A Decade of Nightscape Lights

The wilderness was cold and desolate. At the foot of a remote mountain stood a broken-down carriage and a sickly horse, next to a long-abandoned and dilapidated mountain temple.

This was the seventeenth time Cai Zhao had lit a campfire in her life. Once the flames steadied, she set aside the dry twigs and flint, carefully adding firewood piece by piece before moving to the bedding beside the stone pillar.

Mu Qingyan lay deep in slumber, his brow furrowed with tension, a thin layer of cold sweat on his forehead. Sensing the girl's approach, he instinctively grasped her sleeve—already an improvement from when they first escaped, when he had been trapped in nightmarish sleep.

Ten days had passed since their desperate fight to break free from Grand Beginning Temple.

Aboard the Golden Winged Roc, they faced fierce winds that would normally pose no threat, but Mu Qingyan was then at his weakest, barely able to move. Cai Zhao had no choice but to secure him to herself with a silver chain.

They had hoped to fly straight to the ends of the earth, but within half a day, the roc began descending. Cai Zhao then noticed several arrows embedded in the soft underbellies and wings of both birds—not deeply, but enough to cause continuous bleeding.

The archers of Vast Heaven Gate were renowned for their unmatched speed and ferocity. Only now did Cai Zhao truly understand why.

Feeling them land and hearing the girl mention the rocs' injuries, Mu Qingyan murmured drowsily, "...They'll find their own way to heal. Let's hide at Lingjian Mountain for now."

Lingjian Mountain stood at the edge of a wilderness along an eastern tributary of the Suochuan River. Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan had glimpsed it from afar during their earlier search for the Shi twins.

After releasing the rocs to recover on their own, Cai Zhao found them utterly unprepared, with nothing usable at hand. She hid Mu Qingyan in a secluded spot, covering him with dead leaves before using her qinggong to dash to the nearest town for supplies.

"Supplies" was optimistic—Cai Zhao was penniless.

For the battle, she had dressed as lightly as possible, her sleeves and waist pouch stuffed with Storm of Thunder, Soul Confusion Needles, hidden weapons, and essential medicines—no room for gold or silver.

Mu Qingyan usually carried gold leaves, but Song Yuzhi's well-intentioned bath and change of clothes that morning had left them without even that.

According to storybooks, Cai Zhao should now find some despicably wealthy villain to "rob from the rich to give to the poor." But since she'd be the first "poor" beneficiary, it felt uncomfortably self-serving. Besides, in their urgent situation, she had no time to investigate which rich locals deserved robbing.

As she hesitated, her fingers brushed her neck—inspiration struck. The golden whistle for summoning the rocs couldn't be sold, but its chain could! She quickly unfastened the long Golden Chain and rushed to the pawnshop.

The pawnbroker took one look at the young but fierce martial artist—her clothes still bloodstained, her eyes sharp, her demonstration of strength as she casually straightened their bent bronze lamp stand effortless as a child molding clay—and wisely refrained from haggling. Impressed by the chain's craftsmanship, he even threw in an extra ten taels of silver.Cai Zhao clutched the silver she had just exchanged and rushed about purchasing horses, carriages, fabrics, bedding, and even pots and pans, finally acquiring food and medicinal herbs. It was nearly dark by the time she hurried back to Mu Qingyan. Pushing aside the withered branches and leaves, she found him clinging stubbornly to consciousness, waiting for her return. His flushed cheeks against his deathly pale complexion were especially startling to behold.

Seeing her return, he seemed to relax slightly, the gloom between his brows dissipating, revealing instead a harmless, delicate beauty.

"You went to such lengths—weren’t you afraid of leaving traces?" His smile was gentle but frail.

Cai Zhao replied, "The Big Dipper Six Sects' influence spans most of the martial world, not to mention their countless disciples and allies. The moment we enter a town, we’ll be discovered. From now on, we’ll be traveling through the wilderness. That small town we just passed through had roads leading in all directions—they won’t be able to guess which way we went."

Mu Qingyan was silent for a moment. "I’ve dragged you into this."

A pang of sorrow struck Cai Zhao’s heart. Softly, she said, "Between you and me, let’s not talk about who’s dragging whom down."

After helping Mu Qingyan into the carriage, she drove to a secluded mountain stream and immediately set about lighting a fire, setting up a stove, and brewing medicine.

Cai Pingshu had been bedridden for years. With her martial arts destroyed and her meridians severed, her body was weaker than an ordinary person’s, plagued by frequent headaches, colds, and coughs. Cai Zhao had grown accustomed to such ailments since childhood and was well-practiced in preparing and brewing medicine. The only trouble was starting the fire—she ended up smudged with soot before finally taming the flames.

"Drink your medicine quickly. You’ve had a high fever for days—don’t let your brain get fried even after your injuries heal," she said, carrying the medicine bowl over.

Mu Qingyan downed it in one gulp and set the bowl aside. "Take off your clothes. I’ll bandage the wound on your shoulder."

Cai Zhao stared at him.

Mu Qingyan: "...I’ve already seen how you toss and turn in your sleep." The implication being that a shoulder was nothing.

Cai Zhao slumped slightly. The cracked bone in her shoulder was excruciating, and she knew there were many trials ahead—the sooner she recovered, the fewer mistakes she’d make. Slowly, she loosened her collar, revealing a shoulder as fair as jade, then turned her back to Mu Qingyan and sat before him.

Mu Qingyan seemed quite skilled at treating such wounds. First, he realigned Cai Zhao’s bones, then applied Fallen Blossom Valley’s healing ointment. Finally, he carved two narrow splints and bound them firmly to her shoulder with cloth.

"...Father liked keeping all sorts of strange birds and beasts. Once they were grown and well-fed, he’d release them. If they got injured outside, they’d stumble their way back to the Unthinking Study. I grew up used to bandaging their wounds." His lips curved slightly, his tone gentle. As he tied the bandage with a neat knot, his voice suddenly softened.

"Zhao Zhao." He gazed at the girl’s slender, pale nape. "From now on, let’s depend on each other. I’ll block off the Nether Bamboo Path and do my best to restrain the sect’s followers, avoiding conflict with the Big Dipper Six Sects. You and I can live peacefully in the Vastsea Mountains, never coming out again. How does that sound?"

The girl didn’t turn around or speak. After a long pause, she gave a slight nod.

Mu Qingyan’s heart swelled with joy. The mountains and rivers seemed beautiful, the skies clear and boundless—even this cold, damp mountain stream felt infinitely blissful. As the medicine took effect, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Cai Zhao quickly got to work.She gently pushed up Mu Qingyan's sleeves and pant legs, then loosened his robe to reveal deep, bone-exposing gashes and a chest and back covered in scars. The dark red wounds contrasted starkly against his pale skin, a sight that was particularly shocking to behold.

Cai Zhao applied all the wound medicine she had brought with her, then carefully wrapped the injuries with clean cloth. As she tended to his wounds, she wiped away her tears forcefully—for someone of their high cultivation level, as long as the body was properly cared for, internal injuries could heal on their own.

Once she finished, she extinguished the fire and buried all traces of their stay in the mud. Not daring to linger in one place for too long, she had no choice but to let Mu Qingyan sleep in the carriage while they traveled by night, resting and hiding during the day.

Mu Qingyan's injuries were severe, and he had been running a high fever for days. Previously, he had been holding on by sheer willpower, but now that his worries had eased, the accumulated exhaustion and illness came crashing down on him. By the next day, he was delirious with fever, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, his lips cracked, yet his teeth clenched tightly. Like a stubborn child, he refused to make a sound, only gripping the girl's sleeve tightly.

Cai Zhao cooked a soft and sticky meat porridge with rice and dried meat, but she couldn't get him to take a single bite.

Petite in stature, she struggled to support Mu Qingyan's broad-shouldered frame, stretching her arms to cradle him awkwardly. She moistened a cloth to trickle water into his mouth while coaxing him repeatedly.

Though she was skilled at brewing medicine and cooking porridge, she was not adept at comforting others—largely because Cai Pingshu was the most cheerful and optimistic person in the world. Even when gravely ill, as soon as she regained a bit of clarity, she would jest and console her family instead.

Seeing Mu Qingyan lost in his feverish haze, she had no choice but to recount stories from her childhood, speaking of the place she loved most—Fallen Blossom Valley.

"...At the end of the alley, there's a congee shop run by a husband and wife. Their eight-treasure porridge, millet porridge, shrimp and crab porridge, and chicken chestnut porridge are all soft, sticky, and fragrant. When I was four, I overheard the kitchen maid say that this porridge was the best for Auntie's illness, so I sneaked out with a jar to buy some for her. The shopkeeper's wife was kind—even though I couldn't pay, she still filled the jar for me. But just before I got home, I tripped and fell. The jar shattered, my knees swelled, and I sat on the ground crying loudly at the sight of the spilled porridge everywhere."

"Auntie heard my cries and came out to find me. I was so upset—the jar had been so heavy, the alley seemed endless, and I had used up all my strength. My arms ached, my legs were exhausted, and just when I was almost home, I fell and ruined everything... Ah, the more I thought about it, the sadder I felt, and I couldn't stop crying. Auntie laughed and led me back inside, applying medicine while telling me I was the sweetest, most filial child in the world. She kept kissing my cheeks and hands until I finally stopped crying."

