The eastern road riders arrived beneath a white court banner. They did not ride through the open side path. They stopped at the main gate, where the clerk’s seal-cloth still covered the assembly hall and medicine store.
A man in dark red robes dismounted. “I am Qiu Ren, champion of the Registry. I carry a public challenge for Shen Yan.”
The scroll case bore the Registry mark. The guards on either side kept their hands on their weapons, although no one had drawn a blade.
Ning came from the clinic with two assistants. “Read the terms here. The patients still need to reach the door.”
Qiu glanced at the line forming behind her. He directed the scribes to set their table away from the entrance. The assistants took the waiting patients inside while Han watched the riders’ hands.
The court scribe opened the scroll. The Registry offered to restore White Orchard’s trading license if Yan survived three prohibited techniques in the central city arena. The document described the event as a public safety trial. If Yan’s methods did not endanger the public, his name would be cleared and the refuge could resume trade.
Yan listened closely. He recognized two technique names from Gu’s library notes. The third was unfamiliar. His interest rose. He liked the thought of seeing complete manuals and testing them in front of a crowd.
