After leaving Vast Heaven Gate, Qi Yunke and his group had no desire to linger in the city for even a moment. They quickly gathered Li Wenxun and others from the inn along the way, then hurried straight out of the city, setting up temporary leather tents outside the city walls to rest.
It was only then that Cai Zhao noticed Li Wenxun wasn’t alone—he had actually brought along Zhuang Shu and several dozen skilled sect disciples, as well as a number of martial monks from Evergreen Temple. Everyone was fully armed and on high alert, clearly stationed outside as backup reinforcements.
By now, daylight had fully broken over the outskirts, but after days of tension at Vast Heaven Gate, even the surrounding wilderness was deserted.
Once everyone was settled in the tents, Qi Yunke began by questioning Cai Zhao and the other two about their experiences over the past few days. This time, Cai Zhao didn’t dare conceal too much—aside from omitting details related to the Purple Star Sutra , she truthfully recounted their whereabouts and encounters.
When the Blood Marsh’s formation was mentioned, Zhou Zhizhen’s fingers trembled slightly, his thoughts drifting: "...That year, she suddenly came to me excitedly, saying the so-called 'Demon Women' of Fallen Blossom Valley might have been misunderstood—so this is what she meant."
The young woman had also said that ancient legends aren’t always true, proving that the line between good and evil isn’t always black and white. But the young Master Zhou hadn’t taken her words to heart, merely offering his usual gentle smile before advising her to avoid trouble.
Many people, many things—by the time he understood, it was already too late, leaving him with nothing but regret and even a faint trace of resentment.
Hearing the same account, Qi Yunke snorted coldly: "Hmph, that demon surnamed Mu is no good. They must’ve known about the connection between the Blood Marsh and Fallen Blossom Valley all along—that’s why they specifically brought the Cai Family there! Ping Shu was too trusting, that’s why he was fooled so easily!"
While one sect leader was lost in sorrow and another in fury, Li Wenxun remained clear-headed, asking the crucial question: "Why did Mu Zhengyang take the mother Night Orchid twenty years ago? And why did Lady Cai later instruct the Blood Marsh survivors to destroy it?"
Cai Zhao calmly replied that this remained unknown, her expression flawless.
Song Yuzhi glanced at her but stayed silent.
Fan Xingjia, however, genuinely knew nothing: "We really don’t know why the Demonic Cult was so determined to go into the Blood Marsh. At the time, the Four Stallions Gate was chasing us outside the forest—we didn’t dare leave."
Qi Yunke continued his personal attacks with a resentful tone: "That Mu bastard must’ve had some other vile scheme—he just didn’t tell you!"
Cai Zhao nodded earnestly: "You’re absolutely right, Master. Those Demonic Cult followers are the most cunning—you can’t trust a single word they say. By the way, why did you, Uncle Zhou, and Li Shibo come to Vast Heaven Gate together?"
Song Yuzhi couldn’t help but glance at her again.
Qi Yunke sighed: "Well, originally, I’d already invited Fakong to join us with your Uncle Zhou. On the night Vast Heaven Gate descended into chaos, the three of us weren’t far from here. Ah, we were just two days too late."
Cai Zhao frowned slightly: "That Yang and Song Xiuzhi had been plotting this for a long time, colluding with traitors inside and out. Whether you arrived two days earlier or later, they would’ve launched their rebellion anyway."
"Well said," Li Wenxun agreed wholeheartedly.He had left the Azure Tower Sect only two days after Cai Zhao, Fan Xingjia, and Song Yuzhi. "The day after Yuzhi and the others set off, I received urgent news that the Four Stallions Gate had suddenly mobilized their entire force, armed to the teeth, traveling by night, heading straight for the Vast Heaven Gate."
The North Star sects each had their own rules. Unless it was to jointly resist an enemy under extreme circumstances, bringing a large contingent of troops into another sect's territory was highly improper. Li Wenxun, knowing that Qi Yunke and the others were heading to the Vast Heaven Gate, feared unforeseen trouble and immediately gathered his men to follow.
