The two stepped out from behind the trees, no longer making any deliberate effort to conceal themselves, and followed the beaten dirt path toward the village.
Shen Fei walked half a step ahead, with Xiao Ning'er beside him. They kept just enough distance between them to come to each other's aid at any moment without seeming overly tense. Shen Fei had not drawn his sword, but his hand rested near the hilt, ready for anything unexpected.
Xiao Ning'er had also sheathed her short sword. Her expression remained calm as her gaze swept over the fence and watchtowers around the village.
As soon as they emerged from the edge of the woods, a soldier on the watchtower spotted them.
The soldier had been leaning against the wooden railing, looking down. When he suddenly saw two people emerge from the woods, he immediately straightened. He narrowed his eyes and watched them for a moment, and his expression changed.
He had never seen clothing like theirs. Shen Fei wore a dark gray fitted martial outfit, with subtle patterns at the cuffs and collar. Though the scabbard at his waist was plain, its material and craftsmanship were clearly beyond anything the village blacksmith could produce.
Xiao Ning'er's pale blue-green martial outfit was made of finely woven fabric and tailored to fit. The pouch and short sword hanging at her waist were also unfamiliar in style.
Their bearing, the way they walked, and the fabric of their clothes all belonged to an entirely different world from that of the villagers.
The soldier immediately turned and called toward the other side of the watchtower. Another soldier ran over and looked toward the woods where he was pointing, then froze as well.
The first soldier lowered his voice. "Go notify the clan chief. Two people have come