"Little cutie, it seems your adoration for the author isn't quite enough yet. The story shyly hides away..." The two had previously had an unpleasant encounter in the side chamber, and now Cai Zhao was trying to ease the tension. But the harmonious atmosphere lasted barely a moment before the moody youth before her inexplicably turned hostile again.
Cai Zhao's chopsticks froze mid-air, her eyes wide with disbelief. Naturally easygoing, she couldn't fathom why Chang Ning always had to speak so harshly.
"Your grandaunt clearly knew your mother only mentioned becoming a nun in a moment of anger. As an elder, not only did she fail to dissuade her, she even encouraged the younger generation to persist in their mistakes—truly a Twin Lotus, equally foolish and muddleheaded!"
"How dare you insult my elders!" Cai Zhao flared up.
"I'll say whatever I please." Chang Ning sneered. "Given your aunt's intelligence and clarity, I refuse to believe she never considered these truths. The world is full of tedious elders who love binding their juniors with hypocritical morals..."
Cai Zhao slammed her chopsticks down, her expression stern. "Senior Brother Chang's vision is so lofty, his wisdom so profound, this unworthy junior dares not aspire to his heights. Since we speak different languages, it seems you no longer require my protection!"
Fuming, she wanted to storm off immediately. Yet Chang Ning's temper proved fiercer—without a word of defense, he simply rose with a cold laugh and strode out, leaving Cai Zhao fuming at having her dramatic exit stolen.
She seethed like a teapot with its lid blown off, steam practically whistling from her ears.
Cai Han peeked up from his bowl, whispering timidly, "Sis... actually, what Senior Brother Chang said about Grandma and Grandaunt... Mom once told Aunt something similar..."
"Finish your chicken leg!"
Undeterred, the boy continued softly, "Sis, when Aunt was alive, she often said she greatly admired Great Hero Chang..."
"Shut up! Finish your chicken leg."
The little boy persisted, "Is it okay for Senior Brother Chang to leave like that? What if he runs into those waiting to teach him a—"
"Shut up! Finish your..." Cai Zhao exhaled in exasperation. "Stay put and don't wander off!" She then hurried after Chang Ning.
Pushing through bustling crowds, she stopped several servants for directions. Chang Ning's pustule-ravaged face stood out more conspicuously than a three-legged toad, ensuring even the busiest attendants could point her along a clear trail.
Past the main hall's entrance, left at the floral gate, she reached a desolate storage yard—and found Chang Ning cornered by five bullies: Qi Lingbo and Outer Disciples A, B, C, and D.
Cai Zhao nearly groaned skyward. Why hadn't Aunt warned her that chivalry demanded such monumental patience? Half-dead from anger, she now had to swallow her rage and rush to his rescue!
Her gaze landed on Chang Ning—his robe hem torn, sleeves tugged askew. The midday glare cast his face in shadow, but in the flickering light, she thought she glimpsed something unsettling: a thread of irritation, a whisper of murderous intent, even a hint of brutality.
Honestly, she thought, with your delicate scholar's physique, how dare you have such a temper!Qi Lingbo shed her earlier gentle and obedient demeanor in front of elders, now her face twisted with malice: "...Where's all that bravado from when you were lecturing me just now?! Chang Ning, I don't even want your heart's blood anymore—just kowtow eighteen times and eat that dog shit over there, and we can still be fellow disciples!"
The group of sycophants clamored with threats.
Chang Ning replied coldly, "If you enjoy eating dog shit so much, be my guest. I wouldn't dream of taking what you love."
"You—!" Qi Lingbo seethed with rage.
Cai Zhao took a deep breath and leaped forward, landing gracefully before Chang Ning like a drifting blossom.
Seeing the girl standing protectively in front of him, the darkness in Chang Ning's eyes slowly faded, and the arm he had tensed in his sleeve gradually relaxed.
Cai Zhao spread her hands with a conciliatory smile. "Senior brothers and sisters, let's talk this out calmly, shall we?" As she turned her head, she caught Chang Ning gazing at her with clear, amused eyes.
Qi Lingbo gritted her teeth. "Well, well—the Flower-Fluttering Crossing technique. The lightness skill of Fallen Blossom Valley lives up to its reputation. Junior Sister Cai, your timing is impeccable. It seems you're determined to oppose me."
At fifteen, Cai Zhao had always been easygoing about most things—except when it came to non-negotiable principles like dumpling fillings and steamed fish timing. Only after leaving Fallen Blossom Valley did she realize how many things she took for granted required explicit declaration in the outside world—like the fact that righteous sects should never bully the weak.
"Senior Sister, Uncle Qi specifically asked me to keep an eye on Senior Brother Chang earlier. Surely you heard that too—why make things difficult for me?" Cai Zhao's smile faded. "As juniors, we may not be able to share our elders' burdens, but at least we shouldn't cause public scenes. The Snow Lotus Pill may be rare, but it's not irreplaceable. When our sect members travel the Martial World in the future, there will be other chances to obtain one. Senior Sister can use it for cultivation then."
Qi Lingbo hissed, "Let me be frank—while my grudge with Chang Ning started over the Snow Lotus Pill, if he hadn't repeatedly insulted me with his words, I'm not so unreasonable! If you don't believe me, think back to what happened in the side chamber earlier—his sarcasm is nothing new!"
Cai Zhao blinked and turned to Chang Ning. "What exactly did you say to her?"
Chang Ning's eyes sparkled with mirth. "Which time are you asking about?"
When Cai Zhao tried asking Qi Lingbo for specifics, the latter trembled with fury. "Cai Zhao! Are you deliberately humiliating me now?!"
This was when the outer sect disciples chimed in with their testimonies—
Pointy-faced Disciple A: "Senior Sister kindly brought that bastard Chang medicinal soup, and he had the nerve to say giving the Snow Lotus Pill to her was like feeding ginseng to a fat pig..."
Monkey-cheeked Disciple B: "That time Senior Sister specially brought fine fabric to have his clothes tailored, the brat said she acted like a landlord's concubine trying to curry favor."
Lopsided Disciple C: "Three months ago when Senior Sister defeated the Golden Blade Sect leader's prized disciple by the Heavenly Pool, Second Senior Brother gave her the elegant title 'Celestial of the Heavenly Pool.' Chang Ning claimed the sect leader only had his disciple throw the match to suck up to our sect master. Said 'Celestial of the Heavenly Pool' should be renamed 'Nepotistic Celestial' instead."
Deformed Disciple D: "Last month—"
"Enough! Shut up!" Qi Lingbo looked ready to stuff mud in these four idiots' mouths.Cai Zhao wanted to laugh but felt it would be unkind, so she turned a questioning gaze toward Chang Ning instead.
Chang Ning replied indifferently, "I only spoke the truth."
Cai Zhao glared at him. "Hurting others with words is still wrong."
Seeing the girl's clear, beautiful eyes filled with disapproval, Chang Ning finally lowered his voice. "My injuries aren't healed, and the poison hasn't been purged. Why would I have the leisure to pick fights? If they hadn’t come up to me spouting nonsense, I wouldn’t have bothered speaking at all."
Cai Zhao thought it over—that did make sense.
"Nonsense! Senior Sister Qi talking to you is an honor! Don’t be ungrateful!" The pockmarked disciple finally managed to finish his interrupted line.
Qi Lingbo sneered, "Junior Sister Cai, what do you have to say? Are you really going to shield this brat? I won’t break his arms or legs—just teach him a small lesson."
