The night pressed heavily upon the mountain like a thick ink blot, devoid of any light. The unmanned Wind Cloud Peak howled with icy winds as distant owls tore at their vocal cords with shrieks, each cry more eerie and sinister than the last.
Cai Zhao and Yang Xiaolan hid silently behind a massive boulder. Time passed unmarked as the frigid air enveloped the two girls. Yang Xiaolan flexed her numb fingertips, feeling as though not a trace of warmth remained in her chest. Unable to hold back, she whispered, "Are you certain that person will answer your summons…?"
"He will," Cai Zhao replied firmly. "If my master succeeds in mastering the Demonic Art, the one he yearns for will surely die."
Days earlier, Cai Zhao had sought out Yang Xiaolan to borrow messenger pigeons from the Four Stallions Gate. After burying Yang Xiaolan’s mother, Madam Zhuo, the two girls stormed the sect. When Yang Heying’s lackeys dared to protest, Yang Xiaolan ran one through without hesitation, silencing the entire sect in fear.
Unhindered, they charged straight to the pigeon coop. After sparing two for Cai Zhao, Yang Xiaolan slaughtered the rest.
"He’s here," Cai Zhao hissed in warning.
At her words, a black streak shot through the air with the heavy clang of metal. Two thick iron chains, each wider than an arm, struck the cliffside of Wind Cloud Peak in rapid succession, their ends locking securely into iron rings embedded in the rock. Cai Zhao emerged from behind the boulder, leaping lightly onto the first chain. Yang Xiaolan hesitated briefly before following.
A violent gale surged through the mist-shrouded cliffs, whipping the girls’ robes and hair wildly. Even the heavy iron chains swayed under the force of the tempest.
Cai Zhao darted swiftly along the chain, glancing sideways at Yang Xiaolan. Though pale, the girl’s footing remained steady.
"You hesitated before stepping onto the chain. What troubled you?" Cai Zhao suddenly asked, her voice low but clear enough to reach Yang Xiaolan’s ears.
Startled at first, Yang Xiaolan quickly composed herself. "I wanted to ask if you truly trust that person. What if this chain leads to a trap?"
Cai Zhao didn’t slow. "Then why didn’t you ask?"
Yang Xiaolan replied, "Our journey was already a gamble with death. If we fear every shadow, we might as well not bother climbing the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff at all."
"Bold words," Cai Zhao praised.
Yang Xiaolan shook her head, a bitter smile touching her lips. "Since childhood, I’ve lived in fear—afraid of Father’s rage and beatings, afraid he’d take it out on Mother, afraid of the Sha family’s provocations and humiliations… Yet the more you dread something, the more fate delivers it. Now, I have nothing left to lose."
Cai Zhao sighed inwardly. "...It will get better. You still have a long life ahead, Xiaolan."
Yang Xiaolan’s voice was flat. "Yes. Once Yang Heying pays for his crimes, everything will be better."
Cai Zhao faltered, unsure whether to say, May you succeed in killing your father soon.
Ahead, the end of the chain came into view—a towering black cliff face like the gaping maw of a beast.
Steeling herself, Cai Zhao leaped forward, landing lightly beside the mechanism that had launched the chains. Yet the vast expanse of the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff lay eerily silent. The guards who should have been stationed there were nowhere to be seen.
Yang Xiaolan, catching up, frowned in surprise. "Why is there no one here?"—"Because I've already drugged them unconscious." A soft, eerie voice suddenly sounded.
The figure took a few steps forward, their silhouette fading into the shadows.
Cai Zhao seemed to have anticipated this and asked directly, "Where is Senior Sister Lingbo?"
The person replied, "I’ve searched everywhere but found no trace. I didn’t dare to inquire openly either."
"What about Madam Sulian?"
"Also missing."
Yang Xiaolan was full of questions, but having endured hardship since childhood, she had developed a calm and reticent nature. Since she had decided to trust Cai Zhao, she chose not to ask anything.
Cai Zhao grew anxious. "Could Senior Sister Lingbo have already been... killed by 'him'?"
