parting
Shen Xiao led his parents and their entourage through the noisy yet orderly construction site toward the core area of the valley—the command post shrouded in the misty white vapor emanating from the geothermal springs.
The command post was not a luxurious building, but rather a patchwork of several slightly larger, more sturdy semi-detached houses, with the walls covered with valley plans, project schedules, and material lists drawn on rough animal hides.
Most of the people coming in and out of the door were capable men, some carrying scrolls, others hurrying to deliver instructions.
Just as I approached the door, a clear, steady voice, yet still carrying a hint of youthful energy, rang out.
"...The timber from the north slope must be inventoried and stored today, and the drying sheds must be erected before the rainy season. Also, the new herders, split into two groups. One group will continue to follow Old Li to familiarize themselves with the cotton fields, while the other group will help the rammed earth team reinforce the western wall this afternoon. Remember, as always, those who do a good job will get extra meat soup tonight!"
The owner of the voice was facing away from the doorway, leaning over a huge wooden table, his fingertips tracing the open animal hide map. He was thinner than Shen Xiao, wearing a faded indigo shirt with the cuffs neatly rolled up to his elbows, revealing his sleek yet powerful forearms. It was Shen Hong.
"Bean sprouts!"
The sound of sullen voice, filled with undisguised, almost exaggerated joy, instantly shattered the serious atmosphere in the command post.
He leaned on his cane and rushed forward, taking two steps at a time.
Upon hearing the sound, Shen Hong turned around abruptly. A hint of surprise flashed across his handsome face, which was then filled with immense joy. His calm eyes curved into a smile: "Father! Mother! Big Brother! You've arrived! Little Bull! Little Stone!"
His gaze swept quickly across the crowd, his mood brightening. But when he saw the wooden cane in Shen Yan's hand, his smile froze slightly. "Father, your foot?"
"Oh, don't even mention it! Those blind wasps on the mountain, they only target your handsome father!" Shen Yan waved his hand, looking at his second son with a look of "not worth mentioning" disdain. Then he put on his signature arrogant expression, looking him up and down. He was noticeably thinner but more capable-looking.
"Tsk tsk tsk, look at our little bean sprout! That air about him, that commanding presence! He's no less impressive than your father was back in his day… cough, back when he was a playboy!" He habitually reached out to ruffle his son's hair, but Shen Hong, now about his size, stopped halfway and instead patted his son's shoulder firmly. Yet, his eyes couldn't hide the genuine joy of seeing his son grow up and the barely perceptible tenderness in them—
This kid has lost weight again.
"Master." Shen Hong bowed respectfully to Xuan Chenzi.
The old Taoist priest nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over his disciple, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Your complexion is good, and your mind is clear. This place is full of vitality, which is in harmony with your destiny. Very good, very good." The implication was that his staying was a done deal.
Ling Zhan's gaze swept quickly across the command post, finally landing on Shen Hong's face. His cool voice carried an undeniable weight: "Bean Sprout, we trust you, Xiao'er, and Sui He with this place. Before you leave, there are a few things you need to remember."
Shen Hong immediately straightened his back, his expression solemn: "Mother, please give your orders."
"Firstly, veterans, herdsmen, and slaves may have different identities, but their hearts must be the same."
Ling Zhan spoke steadily and clearly, “Payment is based on labor, and everyone works and eats the same food. Skills are passed on without distinction. Anyone who dares to instigate trouble or arbitrarily differentiate between the noble and the lowly will be severely punished. As for those marks,” she glanced outside, “find reliable craftsmen to help fade or re-engrave them into the marks of the valley, erase the shackles of the past, and only then will they feel a sense of belonging.”
Shen Hong nodded emphatically: "Yes! My son is already making arrangements for this."
"Secondly, the snow wolf is used as a screen, not a domestic dog."
Ling Zhan's voice was slightly cold, "The Storm Shadow Frost Blade has its own majesty and territory. No one in the valley, except for Little Bull, Little Stone, and their specific caretakers, may approach or drive them at will. They protect the life of this land, not the selfish desires of any one person. Rules must be established first."
“Son understands! The wolf pack has its own territory, and the villagers all know to respect it and dare not overstep their bounds.”
“Thirdly,” Ling Zhan looked out the window at the bustling scene, “we must be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace. We cannot afford to slacken our efforts in defense. Although General Huo has promised to provide covert assistance, the northern frontier is vast and beyond our reach. Strengthening ourselves is the fundamental solution.”
"Mother, rest assured! My elder brother is stationed here with troops, primarily assisting with external affairs and defense, while I will focus on internal affairs and construction, working diligently day and night!"
Shen Hong's answer was firm and resounding.
Ling Zhan nodded slightly and said no more.
Her gaze swept over Shen Xiao and Shen Hong, the heavy trust and entrustment they carried, and the way Da Ya rushed over upon hearing the news—it all spoke for itself.
The moment to set off has finally arrived.
At the valley entrance, a makeshift carriage was ready. Little Bull and Little Stone were each held by one of Shen Xiao's or Shen Hong's shoulders. Little Bull pouted, trying hard not to cry, while Little Stone, with red eyes, tugged at Da Ya's sleeve, saying, "Brother...Sister...come back soon..."
Xuan Chenzi stood aside with an air of otherworldly elegance, bowing to Shen Yan and Ling Zhan: "May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. Rest assured, this old Daoist will take care of these juniors and this foundation for you."
Shen Yan stood beside the carriage, his gaze sweeping over the children before him.
