Every person has their own shadow.
Every city also has its own darkness.
Rats and insects hide within it.
Under the scorching sun, it is humble and insignificant.
But after sunset, it will bloom with a unique, alternative vitality of its own.
Black Alley is one such example.
Compared to the silence of the day, Black Alley at night is a bustling new world.
Drunks, streetwalkers, speculators...
Gamblers, drug addicts, vagrants...
A mixed bag of people, with rats and snakes running rampant.
Li Andy strolled through it with ease, while Sophia was on edge the entire time. The various ill-intentioned gazes and scrutiny made her scalp tingle.
Before coming to Black Alley, both of them had already changed out of their clerical attire and put on clothes more in line with the city's nocturnal theme.
Li Andy wore a tailored suit with a long black trench coat over it, half-hidden in the darkness, like a mysterious detective investigating the truth, or a speculator harboring secrets.
Sophia's attire was similar to his; she had swapped her trousers for a plaid long skirt, her leather shoes for high-top Martin boots, and she also had a small beret on her head.
The two walked through the alley's light and shadows, one frame after another, like walking through a vintage film.
"We're here."
Li Andy pushed open the door and entered a shop. As the door closed, Sophia's tense body finally relaxed slightly.
"You're late."
The owner of the counter, a short man who was eating dessert, said displeased.
Li Andy shrugged, leading Sophia to sit on the customer chairs in front of the counter:
"Life always has unexpected turns, doesn't it?"
"Girlfriend?" Old Du Lin glanced at Sophia, who held her breath, maintaining her cold and aloof persona.
"Little sister," Li Andy said.
"Heh."
Old Du Lin sneered, then served two plates of pudding, placed spoons on them, and pushed them over.
"Try it, my dear made it herself."
Li Andy scrutinized the other person's height:
"It seems you've given up on your dream of regaining your height."
"Dream?"
Old Du Lin shook his head,
"I've merely accepted my current mediocrity and de-enchanted my past glory."
"You're quite philosophical."
Li Andy smiled, picked up a spoon, and tasted the pudding.
Hmm, it tasted good.
Soft and sweet, with a hint of sourness, like a flavored double-skin milk pudding, and also like a little sister's soft tongue.
"That big commotion last night, that was you, wasn't it?"
Old Du Lin said, "It's already gone viral in the circle today."
Li Andy nodded, took another bite of pudding, and while savoring it, said, "There was a monster in the academy that devoured souls. We've dealt with it, but the person behind it hasn't been found yet. My commission is complete, and I've also woken up that girl."
Old Du Lin couldn't help but widen his eyes:
"Her soul has been lost for so long, how did you do it?"
"Secret."
Li Andy wiped his lips.
Old Du Lin's expression was strange, but he didn't press further.
Having secrets was perfectly normal.
The circle was full of secrets.
"So, besides submitting the commission, you're also here to inquire about information this time?"
"Yes."
Li Andy took out two newspapers, pointed to the two reports on them, and said, "I want to know the details of the furnace explosion accident at the factory that was the academy's predecessor. And the details of the mining disaster at the mine that was its predecessor's predecessor."
Old Du Lin took the newspapers and frowned:
"The events are quite old, but it's still possible to find out... Hiss--"
"What's wrong?" Li Andy raised an eyebrow.
Old Du Lin scratched his chin:
"I remember the factory accident; I hadn't been in Nine District for long then... I recall that not so few people died, at least hundreds, but most of them were undocumented immigrants, and undocumented immigrants are not considered people."
"How are undocumented immigrants not considered people?" Sophia couldn't help but frown.
Strictly speaking, she and Li Andy were descendants of those undocumented immigrants.
Old Du Lin glanced at her and sneered:
"To those bigwigs, what are consumables considered people?"
"..."
Sophia pressed her lips together, unable to refute.
"Does this involve the mystic side?" Li Andy asked.
Old Du Lin thought for a moment and said:
"I'm not sure, I was just an ordinary person back then. I'll help you inquire about the information, but you'll have to discern its authenticity yourself."
Li Andy nodded:
"Oh, and there's someone else I need you to inquire about, a ship designer named Henry Bessel, who reportedly committed suicide by detonating a bomb at sea. Have you heard of him?"
Old Du Lin frowned:
"Why are you asking about him?"
"You know him?"
Old Du Lin nodded:
"He's someone in the circle, quite famous, a mechanic and alchemist. According to one of his disciples, he went mad, poisoned his wife and children, and then went to sea to commit suicide."
Sophia frowned after hearing this.
Li Andy thought for a moment and asked:
"Is his disciple still around?"
"Yes, but he's already returned to the Empire. If you want to find him, I can give you his contact information," Old Du Lin said.
Li Andy nodded and thanked him.
Old Du Lin then said:
"I'll also help you inquire about other information; this time it'll be free."
"According to our previous agreement, since your commission is complete, I'll be your referrer and help you with publicity."
"So, have you decided on a name for your agency yet?"
Li Andy paused, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"I decided long ago, it's called... Mi Ling Detective Agency."