At this moment, his six senses were incredibly sharp. Through the footsteps and breathing outside the door, he seemed to see a young boy dressed as a servant walk up to the private room, gently knocking a few times on the doorframe.

　　Three long, two short.

　　“He’s out!” Uncle Paul said in a deep voice.

　　Grace Brooks opened his eyes, his gaze razor-sharp!

Chapter 7: The Wharf

　　When a fifty-year-old man gets riled up, it’s like an old house catching fire—there’s simply no saving it...

　　At the imperial envoy’s residence, Raymond Carter had been restless since morning, as if he’d become a lovesick youth, feeling as though time itself had frozen, unable to wait for the hour he’d arranged to meet his beloved.

　　He seemed to hear, outside the residence on West Lake, the plaintive and alluring zither music of Miss Qianqian, expressing her longing for him.

　　He endured until noon, but even a lavish meal costing tens of thousands tasted like wax in his mouth. After lunch, the old fellow finally couldn’t hold back and said to his nephew who had accompanied him, “Unbroken, today is the March Festival, and since there’s nothing pressing, why don’t we go out for a stroll?”

　　The man called Victor Carter, in his thirties, thin and sickly-looking, coughed twice at these words and said, “Second Uncle, with important matters at hand, you must restrain yourself.”

　　“Haven’t I restrained myself enough?!” Raymond Carter was now truly fired up, shouting, “I’ve been out of the capital for over a month, haven’t touched a drop of wine or gone near any women, and now I can’t even go out for some fresh air?”

　　“Please calm down, Second Uncle.” Victor Carter saw his uncle’s flushed face and felt a pang of sympathy, knowing he really had been pent up for too long. And as the younger generation, he couldn’t be too harsh. Thinking this, Victor Carter sighed and said, “Take more guards, don’t drink, and come back early.”

　　Raymond Carter was overjoyed, but then grew a bit uneasy and asked, “You’re not going to report this to the family head, are you?”

　　“Just this once,” Victor Carter couldn’t help but smile wryly. “But only if nothing happens.”

　　“Thank you, thank you!” Raymond Carter acted as if he’d been granted amnesty, and even feigned politeness, “Care to join me?”

　　“I wouldn’t dare disturb Second Uncle’s pleasure.” Victor Carter politely declined.

　　……

　　Raymond Carter returned to his room, where his attendant quickly helped him change clothes, fawning, “Master, everything is arranged. Miss Qianqian has been waiting for you since morning.”

　　“Mm.” Raymond Carter nodded in satisfaction and said in a low voice, “Be sure not to reveal my identity…”

　　“Don’t worry, Master. Over there, they only think you’re a wealthy guest who spends lavishly,” the attendant said with a smile. “There won’t be any problems.”

　　“Heh, feels like I’m sneaking around like a thief!” Raymond Carter looked at his seemingly dignified reflection in the mirror and sighed self-mockingly, “My nephew takes the family head’s words far too seriously!”

　　The attendant dared not respond, and after hanging the jade pendant for Raymond Carter, helped him put on his shoes and head out. Several Carter clan guards in plain clothes were already waiting by the carriage. The leader saluted and said, “We are here by order to accompany Second Master.”

　　“Hmph, meddlesome.” Raymond Carter knew this was Victor Carter’s arrangement, but only grumbled and went along.

　　The carriage left the residence, and the government soldiers didn’t dare question them, quickly removing the barricades and respectfully seeing them off.

　　The Carter clan servant driving the carriage arrogantly ordered, “We’re on official business. No one is to follow.”

　　William Brooks had planned to follow with his men, but had to give up when he heard this.

　　The carriage made a loop through the city before stopping at Flower Harbor on the east bank of West Lake. The group then transferred to a pleasure boat, which took them to a double-decker painted barge anchored in the middle of the lake.

　　……

　　Meanwhile, at the Wulinmen Wharf, the dark-faced man called Goblin, dressed as a laborer, was sitting at a tea stall, drinking a big bowl of coarse tea while casually scanning the passersby on the dock.

　　The White Ape Society always operated with meticulous caution, and this time was no exception. Besides Goblin, there were more than a dozen other assassins on the dock disguised as various people, each with clear roles and moving covertly. Since morning, they had silently checked every boat moored at the dock. Not a single person on any boat escaped their scrutiny...

　　Though the sun was already slanting west and most of the day had been fruitless, there wasn’t a trace of impatience on Goblin’s face. In their line of work, patience was even more important than courage. He had once staked out a target for half a year. Half a day was nothing to him.

　　At that moment, another passenger boat docked. The laborers on the wharf, not waiting for the gangplank to be lowered, jumped aboard to compete for the chance to carry luggage for the travelers. The assassin assigned to watch this boat also boarded, and immediately spotted the target!

　　The bearded man with a black eye patch stood out among the passengers!

　　But the assassin didn’t act rashly. He just kept his eyes on the one-eyed man and signaled his companions on shore.

　　Goblin saw the signal and remained calmly seated at the tea stall, only using his gaze to instruct his men to get ready!

　　The one-eyed man looked fierce and carried only a small bundle, so the laborers didn’t dare pester him. But as soon as he got off the boat, several attendants dressed as inn servants surrounded him, eagerly asking, “Sir, looking for a place to stay?”

　　“No.” The one-eyed man rasped, striding forward, trying to shake off these annoying flies.

　　But one persistent attendant followed, chattering behind him, “Sir, our Great Fortune Inn is right by West Lake, with a beautiful environment and excellent food…”