The disciples behind her burst into mocking laughter:
"Exactly, no broken limbs—just a couple of meals of dog dung!"
"Hahaha, dog dung is highly nutritious! Maybe it’ll even cure Chang’s injuries!"
"Brilliant! You lot don’t know how to speak properly—Senior Sister is just mercifully teaching him the rules of the Azure Tower Sect!"
—What utter nonsense. Cai Zhao circulated her True Qi three cycles in the dantian, forcing a smile. "Senior Sister, please calm down. My aunt once said that the most important thing in the Martial World is reason. Some things are infuriating, but if they’re reasonable, you have to swallow your anger and endure."
"Though Senior Brother Chang has angered you, he is the last surviving heir of the Chang family. If you really force him to eat dog dung, how could Great Hero Chang rest in peace? Besides, Senior Brother Chang is still injured—defeating him now wouldn’t be honorable. Why not wait until he recovers? Then, whenever and wherever Senior Sister wants to settle the score, I won’t say a word."
Qi Lingbo’s face twitched with discomfort. Easy for you to say—if Chang Ning recovered and turned out to be highly skilled, when would she ever get her revenge?
"Moreover, scholars have their debates, and warriors have their duels. Since Chang Ning hasn’t laid a finger on you, if you’re truly furious, why not just insult him back? You have numbers on your side—gather everyone and curse him out thoroughly. Wouldn’t that vent all your anger? If you can’t think of insults, you could even hire some storytellers from the foot of the mountain to help. Guaranteed to keep the insults fresh for a full hour." Cai Zhao enthusiastically offered her advice.
"Insult… him how?" Qi Lingbo was at a loss.
Chang Ning leisurely supplied, "Ugly freak, jinx, star-crossed orphan who doomed his whole family, cowardly stray dog, useless parasite hiding in the Azure Tower Sect… the list goes on."
Qi Lingbo snapped, "You’re so thick-skinned, nothing would get through to you! Why waste my effort?" The point of insults was to wound—if the target didn’t care, like Chang Ning, it was pointless.
Having waited hungry for so long without eating, Cai Zhao was growing impatient. "I’ve said all I can. If Senior Sister still won’t listen, then there’s another way."After speaking, she leaped lightly, brushing a few petals from the peach blossom tree nearby and gathering them in her palm. Then, with a swift shadow-like movement, she darted forward, weaving left and right with lightning speed, appearing before Qi Lingbo and her four companions. Following five sharp pats , Cai Zhao immediately retreated to her original spot, pulling out a handkerchief to calmly wipe her hands.
Qi Lingbo and the others looked down to find several petals imprinted on their chests or shoulders.
Cai Zhao said coldly, "All five of you combined are no match for me. I’ve already promised Uncle Qi to keep an eye on Senior Brother Chang. If you’re unhappy, go complain to your parents and senior brothers." — When faced with troublemakers deliberately picking a fight, there was no need for courtesy.
With that, Cai Zhao tugged Chang Ning back to their seats, ignoring the curses hurled at her from Qi Lingbo and her group.
Dragging Chang Ning by his sleeve to their secluded corner, she found young Cai Han already devouring his fourth chicken leg with gusto. Cai Zhao glared and scolded, "Eat less meat! Look how fat you’ve gotten—you could be slaughtered and sold!"
Cai Xiaohan sighed gloomily, "Have some sympathy, Elder Sister. After the ancestor’s memorial rites, I’ll be going with Uncle to visit Grandmother. This time, I’ll have to stay for months. Not only will I have to chant ‘Amitabha’ at Grandmother’s place, but I’ll also have to eat vegetarian food."
Cai Zhao pursed her lips. "Stop whining. Grandmother is seriously ill. Be good and cheer her up—don’t make her angry!"
Tears welled up in Cai Xiaohan’s eyes. "Elder Sister is so cruel! If you weren’t about to formally acknowledge your master this time, you’d be going to Grandmother’s too. Then, instead of complaining whether the wonton filling is made from front-leg or hind-leg meat, you’d be stuck choosing between stir-fried cabbage, boiled cabbage, or pickled cabbage! And you tell me to cheer Grandmother up? She’d be happiest if you and I shaved our heads and became monks. Would you agree to that?"
Chang Ning couldn’t help but chuckle. Cai Zhao shot him a glare before turning back to her younger brother. "Enough nonsense. Eat your chicken leg—and this is the last one!"
After reprimanding Cai Han, Cai Zhao pulled Chang Ning down to sit, planting herself squarely before him with piercing eyes.
"To keep it short, I have three rules for you. First, don’t speak ill of my aunt! Second, don’t speak ill of my parents! Third, don’t speak ill of any elders I respect… Xiao Han, if you want to keep eating meat, don’t interrupt!"
Cai Xiaohan had been about to point out the logical flaws in his elder sister’s words, but at this warning, he quickly lowered his head and focused on his meal.
Chang Ning lightly covered his lips with his sleeve, revealing a pair of charming, amused eyes.
Cai Zhao also realized her earlier words had been full of loopholes—she must have been too angry to think straight.
She scratched her rosy cheek and started over. "...That didn’t count. New three rules! First, you’re not allowed to speak ill of any elders I respect—no sarcastic remarks either! Second, you’re not allowed to provoke trouble or stir up drama, creating messes for me to clean up. Third… I haven’t thought of the third one yet. I’ll add it later."
Chang Ning’s elegant eyes narrowed slightly, as if about to argue, but Cai Zhao cut in, "If you behave yourself, I’ll watch over and protect you until your injuries heal, making sure no one bullies or harasses you. How’s that?"
Chang Ning’s smile cooled, while Cai Zhao stared at him intently.
Chang Ning said slowly, "With Sect Leader Qi here, I may not face any real danger."
Cai Zhao snorted derisively. "Does eating dog shit count as real danger?"
Chang Ning’s smile vanished.Cai Zhao glanced at Chang Ning's torn robes. "Qi Lingbo isn't the type to swallow insults. While you may not be in mortal danger, you'll certainly face bullying and humiliation. Stop pretending—you're utterly sick of these persistent flies, aren't you? But right now, you're shackled by your injuries and can't deal with them freely, am I wrong?"
Chang Ning met her gaze steadily. "You clearly detest me too, yet you still choose to protect me. Is this also something your aunt taught you?"
After a brief silence, Cai Zhao replied, "My aunt was a true great hero—chivalrous and compassionate, upholding justice without regard for personal likes or dislikes. I only hope I don't disgrace her teachings."
Chang Ning looked out the window for a moment before speaking slowly. "My father also wished for me to become someone like him. But I fear I can't measure up."
Thinking herself understanding, Cai Zhao said, "Right, you need to avenge your grievances, so naturally, you must embrace some ruthlessness and ferocity. You can't be as warm-hearted and benevolent as Great Hero Chang."
Chang Ning withdrew his gaze, his clear, shimmering eyes settling on Cai Zhao's face. Softly, he said, "Earlier, I was out of line to criticize your elder. It's just that I was reminded of something..."
His tone grew tender as his fingers lightly traced the cloud-and-bat patterns on the table. "Before my father passed, he entrusted me with the care of an elder—one I deeply despised. Cowardly, heartless, and greedy for comfort and wealth."
"I was reluctant. Are an elder's words always right? Not necessarily. But it was my father's dying wish."
