The great fire burned for three days and three nights, reducing the magnificent Twin Lotus Pool Palace to ashes. Yin Dai's lifelong efforts to build boundless power and illustrious reputation were consumed by the flames, just like the collapse of this splendid palace. The Yin family's influence over the Martial World, which had lasted for more than thirty years, also dissipated like a fleeting dream with this downfall.
Once their common enemy vanished, the followers of the Nether Sect and the surviving members of North Star instinctively confronted each other like natural adversaries.
Cai Zhao kindly suggested that Mu Qingyan and his group descend the mountain first. When Mu Qingyan asked about her plans, she replied that she wanted to retrieve her master's body before returning to Fallen Blossom Valley.
Noticing Song Yuzhi, leaning on his twin swords despite his severe injuries, sifting through the rubble as if with the same intention, Mu Qingyan frowned and said unhappily, "This vast ruin would take days to dig through to find Qi Yunke's bones. Are you just making excuses to send me away first?"
Cai Zhao glared. "Be reasonable. If I don't keep watch, what if they desecrate Master's body to vent their anger?" No matter what, Qi Yunke was her aunt's sworn brother—she couldn't stand by and let such a thing happen.
Mu Qingyan sneered repeatedly. "You swore we'd stay together for life, your sweet words still ringing in my ears, yet you change your mind faster than you turn your face. If you want to collect Qi Yunke's remains, why not ask for my help? Do these broken stones and rotten logs recognize their masters, demanding that only fellow disciples dig them up?"
"Unreasonable!"
Cai Zhao was so furious she refused to speak to this madman until they rested that evening.
At night, she slept in Camellia Longevity Abode. Mu Qingyan, ignoring the suspicious and uneasy gazes of others, unabashedly occupied the outer chamber. Deep into the night, hearing Cai Zhao toss and turn, he draped on his sleeping robe and stepped inside, lifting the girl's blanket to lie down and hold her.
Cai Zhao caught the heavy scent of medicine on him. The young man's firm chest and sturdy shoulders were wrapped in layers of bandages, beneath which lay the brown ointment Lei Xiuming had applied that afternoon. Having grown up accustomed to the smell of medicine, she felt a fleeting sense of returning to childhood, when she would crawl into her aunt's bed, fragrant with herbs.
Her tense mind and body relaxed.
Mu Qingyan stroked her messy, soft, and fluffy hair, murmuring tenderly, "You're like a little kitten that's just been beaten, fur all ruffled and still baring its teeth. Tomorrow, I'll have two careful maids sent up."
Cai Zhao nuzzled against his chest and mumbled, "Little kittens don't need maids—a few licks will do."
Mu Qingyan kissed her forehead. "Didn't you say I was unreasonable?"
Cai Zhao sighed as if giving up. "I also said many times we'd never meet again. And what happened? Now, no one in the world thinks we're innocent. Ah, when Auntie roamed the Martial World, she valued keeping one's word above all. If she saw how fickle I've become, who knows how she'd laugh at me."
Mu Qingyan comforted her. "Don't worry. Few know about our quarrels. We can pretend we were never apart, and let the world believe we've always been devoted to each other, unwavering until death."
Cai Zhao slipped her slender arms from beneath the blanket to embrace him, pressing her cheek against the bandages on his chest. "Brother A-Yan."
"Hmm?"
"We'll argue again in the future."
"Most likely.""Don't take my words too seriously. During our previous separations, I was truly heartbroken as well. Even after returning to Fallen Blossom Valley, nothing tasted good."
"...I know."
Mu Qingyan tightened his arms around the soft figure in his embrace, his hand tracing along her spine. Beneath his fingers lay the tender skin of a young girl, interrupted by faint whip scars crossing her slender back. The old wounds stood in stark contrast against her delicate flesh.
His fingertips trembled slightly as they brushed over the marks. "Let me tell you something."
"Oh?"
"That day when you were punished at Grand Beginning Temple, I know you saw it as a decisive act to sever ties with me. But to me, it meant the exact opposite."
Cai Zhao lifted her head, confusion in her eyes: "Hmm?" Heaven knew she had feared being unable to cut ties with Mu Qingyan, so she'd endured the punishment at the cost of half her life, hoping the sect's severe discipline would wake her up and bring her back.
Mu Qingyan caressed the girl's cheek and continued, "I knew you couldn't bear to part with me, and I understood your resolve. After I left, I thought countless times that maybe it was for the best—that we were never meant to walk the same path. But in the dead of night, the image of you covered in blood haunted me, and I realized there was no escape for me."
Tears welled up in Cai Zhao's eyes as she buried her face in his chest. "I didn't want to be apart from you, but I couldn't bring myself to abandon everything and follow you either."