The eldest son, Shen Xiao, is tall, steady, and capable of handling things on his own.
This young man, Shen Hong, is lean, capable, and burdened with heavy responsibilities.
The most sensible of all is the second daughter, Daya.
They were all orphans he had "picked up" from various places in his early years.
"Dad...you must listen to Mom..." Daya was still a little girl, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
Shen Yan felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing both pain and a throbbing sensation. Each of these children was a precious treasure he had fed during his most difficult times, even if it meant going hungry himself. Although they were initially dirt poor, and later relied entirely on Ling Zhan's cold-faced attempts to "find a way" to support them, the love and concern he felt for them had already seeped into his very bones.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surging emotions, to force a nonchalant smile and say something lighthearted like, "Dad's going to the capital to make you a fortune." But his throat felt like it was blocked, and his eyes were burning uncontrollably.
He watched as Daya nodded vigorously, his bloodshot eyes looking at Shen Xiao and Shen Hong, his voice trembling as he gave them a long, rambling lecture.
"You brat, Tiger! Keep an eye on Bean Sprouts, don't let him stay up too late! His body can't take it!"
"Bean Sprout! You keep an eye on your brother too! He's reckless and doesn't care about anything when he gets impulsive!"
"Da Ya! You're a girl, so leave the heavy and tiring work to your older brothers! Take care of yourself when you eat and dress, and don't eat anything cold! Remember that!"
"And you two boys... take good care of your sister! Da Ya, make sure they eat properly..."
He called out each person's name, giving them the most trivial, even repetitive, instructions, as if he wanted to pour out all his worries at once. Where was even a trace of his former carefree self? At this moment, he was simply an old father about to embark on a long journey, deeply concerned about everyone in his family.
Shen Xiao and Shen Hong felt a lump in their throats as they watched their father reveal this rare, almost clumsy vulnerability and deep affection.
Shen Xiao patted his chest forcefully: "Father! Don't worry! With me and my second brother here, we'll definitely take good care of Daya. The family won't fall apart! You and Mother, just go!"
Shen Hong nodded emphatically, his voice slightly hoarse: "Father, take care of yourself. The capital is dangerous... please be careful."
Ling Zhan silently watched Shen Yan's rare loss of composure, a faint, almost imperceptible tenderness flashing in his usually cold eyes.
She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and gently patted his shoulder.
"They're gone."
Ling Zhan's voice remained cold and clear, as if he had pressed the end button on this reluctant farewell.
She turned around and got into the carriage first.
Shen Yan hugged the children tightly again, then steeled himself and, almost fleeing, limped and stumbled into the carriage, leaning on his cane. The moment the curtain fell, the suppressed sobs of Little Bull and Little Stone could be heard outside as they boarded.
The carriage slowly started moving and drove away from the bustling and vibrant entrance to Buffalo Valley.
Inside the carriage, Shen Yan stood with his back to the curtain, his shoulders trembling slightly. After a long while, he wiped his face hard with his sleeve, turned around, his eyes still red, but he forced a smile that looked worse than crying at Ling Zhan, his voice thick with nasal tone.
"Cough... the sandstorms in the northern frontier... they're fucking strong... they're blinding..."
Ling Zhan glanced at him indifferently, not exposing his clumsy excuse, but simply handed him a clean, plain handkerchief.
Shen Yan took the handkerchief and wiped her face haphazardly, but her gaze involuntarily drifted through the crack in the car window to the increasingly smaller figure standing at the mouth of the valley, watching them go, until it disappeared from sight.
Time relentlessly pounded, urging them to head towards the turbulent capital.
The land behind me, nourished by sweat, hope, and family affection, has become the softest yet most solid anchor in my heart.
The wheels rolled on, traversing the early summer grasslands, heading towards the distant capital.
Shen Yan leaned against the carriage wall, still clutching the plain handkerchief Ling Zhan had handed him, a small, dark water stain spreading across it. He gazed blankly at the grassland rushing past the window. Ling Zhan sat opposite him, eyes closed, breathing steadily. Little Bull and Little Stone sat on the other side of the carriage, their spirits low.
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats grew louder as they approached...
A magnificent, jet-black warhorse came whirlwind up, and the rider on its back was tall and imposing—it was Shen Xiao.
Behind him followed a small squad of elite Asura Guards, escorting two specially made prison carts. Inside the carts were two disheveled but arrogant Northern Di men, their hands and feet shackled with heavy chains. They were the previously captured elite Northern Di soldiers—the Snow Hawks.
Shen Xiao reined in his horse and rode alongside the carriage. Through the carriage window, he spoke in a deep voice into the carriage: "Father, Mother! The capital is far away, and I am truly worried about you! Fortunately, General Huo has ordered that these two Snowhawk prisoners be escorted to the capital and handed over to the Ministry of War for questioning. I request permission to personally escort them, and I can also help you both on your way!"
His gaze swept over the prison van, his tone resolute.
While escorting prisoners was true, his deeper intention was to see his parents off one last time and witness them safely enter the relatively safe capital region.
Looking at her eldest son's travel-worn but worried face, Shen Yan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
But he deliberately scoffed, "You brat! You think you're all grown up now? You don't even trust your own parents? Back when I was ruling the world, you were still wearing open-crotch pants!"
Even so, the satisfaction in his eyes was undeniable.
Ling Zhan also opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Shen Xiao and the prison cart. He did not object, but simply nodded slightly.
“Okay. Be careful,” she said.
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