"On the next street over, there's a braised meat shop. Rumor has it their marinade has been passed down for three generations, constantly replenished over decades—so flavorful that even a piece of wood stewed in it would taste delicious. Every morning when they lit the stove, the rich aroma of meat would waft for miles. It took tremendous willpower to walk past that shop without buying anything.""The perfumery on the west side of town had a different kind of fragrance altogether. Each season, they would gather the freshest flowers—steaming, drying, grinding, blending them… My aunt never cared for cosmetics, but to mask the bitter scent of medicine in the house, I would always buy some scented cakes to perfume the rooms. Spring jasmine, summer lotus, autumn chrysanthemums, winter plum blossoms—anytime you could smell the seasonal blooms of Fallen Blossom Valley."

"There used to be a jewelry shop in town too. The owner was a handsome scholar, elegant in demeanor and skilled in craftsmanship. The hairpins, phoenix ornaments, and beaded flowers he made… were all incredibly beautiful. Many girls in town secretly admired him. Yet he had a wife whose face was covered in scars—frail in health, prone to fits of temper, and unable to bear children. All the older women in town thought the scholar deserved better."

"A few years later, his wife passed away from illness, and matchmakers swarmed in like bees. But to everyone’s surprise, after cremating his wife, the scholar closed his shop and left Fallen Blossom Valley with her ashes. Before departing, he thanked my parents for allowing him and his wife to live peacefully in the valley these past years—his wife had passed away in peace."

"My father asked where he was going. The scholar said he was taking his wife to the seaside. She had always loved the ocean, but her frail body couldn’t handle the coastal dampness. Now, it didn’t matter anymore. My mother urged him to look ahead, saying there was still a long life ahead of him. But the scholar replied that with his wife gone, his heart had died too—there was no 'ahead' for him."

"Back then, I’d read too many tragic romance novels. When my mother told me this story, I thought the scholar was going to follow his wife in death. Overwhelmed by the melancholy of life and the fleeting nature of deep love, I cried buckets of tears. My parents and aunt nearly doubled over laughing—the scholar didn’t die. After scattering his wife’s ashes into the sea, he became a monk at Evergreen Temple, spending his days restoring Buddha statues and temple buildings, living a quiet life. Ah, all those tears of mine were wasted…"

In her memories, Fallen Blossom Valley was a place where flowers bloomed all year round, and the town brimmed with the lively clamor of human life.

During festivals, peach branches heavy with blossoms would be adorned with colorful ribbons bearing heartfelt wishes. When the breeze blew, the long, fluttering ribbons danced like a dream—it was the home she cherished deeply, the dreamland she would always long for.

She had left Fallen Blossom Valley less than a year ago, yet now, it felt as distant as another lifetime.

As the girl murmured softly, Mu Qingyan gradually fell into a peaceful sleep. Day passed, and the sky darkened once more. When he finally awoke, he sat quietly by the fire, sipping porridge.

"... I heard everything," he suddenly said, his eyes fixed on the flames. "You were talking about Fallen Blossom Valley."

Cai Zhao paused, then smiled. "Do you think I was silly as a child?"

"No." Mu Qingyan shook his head. "I liked hearing about your childhood stories, and the place you grew up in. It sounds whole and beautiful—something that brings joy just to remember. I… don’t have that."

Cai Zhao thought of his own childhood and fell silent. Softly, she said, "It’s alright. I’ll share half of my childhood with you. That way, when you think of it, you’ll feel joy too."Mu Qingyan lifted his head, half his face cast in the flickering shadows of the firelight. His delicate features and expressive brows were striking, his eyes glimmering faintly like a lone ember in still waters. He smiled slightly. "Really? Then it's settled."

They resumed their journey after nightfall.

By now, Li Wenxun's carrier pigeon messages had spread far and wide, stirring up the righteous factions of the Martial World and even wandering heroes alike. Crowds flocked to both banks of the Su River, searching everywhere for traces of Mu and Cai. During the day, when Cai Zhao ventured into a nearby town to replenish their food and medicinal supplies, she nearly exposed herself.

In every street corner, tavern, and teahouse, discussions buzzed among the martial artists—

"Fallen Blossom Valley's feng shui strikes again—another demoness has emerged!"

"It's all Cai Pingchun and his wife's fault for sending their daughter off to train too late. Poor Sect Leader Qi and Master Zhou—ambushed by a girl they watched grow up. Their injuries are severe. Who knows how they're faring now?"

"I heard the monks of Evergreen Temple delivered healing elixirs to Grand Beginning Temple. They should recover."

"What do you know? External wounds heal, but internal ones linger. Sect Leader Qi and Master Zhou are both kind-hearted souls. Cai Zhao is not only their old friend's niece but also a disciple of North Star. To see her stray so far must grieve them deeply."

"Hmph! That vile wretch Cai Zhao betrayed her master and defiled her ancestors—utterly shameless! If I see her, I'll avenge the North Star disciples!"

"Save your breath. Though Cai Zhao's character is lacking, she wounded Sect Leader Qi, Master Zhou, and Sect Leader Yang in succession, even ambushing her own father and Sect Leader Song. With skills like that, what chance do we have against her?"

"Brother Wang speaks sense. Even if the sect leaders were ambushed or held back, they must have used at least half their strength. For Cai Zhao to rescue the Demonic Cult's leader under such circumstances—her abilities are beyond doubt!"

"She's that formidable? I heard Cai Zhao is barely in her teens."

"When Cai Pingshu swept through the Martial World undefeated, she was around that age too."

"Tsk, tsk. Raised by Cai Pingshu, that girl is no ordinary foe."

"Say what you will. Our Sea Serpent Gang owes Four Stallions Gate a lifelong debt. Now that Sect Leader Yang has suffered such humiliation, if I cross paths with her, I'll risk my life to teach that Cai girl a lesson!"

"I heard the Demonic Cult leader is gravely injured, and Cai Zhao took a few hits herself. If we encounter them, we might stand a chance."

"Let's focus on finding them first. Isn't Sect Leader Yang leading a pursuit with Sect Leader Song? And Hero Li Wenxun and Heroine Zhou Zhixian are scouting with their disciples. We can at least help relay information."

"Hey, what do you think they'll do once they catch that demoness Cai Zhao?"

"Betraying one's master and ancestors is a capital offense. Even if she doesn't die, she'll be skinned alive."

"Would Valley Master Cai allow that?"

"His daughter turned traitor, maiming her peers and elders. What can he possibly say in her defense?!"

...

Cai Zhao listened from a street corner before silently slipping away.Over the next few days, she continued resting during the day and traveling at night, leading Mu Qingyan straight toward Lingjian Mountain. Every couple of days, she would stop at a nearby small town to purchase necessities. By the twelfth or thirteenth day, they finally reached the foot of Lingjian Mountain. Before ascending, Cai Zhao went to replenish supplies at a nearby town as usual.

Previously, to be cautious, she had only dared to buy small quantities of medicinal herbs and food. Fortunately, what she purchased were either common external injury medicines or even more ordinary fever reducers and tonics. As for rare items like the Jade Cicada Snow Ginseng that could truly help Mu Qingyan recover his internal injuries—since they weren't available in town anyway—she didn't even bother asking, making it less likely to draw attention.

After a brief stay at the mountain temple, the two began their ascent.

Lingjian Mountain's terrain was treacherous and rarely visited. When they reached above the halfway point, they discovered a hidden cave concealed by vines. Upon entering, they found the cave damp but with good airflow, indicating there were other openings allowing ventilation. They decided to rest there.

Mu Qingyan built a fire inside the cave and then leaned against the wall to rest.

Cai Zhao placed burning bundles of thatch and firewood around the cave to slowly dry it out. The firelight reflected off her pale cheeks, making her look exhausted, though her large eyes remained clear and bright.

"This place is very well hidden. You should be fine staying here alone—ordinary wild animals wouldn't trouble you. I'll leave food and medicine behind, and you can recover here slowly," she suddenly said.

Mu Qingyan straightened slightly, his long lashes lowering. "Are you going back to see your parents and master? That's only natural—at least to check if they're safe. But be careful. If they find you, you might not be able to return. Don't worry about me—they won't find this place anytime soon."

"There probably won't be anyone chasing you anymore," the girl said as she placed the last bundle of firewood in a corner. "Three days ago when I went to town for supplies, I noticed the number of people searching for us had already halved. Yesterday in another town, apart from a few pursuers from Grand Beginning Temple, there were hardly any Martial World figures left."

"Oh, is that so?" Mu Qingyan's eyes flickered as he smiled. "Why have they stopped chasing? Did they give up because it was like finding a needle in a haystack? Or did they get false leads and chase in another direction?"

"It's not that they gave up or went elsewhere—they've simply stopped the search," Cai Zhao raised her head. "After so many days, it's time they stopped—just as you predicted."

Mu Qingyan's smile faded slowly. "As I predicted? What do you mean by that, Zhao Zhao? How would I know they'd stop searching?"

Cai Zhao's gaze remained steady. "You might not have known exactly when they'd stop, but you knew they eventually would."

