Nie Li finished his discussion with the Chief. He returned and stood beside Shen Fei. The people Ye Zong had assigned soon arrived. Several stewards came over with a squad of the City Guard and led the villagers of the Jade Grove Clan toward the eastern side of the Inner City.
The Chief and Deputy Chief followed the stewards at the head of the procession. Tie Xiong brought up the rear. He glanced back at Shen Fei, gave a slight nod, then strode after the others.
Shen Fei stood by the street, watching the procession recede. Xiao Ning'er stood beside him without speaking. They remained there until the last row of villagers rounded the street corner and disappeared from sight. Only then did Shen Fei look away.
"Let's go back to the City Lord's Mansion," Nie Li said, turning toward it.
Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er followed. The three walked along the main street as dusk settled. The shops on either side lit their lanterns one after another, casting warm yellow light across the bluestone paving slabs.
After walking a while, Nie Li slowed his pace to draw alongside Shen Fei. He glanced at him and asked quietly, "How much do you know about Spirit Gods?"
Shen Fei kept walking and glanced at him. "You know about Spirit Gods?"
Nie Li nodded, his voice even. "I do."
Shen Fei fell silent for a moment, then said, "I encountered a Spirit God deep in the Dark Forest. The wielder of the dark law, gravely wounded and asleep for three hundred years. That Spirit God has now returned with us."
Nie Li's steps faltered. He turned to look at Shen Fei, his gaze lingering on his face for two seconds before he looked away and continued walking. His voice was a little