The night was deep and the dew heavy, with a chill permeating the mountain air. Yet inside the guest chamber, it was warm and dry. A silent current of warmth flowed gently through the thick stone walls and beneath the floors, quietly and tenderly suffusing the entire Dusk Micro Palace. It was said that Old Ancestor Bei Chen once had an elderly servant skilled in mechanical construction. While others were obsessed with adorning palace beams and jade steps with gold and gemstones, he silently built these hidden conduits within the stone walls.
Hot springs were channeled in during the cold winters, and cool springs in the scorching summers, ensuring the palace remained spring-like all year round.
Cai Han rolled over slightly in his sleep, mumbling something unintelligible. A plump little arm and half his shoulder dangled off the bed. Cai Zhao estimated that if he shifted his chubby little bottom just a bit more, he would inevitably tumble to the floor. Smiling to herself, she gently pushed the little chubby boy back toward the center of the bed.
Sitting by the bedside, Cai Zhao gazed at her peacefully breathing younger brother.
For as long as she could remember, she had believed herself to be her aunt’s child, while the couple she called ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’ were merely kind neighbors who often brought delicious treats and toys to visit them. It wasn’t until she went out to play and heard other children in the streets calling out to their parents that she vaguely realized ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’ were actually her birth parents. Her first childhood dilemma was this: if she was her parents’ child, then wouldn’t that mean her aunt had no child of her own?
When Cai Han was born, she secretly rejoiced for a long time, thinking that now her aunt and parents would no longer have to feel guilty toward each other.
Placing her palm on the white, plump boy’s chest, she felt the lively thumping beneath. Suddenly, she recalled the ‘future sect leader’ of the Four Stallions Gate she had seen earlier that day. Even someone like her, with no knowledge of medicine, could tell that the child was born with innate deficiencies and damaged meridians, sustained only by precious medicines and sheer human effort.
Over the past two hundred years, the Big Dipper Six Sects had undergone great changes.
The Azure Tower Sect and the Grand Beginning Temple, being lineages passed down from master to disciple, no longer retained their original bloodlines.
The Vast Heaven Gate and the Jade Pendant Mountain Manor relied on prolific descendants. If the main lineage produced no heirs or the offspring were mediocre, a branch lineage could take over.
The Four Stallions Gate, however, clung stubbornly to tradition, with brothers fiercely competing for succession. Whenever one branch rose to power, the others would either mysteriously ‘die young’ or change their names and retire from the Martial World. The other five sects were not without attempts to mediate or ease the infighting, but as the saying goes, ‘Even an honest official can’t settle family disputes,’ and the matter was always left unresolved. Gradually, the Yang bloodline grew weaker, and now, for five consecutive generations, only a single heir remained.
According to Cai Zhao’s ancestors, this was the heavens’ mercy—unwilling to witness further fratricide among the Yangs, the heavens simply granted them only one child per generation, sparing them the need to fight. The heavens, it seemed, were quite considerate.
Only Fallen Blossom Valley had taken a different path.
From its very first ancestor, Fallen Blossom Valley upheld the principle of letting nature take its course, believing that too many offspring hindered both spiritual cultivation and physical well-being. Thus, the valley had always had few descendants. If there was a son, he would inherit; if not, a daughter could take a husband. If the daughter was capable, she could become the valley master; if the son-in-law was more capable, then he could take the role without issue. And if a son had other ambitions or lacked talent, the daughter and son-in-law could still lead.
As for which surname to carry or which ancestors to worship? It didn’t matter. Choose whichever you preferred—after all, two hundred years ago, there had been no Fallen Blossom Valley to begin with. The ancestors were quite open-minded.
And so, over two centuries, Fallen Blossom Valley had changed surnames three times.Among the most unpleasant was the surname Niu (meaning "ox") of the valley's founding ancestor—something even the nature-revering founder couldn't tolerate. The most pleasant was the surname Gu of the third-generation heiress's husband—both named "Ling'er" and "Yuxuan," but compare Niu Ling'er and Niu Yuxuan with Gu Ling'er and Gu Yuxuan, and you'll feel the difference.
