Nie Li's room was in the east wing of the guest courtyard. When Shen Fei pushed the door open, Nie Li was folding the map spread across the table and tucking it into his robes. Charcoal marks indicated several key points, along with a route extending north from the stronghold.
"Sit."
Shen Fei sat down at the table.
"We can't stay with the Silver Wing Family anymore," Nie Li began, his tone level, as though stating something already settled. "Sikong Yi won't let us leave. He says he'll give us the Stones of Radiance, but he actually wants to keep us all here as hostages. Once I've prepared the prescription, his men will take it out to gather herbs. I won't be allowed out."
Shen Fei said nothing. He had already picked up on all this in the hall.
Every word Sikong Yi said played the same card: you stay, and Nie Li goes to gather herbs. It sounded like cooperation, but in truth, it separated the hostages from the messenger.
"So I'm changing the plan," Nie Li said. "I'll take Duan Jian out, supposedly to gather herbs. You stay in the guest courtyard, then find a chance to slip away after I leave and follow us. Duan Jian will deal with those five guards on the road. You'll come out of hiding and clean up whoever's left."
"How many can Duan Jian take?" Shen Fei asked.
"Three or four. His Black Dragon Bloodline has awakened, and his physical strength far exceeds his apparent cultivation. All five guards are Gold Rank. He can hold his own against three. I'll keep one occupied, and the last one is yours. Your Shadow Mantis excels at assassination. Taking down one Gold Rank from the shadows won't be hard."
Shen Fei nodded. "What happens