The three Guozhao Hunters returned to Cloud City after finishing their meeting with the Six Sectors. As soon as they arrived, they entered the training ground, where the disciples were still diligently training with Guozhao Zhiqiang.
"Zhiqiang," Guo Baiyu called out, his voice firm, "make sure everyone gathers here in an hour, and whoever is not here will be punished."
Zhao Renshu added, "Go and gather your juniors."
Guozhao Zhiqiang and the other disciples immediately left the training ground to carry out the orders.
"Baiyu!" Guo Longtong's voice called from behind them.
Guo Baiyu turned. "Longtong, did everyone come with you?" he asked, referring to the families from Peach Town.
Guo Longtong nodded, a slight frown on his face. "Yes, everyone is here. I don't know where to put them."
"We are leaving in ten days," Guo Baiyu replied. "After we leave, there should be more vacancies. Hongse wants you to stay here."
Guo Longtong immediately refused. "I will accompany you to Waterfall City," he insisted.
"But..." Guo Baiyu began, about to argue.
"Hongse has something to say, she can say it in front of me," Guo Longtong interjected, challenging him.
An hour later, all three hundred and twenty-four disciples were assembled. Guozhao Zhiqiang rang a small bell, and the chattering disciples immediately fell silent.
Guo Baiyu turned to Guo Longtong. "If the Fang family and Guo family have arrived, help me locate them," he instructed.
"I understand," Guo Longtong replied with a confident smile. "Don't worry about such small issues. You have to focus on bigger issues."
Inside the training ground, three hundred and twenty-four disciples were lined up in six neat groups.
Zhao Renshu looked at his young students, his heart aching with a silent sorrow. Many of them, he knew, would likely die. He swallowed his sadness, forcing it down, and said, "Today Master Fang is not here, so I will speak for him. Ten days from today, we will go north to fight an army of creatures. Lives will be lost, and people will die. When we became hunters, we swore that we would stand with justice."
"Death is hard to prevent," Guo Baiyu added, his gaze sweeping over his young students—students he loved as his own children. "If none of you want to go, I will not impose on you. But those of you who stay behind will have the responsibility to protect the safety of the people in Cloud City. If we fail and we perish, it will be your duty as a Guozhao Hunter to pass on our principles of practice to the next generation."
"When we are gone, Xiao Mei will represent us," Zhao Renshu announced. "If we should die, she will be the Sector Leader."
"I'm not worthy of being the Sector Leader," Xiao Mei protested, stepping forward. "It's best to let First or Second Senior Brothers be in charge."
"They will go with us," Guo Baiyu stated simply.
"Volunteers, step forward," Zhao Renshu commanded.
All three hundred and twenty-three disciples, save for the one unable to fight, stepped forward as one, a sea of resolute faces.
Zhao Renshu smiled, a rare, genuine warmth in his eyes. "I am proud to have such excellent disciples as you."
"We only need two hundred," Guo Baiyu clarified, "and the rest will be left to protect the people."
"Those who are fourteen and younger, stay," Zhao Renshu instructed.
"Everyone is preparing for a two-week trip to Waterfall City, and we are leaving in ten days," Guo Baiyu reminded them, setting the timeline.
Early in the morning on the tenth day, the disciples and their parents said goodbye to each other, tearful farewells echoing through the valley. Those without parents stood by, watching their fellow classmates say goodbye, understanding this might be the last time they saw their loved ones.
"Longtong, pay attention to your safety!" Madam Guo exclaimed sadly, hugging her son tightly. "You can't fight, so don't fight, okay?"
"Don't worry," Guo Longtong replied, trying to sound brave. "I have Baiyu and Hongse."
"Brother, take care," Guo Mingyu said, his voice quiet.
"If you are bored, go find Xiao Mei and study medicine, and read the Guozhao principles," Guo Baiyu advised, looking at his younger brother. "You might like it." He patted his younger brother on the shoulder.
Guo Mingyu nodded. "I will," he promised.
Madam Fang whimpered and hugged Fang Yaoting tightly. "Yaoting, please stay," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
"Mother, you take care," Fang Yaoting said, his voice soft with affection. He looked at the twins. "You two listen and take care of Grandma. If you don't understand anything, go seek advice from Xiao Mei."
The twins nodded their tiny heads obediently.
Master Fang stepped forward, his expression stern. "Be careful, don't be as impulsive as before. You have to remember that you still have family members to return to," he cautioned.
"Brother, let go and watch the duck!" Fang Chongling, the younger brother, piped up innocently.
Hearing Fang Chongling's words, Madam Fang cried even harder, overwhelmed.
Fang Yaoting smiled and rubbed Fang Chongling's head. "Good boy, listen to Sister-in-law and Mother. When I come back, we will go see the ducks."
Fang Chongling smiled, brightening. "Okay... Okay..."
Wang Shuchun burst into tears, her voice raw. "I'm waiting for your return!" she cried.
Fang Yaoting's voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "You don't have to wait for me. You can remarry if you find someone you like. My son will remain with my parents."
"We may never see each other again," Wang Shuchun pressed, desperately. "You have nothing to say to me?"
"Those are my last words to you," Fang Yaoting stated, his gaze unyielding.
"Are you willing to take him with you, but not me?" Wang Shuchun asked, gesturing to Lee Dachin.
Fang Yaoting held Lee Dachin's hand firmly, intertwining their fingers. "Dachin and I agree to face happiness and hardship together. No matter what the circumstances, we will never leave each other behind."
Zhao Renshu looked at Ping'an, a wry smile on his face. "It seems that only the two of us have no relatives to come say goodbye to."
Ping'an smiled sadly at Zhao Renshu, a world of understanding in her eyes. "It's a good thing, no goodbye, no heartache," she murmured, a bittersweet truth.
"Baiyu! Let's go!" Zhao Renshu called out, ready to depart.
Guo Baiyu turned to the gathered families. "Everyone must remember that after we are gone, if you step out, you can't re-enter Cloud City," he warned, his voice grave, emphasizing the barricade's finality.
The masters and their chosen disciples began to walk away, a long journey ahead.
"Wait! Wait! Ping'an, wait!" Xiong Lifeng shouted from behind the group, rushing forward.
Boss Xiong and Xiong Lifeng walked quickly to Ping'an.
Xiong Lifeng handed Ping'an a small white sack. "Ping'an, this is for you," she said warmly. "You can eat when you get hungry." She reached into her inner robe and grabbed three paper charms. "These are protection amulets from the temple. It will protect you." She handed the three paper charms to Ping'an. "One for each of you."
Boss Xiong approached slowly with a walking stick; his eyes filled with concern. "No matter how good your skill is, you are still a woman; don't force it, you two," he cautioned, looking at Ping'an. He then looked at Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu. "As her husbands, you two take care of her."
"Don't worry, Boss Xiong," Guo Baiyu smiled, reassuring him.
Zhao Renshu, ever disrespectful, snorted. "We will take better care of her than you," he retorted.
"Brother-in-law Renshu," Xiong Lifeng chided, a small smile playing on her lips, "you have to be respectful to your elders. It has been sixteen years and there is no improvement at all!" She turned to Guo Baiyu. "Brother-in-law Baiyu, you have to teach him some politeness."
Guo Baiyu smiled. "It's still a learning process," he replied. "Take care of your parents and help take care of the children when you have time."
Xiong Lifeng smiled. "Don't worry," she promised.
The hunters went farther and farther down the mountain, their figures growing smaller. Left-behind families could only go as far as the magic circle allowed them to go. When they watched the last man descend the mountain, they began to return to where they were supposed to stay, waiting until their sons and daughters returned.