Garrow's report to Rong took two days to produce results Wei Liang could see. On the third morning, Brigh didn't show up for pen duty.
Wei Liang found out from another labor disciple, nervous and tight-lipped, who said only that Brigh had been pulled aside by two of Garrow's men near the storage hall and hadn't been seen since. Xu's voice came instantly, cold and precise.
"They're not after him for information. They're using him as bait to draw you out, or as punishment for being seen too close to you. Either way, move now."
Wei Liang crossed the compound fast, no longer bothering with the slow, tired gait he usually wore in daylight. He found them behind the storage hall exactly where Garrow had confronted him days earlier — two of Garrow's men, and Brigh on his knees between them, lip
