Blades of Secrets: The Endless Night

CHAPTER 17

Li Ming and Cheng Xing stood in the office as Wen Zhang walked in.

"I found a fact about the assassins' academy!" He declared proudly, dark eyes sparkling in excitement, "It has been confirmed that all assassins have a tattoo- specifically on their left leg. The location of the academy is still unknown. We searched in an abandoned subway, under the ground but found nothing."

Cheng Xing looked at the floor before looking at Li Ming. Li Ming glanced back at Wen Zhang.

"This could be helpful information. Has the chief been told yet?"

"Yes."

"Wait- just to be sure, are we certain this is reliable information? What if it's wrong, and we go around accosting civilians?"

"I've investigated this for some time now, actually. I've been working on this for a bit, this is a big clue."

Li Ming thanked him, "Thanks for letting us know. Just leave the file on my desk and we can all look further into-"

"Hey, why don't we all go out for lunch? My treat, of course!" Cheng Xing butted in.

"What?" Wen Zhang blinked in confusion

"Seriously Li Ming, have you seen the time? We should eat soon."

Li Ming raised one elegant brow in question, "Cheng Xing it's 10:38, we haven't even hit afternoon yet. We literally just had breakfast." He pointed out.

"Well, I feel hungry," Cheng Xing lied. Wen Zhang raised his eyebrow in slight confusion.

"Sure, I guess I am feeling a bit hungry," Wen Zhang lied, bemused at Cheng Xing's redirection. Why would he-?

"Ahem," Li Ming cut in, "I think we should work on the-"

"It's settled then! I know the perfect place; they make the most amazing pot stickers," Cheng Xing interrupted Li Ming.

They sat at the table. Fen Yuhang walked up to the table giving a glance towards Li Ming and Wen Zhang before glaring at Cheng Xing.

"Yeah, so can we get 2 serves of pot stickers? Do you guys have anything you want to order?" Cheng Xing said shaking off Fen Yuhang's glare. Li Ming and Wen Zhang looked over at each other.

"I'll have whatever," Li Ming said quickly. Fen Yuhang indicated behind him.

Can we have a chat please?!, Fen Yuhang groaned inwardly. Fen Yuhang left the table. Cheng Xing got up.

"I'm going to head to the bathroom."

Cheng Xing headed around the back and Fen Yuhang promptly drags him into the storage room.

Are kidding me! Bringing Li Ming here? I said the restaurant wasn't doing too well but you don't have to do this! And even if I lose my cover job, I'll just go and find another one! Juggling so many things is difficult enough without having to make sure you don't do something stupid."

"That's not important, the important thing is I came to tell you Li Ming is figuring more about Assassin's academy, and I think... he's suspicious of me. He nearly saw my assassins mark on my ankle."

"This is why this was a dumb idea. And, what do you want me to do!? Tell master maybe-"

"-no, he would likely send Ping Heng for back up," Cheng Xing said quickly.

"Well, I mean at this rate I think Ping Heng could get this mission done faster than you."

"I'm trying to get information from Li Ming, not like Ping Heng who always just kills."

"That's your job, to kill."

Silence, there was only the sounds of the noisy kitchen in the background that could be heard. Cheng Xing gritted his teeth.

"I think I had too long of a bathroom break."

Cheng Xing brushed past Fen Yuhang and walked back into the restaurant. There was an awkward silence as Cheng Xing sat down staring at the hot food on the table.

"Oh good, the food's here. Li Ming try this one," Cheng Xing said trying to break the awkwardness and placing the food on his plate.

"The assassins academy location is still unknown. Qiu Lin's body- "

Cheng Xing flinched. He breathed in deeply and looked up at Li Ming.

"Let's eat lunch, don't talk about work."

Li Ming looked closely at Cheng Xing as he started eating.