July twentieth arrived as scheduled.
The sky was overcast, and the drizzling rain fell without end, like an overturned wine jug in the heavens.
Inside a restaurant in the county town.
Because of the rain, there were not many customers—only two or three tables.
At a window-side table on the second floor.
Zhao Zhi glanced at the rain constantly blown in by the wind, which had soaked half the table.
Why had they chosen a seat by the window?
"Two hours have already passed, yet there is still no sign of Luo Hong. Could he have gone somewhere else?"
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a tall, sturdy build and broad shoulders.
His features were open and upright, his bearing square and imposing.
This man was Xue Qingyi, the chief constable of Linquan County.
Though Xue Qingyi's name contained "Qingyi," he did not care for azure robes. He preferred long ink-black garments, which lent him a somewhat cold and severe air.
Zhu Yunzhen brought over a pot of tea and poured a cup each for Xue Qingyi and Zhao Zhi. Glancing at the rainy haze beyond the window, she said, "Master, judging from Luo Hong's past crimes, the Peng Family is the most likely place. I have also stationed people at Red Sleeve Pavilion and the Wu Family. If Luo Hong had truly gone to Red Sleeve Pavilion or the Wu Family, someone would have already come to report it."
"Then we wait a little longer."
Xue Qingyi said no more and shifted his gaze to Zhao Zhi.
"Lord Zhao, alcohol is unsuitable for today's mission. But Clearwind Tower's Evergreen Spring Tea has a mild flavor and a faint lingering sweetness that never fades. Would Lord Zhao care to try it?"
"Evergreen Spring Tea?"
Zhao Zhi looked at the