Jinxia Night

When night fell, Li and the others found an inn and put away their luggage. Venerable Shengtian did not reject the suggestion of attending the concert. For one thing, a city's nights directly reflected its public safety and stability; for another, she was quite curious about what sort of person an idol truly was.

Yet the moment she arrived in the West District, the densely woven tide of people left her stunned.

Not to mention the jianghu gangs that ran rampant at night—not even a single thug or hooligan was in sight. Everyone coming and going was a resident of Jinxia City. They moved toward the plaza district in twos and threes, some carrying palm-leaf fans, others with children on their backs, traveling together as entire families.

Her strongest impression was simply how bustling it was.

It was even livelier than during the day!

If, as the afternoon sun set, many people hurried home with quickened steps, then now was purely a time for "enjoyment." Everyone strolled and chatted without the slightest rush, wholly wearing the air of people passing their leisure hours. She had seen such scenes in Shangyuan City as well, but only outside the busiest flower streets and Azure Brothels. The city's prevailing tone remained emptiness and silence, and ordinary folk were unwilling to go out at such hours and risk running afoul of the gangs.

In more secluded places, such as the docks or deep within narrow alleys, Evil Spirits could still appear. Even a lesser Mei that had yet to take form was deadly enough to ordinary people.

In other words, going out at night was a privilege reserved for those capable of protecting themselves.

Jinxia had completely overturned that convention.

"When did things... become like this?" Venerable Shengtian could not help asking.

"Do you