Shen Hong reckoned that the people from the Dark Guild should be arriving soon.
With Ye Zong injured this time, the Dark Guild could not possibly let such a good opportunity slip away once word got out.
As was customary, their contact would slip in halfway through the banquet, find a chance to meet him, and confirm when to make their move.
Shen Hong tapped the table twice with his fingers, his gaze sweeping unobtrusively toward the entrance to the banquet hall.
There were twice as many guards at the entrance as usual. Every one of them stood ramrod straight, and their faces were unfamiliar. They were not part of the City Lord's Mansion's regular guard contingent.
Shen Hong slowly rubbed his fingertip around the rim of his cup, the unease within him growing stronger.
Outside the banquet hall, a figure in a short gray tunic was walking toward the City Lord's Mansion. His pace was neither fast nor slow, and he kept his head lowered, looking like a servant sent by some family to deliver a message.
When he reached the entrance, both rows of guards turned sideways at once, crossing their spears to bar his way.
The Guard Captain at their head stepped forward and looked him up and down, his tone probing. "Halt. Unauthorized persons are not permitted inside the City Lord's Mansion. Which family are you from?"
The Gray-Clothed Man raised his head with a respectful smile. "I'm here to see someone-my family patriarch."
The Guard Captain stared at him for a few seconds, then glanced over his clothes.
The fabric was not particularly fine, but it was clean and starched, with no signs of wear at the cuffs. He did not look like an ordinary errand-running servant. The Guard Captain asked again, "Which family?"
The