The person shook their head. "'He' just emerged from seclusion at the beginning of the Yin hour yesterday. It seems he has broken through the second heavenly tier. After dawn, I never saw 'him' again—he’s likely begun cultivating the third tier. I’m frantic with worry, afraid you wouldn’t come." Their voice trembled slightly at the end, as if gripped by terror.
They looked up at the two girls. "Are... just the two of you here?"
Cai Zhao said, "Before leaving, I sent a carrier pigeon to my uncle and Aunt Zhixian. Judging by their travel speed, they should arrive soon."
"That’s good." The person seemed to relax slightly. "For now, don’t alert anyone. I’ll go back and see if I can pry any information from Li Wenxun."
"Alright," Cai Zhao agreed. "How much time do we have?"
"Less than two hours. After that, it’ll be dawn," the person answered.
Cai Zhao frowned and glanced around. "The guards at Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff change shifts every hour. There are also patrols not far in two other directions, also rotating hourly. The moment there’s any disturbance, they’ll sound the alarm. How did you arrange things to buy us two hours?"
The person explained, "The three teams currently on duty have already been drugged unconscious and hidden in the grass. Earlier, I also sneaked into the dormitories and drugged the next three groups due to replace them—so for these two hours, no one on Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff will notice anything. This is all I could manage. If I targeted more disciples, it might raise suspicion."
Cai Zhao was puzzled. "Won’t the other disciples sharing their quarters grow suspicious if those meant to replace them don’t return, or if those meant to go on duty don’t leave?"
The person replied, "After receiving your carrier pigeon days ago, I began preparations. First, I secretly checked the guard roster Li Wenxun arranged. Then, under the pretext of exterminating termites, I relocated a large group of disciples to temporary lodgings elsewhere. Coincidentally, the six teams on duty tonight were housed in two separate courtyards."
Cai Zhao was impressed. "As my aunt said, 'The child is father of the man.' You truly are meticulous and thorough. So, the knockout drug must be foolproof?"
The person whispered, "It’s the same knockout drug your mother taught me to prepare years ago. They won’t wake for three hours... I—I’ve always been deeply grateful for Female Knight Cai’s kindness."
"Oh, really? I thought your heart belonged only to the Yin mother and daughter!" Cai Zhao sneered. "Fine, go now!"
The figure staggered a few steps, and as moonlight fell on their face, it revealed none other than Zeng Dalou.
His expression was one of shame as he turned and left without another word.
Only after he had gone did Yang Xiaolan speak. "Are we to wait here until Female Knight Zhou and the others arrive?""No, we can't wait any longer. The sooner we find my master, the better chance Senior Sister Lingbo has. Let's scout Dusk Micro Palace first," said Cai Zhao. "We'll return here in an hour and a half to rendezvous with Aunt Zhixian and the others."
Yang Xiaolan readily agreed.
The two young women soon vanished into the misty night.
About an hour later, faint clinks sounded from the iron chains at the cliffside. A black-robed youth with wide sleeves leaped across, the delicate golden embroidery on his hem shimmering faintly in the dim light as his graceful figure soared through the night air, ascending the cliff.
After a brief glance around, he immediately vaulted toward the direction where the inner sect disciples resided.
Another half hour passed before a large group of armed martial artists rapidly ascended Wind Cloud Peak under cover of darkness. Leading them were Master Juexing and Zhou Zhixian, followed by a contingent comprising one-third warrior monks from Evergreen Temple, one-third disciples from Jade Pendant Mountain Manor, and one-third martial artists of various affiliations led by Yunzhuan Daoren.
Seeing two iron chains already secured at the cliff edge, Master Juexing immediately called out to the crowd behind him: "No time to waste, everyone! Quickly ascend Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff!"
Yunzhuan Daoren gave a loud cheer and moved to climb the chains first.
Zhou Zhixian, being cautious, stopped them: "How do we know this isn't a trap set by the other side? We don't even know if Zhao Zhao has arrived yet!"
At this moment, You Guanyue suddenly emerged from the crowd. With a mocking smile, he sneered: "What does it matter? You orthodox sects are so precious about your lives, but we don't mind. I'll just call some brothers from below to scout the way. Life and death are in heaven's hands—no need for all this fuss."