The young man's fingers were pale and slender, his knuckles distinct and strong against the polished dark brown table, evoking the melancholic beauty of a cold white jade hairpin stored in an antique box from a fading noble family—a sight that stirred inexplicable wistfulness.
"Did you agree or not?" Cai Zhao pressed impatiently.
Chang Ning shook off his pensiveness, his gaze steady. "It's settled, then."
"Good."
Cai Zhao snatched the last chicken leg from Cai Han's plate with her chopsticks, biting into it under her younger brother's tearful stare—starting with protecting the weak right at home (though she had no plans to expand the scope). She hoped her aunt's spirit in heaven wouldn't be too angry to eat.
As the saying goes, a large tree must branch out. Just over twenty years later, the six descendants had already grown into families with children and nephews. At this point, they realized three things.
First, while they themselves were as close as siblings, with no conflicts beyond the occasional sparring match, their wives, children, disciples, and followers were another matter.
Second, they had initially thought that after the Old Ancestor's passing, they would be left helpless and need to stick together for survival. But as their descendants and disciples ventured into the world, they discovered that even the fragments of knowledge they had inherited from Old Ancestor Bei Chen were enough to dominate the Martial World.
Third, light and shadow walk hand in hand. Though the Demons had been vanquished, within a mere decade, the Demonic Cult had risen in the Martial World. Given that the death of Old Ancestor Bei Chen had been partly due to the ancestors of the Demonic Cult, how could his descendants stand idly by? Thus, they resolved to establish branches across the land, guarding against the Demonic Cult's encroachment.
In the end, all the talk boiled down to two words: divide the family.Regarding this episode from nearly two hundred years ago, five-year-old Cai Han once complained while reciting the family genealogy: "It's just a family split, why bother writing so much lofty reasoning? As if they didn’t argue back then on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff..."
This earned him an unskilled head flick from his sister: "How ignorant! Can the division of a renowned orthodox sect be called just a 'split'?"
Cai Han rubbed his head: "Then what should it be called?"
The young Cai Zhao declared with righteous solemnity: "Naturally, it was to uphold justice in the world that the descendants of the North Star endured the pain of parting from their kin and scattered far and wide—all to prevent evil demons and heretics from exploiting any weakness to wreak havoc upon humanity!"
This was something she had overheard just days before while crouching at Casserole Uncle’s stall, gnawing on a braised chicken leg—in the Martial World, the most crucial skill was the art of sharp retorts. Martial artists might not always fight, but a battle of words was inevitable whenever they met.
"Well said! My Zhao Zhao speaks so well. When you venture into the Martial World in the future, no matter how your actions fare, your words must always be impeccable," their aunt Cai Pingshu applauded from her sickbed. Though already frail and bedridden, her sallow, emaciated face still wore a bright, unrestrained smile, full of playful vigor.
The siblings' father, Cai Pingchun, sat silently nearby. Never much of an actor, he couldn’t muster a smile. Their mother, Ning Xiaofeng, stood by the window, blowing on a bowl of medicine, a large tear falling into the brew.
They had known this day would come long ago, yet when it arrived, their hearts still ached unbearably.
The twelve-year-old Xiao Cai Guniang stood to the side, her long lashes framing clear, dewdrop-like eyes, as if faintly sensing the impending sorrow.
Within days, Cai Pingshu passed away. Cai Zhao fell gravely ill and dutifully observed three years of mourning. Soon after, Cai Pingchun declared it was time for Cai Zhao to leave the valley and seek apprenticeship. He had already arranged her sect—the Azure Tower Sect, the sole remaining branch of the North Star descendants still residing on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. As the proclaimed top martial sect in the world, it was certainly prestigious enough.
Young Cai Zhao promptly protested that she hadn’t fully recovered from her grief and suggested delaying her departure.
"Delay any longer, and you’ll be eighteen!" Cai Pingchun scowled. "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 home. Outside, the food and lodging won’t suit me. Father, if I never step beyond our gates, how could I possibly become a demoness out of thin air?"
"From one end of town to the other, is there a single shop owner or worker you don’t know? How is that 'never stepping beyond our gates'? Roaming the streets and alleys all day..." Ning Xiaofeng scoffed, then straightened her expression at her husband’s pointed look.
"Your great-great-aunt’s parents thought the same. They believed their frail, sickly daughter, who couldn’t even walk to town to buy rouge, would surely come to no harm staying home. And what happened? Even proper demonesses from the Demonic Cult couldn’t match the spectacle she caused! You’ll obediently spend three years on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. Whether you learn martial arts or not is secondary—just avoid giving people reason to gossip. 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 brimming with resentment.Aunt Cai Pingshu was the person Cai Zhao admired and loved most in her life. Upright and honorable, she was truly a beacon of righteousness in the orthodox path. Yet from childhood, Cai Zhao herself had little ambition—all she wanted was to sleep in, wake up, dip her fingers in water to dab her cheeks rosy, enjoy good food and drink, and ask for nothing more from life.
Now that her beloved aunt had passed, Cai Zhao grieved deeply. She wished she could follow in her predecessor's footsteps, living up to Cai Pingshu's expectations... But if only she didn’t have to leave Fallen Blossom Valley—she could find other ways to honor her aunt’s legacy.
This inner turmoil stemmed from the Cai Family’s bizarre fate—their daughters were forbidden from growing up within their own clan. They had to be sent to study under another sect, or else they would either end up in petty squabbles or bring calamity upon themselves.
In the very beginning, the descendants of the North Star all lived together on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. The children of the six families mingled freely, often learning swordsmanship from one uncle, horseback riding from another, and even flirting techniques from an elder brother. Back then, the peculiar tendencies of the Cai Family daughters weren’t so obvious—at worst, they’d bicker and compete with their sisters.
But once the families separated, the first Cai daughter raised entirely within her own family embarked on the path of a Demoness with unstoppable force—defiant, rebellious, and squandering her extraordinary talents. No matter how her elders pleaded, she remained unyielding, scouring every corner of the Martial World for obscure martial arts manuals and taming fierce beasts and birds of prey. Eventually, she indeed brought about a great calamity.
This formidable ancestress was straightforward—before anyone could demand retribution, she vanished without a trace, disappearing from the martial world. For decades, any mention of the Fallen Blossom Valley would only elicit headshakes from practitioners.
After another generation or two, skipping over several "ordinary" unworthy daughters, the Cai Family produced another unprecedented Demoness—one who not only acted recklessly and disregarded right from wrong but eventually even colluded with the great Demon of the Demonic Cult. This forced her own father to vow to uphold justice by eliminating his own kin, personally leading righteous warriors to besiege the Demonic Cult and purge the family. However, the matter was later dropped when this ancestress followed the same script—vanishing without a trace.
Though the predecessors’ achievements were illustrious, it was Cai Zhao’s frail grandaunt—said to be on the verge of death eleven months out of the year—who truly cemented the Cai Family’s bizarre fate.
For nearly a century, the Cai Family had strictly guarded against disaster by sending their daughters to brother sects, and no Demoness had emerged for a long time. When this sickly grandaunt was born, Valley Master Cai and his wife, pitying their daughter’s 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 in the Martial World.
From then on, the Cai Family dared not take any chances. Whenever a daughter was born, they dutifully contacted brother sects to find a sect leader with a gentle temper, loose rules, and—most importantly—a free-spirited sect culture. The daughter would then be sent there for a few years, not to become a world-class heroine, but simply to avoid calamity and ensure smooth sailing. With luck, she might even return with a husband.
