... of course he is carrying a sword. Where he comes from, it's considered impolite and disrespectful to be among peers without it; here, he is already risking Hanguang-jun's displeasure by being outside in the woods on his own. Considering at the very least the wolves, it would be very unwise to go around unarmed.

Sizhui considers the question for a moment.

"In a way. There are watches now, so those at the farmhouse are safe, but at night, it calls to people. To wander all the way here, and inside it. To the body beneath the waters.

"It is fortunate that nobody drowned or froze for it."

Then he brightens, slightly, eyes crinkling a little. "Although at one point, the entire water of the lake got lifted up so we could examine the body, even if it only stayed up briefly and everyone got wet."