The gray line on his palm crept up to his forearm before stopping, as though some force had barred its way. Chen Wuya lowered his head and watched it for a moment, then lightly pressed the inside of his wrist with his fingertips. A warm current surged from his dantian and traveled once through his meridians. The gray line trembled faintly, then vanished beneath his skin.
He slowly withdrew his hand and raised his eyes to survey the courtyard.
Bai Zhi stood beside the stone table, her sword still unsheathed as her gaze swept over the mechanism arrays in the corners. Mo Feng crouched before the main control platform, turning his wrench through its final rotation before looking up and giving her a nod. Old Wu Tou emerged from the rear courtyard on his cane, a basket of herbs slung over his shoulder. His steps were slow, but steady.
"The medicine furnace is set up." His voice was low but clear. "Wound medicine, antidote pills, and invigorating broth are all stocked. Three rounds of brewing will be enough."
Chen Wuya stepped forward, took the basket from his shoulder, and set it down. "You shouldn't have come yourself."
"I'm old. Can't fight anymore." Old Wu Tou smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching up. "But I can still walk, and I can still see. You guard the front, we guard the rear. Isn't that what a family should do?"
Chen Xuan and Chen Yao ran out from the east wing, each carrying a wooden crate. Chen Xuan set his beside the mechanism platform and patted the lid. "Dad, the Misaligned Force trigger lines are connected. Once we send power through them, the whole crossbow array can fire three volleys in succession."
Chen Yao opened a concealed-weapon cylinder and