The voice arrived with the person. As everyone turned their heads, they saw Song Yuzhi dressed in coarse white mourning hemp, drifting gracefully into the room.
Upon seeing his attire, Song Yuzhi was so shocked his voice trembled: "You... Father... Father, he..."
Song Xiuzhi smiled. "Third Brother, don't worry. According to reports from all sides, Father has already been taken back to Fallen Blossom Valley by Valley Master Cai. Madam Ning is renowned for her medical skills, so she will surely treat Father's injuries properly. As for this outfit of mine... alas, it's for Third Granduncle. Third Granduncle was severely injured and passed away yesterday."
Mu Qingyan let out a derisive chuckle.
Cai Zhao rolled her eyes. Well, he had predicted this again.
She said aloud, "So it's for a granduncle. With all this mourning attire, I thought your own father had died. But of course, when there's benefit to be had, even two generations removed is no barrier—just act as filial as possible."
Song Xiuzhi's expression darkened momentarily before he smiled again. "As a nephew of the same branch, wearing heavy mourning is perfectly acceptable."
Just as Cai Zhao was about to mock him further, a sudden gust of wind swept past outside. The three thick windows of the room burst open with a loud crack, allowing the icy night wind laden with frost to rush in. Over a dozen figures leaped into the room, led by Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhizhen, and the white-bearded Fakong, followed by the elders of Vast Heaven Gate.
Outside, archers from Vast Heaven Gate had drawn their bows, arrows aimed at Mu Qingyan and his two companions.
Li Wenxun and Ding Zhuo, however, were absent.
Cai Zhao's eyelids twitched. She immediately rushed to Qi Yunke's side, smiling sweetly. "Master, Uncle Zhou, and Great Master, you're all here. That's good. Well, uh, Third Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, and I just happened to run into those Demonic Cult members by chance..."
The moment Qi Yunke saw Mu Qingyan's face, his anger flared, fearing his young disciple had gotten entangled with that great Demon again. He said sternly, "Since you were here, why didn't you come to us? Instead, you sneak around in the dead of night!"
Song Yuzhi spoke up. "I was the one who wanted to hear what the Demonic Cult Leader had to say to Yang Heying. It has nothing to do with Junior Sister. Master, you can scold me."
With the upheaval in Vast Heaven Gate, Song Yuzhi had nearly lost his entire family overnight. Qi Yunke couldn't bring himself to reprimand his beloved disciple at such a time, so he merely snorted coldly.
Cai Zhao quickly added, "Yes, yes! If we hadn't listened, we wouldn't have known. It turns out it wasn't Song Maozhi who killed Old Hero Huang's family at Seven Bath Mountain or refined the Corpse Puppet Slaves—it was Yang Heying! He admitted it just now. Everyone heard it!"
"Nonsense! You little wretch colluding with the Demonic Cult is spouting lies!" Yang Heying immediately retorted. "That great Demon was threatening me with my family earlier. I was just playing along!"
Cai Zhao shot back, "You're the one going back on your word and spewing nonsense!" She turned to the others. "It's true, Master! He wasn't playing along—Yang Heying admitted it because he thought there were no outsiders in the room!"
Song Yuzhi also affirmed, "Junior Sister is right. Yang Heying's actions are an outrage to both gods and men. Fan Junior Brother and I both heard it! And Song Xiuzhi—he was part of the conspiracy to frame his elder brother and harm Father!"
Song Xiuzhi frowned. "First, repel the external threat; then, settle internal matters. Esteemed elders, we mustn't let the Demonic Cult witness North Star's disgrace."
The Second Elder of the Song family agreed. "Xiuzhi is right. Surely we won't start fighting among ourselves in front of the Demonic Cult?"
This statement garnered widespread agreement.Seeing the North Star faction's overwhelming numbers, Sha Zuguang finally "came to his senses" and bellowed loudly: "That Cai girl has been carrying on shamelessly with that great Demon leader! She must have conspired with the Demonic Cult to trick my brother-in-law into confessing!"
