Over there, Yang Heying was still making veiled accusations, implying that Fallen Blossom Valley had been negligent in its duties.
Ning Xiaofeng smiled politely, "Is there more? Do speak up and don't hold back. Don't be like an old woman with no teeth, sipping porridge in dribs and drabs. Better to say it all at once."
Yang Heying's expression stiffened before he forced another smile. "Very well, I'll speak plainly. Our six sects once vowed to uphold justice in the world, yet Fallen Blossom Valley remains secluded behind closed doors day after day. Though Nie Hengcheng is dead, petty villains still stir up trouble in the martial world. Fallen Blossom Valley turns a blind eye—does this not contradict our righteous path?"
Song Shijun felt the discussion had veered off course and snapped irritably, "We were discussing Grand Beginning Temple. Why drag this up, Brother Yang? The Cai Family has always been like this. When it comes to Grand Beginning Temple—"
"Sect Leader Song, don't interrupt," Ning Xiaofeng teased. "Sect Leader Yang is singing such a lovely tune about how Fallen Blossom Valley fails to rescue those in need, straying from righteousness. How can we not let him finish?"
Song Shijun rubbed his nose and shut his mouth.
A wise man doesn't argue with a woman, let alone a shrew—especially since he'd never won an argument against Ning Xiaofeng in decades and doubted Yang Heying would fare any better. So he decided to quietly watch the show.
Meanwhile, Song Maozhi, seeing his father silenced, wanted to jump in and retort, but Song Yuzhi pressed him down with an impassive expression.
Hearing the mockery in Ning Xiaofeng's tone, Yang Heying angrily listed more accusations of Fallen Blossom Valley's irresponsibility. Ning Xiaofeng neither denied nor acknowledged them, merely smiling and urging Sect Leader Yang to continue. Finally, Yang Heying fumed, "That's all! Nothing more! Now it's your turn! If you can't give a proper explanation today, how can Fallen Blossom Valley still claim to be part of the righteous martial world?"
"Finished? Good." To everyone's surprise, Ning Xiaofeng had no intention of engaging. She turned with a bright smile. "Sect Leader Qi, we're on your turf today. Won't you say something?"
Qi Yunke sighed deeply. He had expected this.
"Sect Leader Yang, well... Fallen Blossom Valley's seclusion isn't new. It's been over a hundred years. Perhaps... perhaps..."
Seeing Qi Yunke struggle, Zhou Zhizhen stepped in to help. "Fallen Blossom Valley has always been small in numbers, living a reclusive life. Sect Leader Yang knows this. Besides, after the repeated battles with the Demonic Cult, the Cai Family suffered heavy losses and needed time to recover. As fellow sects, we should show understanding."
"Brother Zhou is right, quite right," Qi Yunke said, relieved.
Yang Heying sneered. "That's no excuse. Though Fallen Blossom Valley keeps to itself, it used to intervene against injustice. Never before have they disappeared from the martial world for over a decade. Those who know might say they're recuperating—those who don't might think they've quit the martial world altogether!"
Zhou Zhizhen frowned, unwilling to argue with such a fool.
"Sect Leader Yang, you... you..." Qi Yunke was at a loss for words.
Yin Sulian quickly interjected, "What 'you, you'? I think Sect Leader Yang makes a fair point. Either withdraw from the martial world entirely—then no one would trouble Fallen Blossom Valley—or fulfill the duties of the righteous path. If you hold the position, you must act accordingly!"
Song Shijun suppressed a laugh, glancing at Ning Xiaofeng as he waited for the show to continue.After a moment, Qi Yunke clasped his hands and said solemnly, "Brother Yang, I may not be eloquent, but the world knows that Ping Shu and I were sworn siblings, bound by blood. Her brother is my brother, her family is my family. As long as the Cai Family has not betrayed their ancestors or committed evil deeds, I will not tolerate anyone slandering them. If anyone thinks they can bully her family just because Ping Shu is gone, I will fight to the death, regardless of any so-called camaraderie in the martial world."
It was well-known that Sect Leader Qi Yunke of the Azure Tower Sect was kind-hearted but inarticulate. Such fierce words had never been heard from him before, and for a moment, the hall was so silent one could hear a pin drop. Only Zhou Zhizhen calmly echoed, "Well said, Brother Yunke."
