In the dead of night, another sudden upheaval occurred—Grand Beginning Temple had lost yet another sect leader. Li Yuanmin was utterly devastated and at a loss, leaving Qi Yunke and the others to handle Wang Yuanjing's funeral arrangements and other subsequent responsibilities.
While the temple staff prepared a room for Cai Zhao, the Cai couple took their daughter aside to speak privately.
After tightly closing the doors and windows, Ning Xiaofeng stationed her husband by the entrance as lookout before dragging her daughter to sit at the table. "Explain clearly—what exactly is your relationship with that man surnamed Mu? No evasions!"
Cai Zhao gazed at the jade-carved lamp stand and sighed deeply. "...Actually, we'd already agreed to part ways."
"Already? Part ways?"
Ning Xiaofeng seized the key points with precision, narrowing her eyes. "To part ways means you must have been together first. And what do you mean by 'already'? Has the situation changed again?"
Another sigh escaped Cai Zhao. "Mother, you're too sharp. Asking so directly will only hurt feelings."
"Hurt feelings my foot!" Ning Xiaofeng jabbed her daughter's forehead forcefully. "My second greatest regret in life was not thoroughly investigating those wild men your aunt knew outside, or so many tragedies wouldn't have happened later! Don't you dare try that trick with me now—out with the truth!"
Rubbing her forehead, Cai Zhao said, "Ah, what's there to explain? You already know most of it! We met when he was pretending to be Chang Ning. Later, when Father and Master were in trouble, he helped continuously. When he returned to the Demonic Cult to confront Nie Zhe, I went to assist him too. Though I wasn't much help, we agreed to consider our debts settled, and that... there would be no future between us."
"Two weeks ago, I came with my senior brothers to prepare for Great Hero Chang's memorial ceremony. Who knew that scoundrel would show up too, claiming he was investigating clues about the mastermind behind the attacks... Then Zhou Yuqi made a scene about breaking off the engagement. Humiliated, I simply followed that fellow to look for clues instead."
Cai Zhao considered herself quite magnanimous for omitting how the Painted-Skin Demon had manipulated Zhou Yuqi into canceling the engagement—no need to give her parents more reasons to dislike him.
From his post by the door, Cai Pingchun suddenly asked, "Zhao Zhao, do you love that man? How much?"
Caught off guard, Cai Zhao flushed crimson. As she stammered for an excuse, her father continued gently, "Don't be afraid, Zhao Zhao. Speak your heart—your parents are here for you."
Ning Xiaofeng stroked her daughter's hair, softening her tone. "Your father's right. Our Fallen Blossom Valley doesn't care about those hollow distinctions between righteousness and evil—haven't we seen enough scandals and scoundrels emerge from the Big Dipper Six Sects?"
Filled with courage, Cai Zhao whispered, "I do love him. How much... I don't know."
Curious, Ning Xiaofeng pressed, "Compared to Zhou Yuqi? Weren't you quite excited when that engagement was arranged?"
Cai Zhao sighed helplessly. "Mother, it was precisely by comparing him to Jade Kirin that I understood what real love feels like—when he kept entangled with Min Xinrou all those years, I wasn't even that angry. I just thought I'd drive her away after marriage to vent my frustration."
"But if it were that man..." The young girl grew distant. "If he dared to fuss over another girl, showering her with warmth and care... then I'd never see him again in this lifetime!"
Her declaration was absolute, without hesitation. "I'd never forgive him!"
This matter had actually churned in her heart many times already. She'd rather eat wontons without scallions for the rest of her life than tolerate the Painted-Skin Demon having some inseparable cousin equivalent. Yet realizing this only brought greater despondency.
Ning Xiaofeng and Cai Pingchun exchanged glances. As experienced adults, they understood these subtle emotions all too well."What about that Mu fellow? How does he treat you?" Cai Pingchun asked calmly.
Cai Zhao smiled bitterly, "He's wanted to kill Jade Kirin and my senior brother for a long time."
Ning Xiaofeng chuckled lightly, "Earlier tonight, your master was enthusiastically recommending your senior brother to us."