"I know. I understand everything," the man sighed.
The next morning, Cai Zhao awoke in an exceptionally warm place, as if wrapped in a cozy blanket. She looked up to see Mu Qingyan's unusually drowsy expression, his voice still hoarse from sleep.
"Are you trying to tickle me to death?" he chuckled softly, catching the girl's small hand that had been exploring behind him.
The mountain air was chilly, and with the chaos of the previous night, no fire had been lit in the room. So he pulled the blanket tighter around the girl, nuzzling her hair as he murmured, "...This wretched place has nothing to offer now. Let's head down the mountain first."
Cai Zhao kicked him lightly with her foot. "Get off my bed right now. What will people think? I still have my reputation to consider."
No sooner had she spoken than a loud voice came from outside the door. It was Cai Zhao's uncle, Juexing Zen Master, who barged into Camellia Longevity Abode with great commotion. "Zhao Zhao, get up! Your mother entrusted me to watch over you—you must eat breakfast before taking your medicine. Don't be such a sleepyhead..."
After the recent turmoil, there had been no fire in the house, and naturally, no servants to guard the door. In Master Juexing's mind, little Cai Zhao was still a baby in diapers, and he was never one for formalities. Thus, he marched straight into the inner chamber unimpeded, only to stop abruptly at Cai Zhao's bedside. Six eyes met, and the old monk's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he experienced for the first time in his life the urge to shout, 'Heavens above, where are the proprieties?!'
Seeing his delicate, precious niece wrapped in the same blanket as the Demonic Cult leader, he nearly exploded with rage, wishing he could devour Mu Qingyan alive.
After a long pause, he finally managed to say, "Amitabha, mercy mercy. You two better get the hell up right now!"
His tone was thunderous.
The first to descend the mountain was Yang Xiaolan. After cremating Yang Heying's remains and collecting the heads of the Sha siblings, she set off to pay respects to the tragically slain family of Old Hero Huang."The Four Stallions Gate has been plagued by deep-rooted ills for a long time, and those old scoundrels inside won’t be easy to deal with. If you find yourself struggling alone, don’t push yourself too hard—I’m here to help," Master Juexing said solemnly to Yang Xiaolan.
Yang Xiaolan shook her head. "The Yang family’s affairs must be settled by the Yang family themselves. Don’t worry, Master, I won’t overreach. If it takes a day, I’ll wait a day. If it takes a year, I’ll wait a year. If it takes ten years, I’ll wait ten. I have the patience to cleanse the Four Stallions Gate thoroughly and give the martial world a proper answer."
Lei Xiuming looked at the young girl’s resolute face, as if recalling another determined girl from many years ago. With reddened eyes, she packed a bundle of qi-replenishing and wound-healing pills for Yang Xiaolan to take along.
Shangguan Haonan also held Yang Xiaolan in high regard. Not only did he enthusiastically offer to help with the fighting, but he even escorted her down the mountain, making You Guanyue suspect he wanted to take her as his fourth wife.
"Purify your dirty thoughts! Men and women can simply admire each other without ulterior motives. With such a filthy mind, I’ll tell your wife Xing Er about it!" Shangguan Haonan declared righteously.
Though unjustly scolded, the words "your wife Xing Er" left You Guanyue inwardly delighted. He promptly turned back to directing his subordinates in moving their belongings.
Since Mu Qingyan was adamant about never separating from Cai Zhao, You Guanyue couldn’t let his beloved sect leader suffer any discomfort. Under the watchful eyes of the North Star disciples, he hauled chest after chest of household goods up to the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff—from combs made of sea dragon bones to quilts of water-silk, from snow lotus mouthwash to dishes inlaid with agate and jade—each item gleaming extravagantly, exuding sheer opulence.
While the North Star disciples remained composed, the heroes invited by Yunzhuan Daoren went from skeptical to increasingly envious, muttering sourly, "Hmph, crooked sects—wealth comes too easily to them!"
You Guanyue wasn’t about to take the insult lying down. He immediately dragged them off to excavate the ruins of the Twin Lotus Pool Palace, showing them the grandeur of the Yin family’s construction, which hadn’t spared a single coin.
After days of clamor, they finally cleared most of the ruins. Qi Yunke’s corpse was unearthed, along with the remains of many heroes who had perished tragically in the underground palace.
Seeing their comrades and dear friends either dead or maimed, the hot-tempered among the heroes couldn’t help but curse, vowing to tear Qi Yunke’s body to pieces. Some even clamored to burn down the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff and slaughter the Nether Sect members responsible for the tragedy. Though they were blinded by rage, Shangguan Haonan and You Guanyue kept their wits about them, cheerfully reminding them that the Nether Sect forces on Wind Cloud Peak were still strong and well-armed—so they’d better watch their tone.