Fan Xingjia widened his eyes: "Right, right! Those who chased us had come from afar!"
Li Wenxun said, "I initially thought of sending a message by carrier pigeon, but I already knew that the sect leader and Master Zhou had left Jade Pendant Mountain Manor. By my calculations, they were either on their way to Evergreen Temple or had just left it. I worried that a message sent through the wilderness might be intercepted, and if a fight broke out, the sect leader would have no backup. So I decided to bring Zhuang Shu and the others with me."
Cai Zhao had been nodding along, but when she heard Li Wenxun's last words, something flashed through her mind.
Fakong said, "This old monk also does not know the reason behind the Blood Marsh, but since it was Lady Cai's instruction, there must be a reason. It's just as well that the Night Orchid mother plant was destroyed. What's urgent now is how to resolve the current conflict. This matter is not for me to decide alone. I defer to Sect Leader Qi and Master Zhou for guidance."
Zhou Zhizhen frowned. "The massacre of Old Hero Huang's family and the innocent villagers has now become widely known due to this incident. The North Star has always stood for righteousness—action must be taken. However..."
Qi Yunke hesitated before adding, "The difficulty lies in the fact that pursuing this matter to the end could weaken the North Star's strength. And now, with the Demonic Cult..."
Fakong sighed softly. "This old monk understands the concerns of both sect leaders. It is said that since the Demonic Cult purged the Nie-Lü rebellion, their discipline has become strict, their laws expansive, and they are clearly on the rise again. At this juncture..."
The three of them spoke in half-veiled terms, leaving much unsaid.
It was Li Wenxun who cut to the chase: "Then let’s deal with the Four Stallions Gate first. Someone like Yang Heying, who plays both sides, wouldn’t contribute much even if the Demonic Cult attacks! As for the internal strife in the Vast Heaven Gate, let’s set it aside for now and wait until Sect Leader Song wakes up to hear his opinion."
All eyes turned to Song Yuzhi. His heart burned with shame and fury, and he said hoarsely, "It is my own lack of skill that I cannot uphold justice for my father and brother. I ask the elders to prioritize the greater good. The internal strife of the Vast Heaven Gate will be settled by the Song family ourselves."
Li Wenxun said coldly, "Good that you understand."
Qi Yunke patted his beloved disciple’s shoulder sympathetically. "Don’t lose heart. Your master was called ‘useless’ for over a decade, but once I unlocked the ‘Heavenly Fire Dragon’ meridian, my progress came in leaps and bounds overnight. For the young, setbacks are not necessarily bad."
Unlike the Four Stallions Gate, the Vast Heaven Gate was not only strong and well-equipped but also had a vast influence. Most of its forces now supported Song Xiuzhi, who had shifted all blame away from himself. Under such circumstances, if the Azure Tower Sect and Jade Pendant Mountain Manor forcibly interfered in the Song family’s affairs, they would violate the North Star’s strict prohibition against internal strife.In simple terms, to resolve the internal strife within Vast Heaven Gate, it could only rely on the Song family themselves.
After the major matters were decided, everyone dispersed to their respective destinations.
Since it was decided to punish Yang Heying, Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen resolved to thoroughly investigate evidence at Seven Bath Mountain, ensuring the entire Four Stallions Gate and the martial world would be convinced. Fakong expressed his willingness to accompany them, while Li Wenxun led the disciples to stay temporarily at the nearby Jade Pendant Mountain Manor.
Song Yuzhi was eager to see his father, and Cai Zhao, worried about her parents, naturally headed for Fallen Blossom Valley (though in truth, they also needed to find the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower).
Qi Yunke thoughtfully assigned Fan Xingjia as well, saying, "Give Sect Leader Song a thorough examination. If there are any uncertainties, send a carrier pigeon to your Lei Shibo. Ah, it would be best if Brother Song recovers soon."