Over two centuries, Fallen Blossom Valley wasn't without its exceptions. One generation's valley master couple enthusiastically produced five sons and four daughters. Everyone said the valley was about to flourish, but reality proved them wrong.
Of these nine children, excluding those who became monks or married out, the remaining either wandered the Martial World unmarried all their lives or traveled overseas never to return. In the end, only one inherited the valley master position.
Perhaps this was fate.
About seventy or eighty years ago, another valley master couple nearing forty without children studied the stars and concluded—Heaven wished Fallen Blossom Valley to "change its cage and bird." They smoothly followed the divination to find an adopted son, soon encountering an orphan of exceptional talent and honest character. The couple felt immensely fortunate—truly Heaven's will.
Yet ten years later, they unexpectedly conceived a jade-like, snow-pure daughter.
Given precedent, they considered making the adopted son a son-in-law to strengthen family ties. But due to the large age gap, they decided to naturally send their daughter to a Brother Sect, where she could eventually marry a virtuous fellow disciple. However, when their daughter turned sixteen, as the elderly couple basked in sunlight on the hillside, sudden upheaval struck outside the valley.
Their steady, capable adopted son inexplicably went out and beat every marriageable youth in his sister's sect, then challenged several rising young heroes by the lake—all under the guise of "martial fellowship." The shocked couple nearly fell from their rattan chairs. The Azure Tower Sect leader even came to hint: "Your exceptional son has boundless potential—does he intend to compete for leadership of the six sects?" The couple shook their heads vehemently.
Upon clarifying the unspoken romantic tension between the adopted siblings, the couple swiftly married them off while begging the son to stop his "martial fellowship." For over a century, Fallen Blossom Valley had maintained moderate peace—the martial community was accustomed to this and shouldn't have to adjust. The son replied: With my wife secured, I actually dislike going out anyway.
Incidentally, this adopted son's surname was Cai.
Reading ancestral records, Cai Zhao often thought her aunt must have inherited this ancestor's extraordinary talents to become so omnipotent and dazzlingly brilliant. Yet these past three years, sitting tearfully in her aunt's cold, empty room at midnight, she couldn't help wondering—perhaps that ancestor's choice to conceal brilliance and embrace simplicity was wiser.
The lamp flame flickered slightly, like a plucked string in her mind. Cai Zhao snapped back to attention and went next door to check on Chang Ning.
Unlike the unrestrained sleeping posture of "Little Chubby Cai," Chang Ning slept gracefully—curled inward like verdant pine, long lashes perfectly still. Only his quilt, unlike that afternoon's neat covering, was half on the bed and half on the footrest. Naturally, his lapels had loosened further, revealing more of his jade-white, firm chest.Cai Zhao obediently averted her gaze, putting on the expression of a proper gentleman as she tucked Chang Ning in properly, then took three steps back and stood at a distance.
In truth, Cai Zhao had met Chang Haosheng three or four times when she was young.
Delving into her deepest memories, she recalled a handsome and steady face—serious and unsmiling yet meticulous and thoughtful. Every time he came to Fallen Blossom Valley, he would inspect the formation arrays inside and outside the valley entrance three times over. Her aunt would tease him, calling him "once a nanny, always a nanny."
Chang Haosheng didn’t visit Fallen Blossom Valley as frequently as Qi Yunke or Zhou Zhizhen. Each time he came, he would have long, deep conversations with Cai Pingshu. He neither played with little Cai Zhao nor brought many gifts, so naturally, he didn’t leave a strong impression on her.
After Cai Pingshu passed away, he never returned to Fallen Blossom Valley again. Who knew what he had been busy with? Three years trickled by, and Cai Zhao’s memories of this ever-hurried Great Hero Chang grew increasingly hazy. Never did she expect to hear news of the Chang family’s massacre today.
Cai Zhao sighed softly, her mood sinking.
Just then, faint sounds and voices came from the adjacent room. Cai Zhao’s heart stirred, and a smile rose to her lips. She quickly exited Chang Ning’s room, hurried past the room where Cai Xiaopang was sound asleep, and entered the third guest chamber. There, the lights were already lit—Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng had indeed returned.