Madam Sha also chimed in: "Exactly! This little slut abandoned her own parents and master to save that Demon leader, even injuring several elders. They've probably been sleeping together for ages! How dare this shameless hussy put on such an act here!"
As the conversation turned to illicit affairs, disciples from the Four Stallions Gate and Vast Heaven Gate began laughing lewdly, their improper gazes sweeping over Cai Zhao while making vulgar remarks.
Cai Zhao's face flushed crimson with fury. Still young, she couldn't completely ignore such malicious gossip despite her best efforts.
Mu Qingyan had been standing leisurely aside, amused by the North Star faction's internal squabbles. Now his expression darkened as his sleeves suddenly lashed out toward the Sha siblings. In that split second, Yang Heying—who happened to be nearest—let out a cry and threw himself forward, only to be struck midair by Mu Qingyan's palm strike. He coughed up blood with a muffled groan.
Madam Sha was sent flying by the sleeve's force, feeling as though blades were scraping her skin midair. She crashed against the wall and collapsed, her bones shattered. Spitting out a bloody mass, she opened her palm to find three or four teeth. As she prepared to wail, sudden agony shot through her face. Touching it, she let out a piercing scream—"MY FACE! MY FACE! AAAAAH—"
A chunk of flesh had been torn from her left cheek, leaving a gory mess.
Before Madam Sha's screams subsided, Sha Zuguang began bellowing like a mad bull.
Face down on the ground with Mu Qingyan's foot planted on his back, he couldn't move. While Qi Yunke and others were distracted by Madam Sha's impact against the wall, Mu Qingyan swiftly grabbed Sha Zuguang's right arm and—with one brutal yank—ripped it clean off, flesh and bone alike.
"AAAAAAAH—" Sha Zuguang howled in unbearable pain.
As Qi Yunke's group moved to intervene, You Guanyue hoisted Yang Tianci high above his head while Shangguan Haonan shouted: "Go ahead and try! Let's see if I can't smash this little bastard's brains out!"
Faced with such ruthless brutality, no one dared test their resolve. The crowd froze.
Mu Qingyan casually tossed aside the severed arm, leaving a bloody streak on the white wall. "I never want to hear those words from these siblings again. Not now, not ever. Anyone who doubts me is welcome to try."
His tone and expression remained calm, his flawless jade-like features normally inspiring admiration. But amid the bloodstains and lingering screams, the crowd viewed Mu Qingyan as no different from flesh-eating demons. Who would dare "try" now? The hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.
Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen looked grim. While they too disapproved of Cai Zhao being subjected to such talk, it was this Demon leader who had instantly silenced the slander.
The Sha siblings' cries gradually weakened, likely from shock and blood loss. Yet with the Demon leader standing imposingly before them, no one dared step forward to help the wounded pair.Fakong sighed and stepped forward, saying, "Amitabha. Buddhism also speaks of the karma created by words. The two Sha benefactors spoke inappropriately, and Sect Leader Mu has already punished them. Please allow us to treat their wounds and stop the bleeding."
Mu Qingyan pondered for a moment, then tilted his head slightly to the side. Shangguan Haonan understood his meaning and kicked the Sha siblings high into the air toward them. Yang Heying immediately stepped forward to catch his beloved concubine, while another disciple of the Four Stallions Gate caught Sha Zuguang.
Fakong chanted another Buddhist invocation: "If Sect Leader Mu has already achieved his goal, perhaps it would be best for you to leave first and let the Big Dipper Six Sects handle their internal affairs. What do you think?"
Mu Qingyan's gaze was icy and profound as he stared at the old monk.
Fakong glanced in Cai Zhao's direction and sighed. "The conflict between your Demonic Cult and the Big Dipper Six Sects has lasted two hundred years, with grievances too numerous to count. No matter what Sect Leader Mu says or does today, it is meaningless. Sect Leader Mu, when it's time to leave, you must leave."
Yang Heying, looking at his concubine's bloodied and mangled face, angrily said, "Today, the leaders of three Big Dipper sects are present. If we let this Demon leave so easily, wouldn't the world laugh at us?!"