Fan Xingjia felt as though he'd been force-fed bitter herbs. After leaving the tent, he wanted to complain to Ding Zhuo, but Zhuang Shu informed him that Ding Zhuo had received news from his hometown—an elderly relative was on their deathbed and wished to see Ding Zhuo, their grandnephew, one last time. Thus, Ding Zhuo was either at the bedside or already on his way to mourn.
Cai Zhao burst into laughter and escorted the delicate Fan Xingjia back to his small tent to rest. But after walking just a few steps, she noticed Fakong standing alone beneath an old withered tree. Seeing the elderly monk's pallid complexion, marked by a faint aura of decline, she approached with concern.
Fakong smiled and shook his head. "Young benefactor, guess how old this old monk is?"
Cai Zhao guessed from sixty-three to seventy-eight, but the old monk only shook his head.
"If you add the ages of your parents and your aunt, that would be about right," the old monk said, studying Cai Zhao closely. "When I first met your aunt, the heroine Cai, she was about your age."
Cai Zhao lowered her head and muttered, "If only Aunt could have lived longer."
Fakong shook his head again. "This old monk has lived long enough. My senior and junior brothers have all passed into nirvana, and my disciples urge me to rest quietly in the temple... Rest quietly for what? To await nirvana in peace? We are monks, detached from worldly ties. Is there much difference between dying on a temple cushion or in the wilderness?"
Cai Zhao chuckled softly, recalling how her uncle, Juexing Zen Master, once said that Fakong had been a carefree and untidy monk in his youth.
"So many heroes—brilliant talents, indomitable spirits—have all faded or retreated, yet a mediocre one like me lingers on," Fakong sighed. "My greatest regret now is failing to realize back then that Heroine Cai intended to slay Nie Hengcheng alone."
Cai Zhao remained silent.
"To speak frankly, I was afraid then. Nie Hengcheng's minions were everywhere, running rampant. I only wanted to protect my disciples within Evergreen Temple, hiding within its walls, forgetting my duty to slay demons and protect the world."
Cai Zhao scoffed lightly. "Even Old Sect Leader Yin, the mighty leader of the Six Sects, forgot his duty and hid like a turtle. How could a small temple like Evergreen be blamed? There's no need for guilt, Master."
Fakong sighed for a long moment before suddenly saying, "Actually, back then, I once encountered that benefactor Mu Zhengyang on a night journey in the wilderness."
Cai Zhao froze.Fakong said, "At that time, Lady Cai had clearly just emerged from a fierce battle, bearing serious injuries yet her spirit remained high. Beside her stood a tall young man with a crimson brand on the side of his neck. This gentleman claimed the surname Yang, refusing to wipe the bloodstains from his face. Knowing he wished to conceal his true appearance, I offered him Evergreen Temple's healing medicines before we parted ways."
The old monk turned his head, smiling gently at the young girl. "Though this Young Master Mu may not be a good man, in this old monk's eyes, his affection for your aunt may not have been entirely false."
Cai Zhao remained wary. "After just one brief encounter where you didn't even see his face clearly, you know so much already?"
Fakong sighed. "Though it was but a fleeting meeting, the protective devotion in that Young Master Mu's eyes toward your aunt was evident even to the blind." Even after all these years, he could still vividly recall those beast-like eyes—fierce, cold, and wary, yet astonishingly beautiful. Only when gazing at Cai Pingshu did they show any warmth.
"As a monk, you certainly know quite a lot about such matters," Cai Zhao couldn't help but tease.
Fakong spread his hands helplessly. "What can I do? When men and women in this world suffer heartbreak, they often seek refuge in monastic life. Your mother was the same back then—though she never actually took vows, she certainly turned Hanging Temple upside down. As abbots, we naturally must understand these matters. Otherwise, when quarreling lovers come storming in, it's our peaceful sanctuaries that suffer."
Cai Zhao burst into laughter. "Master, you must live a long life. The world has too few amusing monks like you."
Fakong smiled faintly. "Having said all this, what this old monk wishes to say is... Young Miss Cai, when you return to Fallen Blossom Valley this time, look carefully around you. You may gain new insights."
Cai Zhao looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Master?"
