Zheng Hui and Han Anbo listened quietly to the end, shook their heads, paid, and left the tavern.
After a few steps, Zheng Hui suddenly said in a low voice, "His Majesty is so wise. How did the realm fall into such chaos? Can the court no longer tolerate even Chief Minister Zhao? Last time, I heard someone say that Chief Minister Zhao, a mighty First Rank expert, had grown so thin. Ah..."
Han Anbo said nothing.
"Do you think Qingxian can pull it off?"
"Ever since he became a Fate Arts Master, he's succeeded at everything he's done," Han Anbo said.
"Yes, thank goodness he knows Fate Arts..."
Suddenly, an odd birdcall sounded nearby.
Han Anbo's expression shifted slightly. "Captain Zheng, please head back first. I have something to attend to."
Zheng Hui chuckled. "Go about your business."
Watching Han Anbo walk away, Zheng Hui sighed.
"It's good to keep busy... His Majesty is wise. Things will get better. They will..."
Compared with his days in the Night Guard a few years ago, Zheng Hui seemed to have an invisible burden strapped to his back, weighing his shoulders down three inches.
Han Anbo took one turn after another, constantly looking around. Once he was sure no one was tailing him, he slipped into an alley, entered a communal courtyard, and then walked into a pitch-black room.
"What happened?"
"Yan Shixiao is dead."
"How could that be? Wasn't he Eunuch Lu's acknowledged godson?"
"No one knows how he died. There were only rumors from the palace that someone was investigating him. By coincidence, Director Lu had barely returned when he died."
"Lu Han..."
"Yan Shixiao had close ties to Zhou Chunfeng. We thought this was serious, so we hurried to inform you."
"I understand. Arrange passage for me on a