During the days Xiao Yan spent in secluded cultivation in the rocky mountains, a caravan flying the Mo Tie banner entered Wutan City.
Mounted on his horse, Xiao Li watched the people coming and going along the street, unable to resist taking a few extra looks.
"Brother, didn't this place used to be a shop belonging to the Jia Lie Family?"
"Now it bears the Xiao Clan's sign."
As Xiao Ding spoke, his gaze swept over the medicine shop on the other side.
Several mercenaries stood in line outside, while a clerk handed out packets of medicinal powder. Farther ahead, even the trading house that had once belonged to the Ao Ba Family bore the Xiao Clan's crest.
Seeing the changes described in their family letters laid out before their eyes felt entirely different.
As the brothers took it all in along the way, emotion stirred in both their hearts.
When they had left home all those years ago, they had never imagined the Xiao Clan would one day look like this.
The caravan stopped outside the clan gates. When the guards recognized the two men, they froze for a moment before their faces lit up with delight.
"The eldest young master! The second young master is back!"
Their cries carried all the way into the courtyard.
Xiao Zhan had been reviewing the account books. At the commotion, he rose before he had even set his brush down properly.
Moments later, he strode to the gates.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had already dismounted. Seeing their father come out to greet them, they stepped forward together and bowed.
"Father."
Xiao Zhan reached out and patted their shoulders. The few words of reproach he had prepared reached his lips, only to turn into laughter.
"It's good to have you back, good to have you back!"
"Why didn't you send word ahead? I could have sent someone to meet you."
Xiao Li smiled. "Little Yanzi was pressing us to hurry. He said you were short of hands here, so we decided to settle everything in one go."
"We've brought our brothers back with us this time, and we're staying."
The smile on Xiao Zhan's face deepened at once.
He was about to usher everyone inside when Xiao Ding suddenly gave a soft sound of surprise and studied his father closely.
In his excitement earlier, he had not thought to sense his father's strength. Now that he stood closer, he realized his father's aura was even more powerful than the letters had described.
"Father, you've already..."
Xiao Zhan stroked his beard, unable to hide the pride in his voice.
"One-Star Dou Ling."
Xiao Li's head snapped up.
"You really broke through?"
"Before Yan'er left, he gave me a pill and said his teacher had refined it. Once I had made all the preparations, I took it. A few days ago, I crossed the threshold without a hitch."
At this point, Xiao Zhan could not help letting out another sigh of wonder.
"I used to think I would be content if I could steadily reach Nine-Star Great Dou Master. Who could have imagined I would actually become a Dou Ling?"
After hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a glance.
Their father owed this opportunity to their youngest brother as well. That teacher they had yet to meet had already brought their whole family considerable benefits.
Only then did Xiao Zhan turn toward the caravan, his gaze settling on a young woman dressed in white.
Holding her medicine chest, Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward.
"Uncle Xiao."
Xiao Ding immediately introduced her, then took out the letter Xiao Yan had written home.
After reading it, Xiao Zhan put the letter away, his manner growing even warmer.
"Yan'er mentioned you in his letter. You helped him and looked after him along the way. Now that you're here, settle in without any worries."
"Lodgings, medicinal ingredients-whatever you need, just ask."
Xiao Yi Xian had still been somewhat reserved, but at those words, she finally gave a small nod.
"Then I'm sorry for the trouble."
"Trouble? Nonsense. Someone unload the wagons first and arrange lodgings for all our brothers!"
At Xiao Zhan's call, the courtyard soon bustled with activity.
Once the mercenaries had been settled in, the brothers sat down in the main hall and recounted the events in Stone Desert City.
When they reached Luo Bu's visit, Xiao Zhan's brows drew together.
When he heard that Xiao Yan had slain a Four-Star Great Dou Master with a single sword strike, his hand froze in midair, still holding his teacup.
"One strike again?"
Growing animated as he spoke, Xiao Li raised a hand to demonstrate.
"Just one strike, like that. Before we even made a move, he was already down."
Xiao Zhan fell silent for a moment, then set his teacup back on the table.
Ever since Yan'er had taken a teacher, this hardly seemed to be the first time he had heard something like this.
Yet every time he heard it, his heart still jolted.
Once no one else remained in the room, Xiao Ding also told him about the cultivation techniques the Grandmaster had bestowed on them.
This time, Xiao Zhan never managed to drink the tea he had just lifted.
Heaven-rank techniques!
And two of them!
He looked at his two sons and, in the end, gave them only one solemn instruction.
"Keep them safe. Do not pass them on to outsiders."
Both brothers agreed in unison.
Outside the covered walkway, Xun'er had just come from the medicine room when she spotted Xiao Yi Xian learning her way around with a maid.
The two introduced themselves. Upon hearing that she was Xiao Yan's friend, Xun'er volunteered to take over showing her around.
"The guest courtyard is this way. It isn't far from the medicine room."
Xiao Yi Xian smiled at her.
"Thank you."
As they reached the courtyard gate, a clear eagle's cry rang out overhead. Xiao Lan landed on the roof ridge, tilted its head to inspect the unfamiliar courtyard, then looked down at Xiao Yi Xian.
A hint of curiosity appeared in Xun'er's eyes.
Xiao Yi Xian raised a hand and beckoned, explaining, "This is Xiao Lan. It's been with me for a long time. It helped us quite a bit along the way."
"Did Brother Xiao Yan ride it to Stone Desert City too?"
"Yes. When he first climbed on, he made a point of asking several times whether he could sit securely."
The corners of Xun'er's lips lifted.
As the two talked about the sights and experiences along the journey, their initial awkwardness gradually faded.
Xiao Yi Xian mentioned how Xiao Yan had helped treat the injured in Qingshan Town, then spoke of him gathering medicinal ingredients throughout their journey. Xun'er listened quietly, only occasionally asking a question.
She suddenly realized that the Xiao Yan she heard about from others had shown many new sides of himself since leaving home.
While they were talking, Xiao Ding approached from the other end of the covered walkway, carrying a small wooden box.
"Xun'er, Little Yanzi asked me to bring you this."
Xun'er took it and gently lifted the lid.
Inside lay a small Sand Crystal Lamp. Flecks of golden light gathered within its shade, and with the slightest movement, they seemed like fine sand slowly flowing between one's fingers.
"He said he saw it in Stone Desert City and thought you might like it."
With that, Xiao Ding smiled and left.
Xun'er lightly stroked the lampshade with her fingertips and murmured:
"You've been away so long. At least you still remembered."
Though her voice was soft, a smile had already warmed her eyes.
That night, the Xiao Clan held a family banquet.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li discussed their future duties with their father. One would gradually take charge of the caravans and shops, while the other would reorganize the guards and lead their former mercenaries in teaching the clan's younger members practical combat.
Xiao Ding went through the mercenary roster one member at a time, explaining everything clearly. He knew who excelled at scouting and who could lead a team. Xiao Zhan simply let him arrange them in their existing groups first, with wages and lodgings settled together, so these brothers who had traveled so far would not feel uneasy.
Xiao Yi Xian also visited the medicine room and took considerable interest in several newly acquired medicinal ingredients.
As for Xun'er, once she returned to her courtyard, she placed the Sand Crystal Lamp beside the window and lit the wick inside.
Tiny flecks of golden light shone against the paper window, as though a little stretch of desert had unfurled across it.
Standing before the main hall, Xiao Zhan gazed at the courtyard, bustling with life once more, and did not look away for a long time.
His two sons had returned, and at last he had someone to share the family's burdens.
Now, only that little fellow was missing-the one who worried him most, yet always brought him surprises.
"Yan'er, it's time you came home too."
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