The fires outside the sect gates gradually died out.
The wounded Soul Masters were taken to either side for treatment. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect opened its medicine hall, and Spirit Hall sent in the healers who had accompanied its army. People who had been fighting for their lives moments ago stared at one another across a stone path, their weapons still in hand.
Ning Fengzhi finally took the agreement.
"How do we define the scope of withdrawing from the Soul Master war for five years?"
Bai Jin dropped the jokes and answered at once. "Soul Masters belonging to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect won't join the imperial army or accept wartime commissions against Spirit Hall. The sect may conduct business, recruit disciples, and protect its own cities and trade routes. Spirit Hall's army will leave Seven Treasure City tonight and won't station troops there under any pretext for five years."
"What if Tang San asks for help in a private capacity?"
"You can save his life. You can't build him an army."
"What if Spirit Hall attacks Heaven Dou first?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect need only defend its own territory. What happens beyond the agreement is not your responsibility."
Ning Fengzhi turned to the section on military supplies.
"You want three warehouses, yet you'll allow the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce to keep trading with Heaven Dou. How will Spirit Hall decide which goods are for civilian use?"
"Food, cloth, and medicinal herbs can move as usual. Standard-issue weapons, military armor, and supplies capable of restoring Soul Power on a large scale must have their destinations registered. Spirit Hall will send two inspectors, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will assign two bookkeepers. There will be two identical sets of accounts."
"The inspectors cannot