10 Departure

An Hong's body trembled at An Bing Qing's confirmation and he hastily stood up. He looked down and saw her blinking eyes and pleading lips; she was cute and lovable. But such looks didn't make him agree. He unconsciously shook his head. 'No! She can't go. He absolutely can't let her go'.

"I…" The father and son duo were synchronized when it come to this.

Watching the negative situation, she said first, "Daddy wouldn't dare to break his promise, right? As An family's Patriarch, daddy will fulfil it, right? There couldn't possibly be something in the world that could make such honourable man to take back his words, right?"

"That..." An Hong was tongue-tied. He really wanted to break it, even more now. Nor only because she was so beautiful but because now, her daughter has jumped from three-gate Mundane level to six-gate Mundane. If were the ancient times, there wouldn't be any problem; but now, what was he supposed to do?

An Bing Qing saw his father inner conflict and knew that before long he will end breaking his promise. She switched tactics. She reached behind her brother and bent down to hug him; her arms surrounded his neck and her fullness touched his back, making An Yu Yong's heart jolt. The sweet pear fragrance was thin now as its harvest time has passed and was quickly covered by a clean and fresh girl's one. He smiled helplessly, 'Sigh, I must be another woman in the eyes of my naive little sister'.

His thoughts drifted away when he heard a rightful tender voice beside his ear, "Daddy, you can't keep Bing Qing here forever and Bing Qing also can't hide forever inside the carriage and behind a veil when going out". She took a deep breath and articulated, "Bing Qing has decided to walk the path of cultivation again, how can Bing Qing improve if Bing Qing doesn't face trouble? And how can our An family grew if we shy a little? Three of our Elders and eldest brother will go; I know we will be good. And with an extra pair of eyes we can spot more snakes' tales".

An Yu Yong who has turned around was watching her little sister's perfect countenance from up close. She was solemn as if she understood everything she had said; she wasn't joking around. 'When has she grown up so much?'

An Hong was asking himself the same question but for some inexplicable reason, he didn't feel elated and proud but bitter and sad instead. He supressed his weird feeling and pondered for a while.

An Bing Qing continued to look straight at him while An Yu Yong was deeply staring at her without uttering a word.

At long last he heaved a sigh, saying, "All right, but..." He sat again and reached for An Bing Qing's present on the table. He breathed and said as he looked at his children who shared the same face, "Indeed, daddy has thought about it already. That's why daddy took out this pair of necklaces. It is better to open them when you are alone. Tap". He placed back on the table the little jade box.

An Yu Yong lowered his gaze to the little jade box with purple patterns in his hands and An Bing Qing who had already guessed what was her present, put on a curious look as she watched hers on the table from afar; she wasn't willing to free her eldest brother yet.

The door to the backyard squeaked open and a row of servants entered. Both of them stayed immersed in their thoughts and didn't hear a thing till An Hong's raspy voice sounded, "Hmh? Dinner is coming. Let's eat".

They snapped out, keep their presents in their qiankun bags and took their respective seats opposite An Hong to eat.

Dinner time was noisy as An Hong with An Yu Yong told An Bing Qing about the preparations which were almost complete. As she heard, she was sure her father wasn't contemplating her before; she sighed in her heart.

An Hong got up as all had finished and said, "Yu Yong take care of the new arrangements. Bing Nan remember to package Qing'ers favourite pillow when time comes; she won't be able to sleep without it"

"Aye"

'Oh my... That's something of the past. I can sleep without it already', she covered her face in embarrassment.

"Pffh". An Yu Yong quickly refrained from laughing. She still was able to hear him; she glared at him and he hastily strode away before things get unfavourable for him. "I'm leaving now. Don't miss me much".

"That brat can really run fast, tch. All right, you sleep well. As soon as all things are ready, you all will depart".

She nodded and sent him away.

........................

The moon still hadn't hide by the end of the fifth watch two days later but the main residence's wide square was bustling.

There was an archaic and simple bronze-coloured spacecraft in the middle with around a hundred people in front of it.

Near the spacecraft, An Hong was reluctant to part with his daughter.

"Daddy, Bing Qing can't breathe", An Bing Qing said while gasping for breath.

An Hong didn't release her but strengthen his embrace. At length, he let her go, saying, "Ah. Qing'er must remember to bring along the Elders when going out".

"Enh", she nodded but she had other thoughts; she hugged him back and then lined up along ten or so youths.

An Hong turned around to look towards the Elders and young men, "I won't elaborate much; I won't wish you luck, go and gain the fruits of your hard work. Most of you have already participated in such event and know how to do. This is Yu Yong and Qing'er first time; even though they won't participate, I ask you to guide them. The three Elders, take care of An family's future".

"Yes", a sonorous answer resonated throughout the square. They gave courtesy and entered the spacecraft. This was followed by the farewells of tens of people.

An Hong looked with worry at the disappearing white figure behind the closing door. The worry grew as the spacecraft soared to the sky. He only drifted his sight and waved his hand to dismiss the people till it vanished away.