After the discussion ended, the sun had dipped below the edge of the valley, casting long golden hues over Huayin Village. In the Su family courtyard, fire lanterns flickered gently against the crisp evening breeze. The scent of steamed wild lotus rice, spicy mountain root stew, and herb-glazed venison wafted through the air. The entire Su family was seated around a large round stone table beneath the ancient plum tree, its petals drifting down with the soft wind like blessings from ancestors.
Su Mengtian raised his cup of sweet pine tea, his eyes scanning the faces around the table. Beside him sat Bai Yueying, her silver hair tied in a loose braid, eyes glowing with a serene warmth. Across the table, Su Leilong and Long Xuemei shared quiet glances, content yet observant. Su Tianlei and Su Lingyue sat on either side, their youthful chatter already turning toward the taste of the stew.
Mengtian gently cleared his throat.
"Father. Mother," he began, his voice calm but firm, "Yueying and I wish to ask something of you."
Long Xuemei set down her cup, her expression composed. "Speak, Tian'er."
Mengtian glanced at Yueying briefly, who gave him a slight nod of encouragement. He turned back to his parents.
"We want all of you to return with us to Kun Island. You've lived in Huayin village long enough. This place has given us roots, but now that I have a realm to build—a future to forge—I want my family with me. I want the heart of my world to beat with those who shaped me."
For a moment, silence reigned, punctuated only by the soft rustling of leaves and the chirp of evening crickets.
Su Leilong narrowed his eyes slightly, not out of anger, but out of contemplation. He leaned back slowly.
"And leave all this behind?" he asked softly, gesturing to the home around them. "The fields I ploughed with my hands, the neighbors who watched you grow, the mountain wind that taught you to endure?"
"Yes," Mengtian replied, unwavering. "Because I'm not abandoning it. I'm carrying it with me."
Yueying leaned forward. "Uncle, Aunt... the world is changing. Kun Island is becoming a beacon. It's time others know who stands behind Su Mengtian. Who made him."
Su Lingyue placed her chopsticks down, looking hopeful. "Mother... I want to see it too. The halls, the banners... big brother's realm."
Su Tianlei grinned. "And a Storm Dragon King ride doesn't hurt either."
Long Xuemei allowed a smile to spread slowly across her lips. She reached across and took Su Leilong's hand.
"What do you think, dear?"
Leilong sighed, staring into his tea. "You two make a strong case... and I suppose this old warlord is long past due for a new chapter."
Mengtian beamed.
"Then it's settled. We leave after sunrise."
That night, the moon hung pale and full above Huayin. Within their room, Su Leilong and Long Xuemei sat by the window, their fingers intertwined.
"Feels strange, doesn't it?" Xuemei murmured, brushing her fingers along the windowsill.
"Strange and... inevitable," Leilong replied. "How many winters have we sat here, watching the wind stir that snow bloom tree?"
"Eighteen," Xuemei whispered. "Since Mengtian turned two."
Leilong chuckled. "He's a Sovereign now. The boy who once asked if swords could sing."
She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"He sings through them now. And we must go... not because we're needed, but because he deserves to know we're with him."
Leilong kissed her temple. "Am I getting old, Xuemei? That boy of ours is already a legend."
Xuemei placed her hand over his and smiled. "Just wise enough to start again."
"The fields, the snow bloom tree by the pond, Tianlei's first punch… Lingyue's tantrums…"
"Let's take the memories with us. The house can rest now."
The morning sun bathed the village in amber light. Every rooftop shimmered with dew, and soft smoke curled from chimneys. The villagers, upon hearing the news, had gathered outside the Su family home.
Elder Huo, his back curved like a river stone, stepped forward. "You'll be missed, Leilong. Xuemei. And the children... they brought spring to our hearts."
Leilong clasped the old man's hand. "Thank you for watching over us."
Old Aunt Mei wiped a tear from her wrinkled eyes. "Mengtian, make sure to send word. The little ones still tell stories of you in the night."
Several children rushed forward, carrying hand-carved wooden figures of dragons, storm eagles, and swordfish.
"Take these, Hero-gege! To protect you from scary ghosts!"
Su Mengtian knelt and accepted each one solemnly. "I will guard them with my life. And one day, you'll come visit me too."
Su Lingyue embraced the old village women, giving them carefully wrapped herb pouches. "For winter coughs," she said with a smile.
When the time came, the massive silhouette of the Storm Dragon King descended beyond the eastern cliffs, shaking the ground as it landed gracefully beside the valley fields. Its storm-burnished scales shimmered under the sunlight.
"It's beautiful..." Tianlei whispered.
As the family boarded the dragon, Su Mengtian looked one last time at the village.
"Home," he murmured, "is not the soil we walk, but the hearts we carry."
The Storm Dragon King soared above the world, clouds swirling around its wings. Below them, rivers turned to ribbons, forests to green sighs. The world was vast, and yet the Su family felt closer than ever.
Su Tianlei leaned over the side, pointing.
"There! That's White Bone Ridge, right?! I saw it on the old scrolls."
Long Xuemei laughed. "You've got a memory like your brother's. Sharp and stubborn."
Leilong looked at his sons, then turned to Mengtian. "Do you see this, boy? This is the world you must walk beyond. Every river, every mountain, every sky... it's waiting."
Yueying sat close to Mengtian, her hand entwined in his.
"They're coming home to you, my love," she said softly.
Mengtian leaned in and whispered, "No. We are all going home together."
As dusk fell, Kun Island emerged from the horizon—a fortress of might, banners fluttering in the wind, luminous aether lights dancing atop towers and halls. Lightning arcs crowned the peaks, and sea-mist curled like spirits across the cliffs.
At the highest citadel, Yue Mei and Ji Yeyan stood on a balcony, watching the dragon approach.
"He returns," Ji Yeyan said.
"With his family," Yue Mei replied, her voice warm.
The Storm Dragon King let out a resonant roar as it circled once, before descending toward the Stormspire Court.
As the family dismounted, hundreds of disciples knelt, hands pressed to their hearts.
"Welcome home, Sovereign."
Mengtian turned to his father.
"Father... this is our legacy. And now, it is yours too."
Su Leilong looked upon the Stormspire.
"Let's build it stronger. Together."
Su Leilong turns to Xuemei and smiles. "So… what does a retired warlord do in a storm-forged realm?"
Xuemei says, "Help the next generation rise higher."