After Scarface left, Stirling emerged from a nearby alley.

  He strolled in the direction Scarface had taken. He paused now and then to glance at the stalls along the street, like a casual shopper.

  The two walked one after the other through Six Horses District and arrived at a large mansion in Five Pines District.

  Scarface glanced around tensely before entering the courtyard and knocked on the door.

  The gate opened. Scarface chatted briefly with the person who opened it, then stepped inside. A head in a felt hat peeked out from the open gate. It looked around, then hurried to pull back and close the gate.

  Stirling, standing under a tree in the distance, narrowed his eyes a touch.

  Apparently, Scarface had gone to see the real higher-ups of The Gray Spector because of his words.

  Stirling couldn't hear what Scarface was saying in the house. Still, he felt certain that, even if the idol's fragments were real, the Gray Spector wouldn't stash them there.

  After all, statue fragments were valuable to worshippers, but deadly poison to ordinary people. Placing them in a densely populated area would inevitably lead to disaster.

  Indeed, Scarface emerged from the house again soon, followed by a person in a gray robe.

  Stirling thought to himself, observing the figure behind Scarface.

  Judging by the gait, the person was unusual; most likely a samurai at the Skin-Resurfacing Stage. As for the possibility of the Bone-Forging Level, Stirling thought it was negative.

  After all, in the outer city, Bone Forging was already elite level. The Gray Spector was dominant in the outer city, but they wouldn't send a Bon-Forging out at random.

  Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Stirling did not rush to follow. Instead, he moved to another spot to wait. Sure enough, a little later, he saw someone else coming out of the house.

  This person followed two men at a distance, often glancing around; clearly counter-tracking.

  A smile flickered across Stirling's lips. Look, no matter how cunning the wolf, it couldn't escape the hunter's grasp.

  Seeing this tail behind Scarface, Stirling relaxed.

  Counter-tracking usually involves only one tail; too many would arouse suspicion. So, Stirling began his own tracking.

  It was now late afternoon; the streets were bustling with people. Stirling followed right behind and reached a quiet mansion at the edge of town an hour later.

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  This area was the town's agricultural district. It was empty most of the time, except in the mornings.

  The Gray Spector's men arrived at the mansion one by one and went straight in.

  Stirling trailed behind, frowning a bit as he gazed at the mansion ahead.

  If the Gray Spector was, in fact, hiding fragments of the idol, this was most likely the place.

  It was near the city walls and could be reached through a secret underground passage. A perfect spot!

  At that moment, in the mansion.

  Scarface stood in the hall. He had just finished talking to an old man with a sinister expression.

  "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't you trust me to guard these things? I haven't seen a single suspicious person!" The old man scoffed at Scarface's words.

  "Of course, we trust Mr. Mark's work. But better safe than sorry. The deputy commander asked me to bring two skilled men to keep you company for the next few days. Once the new location is available the day after tomorrow, we will transfer the goods right away." Scarface hurried to nod.

  "Heh, alright." Old Mark glanced at the two men standing behind Scarface and sneered but said nothing more.

  Scarface turned to the two men who had followed him and bowed, saying: "We will leave this place to the two of you. I will come to pick up the goods first thing the day after tomorrow."

  The two men shared a glance and nodded at Scarface. They didn't say a word, but it was clear they agreed.

  Seeing this, Scarface looked towards the side rooms at the back of the mansion and asked,

  "Mr. Mark, are those women all right? The higher-ups are pressing for the shipment."

  "Don't worry." Old Mark replied with annoyance.

  Scarface gave a sheepish grin, then he left with a goodbye.

  Stirling waited for a while. Then he saw Scarface come out of the mansion alone, with no one behind him.

  The two thugs who had come with Scarface might have stayed in the mansion. Sure enough, his words had worked; the Gray Spector was now increasing the guard.

  "Now that the location has emerged, I need to make proper preparations."

  Stirling glanced at the sky; it was time to finish his shift. He immediately set off home.

  An hour later, Stirling arrived at the gate of his small house.

  Reflecting on his fruitful day, Stirling couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. If he really had a well-behaved and adorable maidservant at home, life would be wonderful.

  But the maidservant inside wasn't a real maidservant; she was a demoness from the Yearning sect. Besides, she was as powerful as a worshipper at the Refining Viscera Realm!

  Stirling sighed and then knocked on the gate.

  A short while later, a sweet voice came from behind the gate. "Is it the Master returning?"

  Stirling's groin tightened; he had to take a deep breath to force himself to relax, then put on a natural smile. "It's me."

  As the wooden door opened, Stirling saw Lilith standing behind it. She looked cold as ice, completely different from her excited voice a moment earlier.

  "Ah... I'm back." Stirling smiled awkwardly and stepped into the courtyard.

  "What's that you are carrying, Master?" Lilith asked.

  "Clothes I bought. I cannot do without a change of clothes at home." Stirling said, taking down the bundle to open it.

  "I was just asking." Lilith smiled, swiftly becoming her playful self again, and then pulled Stirling inside.

  Once inside, Stirling bowed to Lilith at once, saying,

  "My lady, staying in my little house is really a bit of a hassle. I wonder..."

  Lilith suddenly turned and said leisurely. "With your intelligence, you should have guessed my purpose. Yet, no one came during the day, so I'll have to stay for a few days to continue investigating."

  "Understood, my lady, I will cook for you first." Stirling cursed inwardly, "as expected," but said it with a smile.

  "No need, I've already eaten. By the way, what's those bottles you hid in the woodpile for?" Lilith leaned in close to Stirling and asked in a seductive voice.