The infant's cries seemed to carry throughout Great Autumn Temple and beyond, completely dissolving the last lingering trace of drawn-sword tension.
Outside, the mother's husband also wept with joy, accepting everyone's congratulations.
Even the officer who had come here tucked the saber at his waist behind his cloak and stepped closer to congratulate the man.
Overwhelmed with excitement, the man repeatedly returned their greetings and thanks, then bowed deeply again and again to Monk Wufa and the other monks of Great Autumn Temple beside him.
"Thank you, Master Wufa! Thank you, all of you!"
"Blessings. There is no need for such ceremony, benefactor!"
Monk Wufa helped the man straighten up. The man continued bowing to everyone around him, even remembering to bow again to the soldiers who had originally come with hostile intentions.
"Thank you, everyone! Thank you!" "Thank you, General! Thank you, everyone!"
"Enough bowing!" "That's right, save your strength for holding the baby!"
"You haven't bowed to the midwife yet!" "Hahahahaha!"
"Yes, yes! I want to see the baby!"
"Patience, patience. You'll see him soon. Young man, you can't bring a baby out the instant he's born!"
The others congratulated and reassured him, festive smiles on every face, as though this were not merely his child, but everyone's.
In these troubled times, the kindness within Great Autumn Temple warmed the heart all the more. Perhaps everyone yearned for a long-missed measure of peace. This child's birth was a new hope, and a powerful encouragement besides.
The Great Toad King held his wine flask hidden in his sleeve. When he landed inside the temple, he looked perfectly natural, as though he had been there all along.
Feeling the crowd's delight and receiving the man's bows of thanks, even the Great Toad King offered a perfunctory word of congratulations before