Chapter 64: Setting Off

Zhang Xiaohua listened to Liu Qian's words, feeling a sense of silence in her heart. Indeed, in the past, no matter what she did at home, there were always family members to take care of her. Now, she had to be far away, and everything would have to be done with her own hands and mind. Even with her second brother by her side, she would have to be mindful of everything. Her sister-in-law's words hit the mark.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua's thoughtful expression, Liu Qian felt very comforted. She stepped forward, patted Xiaohua's head, and said, "Take it slowly. I believe Xiaohua can adapt."

Zhang Xiaohua looked up, smiled brightly, and said firmly, "Yes, Sister-in-law, I will."

Zhang Xiaolong also came over, took out two silver bills from his chest, and handed them to Zhang Xiaohu, saying, "Xiaohu, these are the silver bills we got in Luzhen last time. We haven't used them. Take them. Since no one has come to claim them for so long, they probably won't come."

Zhang Xiaohu didn't take them, turned to look at Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei, and said, "Father, Mother, we shouldn't take these silver bills. They don't belong to us. What if the owner comes to claim them? We would have nothing to give them. It would just cause trouble for us."

Guo Sufei sighed, took out a handkerchief from her chest, opened it, and revealed some loose silver coins. She handed them to Zhang Xiaohu and said, "Xiaohu, this is the silver we've saved. Take it with you and don't be too frugal. Your health is the most important. We don't need so much at home. Take it."

Zhang Xiaohu took the handkerchief and tried to give some back to his mother, but Guo Sufei put them back in the handkerchief. He then carefully wrapped it and put it in his chest.

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohu didn't take the silver bills, Zhang Xiaolong took out the token of the Ethereal Sect from his chest and said, "Xiaohu, if you don't take the silver bills, at least take this token. Otherwise, how will they recognize you at the Ethereal Sect? With this token, you have a better chance of finding侠女 Xue."

Zhang Xiaohu shook his head and said, "Brother, this token is for our protection, given by侠女 Xue. We shouldn't use it for other purposes. Relying on侠女 Xue's connections to enter the Ethereal Sect isn't our own ability. It would be better to rely on our own strength. Otherwise, we might mislead侠女 Xue. Besides, the bullies in Luzhen and the bandits in Xicui Mountain might come looking for us. We will likely need this token to get through tough times. Xiaohua and I are going to Pingyang City to learn martial arts and protect our family. It wouldn't be right to take something that could save our lives."

Before Zhang Xiaohu finished speaking, someone outside praised, "Good ambition, Xiaohu. You're right. Everything should be earned through one's own efforts, not by relying on others."

Everyone turned around and saw that it was Mr. Liu who had come to see Zhang Xiaohu off.

Mr. Liu walked up to them, patted Zhang Xiaohua's head with one hand and Zhang Xiaohu's shoulder with the other, and said contentedly, "You are good children. Be careful when you're out. Remember, hard work brings rewards. Don't take shortcuts or do anything that endangers your life. Remember, you are not alone. Your parents and siblings are watching and waiting for you. Think carefully before you act. Passion is good, but always act within your capabilities."

After saying this, he took out a silver bill from his chest and handed it to Zhang Xiaohu, saying, "This is my savings. I have nothing else to give you. Take this in case of emergencies."

Zhang Xiaohu still didn't dare to take it and looked at Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei. Zhang Cai said, "Father-in-law, this isn't necessary. We've already given Xiaohu enough silver. We appreciate your kindness, but please keep the silver bill."

Mr. Liu chuckled and said, "Father-in-law, it seems you still consider me an outsider. I will be living with you from now on. Why should we be so formal? This silver bill is of no use to me. It's better to give it to Xiaohu. If they use it, that's fine. If not, they can return it when they come back."

Liu Qian also said, "Father, that makes sense. Xiaohu, take it. You can return it when you come back."

Zhang Cai didn't say anything more. Zhang Xiaohu thought for a moment and then reached out to take it, putting it in his chest and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

Mr. Liu smiled contentedly.

That night, everyone sat in the Zhang family's hall, talking under the flickering oil lamp. Mr. Liu shared all the precautions he knew about traveling, and Guo Sufei repeated the practical advice, making Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua's ears calloused. They only dispersed when everyone was yawning.

In the grandmother's small house, Zhang Xiaohua murmured about her grandmother and slowly fell asleep.