Fakong sighed softly. "Attachment to one's homeland and lingering grief for the departed are sometimes hard to distinguish. Lady Cai has been gone four or five years now. Young Miss Cai, you have a long life ahead—don't let inner demons constrain your heart."
Cai Zhao laughed dismissively. "You're overthinking it, Master. Everyone who knows me understands I only care for peaceful days—good wine, fine food, entertaining operas, and comfortable living. What inner demons could I possibly have?"
Fakong offered no further explanation, merely shaking his head. "Your great-uncle, the late hero Cai Changfeng, traveled throughout the land. He often said, 'The world is full of kindred spirits; where the heart finds peace becomes home.' Today, I give these words to you."
By the time Fan Xingjia came to fetch Cai Zhao for lunch, she was still standing there in a daze.
After the midday meal, Qi Yunke gave some final instructions to disciples Song, Fan, and Cai before mounting their horses and riding off in different directions, their thundering hooves kicking up clouds of dust on the country path.
On a high distant peak, a tall young man stood motionless as his robes billowed wildly in the mountain winds like some great demon's shifting shadow. His deep eyes watched impassively as the two groups below departed in opposite directions.
After observing for a while, You Guanyue said quietly, "Lord, judging by their direction, Zhao Zhao seems to be returning to Fallen Blossom Valley."
Mu Qingyan's expression remained inscrutable, his gaze profound and unreadable.Shangguan Haonan hurried over from behind, clasping his fists and saying, "Hall Master, Elder Yan has arrived. Not only has he brought many documents, but he also claims to have discovered something urgent. Do you think we should—"
"No rush." Mu Qingyan's expression remained calm, his tone detached and indifferent. "I can roughly guess what Elder Yan has discovered. For now, let us first pay a visit to the eldest Song son."
"Now?" You Guanyue was taken aback. "In broad daylight?"
Shangguan Haonan asked curiously, "What's wrong with broad daylight?"
You Guanyue mumbled, "Last night, Miss Zhao Zhao said it wouldn’t be easy to escape from Vast Heaven Gate during the day..."
Mu Qingyan's lips curled into a faint smile. "...Pathetic."
Vast Heaven Gate, Sacred Hall.
The grand, dark circular dome and the square black jade floor symbolized the harmony of heaven and earth.
The flickering candlelight on the high altar resembled a vast galaxy, while the layered ancestral tablets above bore the names of Vast Heaven Gate’s sect leaders and their spouses over two centuries, along with revered elders of the Martial World.
Song Xiuzhi gazed greedily at it all—
When Yin Qinglian was alive, he had been forbidden from entering this place. After her death, he could only stand at the edge of the hall during ceremonies, while Song Maozhi and Song Yuzhi flanked their father, Song Shijun, standing proudly at the most prominent center.
"Heh heh heh..." He stared fixedly at Yin Qinglian’s tablet, letting out a low, almost manic laugh from his throat. "Song Maozhi, the illustrious and virtuous; Song Yuzhi, the flourishing and majestic—such grand aspirations, such fine reputations. And yet, they’ve all fallen to me in the end. Ha ha ha ha ha..."
"Quite true," a clear, amused male voice suddenly rang out.
The abrupt appearance of a second person in the silent hall put Song Xiuzhi on high alert. He barked sharply, "Who’s there? Show yourself!" At the same time, he yanked a hidden lever beneath the table, triggering a piercing alarm from brass horns outside.
Dozens of Hall Guardians stationed outside the Sacred Hall burst through the doors in an instant, some drawing bows, others brandishing gleaming blades.
Mu Qingyan stood composedly in the center of the hall. "Eldest Young Master Song, there’s no need for such a show of force. I merely wish to ask you two questions. Would you kindly dismiss your guardians?"
Song Xiuzhi said coldly, "Righteousness and evil cannot coexist! Vast Heaven Gate has nothing to say to the Demonic Cult!"
