The foggy mountain air retained the scent of burning, with bits and pieces of bodies at various stages of decay visible among the charred remains. The entire city was permeated with the stench of death and decay, which, wrapped in silence, was like plant roots rotting away underground—soundless, unknown to all, and of no concern to anyone, even less significant than a speck of dust.
Half a day had passed since the instance was cleared, and the people from the county town were whisked away by tour buses. The damaged houses were set aside, and the remaining Black Armored People were repairing the blown-up gates of Sifang Palace.