As Mu Qingyan put it, the tangled grudges after a calamity were the most thrilling part of the drama.
Some among the heroes wanted to settle accounts first, slaughtering all remaining followers of Qi and Li. Others insisted on finding and destroying the Purple Star Sutra , while some demanded the immediate expulsion of the Nether Sect from the mountain, their words dripping with disdain. Master Juexing was frantic with worry—these days, he had been fearing another bloody clash on the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff. Lei Xiuming brewed extra batches of calming, heat-clearing tea for everyone to drink.In the operas, when great figures encounter such ungrateful betrayals after being helped, they usually respond with a faint, magnanimous smile, refusing to stoop to the level of fools. However, Great Sect Leader Mu showed no such noble restraint. With a casual wave of his left palm, his formidable Inner Force sent a powerful gust of wind that sent the disrespectful speakers flying into the palace's jade walls.
Fortunately, their injuries weren’t severe—just a few broken bones and dispersed Inner Force. That’s all.
Mu Qingyan marveled at how much more patient he had become lately. He neither gouged out the eyes that had shown disgust nor administered any flesh-rotting poison, showing great consideration for his beloved’s feelings.
At that moment, the faces of the North Star heroes in Dusk Micro Palace were all grim, and silence filled the hall.
Young Lady Knight Cai couldn’t even be bothered to mediate. Since she had already buried Qi Yunke’s remains in the sect’s forbidden grounds, she quickly signaled her uncle, Master Juexing, and excused herself, citing concern for her injured father. She then hurriedly dragged the troublemaker and his followers back to Fallen Blossom Valley.
To be fair, Great Sect Leader Mu was quite attentive to his future father-in-law. Before their arrival, he had already dispatched Ghost Doctor Lin Shu, along with his medical kit, to Fallen Blossom Valley. By the time they arrived, Cai Pingchun was well enough to support Ning Xiaofeng as they strolled around the valley, and Song Shijun could sit up and eat on his own. However, with one son dead, another crippled, and the last in despair, Old Song couldn’t help but feel despondent.
Ning Xiaofeng, who had spent most of her life bickering with him, now felt a twinge of sympathy and frequently visited him. This, in turn, soured Cai Pingchun’s mood, as if his old wounds had reopened.
Cai Zhao found the situation amusing, but to her surprise, the one most angered by it was Mu Qingyan.
“Once two people vow to be husband and wife, promising a lifetime of devotion, they shouldn’t spare even a shred of care for others. Feeling pity for someone’s misfortune is no different from betrayal—it deeply wounds your father’s heart!” The self-appointed future son-in-law, who had forcefully inserted himself into the family, was indignant, as if he might draw Not Full at any moment to settle the matter.
Valley Master Cai was momentarily stunned. He wanted to say: After decades of marriage and mutual understanding, he wasn’t that bothered.
But seeing Mu Qingyan’s icy aura and genuine anger, Cai Pingchun feared his erratic temper might cause trouble. He quickly signaled his daughter to think of a solution—perhaps finding an inn to stay for the night?
An inn was out of the question. Cai Zhao worried Mu Qingyan’s monstrous subordinates would terrify the simple townsfolk, so she took everyone to the old residence of Cai Pingshu in town—the place where she had grown up.
Upon entering the house, Mu Qingyan’s entire demeanor softened. His brows relaxed, his striking eyes shimmered, and his fair skin seemed to glow. After offering incense to Cai Pingshu, he turned and asked, “Song Yuzhi hasn’t been here, has he?”
Cai Zhao replied, “No, he hasn’t.”
Mu Qingyan grew even more delighted and, with a smile, personally peeled a fruit and placed it on Cai Pingshu’s offering plate.
“But Jade Kirin has been here,” Cai Zhao kindly added.
Mu Qingyan’s face instantly darkened. “Then I’m leaving.”
“Don’t go, don’t go!” Cai Zhao laughed, tugging at his sleeve. “When he came to pay respects to Auntie, Min Xinrou was with him. Back then, Auntie wanted to break off my engagement, but I insisted on keeping it.”
Mu Qingyan poked her forehead. “You didn’t break it off even then? Are you insane?”"I don't like Min Xinrou. The more she wants me to break off the engagement, the more I refuse," Cai Zhao laughed. "How dare she covet someone else's betrothed and still act so self-righteous, constantly setting verbal traps for me. I simply won't break it off—let her stew in frustration, hahaha!"
Mu Qingyan couldn't help turning his head: "With that mischievous streak of yours, even if you were reborn a hundred times, you'd never become a heroic woman like your aunt!"
