Once both battlefields had been thoroughly cleared, Xia Kong and his companions returned to Ya Fei's office at the Mittel Auction House.
But tonight, the auction house lacked its usual bustle and noise, and a chill stillness lingered everywhere. Only a few people passed through the corridors, and several side rooms that were usually brightly lit now lay completely dark.
Most of Ya Fei's trusted aides and maids had followed her earlier arrangements, leaving Wutan City one after another to scatter into hiding and await a future reunion. Only a handful of wall lamps lit the spacious front hall. Their dim yellow glow fell across empty counters and shelves, giving rise to a sense of desolation.
They had barely sat down to catch their breath when hurried, disorderly footsteps sounded outside. A trusted aide knocked and entered, his breathing uneven.
"Miss Ya Fei, a new urgent report has arrived from the Imperial Capital."
He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.
"Our people stationed in Black Cloud City have picked up the trail of the man sent by Mittel Headquarters and confirmed his identity-he's Lei Meng's kinsman, Mittel Leijie."
Wutan City was only a small city and was not on any established flying magic beast transport route. Anyone traveling there from the Imperial Capital by flying magic beast first had to land in Black Cloud City. Knowing this, Ya Fei had stationed people there in advance.
But even Ya Fei had not expected Mittel Leijie to be so arrogant. He had made no effort to conceal his identity and had simply come in broad daylight.
Ya Fei's brows drew together slightly. She raised a hand to dismiss the aide, then told Xia Kong everything she knew about Lei Jie.
Lei Jie cultivated lightning attribute Dou Qi and practiced the