When Li Jain returned to the West Courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the grounds. His seven sons were already gathered inside the stone pavilion, their faces flushed and bodies glistening with sweat from their afternoon training.
The moment they saw their father step through the wooden gate, their lively chatter ceased abruptly; and seven pairs of bright, expectant eyes turned in unison toward him.
"Father! What was the outcome of the meeting?" Li Zhang was the first to rush forward, his voice brimming with irrepressible excitement: "Have the clan elders finalized the selection rules for the Grand Tournament?"