For example, Cai Zhao’s aunt, Cai Pingshu, was sent at the age of ten to the Jade Pendant Mountain Manor, one of the Big Dipper Six Sects.
Conversely, as long as Cai daughters were obediently apprenticed to other sects, they would grow up either gentle and virtuous or profoundly righteous. The pinnacle of Cai women was the heroine Cai Pingshu, who dazzled with brilliance from a young age, earned fame across the land, and turned the tide in desperate times. Even the least accomplished Cai daughters enjoyed smooth marriages and happy families.
With history as their guide and the environment so unforgiving, Cai Zhao had no choice but to leave home and seek apprenticeship to ward off disaster.
Having grown accustomed to being bossed around by his elder sister Cai Pingshu, Valley Master Cai was quite efficient in handling affairs. In just three days, he had packed the soft luggage and arranged the servants for the journey to the Nine Li Mountain Azure Tower Estate.
On the day of departure, a sea of valley and town residents came to see them off. Cai Zhao, teary-eyed and biting her handkerchief, kept waving out the carriage window until Ning Xiaofeng yanked her back inside.
With a sigh, Cai Zhao lamented, "Without me, how lonely the shopkeepers and clerks in town will be!"Ning Xiaofeng scoffed, "Just look outside the carriage and see if those seeing us off are weeping bitterly or beaming with joy."
Cai Zhao rushed to the window and saw that the situation was exactly as her mother had described. She immediately stopped crying, feeling rather indignant. "So the world is full of ungrateful people—that rouge shop owner said I was the most discerning customer he'd ever met, and that silk merchant claimed just days ago that encountering a buyer like me who notices the finest details was the fortune of three lifetimes!"
Ning Xiaofeng remarked idly, "Maybe they meant the opposite."
"Mom, what's the opposite of 'fortune of three lifetimes'?" little Cai Han asked curiously.
Ning Xiaofeng scratched her ear. "Three lifetimes of bloody misfortune?"
Cai Han, sitting in his father's arms, burst into giggles.
Cai Zhao declared passionately, "These shopkeepers are so shortsighted! The reason Fallen Blossom Town became the most bustling market within a hundred miles in just over a decade is precisely because we've upheld Auntie's principles—whether selling food, clothing, or acting as brokers, we must strive to be fair to all, constantly improve, compare goods from multiple sources, and earn universal praise!"
Cai Xiaohan muttered, "But Sister is too particular. Even for a bowl of wontons, she insists on filling made with seventy percent front leg meat and thirty percent shrimp paste. What's wrong with hind leg meat...?"
Cai Zhao looked astonished. "Hind leg meat is fine for braised dishes, but for clear broth wontons, it has to be front leg meat. Hind leg is so coarse and tough—can't you all tell the difference?"
The other three members of the Cai family shook their heads in unison—who could possibly detect such a tiny difference in the small amount of meat inside wontons?
Cai Zhao sighed repeatedly. "You're all so unrefined. This is why so many century-old shops never improve their craft—it's spoiled by customers like you who don't care about quality. Ah, as Auntie said, I pour my heart out for the world, yet the world misunderstands me..."
The Cai couple could bear it no longer and covered their ears simultaneously.
Cai Zhao struggled to plead again. "Dad, Mom, if learning martial arts doesn't matter either way, why must I go to the Azure Tower Sect? I heard there's a new Green Bamboo Gang outside our Fallen Blossom Valley. That seems perfect—I could apprentice under their chief and return to town to sleep every night."
Cai Pingchun frowned. "That Green Bamboo Gang was originally formed by bamboo raft brothers on the river. They're only half-Martial World at best..."
"Dad, that's not fair. Chief Wang's 'Forty-Nine Moves Water Paddling Staff Technique' has some reputation too."
Ning Xiaofeng commented idly, "Wasn't that the name you came up with a few months ago, then persuaded Casserole Uncle to suggest to Chief Wang?"
Cai Zhao gave an embarrassed chuckle.
Ning Xiaofeng continued, "Saying the Green Bamboo Gang is at the bottom of the Martial World hierarchy would be giving them face. But if you'd rather go there than the Azure Tower Sect, it would reflect poorly on our number one sect's reputation. Though to be honest, I'm not too fond of your future teacher either—"
Cai Pingchun coughed lightly.
"—your future teacher's wife," Ning Xiaofeng quickly amended. "But going to the Azure Tower Sect was personally agreed to by your aunt. You should weigh this carefully."
Cai Zhao sighed softly. "...Fine."
"Your grandaunt clearly knew your mother only mentioned becoming a nun in a moment of anger. As an elder, not only did she fail to dissuade her, she even encouraged the younger generation to persist in the mistake—truly twin lotus flowers on one stalk, equally muddleheaded!""How dare you insult my elders!" Cai Zhao was furious.
"I'll say whatever I please." Chang Ning sneered. "Given your aunt's sharp intellect, I refuse to believe she never considered these truths. The world is full of tedious elders who love shackling the young with hypocritical morals..."
Cai Zhao slammed her chopsticks down with a sharp crack, her expression stern. "Senior Brother Chang's vision is so lofty and intellect so keen, this junior sister dares not aspire to such heights. Since we speak different tongues, it seems you've no need for my protection after all!"
She was so angry she wanted to storm out immediately. Yet Chang Ning's temper proved even fiercer—without a word of defense, he simply rose with a cold laugh and strode out, leaving Cai Zhao fuming at having her dramatic exit stolen.
She seethed like a teapot with its lid blown off, steam practically whistling from her ears.
Cai Han peeked up from his bowl and whispered, "Sis... actually, what Senior Brother Chang said about Grandmother and Great-aunt... Mom said something similar to Aunt before..."
"Shut up and eat your chicken leg!"
The boy persisted in hushed tones, "Sis, when Aunt was alive, she often said how much she admired Great Hero Chang..."
"Shut up! Eat your chicken leg."
Young Cai Han pressed on undaunted, "Will Senior Brother Chang be alright out there? What if those people waiting to teach him a lesson—"
"Shut up and eat your—" Cai Zhao gritted her teeth in frustration. "Stay put and don't wander off!" She then hurried after Chang Ning.
Pushing through bustling crowds, Cai Zhao stopped several servants for directions. Chang Ning's pustule-ravaged face stood out more conspicuously than a three-legged toad, ensuring even the busiest servants could point her along a clear path.
Through the main hall doors, left at the peony gate, she reached a desolate storage yard—where she found Chang Ning surrounded by five bullies: Qi Lingbo and her lackeys A, B, C, and D.
Cai Zhao nearly groaned skyward. Why hadn't Aunt warned her that chivalry required such monumental patience? Half-dead from anger already, now she had to swallow her rage and rush to his rescue!
Her gaze took in Chang Ning's torn robe hem and rumpled sleeves. In the harsh noon light, his face seemed shadowed. Or perhaps it wasn't just the lighting—for a fleeting moment, she thought she detected something darker in his bearing: irritation, bloodlust, even a hint of brutality.
She scoffed internally. What right does a frail scholar have to such towering arrogance?
Qi Lingbo had shed her earlier demure act, now snarling with malice. "...Where's all that bravado from when you lectured me?! Chang Ning, I don't even want your heart's blood now—just kneel and kowtow eighteen times, then eat that dog shit over there, and we'll still be martial siblings!"
Her cronies erupted in jeering threats.
