"Sweetie, this shows your love for the author isn't quite enough yet. The story is shyly hiding away~"
Though reputation was precious, practical benefits held higher value. During his youthful adventures when encountering treasures of gold and silver, while other young prodigies would turn a blind eye, he would meticulously collect them like an old accountant—even if only to aid down-and-out martial artists in the future.
At that celebratory banquet years ago, he noticed Yang Yi deliberately misleading the martial world's heroes about Nie Hengcheng's death, and Yin Dai had half-heartedly gone along with it. His first reaction wasn't anger or disappointment at these two respected elders for stealing credit—instead, he immediately thought, 'Now Fallen Blossom Valley is safe.'
Not that he was heartless, intending to use Yin Dai as a shield for the valley. Rather, he assumed the Azure Tower Sect Leader would be surrounded by tight security and countless experts, making it difficult for the Demonic Cult to exact revenge. Meanwhile, Fallen Blossom Valley at that time was weak, helpless, and pitiful.
But who could have predicted that man's schemes are no match for heaven's will?
Merely months after the banquet, the high-spirited Old Sect Leader Yin was ambushed during a journey by a large force set up by Nie Hengcheng's eldest disciple, Zhao Tianba. With no escape ahead and no reinforcements behind, he was ultimately hacked to pieces.
On that same day, while Old Sect Leader Yang Yi was enjoying a late-life romance with his beloved concubine in a rural manor, Nie Hengcheng's third disciple, Han Yisu, led a night raid. The slaughter lasted an entire night, leaving no survivors—not even chickens or dogs. Yang Yi's head was later found in the manor's cesspool.
Not only that, but Nie Hengcheng's two remaining disciples also vowed to exterminate the descendants of the Yin and Yang families, cutting off their bloodlines. They further declared that among the remaining Demonic Cult elders, whoever contributed most to avenging Nie Hengcheng would gain control of his remaining forces.
For a time, the Demonic Cult's minions grew restless.
"A centipede dies but never stiffens. Though Nie Hengcheng is dead, after decades of leading the cult, he has many loyal followers. Old Sect Leader Yin and Old Sect Leader Yang celebrated too soon," Chang Ning remarked leisurely. Cai Zhao thought he sounded somewhat gleeful—though, admittedly, so was she.
Claiming heaven's merits requires the fortune to bear them!
"Great Hero Chang guarded Fallen Blossom Valley... was it because you feared the Demonic Cult would seek revenge on our family?" she asked quietly.
Chang Ning: "Indeed. My father anticipated that Nie Hengcheng's disciples wouldn't let matters rest after his death, so he stationed himself at Fallen Blossom Valley, not even daring to return home. He waited and waited—but instead of a Demonic Cult attack, news arrived of the two elders' deaths."
Cai Zhao fell silent for a moment. "I didn't know any of this. Thank your father for his tireless efforts in protecting Fallen Blossom Valley."
Those were the most perilous years for the Cai Family. All their elders had died, Cai Pingshu's martial arts were crippled, Cai Pingchun hadn't yet broken through to greater mastery, and Ning Xiaofeng only knew some traps and formations. Had the Demonic Cult launched a full assault, Fallen Blossom Valley would have been slaughtered without resistance.
Chang Ning glanced at her. "No need for thanks. Protecting the weak is our duty." He emphasized the last word.
Cai Zhao set down her chopsticks and sighed wearily. "Don't worry. Until your injuries heal, I'll do my utmost to protect you—to repay Great Hero Chang's great kindness."
"Good, you understand." Chang Ning's eyes crinkled with a smile, his face full of poisonous sores somehow glowing with charm.
Fan Xingjia sat awkwardly to the side, feeling the table's atmosphere was far too jubilant. Gathering his courage, he interrupted his junior siblings' merriment: "Ahem. So... what happened next? How did the Demonic Cult back down?"Cai Zhao pointed to the currently bustling crowd from the Yin and Yang families and nodded, "Indeed. Since so many from the Yin and Yang families still live, it's clear the Demonic Cult's revenge killings were unsuccessful."
"This was all thanks to the resourceful Qinglian Furen," Chang Ning smiled.
In the months following the deaths of Yin Dai and Yang Yi, many more relatives from both families met tragic ends. The Yin family, with its numerous members and prominent targets, suffered particularly—after Yin Dai assumed leadership of the Azure Tower Sect, he had promoted many family members, who then became easy targets for the Demonic Cult.
One day, Uncle Yin Six, responsible for the sect's procurement, was found gutted in his bed. The next day, Aunt Yin Three, who tended the sect's gardens, was discovered hanging upside down from a tree with her throat slit. Days later, the mutilated bodies of Uncle Yin Two and his brother appeared in the horse troughs... Panic spread through the Yin clan, and without even time for proper funerals, they fled Nine Conch Mountain, hiding in remote corners to save their lives.
Nie Hengcheng's followers even reached into Vast Heaven Gate, targeting Yin Dai's eldest daughter and her two young grandsons—Song Maozhi and Song Yuzhi.
Despite Yin Qinglian's meticulous precautions, she discovered wet nurses secretly poisoning the children—one confessed her family was held hostage by the cult, while another admitted being promised untold riches. The Big Dipper Six Sects found such threats impossible to guard against.
Yin Sulian, newly married and childless, only needed to protect herself. But Yin Qinglian had young children to safeguard. Knowing the cult's boundless wealth and ruthless methods were like maggots in the bones—inescapable unless confronted—she resolved to strike first.
Of course, the most crucial step was to spread the truth that Nie Hengcheng had been slain by Lady Cai.
Yet this truth hadn't been announced before or after the victory banquet. To proclaim it hastily during the cult's revenge killings would make her illustrious father, Old Sect Leader Yin, appear incompetent in the eyes of the world—unacceptable to let him lose both life and reputation.
After Yang Heying's two young sons were silently assassinated, Yin Qinglian delayed no longer. She summoned her brother-in-law Qi Yunke, newly appointed sect leader, and Zhou Zhizhen, who had just buried his father. After deliberation, they agreed:
First, Cai Pingshu's slaying of Nie Hengcheng must be revealed—but not openly. They would let the cult's own followers uncover the truth while the six sects feigned ignorance.
The scattered Yin and Yang clans were vulnerable to attacks, but the Cai family's three members had remained secluded in Fallen Blossom Valley—a naturally defensible location with only one access route. Concentrated targets meant concentrated attacks from the cult.
After two weeks of laying false trails, Yin Qinglian's spies brought confirmation.
That night, under starless skies and lashing rain, Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhizhen, and Song Shijun led handpicked disciples to set the Net of Heaven and Earth along Green Gauze River near Fallen Blossom Valley. After a night of fierce battle, they annihilated the cult's main force that had come to attack the valley.
Zhao Tianba was slain on the spot by Chang Haosheng, his head sent to Azure Tower Sect as tribute. Han Yisu was crippled by Song Shijun and left for dead. Qi Yunke, drenched in blood, personally slew over a dozen cult elites.
This battle decimated Nie Hengcheng's remaining loyalists, bringing their revenge to an abrupt end.Thus, the bloody prosperity created by Nie Hengcheng came to an end, and the Demonic Cult entered a declining era marked by factional strife and internal conflicts. Meanwhile, the new triumvirate of the North Star officially took charge, commanding the martial world.
At the same time, the truth that Cai Pingshu was the one who killed Nie Hengcheng could no longer be concealed and became known to all. Seizing the opportunity, Yin Qinglian spread the rumor that "the late Sect Leader Yin Dai reluctantly claimed the credit for killing the villain to protect Fallen Blossom Valley, while the late Gate Master Yang brought trouble upon himself by trying to help out of kindness." This allowed the Big Dipper Six Sects to emerge as the happy victors.
Fan Xingjia was hearing the full story for the first time and sighed, "Even the remnants of Nie the villain are so vicious, cruel, and fearless. Thankfully, Heroine Cai eliminated the ringleader, or else the Demonic Cult would have become even more unrestrained."