"Ugh, Master is just..." Cai Zhao grew somewhat irritable. "At least Jade Kirin knows what I like to eat and wear. But my senior brother? For all his good looks, he still doesn’t know how to love someone properly. Forget it!"
"Can’t blame your master for being so anxious to find you a future husband," Ning Xiaofeng said, biting her lower lip, her eyes filled with resentment. "Your father and I only just learned these past couple of days how deeply that man harmed your aunt. She didn’t have to die."
Cai Zhao was shocked. "What do you mean?!"
Ning Xiaofeng replied, "This matter would tarnish your aunt’s reputation. If not for the fact that you’re now facing the same situation, your master would have taken this secret to his grave. Back then, with Nie Hengcheng hunting down martial arts masters left and right, how could your aunt have no countermeasures? She, your master, the great hero Miao Jianshi from Hedong, Zhuge Zhengming from Anshan, Elder Brother Meng Chao, and the Lin Kun brothers secretly practiced a formation derived from the Big Dipper."
Cai Pingchun added, "The techniques they cultivated complemented each other perfectly. Once mastered, the formation would have been nearly unstoppable, even for Nie Hengcheng. But alas..."
Ning Xiaofeng continued bitterly, "But before the final battle, all five of them were hunted down and killed one by one—except for Ping Shu and your master. At the time, we wondered how it happened. They were supposed to be well-hidden, yet they were either ambushed in their hideouts or lured out and murdered mysteriously."
Cai Zhao felt as if she had swallowed a mouthful of ice water. Trembling, she asked, "Is that why Aunt had to face Nie Hengcheng alone?"
"Exactly," Ning Xiaofeng gritted her teeth. "Your aunt said that since the formation couldn’t be completed, dragging your master along would be pointless. So she went alone to slay the Demon."
"Who... who betrayed those five heroes?!" Cai Zhao exclaimed.
Cai Pingchun glanced at his wife and said slowly, "Back then, many were suspected—even Yun Ke. But your aunt insisted it wasn’t him because she had never told him where those five were hiding."
Ning Xiaofeng scoffed, "By then, your master had already been chosen as Yin Dai’s son-in-law. Your aunt was cautious, afraid your thick-headed master might accidentally spill the secret in front of his future wife or father-in-law, so she simply didn’t tell him."
"The matter was left unresolved at the time," Cai Pingchun said, gazing at the distant candlelight. "Only two days ago did your master tell us that your aunt had long since uncovered the traitor and dealt with him herself."
Cai Zhao struggled to speak. "...Was it Aunt’s... that man she loved?"
Cai Pingchun nodded slowly. "Your master met him. After the five heroes died, your master foolishly wanted to seek that man’s help. Your aunt had to tell him—that man was already dead."
"Who was he?" Cai Zhao demanded indignantly.
Ning Xiaofeng sighed in frustration. "That fool master of yours knows nothing. No name, no background—just that he met him twice, knew he had high martial skills and seemed decent. Pah! Decent? Qi Yunke has been blind his whole life!"As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. "Only now do I understand why Sister Pingshu turned away without hesitation to kill Nie Hengcheng back then. That bastard had murdered her sworn brother, who had lived and died by her side. How unbearable her grief must have been!"
Cai Pingchun also sighed. "Brother Yunke has been tormented by regret ever since. He knew all along that man had ties to the Demonic Cult, but because of your aunt's request, he never told anyone."
Ning Xiaofeng sobbed softly. "Those two—one was dull-witted, the other blinded by first love—they couldn’t see through that villain’s true nature! If only someone had warned them, or if Brother Xiaochun had given them a hint, they wouldn’t have suffered so terribly!"
Cai Zhao hugged her mother’s shoulders, tears in her eyes. "Mom, let it go. That man even deceived Auntie. What could you and Dad have possibly noticed?"
Ning Xiaofeng wiped her tears sorrowfully. "How could we not have noticed? Your father is sharp-eyed and meticulous, unlike your aunt... Ah, but then again, those with great strength often overlook petty schemes. After all, sheer force can overcome any trickery. No underhanded tactic could stand before her. It wasn’t that she didn’t know Yin Qinglian was scheming to push her to the front lines against the Demonic Cult—she simply didn’t care."