"Since you're the one who enjoys eating excrement," Chang Ning said coldly, "by all means indulge. I wouldn't dream of depriving you."
"You—!" Qi Lingbo's face purpled with rage.
Drawing a deep breath, Cai Zhao leapt forward, landing before Chang Ning like a blossom alighting on breeze.
As the girl took her protective stance before him, the shadows slowly lifted from Chang Ning's eyes. The arm he'd tensed within his sleeve gradually relaxed.Cai Zhao spread her hands with a placating smile. "Senior brothers and sisters, let's talk this out calmly, shall we?" As she turned her head, she caught Chang Ning gazing at her with clear, amused eyes.
Qi Lingbo ground her teeth. "Fine, what excellent skills from Flower-Fluttering Crossing indeed. The lightness arts of Fallen Blossom Valley live up to their reputation. Junior Sister Cai, your timing is impeccable—it seems you're determined to oppose me."
At fifteen years old, Cai Zhao had always been easygoing except when it came to matters of principle like dumpling fillings or the perfect steaming time for fish. Only after leaving Fallen Blossom Valley did she realize many things she considered normal required repeated emphasis in the outside world—reputable orthodox sects should never bully the weak.
"Senior Sister, Uncle Qi specifically asked me to keep an eye on Senior Brother Chang earlier. Surely you heard him too—why make things difficult for me?" Cai Zhao's smile faded. "As juniors, if we can't share our elders' burdens, at least we shouldn't cause public scenes. Though the Snow Lotus Pill is rare, it's not irreplaceable. When our sect members travel the Martial World again, opportunities to obtain another will come. There'll be time then for your training."
Qi Lingbo clenched her jaw. "Let me be frank—though my quarrel with Chang Ning began over the Snow Lotus Pill, if he hadn't repeatedly insulted me with his sharp tongue, I wouldn't be so unreasonable! If you don't believe me, recall what happened in the side chamber earlier. His sarcasm isn't a one-time occurrence!"
Cai Zhao blinked and turned to Chang Ning. "What exactly did you say to her?"
Chang Ning's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Which instance are you referring to?"
When Cai Zhao turned back to ask what offensive remarks he'd made, Qi Lingbo trembled with rage. "Cai Zhao! Are you deliberately humiliating me now?!"
This was when outer sect disciples A, B, C, and D chimed in with their contributions—
Pointy-mouthed Disciple A: "Senior Sister kindly brought that bastard Chang medicinal soup, and he said giving her the Snow Lotus Pill would be like feeding ginseng to a fat pig..."
Monkey-cheeked Disciple B: "That time Senior Sister specially brought fine fabric to have his robes tailored, the brat said her mannerisms reminded him of a landlord's fawning concubine."
Melon-headed Disciple C: "Three months ago when Senior Sister defeated the Golden Saber Sect leader's prized disciple by the Heavenly Pool, Second Senior Brother gave her the elegant title 'Celestial of the Heavenly Pool.' Chang Ning claimed the sect leader only had his disciple throw the match to curry favor with our sect master. Said 'Celestial of the Heavenly Pool' should be renamed 'Nepotistic Celestial' instead."
Date-faced Disciple D: "Last month—"
"Enough! Shut up!" Qi Lingbo looked ready to stuff mud in these four idiots' mouths.
Cai Zhao stifled inappropriate laughter and fixed Chang Ning with an accusatory stare.
Chang Ning replied mildly, "I only spoke the truth."
"Wounding words are still wrong," Cai Zhao glared.
Meeting the girl's clear, disapproving eyes, Chang Ning finally murmured, "With my injuries unhealed and poison still in my system, why would I seek trouble? If they hadn't come chattering nonsense at me, I wouldn't have bothered speaking."
Cai Zhao considered this—it did make sense.
"Nonsense! Senior Sister honoring you with her attention is a privilege—don't mistake kindness for weakness!" Date-faced Disciple D finally delivered his unfinished line.Qi Lingbo sneered, "Junior Sister Cai, what do you have to say? Are you determined to shield this wretched boy? I won’t make him lose an arm or a leg—just teach him a small lesson."
The onlookers behind her burst into mocking laughter:
"Exactly! No arms or legs missing—just a couple of meals of dog dung!"
"Hahahaha, dog dung is highly nutritious! Maybe it’ll even cure that Chang fellow’s injuries!"
"Brilliant idea! Can’t you speak properly? Our senior sister is just showing mercy by teaching this brat the rules of the Azure Tower Sect..."
—What utter nonsense. Cai Zhao circulated energy three cycles in her dantian, forcing a smile. "Senior Sister, please calm your anger. My aunt once said that the most important thing in the Martial World is reason. Some things are infuriating, but if they’re reasonable, you have to swallow your rage and endure."
"Though Senior Brother Chang has angered you, he is the last surviving heir of the Chang family. If you truly force him to eat dog dung, how could Great Hero Chang rest in peace? Besides, Senior Brother Chang is still injured—it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Why not wait until he recovers? Then, no matter when or where you want to settle this, I won’t say a word against it."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Qi Lingbo’s face. Easier said than done—if Chang Ning recovered and turned out to be highly skilled, when would she ever get her revenge?
"Moreover, scholars have their ways, warriors have theirs. Since Chang Ning never laid a finger on you, if you’re truly furious, why not just curse him back? With your numbers, you could unleash a torrent of insults and vent all your anger. If you can’t think of anything, you could even hire some storytellers from the foot of the mountain to help—guaranteed to curse for an hour without repeating a word." Cai Zhao enthusiastically offered her advice.
"Curse? Curse what?" Qi Lingbo looked blank.
Chang Ning lazily added, "Ugly freak, jinx, star-crossed orphan who doomed his whole family, fleeing stray dog, useless parasite hiding in the Azure Tower Sect... the list goes on."
Qi Lingbo snapped, "You’re so thick-skinned, nothing would get through to you! Why waste my effort?" To truly wound someone with words, they had to care—but Chang Ning was utterly indifferent, making curses pointless.
Having gone hungry all day, Cai Zhao was growing impatient. "I’ve said all I can. If you still won’t listen, there’s another way."
With that, she leaped lightly, plucking a few petals and leaves from a nearby peach blossom tree. In a flash, her figure darted forward like a shadow, weaving left and right before appearing right in front of Qi Lingbo and her four companions. Five crisp slaps rang out, and Cai Zhao instantly retreated to her original spot, calmly wiping her hands with a handkerchief.
Qi Lingbo and the others looked down to find petals and leaves imprinted on their chests or shoulders.
Cai Zhao said coldly, "Together, you’re no match for me. I’ve already promised Uncle Qi to look after Senior Brother Chang. If you’re unhappy, go complain to your parents and senior brothers." —When dealing with troublemakers, there was no need for courtesy.
With that, she dragged Chang Ning back to their seats, ignoring the curses hurled after them by Qi Lingbo and her group.Dragging Chang Ning back to their corner seats by his sleeve, little Cai Han was already munching away at his fourth chicken drumstick with gusto. Cai Zhao glared and scolded, "Eat less meat! Look how fat you're getting - you could be slaughtered and sold at market!"
Cai Xiaohan said gloomily, "Have some sympathy, elder sister. After the ancestor's death anniversary, I'll be going with uncle to visit grandmother. This time I'll have to stay for months. At grandmother's house, not only do we have to chant 'Amitabha Buddha,' but we also have to eat vegetarian food."