Recalling the bloody storms and scheming of those years, Cai Zhao couldn't help but lament. After a long silence, she finally muttered, "...Qinglian Furen is quite clever." It was a pity Yin Sulian didn't possess even half her sister's wit.
"The wisest, the most cunning, the strongest, the cruelest, the most loyal, and the most benevolent—all have perished one by one. Those who survived are merely mediocre and ordinary—perhaps this is the way of heaven and earth."
Chang Ning seemed lost in thought, his expression calm and unreadable, like a mysterious face veiled in temple incense smoke. Cai Zhao stared at him in a daze.
The atmosphere at the table grew heavy, and none of the three spoke. The rare silence was broken by the sound of Cai Han letting out a satisfied burp.
Chang Ning glanced over. "Junior Sister, you should really keep an eye on him. If he keeps eating like this, he’ll turn into a ball again."
Cai Zhao, flustered and exasperated, lifted her little brother from the table and discovered his belly was once again round and full. She scolded, "You little piglet! Have you never seen food before in your life?"
Between hiccups, Cai Han tearfully complained about having to endure a long period of vegetarian meals at his grandmother's house. Fan Xingjia smiled wryly and called for a servant to bring tangerine peel tea to aid digestion.
"You wretched girl, you're actually here?!"
A shrill female voice rang out from the side. Cai Zhao and the others immediately turned to see a beautifully dressed woman in her mid-twenties standing there with a hostile expression, one hand on her hip and the other holding the hand of a thin, sallow-faced child of six or seven in brocade robes.
Before Cai Zhao and the others could react, Yang Xiaolan, who was sitting nearby, hastily stood up and bowed. "Greetings, Mother."
Yang Xiaolan was the daughter of the Four Stallions Gate's leader. Based on the address, the woman could only be Yang Heying's wife, Madam Sha.
Madam Sha tugged her son forward and immediately reached out to pinch Yang Xiaolan's ear, cursing loudly, "You wicked little brat! Sitting here feasting while your brother is left to starve. What time is it already? You just watched Tianci play outside on an empty stomach without even bringing him food or drink..."
The woman's nails were long and sharp, and her grip was harsh. Yang Xiaolan's ear instantly turned red and swollen.
Yang Tianci clapped his hands and giggled. "Big sister's ear is red again, just like braised pork! Heehee, heehee!" He was born with a frail constitution and looked perpetually weak, even panting after just a few words. Madam Sha immediately began fussing over him, calling him her "precious darling."Fan Xingjia couldn't stand it any longer and quickly interjected, "Madam Sha, please wait. Young Master Yang had quite a few snacks before he went out to play, so he shouldn't be too hungry. Besides, he insisted on going without Miss Yang's company and had four or five servants with him. How could anything happen within the grounds of Dusk Micro Palace..."
"Of course you wouldn't care—he's not your son!" Madam Sha turned and snapped. "Sect Leader Yang has only this one heir left. If anything happens to him, can you bear the responsibility, huh?! Even Sect Leader Qi won't be able to protect you then!"
Fan Xingjia had never encountered such a shrewish woman before and was at a loss for words. Just then, a blur flashed before his eyes as Cai Zhao stepped past him.
"Madam, may I ask your rank in the Yang household?" Cai Zhao asked with a sweet smile.
Madam Sha was taken aback. "What rank? I'm the only daughter of the Sha family..."
"I wasn't asking about the Sha family—I meant the Yangs. What number wife are you in the Yang household?" Cai Zhao's smile made Fan Xingjia uneasy. "Judging by your youthful beauty, I'd guess you're at least the sixth—or perhaps the seventh? Eighth? Or ninth wife?"
"How dare you insult me?!" Madam Sha trembled with rage.
Cai Zhao feigned innocence. "I was merely complimenting your youth and beauty."
"Junior Sister is mistaken. There are no seventh, eighth, or ninth wives—Madam Sha is simply 'the wife,'" Chang Ning interjected smoothly. "After Sect Leader Yang's two sons were killed by Nie Hengcheng's faction, he took in twenty or thirty concubines at once. This Madam Sha was elevated to 'wife' after giving birth to Young Master Yang."
"Twenty or thirty?!" Fan Xingjia didn't know whether to be amazed or horrified.
Cai Zhao nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. To rise above twenty or thirty others—Madam Sha must be truly exceptional."
Though Madam Sha was domineering in the Yang household, she wasn't entirely witless. Noticing Cai Zhao's fine attire and Chang Ning's disfigured face, she quickly discerned that the former was not to be trifled with and the latter was best avoided. Gritting her teeth, she stamped her foot and snapped, "Stupid girl, let's go! Just wait till your father hears of this!" Then, dragging her son by one hand and a stumbling Yang Xiaolan by the other, she stormed off.
Fan Xingjia watched them leave with concern. "Oh dear, I hope nothing happens to Miss Yang. With the ceremony approaching, it wouldn't do for there to be any commotion or harsh words now."
"With a father like Yang Heying, what good can come of it? But even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs—she probably won't be in mortal danger," Cai Zhao said, though she was clearly displeased.
"I'd heard the Four Stallions Gate has had only one heir per generation for five straight lines—the Yangs place great importance on descendants. Poor Miss Yang... at fourteen or fifteen, she looks no older than twelve or thirteen. Tsk, tsk. What do you think, Junior Brother Chang? Eh... Junior Brother Chang...?"
Fan and Cai turned simultaneously, only to find Chang Ning already seated behind the dining table. "What's there to say? If I were Miss Yang, I'd rip out that woman's tongue along with her windpipe," he remarked flatly, his words chilling despite his calm tone.
Fan Xingjia forced a nervous laugh. "Ah, Junior Brother Chang, you must be joking."
"I never joke." Chang Ning's expression remained cold. "That Yang brat was born weak—he'll be lucky if he doesn't grow up useless. But Miss Yang has excellent bone structure. Even if her comprehension is average, with proper training, she'll achieve greatness someday."The siblings' innate talents didn't catch Cai Zhao's attention, but Fan Xingjia thought for a moment and agreed: "That's true. Although Miss Yang is somewhat petite, her bone structure isn't bad."
"Never mind the future—just based on Miss Yang's current cultivation level, if she didn't want to, that Madam Sha wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of her robe. It's just that her temperament is too meek to resist." He never had pity for spineless people.
Chang Ning's sharp words were unexpectedly pointed. Cai Zhao frowned at him: "Madam Sha is one thing, but there's still Sect Leader Yang above her. How could Miss Yang possibly make a scene?"
"That depends on whether she wants to 'fulfill filial piety' by swallowing her pride or stand up for herself in anger. The world is vast—there's always a place to belong. The path is walked by oneself; no one else can walk it for her."
Fan Xingjia found this view too extreme and laughed it off: "Junior Brother Chang, you're a man, so naturally you think anywhere under heaven can be home. But Miss Yang is still a woman—it's not that easy for her, is it?"
Chang Ning raised his head to look directly at Fan Xingjia: "Cai Pingshu was also a woman."
Fan Xingjia was taken aback.
"When she went to Mount Tu to face Nie Hengcheng, she went alone—she didn't ask anyone to accompany her for courage."
"In this world, some people truly can't resist, and that's understandable. Others could but won't, only knowing how to wallow in self-pity. Miss Yang's background and innate talents are already better than many women in the world. If she's willing to endure beatings and scoldings, nothing others say will matter."
Fan Xingjia was left speechless.
Cai Zhao lowered her head, holding back the moisture in her eyes.
After drinking tangerine peel tea to aid digestion, Cai Han still suffered from stomach pain and bloating. Fan Xingjia suggested taking the little one to the medicine hut for treatment. Cai Zhao expressed concern and wanted to accompany them, which startled Fan Xingjia—if Cai Zhao went, Chang Ning would surely follow. Who knew what trouble these two troublemakers might stir up once they left?
