After the group arrived in Cloud City, the three Guozhao Hunters and their disciples rested in the shop. Fang Yaoting, Lim Peizhi and the two Huang sister went to Lee Dachin's house, which also served as Fang Yaoting's temporary residence. As soon as the group entered the house, they were met by ten maids bustling about.
As Fang Yaoting led his friends into the living area, his gaze immediately fell upon Wang Shuchun, who sat diligently sewing baby clothes, attended by her two close maids. He quickly scanned the room, a subtle knot of concern forming when he realized Lee Dachin was nowhere to be seen. Just as he was about to turn away to search for him, Wang Shuchun stood, a wide smile blossoming across her face.
"Yaoting," she greeted happily, placing the mended clothes on the table. Her face lit up as she walked towards him, her smile unwavering. "You're back."
Fang Yaoting's face darkened. He asked coldly, "Why are you here?"
Wang Shuchun smiled, seemingly unfazed, her expression unwavering. "I've told father I want to be with you," she explained, her voice soft but firm. "Father agreed to my request. He said it's best to have you beside me when I'm in labor."
Fang Yaoting's gaze swept the room, his voice still a chilling monotone. "Where is Dachin?" he demanded.
"He's brewing medicine in the kitchen," Wang Shuchun replied, her gaze lingering on Fang Yaoting. She then noticed the group of friends standing beside him, and offered them a warm, inviting smile. "Please, sit down." Turning to her two maids, she instructed, "Ah Li. Ah Lin, go get tea to serve our guests."
Fang Yaoting glared at Wang Shuchun disapprovingly. "You have so many maids, why do you want him to boil your medicine for you?"
At that moment, Lee Dachin came in with a bowl of medicine, sensing the tension. "I volunteered," he said softly, putting the bowl on the table. "You can drink it when it cools down." He smiled gently at Wang Shuchun, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Guo Longtong barged in through the door, loudly calling, "Hongse!" He walked over and hugged Huang Hongse tightly, clearly having missed her.
Huang Hongse struggled inside Guo Longtong's arms. "Let go of me!" she demanded.
Guo Longtong clung to Huang Hongse's waist. "No, I miss you!" He held her tightly, ignoring her protests.
"Since everyone has returned safely, I will go cook," Lee Dachin offered, trying to move things along.
Fang Yaoting looked at Wang Shuchun, then addressed everyone. "How about we go out for dinner?"
"I agree with Yaoting's statement," Guo Longtong smiled, already thinking of food.
Fang Yaoting looked at Wang Shuchun's two personal maids and said, "You two take good care of your young mistress."
"Yes, young master," Ah Li and Ah Lin said in unison.
Wang Shuchun watched, a silent observer, as Fang Yaoting clasped Lee Dachin's hand and led their friends out of the living room, heading for the front door. With a soft, deliberate motion, she wiped away the tears that streamed down her face. She knew, with a heavy certainty, that her days with Fang Yaoting were numbered, each passing moment bringing her closer to her due date.
Her hand drifted to her belly, gently rubbing its side. "Please... Please... be a girl," she whispered, her voice barely audible, a desperate plea to the life growing within her.
In the bustling Dragon Inn, everyone cared about their own affairs. There were many merchants and hunters dining in the Dragon Inn, a lively atmosphere. When the waiter put the food on the table, the group of friends sat down, their own celebration beginning.
"I have some news to announce," Lim Peizhi said, holding Huang Yueliang's right hand. "We are getting married."
Everyone at the table cheered, excited by the happy news.
"I want to invite you to come to Waterfall City next year," Lim Peizhi said, extending the invitation for their wedding.
"Are you here to invite us specifically in person?" Ping'an asked, smiling.
"You are all my good friends," Lim Peizhi replied sincerely. "I would feel wrong to send a letter."
Guo Baiyu smiled and said, "I think you want to ensure that we can't refuse."
Lim Peizhi smiled and shook his head. "No matter what, Baiyu still knows me best."
