Bai and Ruo entered the Pale River storefront with Zhen’s written request for the current broker roster. Agent Xu read the request twice, then laid it on the counter.
“We have no broker who wears a crescent pin,” he said. “Here is the list of licensed distributors.”
He handed Zhen a page with six names. None matched Mo’s description. Ruo scanned the list while Bai watched the rear of the shop.
A narrow door opened onto an alley. Two workers carried sealed crates through it, both marked with fresh Pale River labels. There was no route slip attached to either.
“Stop the cart,” Yan said.
Xu looked over his shoulder. “The stock is lawful. Keep moving.”
Yan put one hand on the cart rail. It stopped without a jolt. He kept his palm flat, careful not to crush the wood or shift the crates.
“Don’t make the workers choose between your order and the Registry’s,” he said. “Give us the batch numbers, then the cart can go.”