Cai Zhao pursed her lips: "Stop complaining. Grandmother is seriously ill. You'd better behave and not upset her!"
Tears welled up in Cai Xiaohan's eyes: "Elder sister is so cruel! If you weren't about to take a master this time, you'd be going to grandmother's house too. Then the only choices you'd have wouldn't be whether the wonton filling uses front leg or hind leg meat, but whether the cabbage is stir-fried, boiled, or pickled! And you tell me to comfort grandmother - she'd be happiest if you and I shaved our heads and became monks. Would you agree to that?"
Chang Ning couldn't help but chuckle. Cai Zhao shot him a glare before turning back to her younger brother: "Enough nonsense, eat your drumstick... and this is the last one!"
After reprimanding Cai Han, Cai Zhao pulled Chang Ning down to sit facing her squarely, her eyes blazing with intensity.
"To make it brief, I have three rules for you. First, no speaking ill of my aunt! Second, no speaking ill of my parents! Third, no speaking ill of any elders I respect... Xiao Han, if you want to keep eating meat, don't interrupt!"
Cai Xiaohan, who had been about to point out the logical flaws in his elder sister's speech, immediately buried his head in his food upon hearing this.
Chang Ning lightly covered his lips with his sleeve, revealing only his charming, amused eyes.
Cai Zhao also realized her previous statement had been full of loopholes - clearly she'd been too angry to think straight.
Scratching her pink cheek, she started over: "...That didn't count. New three rules! First, you're not allowed to speak ill of any elders I respect, not even with sarcastic remarks! Second, you're not to provoke trouble or stir up incidents that I'll have to clean up afterward. Third... I haven't thought of the third one yet. I'll add it later."
As Chang Ning's elegant eyes narrowed slightly, about to retort, Cai Zhao cut in: "If you behave properly, I'll watch over and protect you until your injuries heal, making sure no one bullies or harasses you. How about that?"
Chang Ning's smile gradually cooled as Cai Zhao stared at him intently.
Chang Ning said slowly, "With Sect Leader Qi here, I may not face any real danger."
Cai Zhao snorted through her nose: "Does eating dog shit count as real danger?"
Chang Ning stopped smiling.
Cai Zhao looked at Chang Ning's torn robes: "Qi Lingbo isn't one to swallow insults. While your life may not be in danger, you'll face plenty of bullying and humiliation. Stop pretending - you're actually sick of these persistent flies, but right now you're shackled by your injuries and can't deal with them properly, am I wrong?"
Chang Ning gazed at her intently: "You clearly dislike me intensely too, yet you're still willing to protect me. Did your aunt teach you that?"
After a moment's silence, Cai Zhao replied, "My aunt was a true chivalrous hero - eliminating evil, helping the weak, upholding justice without regard for personal feelings. I only hope I can live up to her teachings."
Chang Ning looked out the window briefly before saying slowly, "My father also hoped I would become like him. But I'm afraid I can't measure up."Cai Zhao thought herself quite understanding: "Right, you need to show some killing intent and ruthlessness to seek revenge. You can't be as warm-hearted and benevolent as Great Hero Chang."
Chang Ning withdrew his gaze, his clear, rippling eyes settling on Cai Zhao's face as he said softly, "I was wrong earlier—I shouldn't have criticized your elder. It's just that I remembered something..."
His tone suddenly softened, his fingers lightly tracing the cloud-and-bat patterns on the table. "Before my father passed away, he entrusted me with the care of an elder—one I held in great contempt. Cowardly, weak-willed, heartless, and greedy for comfort and wealth."
"I was deeply reluctant. Are an elder's words always right? Not necessarily. Yet those were my father's dying words."
The young man's fingers were pale and slender, his knuckles distinct and strong, contrasting against the polished dark brown table with a kind of antiquated, exquisite beauty. Like a cold white jade hairpin from a declining noble family, stored in an old lacquered box, evoking an inexplicable melancholy in those who saw it.
"Did you agree or not?" Cai Zhao pressed impatiently.
Chang Ning shook off his melancholy, his gaze steady. "A promise is a promise."
"Good."
Cai Zhao picked up her chopsticks and snatched the last chicken leg from Cai Han's plate, biting into it under her younger brother's teary gaze—starting with the strong bullying the weak right at home (though she had no intention of expanding the scope). She hoped her aunt, watching from the heavens, wouldn't be so angry she lost her appetite.
From as far back as she could remember, she had always thought she was her aunt's child, while the couple she called 'Father' and 'Mother' were just kind neighbors who often brought her treats and toys. It wasn't until she heard other children in the marketplace calling their parents 'Father' and 'Mother' that she vaguely realized those titles belonged to the ones who had given birth to her. Her first childhood worry was this: if she was her parents' child, then wouldn't her aunt have no child of her own?
When Cai Han was born, she secretly rejoiced for a long time, thinking that now her aunt and parents would no longer have to feel guilty toward each other.
Placing her palm against the plump boy's chest, feeling the lively pulse beneath, Cai Zhao suddenly remembered the 'future sect leader' of the Four Stallions Gate she had seen that day. Even someone like her, with no knowledge of medicine, could tell the child was born with deficiencies, his meridians damaged, sustained only by precious medicines and sheer effort.
Over the past two centuries, the Big Dipper Six Sects had undergone many changes.
The Azure Tower Sect and the Grand Beginning Temple, being passed down through master-disciple relationships, were no longer of the original bloodline.
The Vast Heaven Gate and the Jade Pendant Mountain Manor relied on branching family trees and numerous descendants. If the main lineage had no heirs or the children were mediocre, a branch family could take over.
But the Four Stallions Gate clung stubbornly to tradition, with sibling rivalries so fierce that whenever one branch rose to power, the others would either mysteriously 'die young' or change their names and retire from the Martial World. The other five sects had tried to mediate or ease these conflicts, but as the saying goes, even an honest official can't settle family disputes, and in the end, nothing ever came of it. Gradually, the Yang bloodline grew weaker, and now, for five generations straight, there had been only a single heir.
According to Cai Zhao's ancestors, this was the heavens' mercy—unwilling to watch the Yang family tear itself apart, so they made each generation have only one child. No more fighting. The heavens could be quite considerate.
Only Fallen Blossom Valley took a different path.
From its very first ancestor, Fallen Blossom Valley embraced the principle of letting nature take its course, believing that too many children hindered both spiritual cultivation and physical well-being. Thus, the valley had always had few descendants. If there was a son, he would inherit; if not, a daughter could take a husband. If the daughter was capable, she could become the valley master; if the son-in-law was more capable, that was fine too. And if a son had other ambitions or lacked talent, the daughter and son-in-law could still lead the household.You ask which surname to take and which ancestors to worship? It doesn’t matter—whichever one you prefer is fine. After all, two hundred years ago, there was no such thing as Fallen Blossom Valley. Our ancestors were quite open-minded.
And so, over the past two centuries, Fallen Blossom Valley has changed surnames three times.
The worst-sounding one was when the valley’s founding ancestor bore the surname Niu (Cow). Even the ancestor, who revered the natural order of the Dao, couldn’t stand it. The best-sounding one was the surname of the third-generation Niu family’s only daughter’s husband—Gu. Just compare: Niu Linger and Niu Yuxuan versus Gu Linger and Gu Yuxuan. The difference speaks for itself.
Over those two hundred years, Fallen Blossom Valley wasn’t without its oddities. For instance, one generation’s valley master and his wife enthusiastically bore five sons and four daughters. Everyone said Fallen Blossom Valley was about to flourish, but reality proved them wrong.
