The sky darkened. A breeze teased apart the drifting clouds, and a bright moon appeared above the town.
Atop a three-story restaurant outside Moon-Bearing Alley, Pei Xiangjun lay along the roof ridge in night clothes, carefully watching for movement among the buildings. Two long spears wrapped in black cloth lay beside her.
The large, fluffy Niao Niao crouched nearby, hopping back and forth across the houses and watching what happened inside and out so they could rush to each other's aid if anything went wrong.
Ye Jingtang had been inside for a couple of hours. Judging by Niao Niao's signals, everything was normal; barring any surprises, he was waiting for someone.
Pei Xiangjun knew they had found the right place. Moon-Bearing Pavilion was contacting the hidden Prince Wu. She remained utterly focused, watching every rustle of wind and grass around her.
After watching for a long while, she finally spotted movement outside town. In the moonlight, she could see a swift horse galloping along the official road toward the town.
She took out the Telescope and looked beyond the town. A man in a scholar's robe sat on the horse. Upon reaching the outskirts, he launched himself into the air without dismounting, his figure like a roaming hawk as he crossed the uneven ranks of houses at astonishing speed, heading straight for Moon-Bearing Alley.
At this sight, Pei Xiangjun knew Prince Wu had taken the bait and sent someone to negotiate. Once his trusted aide showed himself, Niao Niao could follow the vine to the melon and track him down.
Pei Xiangjun shifted her gaze farther back, intending to see how many people Prince Wu had sent. Instead, she spotted something wrong.
Just as the man in the scholar's robe leaped into town, a black shadow flashed through the hills