Chapter Thirty-One: The Meeting in the Shadows

  The nights in Tiel's land are always earlier and colder than in other places of the Jade Kingdom, so that except for the patrolling guards, there will be no one else in Tiel town as soon as night falls.

  However, compared with other nights, there are many more patrol guards in Tiel Town tonight.

  Because a murder had just occurred in this normally peaceful town - although the identity of the victim had not been confirmed, the case was linked to the respected tax official Mold; so tonight's patrol guards were doubled from two teams to four.

  The patrol guards had almost doubled, scrutinizing suspicious individuals or objects closely.

  In fact, such a search began when the tax official called the guards; only from afternoon till dark, there was no actual gain - neither the real murderer nor the local thieves' union people were found by the tax official.

  On the contrary, after a long search, even the most focused guards couldn't help but lose their concentration.

  It's not that they are not diligent enough, it's just that fatigue has set in, and they can't help but be like this.

  In this night patrol, many of the guards had participated in the search that afternoon, so at this time, on this cold and windy night, they could barely keep their eyes open, following their companions in front of them, so as not to fall behind, and looking forward to returning to the sentry post, close to the warm brazier.

  So, it can be imagined that these patrol guards who have doubled in number actually play a big role.

  However, Dean, who was walking around the town of Tyl, didn't mind at all and was even grateful for the tax officer's intentional or unintentional 'guidance' that afternoon - Dean was on the second floor of the "Snow Bear House", looking through the window at everything the tax officer did.

  It's clear that the other side wants to eliminate all the thieves who have already laid hands on them but didn't divide the spoils equally for their own safety.

  Dyne's setup had paid off.

  However, those local thieves absolutely had keen ears and a sense of crisis, and they all ran away before the other side made a move.

  Both sides will definitely have a fierce battle.

  Deane was convinced of the Thieves' Guild's revenge, and also believed in the tax official's ruthlessness - and he must have been involved in it to make the latter die again.

  But that's for later, now Dean was just grateful that if it wasn't for the fatigue, he wouldn't have been able to pass through Tyltown so easily, and would have had to exert himself.

  Compared to the 'dedication' of Captain Mark in Hornburg, the guards in Tiller Town, although there is no outstanding leader, their individual strength is absolutely not comparable to a 'security officer' who stays in the safe area; It's worth noting that every year when fighting against bandits and thieves deep in the snowy forest, apart from the Knights, these guards are also one of the main forces.

  Fighting with bandits and outlaws is absolutely a hovering between life and death, only needing to survive for several consecutive years, even if you were an ordinary person at first, you will eventually become a qualified soldier.

  And undoubtedly, there were many such soldiers in Tiel town.

  So in the previous plan, Dean had never neglected these guards; it's just that an unexpected 'accident' made him temporarily put them aside.

  In a gust of icy wind, Dean took advantage of the swaying flames in the fire pit and slipped through the fence on one side of the gate of Tiel Town.

  Then he ran towards the agreed place.

  There is a dense forest about two kilometers from the town of Tyr - this is a secret place that Dean found near Tyr, originally as a backup hiding place.

  But now it's also a good choice for meeting with those high-end spies.

  After all, as the 'spy chief' who took over Wobang County, he had to show his 'ability'.

  Although as sleeper agents, spies of various countries are undoubtedly the most loyal group of people, but as long as they are human, there will be struggles.

  And in order to have a group of loyal and hardworking subordinates, Dean must make the other party convinced and willing, even if he is more willing to get rid of them all in his heart.

  After all, he, who is now 'thin in power', cannot abandon a 'power' that encompasses the entire Wobang County and has a complete intelligence network.

  Dean, who arrived almost half an hour earlier than the agreed time, had time to check this location he had chosen again - confirmed that no one had come ahead of time and there was no ambush. After that, Dean found a sheltered corner in the shade and waited quietly for his meeting with himself.

  What if the other party didn't see it and won't come?

  Such an assumption does not exist at all.

  As a spy for Highgarden, Dean believed that the other party had sufficient professional skills. 'Snow Bear House' as the only inn in Tir Town, as a spy for Highgarden, there was no reason not to keep a close eye on it.

  Once they focus on it, they will inevitably discover it.

  Once found, they will definitely come back.

  As a spy, the rewards may not be very high, but the punishment is absolutely severe enough.

  And each organization has its own punishment measures for its spy members, making them obey and dare not resist.

  Maybe it's family, maybe it's hatred.

  But either way, Dean knew one of them would be very effective.