Of those nine children, excluding those who became monks or married out, the rest either wandered the Martial World unmarried for life or traveled overseas never to return. In the end, only one remained to inherit the valley master’s position.
Perhaps… that was fate.
About seventy or eighty years ago, the valley master and his wife of that generation, nearing forty without children, observed the stars at night and concluded—Heaven wished for Fallen Blossom Valley to change hands. So, following the divination’s guidance, they went in search of an adopted son. Before long, they came across an orphan of exceptional talent and virtuous character. The couple felt immensely fortunate—truly, it was the will of Heaven!
Yet ten years later, they unexpectedly conceived a daughter as lovely as jade and snow.
Given precedent, they weren’t opposed to the idea of their adopted son marrying their daughter to strengthen family ties. However, considering the significant age gap between the two, they decided to let nature take its course and sent their daughter to a Brother Sect, intending for her to naturally marry a suitable fellow disciple when the time came. But when their daughter turned sixteen, as the elderly couple basked in the sun on the hillside, they suddenly heard of a great upheaval outside the valley.
Their steady and capable adopted son had inexplicably gone out and beaten up every eligible young man in their daughter’s sect, then proceeded to challenge every rising young hero in the Martial World, all under the guise of “friendly martial exchanges”—scaring the old couple so badly they nearly toppled from their rattan chairs. The Azure Tower Sect’s leader at the time even came by to hint, “Your son’s future is boundless. Does he intend to compete for leadership among the six sects?” The old couple nearly shook their heads off in refusal.
Once they clarified the awkward, unspoken affection between their adopted son and daughter, the couple swiftly arranged their wedding. They also pleaded with their adopted son to stop going out for “friendly martial exchanges.” For over a century, Fallen Blossom Valley had maintained a moderate and peaceful stance—the martial community was used to it, so why change now? The adopted son replied: Now that I have my wife, I don’t really like going out anyway.
Incidentally, this adopted son’s surname was Cai.
When reading their ancestors’ journals, Cai Zhao often thought that perhaps her aunt had inherited the extraordinary talent of this ancestor, which was why she had been so peerless and dazzling. Yet over the past three years, sitting alone in her aunt’s cold, empty room at midnight with tears in her eyes, Cai Zhao couldn’t help but think—maybe that ancestor’s choice to hide his brilliance and remain humble had been the right one.
The lamp flame on the wall flickered softly, like a plucked string in her mind. Cai Zhao snapped out of her thoughts, steadied herself, and went next door to check on Chang Ning.Unlike Cai Xiaopang, who slept sprawled out like a heavenly steed, Chang Ning had excellent sleeping posture. He lay curled on his side like a verdant pine, his long lashes perfectly still. Only the quilt wasn't properly tucked in as it had been that afternoon—half of it lay on the bed while the other half draped over the footrest. Naturally, his robe had loosened even more, revealing a broader expanse of his jade-white, firm chest.
Cai Zhao very properly averted her gaze, maintaining the demeanor of a true gentleman as she carefully tucked the quilt around Chang Ning. She then retreated three steps and stood at a respectful distance.
In truth, Cai Zhao had met Chang Haosheng three or four times in her childhood.
Delving into her memories, she recalled a handsome, composed face—stern yet meticulous. Every time he visited Fallen Blossom Valley, he would inspect the defensive formations at the valley entrance three times over. Her aunt would teasingly call him "once a nursemaid, always a nursemaid."
Chang Haosheng didn't visit Fallen Blossom Valley as frequently as Qi Yunke or Zhou Zhizhen. Each time he came, he would engage in long, deep conversations with Cai Pingshu. He neither played with young Cai Zhao nor brought many gifts, so he naturally left a fainter impression on her.
After Cai Pingshu passed away, he never returned to Fallen Blossom Valley again. No one knew what kept him so busy. Three years trickled by, and Cai Zhao's memories of this perpetually hurried Great Hero Chang grew increasingly hazy. Never did she imagine that today she would hear news of the massacre of the Chang family.
Cai Zhao let out a small sigh, her spirits dampened.
Just then, faint sounds and voices came from the adjacent room. Cai Zhao's heart stirred, and a smile touched her lips. She quickly exited Chang Ning's room, hurried past the chamber where Cai Xiaopang lay fast asleep, and entered the third guest room. There, lamplight already glowed—Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng had indeed returned.
Overjoyed, Cai Zhao pushed the door open. Inside, Cai Pingchun's face was flushed from drink, one hand braced against the table while the other massaged his temples. Clearly, he had indulged quite a bit. Ning Xiaofeng was muttering to herself as she rummaged through her medicine pouch for a hangover remedy. When she looked up and saw her daughter, her first questions were whether she had slept yet, if she had washed up, and whether Xiao Han had fallen out of bed.
Hearing this familiar litany, Cai Zhao's heart finally settled.
"Father, Mother, you're finally back! I thought you'd be drinking all night. Didn't you say you had no intention of entertaining those people? A quick greeting should've been enough—how did you end up drinking so much?" Cai Zhao poured a cup of water from the warmer on the table and handed it to Cai Pingchun along with the hangover remedy.
Ning Xiaofeng sighed. "First, your father wanted to ask about some matters. Second, there were just too many people insisting on toasts. We couldn't exactly refuse outright—turning down ten cups only to drink half was already a struggle. Your father actually held up fairly well. Song Shijun was so drunk he was carried back like a capsized turtle. Luckily, I realized things were getting out of hand early and diluted your father's wine with mostly fruit syrup. Brother Zhou was the clever one—as soon as he sensed trouble, he threw his head back and pretended to pass out drunk..."
Cai Pingchun swallowed the remedy and downed two cups of water before catching his breath. "Today was so busy with people coming and going that we barely had time to check on you two. Zhao Zhao, tell me—was everything alright? Did anything upset you? We can still leave the mountain now if needed."
"Exactly, speak your mind. I thought after more than a decade, Yin Qinglian might have improved, but the moment I saw her, my anger flared up again—I couldn't suppress it no matter what! If it's no good here, we'll just leave!" Ning Xiaofeng said bitterly.Cai Zhao initially wanted to talk about Qi Lingbo and her two or three sycophantic followers, but swallowed her words at the last moment. She blinked her eyes and said, "I met good people, bad people, and those who are neither good nor bad—but your daughter can handle them all."
Ning Xiaofeng frowned. "What kind of answer is that! Never mind, I won’t listen to your riddles. Anyway, you can stay at the Azure Tower Sect if you can bear it. If not, just send word home. Didn’t your uncle give you a cage of carrier pigeons? They’re fast. If needed, I’ll send you to Jade Pendant Mountain Manor for a few years. No one is allowed to bully you!"
Cai Zhao feigned bashfulness. "Wouldn’t it be improper to move into my future husband’s home so soon? It’s not like I’m an orphan like Auntie..."
Ning Xiaofeng replied expressionlessly, "Then you can go to Hanging Temple—peaceful and serene..."
"No need! The Azure Tower Sect is wonderful, with beautiful scenery and outstanding people—a surefire success! Your daughter has no desire to change sects at all." Cai Zhao immediately dropped the act.
Ning Xiaofeng pretended to raise a hand, shooting her daughter an amused glare.
Seeing her parents, Cai Zhao felt at ease and yawned, ready to bid them goodnight. But Cai Pingchun stopped her, saying he had something to discuss. Startled, she quickly asked what it was.