"I wish you four good lucks on your way to Peace Town," Guo Baiyu said, offering a toast.
The friends laughed away while they enjoyed their night, celebrating the happy news.
Months passed, and the weather changed. In the early autumn, Fang Yaoting watched his disciples practice sword in the wilderness of the yellow and brown blossom trees. He walked around, making sure that everyone didn't miss any movements, diligently overseeing their training. Five months had passed, and the basic movements of the swordsmanship were still somewhat difficult for the twenty-four students. The disciples all knew that today was the day of sword practice, so they had to do their best to avoid doing horse stance.
Fang Yaoting patted one of the students on the shoulder. "You go do horse stance over there with your fellow classmates," he instructed firmly. The disciple shoved the sword into its sheath and walked over sadly to meet the other punished classmates. Fang Yaoting shouted, "Continue!"
Three hours later, the seven students who were shaking their legs and doing horse stance were very happy to see their Shimu, Ping'an, and Teacher Lee, Lee Dachin, approaching with food.
Ping'an stood and looked at the punished disciples. "Faulted?" she asked gently.
They nodded sadly.
Fang Yaoting saw Ping'an and Lee Dachin. Then he shouted to the disciples, "Lunch time!"
The disciples were so happy; they gathered their swords into their sheaths one after another. They lined up to get their pork buns and their tea. The seven punished classmates who were still doing horse stance stared at their resting classmates with longing.
"Yaoting," Lee Dachin said, handing him a bowl of tea.
Fang Yaoting took a sip of the tea and glanced at the seven punished disciples. "Go eat," he said, releasing them.
The seven disciples replied happily, "Yes, Third Master!"
"Why are you so tough on them?" Lee Dachin asked, concerned.
"It's been six months; they should all know the basic moves," Fang Yaoting replied.
Ping'an walked from behind after distributing the food and tea to the seven disciples. She said, "They are not Zhiqiang and Ah Bao."
Fang Yaoting sighed, admitting the truth. "It took Zhiqiang three and a half months to learn all the moves, but Ah Bao only took two months."
"Everyone learns at their own pace," Lee Dachin reminded him gently.
Ping'an handed Fang Yaoting a slice of watermelon. She suggested, "How about you have Zhiqiang train them with the basic moves, and you train those that passed basic?"
"This is a good idea," Lee Dachin agreed. "You don't have to deal with them."
From a distance, a person ran towards Fang Yaoting, Lee Dachin, and Ping'an. The servant shouted, "Young Master Fang! Young Master Fang!" He reached Fang Yaoting, breathless. "Young Master Fang, Madam Fang is in labor!"
Inside Wang Shuchun's bedroom, she cried out in pain, enduring the throes of labor. Fang Yaoting, Lee Dachin, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu stood anxiously outside the door, waiting.
Thirty minutes later, Ping'an arrived with the midwife. The midwife walked into Wang Shuchun's room, and the door closed behind her. The group of friends waited nervously outside. Two hours later, they heard the screech of a baby crying. One of the maids came out with a baby in her arms.
The maid happily smiled at Fang Yaoting. "Congratulations, Young Master, it's a boy!"
Fang Yaoting looked at the baby, his expression unreadable. "Go and wash him," he instructed.
After a while, they heard Wang Shuchun groaning in pain again, and then another baby started to cry.
The second maid walked out with a second baby. "Congratulations, Master, it's a boy!" she announced. The servant took the child and left to clean him.
Fang Yaoting grabbed Lee Dachin's right hand and smiled, a genuine, joyful smile lighting his face. "You promised that if I help you complete your dream, you will help me complete my dream. I have completed your dream."
Lee Dachin smiled and nodded; his eyes filled with understanding and love for Fang Yaoting. Fang Yaoting hugged him tightly in his arms, his heart swelling with the shared joy.
The three Guozhao Hunters congratulated Fang Yaoting for the new additions to his family, a moment of profound happiness and complex emotions.