Zhang Xiaohu, however, tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He originally had no specific goal for going to Pingyang City, just a sense of inadequacy in Liu Yuanyuan's issue. He wanted to explore the world and find his own path. But with Zhang Xiaohua's influence, he felt that martial arts could be a bright path. However, he had no clear idea of how to proceed. No one in the family had traveled far, and Mr. Liu and Liu Kai were scholars with no practical advice. There was no one to ask in the village except the bandits in Xicui Mountain and the Evil Tiger Gang. Zhang Xiaohua could sleep soundly, but he had to think clearly. Otherwise, they would be lost in Pingyang City, and once the silver was spent, they would have to return home. Suddenly, he wondered if his parents had similar thoughts.

The next morning, Zhang Xiaohua woke up early, washed his face, and went to the hill to fetch water, filling the water jar at home, wanting to do more work before leaving.

When Guo Sufei woke up and saw Zhang Xiaohua working, she felt warm inside but her eyes were red. She thought her son had grown up but was reluctant to let him go.

After breakfast, Zhang Cai led the family to the graves of his parents to pay respects, then returned to pack their bags and prepare to set off.

In fact, the bags were already packed, but they checked them again. Everyone took their bags and went out together, with Mr. Liu following.

Most of the villagers were already in the fields working. On the way, they occasionally met some people who, seeing Zhang Xiaohu's appearance, knew they were leaving and came to say goodbye and give advice.

They slowly walked to the village entrance.

It was time to part. Zhang Xiaolong put the larger bag on Zhang Xiaohu's back, and Liu Qian hung the smaller one on Zhang Xiaohua. Guo Sufei kept straightening Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua's clothes, tears streaming down her face, repeatedly telling them, "Be careful out there. If it's not working, come back early."

Zhang Cai didn't speak, just looked at them lovingly, his eyes red.

Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua were a bit impatient and said, "It's nothing, Mother. We're just going out. Although we haven't been to Pingyang City, we are grown up and should see the world. Don't worry, we will take care of ourselves."

Seeing their attitude, Guo Sufei became even more worried and said, "Children, don't be too careless. Be careful. Xiaohua is still young, and Xiaohu must take good care of him. Don't let Xiaohua suffer any委屈."

Zhang Xiaohu repeatedly assured his mother that he would not let Zhang Xiaohua suffer, and Guo Sufei finally stopped.

Zhang Cai looked at the sky and said, "Wife, don't say more. Let them go. They need to catch the carriage in Luzhen. Don't delay them."

Guo Sufei thought about it and let go. Zhang Xiaolong, Liu Qian, and Mr. Liu also gave their final advice. Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua then shouldered their bags and set off. After walking a few dozen steps, they looked back and saw the wind blowing Guo Sufei's white hair. Zhang Xiaohua's calm heart suddenly became turbulent. He had always thought of himself as strong, but he couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face.

Zhang Xiaohua dropped his bag and ran back, throwing himself into his mother's arms, hugging her tightly.

Guo Sufei also hugged her youngest son and cried. After a while, Zhang Xiaohua let go and Guo Sufei tentatively said, "Xiaohua, why don't you stay? Stay with Mother, okay?"

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head, wiped his tears, and said, "No, Mother. I must go. This is the last time I will cry. I don't want to cry anymore, and I don't want to see our family cry. Even if I bleed, I don't want you to bleed. Believe in me, Mother. I will do it. Wait and see my efforts."

Guo Sufei wiped her tears and nodded, "I believe you, Xiaohua. You won't disappoint us."

Zhang Cai's tears also quietly flowed, but he quickly wiped them away.

Zhang Xiaohua looked at his family again, wanting to deeply engrave them in his heart. Then, he turned to leave. At that moment, Zhang Cai said, "Wait."

Zhang Xiaohua stopped and looked at his father curiously.

Zhang Cai stepped forward, looked at his son, and opened his arms, hugging him tightly. Zhang Xiaohua, smelling his father's scent, felt very moved. Since he was old enough to understand, his father had never hugged him or shown affection. He had once thought his father didn't like him, but now he realized his father's love was no less than his mother's, just in a different way.

After a while, Zhang Cai let go and said to Zhang Xiaohua, "Go, child. Your father and mother will be waiting for you at home."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said, "Father, take care of yourself."

Then, Zhang Xiaohua turned and walked, picked up his bag, turned back, waved to everyone, and walked resolutely.

When Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua's figures disappeared around a hill, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei and the others still didn't want to leave. They stood there for a long time, hoping to see their children again.

However, they were disappointed. The familiar figures did not reappear.

Guo Sufei asked Zhang Cai, "Husband, do you think the children will suffer outside?"

Zhang Cai said, "Don't worry. They will come back after they've had some hard times. Maybe soon. Just consider it a trip."

Unfortunately, they didn't know that Zhang Xiaohua's step was not just a simple step out of the village, but a significant step that would influence the entire martial world.

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