Cai Pingchun spoke slowly. "I originally planned to tell you after the ceremony, but I think it’s better to let you know sooner. It’s about Brother Chang’s son, Chang Ning..."
"What about him?" Cai Zhao’s ears perked up at the mention of the boy who had given her such a hard time that day.
"Though Brother Chang always says your aunt did him a great kindness, one he could never repay even with his life, over the years, he has supported Fallen Blossom Valley in every way, down to the smallest detail—truly giving his all. There are countless things you and your brother don’t know, and few outsiders do either, but our Cai Family must never forget his kindness."
Cai Zhao nodded. "Today, I heard many stories about Great Hero Chang. You’re right, Father. Others may not keep score, but we must remember our debts."
Cai Pingchun exchanged a glance with his wife. Ning Xiaofeng cautiously asked, "...Zhao Zhao, when you spoke with Chang Ning today, did you notice anything... off?" She trusted her daughter’s sharp instincts, honed from years of navigating the world.
Cai Zhao grinned mischievously. "Father and Mother want to know if this Chang Ning is real or fake, right?"
"Exactly," Cai Pingchun nodded. "The Demonic Cult is unpredictable—we must be cautious. After all, none of us have ever met Brother Chang’s son before."
Cai Zhao laughed. "Don’t worry, Father. I’ve read enough plays and novels to recognize such tropes. Villains love disguising themselves to infiltrate the enemy. How could I blindly trust someone I’ve never met? I’ve been on guard from the start..."
"And? Did you find any flaws?" Ning Xiaofeng pressed.
"Nope. Ninety-nine percent sure he’s real." Cai Zhao’s face fell. "Senior Brother Chang not only knew all about the past events but even shared details I’d never heard—some so private only Great Hero Chang himself would know, others so trivial even torture might not extract them. It’s the kind of stuff a father would ramble about to his son over casual chats."
Ning Xiaofeng seemed satisfied, but Cai Pingchun probed further. "Why ninety-nine percent? What’s missing?"Cai Zhao looked puzzled: "I vaguely remember Great Hero Chang being quite kind and not very talkative, but this Brother Chang of mine has such a sharp tongue—it's like 'ten steps to kill one, a thousand miles without leaving a trace'! Even if his words are irritating, his temper is also moody and gloomy. How is that anything like his father?"
Hearing this, Cai Zhao noticed her parents actually seemed relieved. "W-what? Did I say something wrong?"
"You saying that actually makes it right," Cai Pingchun said. "Though Brother Chang rarely mentioned his son, from the occasional words he did say, Chang Ning should indeed have such a temperament."
Cai Zhao: "Huh?"
Ning Xiaofeng lowered her voice: "Brother Chang's wife, Sister Xue, was always quiet and frail. That year, she returned to her family home to rest during her pregnancy, but unexpectedly encountered a Demonic Cult ambush. She hid in a secret compartment and survived, but had to watch as over a dozen family members were slaughtered. After being rescued, she became somewhat mentally unstable, so Brother Chang never let her leave home again."
"After such a tragedy, your aunt searched heaven and earth for countless rare medicines to preserve the child in Sister Xue's womb. It was only after great difficulty that a son was born, and only your aunt and I went to congratulate them. I don’t understand much about these things, but your aunt said the child wasn’t in good health, which is why Brother Chang never let him leave home all these years. Whenever Brother Chang mentioned him afterward, it was either about Sister Xue’s worsening madness or his son’s frail health, who could only slowly practice internal techniques to nourish his meridians. It wasn’t until two years ago that Brother Chang wrote to say his son’s health had improved—with proper training, he might not lose to the young heroes of his time."
"Zhao Zhao, think about it. A child who’s never stepped outside since birth, with a mother who’s sometimes mad, sometimes senseless, and who’s also sickly himself—do you think his temper could be good? If a reasonable and gentle Chang Ning showed up today, that would be suspicious."
Cai Zhao thought it over and realized it made sense.
Cai Pingchun added: "Brother Qi initially had doubts too, but while treating Chang Ning’s injuries, he detected faint traces of internal energy. Both Brother Qi and Senior Brother Lei checked his pulse—it was undoubtedly Brother Chang’s unique internal technique. The Chang family’s internal method wasn’t inherited but created by Brother Chang himself, so there’s no chance of it being passed down to other relatives by Elder Chang. And Brother Chang was even more cautious than Brother Qi and me—why would he teach his exclusive technique to someone wicked?"
Cai Zhao listened intently: "So Chang Ning really is the real deal."
"Yes, your mother and I also think there’s no mistake," Cai Pingchun nodded. "That’s why I suggested to Brother Qi earlier that we take Chang Ning to Fallen Blossom Valley to recuperate, but Brother Qi absolutely refused..."
"How dare he refuse? If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d have cursed him out long ago! Just look at how sharp-tongued his wife and daughter are. Chang Ning is clearly not the type to bow his head—how could he fare well in the Azure Tower Sect? I know Yin Sulian all too well. In the first half of her life, she was the sect leader’s beloved daughter; in the second half, she became the sect leader’s wife. She’s long treated the Azure Tower Sect as her personal fiefdom!" Ning Xiaofeng vented angrily—now that Chang Ning was confirmed as the Chang family’s orphan, she immediately treated him as family.
"Mom’s words may be crude, but the reasoning isn’t," Cai Zhao lightly applauded her mother.
Cai Pingchun tried to mediate: "But Brother Qi’s words also make sense."
"That’s your blind reasoning!" Ning Xiaofeng retorted stubbornly.Cai Zhao asked her father directly, "Dad, what did Uncle Qi say?"
Cai Pingchun replied gravely, "Zhao Zhao, who do you think annihilated the Chang family?"
Cai Zhao was taken aback. "Wasn't it the Demonic Cult?"
Cai Pingchun said, "You heard it today—the Demonic Cult is currently in severe internal turmoil. A few years ago, a female Demon emerged and, with Nie Zhe's backing, took the position of Celestial Pivot Elder. Many opposed her, and that female elder slaughtered people left and right—it's chaos. With things in such disarray, would they still have the energy to trouble us? You must understand, the Chang family's stronghold isn't an easy place to attack. To be honest, even I haven't been there..."
"Even if you had been, it might not have helped. Brother Chang was worried about his wife and children's safety, so he hid the stronghold in such secrecy that ordinary people couldn't even find the gate. But the Demonic Cult has always had people with unusual abilities—perhaps they could break through," Ning Xiaofeng said somewhat dejectedly.
"Even if they could, it would take tremendous effort," Cai Zhao murmured.
"Exactly," Cai Pingchun frowned. "Whoever went to such lengths to annihilate the Chang family must have held a deep grudge."
"Nie Hengcheng's old followers?" Cai Zhao blurted out, then shook her head. "No, it was Auntie who killed Nie Hengcheng. If they wanted revenge, why not come to Fallen Blossom Valley? Then it must be... Zhao Tianba?!"
Ning Xiaofeng chuckled. "Did Zhao Zhao hear that story today too? Indeed, we just discussed it among ourselves. The only ones capable of such a grand scheme would be the death warriors of Zhao Tianba, Nie Hengcheng's first disciple."
Cai Zhao looked up at the ceiling, her thoughts in turmoil. "How peculiar these death warriors are—instead of avenging Nie Hengcheng, they insist on avenging his disciple..."
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