Ning Xiaofeng glanced at Yin Sulian with a faint smile, while Yin Sulian turned away in a huff.
Yang Heying's face darkened with anger, his hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly before he finally snorted heavily and sat down.
Cai Pingchun looked at Qi Yunke, then at his wife, and sighed softly without speaking.
Song Shijun, realizing there was no more drama to watch, curled his lip and turned to chat and laugh with others.
Servants filed in, presenting dishes and fine wine, and the banquet hall gradually regained its lively atmosphere as murmurs spread—
"I’ve never heard Sect Leader Qi speak so harshly before. Have you?"
"Of course not. Sect Leader Qi has always been gentle. Even when sect disciples make mistakes, he never punishes them severely."
"Nonsense! If it weren’t for Cai Pingshu back then, whether Sect Leader Qi would even be here today is debatable!"
"What? What do you know? Tell us quickly!"
"Well, I don’t know much myself, only that Cai Pingshu helped Sect Leader Qi greatly..."
Witnessing this, Cai Zhao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The leader of the world’s foremost sect was far too soft, to the point where even the Four Stallions Gate dared to act up. Back when the old Sect Leader Yin Dai was in power, who would have dared to speak with such insolence?
Chang Ning also sighed—not just inwardly but openly: "How did Sect Leader Qi, with such a mild temperament, even become sect leader? Oh, right, my father mentioned his formidable martial prowess, having defeated and slain many Demonic Cult experts."
Fan Xingjia: "..." Please don’t criticize my master right in front of me.
As the banquet began and food and wine were served, Fan Xingjia made a round to ensure everything was in order. Zeng Dalou, seeing that he alone could handle the guests, instructed Fan Xingjia to take his seat and enjoy the feast. Naturally, Fan Xingjia’s seat was in the east annex.
Dai Fengchi, as usual, fawned over Qi Lingbo with exaggerated enthusiasm, while Qi Lingbo, radiant as ever, flirted with the young heroes around her. After exchanging a few playful words, she would coquettishly tease Dai Fengchi before casting a charming glance at Song Yuzhi. Song Yuzhi, as always, sat as cold and unapproachable as an iceberg, exuding an aura of chill. He answered only a few words after being asked three questions. Ding Zhuo, true to form, dipped his chopsticks in wine before excusing himself with a half-hearted pretext to return to his training...
The scene left Fan Xingjia feeling like he had eaten a plate of salt-and-pepper ribs without any seasoning—bland and tiresome to chew. He mused that even the bickering duo of Chang Ning and Cai Zhao would have been more entertaining. Seizing the opportunity, he slipped away, grabbing a fresh jug of fruit wine and making his way to the opposite table.
After the earlier discord, none of the sects dared to provoke one another again. To maintain harmony, the conversation gradually turned to the Demonic Cult. After all, when it came to the Demonic Cult, everyone could unite in condemnation.One person claimed the Demonic Cult robbed families and looted homes, another said they committed all manner of atrocities, and yet another accused them of petty theft, even extorting spare coins from common folk. Song Shijun roared with laughter, finding it all highly amusing.
Qi Yunke shook his head slightly. "The Demonic Cult is indeed wicked, but surely not to such despicable extremes."
Yang Heying, his face flushed from drink, said, "The Demonic Cult has been declining day by day. Back then, under that villain Nie's command, his four great disciples—Zhao, Chen, Han, and Lu—struck terror into hearts. The Heavenly Dipper Earthly Fiend Camp slaughtered countless lives, not to mention the fearsome reputation of the Seven Stars Elders, who left neither man nor beast alive in their wake. But now... heh, they don’t even startle a chicken. Hahaha..."
Song Shijun retorted, "Brother Yang, that goes without saying! Who was the leader of the Demonic Cult back then, and who is it now? There’s no comparison! Nie Zhe may be Nie Hengcheng’s nephew, but in terms of skill and ability, they’re worlds apart. It’s only because the Demonic Cult has no one left that he’s become its leader!"