Zhou Zhixian thought to herself that Demonic Cult members were indeed ruthless and fearless. She said solemnly: "The Demonic Cult Leader has promised me that unless the situation becomes truly desperate, none of your people will set foot on Nine Conch Mountain!"
Shangguan Haonan could no longer contain himself: "For the sake of your North Star's troubles, I mobilized forces from all fourteen divisions day and night to come assist, yet you treat us with such suspicion—only allowing us to bring a few subordinates up the mountain while keeping the rest below! What kind of reasoning is this? At this critical juncture, you're still clinging to these empty formalities!"
Zhou Zhixian remained composed: "Chivalry is an empty formality. The North Star's legitimacy is an empty formality. Even the two-century foundation of the six sects is but an empty formality. But without these 'empty formalities,' why don't we just disband the six sects and let your cult rule the world?"
Yunzhuan Daoren snorted coldly: "After all, that scourge of a Purple Star Sutra originated from your Demonic Cult. If Qi Yunke truly masters the Demonic Arts, do you think the Vast Sea Mountain Range can remain unaffected?"
"You—!" Shangguan Haonan was speechless with anger.
"Enough, enough!" Master Juexing mediated. "Stop bickering and listen to this humble monk, won't you?"
He pointed his Buddhist staff toward a corner beneath a large rock nearby, where there was a series of strange carvings resembling both flowers and birds.
"Look," he said. "This is my Ning family's... Amitabha, a monk shouldn't dwell on familial ties. This is my family's mark from before I took vows. These markings mean, 'I have arrived and gone ahead. All should be safe.'"
Zhou Zhixian relaxed: "So that's what it means."—The Ning family had very few members left. Old Madam Ning and her grandson Cai Han were hiding in a heavily fortified mountain bunker, while Shijing Yuantai protected a group of nuns and Cai Pingchun's family in Fallen Blossom Valley. Currently, the only two Ning family members outside were Master Juexing and Cai Zhao.
You Guanyue and Shangguan Haonan exchanged glances, both thinking that since Cai Zhao had crossed the cliff, the Cult Leader, who had arrived first on the Golden Winged Roc, must have already gone over as well. Since Mu Qingyan had crossed, as his loyal subordinates, they had no choice but to follow.
Only Ding Zhuo was deeply curious about the series of marks: "...Just a few scratches can say so much?"
Since there were only two iron chains at the moment, to prevent overcrowding and people falling, Master Juexing ordered everyone to line up and maintain proper spacing before crossing the cliff one by one. Ding Zhuo went first so that after reaching the other side, he could operate the mechanism to shoot over more chains.
The Dusk Micro Palace was dimly lit, with a few massive night-shining pearls embedded in the towering palace pillars, emitting a faint glow.
Cai Zhao and Yang Xiaolan darted lightly across the palace beams like two agile swallows. Yet from the first hall to the seventh, each was empty, dark as night, with only a few disciples patrolling like ghosts.
"It seems Sect Leader Qi isn't in the Dusk Micro Palace," Yang Xiaolan whispered, lying flat on a beam.
Cai Zhao mouthed back, "Not necessarily. There are hidden chambers in the palace."
Yang Xiaolan: "Where are they?"
Cai Zhao gave a bitter smile: "Over two hundred years, each sect leader built secret rooms whenever they pleased—one when happy, two when not. With so many now, I have no idea where Master might be."
Yang Xiaolan was patient: "Luckily, it's still early. Let's avoid the guards and search hall by hall."
"Alright."
Truthfully, Cai Zhao wasn't very familiar with the Dusk Micro Palace. The only hidden chamber she had visited was the secret archive Song Yuzhi had shown her. However, raised under the Ning family's teachings, she knew the principles of mechanisms were often universal.
Hidden chambers and passages within buildings were usually located in three places: above, below, or between walls. Cai Zhao either observed air currents with incense ash or tapped lightly on bricks to listen for hollow sounds, often finding the hidden mechanisms.
Yang Xiaolan couldn't help but praise, "Fallen Blossom Valley truly has a profound heritage."
Cai Zhao said proudly, "This isn't Fallen Blossom Valley's skill—it was taught by my grandfather. He adored me."