So Fan Xingjia volunteered to take Cai Han alone, asking the two junior siblings to 'behave' and stay put—he'd return soon.
Watching Fan Xingjia carry the groaning Cai Han away, Cai Zhao turned back to Chang Ning: "What you said earlier—did Great Hero Chang tell you all that?"
Chang Ning: "Mm. My father said Heroine Cai was the person he admired most in his life. Strong yet never bullying, mighty yet never tyrannical, kind and magnanimous, content with her fate. He always deeply regretted arriving one step too late in the Mount Tu battle."
Cai Zhao shook her head: "Actually, Uncle Qi was supposed to accompany Aunt up the mountain that year, but Aunt had already resolved to perish together with the Demon. So she knocked Uncle Qi out beforehand."
Seeing the girl's melancholy expression, unable to shake it off for a long time, Chang Ning chuckled lightly: "Let's not dwell on these sad memories. How about something amusing? When my father told me stories about your aunt, I often wondered—she and Sect Leader Qi risked life and death together so many times, fighting side by side. How come no one ever speculated whether there was anything... well, romantic between your aunt and the sect leader?"
Cai Zhao burst out laughing: "Of course there wasn't."
"Why not?" Chang Ning grew curious.
"Because my aunt had a fiancé."
Chang Ning was astonished—a rare reaction for him.
Cai Zhao suppressed a laugh: "Great Hero Chang is truly an upright man—he actually didn't tell you about this."
"Who was it? Have we met him?""We just saw him earlier. It was Hero Zhou Zhizhen, the master of Jade Pendant Mountain Manor. My mother said that when Uncle Zhou was young, he was noble and refined, like polished jade—a truly remarkable figure. He was betrothed to my aunt since childhood, but the marriage never happened, so people rarely mention it to avoid awkwardness."
Suddenly, the two felt a shadow fall over them as someone blocked the light above. Looking up, they saw an elegant middle-aged scholar standing before their table.
"Zhao Zhao, why didn't you come greet me?" Zhou Zhizhen stood with one hand behind his back, smiling warmly.
Just beyond the town, a majestic and imposing mountain range came into Cai Zhao's view.
The mountain was towering and grand, its peak looming overhead like a crushing weight. The massive, jagged rocks resembled monstrous creatures frozen in place, their grotesque forms seemingly poised to pounce on passersby. Layers of deep green, lush green, and pale green stretched endlessly, pressing forward until it felt suffocating. The distant peaks, though appearing faint, were unimaginably vast and towering—merely far away.
Legend spoke of a primordial era when this place was teeming with nests of demons and venomous creatures, thriving on the abundant spiritual energy of the mountains and wreaking havoc on the people. These demons were later eradicated by immortals, who left behind a disciple named North Star to guard the area.
Ages passed, the world changed, and spiritual energy dwindled until the immortals vanished. The young disciple North Star, once stationed at Nine Conch Mountain, became Old Ancestor Bei Chen, the foremost figure in the Martial World.
As a child, Cai Zhao once asked her aunt, "Is the Old Ancestor really a disciple of the immortals?"
Cai Pingshu chuckled. "That was hundreds of years ago—who knows if it's true? But we of the Northern Star Lineage have to give our ancestors some glory. Zhao Zhao, do you want it to be true or not?"
"I hope it's not true," Cai Zhao said earnestly, her chubby little face cupped in her hands.
Cai Pingshu was surprised and asked why.
The little girl sighed like an adult. "All the other immortals left, flying up to the heavens, leaving the Old Ancestor all alone in the mortal world. That's just too sad."
She didn’t remember much of the rest of the conversation, only that the sunlight had been warm, lulling her to drowsiness as she lay on her aunt's lap. Her aunt’s expression was gentle, her hand soft as she stroked Cai Zhao’s hair and murmured, "Zhao Zhao’s heart is so tender—perhaps she shouldn’t wander the Martial World."
Cai Zhao had no desire to wander the Martial World.
She loved Fallen Blossom Valley and Fallen Blossom Town, waking to the familiar calls of Uncle Douhua selling tofu pudding, the dim glow of late-night dumpling stalls under their little awnings, and having her family and friends close by. Lazing in the sun like this for a lifetime—what could be better?
Finally reaching the mountaintop, Cai Zhao realized the so-called "summit" was actually an expansive plateau, as if the peak of a smaller mountain had been sheared off, leaving a flat, circular surface. The true main peak, shrouded in mist, still loomed far ahead.
The broad plateau held watchtowers and outposts, where over a dozen disciples stood guard. Spotting the Cai family, they clasped their fists in greeting from afar. A round-faced man in his thirties led the disciples in bowing to Cai Pingchun and his wife, while Cai Zhao and her brother returned the courtesy.
Ning Xiaofeng teased, "Why is Da Lou personally on duty here today? Did you make a mistake and get punished with a posting to Wind Cloud Peak?"Zeng Dalou threw back his head and laughed. "This morning, I did a quick calculation and knew the entire household of Fallen Blossom Valley would arrive today, so I came out to wait."
Cai Pingchun shook his head. "You were so honest as a child, but now you've learned to be slick."
Zeng Dalou pursed his lips and let it pass with a smile.
Ning Xiaofeng chimed in, "You must be thinking, 'Who does this Cai Pingchun think he is, acting all mature? He's only a few years older than me. We used to throw mud at each other when we played together, and now he's putting on airs as the Valley Master.'"
Zeng Dalou waved his hands with a laugh. "No, no, I wouldn't dare."
Listening to their parents' conversation, Cai Zhao and her younger sibling whispered to each other.
"Elder Sister, where exactly is the Azure Tower Sect? It can't be here, right? Why aren't we moving on?"
"You big dummy, where else would we go? Can't you see the flat ground ahead is cut off!"
The Cai family had ascended from the southern slope, while the northern edge of the plateau looked as if it had been cleaved by a massive broad-backed chopper, shearing off a smooth, curved arc to form a sheer cliff.
The siblings stood at the cliff's edge, peering around. Below them was a bottomless abyss of darkness, while across the chasm, swirling mists obscured everything except the faint outlines of towering peaks. Just then, Zeng Dalou raised his hand, and a young, robust disciple beside him took the horn from his waist and blew into it. The deep, resonant sound rolled like waves, seemingly carrying far into the distant mountains. Before the siblings could voice their confusion, Cai Pingchun had already pulled them aside.
Moments later, a terrifying sound of something cutting through the air echoed from beyond the cliff, accompanied by the clanging of metal. From within the thick mist, four massive iron chains, thick as a man's arm, shot forth like black pythons. The chains flew with such ferocity and speed that their whistling alone was enough to chill the blood. Had they struck an ordinary person, bones would have shattered, and blood would have spilled. The four sturdy disciples beside Zeng Dalou steadied themselves, muscles tensed, and each caught one of the chains as they arrived, swiftly securing them to iron rings anchored in the ground.
"So impressive..." Cai Zhao gaped.
Cai Han nodded like a woodpecker. "Yes, yes, yes!"
Zeng Dalou cupped his hands modestly. "You flatter me."
Cai Zhao was about to praise them further when the clanking of chains resumed. She turned to see several sect disciples, their hair tied back and swords strapped to their backs, gliding gracefully across the chains through the mist.
The one leading the group was a strikingly handsome young man of about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a plain gold-embroidered robe. His features were refined and elegant, as if carved from jade, though his expression was solemn, his brow cold and proud.
Cai Pingshu had once told her knee-high niece: "Zhao Zhao, when you choose a husband someday, don’t pick someone cold and arrogant. Men like that will make you fawn over them. Life is short—shouldn’t you be the one being pampered? Why seek hardship by pampering others?"
Thus, from a young age, Cai Zhao had resolved that her future husband must treat her with the warmth and eagerness of a shopkeeper greeting a wealthy patron.
