The late evening wind settled softly over Crane Ridge Villa, brushing over plum blossoms and rustling bamboo screens as if the very air was holding its breath.
Damon stood alone on the central courtyard's stone path with his hands behind his back and eyes closed. He had sensed the approaching presences well before the newly acquired guards by Chen Yuan at the front even knew someone had arrived.
A cadence of collective footsteps sounded out, steady and deliberate while full of a certain confidence and arrogance that came with nobility.
One of the newly hired servants' voices called out hesitantly from the front hall. "Master Damon… you have visitors."
"Send them in," Damon replied calmly without turning around.
A moment later, three figures stepped through the carved double doors of the main hall and entered the open courtyard.