You Guanyue immediately raised Yang Tianci higher. "Sect Leader Yang, look carefully at what I'm holding before you speak."
"Release my son now!" Yang Heying roared.
"Oh, I'm so scared."
Song Xiuzhi shouted, "Archers, draw your bows and take down this Demon together!"
Mu Qingyan took a step forward and said calmly, "Fine. Who's first?"
His frosty gaze swept across the crowd, sending chills down everyone's spines. They exchanged uneasy glances, hesitating to step forward. The young and handsome Demonic Cult leader's imposing presence and ruthless methods left no one daring to respond.
Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen exchanged a look. Zhou Zhizhen whispered, "For now, let's focus on the Vast Heaven Gate matter and let the Demon go." Both knew that if they truly tried to capture Mu Qingyan by force, many innocent lives would be lost.
Qi Yunke nodded and raised his voice. "Fakong is right. The Big Dipper has internal matters to settle. Sect Leader Mu, please grant us this courtesy."
Mu Qingyan lowered his long lashes, casting a slender shadow on the ground. The girl kept her head down, silent. Though only a dozen steps apart, they seemed separated by endless mountains and rivers.
"Very well. The mountains are high, the rivers long—farewell." Mu Qingyan raised his head without looking at anyone. A gust of wind surged as he soared away as if riding clouds and mist.
You Guanyue tossed the child in his hands into an open space and, laughing heartily with Shangguan Haonan, leaped into the air.
Three figures swiftly vanished into the snowy night.
Qi Yunke took a deep breath and said gravely, "Yang Heying, now that there are no outsiders, what do you have to say about the deaths of Old Hero Huang and his family?"
"What is there to say? I already told you I was lying to deceive that Demon just now to buy time!" Yang Heying blustered.
Madam Zhuo tearfully defended him, "Sect Leader Qi, you must believe my husband. You all saw how vicious and domineering that Demon was. My husband had no choice but to play along for the sake of our family. Lan'er, speak up—isn't that right?"
Yang Xiaolan stood dazed, unable to utter a word.
Zhou Zhizhen hesitated. "Perhaps Sect Leader Yang truly had no choice under duress."Song Yuzhi could bear it no longer and shouted, "Is Sect Leader Yang now shifting all the blame onto my elder brother?!"
Yang Heying snorted coldly, "You should ask your Song Xiuzhi about that. He made it perfectly clear that it was Song Maozhi who refined the Corpse Puppet Slaves and silenced the witnesses!"
Song Xiuzhi said, "I never claimed it was Maozhi’s doing."
Yang Heying was startled, "You—you clearly said—"
Song Xiuzhi smiled faintly, "The two heretical villains Maozhi captured did claim to be Nie Zhe’s subordinates and offered to help him refine Corpse Puppet Slaves. But whether those two were genuine or imposters sent by someone else, I wouldn’t know."
"Maozhi mentioned finding a secluded, densely wooded mountain area and withdrew large sums of money and supplies during that time, saying he needed to cultivate his own loyal followers outside. As for whether that mountain was Seven Bath Mountain, again, I wouldn’t know."
"And that night, Maozhi returned covered in blood, claiming that all the allies he’d painstakingly recruited had been slaughtered by a group of unidentified men in black—what if he was telling the truth?"
The crowd listened in stunned silence.
A peculiar smile played on Song Xiuzhi’s delicate features. "I only relayed what I saw and heard. Drawing the conclusion that Maozhi was the culprit was your doing, Uncle Yang—not mine."
Yang Heying flew into a rage, leaping up as if scalded. "You cunning little—Song Xiuzhi! You’ve washed your hands clean of this! If not for your ambition to become sect leader, would I have gone to such lengths?!"
Song Xiuzhi replied calmly, "As a direct descendant of the Song family’s main branch, I am naturally qualified to lead our sect, provided I honor our elders and uphold our traditions. Why would I need your ‘painstaking efforts,’ Uncle Yang?"