The leader of the Sand Tiger Gang chimed in, "Recently, we clashed with one of the Demonic Cult’s branches. Some of their followers said Nie Jun isn’t even the official leader yet—just an acting one. The cult is in chaos now, with factions fighting among themselves. No one has the mind to properly manage things. Even compared to Nie Hengcheng’s time, let alone when the old leader surnamed Mu was around, it’s a far cry." As Yang Heying’s brother-in-law, he had held his tongue earlier regarding internal matters of the Big Dipper Six Sects, but now he finally had a chance to speak.
Song Shijun scoffed, "Pah! It’s a good thing they’re too distracted to manage properly. If they were focused, wouldn’t the world be thrown into chaos again? By the way, how many years has Nie Jun been acting leader? Why hasn’t he been made official yet?"
Qi Yunke said gravely, "To become the true leader, all Seven Stars Elders must unanimously agree. But I’ve heard most of them are either dead or in hiding."
A relative of the Yin clan from the lower seats shouted, "Hahaha! Just as Old Sect Leader Yin predicted—the Demonic Cult’s warriors are unruly and only temporarily subdued by Nie Hengcheng’s might. Once he dies, the cult will surely descend into chaos!"
"Exactly. That’s why Heroine Cai went to slay the demons," came a mocking voice from a disheveled, monkey-like Daoist, skinny and short.
"It was all thanks to Old Sect Leader Yin’s brilliant strategies!" the Yin clansman protested.
"Without someone to kill Nie Hengcheng, all the strategies in the world are useless," the man continued sarcastically.
"Are you insulting Old Sect Leader Yin?!" The Yin clansman, fueled by drink, looked ready to flip the table and start a fight.
Yin Sulian could bear it no longer and shouted, "Who are you? State your name. I don’t recall the Azure Tower Sect inviting you."
The monkey-like Daoist turned to Qi Yunke. "Back then, at Old Sect Leader Yin’s command, everyone charged into the Nether Bamboo Path. Over a dozen of my masters, uncles, senior brothers, and disciples never returned—their bones lost forever. I barely survived and spent years recovering. Thanks to Sect Leader Qi’s kindness and remembrance, this living dead man was invited to the ancestral ceremony, and the ruined Clear Wind Temple, now devoid of life, was not forgotten."
Qi Yunke shot his wife a reproachful look before rising to clasp his hands in salute. "Your sect’s noble spirit stood firm during the world’s turmoil. Had my master still been alive, he would never have forgotten the righteous warriors of Clear Wind Temple. Daoist Yunzhuan, please, take your seat."Cai Zhao craned her neck to look for a long while. "Daoist Yunzhuan? That's Daoist Yunzhuan! Auntie once mentioned that Daoist Yunzhuan was eight feet tall, imposing and handsome, with a graceful and sharp Clear Wind Sword Technique. How... how could he..."
Fan Xingjia focused his gaze and after a moment whispered, "His entire skeletal and meridian system must have been shattered by someone. After years of paralysis, his body shrank to this state."
Chang Ning glanced over. "Bone Rotting Tendon Breaking Palm, the signature technique of Elder Tianji, Duan Jiuxiu. It's a miracle this man survived."
The guests exchanged glances. The assembled sects either had numerous disciples or lived carefree lives—none could compete with Clear Wind Temple in terms of tragedy. Thus, Song, Yang, and the others had no choice but to fall silent.
Seeing no one coming to her aid, Yin Sulian resorted to her infallible tactic—she immediately shed tears. "The casualties in the Martial World from the fight against the Demonic Cult aren't limited to Clear Wind Temple. Not to mention Uncle Cai and Sister Ping Shu, my martial uncles, Old Master Zhou, and Uncle Song were also brutally killed by the Demonic Cult..."
Song Shijun and Zhou Zhizhen grew solemn at the mention of their deceased fathers and remained silent.
"Not to mention my father and Sect Leader Yang's father. They thought they could live out their remaining years in peace after surviving Nie Hengcheng, but who knew... who knew they couldn't escape the revenge of Nie's disciples..." Yin Sulian wept pitifully, evoking sympathy from all.
Yang Heying's expression darkened.
Just as the atmosphere grew mournful, Ning Xiaofeng suddenly let out a soft laugh.
The laughter wasn't loud, but everyone heard it.