Mu Qingyan's lips curved slightly, though his eyes held no trace of amusement. "I don't understand what you're saying, Zhao Zhao."

Cai Zhao looked at him quietly, and Mu Qingyan met her gaze unflinchingly.

"You don't understand? Then let me start from the beginning," Cai Zhao's eyes held a faint trace of mockery. "Remember not long after we took Azure Dragon Hall, Xing Er once asked me something in private..."A nervous little maid was combing the young girl's hair before the mirror. "Miss Zhao Zhao, I heard the sect leader has already subdued Altar Lord Shangguan and his followers..."

"Yes, what about it?" Cai Zhao didn't understand her meaning.

The little maid anxiously clutched the comb. "But... but why didn't the Young Master make them take the 'Seven-Insect Seven-Flower Soul-Chasing Pill'?"

Cai Zhao was startled. "You Guanyue took it?"

"Indeed, indeed. Not only has my young master taken it, but also Branch Leaders Wang and Tang, and even Brother Liu Jiangfeng have all taken it. Yet Altar Lord Shangguan and those newly subdued by the Young Master haven’t taken it. Does the Young Master still not fully trust my young master and the others?!"

"The Seven-Insect Seven-Flower Pill is a secret and deadly poison passed down through generations of the Mu Clan, concocted from seven types of herbs and seven kinds of insects. Its variations are endless, unfathomable even to gods and ghosts. Only the creator knows the antidote," Cai Zhao said.

A cold smile played at the corner of Mu Qingyan’s lips. "This is You Guanyue testing my intentions through Xing Er’s mouth—such impatience! He just didn’t expect you’d actually keep Xing Er’s secret."

Cai Zhao gazed at the moss beside her, her expression wistful. "I’ve never been able to guess the thoughts of people like you, with all your twists and turns. Only when pushed to the brink, with no way out, do I realize how ridiculous I’ve been..."

Mu Qingyan rested one hand on his bent knee, his expression indifferent.

Cai Zhao turned back to him. "At the time, I couldn’t make sense of it. Logically, You Guanyue, Liu Jiangfeng, and the others are people you’ve observed for years, confirmed to still hold loyalty to the Mu Clan and Elder Chou. On the other hand, the newly surrendered, like Shangguan Haonan, couldn’t be certain of their allegiance. Yet you gave the former the Seven-Insect Seven-Flower poison and left the latter unconstrained."

Mu Qingyan smirked coldly. "Someone as capricious as me might just be that eccentric."

Cai Zhao shook her head. "You once said that successive Mu Clan leaders have used the Seven-Insect Seven-Flower Pill to control their followers, yet Nie Hengcheng, the usurper, never once employed it—his magnanimity and courage were evident. You love competing with Nie Hengcheng so much, so unless absolutely necessary, I doubt you’d want to use the pill to control people either."

"I turned this over in my mind for the longest time without understanding. Only now do I see..." Her gaze settled on Mu Qingyan’s face. "It’s not that you don’t trust You Guanyue and the others. On the contrary, among all your subordinates, they are the ones you trust most—those who remain devoted to their former master’s kindness."

Mu Qingyan said icily, "If that’s the case, why did I force them to take the poison?"

"Because your paranoia runs too deep, and because you know the tasks you’ll assign them in the future are too critical. For the sake of prudence, you had no choice but to use the Seven-Insect Seven-Flower Pill."

"What kind of secretive task?"

"Lure the snake out of its hole and capture them all in one sweep."

Mu Qingyan looked at the girl, his gaze profound.

Cai Zhao stared into his eyes, enunciating each word clearly. "Yu Huixin, Lu Fengchun—which of these people doesn’t have intricate ties to the Nie Clan? Yet you let them manage sect affairs on your behalf?! And Li Ruxin and her son—even if you didn’t eradicate them root and stem, they should’ve been confined to some unknown place. Instead, you openly placed them in the Vast Sea Mountains, as if you feared those secretly nostalgic for the Nie Clan wouldn’t notice. Sect Leader Mu, you’ve set a trap. Or rather, you’ve planned three steps ahead—long before you moved against Nie Zhe, you had everything calculated."

Somewhere in the mountain stream, water droplets fell one by one onto the damp rocks, the sound crisp and clear."Did Zhao Zhao say that? I must seem like a monster to her."

Mu Qingyan straightened up and poked at the fire before him. His long, slender fingers holding the branch were steady and immaculately clean. "Indeed, Sect Leader Qi often calls me the Painted-Skin Demon. It seems Zhao Zhao has taken his words to heart. But if I were truly that formidable, how could I have nearly lost all my cultivation?"

"Because heaven's calculations are no match for man's schemes. Some things are not as you imagine."

Mu Qingyan snorted coldly, offering no rebuttal.

Cai Zhao had no choice but to continue, "Defeating Nie Zhe was easy, but erasing the traces of the Nie Clan uncle and nephew's decades of influence is far more difficult—this, you anticipated long ago. Yet if those who pledged loyalty to you remain obedient, you can't very well slaughter them indiscriminately. The best outcome would be for the hidden Nie sympathizers and opportunistic fence-sitters to reveal themselves."

She went on, "So you and You Guanyue devised a plan: during your visit to the Shi twins, you would 'disappear unexpectedly.' Then You Guanyue and the others would confront the Big Dipper Six Sects, creating the illusion that you had been killed. Seeing this, people like Lu Fengchun would seize the chance to rebel."

"But Lu Fengchun and Yu Huixin—one has lain dormant for half his life and would never act without absolute certainty, while the other truly has no lust for power and only wishes to protect Li Ruxin and her child. Without something real to provoke them, how could they be moved to act? Yet if You Guanyue and the others truly escalated the situation, leading to open conflict between both sides, the outcome would be unpredictable."

The girl's gaze was as clear as starlight, illuminating the darkest corners of human hearts.

"So, what method could both create the appearance of irreconcilable conflict with the Big Dipper Six Sects while preventing actual bloodshed?"

Cai Zhao struggled to voice her suspicion, "...Did you target the families of the Big Dipper Six Sects?"

Mu Qingyan lifted his long lashes, silently meeting her eyes—an unspoken confirmation.

[At the exit of the Mu Clan's ancestral burial grounds.

Hu Fengge, Yu Huixin, Lu Fengchun, and a host of other leaders bowed in salute.

Seeing Mu Qingyan about to depart on the golden roc, You Guanyue hurriedly asked, "Lord Sect Leader, what are your orders?"

Mu Qingyan turned back, his eyes dark with menace. "Do what needs to be done. Must I teach you that too?!"

You Guanyue shuddered, understanding dawning. He lowered his head and bowed in acknowledgment.]

Cai Zhao forced herself to remain calm. "What have you done to the Zhou family?!"

"...I merely invited a few of their ladies to be my guests." Mu Qingyan finally admitted.

[A procession of ornate carriages moved leisurely through the countryside, surrounded by finely dressed servants chatting and laughing. Inside the largest and most luxurious carriage, three middle-aged and elderly women conversed.

Old Madam Min jabbed her daughter-in-law's forehead in frustration. "You—you've lost your mind! Allowing Yuqi to break off the engagement with the Cai Family! Do you mean to be the death of me?"

Madam Min pouted. "Aunt, didn't you also refuse to accept Cai Pingshu as your daughter-in-law back then? You've seen that little Cai Zhao too—sharp-tongued and unyielding, even more difficult than Cai Pingshu! Just looking at her angers me! Xinyou is so much better—respectful, obedient, always listens to me, not to mention how Father and Brother kept pleading with me."]Madam Min, the elder, was seething with anger. "If you want to help the Min Family, first see if your son can even inherit the manor! Back then, my son surpassed all others in skill, and inheriting Jade Pendant Mountain Manor was the unanimous choice. What about your son?! You couldn’t bear to let him suffer even a little since he was a child—the slightest scratch would have him wailing for days. How can one master martial arts without hardship?! No matter how gentle and kind Xianrou is, does she have Cai Zhao’s ability to help Jade Kirin secure his position?"

Madam Min cowered under the scolding, not daring to retort.

Another elderly lady in the carriage spoke softly to mediate. "Sister-in-law, let it go. What’s done is done. Let’s look on the bright side."

The elder Madam Min turned her fury on her. "Now the most outstanding young disciples in the manor are Yuqian and Yukun. You’re counting on them because they lost their parents young and were raised by your daughter Zhou Zhixian, thinking they’ll help you overpower me in the future, aren’t you?!"

"No, no, how could I dare?!" The other lady was meek. "After my husband passed, it was only thanks to your care that my daughter and I survived. Even if Yuqian and his brother rise to prominence in the future, I’ll teach them to respect you, sister-in-law!"

The elder Madam Min’s temper cooled slightly. "That’s more like it."

Suddenly, she frowned. "Why is it so quiet outside? And why is the carriage speeding up? Something’s wrong—guards, come—"

Before she could finish, the carriage curtain was abruptly yanked aside. The luxurious carriage was now racing alone down a mountain path, with no sign of the Jade Pendant Mountain Manor attendants. Instead, unfamiliar men in tight-fitting riding attire flanked them on horseback.