She sighed again. "It’s people like us, with modest abilities, who must be vigilant at every turn. Back then, Yin Qinglian’s reputation for kindness was widespread, yet I was never swayed by her sweet words."
Cai Pingchun looked at her steadily. "Zhaozhao, I won’t ask what you truly think of Mu Qingyan. I only want to remind you—learn from the past and be careful. Don’t follow in your aunt’s footsteps."
Cai Zhao’s heart was filled with confusion.
She tossed and turned half the night, only falling into a fitful sleep near dawn. By the time she woke, it was already afternoon. Braving the light rain, she went to town and bought a freshly roasted chicken as an apology for Fan Xingjia.
Fan Xingjia gnawed on the chicken, mumbling between bites, "You... and that man, you should just forget it. Whether he’s good or bad, Master and your parents will never agree... It’s too difficult."
Cai Zhao lowered her head in silence.
Ding Zhuo, who was polishing his sword nearby, chimed in, "Senior Brother seems fine. Since both of your betrothals have been called off, why not just marry him? Everyone would be happy for you."
"What do you know about marriage? Go spend your life hugging your sword!" Cai Zhao picked up a chicken bone and threw it at him.
Ding Zhuo flicked his wrist, slicing the bone in half with his blade.
He spoke earnestly. "I’m making a valid point. It’s like martial arts—going with the flow yields twice the result with half the effort, while swimming against the current brings nothing but trouble and risks deviation. If you follow Sect Leader Mu, what will Master and your parents do? If the two sides clash in the future, how will we, as fellow disciples, even speak to each other?"
Cai Zhao grabbed his collar and dragged him outside. "The weather’s fine today—let’s spar!"
"Fine, I’ll let you beat me up if you want," Ding Zhuo straightened his neck and stood up. "But let me finish—if you marry Senior Brother, not only would the Big Dipper Six Sects... or at least four of them, be able to stand together safely and act in unison, but it could also resolve the grudges of our predecessors. Isn’t that a good thing?"
Cai Zhao released him dejectedly and trudged out alone. Before she had gone far, she ran into Qi Lingbo, radiant with springtime cheer, chatting animatedly with Dai Fengchi.When Cai Zhao came into view, Qi Lingbo stopped in her tracks and deliberately spoke in a delicate tone, "Now that I've broken off the engagement with Senior Brother, I'm not afraid of anything you might say. But you—don't tell me you plan to follow that Demonic Cult fiend? Who would’ve thought! Cai Pingshu spent her life resisting the atrocities of the Demonic Cult, only for the niece she raised to end up colluding with them. Ha ha ha, what a joke!"
Cai Zhao stared at her for a moment, imagining a hundred ways to teach this foul-mouthed senior sister a lesson.
In the end, she said nothing and quietly walked around them.
Dai Fengchi had tensed up for nothing, leaving him and Qi Lingbo standing there, staring at each other in bewilderment.
As she crossed the courtyard, Song Yuzhi stood tall and composed, waiting for her in silence.
Cai Zhao sighed weakly, "Senior Brother, what advice do you have for me now?"
Song Yuzhi hesitated for a long moment before speaking, "...I think what Mu Qingyan said might not be entirely false."
Cai Zhao studied him for a while, patted his shoulder, and walked away with another sigh.
On the dreary, rainy days, Cai Zhao's mood grew increasingly gloomy. She hid in her room, not even wanting to eat dinner.
Just as the night watchman's clapper sounded once, someone slipped in through the window with practiced ease—his tall figure gliding in like a swimming dragon, not making a single sound against the window frame.
His demeanor was bright and striking, the tightly cinched waistband accentuating his slender, elegant figure. "Want some midnight snacks?"
Cai Zhao scowled. "No. Take them back!"
Mu Qingyan lifted the bundle in his hand. "It's your favorite."
Cai Zhao raised her chin haughtily. "Tonight, Sect Leader Song ordered the finest banquet from town, and even then, I didn’t feel like eating anything!"
Mu Qingyan smiled faintly. "Crab roe soup dumplings and chicken congee."