Yin Sulian glared venomously. "What are you laughing at? Mocking my father's death?"
"I would never mock anyone who resisted the Demonic Cult with unyielding courage," Ning Xiaofeng replied calmly. "But I suddenly remembered your elder sister, Qinglian Furen. Truly resourceful and foresighted. If not for her, the revenge of Nie's disciples might have been endless."
The remark seemed abrupt and cryptic to Cai Zhao, but those seated in the main hall understood perfectly.
"What does that mean?" Cai Zhao instinctively turned to Chang Ning.
Chang Ning's smile held a hint of strangeness. "Your mother never told you about this? Hmm, your aunt is truly a kind and decent person."
"Stop being cryptic. Are you going to explain or not?"
"It's actually very simple. After Nie Hengcheng's death, his disciples were furious and vowed to slaughter the Yin and Yang families to avenge their master."
Cai Zhao grew even more confused. "But it was my aunt who killed Nie Hengcheng. Why target the Yin and Yang families?"
"Because at the time, the Martial World believed it was Old Sect Leader Yin who killed Nie Hengcheng, with Yang Yi of the Four Stallions Gate as his assistant."
"What?!" Cai Zhao shot to her feet.
Fan Xingjia was startled. Noticing the surprised glances from around them, he quickly pulled Cai Zhao back down.
Chang Ning remained unperturbed, his movements gentle, his smiling gaze like flowing, translucent ice. Fan Xingjia thought to himself that Chang Ning must have been a pampered young master raised in the luxury of the Chang Family Manor. Once his sores healed, his striking appearance would surely be astonishing.
"The battle at Mount Tu eighteen years ago was earth-shattering, but only a handful were present," Chang Ning said, arranging six small cups in front of him. "Sect Leader Qi, who rushed there in haste, your mother, the Shi brothers who had already retired, and my father and Master Zhou, who arrived half a step too late."He arranged the wine cups, then moved them out one by one. "The area around Mount Tu was filled with Nie's followers. At the time, they didn't know Nie Hengcheng was already dead, so Sect Leader Qi had to handle the aftermath. Old Master Zhou was critically injured and lingering on the brink of death, so Master Zhou had to return to the manor immediately. The Shi brothers, one crippled and the other injured, supported each other and went into seclusion to recover. Only your mother and my father took your aunt back to Fallen Blossom Valley. For several years after that, they rarely left the valley."
"Rarely left the valley for years? Why is that?" Fan Xingjia asked curiously.
Chang Ning ignored him and continued, "The year after the Battle of Mount Tu, Old Sect Leader Yin held a victory banquet. At the feast, that old rogue Yang Yi, to curry favor with the Azure Tower Sect, shamelessly credited Old Sect Leader Yin with Nie Hengcheng's death."
Cai Zhao was shocked. "Even if others weren't there, didn't Uncle Qi say anything?"
"He did, but no one listened," Chang Ning raised an eyebrow. "Besides, even if Sect Leader Qi hadn't spoken, wouldn't Yin Dai himself know whether he killed Nie Hengcheng or not?"
Fan Xingjia wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
Cai Zhao felt extremely stifled. "...So Uncle Qi didn't refute it thoroughly either?"
"Yang Yi never explicitly said Nie Hengcheng was killed by Yin Dai, only that it was all Old Sect Leader Yin's doing. Old Sect Leader Yin then replied that Old Master Yang had also helped a great deal—after that, the Martial World spread the word that Nie Hengcheng was slain by Yin and Yang."
Cai Zhao was speechless for a long while.
Fan Xingjia interjected again, "How does Junior Brother Chang know all this so clearly?" He even knew exactly what the two elders had said back then.
"Because my father was also at that victory banquet."
Both Fan and Cai exclaimed in surprise.
"Why didn't Great Hero Chang clarify the truth?" Fan Xingjia asked cautiously, at least trying to salvage some reputation for his own master.
Chang Ning smiled. "At first, my father was also furious, thinking they were stealing credit from heaven. But later, he realized it wasn't so bad..."
Cai Zhao blinked her large eyes, slowly lowered her head, and bit her chopsticks.
Fan Xingjia's thoughts turned several times before he understood, and he could only sigh repeatedly.
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