Tang Qing, who was personally driving the carriage, leaned in with a grin. "Ladies, our sect cordially invites you!"

Cai Zhao felt a lump in her throat. "What about Four Stallions Gate? You must have targeted Yang Heying’s concubine and son, right?"

"Correct."

In the largest Taoist temple in the city, incense smoke curled thickly as Madam Sha, surrounded by attendants and basking in her pride, was offering sacrifices with her beloved son Yang Tianci. Suddenly, a series of loud bangs echoed as all the doors and windows of the hall slammed shut.

At the same time, countless wisps of smoke seeped from the gaps in the floor tiles. The guards and servants of Four Stallions Gate collapsed unconscious upon inhaling it.

As the dizzy, beautiful woman stared in terror, Wang Tianfeng emerged from a secret passage beneath the tiles, grinning. "Madam Yang, Young Master Yang, let’s go somewhere else for fun."

"And Vast Heaven Gate? Qinglian Furen is already dead, and the entire pleasure quarter is filled with Song Shijun’s lovers. Surely you wouldn’t stoop to kidnapping courtesans?" Cai Zhao mocked.

Mu Qingyan replied, "Not the courtesans—Song Shijun’s two sons, Song Xiuzhi and Song Maozhi."

Cai Zhao scoffed. "Their cultivation isn’t weak. Capturing them won’t be easy."

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way."

"Enough nonsense! I haven’t been hunting in two months. Old Han finally spotted a snow-white leopard in the woods—I’m going to skin it and make a robe for Father. Stop nagging and getting in my way!" Song Maozhi stood impatiently in a hunter’s cabin on the outskirts of the forest.

Two attendants nearby prepared his saddle, bow, and other hunting gear, while a personal aide adjusted his leather armor. A young hunter huddled in the corner, tightening his leg bindings.Song Xiuzhi clasped his hands together hesitantly, mumbling, "But Father told us to... to guard the house properly and not... not go out to cause trouble."

Song Maozhi turned and snapped, "It must be those old fools badmouthing me again! Hmph, relying on their seniority, they forbid this and restrict that, meddling in everything. Just wait—once I inherit the position, the first thing I'll do is drive out those old relics!"

"Maozhi," Song Xiuzhi sighed helplessly, "We shouldn't fight among our own Song family, especially not with our uncles and elders."

"Don't lecture me. When the time comes, I'll ask Yuzhi for help. Hah, by then he might even be leading the Azure Tower Sect. With us brothers united, nothing can stop us! Who would dare look down on me then?" Song Maozhi turned to the young hunter, "Hey, why isn't Old Han back yet?"

The young hunter seemed timid and nervous, fumbling endlessly with his leg bindings as he stammered, "Un-uncle said... said not to ruin the young master's fun, so he... he took some men ahead into the woods to... to drive out the white leopard."

Song Maozhi nodded in satisfaction, then sneered, "Old Han's so sharp, yet you can't even speak properly."

"If my nephew weren't so dull-witted, my elder brother would've brought him before the young master for rewards long ago!" A burst of laughter announced the arrival of an old hunter accompanied by one tall and one short hunter entering the Hunter's Cabin.

The three hunters bowed to the Song brothers. The old hunter remained standing while the other two moved behind the brothers to help the young hunter with his leg bindings.

Song Maozhi grinned, "After years apart, you've grown quite glib, Han the Second. Planning to stay after this trip?"

Han the Second replied, "Nowhere under heaven compares to the lands under Vast Heaven Gate's protection. This old servant won't be leaving again—just hoping the young master might spare some scraps for this humble man, though I'm not as useful as my elder brother!"

Song Maozhi laughed heartily, "Your Han family has enjoyed Vast Heaven Gate's protection for generations. That's easily arranged. Fine, you can serve me from now on. Serve me well, and you'll have gold, silver, and beautiful women aplenty!"

As they exchanged flatteries, Song Xiuzhi suddenly caught an intensely strange odor. Before he could react, something pierced several vital acupoints on his back, paralyzing his entire body and sending him collapsing to the ground.

Through barely open eyelids, Song Xiuzhi saw the shorter hunter draw a dagger, moving like a ghost as he spun through the room, slitting the throats of three attendants in quick succession. Simultaneously, the tall, burly hunter charged at Song Maozhi with fists like roaring tigers.

Though Song Maozhi's cultivation wasn't weak, caught without his sword and unprepared, two thunderous punches to his chest from the tall hunter sent him staggering back—just in time for the agile shorter hunter to plant two Soul Confusion Needles into his back's vital points, dropping him limp to the floor.

The shorter hunter laughed, "Divine Fist Guardian Liu Jiangfeng's reputation remains undiminished! They claim Song Maozhi of Vast Heaven Gate is among the Big Dipper Six Sects' finest talents, yet he couldn't withstand two punches from Brother Liu!"

Outside, guards hearing commotion from the cabin hurried to knock and inquire.Song Xiuzhi felt a wave of relief, thinking that no matter how formidable these people were, they couldn't possibly stand against the nearly hundred elite warriors from Vast Heaven Gate outside.

But then, the young stuttering hunter suddenly stepped to the door and shouted in a loud voice, "What could possibly go wrong? This young master is in a good mood today! Stop crowding around like a bunch of old nannies—scatter further away! I'll come out when I'm ready!"

Song Xiuzhi was horrified—this was unmistakably Song Maozhi's voice!

After a pause, the stuttering hunter spoke again, this time in Song Xiuzhi's refined and polite tone, "Maozhi, enough. They're just doing their duty. If anything were to happen to you, how could we explain it to everyone?"

Finally, 'Song Maozhi' grumbled irritably, "So damn annoying, just wait till I—"

—This stuttering hunter was actually a master of vocal mimicry, flawlessly imitating the voices and tones of both brothers.

The slender, short hunter walked up to Song Xiuzhi, crouched down, and smiled. "Had enough of the show? Time for a nap."

Another Soul Confusion Needle pricked him, and Song Xiuzhi lost consciousness completely.

Old Han the Second approached obsequiously. "Altar Lord You, about this..."

You Guanyue turned and smiled. "Don't worry. I keep my promises. Once we're back, I'll have the gold loaded for you. Go far and wide, and enjoy yourself."

Old Han the Second was overjoyed, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.

At that moment, several tiles on the roof of the Hunter's Cabin were lifted, and a rope ladder was lowered.

It turned out the cabin was built against the mountain, with an enormous century-old pine tree towering above it. Its dense canopy completely obscured the roof, while a tunnel had already been dug through the rocky mountain wall behind.

You Guanyue and Liu Jiangfeng each hoisted one of the Song brothers and silently climbed out through the roof. Under the cover of the thick canopy, they disappeared through the mountain tunnel.

"Impressive," Cai Zhao remarked coolly. "Anyone else caught in the net?"

Mu Qingyan replied, "According to the plan, Yin Sulian and Wang Yuanjing's families were also targeted. You Guanyue suggested adding the old town chief of Fallen Blossom Valley and Old Madam Ning to the list—otherwise, your parents might draw unwanted attention."

Cai Zhao let out a cold laugh. "The illustrious Demon Sect Leader has thought of everything. I'm in awe."

Mu Qingyan said, "The Big Dipper Six Sects have grown too complacent. Their defenses are lax. Back when Nie Hengcheng was around, everyone was always on high alert. How could they be so careless now, full of holes?"

He scoffed self-deprecatingly. "Though I'm not much better—the first sect leader in two hundred years to be captured alive by the Big Dipper Six Sects. Truly a disgrace to my ancestors."

Cai Zhao was silent for a moment. "...You never expected us to actually find the Shi brothers, uncover Wang Yuanjing's crimes, or unearth the old grudge between my aunt and Mu Zhengyang. Step by step, it led to this."

She paused, then asked, "You Guanyue was sent to play his part. What about Shangguan Haonan and the others? Did you order them to lie in ambush somewhere, ready to counterattack at the first sign of rebellion?"

"Not quite, but close enough." Mu Qingyan snapped a large piece of wood in half and tossed it into the fire.

[At a hidden fortress on the outskirts of the Vast Sea Mountain Range.]"Nephew, have Elder Lu and the others truly rebelled?!" A middle-aged man arrived on horseback, panting heavily, followed by a long line of swiftly riding subordinates.

Shangguan Haonan was mustering his troops when he heard this and replied, "The Sect Leader predicted this perfectly—that old turtle Lu Fengchun is indeed treacherous. Right now, he's putting on airs at Paradise Palace! Uncle Bali, let's charge back and flip that old turtle's shell!"

The middle-aged man loudly agreed.

Another middle-aged scholar nearby, however, said leisurely, "What about You Guanyue? He’s usually glued to the Sect Leader’s side—why isn’t he here now?!"

Shangguan Haonan snapped impatiently, "The Sect Leader was captured by those North Star bastards, and You Guanyue is busy rescuing him! The Sect Leader assigned me to guard the headquarters—we each have our duties. Uncle Qiutong, hurry and gather the men!"

Wu Qiutong’s followers remained motionless behind him as he advised, "Haonan, I’ve watched you grow up, so allow me to speak frankly today. With just our current forces, we might not be able to counterattack Lu Fengchun."

