Gong Yu remained standing.
Around him, the crowd roared.
But he heard almost none of it.
His eyes were fixed on Song Jia.
No.
On the movement she had just used.
The first step.
The change in weight.
The turn of the shoulder.
The almost invisible shift just before she disappeared from Ding Yijun's line of attack.
Gong Yu knew that technique.
He had practiced its simplified form for years.
His grandfather had taught it to him personally.
And every time Gong Yu asked where it came from, Gong Yuhan always gave the same answer.
"General Song Jia created it."
Not the Song Clan.
Not some unnamed ancestor.
General Song Jia.
Gong Yu slowly turned toward his grandfather.
Gong Yuhan was no longer smiling.
Their eyes met.
For once—
his grandfather did not look away.
Gong Yu's heartbeat quickened.
"Grandfather..."
Wen Jun glanced between them.
"What?"
Gong Yuhan's expression changed.
Then he quietly said:
"Sit down."
Gong Yu did not.