Cai Zhao scratched her ear helplessly. "Well, I know that too." Back then, when Cai Pingshu merely sensed Zhou Zhizhen's slight tenderness toward the Min family, she had voluntarily withdrawn from the engagement.
The next day, when the sun was high, the two sat in the courtyard having breakfast—bone broth wontons and fresh shrimp soup dumplings. The wontons were made by Mu Qingyan, the dumplings wrapped by Mu Qingyan, and even the fresh meat and shrimp had been hauled back by him from the town entrance before dawn.
It was said that the shrimp vendor, charmed by Mu Qingyan's tall, handsome appearance and friendly words, had given him half off.
"So, before I even woke up, half the town already knew you were staying at Auntie's place. Well, now Father and Mother won’t even need to announce our relationship to everyone," Cai Zhao remarked, sipping the soup from a dumpling.
Mu Qingyan feigned innocence: "I was just lodging at your aunt's place temporarily. You're overthinking it."
Cai Zhao said, "Apart from the Cai family, only two outsiders have ever stayed in this residence. Even when Uncle Zhou's family or my uncle came to visit Auntie, they lodged at the town's inn. Do you know who those two people were?"
"Qi Yunke and... me?"
"At least you're aware."
Mu Qingyan grew even more pleased, his face the picture of gentle virtue, fully immersed in the act. "The townsfolk are all so kind, constantly urging you to treat me well and not bully me."
Cai Zhao rolled her eyes at him and changed the subject. "Hey, how's your injury?"
Mu Qingyan replied, "Much better."
Cai Zhao set down her chopsticks and sighed softly. "...Your father was truly remarkable."
During the final moments of that battle, Mu Qingyan had been forced into a direct clash of Inner Force with Qi Yunke—an extremely perilous situation.
Even now, the scars all over Mu Qingyan's body still ached faintly, but his dantian was gradually warming and replenishing. For martial practitioners, external injuries were easy to heal, while internal ones were far harder to treat. Yet his internal injuries were recovering faster than the external ones—all thanks to the 'Innate Qi Preservation and Regulation Art' personally passed down by Mu Zhengming.
Mu Qingyan said, "Father lived his life in obscurity. Even within our sect, few knew much about him. No one realized he had created such a rare and exceptional internal cultivation method."
Cai Zhao thought for a moment. "Perhaps your father didn’t care about fame. What he sought in life was simply peace and freedom."
Mu Qingyan wiped the corner of the girl's mouth and nodded. Suddenly, he asked, "When will you come back to the Vastsea Mountains with me?"
A chill ran down Cai Zhao's neck, and she quickly changed the subject. "Your injuries aren’t fully healed yet. Let’s wait a bit longer. Ah, speaking of which, the fire that day was truly devastating."
Though the great calamity had passed, the horrors of that day remained vivid in their minds.
The Twin Lotus Pool Palace wailed amidst roaring flames, the jewels embedded in its golden pillars and white jade walls tumbling down one by one—marking the end of Yin Dai's lifelong pursuit of power and ambition.Mu Qingyan said, "Yin Dai is actually quite a figure. To hold his own against Nie Hengcheng for decades, evenly matched in both cunning and skill—he’s truly exceptional. As Nie Hengcheng approached his twilight years, he still couldn’t gain any advantage over the Big Dipper Six Sects. Coupled with your aunt’s sudden rise, he grew increasingly impatient and ultimately fell for Mu Zhengyang’s trap."
"Let’s not talk about those unpleasant people," Cai Zhao murmured, her eyes closed, the delicate arcs of her eyelids forming two graceful lines. "The weather’s been cold and dry lately. Let’s go to Old Liu’s shop for Rice Snake Soup at noon. It’s not only delicious but also nourishing—perfect for replenishing your strength. That wound on your shoulder looks terrifying. Don’t think it’s just a minor injury and ignore it."
"Do you smell the fragrance outside? The locust blossoms at the end of the alley must have bloomed last night. The tree is huge, with pink-and-white flowers like clouds. Later, I’ll fetch a ladder and pick some—half for steamed locust cakes, half to decorate the house. What do you think?"
"I overslept today. Ah, the big yellow dog next door at Aunt Feng’s is gone. It used to bark at daybreak, loud enough for the whole alley to hear, more punctual than a rooster. When Aunt was around, as soon as the dog barked, I had to get up and train. Back then, I often thought about how to stew that dog into a meat pot."
Listening to the girl’s soft, cheerful voice, Mu Qingyan felt as though he were sinking into a pile of clouds—warm, trivial, carefree, and joyful...
"...Ah, I really miss that big yellow dog. Without it, I’ve grown even lazier. Luckily, you’re more disciplined than me. With you around, at least I won’t sleep till afternoon..."
