Li Qingxian glanced at Zhou Hen beside him, who had changed into everyday clothes, and said, "Let's go have a bowl of mutton soup."
Zhou Hen nodded.
As they walked, Li Qingxian said, "We'll get some to take away afterward and bring it to Captain Zheng."
Han Anbo nodded, and the smile on his face faded considerably.
As they walked, Li Qingxian asked, "Brother Han, how has the Street Arts Guild been doing lately?"
Han Anbo followed with a smile, saying as he walked, "Thirty percent of the capital's performers have joined our guild. Some have gone elsewhere to spread its branches and leaves. Besides the Divine Capital, we've now expanded into eighteen provinces and four small countries to the south. In another two years, we'll have branches all over the country."
"Do you have enough money?"
"Yes. They're all people who've had hard lives, and they don't spend much. Most of the guild's money now comes from voluntary contributions by the performers themselves."
"Any difficulties?"
"What in this world ever sails smoothly with the wind and current? But however difficult something is, there's always a way to resolve it. Don't worry. Everything is still going well."
"What about the Night Guard?"
"Some divisions have been cut. Those handling external affairs, like the Demon-Slaying Bureau, have practically all been abolished, while the Patrol Bureau is now hot enough to scorch your hand. Still, the higher-ups haven't made any major moves these past two years. It's nothing like the Night Guard at its height."
They chatted all the way out of the Night Guard Yamen.
Every Night Guard they encountered, familiar or unfamiliar, stood respectfully and lowered his head in greeting.
Sometimes Li Qingxian merely nodded; sometimes he called someone by name and exchanged a few words.
They stepped out of