Yang Heying was left speechless, stammering "you—you—" until his face turned purple with rage.
The onlookers thought to themselves—if not for Yang Heying’s desire to install his son-in-law as successor, would he have been so frantic? Clearly, his motives were far from altruistic.
Zhou Zhizhen pondered and said, "So, whether Maozhi was truly responsible for Old Hero Huang’s family massacre remains unproven."
"But my elder brother is already dead, and Father is gravely injured!" Song Yuzhi’s voice trembled with grief and fury.
Song Xiuzhi sighed softly. "I never anticipated that Young Master Sha would perish together with Maozhi. Alas, perhaps the tragic deaths of his maternal grandfather’s family and his mother’s subsequent demise from grief drove him to seek vengeance at the cost of his own life."
Yang Xiaolan’s eyes widened in shock. "What ‘Young Master Sha’? My aunt, Lady Huang, never had a son! And she passed away ten years ago. What vengeance? What grief—?"
Cai Zhao gasped in realization. No wonder she’d felt something was off when Mu Qingyan mentioned Lady Huang’s death years earlier—she hadn’t connected the dots then. "That’s right!" she exclaimed. "That night, that man calling himself Sha Tian kept saying his mother had just died from grief over her family’s massacre—so that was all a lie?!"
The Vast Heaven Gate disciples erupted in murmurs. Many had heard Sha Tian’s impassioned accusations that night, and now suspicious glances were cast toward the Four Stallions Gate members nearby.
Fan Xingjia frowned in confusion. "Then who exactly was this Sha Tian?""Sha Tian was a trained death warrior," Song Yuzhi closed his eyes, the events of that night flashing before him—at the brink of life and death, Song Maozhi had mustered all his strength, his palms like blades, plunging deep into Sha Tian's abdomen, nearly tearing out and shattering his spleen, lungs, heart, and liver. Yet the burly youth endured the excruciating pain, clinging desperately to Song Maozhi.
"I should have realized it sooner!" Song Yuzhi lamented bitterly. "That man's martial skills were crude, his footwork clumsy, yet his arms possessed inhuman strength, and he could endure unbearable agony—only someone specially trained could have reached such extremes. I should have known!"
His handsome eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Yang Heying. "You actually sent a death warrior to kill my brother!"
Yang Heying, now trapped, could only brazen it out. "Song Maozhi murdered Old Hero Huang's entire family! I sought vengeance for the Huangs—what of it?!"
Qi Yunke frowned disapprovingly. "Whether Song Maozhi is the true culprit remains undetermined. How dare you recklessly kill a disciple of our Brother Sects?!"
Grief-stricken, Song Yuzhi cried, "He sought to cover up his own guilt by pinning everything on my brother!"
Consumed by hatred for Yang Heying, he no longer doubted Mu Qingyan's words from the previous night and shouted, "After Old Hero Huang retired, he cut ties with the Martial World. No one knew his whereabouts—how could my brother have possibly found out?! Only you, you old scoundrel, could have known, because—"
"Because Grandfather worried about Mother and me, fearing we lived poorly, so he often sent us supplies..." Yang Xiaolan murmured, her face streaked with tears, her spirit broken. "That's how Father knew about Seven Bath Mountain!"
"Shut your mouth, you wretched girl!"
Yang Heying raised his sword to strike his daughter, but Yang Xiaolan nimbly dodged.
Madam Zhuo rushed forward, clutching her husband's sword arm, pleading with him to calm down. Enraged, Yang Heying flung her aside, and she struck her head against a brick wall, blood streaming down her face.
"Mother!" Yang Xiaolan screamed, rushing to hold her.
Yang Heying moved to strike again, but the onlookers could bear no more. Zhou Zhizhen shouted, "Hold!" while Qi Yunke slowly extended his palms, his sleeves billowing as a powerful, rounded force knocked the sword from Yang Heying's grip.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Yang Heying roared. "Even if I knew the Huangs were hiding at Seven Bath Mountain, why would I choose to refine Corpse Puppet Slaves there?!"