Cai Zhao suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of her hand. She yelped and jolted awake.
Mu Qingyan held her wrist, his fingers having just given her fair-skinned hand a light pinch.
"You were secretly calling me the big yellow dog, weren’t you? Did you think I wouldn’t notice?" His long brows arched sharply, his face as flawless as cold jade, exuding an air of arrogance and sharp wit, impervious to deception.
Cai Zhao: "..."
"Why aren’t you speaking?" Mu Qingyan frowned.
Cai Zhao sighed deeply. "When I was little, Aunt took me to see an opera. During the romantic scenes, she asked me what kind of person I wanted to marry in the future."
Mu Qingyan grew intrigued. "Oh? What did you say?"
"I said I wanted to marry someone a little foolish. Not too clever."
Then her hand was pinched again.
Under the clear, crisp sky, the two finally stepped out.
Cai Zhao navigated the town streets with the ease of a turtle returning to its pond or a shrimp to its stream, utterly at home.
"Save me two pounds of braised meat tonight—chicken, duck, goose, or trotters, anything but heads or tails!"
"Such a picky little girl! By evening, of course, only the heads and tails will be left. Fine, fine, I’ll remember..."
"Thanks, Uncle Meat!"
"Aunt Pancake, five sweet ones, five scallion ones, and five donkey meat sandwiches. I’ll send Crab Shell the steward to pick them up later."
"It’s for the mistress, isn’t it? Alright, I’ll wrap them in a warm nest for you to take back to the valley, so they don’t get cold on the way."
"Aunt Pancake, you’re the most thoughtful!"
"Uncle Four Nets, are your fish fresh today? I want to make fish soup with fresh mushrooms and tofu tonight."
"You? Making fish soup? Furong’s busy preparing for her wedding now and can’t look after you. Don’t burn the stove again."
"Ah, Uncle, why bring up old grievances? There’s someone else who can cook today!"
"...Don’t bully that young man too much."
Cai Zhao leaned closer to Uncle Four Nets and lowered her voice. "Do you know who he is?"Fourth Uncle Wang said, "Of course I know. Tofu Xishi told me, it's the leader of the Demonic Cult."
Cai Zhao was speechless: "Fourth Uncle, you say 'leader of the Demonic Cult' as casually as 'three pounds of small fish for ten coins today.' Sigh, Old Fang the Fishmonger is dead. Where will Uncle Crab Shell find his drinking buddy now?"
"But it was your righteous sect master who killed Old Fang the Fishmonger."
"..."
"Anyway, don't bully that Demonic Cult leader too much."
"..."
"And small fish don't sell for three pounds at ten coins. Don't try to take advantage, little girl."
"..."
Mu Qingyan wore a polite, cultured smile as he greeted everyone along the way, eliciting cheerful praises from the crowd about Cai Zhao's good taste in bringing back such a handsome young man with such a pleasant temperament—except for the small cosmetics shop owner who wanted Cai Zhao to try her new fragrant powder and the enthusiastic young heir of the silk fabric store. Mu Qingyan shot them two sharp glares, his sleeves faintly stirring with hidden force, nearly scaring them to tears.
Cai Zhao quickly warned, "You're not allowed to burn down their shops at night!"
Mu Qingyan smirked without warmth. "Of course not. The shops are innocent."
"So are the people!"
Entering Old Six’s shop, Mu Qingyan sat down and remarked with a smile, "The townsfolk are warm, hospitable, and discerning—no wonder you’re so attached to your hometown."
Cai Zhao muttered under her breath, "With your subordinates surrounding Fallen Blossom Valley so tightly, of course they’re being hospitable."
Mu Qingyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice rising. "What did you say?"
Cai Zhao smoothly plastered on a smile. "I said, the Demonic Lord’s insight is unparalleled."
Indeed, Mu Qingyan wasn’t the only one who had come to Fallen Blossom Valley—so had the twelve divisions of the Demonic Cult followers originally stationed at Nine Conch Mountain.
At that time, the Azure Tower Sect was in chaos, and the Big Dipper Six Sects had suffered heavy losses. Witnessing the most lopsided balance of power in two centuries, with the unification of the martial world seemingly within reach, everyone from Elder Yan Xu down to the various branch leaders was itching for action.
Shangguan Haonan and You Guanyue, despite their severe injuries, managed to coax and intimidate half the forces into returning to the Vast Sea Mountain Range. The other half, led by Lian Shisan, stubbornly refused to leave their "Demonic Lord, who was surrounded by the dangers of Fallen Blossom Valley," and instead set up camp outside, sealing off the valley completely.
