Li Tongya drags the river crocodile all the way back to Lijing Village, where naturally the village hands stepped forward to take over. The Li Family had been preparing for the ceremony months in advance, with many ritual implements already in place, and the preparatory process was nearly complete, just waiting for a few key members of the direct lineage to give the command.
"The tribute from the capital, awaiting the sacrificial ceremony."
All the major and minor members of the Li Family had arrived. The major members stood on the ceremonial platform, the minor members stood below the platform, and the collateral branches knelt around it.
On the first tier of the platform stood Li Xiangping, the current Family Head, with Li Tongya a step behind him, and considering Li Chijin, who was far away in the Southern Border, these were the second-generation stewards of the Li Family.
On the tier below stood Li Xuanxuan, the clan leader, followed by Li Xuanfeng and Li Xuanling.
