At noon in late autumn, the sun spilled its warmth over Ding Songyan, who stood guard outside the Lingjiang County Yamen with his sword cradled in his arms. His whole body relaxed, his eyes half-closed, and he grew drowsy.
This time, the Xiaoming Sect had sent a total of one hundred and sixty disciples to assist with patrol duties. Most stayed in the camp-like guest quarters behind the county yamen. Of these, one hundred and fifty-four were divided into twenty-two teams of seven, so that each team could deploy the Northern Dipper Sword Formation. Eleven teams went out at a time, working with constables and soldiers to guard the city gates, man the watchtowers, and patrol the streets and alleys. Four double-hours later, the other eleven teams relieved them.
The remaining six had more flexible assignments, primarily guarding the county yamen. But if anyone in the other twenty-two teams was injured, suddenly fell ill, or had an urgent matter to attend to, they had to fill in, ensuring that every team could swiftly deploy the Northern Dipper Sword Formation.
This was Ding Songyan's first time taking part in patrol duties. On the grounds that he still needed to familiarize himself with the work, Zheng Zhuxi had assigned him to stay beside her and guard the yamen's main entrance.
That was perfectly normal; similar arrangements had been made before. But it was not Zheng Zhuxi's only reason. She worried that her junior brother Ding would inexplicably stir up trouble again and that she would end up bearing the blame. She had chosen to keep him at the yamen under strict supervision.
Leaning against the wall beside the yamen's main entrance, Ding Songyan enjoyed the midday warmth. He opened his eyes and looked toward the guest retainer Pan Yunzhou on the other