His whereabouts, aside from the underground party and Shawn Benson, could not possibly be known by anyone else. And whether it was the underground party or Shawn Benson, neither would ever betray him. The only possibility was that he had been spotted by some clueless person. Once he got back, he would definitely have Shawn Benson severely punish the other party.

　　"Comrade Xiao Yang, thank you for your hard work along the way." Howard Clark, lying on the stretcher, said to a young man beside him.

　　This young man was the underground courier Evan Young from the Yangjiawan transit station. After crossing the river at Heilicun, he quickly made contact with the guerrilla forces. Originally, he was planning to go to the base area to find the organization, but his injury forced him to return. This time, he was escorting Howard Clark back to the city.

　　"Compared to you, my hardship is nothing." Evan Young smiled honestly. He was a farmer from Yangjiawan on the west bank of Gujiang. If it weren't for the Japanese, he would still be working his fields at home. But now, he had become a loyal and brave revolutionary fighter.

　　"That's right, Comrade Zhao. I want to be just like you in the future, a courageous revolutionary fighter." On the other side, a young girl, Grace Hale, said.

　　She was a passionate revolutionary who had just started working underground. This time, Howard Clark’s return to the city for treatment was under her care all the way.

　　"You definitely will." Howard Clark said with a smile. Although he was injured, he had become a hero. No matter how thoroughly the organization investigated, suspicion could not fall on him. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, as the saying goes.

　　In Wuhe Village, on the northern side of the east bank of Gujiang, there was an underground party liaison point. Evan Young was very familiar with Wuhe Village. He entered the village under cover of darkness, quickly made contact, and brought Howard Clark and Grace Hale to the liaison point. The stretcher bearers then returned the way they came. The next morning, at dawn, Evan Young pushed a wheelbarrow, taking the disguised Howard Clark into the city.

　　Wuhe Village was north of the Lijiamiao barracks, and to the south was the Japanese residential area in Guxing. Although inspections were strict, the soldiers were easier to fool than the self-defense forces. Evan Young was very experienced and had Howard Clark pretend to be seriously ill. As they entered the city, the Japanese only gave a cursory check before letting them through.

Chapter 8 Discovery

　　After entering the city, Evan Young led Howard Clark and Grace Hale through most of Guxing City. In the afternoon, he finally delivered them safely to a liaison point: the Delicious Restaurant on Zhongxing Road in Yuping District. After handing them over to the restaurant owner, Raymond Shaw, he returned the way he came, leaving only Grace Hale to take care of Howard Clark.

　　"Please feel at home, both of you. If you need anything, let me know at any time." Raymond Shaw, in his forties and dressed in a long gown, looked just like a small business owner. But in reality, he was an experienced underground party member, and this liaison station was entirely run by him.

　　"I need to go out for a bit," Grace Hale said. She needed to contact a doctor to operate on Howard Clark. Before joining the revolution, her family lived in Guxing. Now, she had severed ties with that corrupt family in Guxing. But she still had some connections, so finding a familiar doctor was not a problem.

　　"That won't do. All your actions here must follow my arrangements. From now on, you are my relatives from the countryside." Raymond Shaw stepped forward, blocking Grace Hale's way. He had already received notice and contacted the doctor; the operation for Howard Clark would take place that night.

　　"Comrade Zhao's injury can't wait any longer. If we keep following your arrangements, his life might be at risk," Grace Hale said anxiously. From the time Howard Clark was injured until now, it had already been a day and a night. Every minute of delay increased the danger for Howard Clark.

　　"Young comrade..." Raymond Shaw hurriedly said.

　　"I'm not that young," Grace Hale said loudly, straightening her chest.

　　"When you came, didn't your superior instruct you to follow all my arrangements?" Raymond Shaw said helplessly.

　　"Xiao He, Shopkeeper Xie is right. We should follow his arrangements." Howard Clark was more anxious than anyone, but Raymond Shaw was an old underground party member, and he couldn't risk exposing himself.

　　Hearing Howard Clark say this, Grace Hale immediately pouted and fell silent. In her heart, Howard Clark was a true revolutionary hero. Although Howard Clark was injured, she admired his actions deeply. As long as Howard Clark spoke, she would never talk back.

　　"Settle in and rest. It's very safe here. I'll step out for a bit," Raymond Shaw said.

　　Watson Harris had gone to Heilicun to beg in the morning. He was a beggar, so going to such places wouldn't arouse suspicion. But after making a round in Heilicun, and even checking the wild thatched huts behind the village, he found nothing.

　　The Delicious Restaurant used to be a place where Watson Harris often "stationed" himself. The owner was a good man; if there were leftovers from customers, besides saving some for the staff, he would also give some to beggars like them.

　　In these times, good people like Boss Xie were already rare. Watson Harris thought to himself, it was almost time for the Delicious Restaurant to open for business, but Raymond Shaw was actually hurrying out in a rush.