As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lin Ming and the other two had already left the Wind Tower. Yaya and Yuhan He were brimming with energy, while Lin Ming looked utterly listless.

"Tch, it's just a sunset! Back in my prime, I could punch a dozen of these into dust. What's so special about it?" Lin Ming muttered under his breath behind Yuhan He.

"Senior, what did you say?" Yuhan He heard the whisper behind her, narrowed her eyes, and turned to Lin Ming.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Lin Ming replied carelessly, covering his head with his hands.

Yuhan He shot him a suspicious glance, then turned to Yaya. "Yaya, we'll walk you home now. Show us the way!"

"Okay, Sister!" Yaya chirped, stepping ahead to lead.

Lin Ming and Yuhan He followed Yaya forward, unaware that in a shadowed corner, several figures watched them.

A Black Cloaked Figure materialized silently beside the watchers. They ignored her completely, chattering among themselves. The lead Baldy addressed his two companions: "You're sure about what you just said? That beautiful Woman casually gave a storage-type wallet to that kid?"

Beside him, a weaselly youth with buck teeth and shifty eyes piped up: "Baldy, you know my sharp eyes! Under the boss, the pickings are too slim—we need side gigs to survive!"

"Exactly! Ever since the Bear Butcher vanished from the Slum District, the boss has no rivals. He's raking in more cash but still so stingy!" added another with a green mohawk.

"Hey! Shut it, both of you. Those three are moving—follow them!" Baldy ordered the weasel and the mohawked youth.

The trio crept after Lin Ming's group with careful steps.

The Black Cloaked Figure watched the trackers with amusement, a smile playing on her lips. "Interesting—someone's targeting them. But these three are weak. They need a little gift to make this fun."

She raised her left hand. Three wisps of Dark Demon Qi swirled into existence. With a soft puff, they flew toward the trackers and seeped into their heads.

"These wisps will let you briefly unleash C-Class power. Perform well now—it was troublesome to prepare." Her eyes glinted coldly beneath her hood. "I hope you enjoy this appetizer, Lin Ming."

...

After turning into a narrow alley behind Yaya, Lin Ming and Yuhan He wound through twisting paths. Yuhan He frowned. "Yaya, where exactly is your home? It feels like we've left the city center!"

"Sister, Yaya lives in the Slum District on the west side!" Yaya called back, puzzled by the question.

"The Slum District?!" Yuhan He blinked in shock. She'd never imagined such a place existed.

Every city had its dual nature. In Wind City, wealthy nobles resided near the City Lord's Mansion in the central Noble District. Ordinary citizens lived in the relatively prosperous east district—the city's main entrance. The deepest west, however, was the Slum District.

Lin Ming's eyes gleamed. This was where his mission could begin. If a noble vanished, chaos would erupt—the Alliance's task wouldn't be so quiet. The missing must be commoners or slum dwellers. Poverty bred all kinds: pimps, thieves, bandits. Who'd choose this if they had money? The Slum District overflowed with desperate people and rumors—perfect for intel. (Except for kids like Yaya.)

"Why does Wind City even have a Slum District?" Yuhan He asked, confused.

"Sister, Yaya doesn't know! But I think it's been here since Wind City was founded," Yaya replied vaguely from ahead.

"Senior, do you know why?" Yuhan He turned to Lin Ming.

A faint, mocking smile touched Lin Ming's handsome face. "Of course. Anyone with half a brain knows."

"Hey! Are you calling me stupid?!" Yuhan He puffed out her cheeks, hands on her hips.

"The dark side of society isn't for you yet. Stay as you are. Don't worry about the rest." Lin Ming patted her head instinctively, seeing her scowl.

"Eh?!" Yuhan He froze, stunned by the intimate gesture.

"You're still too young to understand some things." Lin Ming walked ahead after Yaya, his words drifting back.

"You're only a year older than me! Don't act like some grandpa, hmph!" Yuhan He snapped out of her daze, face flushed. She stomped her foot and chased after him.

Ahead, Lin Ming sighed, glancing at the hand that had patted her head. "This habit just won't die..."

... (Half an hour later)

Lin Ming and Yuhan He had followed Yaya for nearly thirty minutes. The alleyways grew narrower, the houses more dilapidated. Trash littered the ground, thickening the stench of decay. Rats scurried past occasionally.

Yuhan He wrinkled her nose. She carefully hopped over a pile of garbage and approached Yaya. "Yaya, do you always walk this route home?"

"Nope! My usual path has way less trash. I'm taking a shortcut today since it's late," Yaya explained, turning back.

"Way less? So there's still some!" Yuhan He murmured.

Lin Ming scanned the alley walls. Windows dotted the structures at intervals—homes, he guessed. Some windows held watchers, drawn by their conspicuous clothes.

*Crack.*

Lin Ming's ear twitched. A playful smirk curled his lips. "Three chickens. Persistent little pests. Did you really think I hadn't noticed you tailing us this long? Robbery? How amateurish."

"Senior, should we report the Slum District to the City Lord today?" Yuhan He asked sternly, arms crossed.

"Sigh... We'll discuss it later," Lin Ming groaned, rubbing his temples. *Missy! Why dwell on this now? Your expression screams you haven't sensed the trackers. You're a Rank B Mage—how could you miss them?*

"Junior, haven't you sensed anything?" Lin Ming couldn't help but ask.

"Yes!"