Cai Zhao tactfully suggested to Lian Shisan that Fallen Blossom Valley was a small place, unused to such an overwhelming display of force, and asked if they could withdraw first.
Lian Shisan humorously replied, "Where the moon goes, we follow—our Demonic Lord leads us to the ends of the earth. If you wish His Excellency to move, we beg Young Lady Zhao Zhao to show mercy."
While waiting for the Rice Snake Soup to arrive, Cai Zhao tentatively broached the subject again of when the mighty Demonic Lord planned to return to his throne—after all, even the Green Bamboo Gang outside the valley had been so frightened they didn’t dare fish for even small fry anymore.
Mu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "When you urgently dragged me to Fallen Blossom Valley before, you insisted I stay longer."
Young Miss Cai pouted with a bitter expression. "That was then, this is now."
Mu Qingyan thought for a moment, then lowered his gaze. "That day, when I woke up in the ruins and saw you crying with a red face, I thought—no matter how much we argue in the future, we’ll never part again. As things stand, you either come back to the Vast Sea Mountain Range with me, or I marry into Fallen Blossom Valley. You choose."
Cai Zhao gave a wry smile. "A Demonic Lord with such an entourage as a live-in son-in-law—I’m afraid this humble girl can’t bear the responsibility."
Mu Qingyan nodded. "True. I’ll make some arrangements to minimize disturbances. But if matters arise in the Cult, people will inevitably come looking for me. I hope everyone can tolerate that."
With things put so plainly, Cai Zhao had no retort. Instead, she vented her frustration by shouting, "Why isn’t the food here yet? Snake Lao Liu, has your kitchen caught fire?!"
Snake Lao Liu came out with a chuckle. "Business has been too good lately—we ran out of yesterday’s stock. They’re preparing fresh ones in the back. Please wait a little longer, Young Miss."
Cai Zhao laughed. "Old Six, you’ve learned to boast. How many people in our town even like snake meat? It’s pretty much just me, your regular patron."
Snake Lao Liu huffed. "Not many in town, but plenty outside!""Those outside the town?"
"The brave warriors currently camped outside the valley, of course."
Cai Zhao: "..."
Mu Qingyan struggled to suppress his laughter behind the table.
"Thanks to the Cult Leader's blessings, these past few days have brought me half a year's worth of business. Truly, the Divine Cult is flourishing."
"...Lao Liu, you used to call them the Demonic Cult."
"Nonsense! A businessman would never speak so rudely. Calling them the Demonic Cult would be so hurtful." Snake Lao Liu beamed like spring blossoms. "Besides, we're all one family now. No need for such divisive talk."
Mu Qingyan finally couldn't hold back and chuckled behind the table.
After a hearty meal at Snake Lao Liu's place, Cai Zhao felt half-full from anger alone.
Carrying four jars of Peach Blossom Wine between them, they walked from one end of the town to the other before circling around to the back mountain of the valley—the burial ground for generations of Fallen Blossom Valley's family members.
Unlike the solemn, orderly grandeur of the Mu Clan's Forbidden Burial Grounds, this mountainside resembled a sun-soaked cotton cushion—dry, soft, and fragrant with the gentle scent of grass and trees.
The tombstones bore names of all kinds. Even daughters-in-law who married into the family had their full names, birth and death dates, and origins clearly inscribed—nothing like the Song or Yang families' disgusting practice of labeling them merely as "Wife of So-and-so."
Cai Pingshu's grave stood alone beneath a massive peach blossom tree, set apart from her parents and ancestors.
As they poured the Peach Blossom Wine evenly before the tombstone, Mu Qingyan gazed long at the simple, unadorned gray-white stone.
The woman buried here had altered the fates of nearly everyone in the Nie and Mu Clans. Yet no matter how earth-shaking her deeds or how mighty her power had been, she was now merely a handful of yellow earth.
He had never truly met Cai Pingshu, yet he felt as though he'd known her for a very long time.
After paying their simple respects, Cai Zhao led Mu Qingyan to sit on two stone stools not too far away.
"Thinking about it, while I respect and love my father, the person I admire most is your aunt," Mu Qingyan murmured, still staring at the tombstone. "Though a woman, she truly commanded her own life. Back then, no matter how dark Yin Dai and the other six sect elders' expressions grew, no matter the open attacks or veiled threats, or the 'well-meaning' advice, she steadfastly lived as she chose."
"She roamed the Martial World when she wished, executed traitors when she willed. Even when deceived by Mu Zhengyang, she decisively turned the tables—first killing the faithless man, then slaying Nie Hengcheng without hesitation, leaving no lingering threats to the Martial World. Truly puts all men to shame."
