Mount Putuo Temple.
Inside a secret chamber in the meditation quarters.
Master Yuantong, abbot of Mount Putuo Temple, sat cross-legged on a prayer cushion, his eyes slightly closed as he fingered Buddhist beads.
His true identity was Dazai Daini, a fourth-rank court official of Japan, named Tojo Takeyuki.
Five years ago, acting on orders, Tojo Takeyuki came from Japan to Suzhou. On a dark and windy night, he led men into Mount Putuo Temple, slaughtering the abbot and every monk within.
Afterward, Tojo Takeyuki transformed himself and became the new abbot of Mount Putuo Temple.
The monks in the temple were all disguised personal guards of Tojo Takeyuki.
Tojo Takeyuki was Japan's highest-ranking commander stationed in Suzhou, Great Chu. Mount Putuo Temple was the Japanese pirates' most secret administrative command base in Suzhou.
The Dongsheng Merchant Association, meanwhile, was Japan's espionage branch stationed in Suzhou.
Watanabe, president of the Dongsheng Merchant Association, was a Junior Fifth Rank Nakatsukasa-chōkan of Japan.
At that moment, the mechanism on the secret chamber door sounded, and Watanabe and Naiko entered.
"Lord Dazai!"
Watanabe and Naiko bowed ninety degrees toward Tojo Takeyuki, who sat on the prayer cushion in the abbot's kasaya.
"Sit," Tojo Takeyuki said slowly, slightly opening his eyes.
Watanabe and Naiko knelt and sat on the floor.
"Last night's assassination was a great success. We killed an Imperial Guard Commander of a Hundred, severely weakening the Suzhou Imperial Guard's strength and intimidating those arrogant Imperial Guards of Great Chu!"
A look of approval appeared on Tojo Takeyuki's face as he looked at Watanabe and Naiko. "I will request credit for you from His Majesty the Japanese Emperor."
"Hai! Thank you, Lord Dazai!" Watanabe dipped his head sharply and replied respectfully.
He then raised his head, his face splitting into a savage, smug