Cai Zhao: "..."
"Fresh June crabs with golden shells, congee simmered with tender ginger chicken."
Cai Zhao: (?^?)
Mu Qingyan watched as the girl devoured the food with gusto, resting his slender elbows on the table with an amused expression.
"Making such an ugly face at me—did your master talk trash about me again?" he remarked idly. "Last time it was the Painted-Skin Demon. What’s the excuse this time?"
Cai Zhao slurped up the last soup dumpling and started on the congee. "Master said it was that Painted-Skin Demon from back then who caused Auntie to face Nie Hengcheng alone on Mount Tu." She briefly recounted the whole story.
"It wasn’t just those five heroes—many of Auntie’s comrades had already been hunted down by Nie Hengcheng before that, all because of that Painted-Skin Demon’s schemes." She sighed. "To think Auntie discovered that the person she loved was the one who harmed her brothers... I can’t imagine how heartbroken and guilty she must have felt. Ah..."
"What does that have to do with me?" Mu Qingyan narrowed his long eyes. "Let me make this clear—if you dare take your anger out on me, I’ll find someone else to vent on too. The Songs and Zhous are at the top of the list."
Cai Zhao was speechless. "Can you stop threatening people for once? Don’t you know the concept of winning hearts with virtue?!" She poked at her congee bowl. "Then again, you’re inherently lacking in virtue, so I suppose there’s no helping it."
Mu Qingyan picked up the empty congee bowl and snorted. "You sure change your tune quickly."
Cai Zhao shot him a sidelong glare.
Mu Qingyan grew wary. "Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me you believe the nonsense your master made up."
Cai Zhao huffed. "That Painted-Skin Demon risked his life multiple times to help Auntie back then. Turns out he was just investing heavily upfront to collect greater returns later. If you deceived me and spun some tale about a mastermind behind it all, I really wouldn’t be able to tell the difference."
Mu Qingyan said coldly, "Shall I cut out my heart and liver for you to see?""That won't be necessary." Cai Zhao looked troubled. "It's all because of that bastard who hurt Auntie. Whenever I mention you to my parents or master, their faces turn bitterer than coptis root. Poor Auntie—she spent her whole life upholding justice, invincible wherever she went, only to meet that heartless scoundrel whose ancestors hadn't accumulated virtue for eight generations..."
Mu Qingyan was about to make a sarcastic remark when his expression suddenly changed. "They're here!"
Before Cai Zhao could react, the clamor of torches and heavy footsteps came from outside.
Qi Yunke's stern voice rang out: "Since the Demonic Cult Leader has graced us with his presence, why not come out and meet us?"
Cai Zhao's mouth fell open. "Oh no, oh no! They knew you were coming and set up an ambush!"
Yet Mu Qingyan seemed unconcerned about his own safety. Instead, he pinched the girl's ear and insisted, "Remember this—when they force you to choose sides later, you must not betray me!"
Cai Zhao was speechless. "Are you even making sense? You want me to betray my parents and master?!"
A trace of malice flashed in Mu Qingyan's eyes. "If you betray me, don't blame me for being ruthless and breaking the rules later!"
Furious, Cai Zhao shook off his hand and pushed the door open to step outside.
The courtyard was lit up as bright as day by fifty or sixty torches, packed tightly with sect disciples. Azure Tower Sect disciples formed the innermost circle, Jade Pendant Mountain Manor disciples the outer ring, while Guang Sect archers perched on trees and rocks with drawn bows. Weapons were unsheathed, everyone watching warily.
Standing at the doorway, Cai Zhao forced a smile. "Master, what brings you here?"
Qi Yunke's face was dark as still water, silent.
Beside him, Zhou Zhizhen stroked his beard and sighed, while the Cai couple looked extremely awkward.
Song Shijun stepped forward, adopting a grave tone. "Zhao Zhao, you're still young and don't understand how treacherous the Demonic Cult is. We can't let you act recklessly anymore. Step aside and let the adults handle this."
Then he called out, "Cult Leader Mu, won't you come out? Don't worry, we won't turn you into a pincushion until we've had our say. Hahaha..."
