Shen Fei finished reading and handed the paper back without writing anything on it. He glanced back toward the village. The guards were still organizing the villagers' evacuation, but the pace had slowed, and some people were already heading back.
A few guards stood at the gate in the fence in the distance, looking their way, probably waiting for news.
The chief said a few more words in a warm, enthusiastic tone, waving toward the village as he spoke. The Scholar wrote beside him, "The chief says the beast pack has been dealt with, so the villagers can come back.
There'll be extra food tonight to celebrate." Shen Fei nodded, wiped the blood remaining on his bladed forelimbs against his trouser legs, and turned toward the village.
Xiao Ning'er followed at his side. They walked shoulder to shoulder along the dirt road in the dusk, with the sounds of the chief and deputy chief leading the guards in clearing the battlefield behind them.
The wind blew from the forest, carrying the scent of blood and the rank odor lingering on the Demon Beast corpses, along with the relief of having survived a brush with death. After walking a while, Shen Fei turned to look at Xiao Ning'er.
Her ponytail had loosened during the battle, and a few stray strands hung beside her face. A thin sheen of sweat covered her temples, but her breathing had already steadied, and her steps were firm. He said, "That Thunder Spear was good. You pinpointed the joint."
Xiao Ning'er turned to glance at him. The corner of her mouth moved as though she were smiling-or holding back a smile. She said, "Your blade strike came just in time, too. One breath later, and it might have gotten back up."
Shen Fei murmured his agreement