Qi Yunke retorted angrily, "Stop playing dumb, Yang Heying! We've all witnessed the process of refining Corpse Puppet Slaves—it requires vast resources: water, firewood, and a steady supply of living people. How else do you think Wu Yuanying and the others discovered the operation at Cauldron Peak Mountain back then?"—which led Wu Yuanying to rally the heroes to eradicate the menace, only to find it was Elder Yaoguang behind it all.
Zhou Zhizhen added, "Moreover, refining Corpse Puppet Slaves works best with cultivators. Ordinary folk yield weak results. Seven Bath Mountain was perfect—secluded, with water and forests, and home to retired martial artists. Though they were maimed, their cultivation remained. The nearby villagers could be enslaved, and if word leaked, the entire village could be silenced!"Yang Heying sneered coldly, "Fine, fine, fine! Tonight, you're determined to pin this grave accusation on me. What, Sect Leader Qi, are you planning to slaughter my entire family now? Unacceptable! Without concrete evidence, relying solely on empty words, I absolutely refuse to admit guilt!"
Qi Yunke's face was icy. "Families have their rules, sects have their laws. If anyone within the Big Dipper Six Sects commits such a heinous and insane crime, I will show no mercy! Yang Heying, you may leave tonight, but I will personally investigate Seven Bath Mountain afterward. Justice may be slow, but it is certain. With the massive scale of refining Corpse Puppet Slaves, I doubt you could erase all traces. When the time comes, I will summon heroes from across the land to confront you properly!"
Yang Heying let out a cold chuckle. "Very well, let's go!" He picked up his wailing only son, Yang Tianci, and ordered his disciples to carry the severely injured Sha siblings. With a noisy clamor, the large group departed without hesitation.
Yang Xiaolan watched Yang Heying's retreating figure, standing alone as she cradled the unconscious Madam Zhuo.
Song Xiuzhi sighed softly and took out a pair of emerald-green jade Ruyi rings from his robe, holding them respectfully in both hands. "Miss Yang, please forgive me. Your father framed and murdered my second brother, Maozhi. With such enmity between us, I fear our betrothal can no longer proceed. This engagement gift..."
Yang Xiaolan turned her head, her gaze hollow, as if she hadn't even seen Song Xiuzhi.
Just as Song Xiuzhi was about to speak again, a sudden gust of wind swept past. His hands felt momentarily empty—the jade Ruyi rings were gone, replaced instead by a white jade pendant, the very token Song Shijun had once given Yang Heying to seal their engagement.
Without a word, Yang Xiaolan lowered her head, hoisted Madam Zhuo onto her back, and walked away in the opposite direction of Yang Heying. Before leaving, she seemed to stamp her foot lightly. As her figure vanished into the night, the wind lifted a faint glimmer of green from the ground. Only then did the onlookers realize that Yang Xiaolan had crushed the jade rings into dust beneath her foot. Cai Zhao silently cheered, deeply admiring Yang Xiaolan's spirit and thinking her well worth befriending.
"Ah, Sect Leader Yang may act without scruples, but his daughter is a woman of strong character," Song Xiuzhi murmured with a sigh.
His hypocritical display of regret made Cai Zhao seethe with anger. Song Yuzhi stepped forward, furious. "Yang Heying is no good, but what about you? It was your public accusation against Eldest Brother that gave Yang Heying the chance to kill him!"
Song Xiuzhi wore a sorrowful expression. "At the time, I was severely injured and believed Maozhi had sent assassins. Overcome with grief and rage, I told everyone the truth. Had I known this would happen, I would have kept silent rather than utter a single word."
His words were cunning—while he claimed regret for speaking out, he still implied that Song Maozhi had acted improperly.
Many disciples of Vast Heaven Gate clamored in support, insisting Song Xiuzhi had merely told the truth and, aside from speaking too hastily, had done nothing wrong. Song Yuzhi found himself momentarily unable to refute them.