Snapping back to the present, she observed the handsome youth’s movements. With each light tap of his toes on the chain, he leaped forward effortlessly, his figure ethereal and far swifter than the other disciples.
Once they landed, the disciples on the plateau clasped their fists in salute to the young man in plain robes. He, however, only offered Zeng Dalou a single-handed salute before bowing deeply to Cai Pingchun. "Disciple Song Yuzhi greets Valley Master Cai and Lady Cai."
As he spoke, the other disciples descended from the chains.
Cai Pingchun nodded in acknowledgment, while Ning Xiaofeng frowned, studying the young man’s face. "Your surname is Song? Is your father—"
Before she could finish, a commotion erupted behind them. A loud, synchronized shout rang out, and Cai Zhao turned to see thirty-two bare-shouldered, muscular men carrying an enormous sedan chair in perfect unison.
The sedan was adorned with gold and jade, its sides draped with exquisite curtains. Even the corners were embellished with pure gold bells, their clappers made of translucent tourmaline. Behind it stretched an endless train of supplies and attendants, winding like a serpent.It was the first time the Cai siblings had ventured so far from the valley, and they were utterly dumbfounded. Cai Han gaped, "Such... such grandeur..."
Cai Pingchun murmured, "So it's him who's come."
Ning Xiaofeng remained expressionless. "Why am I not surprised in the least."
Cai Zhao turned her brother's head to face her and demanded, "Do you still think I'm being extravagant now?"
Cai Han shook his head vigorously.
Cai Zhao lamented in a low, pained voice, "I feel like I'm practically living in austerity!"
Cai Han nodded emphatically.
The plain-robed young man nearby overheard and twitched the corner of his mouth.
The sedan chair came to a halt, and out stepped a middle-aged man dressed in resplendent attire, exuding an air of magnificence. The pigeon-blood-red gemstones alone on the gilded sword at his waist made Cai Zhao's eyes nearly water. To be fair, this wealthy uncle was quite handsome—with a high forehead, a prominent nose, and striking features that must have made him quite the charmer in his youth. Even in middle age, he retained much of his charm.
Except Cai Zhao found him somewhat familiar... She suddenly turned her head—why did this wealthy uncle bear such a striking resemblance to the coldly handsome Song Yuzhi standing beside her?
As soon as Zeng Dalou spotted the arrival of the Vast Heaven Gate members, a look of resignation crossed his face. He forced a smile and stepped forward to greet them while quietly instructing his disciples to set up something by the cliff.
Ignoring Cai Zhao's scrutinizing gaze, Song Yuzhi stepped forward and said, "Father, you've come."
Song Shijun was delighted to see his son, his eyes filled with approval. "Yuzhi, your lightness skill has improved again."
Just then, an even more arrogant voice chimed in from behind. "Father, aren't you going to scold Yuzhi? It's been ages since he last wrote home."
Everyone turned toward the voice to see a lavishly dressed young man riding a magnificent steed, arriving fashionably late. The pure gold, gem-encrusted bridle alone was worth a fortune. Behind him rode another man on an ordinary horse, the rider himself equally unremarkable.
Cai Zhao frowned. To use such a fine horse for climbing hills was nothing short of a waste.
Ning Xiaofeng rolled her eyes and asked Zeng Dalou, "When you made your calculations earlier, did you foresee his arrival today as well?"
Zeng Dalou gave an awkward chuckle.
Song Yuzhi stepped forward again, cupping his hands in salute. "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Yuzhi greets you both." He then introduced the Cai family—the plainly dressed one was the eldest son, Song Xiuzhi, while the one bedecked in dazzling jewels, much like their father, was the second son, Song Maozhi.
Song Xiuzhi immediately dismounted to return the courtesy, while Song Maozhi merely tilted his nose upward and gave a haughty laugh.
Cai Pingchun remained unfazed, but Ning Xiaofeng couldn't resist reaching for the pouch at her waist. Knowing her mother's itchy fingers, Cai Zhao quickly moved to quietly restrain her.
"Pingchun, it's been a long time. You haven't changed a bit," Sect Leader Song Shijun of the Vast Heaven Gate boomed as he strode toward the Cai family.
"Flattered. Greetings, Brother Song," Cai Pingchun replied with a cupped-hand salute, then deferred to his wife to take over the conversation.
Ning Xiaofeng offered a thin, insincere smile. "Well, well, Pingchun is still young, so naturally, he hasn't changed much. But Sect Leader Song... you've changed quite a bit. That belt must require more fabric than before."
Song Shijun's face darkened instantly. "Lady Ning, your sharp tongue hasn't dulled with time." Yet his hand involuntarily went to his waist—for while Sect Leader Song was indeed dashing and magnificent, he had also... gained just a little weight.Song Shijun considered his status—it wouldn't be honorable to win a verbal spat with a woman. Shifting his gaze, he noticed Cai Zhao and her brother nearby. "So this is Zhao Zhao, who's about to join the Azure Tower Sect soon. I've heard about you from Brother Yun Ke. Ah, what a pity your aunt has passed away. Otherwise, we could have shared drinks and reminisced."
Cai Zhao was genuinely puzzled. "Sect Leader Song, were you close with my aunt?"
"Naturally." The sect leader smiled with mature composure.
"But my aunt never mentioned you." This was the truth, as the young Cai prided herself on her integrity and never told lies.
The Song father and son: "..."
Ning Xiaofeng suppressed a laugh, dearly wanting to kiss her daughter.
The good-natured Cai Pingchun stepped in to smooth things over. "Brother Song, Fallen Blossom Valley has recently refined two batches of excellent wound medicine. Would you care to take a look? Xiaofeng, come along as well."
Song Shijun nodded stiffly and followed the Cai couple aside. From a distance, Cai Zhao could hear him asking unwillingly, "Pingchun, did your sister really never mention me?" Then Ning Xiaofeng interjected, "Brother Song, what could Ping Shu possibly have said about you? Surely you know the answer. Let's not ask questions that might strain our friendship..."
She was the daughter of Cang Huanzi's late younger sister, the then-leader of Grand Beginning Temple. Taken under her uncle's wing from a young age, she received meticulous guidance.
Unlike the brash and straightforward Cai Pingshu, who knocked people down with her fists, Luo Yuanrong was the epitome of a refined lady—beautiful, talented, and icy in demeanor, earning her the elegant moniker "Frost Fairy" in the Martial World.
She had three distinguished senior brothers: the eldest, Wu Yuanying, was heroic and peerless in martial arts, earning the highest respect among their peers; the second, Wang Yuanjing, was handsome, amiable, and gentle; the third, Qiu Yuanfeng, was fiery-tempered and unruly.
For a long time, she was Cang Huanzi's youngest disciple and the most cherished girl in Grand Beginning Temple.
When her eldest senior brother, Wu Yuanying, carried wine jars up to Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, she often followed, thus befriending the Yin sisters.
She particularly liked the empathetic Yin Sulian, who quickly discerned her feelings and always seated her beside Wu Yuanying at banquets. The eldest brother was a bold and unrestrained man who loved drinking and chatting with his brothers. Though she barely understood half of what they said, just being near him filled her heart with boundless joy.
Sometimes she thought that if her eldest brother didn't wish to become her cultivation partner in the future, she would quietly remain a solitary nun in Grand Beginning Temple. That would be enough.
But even such a modest wish was shattered.
Qiu Yuanfeng's face darkened. "Fourth Junior Sister, have you had enough of this nonsense! Wu Gang, Wu Xiong, are you joining in this folly too?" The latter remark was directed at the two middle-aged disciples behind Luo Yuanrong.
"Today is the 200th anniversary of our founder's passing—a solemn occasion. How dare you cause such a disturbance? It seems Grand Beginning Temple must purge its ranks!" Cang Qiongzi said sinisterly. "My brother, out of pity for your orphaned state, has indulged you time and again. But today, you've harmed countless people. As your uncle, I can no longer allow you to run amok. Yuanfeng, seize this wretched disciple—dead or alive!"