"Righteousness and evil cannot coexist?!" Mu Qingyan laughed mockingly. "I have never framed my own kin, leading to their deaths, nor conspired with outsiders to harm my own father. Between the two of us, whose hands are truly stained with the blood of their own flesh and blood? No matter how prettily you speak or how thoroughly you shift blame, it’s nothing but self-deception. Do you truly believe the world doesn’t know what kind of creature you are?"
Mu Qingyan’s words had always been sharp and cutting, but now, spoken without restraint, each syllable struck like a blade, drawing blood. The surrounding Hall Guardians exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring among themselves.
"You—!" Song Xiuzhi’s jaw tightened, his gaze venomous. "Demonic Cult fiend, with your silver tongue! Today, I will slay you and rid the world of a great scourge!"
With a wave of his hand, the Hall Guardians erupted into fierce battle cries and charged forward in unison.Mu Qingyan burst into loud laughter, his palms striking out repeatedly as his sleeve-generated gale-force energy surged wildly like an invisible tide toward the Hall Guardians. The hall echoed with incessant clanging sounds as the Guardians barely managed to steady themselves against the fierce winds. To their astonishment, they discovered their weapons had all been shortened—as if cleanly sliced by a sharp blade. Sword tips were gone, saber edges were truncated, and crossbow arrowheads had vanished...
Mu Qingyan flicked his sleeve back and made a grasping motion in the air. A crystal long-life lamp beside Song Xiuzhi's face shattered with a crack, splattering his face and robes with scalding, flame-licked oil—yet Song Xiuzhi stood frozen like a clay statue, not daring to move a muscle, his heart filled with terror.
Dropping his wide sleeves and withdrawing his energy, Mu Qingyan's breath became calm and leisurely once more. In moments, he transformed back into the noble young master who might idly pluck flowers or admire the moon.
He said mildly, "When I asked the Hall Guardians to withdraw, it was entirely for Young Master Song's benefit. If you'd prefer otherwise, I could just as well ask my question in their presence—Tell me, Young Master Song, was the person who informed you about Seven Bath Mountain dressed in black with a masked face..."
Before he could finish, Song Xiuzhi urgently interjected, "All Guardians withdraw! Close the hall doors! Everyone must retreat twenty paces from the Sacred Hall!"
Dozens of Hall Guardians hesitated but ultimately obeyed, exiting the hall.
The vast, silent Vast Heaven Sacred Hall now held only Mu and Song.
Song Xiuzhi's eyes turned dark and venomous as he hissed through gritted teeth, "How much do you know?!"
Mu Qingyan clasped his hands behind his back and strolled leisurely through the hall. "Several months ago, you suddenly learned that Yang Heying was refining Corpse Puppet Slaves at Seven Bath Mountain and personally went to investigate. There in the mountains, you encountered Yang Heying 'hard at work.' Finding yourselves kindred spirits, you immediately hatched a vicious scheme together."
"After returning to Vast Heaven Gate, you had someone casually mention Seven Bath Mountain in Song Maozhi's hearing. The more he grew intrigued, the more you pretended to dissuade him—until finally Maozhi couldn't resist sneaking away from Vast Heaven Gate's people to recruit followers on his own. Once Maozhi had gathered his forces, Yang Heying ordered his death warriors to slaughter all the newly recruited men in a single night, then used Vast Heaven Gate's techniques to kill the long-imprisoned Yellow Sand Gang members—thus completing your grand design."
"A few days later, Yang Heying 'discovered' Old Hero Huang's family brutally murdered and came clamoring to Vast Heaven Gate demanding justice. Then you pretended to be assassinated, pointing an accusatory finger at all of Maozhi's previous suspicious behavior while wearing an expression of grief and indignation... That's roughly how it went, isn't it?"
As he spoke, Mu Qingyan watched Song Xiuzhi's face alternate between green and red, his eyes flickering with fear and suspicion—confirming that his deductions were at least mostly correct.
Song Xiuzhi forced composure. "...How could you know all this? Did—did Yang Heying tell you?"