Shangguan Haonan was furious. "We all agreed to pledge loyalty to Sect Leader Mu—what are you implying now, Uncle Qiutong?!"

Wu Qiutong replied, "That’s not how it is. We were originally part of the old factions of Kaiyang and Yaoguang, and when those two elders were alive, they were loyal to Sect Leader Nie. Can Mu Qingyan truly trust us?"

Qin Bali roared, "Back then, the Kaiyang and Yaoguang elders saw that the Mu faction couldn’t hold power, so they chose to serve Nie Hengcheng and remained unwaveringly loyal—what’s wrong with that?! When we rebelled against Nie Zhe, we swore allegiance to Sect Leader Mu, so we should stay loyal now! Wu Qiutong, what are you scheming?!"

Wu Qiutong sneered, "Yet the Sect Leader Mu we pledged to has fallen into the hands of the Big Dipper Six Sects—proof that he’s not fit to lead either."

Shangguan Haonan calmed down. "Uncle Wu, just say what you want."

"If Shangguan Haonan and the others obey orders to counterattack Lu Fengchun, they are loyal to you. Otherwise, they were either disloyal from the start or are mere opportunists—not worth keeping," Cai Zhao said. "That’s your reasoning, isn’t it?"

"You know me well, Zhao Zhao." Mu Qingyan slowly stood up.

He wore only a coarse robe Cai Zhao had casually bought from the street, yet his striking brows, sharp and clear gaze, and tall, imposing figure made the cave feel smaller the moment he rose, exuding an oppressive aura.

Cai Zhao asked, "How long did you plan to keep this from me?"

Mu Qingyan’s expression remained indifferent. "These filthy, vile matters—it’s better if Zhao Zhao doesn’t know." His implication was clear: he never intended to tell her.

Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the rocks, refracting in faint ripples.

Cai Zhao nodded. "Fine. Rest well, then. I’ll take my leave." She turned to go.

"If you’re going to abandon me, why did you save me in the first place?!" The man behind her lashed out sharply.Cai Zhao slowly turned around: "Your trap was carefully planned in advance, and the traitors within each sect were bought off long ago. The moment you 'disappeared,' You Guanyue was supposed to feign panic and accuse the Big Dipper Six Sects, then take action against the families of the various sects. But then you actually went missing—what was meant to be a ruse became reality, throwing the entire plan into disarray. While Lu Fengchun was indeed provoked into rebellion, You Guanyue and his allies were also thrown into confusion."

“Them? They started targeting the families of various sects only after hearing the news of your capture. The round trip alone would take at least half a month. By the time they took hostages and rushed here to rescue you, it would already be too late. Three days ago, the pursuing forces from various sects gradually decreased. I suspect You Guanyue and his men have finally arrived at Suochuan.”

[On the straight road, steeds galloped, kicking up clouds of yellow dust.

The North Star sects were hastening toward the eastern bank of Suochuan when suddenly, several riders approached from the opposite direction. They reined in abruptly before the crowd, their horses rearing high as the dust settled. At the head of the riders was a handsome young man with a smiling face.

Without a word, the smiling youth tossed over a cloth bag. A disciple cautiously pried it open with his scabbard from a distance, revealing items such as waist ornaments and swords. After confirming there were no traps, the disciple presented the bag to the sect leaders.

“This… this…” Yang Heying was the first to exclaim in shock, recognizing his only son’s golden lock and bracelet, as well as his beloved concubine’s golden hairpin inside the bag.

Zhou Zhixian held two jade earrings of different designs, her face paling. “My mother? And my aunt?”

Song Shijun immediately sensed the dire situation, but when he looked into the bag, dizziness struck him—those two swords were unmistakably the personal weapons of his two sons.

“Sect Leader Song, Sect Leader Yang, Zhou female knight, and Daoist Li, my humble greetings to you all. The summer heat is sweltering, and sweat pours like broth. Why exhaust yourselves, noble heroes? It would be better to return and rest.” The smiling youth spoke with utmost politeness. “If you still doubt, I can bring you more… fingers, toes, noses, ears—whatever you prefer.”

Yang Heying was about to curse when Song Shijun grabbed him. “I have three sons. Losing two still leaves one. How many sons do you have?” he whispered. “Years ago, you injured your body and can no longer father children, can you?”

Yang Heying flushed with shame and anger, refusing to speak.

Song Shijun turned. “Sister Zhixian, what do you say?”

Zhou Zhixian was at a loss. “My mother… she’s frail and can’t endure hardship… this…” Her father had died early, and she had grown up relying solely on her delicate mother. Their bond was deeper than life itself.

“Enough, I understand.” Song Shijun waved his hand impatiently. “We’ll withdraw now and discuss this at length with those idling at the Grand Beginning Temple. No more pursuit!”]

“True. If not for your rescue, even if You Guanyue had arrived, I would already have been crippled.” Mu Qingyan’s expression was indifferent. “There was no choice. The accusations Qi Yunke leveled were too vile, tarnishing my father’s reputation. I truly lost my composure and fell into their trap in my haste…”

Cai Zhao thought it over and decided it was best to clarify. She turned and walked back, noticing the loosened bandage around Mu Qingyan’s exposed chest. Unable to resist, she stepped closer to retie it.

Mu Qingyan looked down at the soft crown of the girl’s hair, his heart momentarily adrift in uncertainty."Your father was poisoned by Madam Sun, yet you endured for three years before confronting Nie Zhe..." Cai Zhao picked up one end of the bandage, looping it around. "No, you didn't fall into their trap just because your father's reputation was tarnished."

She looked up, "You came looking for me. You wanted to explain things to me quickly, to tell me your father wasn't that kind of despicable person. That's why you were captured."

The girl's gaze was clear and pure, like undisturbed tranquil waters. Mu Qingyan spread his arms to embrace her, his muscles tensing slightly beneath his sleeves. He pressed his lips to her slender neck before burying his face in the gentle curve of her shoulder.

"I know you can't bear to part with me, just as I can't bear to part with you. We can't be separated," he murmured. "We promised to depend on each other from now on. You nodded and agreed..."

Cai Zhao's heart ached unbearably, yet she mustered the strength to push him away slightly. "I just want to ask you two things. First, does Hu Fengge truly have no ulterior motives toward you? Please be honest."

Mu Qingyan's eyes darkened, the warmth on his face gradually cooling. "No. She regards Lu Chengnan as a father and elder brother, hence her deep hatred for Nie Hengcheng and contempt for Nie Zhe's character. She's loyal to me without any hidden agenda."

Doubt flickered in the girl's clear eyes.

"But her feelings for Yu Huixin run too deep," Mu Qingyan heard his own voice tremble slightly. "I've hinted at it several times, yet she remains utterly trusting of Yu Huixin. Lu Fengchun has seventeen or eighteen schemes up his sleeve—I couldn't risk Hu Fengge jeopardizing our plans, so I never mentioned it."

After speaking, he waited for Cai Zhao's reproach, but the girl simply nodded and asked, "Second, if Shangguan Haonan fights desperately to suppress the rebellion, how many of his loyal followers—and others like them—will die in that desperate battle?"

Mu Qingyan released his embrace, his expression turning haughty and cruel: "Only through such life-and-death trials can we distinguish true loyalty from treachery. Only then can I rest easy in Paradise Palace."

"The Nie uncle and nephew have spent forty to fifty years entrenching themselves in the sect, their influence deeply rooted. Cleansing the organization is easy; cleansing hearts is hard. Who knows when someone remembering the Nie Clan's favors might emerge to assassinate me? How can I tolerate such lurking threats beside me? Yet I can't indiscriminately slaughter already-submissive sect members without cause..."

His jaw tightened, "Hu Fengge blinded herself by falling for a hypocrite; Shangguan Haonan failing this test just shows his own inadequacy. What fault is that of mine!"

Cai Zhao gazed at him quietly: "So their deaths were part of your calculations?"Mu Qingyan's eyes turned gloomy: 'Those who achieve great things cannot be constrained by minor details.'" Zhao Zhao, I want you to understand—thrones are built upon white bones, power is forged in blood. There's no such thing as a peaceful reign adorned with flowers."

"My aunt said there was," Cai Zhao tilted her head slightly as if remembering. "She came close to succeeding."

"Yet ultimately failed. Our predecessors lie buried in yellow earth, their soaring ambitions turned to drifting smoke—while the world remains exactly the same." Mu Qingyan's expression was cold. "Zhao Zhao, having watched your aunt wither day by day, you should understand my methods."Cai Zhao felt a pang of sorrow in her heart: "Yes, I've often felt it was unfair for Auntie, but unfair as it may be, I never thought she was wrong. Back then in the underground of Paradise Palace, if Hu Fengge hadn't turned against them at the last moment, we would have died in Han Yisu's trap long ago. Mu Qingyan, it's not that you couldn't find a way to send Hu Fengge away—you just didn't want to take the slightest risk of alerting the enemy."

"But taking some risks for someone who once saved your life is worth it. My aunt also fell for a bad man, but that wasn't her fault, and the same goes for Hu Fengge. And Shangguan Haonan, and those followers who remained loyal to their oaths... You shouldn't treat human lives so lightly. It's too cruel and ruthless."