Cai Zhao stood beside Song Yuzhi and raised her voice. "In a single day, the Song family's main branch suffered countless casualties—the current sect leader severely injured, the heir apparent brutally killed, Sacred Hall's chief elder Uncle Pang Liu dead, and even the third elder, next in line for leadership, succumbing to his wounds. Even the Yang family of Four Stallions Gate has been dragged into the mud. Young Master Xiuzhi, surely you don't mean to claim you're entirely innocent and blameless in all this?"Song Xiuzhi frowned slightly. "I merely spoke of what I saw and heard, without adding or omitting a single detail. I never intended to cause misunderstanding about Second Brother Maozhi, nor did I ever harbor any intention to frame him."
Cai Zhao sneered. "You say you didn't, so that makes it true? In that case, tomorrow I'll hire a hundred or two storytellers to spread tales of what happened at Vast Heaven Gate far and wide. Let all the heroes of the realm and common folk alike witness the spotless, immaculate conduct of our noble Young Master Song Xiuzhi!"
Song Xiuzhi finally changed his expression, turning to Qi Yunke: "Sect Leader Qi, clearly it was Sect Leader Yang who harbored ill intentions and framed my second brother. Now Miss Cai is being so aggressive—does she intend to accuse me of killing my brother, coercing my father, and scheming to frame others? Does Sect Leader Qi plan to condemn me in the name of leading the Big Dipper Six Sects?"
Cai Zhao stepped in front of him. "Don’t play the victim by feigning retreat! Why would Yang Heying frame Song Maozhi for no reason? Could it be because he, a mere Yang, could never become the leader of Vast Heaven Gate? No—it was all for the sake of his precious son-in-law! Enough, let’s not beat around the bush..."
She suddenly raised her voice. "In short, I absolutely refuse to accept Song Xiuzhi as the next leader of Vast Heaven Gate!"
His supporters behind him erupted in fury, stepping forward to curse: "Who do you think you are? Since when do you get a say?"
Cai Zhao planted her hands on her hips and shot back: "I may not be anyone important, but I still refuse to accept it!"
—If not for the tense standoff, Fan Xingjia, who was hiding in the back, would have burst out laughing.
"Zhao Zhao, don’t speak recklessly," Zhou Zhizhen lightly scolded, barely suppressing a smile. "Actions speak louder than intentions. The principle of avoiding suspicion is something the elders of Vast Heaven Gate surely understand."
No matter how Song Xiuzhi defended himself, it was his testimony that led to Song Maozhi’s death and Song Shijun’s severe injuries. If he were to succeed as leader now, it would raise too many questions.
These words, though seemingly mild, struck right at the heart of the matter, leaving Song Xiuzhi’s supporters both shocked and furious.
The great-uncle from the fifth branch stepped forward. "Sect Leader Qi, though the six sects are united as one, for two hundred years, each has managed its own affairs. Unless it involves truly heinous acts, the disputes and grievances of one sect should be handled by that sect alone. Brother sects should not interfere without cause, lest it sow discord among the six and give the Demonic Cult an opening—as history has shown us time and again. You know this well."
At these words, Qi Yunke’s expression turned grave. "...I am well aware."
The Big Dipper Six Sects had suffered misfortune these past two years. First, two successive leaders of Grand Beginning Temple were exposed as vile men and met tragic ends. The impending trial of Four Stallions Gate was sure to spark major conflict. Now, Vast Heaven Gate could not afford another misstep.
Seeing the chaos unfold, Fakong stepped forward. "This humble monk oversteps, but allow me to offer counsel. There are two matters that must be clarified—first, according to the carrier pigeon message from Fallen Blossom Valley, Sect Leader Song remains severely injured and unconscious..."
"Correct," the eldest son of the late third uncle loudly interjected. "In such a state, even if the sect leader survives, he can no longer lead Vast Heaven Gate."
Fakong continued, "Thus, an interim leader must be chosen—that is the second matter. Sect Leader Song now has only two sons left: Xiuzhi and Yuzhi..."
