Night had fallen.
A figure gently pushed open the window of the Ninth Squad's small building at the Ministry of Justice, then slid lightly down from the second floor and landed on the edge of the first-floor eaves.
The eaves were barely a palm's width wide, yet not a sound came from beneath his feet.
The night was hazy. Moonlight was blocked by the mist, and all of Tanyang lay shrouded in fog.
The figure hurried to the edge of the eaves, crouched, gripped the rim, then swung himself down like a pendulum and landed easily on the ground.
But the moment he landed, a faint sound came from another small building opposite the Ninth Squad's building.
"Who's there!?"
A burly figure flung open a window and pounced out, a broad-bladed saber in hand as he swept his gaze around.
The figure in the darkness immediately stopped and raised his hands.
"It's me, Zhang Ying from the Ninth Squad. Sir Xu!"
Zhang Rongfang sighed helplessly inwardly. He had not expected that, despite being as careful as possible, he had still been discovered.
"Zhang Ying?" The saber-wielding figure stepped closer. Only by the faint lantern light at night did he see clearly that it truly was Zhang Ying.
"What are you sneaking out for this late at night?" He looked utterly speechless. "Don't you know there are changing guard shifts and night watches?"
"Uh... I have something to do. During the day... during the day wouldn't be convenient." Zhang Rongfang deliberately lowered his voice.
"You brat..." Sir Xu's full name was Xu Kai. He remained stationed at the Ministry of Justice every day. The guard squad he led was the First Squad, ranked first.
The First Squad did not participate in outside patrols. They only defended the Ministry of Justice headquarters,