Upon hearing the news, Wang Gensheng froze for a moment, eager to rush to see Qin Yi, but Hui Niang stopped him.
"Child, Da Tou leaves tomorrow. There's only one day left, and he hasn't finished saying goodbye to his family yet. Wait a little while."
"How long?" Wang Gensheng asked, dazed.
"About an hour. Let them finish, then you can go."
Wang Gensheng nodded blankly and stood by the gate, staring into the distance, lost in thought.
…
Zhuzi dashed home like a whirlwind, bursting into Qin Yi's room, face flushed, shouting, "Da Tou! You… you're leaving home?"
Qin Yi had calmed down, though his spirits were low. He simply nodded.
"Where to? The Hou Mansion Training Camp?"
Qin Yi shook his head, softly: "To the county town."
"County town?" Zhuzi had never left the village; the county town was known only by name. It felt both familiar and foreign.
When he realized it wasn't the training camp, he relaxed. At least he wouldn't be the last to leave—he wouldn't be embarrassed. Yet, he remained puzzled. Why the county town?
Qin Yong strode in, expression serious, approaching Qin Yi: "Master is taking you to the county town?"
Seeing Qin Yi lower his head, nodding faintly, Qin Yong frowned and commanded softly, "Qin Yi, what is this? Lift your head!"
Qin Yi paused, then looked up—this was the first time his father had called him by his given name.
"Qin Yi, remember, you are Master's sword attendant. Wherever he goes, you must follow. Serve him faithfully, understood?"
Qin Yi nodded. Master treated him like both disciple and son; he would serve him as he would a teacher or father.
Qin Yong, seeing him regain spirit, gently ruffled his hair: "From now on, you are independent. Without us around, take care of yourself, understood?"
Tears welled in Qin Yi's eyes as he nodded.
"Don't cry, a true man bleeds but does not weep!" Qin Yong wiped his tears with rough hands.
Zhen Niang arrived, out of breath, glaring at her husband for embarrassing her son, and reached Qin Yi: "Your hands are too rough! Look, you've made Da Tou's face all red."
She tenderly caressed his face, eyes red herself. "Da Tou, when you're out there without family support, take care of yourself, understood?"
"Mm, I understand, Mother."
"Don't cry outside. People won't care; they'll only bully you if you cry. Understand?"
"Yes, Mother."
"If you face hardship, don't be afraid. You have a home to return to. Life is most important, understood?"
"Yes, Mother."
…
Zhen Niang repeated her advice patiently; Qin Yi kept nodding through tears, comforting her heart. After a long while, she stopped and told him to pack, wiping her own tears as she left.
Wang Gensheng's voice came from the door: "Da Tou, may I come in?"
Qin Yong, seeing it was Wang Gensheng, called Zhuzi along and left, leaving space for the two friends.
"Gensheng, you came."
"Yes. Da Tou, you're leaving?"
"Mm, tomorrow, with Master, to the county town."
Previously, Hui Niang hadn't clarified, so Wang Gensheng had thought it was the training camp. He relaxed: "I heard from Father it's only a hundred li to the county town, a day's journey."
"Yes." Qin Yi knew too, though he had never left the village; neither had the villagers. No one went to the county town unless necessary.
…
After Wang Gensheng left, Hui Niang hugged her daughter, sighing: "Nan Nan, if you want to cry, cry."
"Mother… will I never see Da Tou again?"
"Yes. Da Tou never truly belonged here; he would leave eventually. Don't be sad."
"I… I've never met anyone smarter, kinder, or more handsome than Da Tou. Thinking I'll never see him again… it hurts…"
…
During dinner, Zhen Niang prepared a big meal, feeding Qin Yi generously:
"Try this, Da Tou. You've always loved this dish."
Qin Yi ate heartily, eyes red, but this time no tears.
Indeed, Mother's cooking was still delicious. Yet since becoming Master's sword attendant two years ago, he hadn't enjoyed such meals.
…
Wang Gensheng went home, asking his father, Wang Carpenter: "Father, when do we go to the county town?"
Wang Carpenter knew too. He explained the dangers of Qinglin County: border territory, constant threat from southern tribes, exiled criminals. Peace was rare; only a village like Qin Family Village, backed by the Hou Mansion and martial protection, could enjoy safety.
"Ah… then I'll never see Da Tou again?"
Wang Carpenter sighed: "Gensheng, Da Tou is destined to be a martial artist, possibly very strong. If you don't become one, you and Da Tou will live in different worlds."
Wang Gensheng interrupted: "I understand, Father. I'm tired; I'll rest."
…
After dinner, Qin Yong's household was lively. Elders reminisced, praised Da Tou's growth, and tearfully expressed pride. Villagers came to bid farewell, some lingering to give advice, some just a brief visit.
Strangely, despite the farewells, Qin Yi felt his heavy sorrow ease a little.