Mu Qingyan sneered bitterly, his voice filled with agitation: "Treat human lives lightly? Cruel and ruthless? That's exactly the kind of person I am. Long before I met you, I was already like this—did you only realize it now?! Hmph, maybe it would have been better if Qi Yunke and the others had crippled me, so I wouldn't become a scourge in the future. Why bother saving me?!"

Cai Zhao stepped closer to him, reaching out to tug at his sleeve, but he forcefully shook her off.

"I know what you're thinking. Just because I once helped and saved you, now you've saved me in return—one favor repaid, and we're even from now on. Hmph, Heroine Cai keeps her accounts very neatly, doesn't she?!"

Mu Qingyan's face was terrifyingly pale, his eyes tinged with streaks of red—arrogant yet despairing. "Crippled or not, I've been worthless since childhood. I don't need your pity!"

Cai Zhao grabbed his sleeve again, stubbornly holding on this time without letting go.

Mu Qingyan roared furiously, his voice harsh and violent: "What do you want from me?! If you want to leave, then leave! I won't beg you to stay! I—" But as he turned his head, he saw the girl's face streaked with tears and froze in surprise.

Cai Zhao choked back sobs, her voice hoarse. "You're so stubborn—afraid of the dark, afraid of fire. Even with all your formidable cultivation, you're still plagued by doubts and fears every day. If you were crippled... how would you live? How could you live?!"

Mu Qingyan felt a pang of sorrow—the only person in this world who had never despised him, his father, was already gone. Who else would care how he lived?

Cai Zhao looked up at him. "I believe that even without the Seven-Insect Seven-Flower Pill, You Guanyue and the others wouldn't betray you. You don't need life-and-death tests to find loyal followers."

Her eyes brimmed with tears, her voice rasping. "I know you suffered a lot as a child. Saving you this time... I only hope you can learn to trust a little more."

Mu Qingyan's heart softened as if filled with warm water. He pulled the girl into his arms, holding her tightly with all his strength, as though she were the only thing he had left. He murmured softly, "Don't go. After this is over, I'll give You Guanyue and the others the antidote. I'll learn to trust people... alright? Alright...?"

A burning pain seared through Cai Zhao's chest, so intense she could barely speak. She nodded with a smile, tears streaming down her face. "I believe you, I do. But... I want to go home."Mu Qingyan was consumed by hatred. He forcefully pushed the girl away and let out a sinister, wild laugh. "After all those sweet words, you still choose to abandon me! Fine, go! If you leave now, I swear I’ll forget you! Even if we meet again, we’ll be strangers—I mean what I say!"

Cai Zhao held back her tears. "I’m sorry... I want to go home. I miss home." With that, she slowly turned away.

"Cai Zhao! Don’t you dare regret this!" Mu Qingyan snarled at her retreating figure, his heart ravaged by fury and agony as if scorched by flames and slashed by steel. "I won’t forgive you for leaving me a second time—you’ll regret this!"

Cai Zhao didn’t look back. Step by step, she walked out of the cave with unwavering resolve.

Mu Qingyan felt as though his chest had been hollowed out. Standing motionless like a puppet, he watched helplessly as the girl left without a backward glance, leaving behind only the cold, desolate silence of the cave, so still it seemed the world itself had vanished.

Cai Zhao stumbled down the mountain and boarded a rickety carriage. She roughly wiped away her tears with her sleeve before urging the horse onward toward Grand Beginning Temple. The entire journey, she repeated to herself, Don’t cry, don’t cry. Just go home. Everything will be fine once you’re home.

Traveling day and night, she exhausted herself to the point of collapse, barely managing to force his image from her mind and heart.

By the time she reached the third small town, she sold the carriage at a loss and bought a sturdy horse, pressing onward without rest despite wind and rain. Finally, on the seventh day, she arrived at Grand Beginning Temple.

At this time, the temple was packed with disciples from the six major sects, along with martial artists connected to them, all noisily debating how to rescue their captured family members from the Demonic Cult. Some had already secretly contacted the cult’s branches, but the real problem was that the abductions hadn’t been ordered by the current cult leader, Lu Fengchun—instead, they were carried out by the elusive remnants of the Mu faction.

Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen, both physically and emotionally wounded, remained sullen and silent.

Yang Heying was frantic, pacing and shouting for immediate action, yet no one knew how to proceed.

Cai Pingshu and Ning Xiaofeng hid in their rooms, sighing heavily and recalling how their predecessors had handled the emergence of the Demoness from Fallen Blossom Valley.

Song Shijun could only roar in frustration yet again: I told you all we shouldn’t have captured Mu Qingyan! Why didn’t anyone listen to me?!

Amid this chaos, Cai Zhao’s arrival struck like a thunderbolt.

Sharp gazes, filled with disdain, shock, wariness, or mockery, pierced her from all directions like thorns. Yet the slender figure walked firmly through the crowd, ignoring them all.

Qi Lingbo suddenly rushed forward and slapped Cai Zhao hard across the face.

The force of the blow snapped Cai Zhao’s head to the side, her fair cheek rapidly swelling red.

Qi Lingbo’s eyes were red and swollen as she pointed at Cai Zhao and shrieked, "You shameless little wretch! How dare you—how dare you hurt my father! He treated you like his own daughter, loved you more than me! And yet you had the gall to collude with that Demonic Cult fiend, even striking my father to save your lover! I—I’ll kill you for this!"

With that, she whipped out her sword and swung it straight at Cai Zhao’s head."Enough!" Song Yuzhi drew his sword and leaped forward, deflecting Qi Lingbo's blade with a sharp clang. "How she is to be dealt with is for the sect leaders to decide—it's not your place to act!"

Qi Lingbo's eyes burned red. "You're protecting her again! Hmph, what a pity—she doesn't spare you a single glance in her heart, only that Demon from the Demonic Cult! Fine, fine, I'll spare her life for now and let the elders decide. But I will avenge my father—whichever arm she used to wound him, I'll sever that very arm—"

"Have you lost your mind?! Don't disgrace the Azure Tower Sect before all these heroes!" Song Yuzhi roared.

Dai Fengchi unsheathed his sword and shouted, "If this little wretch isn't afraid of shame, why should we care!"

As the three disciples were about to descend into argument, Cai Zhao suddenly looked up. "Senior Sister Lingbo, watch carefully."

Qi Lingbo froze.

Cai Zhao picked up a pebble from the ground and flicked it with her fingertips. The small stone traced a swift arc through the air, bypassing Dai Fengchi who stood before Qi Lingbo, and struck her longsword with a sharp ping.

The blade vibrated violently, sending numbing tremors through Qi Lingbo's wrist—she nearly lost her grip.

"What are you—? You think you can— Ah!" she shrieked.

With a series of crisp chimes, Qi Lingbo's sword shattered inch by inch from the tip downward until only the hilt remained in her hand. As murmurs of stifled laughter rippled through the crowd, her face burned with humiliation.

Cai Zhao merely glanced at her sidelong, her imposing aura silencing any would-be reprimands.

—Though Qi Lingbo hadn't been channeling any inner energy at that moment, this sword had been specially forged by Yin Qinglian for her beloved daughter—a renowned weapon of exceptional quality. That a single pebble could reduce such a masterfully tempered blade to fragments spoke volumes about Cai Zhao's cultivation.

Many leering gazes around them promptly withdrew.

"Senior Sister Lingbo." Cai Zhao's voice was calm despite her swollen cheek. "I endured your slap out of courtesy. Don't mistake courtesy for weakness. Speak another insult, and this sword's fate will be your arm's."

Knowing she was outmatched, Qi Lingbo flung the hilt away in frustration and stormed off.

Dai Fengchi sneered, "Truly, spending days with the Demonic Cult's leader has filled you with wickedness—threatening your own senior sister! Hmph, the Demon's taint runs deep in you!"

An inexplicable irritation surged through Song Yuzhi. He regretted not acting decisively enough earlier—why must he always fall short? Why couldn't he be like that Demonic Cult fiend, throwing all caution to the wind just to reach the one he loved?

With a swift motion, he swung his sword toward Dai Fengchi's blade. The clash of steel rang out sharply as Dai Fengchi's sword snapped in two.

Song Yuzhi said coldly, "If Second Brother has more to say, let us spar as fellow disciples."

"You dare threaten me too?" Dai Fengchi fumed.

"Not at all. I merely wish to exchange pointers with you."

Left with no choice, Dai Fengchi retreated in anger.Song Yuzhi shielded Cai Zhao as they pressed forward, passing through layers of disciples from the six sects dressed in varied attire, traversing the sharp blades of malice and scorn woven from countless gazes. Finally, Cai Zhao stood before the seated sect leaders in the grand hall.

She knelt properly, first unbuckling the Bright Sun Blade at her waist and placing it at Qi Yunke’s feet. "This blade belonged to Aunt Ping Shu. It was meant to slay Demons and uphold righteousness. I am unworthy of wielding it."

Next, she removed the silver chain from her left wrist and laid it before Ning Xiaofeng, who was on the verge of tears. "This Heart-protecting Chain was forged for me by my grandfather. Yet I used it to save a member of the Demonic Cult. I am unworthy of it as well."