Wang Yuanjing, deeply worried, pleaded repeatedly. "Uncle, Junior Brother, at least for Master's sake... Yuanrong may be stubborn, but her crimes don't warrant death!"Qiu Yuanfeng flicked his sleeve to shake off Wang Yuanjing and stepped forward arrogantly. "Junior Sister, out of respect for our master, surrender quietly. I promise not to harm you."
Luo Yuanrong didn't even glance at him, instead looking directly at Qi Yunke. "Sect Leader Qi, may I speak a few words?"
Qi Yunke sighed deeply. "Heroine Luo, I already know what you wish to say. Not just me—most of our peers and close friends understand your intentions. Brother Yuan Ying's death pains us all, but the dead cannot return. You... you must let go."
Cai Zhao turned to her mother. "Mother, what are they talking about?"
Ning Xiaofeng looked equally puzzled. "I don't know. Your father never mentioned it."
Cai Zhao made a face. "Weren't they just saying all their peers know about it?"
Ning Xiaofeng tilted her head in thought. "Ever since your aunt snapped the Grand Beginning Temple's treasure sword during the Six Sects Tournament, relations between our sects have been strained. Of course Fallen Blossom Valley wouldn't know about their affairs!"
She added disdainfully, "Hmph, what's so great about that shoddy sword anyway? If they treasured it so much, why bring it to a tournament? And to break from just one twist—your aunt was stunned too. It was brittle as a radish!"
Cai Zhao sighed dramatically. "Auntie really should have apologized for breaking their precious sword."
"She did! Your aunt very earnestly told the Grand Beginning Temple that had she known the sword was so delicate, she wouldn't have used her full strength. She truly didn't mean to." Ning Xiaofeng said indignantly.
Cai Zhao stared—that was an apology?!
Chang Ning frowned slightly. "If even such a sincere apology wasn't accepted, then the Grand Beginning Temple is clearly at fault."
"..." Fan Xingjia and Cai Zhao were speechless again, while Ning Xiaofeng now regarded Chang Ning more favorably.
Meanwhile, Luo Yuanrong spoke again. "Venerable Fakong, I did not intend to cause trouble on our ancestor's memorial day. But without the presence of so many fellow heroes today, I fear this overwhelming injustice would never be heard. Venerable Fakong, for the sake of my late uncle, please allow Yuanrong to speak." By referring to him as uncle rather than master, she clearly no longer considered herself a disciple of the Grand Beginning Temple.
Venerable Fakong pondered briefly before looking to Qi Yunke and the others. "Since matters have come to this, rather than suppressing them forcefully, it may be better to air everything openly. Resolving misunderstandings before our ancestor's spirit would be a virtuous outcome."
Just as Qi Yunke was about to speak, Qiu Yuanfeng objected irritably. "Venerable speaks too lightly of this! How can it be resolved?! This 'Storm of Thunder' was Celestial Pivot Elder's murderous weapon back then. How did Luo Yuanrong obtain it? Most likely through collusion with the Demonic Cult! That's the first point. Second, so many brothers in the hall were injured—should we just ignore that? In any case, the Grand Beginning Temple must cleanse its ranks!"
Venerable Fakong also found this predicament difficult.
Cai Pingchun suddenly spoke up. "Whether Heroine Luo colluded with the Demonic Cult, I cannot say. But as for the antidote to 'Storm of Thunder,' Fallen Blossom Valley has ample supplies. There's no need for alarm."
"That's true," Zhou Zhizhen added. "Back then, Celestial Pivot Elder used 'Storm of Thunder' to injure countless righteous heroes, including my father. Fortunately, Uncle Cai Changfeng fought desperately to kill Celestial Pivot Elder and brought the antidote back to Fallen Blossom Valley for analysis, saving innumerable lives."
A burly man with a thick beard stepped forward and declared loudly, "Exactly! My master and senior uncle were saved by Fallen Blossom Valley's antidote. They're still alive today, basking in the sun and spinning tales!"Everyone laughed and expressed their gratitude to Cai Pingchun.
Cai Zhao gently tugged at her mother’s sleeve. "Mother, was this why Granduncle succumbed to his injuries?"
"Yes, but it was worth it," Ning Xiaofeng said softly, stroking her daughter's hair. "That Celestial Pivot Elder was obsessed with concocting poisons. To create the most sinister and lethal toxins in the world, he would stop at nothing—no matter how vile. Don’t grieve. Your granduncle passed away in peace."
Fan Xingjia sighed quietly. "...Just how many wicked villains are there in the Demonic Cult?"
Chang Ning remained impassive.
Now that she had confirmed her daughter was unharmed, Ning Xiaofeng gave a few more instructions before returning to tend to Little Fatty Cai.
At this point, Venerable Fakong spoke up again. "Since the injured in the hall are out of danger, why not let Lady Luo speak her piece? It would dispel any misunderstandings among our peers—a great kindness indeed. Moreover, the power of 'Storm of Thunder' is something we all witnessed years ago. These two are far inferior. To accuse Lady Luo of colluding with the Demonic Cult is premature at best."
Zhou Zhizhen nodded slightly at the latter half of the statement. He, too, felt that these two 'Storm of Thunder' devices paled in comparison to what he had seen in the past.
With their disciples and sons unharmed, Song Shijun and Yang Heying were more than happy to watch the drama unfold—especially an internal conflict within the Grand Beginning Temple. They’d have paid for the privilege. Zhou Zhizhen and Cai Pingchun remained neutral.
Qi Yunke glanced around and said, "Lady Luo, you may speak now."
Luo Yuanrong carefully handed the bamboo basket to Wu Gang and Wu Xiong before stepping to the center of the hall and bowing deeply to Venerable Fakong.
Qiu Yuanfeng bit his lip hard and suddenly shouted, "Let me speak first, lest you slander me unjustly!" Without waiting for Luo Yuanrong to begin, he rushed into his account—
"Everyone knows my senior brother Wu Yuanying died in the battle at Cauldron Peak Mountain twenty years ago. Many heroes present witnessed it firsthand. Yet, for some reason, this junior sister of mine refuses to believe it, insisting that senior brother is still alive. For over a decade, she has harassed us—either demanding we rescue him from the Demonic Cult or accusing me of harming him! Ridiculous!"
Cang Qiongzi slammed his wheelchair armrest. "Exactly! Casualties are inevitable in battles against the Demonic Cult. If everyone acted like this disgraceful disciple, refusing to let go, chaos would reign! Besides, neither you nor Yuanjing were at Cauldron Peak Mountain that day. How could you possibly know Yuanying survived? Pure delusion and reckless behavior!"
Many in the hall had never heard of this matter and immediately buzzed with discussion—
"Wait, so Wu Yuanying isn’t dead?"
"How could that be? My senior brother was at Cauldron Peak Mountain that day and saw with his own eyes how Elder Yaoguang of the Demonic Cult struck Wu Yuanying dead. It’s just that the retreat was too hasty, and we couldn’t retrieve his body."
"Then why has Lady Luo been fixated on this for so long?"
"Ah, I’ve heard Lady Luo was deeply in love with Wu Yuanying. She just can’t move on."
"Ah, such devotion is rare in this world. Lady Luo is truly a woman of unwavering heart. To be remembered so fervently for over a decade—Wu Yuanying can rest in peace knowing that."
"Wu Yuanying may rest in peace, but the living have suffered greatly from Luo Yuanrong’s obsession!"
Hearing this, Fan Xingjia looked at Cai Zhao in confusion.
Cai Zhao shrugged. "Don’t look at me. I don’t know. All I know is that the battle at 'Cauldron Peak Mountain' was led by the Grand Beginning Temple, rallying many martial heroes. Oddly enough, our family wasn’t there that time."Chang Ning retorted, "Nonsense. Your sect just broke their temple's treasure sword—of course they wouldn't invite you."