Mid-laughter, a voice suddenly spoke up behind him—"Sect Leader Song, be careful the wind doesn't make you bite your tongue!"
Cai Zhao started—it was unmistakably You Guanyue's voice!
The sect disciples quickly turned to see dozens of shadowy figures silently scaling the walls, each holding several pitch-black round iron spheres. Zhou Zhizhen said solemnly, "They've got Storm of Thunder—watch out for the poison needles!"
The Guang Sect archers immediately redirected their arrows toward the black-clad figures on the walls. Half the Azure Tower and Jade Pendant Manor disciples kept their focus on the door, while the other half guarded against the newcomers.
Just then, the door opened again, and Mu Qingyan emerged leisurely.
Standing with one hand behind his back, his expression was cold. "I wonder what advice the esteemed sect leaders have for me."
Qi Yunke, brimming with anger, pushed past Song Shijun and stepped forward. "You surnamed Mu, you and Zhao—"
But after just six words, his voice abruptly cut off.
Puzzled, everyone turned to look at him and saw Qi Yunke's face frozen in utter shock, his eyes fixed straight ahead—
Under the blazing torchlight, Mu Qingyan stood tall and slender, his demeanor as aloof and luminous as the moon in the sky.
By any measure, he was a man of rare beauty. Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng scrutinized him especially closely, and after a few glances, even they felt it wouldn't be unreasonable to be captivated.Yet Qi Yunke looked as if he had seen a ghost, his eyes filled with disbelief. His throat made a gurgling sound, but he couldn’t utter a word, his entire body seemingly frozen in an instant.
"Master, Master, what’s wrong with you?!" Song Yuzhi called out anxiously.
"You… it’s you…" Qi Yunke trembled as he pointed at Mu Qingyan. "You… your father is Mu Zhengming? So it’s Mu Zhengming?"
"Master, what are you saying?" Song Yuzhi was confused.
A sense of unease rose in Cai Zhao’s heart.
"So it was your father, Mu Zhengming!" Qi Yunke suddenly roared. "It was your father, Mu Zhengming, who caused the deaths of—"
He still retained some shred of reason and swallowed the name Cai Pingshu. "—who caused the deaths of Zhuge Zhengming and the other four, as well as our brothers before them!"
At these words, others might not have understood, but the Cai family and Mu Qingyan immediately grasped the meaning.
"What did you say?!" Ning Xiaofeng shrieked sharply. "You’re saying that man is this boy’s father?!"
Cai Pingchun’s voice trembled. "Brother Yunke, what are you saying?!"
Qi Yunke’s eyes were bloodshot, as if he wanted to devour someone, glaring fiercely at Mu Qingyan. "It was him, this face—the exact same face and stature! I would never forget it, not even in my next life! The father and son of the Mu family—if it wasn’t the old man twenty years ago, who else could it be?!"
Song Shijun still didn’t understand.
But Zhou Zhizhen’s face turned pale—he was beginning to guess.
Cai Zhao abruptly turned her head, looking helplessly at the person beside her.
Mu Qingyan met the girl’s eyes, filled with anger and fear, and his heart surged with fury. He bellowed, "Nonsense! My father would never be such a despicable, deceitful villain! He was always upright and noble, indifferent to worldly gains—he never even left the Hanhai Mountains! How could he have gone out to deceive and harm others?!"
"Don’t waste words on him!" Qi Yunke had already lost all composure. As he spoke, he leaped forward and struck out with his palm. "Capture this thief!"
Mu Qingyan stepped forward to meet him, about to counter with his own palms, but his gaze flickered to the pale, trembling girl beside him. He diverted his palm force away from Qi Yunke and instead sent a pair of massive stone locks flying into the air.
Qi Yunke, mid-air, had to dodge the stone locks, forcing him to shift his stance.
You Guanyue saw the situation turning dire and shouted, "Lord, retreat for now!"
Mu Qingyan gave a slight nod.
In an instant, dozens of Storm of Thunder were hurled down. Smoke filled the small courtyard, rocks shattered, and countless fine needles rained down like cow hair. The disciples scrambled to dodge, cursing loudly.
By the time the smoke cleared, the Demonic Cult members had all fled without a trace.
