The morning sun washed over the quiet courtyard of Pine Shadow Manor in Riverbend Port, casting soft golden light across the paved flagstones.
The smell of roasted barley tea and fresh rice cakes drifted from the kitchen where Han Ping was preparing breakfast for the vanguard.
At the long wooden table near the central well, Ye Chen sat beside Lin Xi, watching little Zhang Yue practice her basic sword stances with a small wooden rod.
Senior Brother Bai sat opposite them, unrolling a detailed map of the lower mountain trails that connected Cooper Street to the outer peak gates.
"The lower thirty six clan heads have agreed to hold the supply depots," Bai said, setting a brass weight on the corner of the parchment. "If we march at dawn tomorrow, we can secure the lower gates before the inn