Cai Zhao shot him a glare.
Upon hearing Qiu Yuanfeng's words, Luo Yuanrong remained neither shocked nor angered. Her once-beautiful face, weathered by over a decade of hardship, now bore only indifference and weariness. She slowly parted her lips and spoke, "Third Senior Brother, there’s no need to rush. Everyone, please listen to me carefully."
"That year, we received word that the Demonic Cult was committing atrocities on Cauldron Peak Mountain, using living people to refine elixirs and wreaking havoc on the surrounding villagers. Senior Brother Wu resolved to rid the people of this scourge and gathered heroes and close friends to join him in eradicating the evil. However, we didn’t expect that the one occupying Cauldron Peak Mountain wasn’t an ordinary Demon, but Yaoguang, one of the Seven Stars Elders of the Demonic Cult."
"Yaoguang, that old fiend, had many followers. After the two sides clashed, Senior Brother Wu realized we were no match for them and signaled for everyone to retreat. But Third Senior Brother Qiu Yuanfeng, greedy for merit, took advantage of the moment when the Twin Heroes of Lingnan and Master Juefang fought desperately to hold off Yaoguang and cover our retreat—he recklessly launched a sneak attack on Yaoguang... Third Senior Brother, did I get that wrong?"
Qiu Yuanfeng’s face darkened.
Though ambushing a vile member of the Demonic Cult wasn’t inherently wrong, Wu Yuanying had already ordered a retreat, and three heroes were sacrificing themselves to cover their escape. If his sneak attack had succeeded, it might have been justifiable—but if it failed, wouldn’t it have doomed them all?
Judging by Qiu Yuanfeng’s current expression, the crowd didn’t need to hear more to guess that the ambush had indeed failed.
Luo Yuanrong continued, "Third Senior Brother’s hasty attack only enraged the fiend. Enduring a sword strike from him, Yaoguang unleashed his ultimate technique, the 'Venomous Serpent Heart-Piercing Claw,' and split open Master Juefang’s skull. He then sent the Twin Heroes of Lingnan flying with two palm strikes before turning to deal with Third Senior Brother."
She gave a bitter smile. "Now, Third Senior Brother is the esteemed sect leader, unrivaled in divine skill. But back then, his martial prowess was nothing remarkable, was it?"
"That’s true. I can vouch for that. Sect Leader Qiu was only slightly stronger than Junior Sister Luo back then," Song Shijun chimed in cheerfully.
Disciples of Grand Beginning Temple glared at him, while those of Vast Heaven Gate glared back just as fiercely.
"Against Yaoguang’s power, ten Third Senior Brothers wouldn’t have survived. But Senior Brother Wu—Senior Brother Wu..." Luo Yuanrong’s tears fell. "Without a second thought, he turned back to save Third Senior Brother, throwing himself into a desperate struggle with the fiend. And my Third Senior Brother? He took that chance to flee!"
Many among the gathered heroes knew that Wu Yuanying had died on Cauldron Peak Mountain, but this was the first time they had heard the full story.
An uproar erupted among the crowd. Even the younger disciples of the six sects were stunned. The looks directed at Qiu Yuanfeng grew increasingly hostile—especially from a few hot-tempered individuals who spat on the ground in open contempt.
Under the weight of their gazes, Qiu Yuanfeng forced himself to remain composed. "Yes, Senior Brother Wu saved me that day. But I didn’t flee out of cowardice—he ordered me to escape!"
"Oh? When Wu Yuanying first told you to retreat, you ignored him. But after you stirred up trouble and provoked the fiend, suddenly you remembered to run? You take the credit and cause the disaster, then leave others to clean up the mess? No wonder everyone says Sect Leader Qiu is a man of true character—ha, indeed, true character !" Yunzhuan Daoren sneered sarcastically once more.
Song Shijun nearly burst out laughing and loudly agreed, "Well said, Daoist Yunzhuan! Sect Leader Qiu, the trouble you caused should be yours to bear. Running away after making a mess—didn’t you just doom your Senior Brother Wu to die?"Cang Qiongzi angrily retorted, "Slaying the Demon is the righteous duty of all noble heroes. Even if Yuanfeng acted a bit hastily, it can hardly be considered a grave mistake! Yuan Ying sacrificed his life to save others, showing the deep bond between fellow disciples. No one here is at fault!"
Yunzhuan Daoren said, "Fine, if you say there's no fault, then there's no fault."
Cai Zhao whispered softly, "When I descend the mountain someday, I must treat all the Yunzhuan Daoren to drinks." That rebuttal was so damn satisfying!
"Save your breath," Chang Ning glanced at the girl's rosy, downy cheeks.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Qi Yunke quickly interjected, "Junior Sister Luo, this incident is indeed filled with misfortunes. But what's done is done—please accept it and move on. I believe Brother Yuan Ying willingly sacrificed himself to save his junior brother."
Wang Yuanjing shed tears, murmuring, "It's all my fault. I should have gone with them that day."
"Second Senior Brother was recovering from injuries back then—how could you have gone?" the handsome young Taoist hurriedly defended.
"No! Senior Brother isn't dead! I know he's alive!" Luo Yuanrong wiped away her tears. "Over these past ten-plus years, I've sought out every survivor from Cauldron Peak Mountain that day. Not a single one witnessed Senior Brother take his last breath!"
Hearing her speak with such conviction, the crowd in the hall grew hesitant.
Qiu Yuanfeng laughed in exasperation. "The last thing I saw before leaving was the Demon Yaoguang striking Senior Brother's chest with her Venomous Serpent Heart-Piercing Claw—just ask everyone here! In decades, has anyone ever survived that technique? Even Venerable Fakong's senior disciple, Chan Master Juefang—whose cultivation surpassed Senior Brother's—died instantly when his skull split open from that demoness's single strike!"
The crowd nodded in agreement.
The Venomous Serpent Heart-Piercing Claw had been infamous in its day—a technique guaranteeing death upon contact, Yaoguang's signature move that still evoked terror. Precisely because it was overwhelmingly lethal and drained immense energy, even Yaoguang herself couldn't execute it consecutively.
Zhou Zhizhen said gently, "Junior Sister Luo, if Brother Wu truly suffered that strike, survival would be impossible. Please find peace."
"If struck directly, death is certain," Luo Yuanrong countered. "But what if a treasure shielded him? My family heirloom—the Mystic Iron Heart Mirror." She pointed at the giant gong outside the hall. "Like that gong, it's forged from deep-sea Mystic Iron, left to me by my late father."
The crowd froze.
"That day, I begged Senior Brother to wear the mirror under his robes before leaving—I refused to let him go otherwise." Luo Yuanrong's expression turned sorrowful. "He finally agreed."
She suddenly raised her head. "With the Mystic Iron Heart Mirror, even the Venomous Serpent technique might not be fatal!"
Qiu Yuanfeng's heart lurched, unwilling to entertain the thought. He roared angrily, "This is just your wild claim! No one's ever tested it—who knows if your worthless mirror worked? Besides, I never saw Senior Brother wear it!" His voice faltered toward the end.
"Even if he died, even if only a corpse remained, you should have retrieved him!" Luo Yuanrong screamed hoarsely. "You've always resented Senior Brother! You thought yourself stronger, that he overshadowed you—that's why you abandoned him! You wanted Grand Beginning Temple's succession for yourself!"
Qiu Yuanfeng trembled with rage. "You—you slanderous witch! Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
Zhou Zhizhen added, "That's too far. At the time, Sect Leader Qiu's cultivation paled next to his second senior brother Wang Yuanjing. By both seniority and martial prowess, Brother Yuan Ying's successor should have been Senior Brother Wang. Junior Sister Luo, your accusation is grave indeed.""That's right! It was this obstinate wretch's stubbornness that caused her master's death!" Cang Qiongzi finally snapped out of his daze and shouted loudly, "At that time, I was in the northwest, and my senior brother was ill. When I suddenly heard of Yuanying's tragic death, I immediately spat out blood! And this wretch still insisted on rallying everyone to rescue someone from the Demonic Cult! Dead is dead—what's there to rescue?!"
