Ning Zhiheng laughed heartily and pointed at Iwai nosuke, saying, "Iwai-kun, you're very eloquent and pragmatic. I admire people like you. Don't worry, as long as you're willing to work for me, you don't need to worry about your future. I will communicate with General Kagesa and take good care of you. Besides, with my protection, you don't need to worry about retaliation from Kitaoka Ryoko and her people. Also, since you've found Hirayama Jiro's whereabouts, I'll keep the bounty, and maybe even more. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Iwai no Naosuke was overjoyed. He had betrayed Kitaoka Ryoko precisely for that huge bounty! To curry favor with Fujiwara Tomohito! Now that Fujiwara Tomohito had readily agreed, he quickly bowed deeply and repeatedly promised, "Thank you, Chairman. From today onwards, I will completely obey your orders and be utterly loyal."

Ning Zhiheng slowly stood up, walked to Iwai Nosuke, looked at Iwai Nosuke, and said calmly, "Iwai-kun, I believe what you said is sincere and that you are willing to be loyal to me, but you also need to show your value. Kitaoka Ryoko is just a minor character to me. It would be a very simple matter for me to get rid of her. However, her teacher, Lieutenant General Tsuchihara Keiji, is a powerful figure in the Imperial Intelligence Service. I have to be cautious and restrained in my actions. This is where you need to handle it."

Iwai no Naoki raised his head, looking at Ning Zhiheng with some doubt, but when he met Ning Zhiheng's sharp gaze, he dared not utter a word of dissent and hurriedly lowered his head, agreeing, "I will follow your instructions in everything, Chairman, even at the cost of my life!"

Just as Iwai no Nakasuke was pledging allegiance to Ning Zhiheng, a rickshaw pulled up to the side of the road outside a department store near Gordon Road in the International Settlement, weaving through the crowds.

A beautiful woman stepped off the rickshaw and strolled toward the entrance of the department store.

The woman was exquisitely beautiful, with skin as smooth as cream. Her hair was styled in a simple bun, and she wore an elegant white cheongsam with pale blue daisy patterns. The collar, cuffs, and hem were trimmed with delicate white edges. The perfectly fitting design accentuated her figure, and every gesture she made was graceful. She moved with light, graceful steps, her delicate high heels clicking crisply. She was like a beautiful chrysanthemum.

Her appearance drew sidelong glances from passersby. It must be said that even in a metropolis like Shanghai in the Far East, such a beautiful and charming woman is a rare sight.

At this moment, the woman walked a few steps to a car parked on the side of the road, gently knocked on the window, and then opened the back door and got in.

Kota Nakajima, sitting in the car, stared in disbelief at the beautiful woman who had entered. He opened his mouth, and it took him a while to react: "Team leader, what are you doing?"

The beautifully dressed woman was none other than Kitaoka Ryoko. Ever since she received the message from Nakajima Kota, she had dressed up in women's clothing and come to the designated location to meet Nakajima Kota.

However, every time she entered the concession to make contact before, she would disguise herself as a young man just in case. Today, however, she was completely playing herself. Even Nakajima Kota, who had been with her for a long time, rarely saw her dressed like this, so it took him a while to recognize Kitaoka Ryoko.

Kitaoka Ryoko was quite satisfied with Nakajima Kota's reaction, and she asked softly, "Where is the target now?"

Kota Nakajima quickly pointed to the department store and reported, "She's in this department store. We've been watching her for several days, and we finally found her here today. She's been lingering in the department store for half an hour now, and we have people watching her inside."

Who is with her?

"There was a female companion, but she was probably her follower. There were also two bodyguards following behind her, and two bodyguards were left in the car at the door."

Kitaoka Ryoko nodded, took out a vanity mirror from her handbag, carefully examined her makeup, and then nodded in satisfaction. She put the mirror away, turned to Nakajima Kota, and instructed, "I want to make contact with her myself and find out her background. You wait here for my instructions!"

"Yes!" Kota Nakajima nodded in acceptance.

Kitaoka Ryoko got out of the car and walked gracefully towards the department store.