely a common laborer. If he recklessly approached the Registration Point now, it would surely raise suspicions.
Looking around, Lin Feng spotted a small clothing shop nearby with a sign hanging precariously—a clear indication of poor business. He hurried over and deliberately stepped into a muddy puddle outside to make himself appear more disheveled.
Inside the shop, the owner was lethargically slumped over the counter. Upon seeing a customer enter, a flicker of barely perceptible surprise crossed his face. Lin Feng spoke in a stiff local accent: "Boss, find me the most ragged clothes you have—something that can keep out the wind and rain." The owner looked puzzled but didn’t ask further questions as he turned to rummage through a pile of stock.
Before long, he produced a set of patched-up garments that smelled musty and handed them over: "This will do; I’ll sell it to you cheap." Without hesitation, Lin Feng paid for them and then found an old straw hat in the shop to wear, pulling it low to cover most of his face.
With everything prepared, Lin Feng made his way toward the designated Registration Point. Along the way, he noticed many people rushing about with anxious expressions—an elderly man quietly weeping while children clung tightly to their parents' clothing, fear evident in their eyes. This scene ignited a fire of anger within him, but he had to suppress it; at this moment, he needed to blend into the crowd as inconspicuously as possible to evade detection.
The Registration Point was set up in a schoolyard surrounded by armed Japanese Puppet Army soldiers on high alert. People formed long lines that moved slowly forward, each face etched with helplessness and fear. Lin Feng quietly took his place at the end of the line, keeping his head slightly bowed while remaining vigilant about his surroundings.
As the line progressed and it seemed Lin Feng's turn was imminent, a sudden commotion erupted ahead. An elderly man had panicked during questioning due to his inability to understand Japanese and made mistakes that led him to be deemed suspicious by the Japanese Puppet Army soldiers who were ready to take him away. His family knelt down pleadingly as chaos ensued.
Lin Feng's mind raced with an idea. Seizing the moment of confusion, he slipped out of line and pretended to step forward to help mediate. Speaking in broken Japanese mixed with local dialects, he loudly addressed the soldiers: "Taijun! This old man is just confused due to his age; he's just an ordinary citizen—not any anti-Japanese element! Please show mercy and let him go."
The soldiers were taken aback by this unexpected intervention; their leader turned to scrutinize Lin Feng with suspicion in his eyes: "Who are you? Why are you so eager?"
Lin Feng quickly removed his hat and bowed deeply: "Taijun! I'm just a laborer trying my best; I felt sorry for this old man and wanted to say something on his behalf." As he spoke, he pulled out a few coins from his pocket and offered them to the False Military Leader: "Taijun! Just a small token; please use it for your cigarettes."
The False Military Leader hesitated for a moment as he glanced at the coins in hand and then back at Lin Feng’s humble demeanor before finally waving his hand dismissively: "Fine then; on your account, let him go."
Lin Feng felt elated inside but maintained an outward appearance of gratitude as he repeatedly thanked them. He then returned to line up and successfully completed his registration.
After leaving the Registration Point, Lin Feng knew this was only a temporary reprieve from danger. He had to quicken his pace and utilize the information on that note to infiltrate Wang Wei Secret Service Agency as soon as possible—to gather more crucial intelligence for their organization during these dark times and illuminate hope for brighter days ahead. With each determined step toward where Wang Wei Secret Service Agency was recruiting mentioned on the note, despite the thorny path ahead, there was an unwavering resolve reflected in his eyes.
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