"Then why did Elder Yaoguang send a letter to Master?!" Luo Yuanrong yelled.
At these words, the crowd was stunned into disbelief. Even Shijing Yuantai stepped forward several paces and said gravely, "Elder Cang Huanzi abhorred evil as a sworn enemy and would never collude with the Demonic Cult. Be careful with your words, Benefactor Luo!"
Back then, the conflict between the righteous and the demonic factions had already escalated into a bloodbath, with both sides locked in mortal enmity. Anyone suspected of fraternizing with the enemy would immediately become an enemy of the righteous path.
Luo Yuanrong's voice trembled: "The day after the Battle of Cauldron Peak Mountain, Master received a handwritten letter from Elder Yaoguang. It said that the eldest senior brother wasn’t dead and that the Demon wanted to exchange him for Elder Kaiyang. Master didn’t dare believe it, but he still hoped that the eldest senior brother might truly be alive. So he took the letter to Nine Conch Mountain to discuss it with Old Sect Leader Yin."
"Another elder? Just how many such formidable figures does the Demonic Cult have?" Cai Zhao muttered to herself.
Chang Ning reassured her, "Don’t worry, only two of those seven old monsters remain now."
At this point, everyone’s gaze turned to Qi Yunke.
Qi Yunke hesitated, then sighed. "Actually, before the Battle of Cauldron Peak Mountain, the Demonic Cult’s Elder Kaiyang had already been captured alive by Master and the other senior uncles. He was imprisoned in the dungeons of Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff at the time. And since Elder Yaoguang was on good terms with Elder Kaiyang, he..."
Yang Heying gasped. "Could it be that Elder Cang Huanzi wanted to ask Old Sect Leader Yin to exchange that Demon for his beloved disciple? No way. Did Old Sect Leader Yin agree?"
"Of course not!" Song Shijun declared loudly. "Back then, my father-in-law, along with his senior brother Cheng Hao and junior brother Wang Dingchuan, were known as the 'Three Elders of Azure Peak.' The three were as close as brothers, their reputations awe-inspiring. It was precisely to capture the Demon Kaiyang that two of the Three Elders of Azure Peak perished! My father-in-law was so grief-stricken that he remained bedridden for months—Venerable Fakong knows this."
Venerable Fakong chanted a Buddhist invocation. "Indeed, it is so."
Everyone in the hall thought to themselves: How could the Azure Tower Sect, having sacrificed two grandmasters to capture such a great Demon, possibly be willing to trade him for Wu Yuanying? Especially when it wasn’t even certain whether Wu Yuanying was alive or dead.
Qi Yunke continued, "Master and Elder Cang Huanzi had been friends for decades. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have refused outright. But remembering how Senior Uncle Cheng and Uncle Wang had died so tragically, he found it hard to decide. In the end, Master resolved to accompany Elder Cang Huanzi to the meeting. If Brother Wu truly wasn’t dead, the two of them would join forces to capture Elder Yaoguang and rescue Brother Wu. But who could have known... who could have known..."
"There’s no 'who could have known,'" Cang Qiongzi interjected. "The whole thing was a trap set by that Demon from the start. My senior brother returned from the meeting gravely wounded and passed away not long after. Fortunately, he and Old Sect Leader Yin managed to kill the Demon Yaoguang together, ridding the martial world of a great scourge!"
Qiu Yuanfeng added, "Before his death, Master made it absolutely clear—the eldest senior brother was dead, and we should never trust anything the Demonic Cult said again! Fourth Junior Sister, you were at Master’s bedside then. Didn’t you hear him?!"
Cai Zhao was bewildered. "So Elder Yaoguang deceived Elder Cang Huanzi? What happened to Elder Kaiyang afterward?""I know about that," Fan Xingjia seized the rare opportunity to contribute. "Lei Shibo mentioned it—when Kaiyang heard of Yaoguang's death, he tried to escape prison at all costs and was killed that very night by the cliff."
Cai Zhao exclaimed, "Wow, who would’ve thought even a Demonic Cult villain could have such deep brotherly bonds."
Chang Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly. "...Bonds, yes. But 'brotherly'? Not so sure."
Cai Zhao didn’t quite grasp his meaning, her attention quickly drawn back by Luo Yuanrong’s words.
"I heard it," Luo Yuanrong said calmly. "At the time, I blamed my master. Only later did I realize he did it for me—he had no other choice."
She continued, "The two uncles from the Azure Tower Sect gave their lives to capture Kaiyang. There was no way he’d be exchanged for the eldest disciple. And with my master nearing his end, who would stand up for me after he was gone? Favor fades once a man departs."
"The day after my master passed, my martial uncle took over as acting sect leader. Later, the third senior brother became the leader. Those who respected and remembered the eldest disciple were gradually purged from Grand Beginning Temple."
"Now, no one remembers him anymore."
A wave of sorrow washed over the group. The once-mighty young hero of the righteous path had been utterly forgotten.
Luo Yuanrong suddenly lifted her head. "But I remember him! I will never, ever forget him!"
"Enough already!" Qiu Yuanfeng roared in fury. "The eldest disciple is dead—gone for good! Why must you keep dragging this out? Show us some irrefutable evidence if you have any! Stop harping on that breastplate—who knows if it even means anything!"
"Irrefutable evidence? Of course." Luo Yuanrong’s smile was chillingly bitter. "Without ironclad proof, I wouldn’t dare set foot on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff today."
The crowd tensed.
Luo Yuanrong turned. "Wu Gang, Wu Xiong... be careful."
The two named men cautiously opened the golden-woven bamboo basket, inside which lay what appeared to be a thick, soft blanket. All eyes fixed on it—only to realize the blanket was wrapped around a person.
As the blanket was unfolded, a head emerged first, then shoulders, chest, abdomen... and then nothing more.
Nothing more??
Cai Zhao, standing farther back, craned her neck in confusion, trying to get a clearer look. Suddenly, Yin Sulian in the main hall let out a blood-curdling scream before fainting dead away.
At last, everyone saw the 'person’s' true state.
—His eyes had been gouged out, his tongue cut off. The once-prominent bridge of his nose had been shaved flat, leaving only two holes for breathing. His limbs were severed, leaving only a torso. His body was a tapestry of scars—lashes, cuts, tendon severing, burns, branding, flesh carved away...
Perhaps this could no longer even be called a person.
The hall was filled with nothing but the sound of heavy, ragged breathing.
"This... this is..." Yang Heying’s voice trembled so violently he barely recognized it as his own.
"Brother Yuanrong!" Yunzhuan Daoren cried out, lunging forward like a madman to embrace the 'person.' He wailed in anguish, "Brother Yuanrong, how could you end up like this? How... how did this happen?!"
His cry snapped everyone out of their daze. Many in the hall had seen Wu Yuanrong before. Even after twenty years, even in this unrecognizable state, the faint traces of the once-proud eldest disciple of Grand Beginning Temple, who once drank from the spring waters with his horse, were still discernible."The Demonic Cult traitors are utterly devoid of humanity, worse than beasts!" Song Shijun roared angrily.
Even the usually gentle Zhou Zhizhen gritted his teeth in extreme fury.
Today, Cai Zhao had already heard the crowd's clamor many times—cheers, jeers, or demonstrations—but none were as deafening as this moment. Everyone was screaming in lament, cursing in shock, creating a thunderous uproar!
A catastrophe more terrifying than death had befallen this once-revered prodigy who could summon a hundred responses with a single call.
A chill rose from the depths of Cai Zhao's chest.
The world had since enjoyed intermittent peace—why "intermittent"? Because where there are people, there is the Martial World. As long as people exist, gossip and trivial conflicts will arise, leading to squabbles over the smallest matters. Not even Old Ancestor Bei Chen rising from his coffin could solve this problem.