Overjoyed, Cai Zhao pushed the door open and entered. Cai Pingchun’s face was flushed, one hand braced against the table while the other massaged his temples—clearly, he had drunk quite a bit. Ning Xiaofeng was muttering to herself as she rummaged through her medicine pouch for hangover remedies. When she looked up and saw her daughter, her first words were to ask why she wasn’t asleep yet, whether she had washed up, and if Xiao Han had fallen off the bed.
Listening to this familiar chatter, Cai Zhao’s heart finally settled.
"Father, Mother, you’re finally back. I thought you’d be drinking all night! Didn’t you say you didn’t want anything to do with those people? Just greet them and be done with it—how did you end up drinking so much?" Cai Zhao poured a cup of water from the warmer on the table and handed it to Cai Pingchun along with the hangover medicine.
Ning Xiaofeng sighed. "First, your father wanted to ask about some things. Second, there were just too many people pushing drinks on us. We couldn’t exactly refuse outright—even turning down ten cups and drinking half would’ve been too much. Your father actually held up pretty well. Song Shijun was so drunk he was carried back sprawled out like a turtle. Luckily, I realized something was off and mixed most of your father’s wine with fruit syrup. Honestly, Brother Zhou was the clever one—as soon as he saw things going south, he pretended to pass out drunk..."
Cai Pingchun swallowed the hangover medicine and gulped down two more cups of water before catching his breath. "Today was so busy with people coming and going that we didn’t have time to check on you two. Zhao Zhao, tell me—is everything alright? Was there anything that upset you? We can still leave the mountain now if needed."
"That’s right, tell us everything. I thought after more than a decade, Yin Qinglian might’ve improved, but the moment I saw her, I was boiling with anger—couldn’t suppress it at all! If it’s no good here, we’ll just leave!" Ning Xiaofeng said indignantly.
Cai Zhao had been about to mention Qi Lingbo and her cronies, but she swallowed the words at the last moment. Blinking, she said, "I met good people, bad people, and people who were neither good nor bad—but your daughter can handle it all."Ning Xiaofeng frowned. "What nonsense is this! Fine, I won't listen to your riddles anymore. Anyway, if you can stay at the Azure Tower Sect, then stay. If not, just send word home. Didn't your uncle give you a cage of carrier pigeons? They're fast for sending messages. When the time comes, I'll send you to Jade Pendant Mountain Manor for a few years. The main thing is, you mustn't let anyone bully you!"
Cai Zhao put on an exaggerated show of bashfulness. "Wouldn't it be improper to move into my future husband's home so soon? It's not like I'm an orphan like Auntie..."
Ning Xiaofeng remained expressionless. "Then we'll send you to Hanging Temple—quiet and peaceful..."
"No need! The Azure Tower Sect is wonderful—scenic landscapes, outstanding people, and boundless benefits! Your daughter has absolutely no desire to change sects!" Cai Zhao immediately dropped her act.
Ning Xiaofeng raised a hand as if to hit her, then rolled her eyes with a laugh.
Seeing her parents, Cai Zhao felt at ease and yawned, ready to bid them goodnight. But Cai Pingchun stopped her, saying he had something to discuss. Startled, Cai Zhao quickly asked what it was.
Cai Pingchun spoke slowly. "I originally planned to tell you after the ceremony, but I think it's better to tell you sooner. It's about Brother Chang's son, Chang Ning..."
"What about him?" Cai Zhao's ears perked up at the mention of Chang Ning, who had thoroughly exhausted her that day.
"Although Great Hero Chang always says your aunt did him a great kindness, one he could never repay even with his life, over the years, he has protected Fallen Blossom Valley in every way possible, down to the smallest detail—truly giving his all. There are countless things you and your brother don't know about, and few outsiders do either, but our Cai Family must never forget his kindness," Cai Pingchun said.
Cai Zhao nodded. "Today, I heard many stories about Great Hero Chang. You're right, Father. Others may not keep score, but we must remember our debts."
Cai Pingchun glanced at his wife. Ning Xiaofeng spoke cautiously, "...Zhao Zhao, when you spoke with Chang Ning today, did you notice anything... off?" Their daughter had been clever since childhood and had spent years navigating the streets—Ning Xiaofeng trusted her discernment.