Yang Xiaolan's expression darkened: "My grandfather also loved me dearly. For over a decade, he secretly sent money and gifts to my mother and me to spare us hardship."
Remembering the tragic deaths of Old Hero Huang's family, all caused by Yang Heying, Cai Zhao sighed softly and patted Yang Xiaolan's shoulder.
Outside, dawn was approaching. The two girls had been searching blindly through the dark, silent seven-layered palace without a clue. Fortunately, their exceptional lightness skills and quick reflexes allowed them to either evade the guards unnoticed or silently incapacitate them without raising an alarm. After combing through three grand halls, they still found nothing—either no hidden chambers were detected, or the ones they found had long been abandoned, their entrances nearly blocked by disrepair.
Sweating profusely from exhaustion, Cai Zhao grumbled in frustration, "I don't mean to speak ill of our ancestors, but if they were part of the righteous sects, why build so many secret passages and hidden rooms? The last time I saw such a mess was in the Demonic Cult's Paradise Palace!"Yang Xiaolan seemed lost in thought: "The line between righteousness and evil is often blurred. Look at my father, Sister Cai—cold, selfish, cruel, and ruthless. He might be even more wicked than the Demonic Cult villains. I've made up my mind to avenge my grandfather's family. If heaven favors me today and I succeed, I wonder how the world will judge me in the future. When that time comes, sister, do you think I'll be considered righteous or evil?"
She spoke these shocking words about patricide with eerie calmness.
Cai Zhao was taken aback but immediately responded, "Avenging the tragic deaths of Old Hero Huang's family is undoubtedly righteous!" Then she hesitated, "Actually... I could do it for you..."
"This is something I must do myself, or I'll never overcome my inner demons," Yang Xiaolan shook her head. "Sister, you don't know this, but I've been able to come and go freely in Four Stallions Gate since I was twelve. By last year, I'd even discovered several major flaws in my father's martial arts. Lately, I often wonder—if I hadn't been so cowardly, if I'd taken my mother to seek refuge with my grandfather earlier, maybe so many people wouldn't have died."
Cai Zhao's heart grew heavy: "You can't think like that. Perhaps, perhaps..."—perhaps you and your mother would have been wiped out along with the Huang family.
Unable to voice this, she changed the subject: "Soon we'll go to Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff to meet Aunt Zhixian and Uncle. With more people, we'll surely find what we're looking for."
When they reached the True Unity Hall in the fourth layer of Dusk Micro Palace, Cai Zhao noticed the eastern wing seemed several zhang shorter than the western one. Her heart leaped with excitement as she prepared to jump over, when suddenly Yang Xiaolan hissed a warning: "Someone's here!"
A tall figure flickered intermittently in the great hall, moving sporadically as if searching for something. Detecting movement in the eastern wing, the figure instantly lunged forward with astonishing speed and complete silence—like a bat in the night—only the faint rustle of robes betraying their presence to Yang Xiaolan's alert ears.
Reacting swiftly, Cai Zhao pulled Yang Xiaolan into a dark side chamber to hide before even identifying the newcomer.
"Zhao Zhao, come out." A familiar male voice broke the silent hall's stillness.
Cai Zhao tensed, inwardly cursing this nemesis of hers!
In the faint glow of a Night-Shining Pearl, the young man's high nose and thin lips formed a sharply handsome profile.
Yang Xiaolan clearly recognized him. "Leader Mu?" She turned to Cai Zhao, only to see the girl's pretty face twisted in gritted teeth.
"Sister Zhao Zhao..." she said, surprised.
"Zhao Zhao, come out." Mu Qingyan's voice was especially clear in the quiet hall. "I see you."
Yang Xiaolan looked uncertain: "Sister, should we...?"
"Ignore him! He's bluffing!" Cai Zhao gritted her teeth.
Mu Qingyan scanned the long side hall. "Zhao Zhao, are you coming out or not?" he demanded.
Crouching in the shadows, Cai Zhao smirked coldly—let him find us if he can.
"Zhao Zhao, remember the Mystic Iron gong outside Facing Sun Hall?" Mu Qingyan suddenly said. "I'll count to three. If you don't come out, I'll strike that gong. When everyone comes running, our plans will be ruined—neither of us will get what we want!"