Under the witness of all martial practitioners in the world, the six descendants left by Old Ancestor Bei Chen held a grand and moving funeral for him. Afterward, these six descendants and their families settled dutifully at the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, the ancestral residence. There, they practiced martial arts, studied, and occasionally held memorials to reminisce about the ancestor's glorious past.
As the saying goes, a large tree must branch out. In just over twenty years, the six descendants had already produced numerous children and nephews. It was then they realized three things.
First, while they themselves were as close as brothers and rarely quarreled beyond the occasional sparring match, their wives, children, disciples, and followers were not necessarily the same.
Second, they had initially thought that after the ancestor's passing, they would be left helpless and would need to stick together for survival. However, as their descendants and disciples ventured down the mountain, they discovered that even the scraps of knowledge they had inherited from Old Ancestor Bei Chen were enough to dominate the world.
Third, light and shadow walk hand in hand. Though the great Demons had been vanquished, within a mere decade or so, the Demonic Cult had risen in the Martial World. It was said that the death of Old Ancestor Bei Chen had been partly due to the ancestors of the Demonic Cult. How could the Bei Chen descendants stand idly by? Thus, they resolved to establish branches across the land to guard against the Demonic Cult's encroachment.
After all the explanations, the conclusion boiled down to two words: division of the family.
Regarding this history from nearly two hundred years ago, five-year-old Cai Han once complained while memorizing the family records: "It's just a family division. Why write so much grand reasoning? As if they didn’t argue back then on Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff..."
This earned him an unskilled Head Flick from his sister: "How ignorant. Can the division of a noble orthodox sect be called just a 'division'?"
Cai Han rubbed his head. "Then what should it be called?"
The young Cai Zhao declared with righteous solemnity: "Naturally, it was for upholding justice in the world that the Bei Chen descendants endured the pain of parting from their brethren, scattering far and wide to prevent evil forces from exploiting any weakness to wreak havoc upon humanity!"
This was something she had heard just days ago while crouching at Casserole Uncle's stall, gnawing on a Braised Chicken Leg—in the Martial World, the most important skill is sharp retorts. Martial artists may not always fight, but a war of words is inevitable whenever they meet.
"Well said! My Zhao Zhao speaks so well. When you venture into the Martial World in the future, no matter how sloppy your actions may be, your words must always be impeccable." Their aunt, Cai Pingshu, reclined on the bedside, clapping enthusiastically. Though already frail and bedridden by illness, her sallow, gaunt face still wore a spirited, teasing smile, full of vigor and mirth.The father of the Cai siblings, Cai Pingchun, sat silently to the side. Having never been skilled at acting since childhood, he couldn’t muster a smile no matter how hard he tried. His wife, Ning Xiaofeng, stood by the window, blowing on a bowl of medicinal soup with her head bowed, when a large teardrop fell into the bowl.
They had known this day would come long ago, but now that it had arrived, their hearts still ached as if twisted by knives.
The twelve-year-old Xiao Cai Guniang stood nearby, her long lashes thick and delicate, her large eyes clear as dewdrops, as if faintly sensing the sorrow that was about to descend.
Within a few days, Cai Pingshu passed away. Cai Zhao fell seriously ill and dutifully observed three full years of mourning for her. Shortly after, Cai Pingchun proposed that Cai Zhao should leave the valley to seek apprenticeship elsewhere. He had already arranged her sect—the Azure Tower Sect, the sole remaining branch of the North Star descendants still residing atop the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. Renowned as the foremost sect in the martial world, it was certainly prestigious enough.
Young Cai Zhao immediately protested that she hadn’t fully recovered from her grief and suggested postponing her departure for apprenticeship.
"Postpone any longer, and you’ll be eighteen!" Cai Pingchun scowled threateningly. "If you don’t join another sect before eighteen, do you mean to become a Demoness?!"
Cai Zhao furrowed her delicate brows. "I like staying at home. Outside, the food and lodging won’t suit me. Father, if I never step beyond the inner gates, how could I possibly become a Demoness out of thin air?"
"Is there a single shopkeeper or worker from one end of town to the other you don’t know? How is that ‘never stepping beyond the inner gates’? Roaming the streets and alleys all day long…" Ning Xiaofeng scoffed, but upon catching her husband’s meaningful glance, she quickly composed herself.
"Your great-great-aunt’s parents thought the same way. They believed their frail, sickly daughter couldn’t even walk to town to buy rouge—how could anything happen if she just stayed home? And what was the result? Even the most notorious enchantress from the Demonic Cult couldn’t match the spectacle she caused! You’re going to the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff for three years, whether you learn martial arts or not. At least it’ll spare us from gossip—and this was your aunt’s instruction too!"
"Your mother is absolutely right," Cai Pingchun declared, slapping the table. The matter was settled.
Cai Zhao puffed out her soft cheeks, her heart filled with resentment.
Her aunt, Cai Pingshu, was the person Cai Zhao revered most in her life—a woman of unwavering integrity, a beacon of righteousness. Yet Cai Zhao herself had never harbored grand ambitions. Her only desires were to sleep well, wake up, dip her fingers in water, and paint her cheeks rosy. Good food and drink were all she asked for in life.
Now that her aunt was gone, Cai Zhao grieved deeply but also hoped to emulate her ancestor’s virtues and fulfill Cai Pingshu’s wishes… though she wished she could do so without leaving Fallen Blossom Valley. Surely there were other ways to honor her legacy.
Her inner turmoil stemmed from the Cai Family’s peculiar fate—their daughters had to seek apprenticeship outside the family and could not grow up at home. Otherwise, they would either end up in petty squabbles or bring about catastrophic disasters.
In the earliest days, the descendants of the North Star all lived together atop the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. The six families mingled freely—sons of Family A would learn blades from the uncles of Family B, swords from the elders of Family C, and horseback flirting from the brothers of Family D. Back then, the Cai daughters’ peculiar trait wasn’t so obvious; at worst, they’d bicker and compete with their girlfriends.Once the family split, the first daughter born and raised entirely within the Cai household embarked on the path of a demoness with unstoppable momentum—defiant, perverse, and squandering her extraordinary talents. Despite all admonishments from elders, she stubbornly pursued obscure martial arts manuals and tamed fierce beasts and birds of prey in every remote corner of the Martial World, eventually causing a catastrophe.
This formidable ancestress was straightforward enough—before anyone could hold her accountable, she vanished without a trace from the martial arts community. For decades afterward, any mention of Fallen Blossom Valley would only elicit headshakes among practitioners.
After another generation or two, skipping several "ordinary-level" wayward daughters, the Cai Family produced a new breed of demoness. Not only was she unrestrained and morally ambiguous, but she ultimately colluded with a great Demon of the Demonic Cult. This forced her own father to publicly vow righteous execution, leading righteous people to besiege the cult and purge the family—though the matter was eventually dropped when this ancestress similarly disappeared without a trace.
Despite these illustrious precedents, it was Cai Zhao’s frail grandaunt—reportedly bedridden and barely clinging to life for eleven months each year—who truly cemented the family’s bizarre fate.
After nearly a century of rigorous precautions, including sending daughters to Brother Sects to avert disaster, the Cai Family had long been free of demonesses. When this sickly grandaunt was born, Valley Master Cai and his wife, pitying her weak constitution, let their guard down and kept her at home to recuperate. Little did they know she would later unleash an unprecedented storm of bloodshed across the Martial World.
From then on, the Cai Family abandoned all wishful thinking. Whenever a daughter was born, they dutifully contacted Brother Sects, seeking whichever sect leader was lenient and whose traditions were flexible—above all, one with an unrestrained ethos. The girls would be sent there for a few years, not to become world-class heroines, but simply to avoid calamity and ensure smooth sailing. With luck, they might even return with a husband in tow.
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