The elders gathered in the meeting hall, faces warm with congratulations for Li Jian. Li Changsheng spoke first.
"Leader Li, breaking through Postnatal 4th layer and mastering _Lóng Yá Qiáng_... (we praise you)! How did you recover so fast from those internal injuries? _Lóng Yá Qiáng_'s difficulty... most of us avoid it."
Li Jian smiled humbly. "A blessing from the heavens, elders. I don't know how it happened. Just... happened. I can only reap the benefits."
Li Yuwen leaned in. "Heaven's blessing indeed. But, Leader... we need to talk about the clan's future. Our situation's clear: Tuskan raids hurt us. We need strength."
Li Jian nodded serious. "Yes. Though I'm stronger, we're nowhere near the old ancestors' level. And... the new generation... very worrying. They lack will. Avoid the hard path. Want success handed over. Pick easy arts... slack off at bottlenecks."
The elders murmured agreement, faces somber. Li Changsheng added, "We need to push them harder. Balance between teaching and... pushing. Like _Lóng Yá Qiáng_ - you didn't avoid the hard, Leader."
"We failed them," Li Jian said. "We elders failed to rekindle courage in them. It's our fault. The clan's gotten... complacent."
The hall fell silent. Then...
"But," Li Jian said, "yesterday after I showed _Lóng Yá Qiáng_... Weizhi (Great Elder's grandson)... kept asking me to teach him. I said, 'Little Weizhi, _Lóng Yá Qiáng_'s the most complex art. Takes years to master. You better pick an easier art for starting.'"
Li Weiming (the Great Elder) chuckled low.
"And Weizhi said... 'Why would I want to learn weak martial arts?' good kid. The spark's there."
The elders laughed somberly. Li Yuwen nodded. "Shows aspiration. We need to fuel that. Focus on the _talented ones."
Li Jian continued, "If we guide him... maybe the Li Clan's flame won't die. Cooperation between elders and... Weizhi's not alone. Other kids need...someone to lead ."
Li Weiming beamed pride. "He's built different. .my grandson ! With _Lóng Yá Qiáng_...formidable )."
The elders nodded, a mix of grief and hope on their faces. Li Changsheng said, "We should pair him with Leader Li. Maximize."
Li Jian nodded. "Agreed. And... I think from now, I'll teach the young disciples martial arts. _Lóng Yá Qiáng_, _Yǐng Bù_, _Tiě Gǔ Duàn Tǐ_. Push them."
The elders exchanged looks. Li Yuwen smiled.
"Leader Li takes charge. good)."
The Great Elder Li Weiming slammed a hand on the table. "Decision! Li Jian leads martial training for juniors. _ (we agree)!"
The meeting hall buzzed with quiet agreement .
Li Jian walked into the warm, fragrant dining hall, greeted by his sons, grandsons, and the chatter of womenfolk finishing up dinner prep. His wife, Liu Qing, smiled from beside the stove; his two daughters-in-law were setting dishes on the table. The aroma of _báicài jiāoyú_ (cabbage and fish), _qīngzhēng xiā_ (steamed shrimp), and _mántou_ (steamed buns) filled the air, making everyone's stomach rumble in anticipation.
Dinner was a lively affair, with Li Jian at the head, Li Ming (eldest son), Li Qiang (second son), and Li Feng (youngest son) seated to his left, their wives and children filling the rest of the table. As they ate, Li Jian turned serious, his expression morphing into that of the clan leader.
"Sons, tell me... what martial arts are you practicing? What realm have you reached? Why did you pick those arts?" he asked, his voice firm but with a hint of warmth.
Li Ming answered first, his voice a bit hesitant. "Father, I'm practicing _Fēng Xíng Bù_ (Wind Walk Steps). I've... uh, reached Postnatal 1st layer. I picked it for agility... useful in raids like... like the ones the Tuskans do."
Li Jian nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he chewed on a piece of fish. "Fēng Xíng Bù's good. Need to focus on _qì_ flow though."
Li Qiang spoke next, a bit more confidently. "I'm doing _Tiě Zhǎng_ (Iron Palm). Postnatal 1st layer, Father. I want strength... for protecting the family like... you do."
Li Jian's expression turned thoughtful, his gaze lingering on Li Qiang's solid frame. "Tiě Zhǎng's a good choice. Need to work on _pò jié_ (breaking techniques) though."
Li Feng, the youngest, grinned as he piped up. "Father, I'm practicing _Mèng Hǔ Quán_ (Fierce Tiger Fists). Postnatal... uh, just started. I like the _xùnliàn_ (training) - it builds _hún_ (spirit)! Like the tigers in the mountains!"
Li Jian's face softened, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Mèng Hǔ Quán's a fierce art. Good for you, Li Feng. Need to focus on form though."
He paused, surveying his sons. "Any problems in cultivation? Martial arts troubles?"
Li Ming hesitated. "Father... _Fēng Xíng Bù_'s hard to advance. Need _qì_ guidance... like you gave me last month."
Li Qiang nodded. "I'd like pointers on _Tiě Zhǎng_'s _pò jié_ (breaking techniques). Want to be stronger... like you, Father."
Li Feng grinned again. "I want to learn _Lóng Yá Qiáng_, Father! Like yours! Can I? Pleeease?"
Li Jian smiled , a warmth in his eyes. "We'll talk about this after my dinner. Now eat up, we're all hungry."
The family ate on, rice bowls clicking, the warmth of the meal and the promise of growth in martial arts lingering in the air.
Li Jian leaned back in his chair, the dinner chatter fading into the background as his thoughts drifted to his sons. At least they're filial and diligent in cultivation... that's something, he thought with a warmth in his chest.
But Li Ming... _Fēng Xíng Bù_, one of the more advanced arts, and he's not even practicing a basic fighting style. Li Jian's brow furrowed slightly in thought. _Scaredy-cat_, he thought with a mix of amusement and concern. Doesn't want to hurt himself maybe? Li Jian recalled Li Ming's hesitant expression when talking about martial arts - like he was avoiding something.
Yet... Li Ming's good at _Fēng Xíng Bù_, from what he'd heard from the other elders. Li Jian's eyes narrowed in thought. Probably has talent in swift blades or swords if he focused on a fighting art... but he picked one of the trickier path arts instead.(good kid), but needs to push himself.
Li Jian's thoughts were interrupted by Liu xiulan (his wife) speaking up. "Li Ming's got a invitation from the Wìn City _wǔguǎn_ (martial hall) tomorrow. Their _jiànshì_ (sword instructor) wants to test him."
Li Jian's eyes snapped back to the present. "Wìn City _wǔguǎn_? _Fēng Xíng Bù_'s got you an invite?" he asked Li Ming, who nodded, looking a bit apprehensive.
"Hmm," Li Jian said. "Show them what you've got. Don't embarrass the Li Clan."
Li Ming nodded, a mix of determination and nerves on his face.
Li Jian turned back to his thoughts as the family began dispersing. _Need to talk to Li Ming about pushing himself harder_. _Fēng Xíng Bù's_ advanced... if he adds a fighting art...
The evening's thoughts lingered with Li Jian .