Lastly, she took out the Peach Blossom Hairpin carved for her by Cai Pingshu herself. With her hair now loose, Cai Zhao kowtowed three times respectfully to the five sect leaders and declared clearly, "This disciple, Cai Zhao, has deceived her masters, betrayed her ancestors, colluded with the Demonic Cult, harmed fellow disciples, and disrespected her elders. My crimes are unforgivable. Today, I sincerely seek punishment and willingly accept whatever penalty is imposed."

Her words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

Many had assumed Cai Zhao’s bold return meant she would either beg desperately or come with some leverage to negotiate terms. None expected her to submit unconditionally to judgment.

Even if her crimes were considered separately, the charge of deceiving her masters and betraying her ancestors alone was severe enough to cost her half her life.

"Zhao Zhao, lift your head," Qi Yunke suddenly spoke. "Have you truly understood why you’ve returned this time?"

Cai Zhao raised her head. The kind and honest face before her seemed to have aged years in just a few days, filling her with overwhelming guilt. Choking back tears, she replied, "Yes, Zhao Zhao understands now. I cannot bear to part with my family and my sect."

Qi Yunke nodded, his face pale.

"Zhao Zhao, Zhao Zhao!" Zhou Zhixian called out anxiously. "My mother, and Auntie… they, are they—"

Cai Zhao smiled faintly. "They should return soon. They must already be on their way." After capturing the sect members' families, You Guanyue would have rushed to Grand Beginning Temple to press his advantage.

"Are you certain?" Zhou Zhixian asked, her voice trembling.

Cai Zhao glanced at the equally tense Yang Heying and the feigned nonchalance of Song Shijun before answering, "Aunt Zhixian, they will return without fail."

Zhou Zhixian exhaled in relief. "Good. I trust you."

"Enough. Let us now deliberate on her crimes," Li Wenxun declared sternly, his voice as sharp as a blade.

Silence fell momentarily before the hall erupted in clamor.

By the letter of the law, deceiving one’s masters, betraying ancestors, and colluding with the Demonic Cult were capital offenses warranting expulsion from the sect.

However, considering that Cai Zhao had not taken any lives during the rescue, a lesser punishment—such as the stripping of her cultivation—might suffice.

Yang Heying loudly supported this proposal, both out of resentment for the humiliation Cai Zhao had caused him and to eliminate a formidable future rival in advance.

Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng naturally refused, defiantly declaring they would take their daughter away and daring anyone to stop them.

Song Shijun, ever magnanimous, suggested that everyone made mistakes in their youth. Since no lives were lost, why not let the matter rest?

This drew fierce opposition from Li Wenxun. "Families have their rules, sects their laws. If Cai Zhao is let off lightly this time, what’s to stop other disciples from befriending the Demonic Cult and harming their masters and peers? Should they also be pardoned?"Amid the clamor, Zhou Zhizhen quietly approached Cai Zhao, bending down to whisper, "Zhao Zhao, your aunt... did she really like that man?"

Cai Zhao turned to look at him. It had only been half a month since they last met, yet Zhou Zhizhen's temples had suddenly turned gray. Her heart ached: "She did once, but she probably doesn't anymore—Auntie has always been someone who knows when to hold on and when to let go."

Zhou Zhizhen murmured to himself, "Yes, if you like the wrong person, you should let go quickly. That's just Ping Shu's nature." He shook his head and staggered away.

After a day and night of heated debate, the final decision was seven strikes of the Nine Yin Bone-Piercing Serpent Whip, followed by confinement at the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff for reflection. Initially, the Cai couple still refused to accept this, but Cai Zhao agreed—

Half of Grand Beginning Temple's Zhengyuan Hall had collapsed, she had injured the sect leaders of five sects one after another, and even rescued the Demonic Cult's leader. Such grave crimes couldn't be lightly dismissed with thousands of eyes watching inside and out. How could the Big Dipper Six Sects maintain their righteous stance before the Martial World in the future otherwise?

It seemed like only half a month had passed, yet the carefree little girl had suddenly grown up.

Ning Xiaofeng wept bitterly.

Qi Yunke also agreed: "Let Zhao Zhao take this punishment. After she's punished, if anyone still mocks or humiliates her over this, she can slap them right back. Merit should be rewarded, faults must be punished. Once the punishment is done, Zhao Zhao owes no one anything."

"Shifu..." Cai Zhao felt grateful—she knew Qi Yunke must have heard about Qi Lingbo giving her trouble.

Originally, Yang Heying thought the punishment was too light and planned to secretly rally several renowned heroes to push for harsher penalties. Unexpectedly, Qi Yunke directly called him out: "Without Cai Pingshu, your entire Yang family would have long been turned into Corpse Puppet Slaves by Nie Hengcheng. Sect Leader Yang, I advise you to show some mercy—your wife and children haven't returned yet."

Yang Heying had no choice but to back down resentfully.

When Qi Yunke was being indecisive, Song Shijun lamented his lack of backbone. But now that Qi Yunke was full of vigor, Song Shijun felt somewhat sour, remarking on Sect Leader Qi's impressive authority.

The next evening, as dusk fell with gloomy winds howling, it was time for the punishment.

Grand Beginning Temple's punishment rack stood tall and imposing, with a rather fearsome appearance.

Cai Zhao, dressed in white, knelt with her arms wrapped around the massive rack, her wrists bound together by chains.

The sandy punishment ground was packed with a sea of dark heads—not just disciples from the six sects, but also numerous martial artists from the wider world.

Human fascination with such spectacles hadn't changed through the ages.

Under Li Wenxun's watchful gaze, Fan Xingjia tremblingly carried over a crystal jade box exuding cold air. Inside were ice needles for sealing acupoints, each as fine as a hair and translucent—Cai Zhao suddenly recalled the set of thick, menacing golden needles meant to cripple Mu Qingyan's cultivation back then. Truly, the wheel of fate turns, she thought with a bitter inner laugh.

Fan Xingjia donned gloves woven from ice silkworm threads and began sealing Cai Zhao's acupoints: first Yuzhen, then Tianzhu, followed by Fengmen... For martial artists of a certain level, ordinary flesh wounds meant nothing.

Thus before punishment, ninety percent of the recipient's power must be sealed, leaving only ten percent to protect their heart meridian. This ensured they wouldn't be beaten to death while preventing them from using their cultivation to resist the pain, fully experiencing the penalty. The ice needles would melt within half an hour after insertion—by then the punishment would be over, and if the recipient remained conscious, they could begin self-healing.

When reaching the final Baihui point, Fan Xingjia gritted his teeth, subtly turning his body to block Li Wenxun's view. With a flick of his wrist, the ice needle disappeared. Sensing something amiss, Cai Zhao glanced sideways in surprise to see Fan Xingjia's face flushed and sweaty, equal parts embarrassed and guilty. Without waiting for her meaningful look, he scurried away like a startled rabbit.Li Wenxun frowned and muttered, "Just a few ice needles and she's already this exhausted. Xingjia really needs to train more." Then, he also walked away to fetch the python whip.

Cai Zhao lay on the rack, closing her eyes—a long-lost sense of powerlessness flooded her entire body.

As a child, when she craved fruit from the tree branches, she had to laboriously climb the tall tree, stretching her round little body to reach them, while panicked servants screamed below. Later, she only needed to toss a few small stones to knock down the fruit she wanted through the dense foliage.

When she was punished as a child and locked inside to practice writing, the heavy wooden bolt and brass lock seemed like an insurmountable chasm. Later, wherever her fingers reached, snapping wooden bolts and brass locks became as easy as crushing powder.

Since her cultivation breakthrough at the age of eleven, she had never experienced this kind of helpless clumsiness again. What a strange feeling.

And this was with Fan Xingjia secretly leaving her an extra ten percent of her power. If Mu Qingyan truly had his Core Essence and meridians destroyed, losing all his cultivation, how would he feel? How terrified he must be.

A loud crack echoed as Li Wenxun unfurled the long Nine Yin Bone-Piercing Python Whip. The sinister weapon, forged from Mystic Iron, glinted ominously under the sunlight. The entire whip resembled a massive black python—not only heavy and sharp, but also covered in barb-like scales that could tear flesh and draw blood with every lash. The timid onlookers were already trembling in fear.

"Begin the punishment!" Li Wenxun announced loudly. "First lash!"

The pitch-black python traced a vicious arc through the air before landing heavily on the girl's slender back.

"Ah!" Cai Zhao let out a short, sharp cry.

Her spine felt as though it had been seared by burning charcoal, leaving a trail of bloody blisters. The excruciating pain and scorching heat sent spasms through her muscles.

As the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, she heard Ning Xiaofeng's scream and Cai Pingchun's agitated protests, seemingly demanding that the seven lashes be administered separately.

How could that be possible? Since ancient times, the Nine Yin Bone-Piercing Python Whip had never been executed in separate sessions.

When the next lash fell, she couldn’t scream again, she thought. Otherwise, her parents would worry even more.

"Second lash," Li Wenxun called steadily.

— Crack!

Afraid of biting her tongue again, Cai Zhao clenched her teeth into the sleeve of her upper arm, muffling the agonized cries within the layers of fabric. Sweat drenched her forehead, stinging her eyes with a fiery pain.