The second son of the late third uncle cut in, "By both seniority and merit, Xiuzhi should be the interim leader. As for Yuzhi, he’s spent over a decade at Azure Tower Sect and knows nothing of Vast Heaven Gate’s affairs. He’s unsuitable, utterly unsuitable!"
Cai Zhao could no longer hold back. "I think Xiuzhi is unsuitable too. The most fitting candidates are the two of you. They say those who survive great calamities are blessed with fortune. Since Chen Shu’s Five Venoms Palm didn’t finish you off, you must have plenty of blessings left."
The two sons of the third uncle flushed red. Whether they had been struck by the Five Venoms Palm or not, their talents and cultivation were far from exceptional.Zhou Zhizhen smiled faintly and shook his head as he pulled Cai Zhao aside. His gaze shifted slightly, and he said calmly, "Yuzhi, it's time for you to make your own decision."
Song Yuzhi straightened his robes and stepped forward, declaring loudly, "Given the circumstances, let us follow the old traditions of Vast Heaven Gate. I am willing to compete with my elder brother to determine the next sect leader."
Cai Zhao called out softly from behind, "Hey, Third Senior Brother, your internal and external injuries haven’t healed yet."
Fan Xingjia leaned over and whispered, "It's fine, it's fine. Song Xiuzhi’s cultivation isn’t that high."
Song Yuzhi didn’t turn around, his expression resolute. "To prevent further bloodshed within the Song family and chaos in Vast Heaven Gate, let this duel between me and my elder brother bring an end to it all."
Qi Yunke sighed. "Yuzhi, are you truly certain?"
Song Yuzhi nodded.
Surprisingly, Song Xiuzhi also agreed and even had someone bring forth a pair of swords. "Yuzhi, these are your Azure Rainbow and White Rainbow twin swords. They were left at the Sacred Hall’s entrance that night."
Song Yuzhi accepted the swords. "Thank you." As usual, he strapped Azure Rainbow to his back and wielded only White Rainbow for the duel.
"Begin." Song Xiuzhi raised his sword, its tip pointing skyward.
The duel between the brothers commenced, and in an instant, the air was filled with flashing blades.
Zhou Zhizhen took two steps back and watched quietly—
Song Yuzhi lived up to his reputation as the prodigy everyone praised. Despite the unfavorable conditions, his techniques remained impeccable, his movements graceful and superior in every way to Zhou Yuqi.
In the past, many had speculated that Zhou Zhizhen arranged this marriage for his son in hopes that Cai Zhao would assist him in succeeding as sect leader—even his own mother and wife believed so. Only Zhou Zhizhen knew the truth: he had never intended such a thing.
Zhao Zhao was carefree and innocent, while Yuqi lacked ambition. Even if they had married, Zhou Zhizhen had no plans for them to lead Jade Pendant Mountain Manor. He simply hoped his gentle and considerate son would cherish and protect Zhao Zhao for a lifetime.
Alas, his son’s heart belonged to another, and Zhou Zhizhen was not the kind of father to force a loveless match. The Zhou-Cai marriage was thus abandoned.
Song Yuzhi’s sword slashed diagonally, tearing open Song Xiuzhi’s robe hem—nearly striking him, but Xiuzhi dodged just in time.
Cai Zhao gasped, her eyes wide. Qi Yunke chuckled beside her, pulling the young girl back while rambling, "Zhao Zhao, stand farther away. Don’t let the sword aura graze you."
Zhou Zhizhen averted his gaze.
—Both he and Qi Yunke wanted the best for Zhao Zhao, but their visions differed.
Zhao Zhao herself had no lofty ambitions, so Qi Yunke wished for her to marry the most outstanding young hero in the world, enjoying wealth and admiration. But Zhou Zhizhen didn’t believe being the martial world’s supreme leader was necessarily good. As long as a couple shared mutual affection, spending their lives together in quiet devotion could be just as fulfilling.
At times, he couldn’t help but wonder—if only Mu Qingyan weren’t the leader of the Demonic Cult. The way Zhao Zhao looked at him, her eyes shimmering with emotion… it reminded him of how thirteen-year-old Cai Pingshu had gazed at him by the small lake at Jade Pendant Mountain Manor.