Cai Zhao said softly, "What you all saw was Aunt's glory. What I grew up seeing was her suffering through illness, living day by day. You didn't want to spend your life yielding and enduring like your father. I didn't want to sacrifice myself for others like Aunt. Yet in the end... ah, what saved our lives were Aunt's legacy and the inner cultivation techniques your father created."
At the critical moment, Qi Yunke ultimately couldn't betray Cai Pingshu's final wishes.
"True." Mu Qingyan smiled in relief. The breeze ruffled his finely sculpted forehead, making him look youthful and carefree.
"Actually, I originally wanted to bury Master's ashes here," Cai Zhao suddenly said.
Mu Qingyan replied, "But they've already interred Qi Yunke in the Azure Tower Sect's Hall of Sinners on the back mountain."
Cai Zhao said, "Doesn't You Guanyue have someone skilled at digging and tomb-raiding? We'll borrow him later to help me steal Master's remains out."Mu Qingyan turned his head, studying the girl. "Even after all the sins Qi Yunke has committed, you still hold onto sentiment, don't you?"
Cai Zhao looked despondent, murmuring softly, "I just pity Shifu. His whole life was filled with hardship. Now that he's gone, and his crimes will be carved on the sin stele, what does it matter where his ashes end up?"
After a brief contemplation, Mu Qingyan smiled. "Very well. With your shifu accompanying her, I imagine your aunt would be pleased."
Cai Zhao looked surprised. "How did you know?"
Mu Qingyan replied, "You said it yourself—only two outsiders ever stayed in your aunt's residence: me and Qi Yunke. After she became completely disabled, your aunt rarely wanted to see outsiders. I think, whether there was romantic affection or not, your shifu was someone very important to Heroine Cai—far more important than Zhou Zhizhen and the others."
"Ah!" Cai Zhao slapped her thigh—she had never considered this angle before.
She sighed heavily. "In this world, matters of the heart are the hardest to explain. Oh, and there's also Da-shixiong—who would have thought he secretly admired Yin Sulian for decades!"
Mu Qingyan grew intrigued. "How did you guess that the spy I planted near Qi Yunke was Zeng Dalou?"
"After leaving the Blood Marsh, San-shixiong, Wu-shixiong, and I returned here," Cai Zhao explained. "While searching through my aunt's belongings for clues about the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower, I didn't find any leads on that, but I did uncover a journal she wrote in her youth—filled with trivial anecdotes from her early days in the Martial World. A few passages stood out."
"Once, my aunt gave Da-shixiong a vat of lively Upstream Pangolin Fish as a treat. Da-shixiong had the restaurant chef cook the entire batch and then distributed one fish to everyone present. At the time, my aunt even praised him for his brotherly spirit."
Mu Qingyan looked puzzled. "What's strange about that?"
Cai Zhao said, "At the time, my aunt and shifu were away. The only people at the inn were a group of impoverished children they'd just rescued and Yin Sulian with her two attendants."
Mu Qingyan made an understanding sound—the frail, malnourished children would have been overjoyed by such a feast, but Yin Sulian had grown up dining on delicacies like dragon liver and phoenix marrow. Back then, Zeng Dalou had surely witnessed Yin Dai's extravagant lifestyle.
Cai Zhao continued, "Another time, when they were stranded in a rundown temple, my aunt gave Da-shixiong a bottle of Snow Cicada Pills. But when she returned, she learned he had distributed the entire bottle to the martial artists who later took shelter there—including Yin Sulian."
This time, Mu Qingyan cut straight to the point. "Snow Cicada Pills are for nourishing the dantian. Yin Sulian never practiced martial arts, so they'd be useless to her, right?"
Cai Zhao nodded with another sigh. "In short, when I learned you'd persuaded Aunt Zhixian, I realized Da-shixiong must be the spy planted near Shifu."
Mu Qingyan asked, "Wasn't this obvious? Why didn't your aunt or Qi Yunke notice?"
Cai Zhao sighed. "Shifu was extremely naive in his youth—my mother said people used to call him 'Qi the Simpleton.' My aunt wasn't much better, always careless about such things. At Jade Pendant Mountain Manor, Madam Min schemed against her for years, batting her eyelashes at Uncle Zhou so blatantly it practically reached the heavens, yet it took my aunt years to catch on."Mu Qingyan pondered briefly before shaking his head. "Not necessarily. Heroine Cai is rough on the outside but meticulous within. Why would she casually write such things in her journal for no reason? I suspect she vaguely noticed something but didn’t dwell on it, so she merely jotted it down."
Cai Zhao considered this. "That’s possible too."
The two conversed for a long while before Cai Pingshu’s grave.