Cai Zhao grinned mischievously. "Father and Mother want to know if this Chang Ning is real or fake, right?"
"Exactly," Cai Pingchun nodded. "The Demonic Cult is treacherous—we must be cautious. After all, none of us have ever met Brother Chang's son before."
Cai Zhao laughed. "Don't worry, Father. I've read enough plays and novels to recognize this trope. Villains love disguising themselves to infiltrate the enemy. How could I possibly trust someone I've never met right away? I was on guard from the start..."
"And then? Did you find any flaws?" Ning Xiaofeng pressed.
"Nope. Ninety-nine percent sure he's real." Cai Zhao's face fell. "Brother Chang not only knew all about the past events but even brought up details I'd never heard—some were secrets only Great Hero Chang himself would know, while others were trivial daily matters that even torture might not extract. It sounded more like a father casually chatting with his son."
Ning Xiaofeng seemed satisfied, but Cai Pingchun probed further. "Why only ninety-nine percent? What's missing?"
Cai Zhao looked puzzled. "I vaguely remember Great Hero Chang being quite kind and reserved, not much of a talker. But this Brother Chang of mine? His words are so sharp they could kill ten men in ten steps without leaving a trace! And it's not just that he's infuriating—his temper is downright sinister and unpredictable. How is that anything like his father?"Upon hearing this, Cai Zhao noticed her parents actually seemed more at ease. "What, what's wrong? Did I say something incorrect?"
"You saying that actually makes more sense," Cai Pingchun said. "Although Brother Chang rarely mentions his son, from the occasional remarks he's made, Chang Ning should indeed have such a temperament."
Cai Zhao: "Huh?"
Ning Xiaofeng whispered, "Brother Chang's wife, Sister Xue, was always quiet and frail. That year, she returned to her family home to rest during her pregnancy, only to encounter a surprise attack by the Demonic Cult. She hid in a secret compartment and survived, but had to watch as over a dozen of her family members were slaughtered. After being rescued, she became somewhat mentally unstable, which is why Brother Chang never let her out."
"After such a tragedy, your aunt searched high and low for countless rare medicines to preserve the child in Sister Xue's womb. Finally, a son was born, and only your aunt and I went to congratulate them. I don’t understand much about these things, but your aunt said the child was not in good health, so all these years Brother Chang never let him out. Whenever Brother Chang mentioned him, it was either about Sister Xue’s worsening madness or his son’s frail constitution, who could only slowly cultivate internal energy to nourish his meridians. It wasn’t until two years ago that Brother Chang wrote to say his son’s health had improved, and with proper training, he might not lose to the young heroes of the time."
"Zhao Zhao, think about it. A child who’s never stepped outside since birth, with a mother who’s sometimes mad and sometimes sane, and who’s also sickly himself—do you think his temper could be good? If a reasonable and gentle Chang Ning had shown up today, that would’ve been suspicious."
Cai Zhao thought it over and realized it made sense.
Cai Pingchun added, "Uncle Qi initially had doubts too, but while treating Chang Ning’s injuries, he detected faint traces of internal energy. Both Uncle Qi and Senior Brother Lei checked his pulse and confirmed it was undoubtedly Brother Chang’s unique internal art. The Chang family’s internal cultivation method wasn’t passed down through generations but was created by Brother Chang himself, so there’s no chance of some elder passing it to other relatives. And Brother Chang was even more cautious than Uncle Qi and me—why would he teach his exclusive internal art to some villain?"
Cai Zhao listened intently. "So, Chang Ning is the real deal."
"Yes, your mother and I also believe it’s true," Cai Pingchun nodded. "That’s why I suggested to Uncle Qi earlier that we take Chang Ning to Fallen Blossom Valley to recuperate, but Uncle Qi refused no matter what..."
"How dare he refuse? If you hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve cursed him out long ago! Just look at how sharp-tongued his wife and daughter are. Chang Ning is clearly not the type to bow his head—how could he fare well in the Azure Tower Sect? I know Yin Sulian all too well. In the first half of her life, she was the sect leader’s beloved daughter, and in the second half, she became the sect leader’s wife. She’s long treated the Azure Tower Sect as her own little fiefdom!" Ning Xiaofeng vented angrily—now that Chang Ning was confirmed as the orphan of the Chang family, she immediately treated him as one of her own.
