A manor about twenty li from the city served as an intelligence outpost for the Great Jin Empire in Li City. It had always kept a low profile.
One of the manor's halls was decorated quite simply.
"My lord! My lord! We have news!" The Middle-aged Man in Black Robe burst into the hall, flinging the door open, his face alight with excitement.
"Guo Liu, haven't I told you? Knock before entering my room." The sinister young man practicing his blade inside the hall sheathed it with a swift shing.
He turned and looked coldly at the Middle-aged Man in Black Robe.
At the sight of him, a flicker of fear crossed the Middle-aged Man in Black Robe's eyes. He quickly lowered his head. "My lord, I won't do it again."
The Middle-aged Man in Black Robe felt rather aggrieved, too.
This hall had originally been his own quarters, and he had grown accustomed to barging in without knocking.
"I hope there won't be a next time." The sinister young man's voice was icy. "Speak. What news do you have this time?"
"It concerns Wu Yuan." The Middle-aged Man in Black Robe finally relaxed and hurriedly continued, "The informant I planted just learned something from within the Wu Clan. They've just rented a large boat. It won't be carrying cargo; it's a passenger vessel."
"A passenger vessel?" The sinister young man's gaze sharpened. "Where's it going?"
"South Dream." The Middle-aged Man in Black Robe said, "I sent someone to confirm it with the boat's owner. In the next day or two, it'll set off downstream, entering the Nanyun Canal from the South Dragon River, then crossing the Wanqu Marsh to reach Nanmeng Prefecture City."
"Wu Yuan?" the sinister young man murmured.
"Most likely." The Middle-aged Man in Black Robe nodded.