The two swords clashed mid-air with a resonant clang. Song Yuzhi, still weakened from his injuries, began to falter. Song Xiuzhi seized the opportunity to counterattack, his swordplay turning fierce and relentless, weaving a net of gleaming steel.
Zhou Zhizhen frowned.He knew that Qi Yunke had always wanted to match Zhao Zhao with Song Yuzhi. However, in his view, Song Yuzhi had previously been too smooth-sailing—arrogant and aloof, looking down on everyone, even less capable of facing adversity and setbacks than his own son. At least Zhou Yuqi had self-awareness; knowing he wasn’t cut out to be a sect leader, he had long planned to spend his future reading, appreciating paintings, and managing his family’s businesses and estates, living a quiet life behind closed doors.
If Song Yuzhi were clear-headed and intelligent, he should know that tonight was absolutely not the right time to duel Song Xiuzhi.
The third granduncle of the Song family and Song Shijun had fought to mutual ruin—one succumbed to severe injuries, the other remained unconscious—deepening the rift between the two factions.
Then there was Song Maozhi. Though it was the Sha family’s assassins who struck the final blow, the root cause was the united accusations and pressure from the Song family, which gave others the opportunity to act. If Song Shijun recovered, or if Song Yuzhi succeeded him, the Song elders and their disciples who had participated in Maozhi’s death would inevitably fear future retribution. Even if Song Yuzhi won tonight, he would face fierce opposition.
The best strategy would be to retreat for now and plan slowly.
Moreover, given Song Xiuzhi’s meticulous and flawless approach, his bold acceptance of the challenge tonight surely meant he was fully prepared.
"Roar—!"
A thunderous cry erupted from the arena, its momentum overwhelming.
Song Xiuzhi pointed his sword downward at Song Yuzhi, who had fallen to the ground with blood gushing from his shoulder.
Cai Zhao punched Fan Xingjia hard. "Didn’t you say Song Xiuzhi’s cultivation was mediocre? He’s clearly on par with Senior Brother Ding!"
Fan Xingjia clutched his shoulder. "I was just speculating, just speculating!"
"Even fortune-tellers get their stalls smashed if their predictions are wrong!"
While bickering, the two rushed into the arena, supporting Song Yuzhi from either side.
Fan Xingjia still couldn’t understand. "If his skills are this good, why did he make the hidden dart wound so shallow?"
"Oh, I get it now," Cai Zhao suddenly realized. "He never intended to kill Third Brother. What he wanted was to defeat him in front of everyone!"
—Whether Song Yuzhi was captured after being struck by the dart that night or challenged Xiuzhi tonight, the external injuries, internal wounds, family turmoil, days of exhaustion, and Xiuzhi’s deliberate feigning of weakness all led to this inevitable outcome.
Cai Zhao couldn’t help but admire this unassuming Xiuzhi. Among all the people she had met in her life, only Mu Qingyan could rival him in terms of cunning and depth.
"Third Brother, I concede to you," Song Xiuzhi said gracefully, sheathing his sword.
Song Yuzhi’s expression was bleak. "I was outmatched." He turned his head. "Master, let’s go."
"Don’t lose heart," Qi Yunke patted his shoulder. "Today’s defeat will become the stepping stone for your progress tomorrow."
After comforting his beloved disciple, he cupped his hands toward the Vast Heaven Gate members. "We part ways here today. When you lead the martial arts world in the future, I hope you will act wisely."
Song Xiuzhi naturally agreed humbly and even urged Qi Yunke and the others to wait until dawn before descending the mountain. When politely refused, he didn’t press further.
On the way down, Song Yuzhi suddenly said, "Zhao Zhao, I want to recover as soon as possible and completely expel the Netherworld Chill." As he spoke, a flicker of fire burned in his eyes, like the golden flames used to temper a sword.
Cai Zhao replied, "...Let’s return to Fallen Blossom Valley together and find the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower."
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