By the time Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er left the Silver Wing Trading House, the light over the streets had dimmed a little compared to when they arrived.
The Lighting Ore embedded in the rock overhead had not changed in brightness, but their bodies' instinctive sense of time told them that more than two hours had passed.
The tall guard followed half a step behind them, his expression much friendlier than before. His back was slightly bowed, as though he feared falling short in attending to them.
Shen Fei walked ahead at an unhurried pace, with Xiao Ning'er at his side, the distance between them just right for walking shoulder to shoulder.
Neither said much along the way. They crossed two streets, passing low shacks and roadside stalls, and left the town behind.
The packed dirt underfoot gave way to gravel again. The houses on either side gradually thinned out, replaced by scattered stretches of wasteland and low shrubs.
When they returned to the entrance of the compound, the guards at the gate glanced at them, then at the tall guard following behind, and let them through without further questions.
The three followed the main path back, passing through two covered corridors and an open space piled with odds and ends before stopping at the entrance to the Guest Courtyard.
"Thanks for showing us the way." Shen Fei turned and nodded to the tall guard, his tone courteous. "Sorry for the trouble today."
The tall guard hastily waved his hands, smiling. "Not at all, Young Master Su. As long as you both enjoyed yourselves. If you need anything else, just let me know. I live in the second room in that row of houses up ahead. If anything comes up, just have someone at the gate pass me a message."