"Don't force yourself into the spotlight. Remember to keep a low profile."
"Don't reveal all your strength in front of others."
"Trust your instincts."
"Come back alive. Come see me, see your Mother, see your brothers and sisters."
Xu Chuan placed a hand on his shoulder. Faced with such a scene, even he could not help but nag a little.
Bai Jing stepped forward and took Xu Mingxuan's hand, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. "Write home often. Remember, keeping yourself alive comes first. Learn more from your Father—endure when you should endure, keep a low profile when you should keep a low profile."
"Third Brother, come back alive."
Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian spoke in unison, their eyes also filled with reluctance.
"Tantou, come back alive."
Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan likewise fixed their eyes on Xu Mingxuan, their reluctance plain to see.
Xu Mingxuan nodded heavily, tears welling in his eyes as well. He wiped at the corners of them, then grinned. "I hadn't wanted to cry, since it would be bad luck. But now that you've all said this, I can barely hold it in."
After a pause, he added, "Big brother, second brother, I'll leave the Xu Family to you two. Oh, and second brother, I hope that when I return, I'll get to see a nephew or niece."
"When you return, we'll definitely let you hold one," Xu Mingyuan said.
"Xue Ji, Yun Nu, cultivate well. Third Brother hopes that when I return, both of you will already be Innate Martial Artists!"
"Father, Mother, take good care of yourselves."
Farewells played out in every corner before the city gates.
Only when the army's horns sounded and the troops set out did everyone return home.
"You all heard him, didn't you?" Xu Chuan watched