The four sect leaders could have pursued Mu Qingyan, but given the reputation of Storm of Thunder, if the many disciples in the courtyard were struck by the poisoned needles, the casualties would be severe.
Cai Pingchun shielded his wife first, while Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhizhen, and Song Shijun had to exert themselves to deflect the rain of fine poisoned needles, doing their best to protect their disciples.
Even so, groans filled the courtyard—many disciples who hadn’t dodged fast enough were struck by the needles. Fortunately, when the needles were extracted with magnets, they were found to be non-poisonous, and everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Before Mu Qingyan fled, he turned and pushed the stunned Cai Zhao into a nearby room with a sweep of his palm, ensuring she remained unharmed.
Walking past the groaning disciples, she drifted like a lost soul to where Qi Yunke stood, seething in the corner. She knelt before him. "Master, please tell me… was that man really his father, Mu Zhengming?"
Qi Yunke looked down at the girl kneeling at his feet—pale, fragile, as delicate as a mayfly, like a blade of grass that could wither with a single breath.His tiger-like eyes brimmed with tears: "How could I lie about your aunt's matter—it was that face, seen twice."
"The first time was when we first met. Back then, my cultivation was still shallow. I fell into a trap while pursuing Zhao Ba's underlings, and your aunt came to rescue me. As we were struggling in battle, that person appeared and lent us a hand."
[It was also a summer night, with bright moonlight casting its silvery glow over the valley.
A tall and handsome young man descended from above, his moves elegant as he effortlessly dispatched the remaining underlings. Though it was his first meeting with Cai Pingshu, they fought in perfect harmony like old friends.
The young Qi Yunke, clutching his injured arm, watched in stunned amazement.
Not only were his own hands and feet rough, but even his sworn sister Cai Pingshu was delicately featured. Yet the man before him was extraordinary. He hated his own crude and limited vocabulary, unable to properly describe this man who was as captivating as the bright moon—even the aggressive arrogance on his face seemed exceptionally noble.
After the great battle, Cai Pingshu raised her sword and stabbed one by one the wounded and immobile followers of the Demonic Cult. Even those who knelt on the ground, weeping and begging for mercy, she did not spare.
When she looked up, she found the young man staring at her. She lifted her chin. "What, think it's too cruel?"
Qi Yunke, of course, knew it wasn’t his sworn sister who was cruel, but rather the minions of Zhao Ba.
Merely to recapture a few escaped slaves, they had slaughtered an entire village, not even sparing infants at the breast. When Cai Pingshu learned of this, her eyes burned red with fury. She immediately led her comrades in a counterattack, vowing to leave none alive.
That battle nearly wiped out all of Zhao Ba’s trusted generals, and afterward, he no longer dared to act with such reckless abandon.
Yet even if all the perpetrators were killed, the villagers could never be brought back to life.
At the time, Cai Pingshu was still a young girl, and her heart ached terribly.
The handsome man smiled faintly upon hearing this. "No, not cruel at all. On the contrary, I’d like to give you four words—"
" Breeze and Blaze. " Qi Yunke clutched his chest, where his qi surged violently, forcing the words through gritted teeth.
Cai Zhao felt her heart stop.
" Breeze and Blaze. " The handsome young man’s tone was gentle yet earnest, his eyes shining like stars. "A breeze brushing the mountain ridge, a blaze burning the demons—it suits you perfectly."
The usually carefree and untamed young woman paused for a moment, then immediately pulled the injured Qi Yunke away without another word.
Yet the young Qi Yunke was deeply moved. He knew many in the Martial World admired or feared his sworn sister, but few truly understood her. He felt this young man who had stepped in to help was someone worth befriending.
Of course, that was only the beginning.
Leaning against the mountain wall, Qi Yunke shed tears. "If not for my uselessness, your aunt might never have met that man. Blind fool that I was, I couldn’t see he was a monster in human skin!"
He paused, his expression firm. "Ping Shu, I won’t let Zhao Zhao end up like you!"
Cai Zhao knelt motionless on the ground, as if the world around her had suddenly fallen silent, leaving her utterly alone.
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