Today's thieves' meeting ended hastily.
It wasn't because they had been off work for too long and couldn't immediately get into working mode. Their operation was scheduled for the midnight hour three days later, and it was broad daylight now, so they couldn't determine the details of the night patrols, evening crowds, lit and dark areas, and so on. More importantly, they had to determine where Shang Xuanwen would be resting that night. Without even the target's location, how could they make a plan?
They agreed to meet again at midnight that night, then each slipped away to their rooms. After Yan Qing closed the door, however, he did not immediately remove his mask. Instead, he went over and picked up Bingzi Jiaolin—he had deliberately not worn Bingzi Jiaolin to keep Yaoshi Yuan and the others from coveting it—and waited for a while. Sure enough, a knock soon sounded at the door.
As before, he opened only a crack. His right hand still rested on the hilt of Bingzi Jiaolin as he looked at Shang Xin Lei outside without saying a word.
"Is she all right?" Shang Xin Lei asked.
"Yes."
"Can you tell me where she went?"
"No."
Shang Xin Lei had expected Yan Qing to refuse, so she nodded lightly. She glanced at the Bingzi Jiaolin beneath Yan Qing's hand, seemingly lost in thought, and fell into a long silence.
"If there's nothing else, then—"
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Yan Qing said. "I don't remember doing anything worth thanking me for."
"Thank you for helping my friend." Shang Xin Lei spoke with genuine sincerity. "If you hadn't given Bingzi Jiaolin to her in advance..."
The moment she saw Bingzi Jiaolin, Shang Xin Lei knew that Yellow Dog had learned her true identity.
Since Yan