"Yeah, I know." Gan Yu nodded seriously. "You have to eat well to grow up quickly and help everyone!"
"Good girl." Yu Xie smiled with relief and gently patted Gan Yu's little head.
After a while, dinner was ready.
From the kitchen came Ge Chen's voice.
"Dinner's ready! You two, come in and eat!"
Upon hearing Ge Chen's call, Yu Xie and Gan Yu got up and slowly walked into the room.
On the dining table were several home-cooked dishes, each looking and smelling fantastic. It was clear that Ge Chen had put in a lot of effort.
"This dish is something I just learned; I named it 'Drifting in a Little Boat,'" Ge Chen said, pointing to one of the dishes, looking quite proud.
"Isn't that just regular corn and rib soup?" Yu Xie couldn't help but tease.
However, the bowl of corn and rib soup did look different from the usual. The broth was particularly vibrant, with corn, ribs, and other ingredients mingling together, creating a fragrant aroma that hinted at its deliciousness.
"Did you see the glazed lilies and rainbow flowers in the bowl? They were added after special treatment. Come on, try it!" Ge Chen handed Yu Xie a spoon, seemingly nervous.
Taking the spoon, Yu Xie scooped some from the bowl and brought it to his mouth.
The rich aroma exploded in his mouth, with the flavors of corn and ribs mingling with the scents of the glazed lilies and rainbow flowers, making him feel as if he were in the mountains.
"Delicious, as expected of you."
Many adjectives came to mind, but all he could say was, "Delicious."
And a growing sense of reluctance filled his heart.
He wouldn't be able to taste Ge Chen's cooking or her soup anymore, nor would he see her playing the zither under the sunlight filtering through the trees.
"Well then, dig in." Ge Chen smiled with satisfaction, as if relieved.
She knew Yu Xie wasn't just being polite; he simply wasn't one to express himself with many words.
After dinner, Ge Chen and Gan Yu left.
The two of them walked to the courtyard's edge but paused to look back.
"Ge Chen, you still haven't given it to him?" Gan Yu asked curiously, looking up at Ge Chen.
"That's because I haven't had the chance," Ge Chen said, a faint light flickering in her hand as a small, exquisite music box appeared.
She had recorded her own compositions in it, and all she needed to do was press a switch for it to play continuously.
Ge Chen understood music to some extent, but when it came to mechanisms, she wasn't as skilled as Liu Yun or Gui Zhong. However, she humbly sought their advice for this project, spending countless nights working until she finally created this portable music box.
Originally, she intended to give it to Yu Xie but hadn't found the right moment.
"Opportunities have to be created; even I know that," Gan Yu said.
"I know! Next time, I'll definitely create an opportunity to give it to him," Ge Chen replied, putting away the music box and taking Gan Yu's hand. "Let's head back."
The residence of the Deputy Guardian General became quiet again.
As night deepened, the stars twinkled in the sky, and the silver moonlight spilled down, as if blanketing Guili Assembly with salt.
Yu Xie had been sitting alone in the house for a long time before putting on a coat and stepping outside.
He walked slowly, traversing the familiar land and paths, passing by the houses where residents lived until he reached a more imposing building compared to the others.
Even during wartime, Guili Assembly was gradually prospering, and the meeting place for the celestial beings had transformed from the originally makeshift camp into the now impressive "Guili Pavilion."
"General Yu, it's quite late; do you need to see the Emperor?" a soldier on guard at the entrance of Guili Pavilion asked as he noticed Yu Xie's silhouette.
"Is the Emperor still here?" Yu Xie inquired.
"Yes, he is. Please, go in," the soldier replied respectfully, gesturing for him to enter.
Yu Xie nodded to the soldier and walked into the Guili Pavilion.
Despite the late hour, the inside of the pavilion was brightly lit.
Morax stood before a wall, gazing at the map of Guili Assembly hanging there, his expression deep and contemplative.
"Good evening," Yu Xie said as he approached.
"You should be resting; you shouldn't be out wandering at this hour," Morax said, shifting his gaze from the map to Yu Xie.
"If I stay cooped up at home, I might start to mold," Yu Xie replied with a laugh.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Same as always; I probably have just over a month left."
Morax's eyes flashed with complex emotions at those words. For Morax, the Geo Archon, he was the leader of Guili Assembly, and his responsibilities did not allow him to be swayed by emotions. But how could he remain unaffected by the thought of a comrade and friend, who had fought by his side for so many years, passing away?
"No need to tell everyone?" Morax asked.
"It's not that I'm being self-centered, but if I tell everyone, they'll show me expressions I don't want to see," Yu Xie replied, offering a self-deprecating smile.
"I respect your decision."
"Then let me share my next thought."
"Go ahead."
"I'm here to resign."
"...Resign?"
"Exactly." Yu Xie nodded. "You know my body isn't fit for battle anymore, so it's time for someone else to take the position of 'Deputy Guardian General.'"
"After all these years, you should know that the position of Deputy Guardian General is no longer just a simple title. You are the only one who can hold this position."
Morax was right. In the hearts of the people of Guili Assembly, the title "Deputy Guardian General" had become more than just a military rank; it was a matter of faith.
These four words were like "Morax" himself, bringing comfort to the people of Guili Assembly and instilling fear in any demon that sought to harm them.
"But I have already…" Yu Xie fell silent for a moment, ultimately not saying the word "die." "I've grown old."
Morax pondered for a long time.
"Your position in the military can be replaced, but you will forever be the Deputy Guardian General of Guili Assembly. That role cannot be filled by anyone else."
"Thank you." After a while, Yu Xie smiled faintly. "Honestly, it's hard to imagine what you'll be like in a few thousand years."
"If there's no war in a few thousand years, perhaps I'll choose a name that no one knows and live the rest of my life in peace."
"Good idea."
After leaving Guili Pavilion, Yu Xie walked alone on the path.
On either side of the road were many residents' homes. Though it was late, he could still see some figures outside.
Children were running around, laughing and playing.
Under the protection of the Geo Archon, the Deputy Guardian General, and the celestial beings, the people of Guili Assembly managed to live well even during wartime.
Some recognized the silver-haired man wrapped in a coat as Yu Xie and respectfully greeted him, to which he responded politely.
The night breeze blew, and the cold air seeped through the collar and sleeves of his coat.
Yu Xie tightened his coat and looked up, realizing he had arrived at Gui Zhong's home.
At that moment, the lights were still on inside.
He could imagine Gui Zhong, under the warm glow, diligently researching some kind of mechanical creation, likely very focused and serious.
Yu Xie couldn't help but wonder what Liu Yun was doing now.
With her competitive spirit, she was probably also working hard on her mechanisms.