They spoke of the black-clad figures encountered in the Suochuan Valley, the somewhat familiar formation that now seemed to be a modified version of the Azure Tower Sect’s ancestral formation. To avoid arousing Yin Dai’s suspicions, Cai Pingshu had never dared to reveal it, leaving Qi Yunke as the only one in the world who knew of it.
Then there was the resolute and decisive Yang Xiaolan, who had reportedly recovered from her injuries and was preparing to return to the Four Stallions Gate to cleanse their ranks.
Finally, there were Yin Sulian and her daughter. After Qi Lingbo awoke and learned the truth, she wept bitterly but suddenly found strength. She then took her half-mad mother and the one-armed Dai Fengchi back to the Yin family’s ancestral home.
As the sun gradually set, the mountain grew chilly, and the two rose to leave.
The path grew busier—elderly couples lazily sweeping fallen leaves under trees, young men and women diligently tending to crops by the earthen plots, aunties carrying baskets to pick fruit, and little maids and boys with their hair tied in small buns bustling about. They regarded Mu and Cai with calm indifference; some politely bowed before running off laughing, while others rolled their eyes and pretended not to see them.
Noticing Mu Qingyan’s furrowed brow and the slight tension in his stiff shoulders, Cai Zhao remarked, "Your shoulder’s hurting again, isn’t it? Serves you right for showing off and waking up so early... Just around the corner is Xiao Han’s house. It’s empty now—let me help you inside to rest."
Cai Han’s bed was much narrower. Once Mu Qingyan lay down, Cai Zhao could only sit at the edge.
Peeling an orange, she mused aloud, "I really don’t understand. No matter how beautiful Yin Sulian was, after so many years, Master should’ve seen her true nature. He eventually woke up, so why did Senior Brother Zeng adore her until his dying day?"
Mu Qingyan’s expression turned distant as he replied coolly, "It’s different. Zeng Dalou was genuinely infatuated—he loved Yin Sulian for who she was. Qi Yunke, however, might’ve been dazzled by the glamour before him—the favor of the Martial World’s foremost sect leader and the affection of its most renowned beauty. What he thought he wanted wasn’t truly what he desired."
Cai Zhao lowered her head, slowly separating the orange segments. Once she’d peeled the entire bumpy fruit, she suddenly said, "In a few days, I’ll go back to the Vastsea Mountains with you."
Mu Qingyan was taken aback, then joy surged through him like a spring. He grasped her hand. "Really? You... you don’t blame me anymore for deceiving you about the Blood Orchid?"
Cai Zhao scoffed, "I thought you’d never ask."
Mu Qingyan hugged her delightedly, his eyes brimming with springtime radiance, his profile as enchanting as verdant branches.
He eagerly pressed, "I was afraid mentioning it would give you an excuse to distance yourself, so I just avoided it. But you really said you’d come back to the Vastsea Mountains with me, didn’t you? Tell me, is it true?"
Cai Zhao sighed. "When you were buried under the rubble, I thought to myself—as long as you survived, I wouldn’t blame you for anything. I... I don’t want us to end up like Master, looking back only to realize a lifetime has passed."
Overflowing with happiness, Mu Qingyan held her quietly, murmuring agreement. Normally eloquent, he could only repeat the same word over and over. "...We’ll set off next month."Cai Zhao asked curiously, "Why next month? I thought you couldn't wait to leave tomorrow."
Mu Qingyan replied, "Isn't your grandmother Old Madam Ning bringing Xiao Han here? I calculated they'll arrive early next month. I want to meet all your family members before we go."
Seeing his serious, matter-of-fact expression, Cai Zhao burst into laughter and playfully pushed him down onto the bed. Pressing against his chest, she kissed his snow-white neck with visible blue veins and his distinct Adam's apple...
The door was abruptly flung open as Cai Zhao was hastily shoved outside, followed by a loud slam as it shut tightly behind her.
She wanted to say something more, but her upturned nose nearly got hit by the forcefully closed door.
Before the door fully shut, an embarrassed yet furious male voice came from inside—"No more touching me before the wedding!"
These ten words were spoken very clearly, and everyone outside—uncles, aunties, elderly neighbors, plus a group of young maids—all heard them. Instantly, tutting sounds and accusatory gazes fell upon Cai Zhao.
"Tsk tsk, wanting to take advantage without even holding the wedding banquet, how outrageous!"
"Not to be rude, but he's already followed her home, yet she's still being vague and unclear—clearly not wanting to give him proper status."
"Oh dear, this won't do. Isn't this just like those scoundrels in operas who seduce and abandon?"
"This can't stand. I must tell the neighborhood aunties and have everyone judge this properly!"
"Yes, yes..."
Cai Zhao looked up at the sky, then down at the ground—truly another beautiful day in Fallen Blossom Valley.
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