Mu Qingyan replied mildly, "For an unfavored, powerless illegitimate son to orchestrate such an elaborate scheme always struck me as doubtful—not that you lack the cunning, but you simply don't have sufficient manpower or intelligence networks."
"Have you finished mocking me?" Song Xiuzhi said coldly. "Vast Heaven Gate's successive leaders have always taken multiple wives and concubines to produce many children, then selected the most outstanding as the next leader. There's no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate heirs—why shouldn't I contend for the leadership position?!""Of course you can compete, and I even admire you for it," Mu Qingyan said with a light laugh. "But strictly following Vast Heaven Gate's rules, the most outstanding Song family disciple of this generation should be Song Yuzhi, not you. Even with his old injury still unhealed, you're still no match for him."
Song Xiuzhi's face flushed red. "Martial prowess isn't the only measure for a sect leader. Song Yuzhi has been pampered since childhood, arrogant and aloof. How could someone like him properly lead Vast Heaven Gate?"
"Such lofty aspirations, truly remarkable!" Mu Qingyan clapped twice without enthusiasm, offering perfunctory encouragement. "Let's get back to the matter at hand—Seven Bath Mountain is a hundred miles from Vast Heaven Gate. You wouldn't have known about the events there without reason. So, someone must have deliberately come to inform you of Yang Heying's misdeeds."
"My question is precisely this—who was the person that came to expose this secret?"
Song Xiuzhi's pupils contracted as the strange encounter from that night flashed vividly before his eyes—the unfathomably powerful man in black, who had solemnly and deliberately revealed Yang Heying's heinous crimes in Seven Bath Mountain.
"To be frank with Sect Leader Mu, Xiuzhi truly does not know that person's identity."
Mu Qingyan stared at him coldly, like a predator eyeing the neck of its prey, not uttering a word.
The silence carried its own intimidating force.
Song Xiuzhi was acutely aware that this Demon's martial prowess far surpassed his own, and that he would not hesitate to disregard any pretense of courtesy. With just a single thought, this man could end his life instantly.
Beads of cold sweat began to form on his brow: "At this point, there's no reason for me to conceal anything. I genuinely don't know who that person was. All I know is that his martial arts were extraordinary, his movements ghostly, and he was completely shrouded in concealment. I couldn't discern the origins of his techniques at all."
Having heard this same answer multiple times, Mu Qingyan had already braced himself for disappointment, though it stung anew.
He pressed further: "Was the scheme to frame Song Maozhi and seize the sect leadership your own idea, or was it suggested by that masked informant?"
A glint of pride flashed in Song Xiuzhi's eyes as he answered bluntly: "It was my own."
Mu Qingyan seemed slightly surprised. "You came up with such a meticulous plan immediately upon hearing about Seven Bath Mountain?"
His expression seemed to say: If true, you're a damned genius at scheming and intrigue!
Recognizing the implication, Song Xiuzhi felt both embarrassed and indignant. "So what if I did?! With careful observation over time, many things become apparent."
"Song Maozhi acts tyrannically toward his superiors and arrogantly oppresses those below him, yet Father blindly favors him. The three elders have long been discontent and deeply opposed to Maozhi succeeding as sect leader! Yang Heying is venomously jealous and narrow-minded, while Father, priding himself as a chivalrous hero, never bothers with discretion in words or deeds—he has thoroughly offended this petty man."
"Vast Heaven Gate may appear flourishing, but it conceals hidden crises. Pitifully, Father and Maozhi remain oblivious and unprepared! With Yuzhi stranded at Azure Tower Sect, if I hadn't stepped forward to play the villain, would we have waited until the Song clan tore itself apart in open civil war?"
These thoughts had festered in Song Xiuzhi's heart for so long, yet he could never voice them. As the most "humble, gentle, and indifferent" Young Master Xiuzhi of Vast Heaven Gate, how could he admit to having long plotted against his own father and brother instead of warning them?
Now, facing the sworn enemy of the Demonic Cult, he found himself able to speak freely at last.
