Three days later, in E Country's temperate maritime climate, the sky always carried a gray cast, its thin sunlight seeming liable to fade at any moment. By three or four in the afternoon, the streets had already sunk into the dim yellow glow of the lamps.
A discreet, all-black car stopped at a street corner. Xu Gong stepped out in formal attire. Her looks were ordinary, but she had a commanding presence. For once, she let it show in full, concealing none of her edge.
Several people in plain clothes followed behind her.
Walking over rain-soaked paving stones through one of E Country's old residential streets, she encountered Lü Yating, who had also come to discuss matters here.
Lü Yating wore a thick beige trench coat and high-heeled boots, her long hair loose and her hands tucked into her pockets. Two or three people in formal attire surrounded her as well.
They exchanged a glance and fell into step beside each other without a word.
Xu Gong asked her, "Are you here representing the Instance?"
Lü Yating shook her head. "There's some connection to the Instance, but I'm mainly representing the Peace Faction. I'm its representative in O Country, which is its main stronghold, so you could also say I'm here on behalf of the entire Peace Faction. What about you, Miss Xu?"
Xu Gong's expression remained unchanged as she said evenly, "Following my mother's wishes, I've come on behalf of the Reactionaries to discuss a ceasefire with everyone. Also, weren't you with the Instance? Why are you representing the Peace Faction?"
Lü Yating smiled, her expression natural and gentle. "I have my own channels and connections, of course. As I said, I joined the Instance to obtain more information. Now that the world is in turmoil, joining the Peace