Just after the hour of the Dragon the next morning, Shen Fei was already waiting in a secluded alley in the west of the city.
Several bundles of dry firewood lay piled in the alley, and waist-high weeds grew along the walls. Few people ever came here, making it a good place to meet.
Tucked inside his robe were the documents he had stayed up copying the night before. They contained leads he had uncovered over the past few months by following the vine to its roots through the Sacred Family's purchasing ledgers: records of grain and fodder losses handled by Adjutant Ma of the City Guard's logistics department.
The fixed monthly times for contact with the Black Market, along with three discrepancies in Demon Crystal expenditures, all nailed down the same conclusion: the adjutant responsible for allocating the entire city's grain and fodder was a nail the Dark Guild had driven into its defense system.
He could not submit this evidence directly to the City Lord's Mansion. His identity was too sensitive. A report from the Sacred Family's eldest legitimate son would only put Shen Hong on his guard, beating the grass and startling the snake.
Giving it to Xiao Ning'er was the best choice. The Winged Dragon Family had close ties with the City Lord's Mansion through their inscription collaboration. Having her pass it to either Nie Li or Ye Zong would be far safer than stepping forward himself.
He did not wait long before soft footsteps sounded at the mouth of the alley. Xiao Ning'er walked in alone, wearing plain casual clothes, her hair simply tied back, with no attendants accompanying her.
When she saw Shen Fei, her steps faltered briefly before she hurried over to him. Her gaze swept both ends of the alley, and only