Mu Qingyan nodded thoughtfully: "That's true. Given Song Maozhi's temperament, even if the three elders could endure it, the younger disciples under them might not be so patient."He continued, "So according to you, colluding with Yang Heying to frame Song Maozhi, rallying the clan elders, and scheming for the sect leader position—all were for the greater good of Vast Heaven Gate, without a shred of personal ambition?"
Song Xiuzhi was momentarily speechless, a surge of shame, anger, and venom rising in his heart.
Suppressing his rage, he spoke in a measured tone, "The reputation of Sect Leader Mu precedes you like thunder. Even within Vast Heaven Gate, I've heard of your fame. Though North Star and your sect have been rivals for two centuries, the Mu family built their dominion through their own efforts. To have it usurped by the Nie uncle and nephew for decades is truly lamentable. When word spread that Sect Leader Mu reclaimed his family's legacy and avenged his ancestors, who wouldn't call it a satisfying justice?"
"Though I dare not claim to be entirely selfless," Song Xiuzhi continued, his voice trembling, "if not for Song Maozhi's incompetence, Father's favoritism, and my poor birth mother..." Tears suddenly streamed down his face. "She was just a lowly maid in Vast Heaven Gate. Who could have imagined Yin Qinglian would never tolerate her existence! My mother died mere years after giving birth to me—Yin Qinglian claimed she fell ill, moved her to a suburban estate, then soon after declared her dead from illness. Only later did I discover... did I learn..."
"Yin Qinglian poisoned her? Made her suffer a slow death?" Mu Qingyan helpfully filled in.
"Exactly!" Song Xiuzhi erupted in fury. "My mother was gentle and meek, utterly without guile. If ordered to serve the young master, how could she refuse? What fault was hers? Had she not left a final message hidden in a pillow, I'd have remained ignorant forever!"
Hearing this, Mu Qingyan suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! You so-called righteous sects always need lofty justifications for everything! 'For the greater good,' 'for my mother's vengeance'... Had Song Maozhi been virtuous and unchallenged, had your mother died naturally, would you have obediently served under him without complaint?"
His mocking laughter ceased, eyes turning cold as frost and sharp as blades. "Stop pretending! The only reason for your schemes is simple—you wanted to be sect leader. You craved power for yourself!"
For the first time since adulthood, Song Xiuzhi was left red-faced and speechless under such scathing words.
"Also," Mu Qingyan said slowly, "I've never looked down on Nie Hengcheng. On the contrary, he seized power and commanded the loyalty of most followers through his own blood-soaked battles. I deeply respect that!" With that, he turned toward the door.
Song Xiuzhi took a hesitant step forward. "Is that all? You're finished questioning?"
Mu Qingyan raised his left sleeve, pushing it toward the distant gate as if gesturing, then glanced back. "I've learned what I needed. Asking more would yield nothing."
Pausing, he added with a faint smile, "Young Master Xiuzhi, let me offer two final pieces of advice—your motives matter little. What matters is holding onto the power you've seized. Never relinquish it, not even if your father returns! So long as you maintain it firmly and long enough, in time you'll become Vast Heaven Gate's legitimate lineage. Then you could toss Yin Qinglian's memorial tablet into a slop bucket, and none would dare protest!"
Song Xiuzhi's heart surged, as if the deepest desires within him had been stirred. Unable to resist, he pressed, "Sect Leader Mu, is holding such power truly so intoxicating?"—Even if it meant the deaths of his father and brother, would it still be worth it?As these words were spoken, the main gate of Guangtian Sacred Hall began to creak open slightly, revealing three rows of vigilant Hall Guardians standing about twenty paces away.
Through the gradually widening gap, bright daylight slowly filtered into the dimly lit hall. The exquisite relief carvings on the dark jade walls came into view as a tall young man stood silhouetted against the light—half his figure dissolved in brightness, half submerged in darkness.
"More than wonderful—utterly marvelous."
He raised his dark, intense eyes, momentarily lost in the daylight's glow. "With boundless power at your command, you can have whatever you desire. You'll never lose anything again, never feel powerless again."
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