  This time is no exception——

  With about ten minutes to go before the agreed time, a black shadow had already appeared in Dean's line of sight; the other party's speed was not fast, but it was careful enough, and every step of the way would be carefully observed, and on one side of the opponent's waist, although the opponent had hidden it, the shape of the hand crossbow could not deceive Dean.

  At such a close distance, Tiel drew his rare hand crossbow, and with the two added together, the other's identity was clearly about to be revealed.

  However, Dean didn't rush out anxiously, but instead quietly waited for the other person's approach.

  His past experiences as a spy and scout told Dean that while he may not be better than others in other aspects, his patience must be better than anyone else's.

  The other party did not discover Dean hiding in the corner.

  It's not that the other party is careless, but Dean chose this place, which is the easiest to overlook - because when you glance over, it's just a pile of stones.

  What about the person hiding inside?

  If you don't go all the way up front, you won't be able to find it at all.

  Ten minutes passed quickly and arrived at the agreed time point, the other party was not in a hurry, but quietly waiting, similarly, Dean hiding in the dark would not be anxious.

  Both sides are like comparing patience, one standing in the light and the other hiding in the dark.

  Time exceeded ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes...

  It wasn't until an hour later that the person standing in the bright area finally couldn't bear it anymore, and he opened his mouth to shout: "Sir, have you arrived?"

  Hoo... Hoo... Hoo...

  The sound of the cold wind blowing by quickly drowned out the words, as if no one had spoken at all.

  "Have you arrived, sir?"

  The other side shouted again.

  "Here I come!"

  "This time Dean answered, but before the other party could react, Dean said extremely quickly: 'Just stand there, don't move, don't turn around - I don't want any misunderstandings between us, you know... what you have, I also have!'"

  Upon hearing Dean's words with ulterior motives, the other party's body stiffened and forcibly restrained the urge to turn around, standing in place and saying: "Sir, your cautiousness has been heard by me for some time, however... we need to confirm each other's identities!"

  "Don't you think that's something you should have done first?" Dean said with a low chuckle, "Remember, I'm reminding you again, I don't want any misunderstandings... so spare me the probing questions - being able to ask you out is proof enough of my credibility!"

  "Of course!"

  The other party replied while making some gestures.

  But seeing these gestures, Dean's heart secretly sneered - these gestures were high-level spy signals, absolutely no mistake, this was something Dean himself could confirm.

  But this is exactly where the problem lies.

  Although these gestures are somewhat secretive, they are by no means top-secret; some of the most powerful dark forces know their meaning. Using such a potentially known gesture to confirm identity is obviously... a test.

  As for this, it is naturally unavoidable as a spy.

  As for Dean's previous words?

  How can someone who believes in such words possibly become a spy?

  However, some necessary means are still indispensable ——

  Ah!

  Whoosh!

  A loud twang, the arrow shot from the crossbow grazed the opponent's knee joint and shot into the ground in front of him. Even the hard frozen soil was penetrated more than halfway by the powerful arrow.

  "I hope this is the first and last time!"

  Dean's gloomy voice became even more somber, expressing his displeasure.

  "Alright, sir!"

  The other party was not intimidated at all. On the contrary, there was an extra hint of relaxation in their conversation with Dean, apparently Dean's approach had earned him a bit more trust.

  And with the words, a copper-colored Conquest coin appeared between his fingers, held up by his index and middle fingers to shoulder height, making it clearer for Dean to see.

  "You can turn around now... but slowly... good, a bit slower, I don't want us to cause any trouble!"

  Seeing the copper Conquest King coin between his opponent's fingers, Dean's heart moved and he immediately took out the gold Conquest King coin, pinched it between his fingers, and let the turning opponent see clearly.

  Obviously, after seeing the coin, the other party completely relaxed and bowed down to salute the person in front of him who was blocking his way: "Snow Song One, I've seen you, sir!"

  "Hmm!"

  Dean nodded silently, meanwhile, re-examining the words in his mind - although he already had a draft, it was not easy to find a suitable reason, even for Dean, some 'excuse' was needed, otherwise, the spies would not go to die for nothing.

  Just as Dean was about to persuade him with the excuse that "Mold found out his own secret, must be silenced" which would lower his self-esteem.

  The spy codenamed 'Snow Pine One' suddenly said: "That tax officer in Tiel Town wants to join us!"

  At this moment, Dean was stunned.

  The third update of PS is here~~~ This is an additional update recommended at 3000, and another one will be added when it reaches 4000~~~ During the new book period, I'll be rolling around in collections and recommendations~~~