The other guard did not run. He stood where he was, gripping his spear so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his whole body taut as a bow drawn to its limit.
His gaze darted between Mingyu and Shen Fei. His lips parted slightly, as though he wanted to speak but did not dare make a sound, and a thin sheen of sweat seeped out along his temples.
Shen Fei glanced at the guard without saying anything. He turned to look at Xiao Ning'er, who happened to be looking at him as well. They exchanged a glance, then turned their eyes toward Mingyu together.
Mingyu hovered in place without moving or speaking, merely tilting their head slightly, as though watching the guard who had run off.
Before half a cup of tea could have been drunk, hurried footsteps sounded from the direction of the village.
Shen Fei turned and saw the Chief leading the way with long, swift strides, the hem of his dark brown robe lifting and falling in the wind.
Deputy Chief Tie Xiong followed half a step behind him, still wearing the same black work clothes washed pale with age, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hands hung at his sides, and his expression was a few shades grimmer than usual.
The Scholar brought up the rear with the wooden box in his arms. The wind pressed the hem of his gray robe against his legs. He walked much faster than usual, and a thin sheen of sweat already covered his forehead.
When the three drew near, the Chief's gaze first settled on Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er, then passed beyond them to Mingyu, who hovered beside the cave entrance.
The Chief stopped dead.
His body stiffened for an instant. Then his knees bent, and