第67章 第67章

**Chapter 67: "The Hidden Agenda"**

As I took a long drag on my cigarette, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched. The rain-soaked streets seemed to amplify the sensation, making every creak of the awning sound like a warning. I flicked the cigarette butt into the gutter and checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Night was wearing thin, and I knew I had to get moving.

Just as I was about to disappear into the shadows, a black sedan pulled up to the curb. The tinted windows reflected the neon lights, making it impossible to see who was inside. I instinctively reached for my gun, my heart racing in anticipation. The driver's-side door swung open, and a figure emerged, shaking the rain off their coat.

Lin Xi, my contact, was a master of subtlety. Her expression was as calm as a still pond, but I knew better. She was a chess player, always thinking several moves ahead. "Xin," she said, her voice low and husky, "I have news."

I nodded, my eyes locked onto hers. "What kind of news?"

She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder as if checking for unwanted ears. "The Night Crow has assembled a team to take care of you. They think you're getting too close."

My gut tightened. The Night Crow was the most feared organization in the shadows, and they wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who threatened their interests. "What's the plan?"

Lin Xi's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "I've arranged a meeting with a source who claims to have information on their operation. Meet me at the old clock tower at midnight. Come alone."

I nodded, my mind racing with the implications. This could be the break we'd been waiting for, or a trap. "What's the source's name?"

Lin Xi's smile was a fleeting thing. "I don't know. But I do know this – the Night Crow will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. We can't afford to underestimate them."

As she turned to get back into the sedan, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The rain was getting heavier, the thunder growing louder, but I knew this was just the beginning of a storm that would shake the very foundations of our world.

With a final glance at Lin Xi's retreating figure, I melted into the shadows, my heart pounding with anticipation. What secrets lay hidden in the clock tower, waiting to be uncovered? And what lay in store for me when I faced the Night Crow alone? Only time would tell.