Yang Xiaolan gaped: "Leader Mu must be joking. What good would alerting everyone do him? He'd be surrounded too. He's just trying to scare us."Cai Zhao gritted her teeth. "Hard to say. A madman is capable of anything!"
"One, two, three... Fine, you've got nerve. I'll grant your wish!" Mu Qingyan turned without hesitation and leaped away.
Left with no choice, Cai Zhao emerged, suppressing her voice to a low growl. "Mu, will you ever stop this nonsense?!"
Upon seeing the girl, Mu Qingyan's eyes lit up with joy, and he reached out to pull her close. Cai Zhao coldly dodged his grasp.
"Stay away from me!" she said icily. "Between us, all that needed to be said has been said, and all that needed to end has ended. From now on, it's best if we have nothing to do with each other!"
Though her words were harsh, she thought to herself that this troublemaker was capable of anything when enraged. Not wanting to provoke him further, she feigned reddened eyes and said mournfully, "If my master succeeds in mastering the Demonic Art, I don't even know if I'll survive today. If you have any conscience left, don't interfere."
Yang Xiaolan huddled in a dark corner, one foot in shadow, the other in dim light, hesitating whether to step out and lend a hand or let Cai Zhao continue working her magic.
Mu Qingyan frowned slightly, showing no trace of sympathy. "I let Fan Xingjia take the Blood Orchid, giving Qi Yunke the chance to master the Purple Star Sutra . Aren't you going to hold me accountable for that? Your sense of justice seems rather half-hearted."
"How dare you say that?!" Cai Zhao's eyes instantly dried, blazing with fury.
Mu Qingyan continued, "Young Lady Knight Cai takes the peace of the world as her duty. If my selfishness leads to widespread suffering, wouldn't you want to take my wretched life to uphold justice?"
Cai Zhao was livid. "...Do you think I don’t want to?"
She was truly furious but also painfully aware she was no match for this troublemaker—especially with Qi Yunke’s Demonic Art to deal with first. In frustration, she slammed her palm against a nearby pillar, though she held back her strength to avoid alerting the guards.
Dust billowed through the desolate side chamber, even dislodging years of grime from the rafters.
Yang Xiaolan silently stepped out from the corner, brushing cobwebs from her hair and face.
Cai Zhao turned to leave, but Mu Qingyan blocked her path. "Wait. There are two more things I haven’t said."
"Out with it!" Cai Zhao nearly collided with his unyielding chest, barely stopping in time.
"First." Mu Qingyan spread his arms slightly, his gold-trimmed sleeves falling back to reveal jade-like fingers that seemed to glow in the dim hall. "Zhao Zhao, if you promise never to anger me again, never to run away from me again, I’ll let go of all the grievances from how you’ve treated me before."
"What... what did you say?" Cai Zhao almost doubted her ears. A scorching fury threatened to erupt from her nostrils—this despicable scoundrel! If he hadn’t deliberately let Fan Xingjia escape, none of this would have happened!
She snapped, "Even without the Purple Star Sutra , my master would have done evil—he’s schemed for years. But the situation today, forcing my uncle and Aunt Zhixian to risk their lives—isn’t it all your fault?!"
Mu Qingyan smiled. "Zhao Zhao, have you forgotten? I’m the leader of the Demonic Cult. Haven’t you always preached that good and evil cannot coexist? Harming the North Star’s leader and sowing discord among the six sects—that’s my duty."
Cai Zhao was speechless.Yang Xiaolan slowly ran her fingers along her back, the icy touch of metal meeting her fingertips as she remained on guard.
"Fine, fine! You're absolutely right!" Cai Zhao laughed in exasperation and turned to leave again.
Mu Qingyan blocked her path once more. "There's a second matter."
"Get out of my way!"
"I added something to that Blood Orchid cutting I took from Fan Xingjia's house."
The air froze for a moment.
Cai Zhao suddenly turned her head, and Yang Xiaolan froze mid-step.
Mu Qingyan slowly retreated a few steps, enunciating each word clearly, "Did you think I would let Qi Yunke cultivate the Purple Star Sutra without making any preparations?"
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