This time, she controlled it well—no sound escaped.

"Third lash."

Cai Zhao whimpered; the sleeve seemed to tear.

She thought she heard her mother’s mournful sobs—that voice shouldn’t be crying. Such a charming, delightful voice should be used to tease Father, joke with the townsfolk, or play pranks on her children. Auntie protected her for over a decade—when had she ever let her cry like this? Daddy, hurry and comfort her.

Auntie said Mother was the kindest and loveliest girl in the world, and I could only rank second.

With Mother’s family background, she could have lived a carefree and happy life. Yet, in her most innocent and lively years, she chose to stay confined in Fallen Blossom Valley for over a decade to protect Auntie.

Daddy, I know you’ve given up much too. Did you think I didn’t notice you secretly flipping through Great-Uncle’s travel journals about the Western Regions?Wait till I graduate as a full-fledged disciple, then I'll return to guard Fallen Blossom Valley and Little Han, so you can accompany Mother traveling through mountains and rivers. How about that?

As for me, I never want to leave again. I'll stay in Fallen Blossom Valley my whole life.

"Fourth lash."

Cai Zhao convulsed violently, her back burning as if set aflame, unable to distinguish where this strike had landed. She felt like skewered meat roasting over a fire, the crackling kindling and sharp Mystic Iron barbs tearing through flesh, layer after layer splitting open.

She remembered when she was eight, learning to wield the silver chain for the first time—how a deep gash had appeared on the back of her hand.

Before her aunt could say anything, Qi Yunke had already rushed over with exclamations of distress, cradling little Cai Zhao in his arms, heartbroken, and scolding Cai Pingshu for being too harsh. "She's just a child, still so young!"

Cai Pingshu sighed helplessly, "When we became sworn siblings, I never realized you'd turn into such a fussy old woman."

Auntie said that between her and her master, they'd seen each other in every embarrassing state imaginable—

Qi Yunke, his trousers torn by a mother bear's swipe, fleeing through the forest with half his buttocks exposed; Cai Pingshu, disguised as a man, cornered by an aggressive courtesan until she shaved her head in a desperate bid to become a monk—only for the courtesan to lose interest halfway through the ragged haircut.

Young Qi Yunke had thought those carefree, playful days would last forever.

But by middle age, one had become the Azure Tower Sect leader bogged down by trivial affairs, while the other lay bedridden, frail and sickly. Those days of laughter and freedom in the Martial World seemed as distant as a past life.

So Qi Yunke would perch little Cai Zhao on his shoulders, strolling through the streets to the sound of her delighted laughter, then return home to recount all the amusing sights and stories to Cai Pingshu, filling the room with joy.

Yet now, the child he once carried on his shoulders had ambushed and gravely wounded him.

"Fifth lash!"

Cai Zhao bit down hard on her lip, the flesh splitting open, the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth. She heard the shifting of her own bones—had the whip reached bone? Like a live fish being scaled one by one, the skin and flesh on her back no longer felt like her own, only the relentless agony of muscles twisting beneath.

She also heard Li Wenxun's voice, less steady than before.

Why hadn't Uncle Zhou come today?

Auntie said that in his youth, Zhou Zhizhen had been truly elegant and refined, his beauty beyond description—the dream of countless young women.

Cai Zhao couldn't help but wonder: if that was the case, why had Auntie been so reluctant to fulfill their betrothal back then?

Cai Pingshu sighed faintly, offering no answer, her gaze distant and melancholy.

Why must people love the wrong ones?

If Auntie had loved Uncle Zhou, would none of the regrets that followed have happened?

Compared to becoming a cripple, Old Woman Min wasn't so difficult to deal with after all.

What did that Mu Zhengyang look like?

Was he like him—tall nose bridge, handsome brows and eyes, smiling gently when happy, eyes tender, yet sneering coldly when angered, his words sharp enough to make one jump in fury?

"...Sixth lash!"

At the peak of pain, even sound escaped—Her lips were parched, only able to gasp hoarsely between breaths. Why—even when the pain had numbed her fingertips—could she still feel this suffocating ache in her heart?

Stars burst before her eyes like fireflies darting wildly on summer nights from her childhood.

Little Cai Zhao held up her scraped hands to her aunt, sobbing, "I loved Little Yellow so much, why did it bite me? Wuwu... I'll never like kittens or puppies again, wuwu..."

Her aunt's voice was gentle. "Zhao Zhao, love itself isn't wrong. If you realize you've loved wrongly, just find a way to correct it."

"This world is beautiful. Never stop loving because you're afraid."

Tears welled up as Cai Zhao choked on silent sobs.

So she thought—since it hurt too much—she should think of happier things:

The sea of blossoms covering Fallen Blossom Valley in late spring; the aroma of meals wafting from one end of town to another at dusk; her whole family laughing during snowball fights when winter weighed down the branches...

He didn't know how to have snowball fights.

The vast mountain ranges of Hanhai were buried knee-deep in snow during winter, yet he'd never played in it.

Mu's father preferred quiet, Cheng Bo was old, and even Lianshi was away training in martial arts. Without peers, his childhood held little joy.

When she mischievously stuffed snow down his collar on the snowy ridge, he'd stood there dumbfounded, not even thinking to retaliate with a snowball.

The glittering snow-capped peaks shone brilliantly, and his smile then had been brighter than the sun.

He wasn't a bad person. She hadn't loved wrongly.

But this was as far as they could go.

Another wave of searing pain tore through her back.

Her vision blurred—she could neither see nor hear now.

Before losing consciousness, one hazy thought remained: she hoped he'd leave a small lamp lit in his room at night.

He shouldn't force himself to sleep afraid like that... it only brings nightmares.

"Leader, we must leave now," You Guanyue whispered urgently, supporting the tall man beside him in disguise. "If they discover us, it'll mean more danger."

The man's slender frame was hidden beneath a wide cloak, his movements slightly unsteady.

Among the crowd observing the punishment, many martial artists wore similar disguises, so their presence went unnoticed—especially with their scattered allies blending in.

Through the lowered hood, Mu Qingyan's gaze remained fixed on the girl being taken down from the scaffold.

She had already lost consciousness.

Song Yuzhi charged forward, his face dark with fury, and scooped her up, roaring at Qi Lingbo who stood nearby laughing...

"Leader, we truly must go!" You Guanyue anxiously scanned their surroundings. "Leader, I know you're worried about Zhao Zhao, but this isn't the time! The matters in Hanhai Mountains still need your guidance!"

Finally, Mu Qingyan moved. You Guanyue quickly steadied him as they slipped away from Grand Beginning Temple, while Liu Jiangfeng signaled their followers to withdraw discreetly.

After half a day of jostling in the carriage, they reached the banks of the Suochuan River, where a large contingent of their forces and broad boats awaited to escort them onward.Mu Qingyan stepped down from the carriage and turned to You Guanyue, saying, "Send a carrier pigeon to Tang Qing and Wang Tianfeng. Have them gather most of the manpower from the western foothills estate of the Vast Sea Mountain Range and go support Shangguan Haonan—if he's counterattacking Lu Fengchun."

You Guanyue was momentarily stunned but quickly acknowledged the order.

"And send word to Thirteen. Tell him to enter through Tunnel Wu and see if he can retrieve Hu Fengge's intact corpse."

You Guanyue hesitated slightly, but upon seeing his lord's calm, unwavering gaze, he hurriedly cupped his hands in assent.

"I want to be alone. Don't follow me."

Mu Qingyan drew the long sword from You Guanyue's waist and with a light flick of his wrist, split the bamboo raft in two. He stepped onto the half without ropes and sat cross-legged, letting the current carry him away.

He drifted for an unknown length of time, faintly aware of You Guanyue and others cautiously following along the riverbank on horseback.

He stretched out flat on the small bamboo raft, letting his arms, legs, robes, and long hair sink into the water.

The sky darkened gradually, and the bright moon climbed the treetops.

The water was gentle. Closing his eyes, it felt like Father's palm pressing against his forehead during childhood illnesses.

Father was gentler and clearer than this Su River.

Yet in his entire life, not a single thing he thought of, longed for, or wished for ever came true.

Four years ago, standing before Father's corpse, Mu Qingyan silently vowed never to repeat Father's mistakes.

He would hold absolute power, act as he pleased, stand alone above all, with none daring to slight him—

That fifteen-year-old boy had believed this was his only desire.

Until he met her in the valley of Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. Only then did he realize what he truly wanted was someone—someone like Father who could love him wholeheartedly.

Someone who would never abandon him, someone who belonged to him alone, someone who loved him enough to forsake their own wishes.

The river was cool, slowly soaking into the drifting man's body.

From now on, he would forget her, as resolutely as her departing figure. No need to rush—bit by bit, he would forget everything eventually.

The Su River's waters were soft and gentle, rippling wave after wave like fingers lightly stroking a forehead.

He thought of Father again. But during those days hiding in fleeing carriages, there had also been a pair of small hands repeatedly pressing against his fevered brow, a sensation both tender and unforgettable...

He covered his eyes with his long, slender hand. Silent droplets traced slowly down his cheeks.

[End of Volume]