"Mother’s words may be crude, but the reasoning isn’t," Cai Zhao lightly applauded her mother.
Cai Pingchun tried to mediate. "But Uncle Qi’s words also have merit."
"That’s your blind reasoning!" Ning Xiaofeng retorted stubbornly.
Cai Zhao directly asked her father, "Dad, what did Uncle Qi say?"
Cai Pingchun said gravely, "Zhao Zhao, who do you think annihilated the Chang family?"
Cai Zhao was taken aback. "Wasn’t it the Demonic Cult?"Cai Pingchun said, "You heard it today too—the Demonic Cult is currently in severe internal turmoil. A few years ago, a female Demon emerged and, with Nie Zhe's backing, took the position of Celestial Pivot Elder. Many were dissatisfied, and that female elder slaughtered people left and right—it’s chaos. With things in such disarray, do they really have the energy to trouble us? You must understand, the Chang family’s fortress isn’t an easy place to attack. To be honest, even I’ve never been there..."
"Even if you had been, it might not help. Brother Chang was so worried about his wife and child’s safety that he hid the fortress in mist and clouds—ordinary people can’t even find the gate. But the Demonic Cult has always had people with unusual abilities. Who knows, they might be able to break through." Ning Xiaofeng sounded somewhat dejected.
"Even if they could, it would take tremendous effort," Cai Zhao murmured.
"Exactly," Cai Pingchun frowned. "Anyone willing to go to such lengths to exterminate the Chang family must hold a deep grudge."
"Nie Hengcheng’s old faction?" Cai Zhao blurted out before shaking her head. "No, it was Auntie who killed Nie Hengcheng. If they wanted revenge, why not come to Fallen Blossom Valley? Then it must be... Zhao Tianba?!"
Ning Xiaofeng chuckled. "Did Zhao Zhao hear this story today too? That’s right. We discussed it earlier and figured that only Zhao Tianba, Nie Hengcheng’s first disciple, would have such devoted followers capable of such a grand scheme."
Cai Zhao looked up at the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray. "How odd that these followers wouldn’t avenge Nie Hengcheng but would go to such lengths for his disciple..."
"You youngsters didn’t live through those times. Nie Hengcheng’s four great disciples were terrifying figures who could silence crying children at night. Within the sect, they stood equal to the Seven Stars Elders; outside, they commanded armies and held their own. It’s no surprise Zhao Tianba had fiercely loyal followers," Ning Xiaofeng added.
"Father, Mother, I understand now." Cai Zhao sorted through her thoughts, her gaze clear. "Uncle Qi’s point is that Chang Ning is safer staying within the Azure Tower Sect, protected by the natural barrier of Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff—the Demonic Cult can’t reach him here. If he came to our home, it might even drag Fallen Blossom Valley into trouble. Don’t worry, I also think it’s best for Chang Ning to stay here. After all, only a few people here would trouble him—that useless Qi Lingbo? I could handle her with one hand. I’ll make sure no one bullies Chang Ning."
Cai Pingchun nodded. "That’s our thinking too. Inside the Azure Tower Sect, it’s just minor squabbles—outside, it’s a matter of life and death. Zhao Zhao, for Brother Chang’s sake, you must look after Chang Ning no matter what."
Cai Zhao inwardly scoffed but smiled sweetly. "Father, don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t stand by and let Chang Ning be bullied for no reason. Auntie taught me the ways of righteousness for years—did I learn nothing?"
She felt a twinge of guilt as she said this.
Just a twinge.
Cai Pingchun sighed in relief. "Good, then we can rest easy."
Cai Zhao caught the unspoken implication in his words and tensed. "Father, what are you planning to do?"
Cai Pingchun hesitated, while Ning Xiaofeng scoffed. "Zhao Zhao, such a major event as the extermination of the Chang family—did anyone mention it at tonight’s banquet? Was anyone outraged? Did anyone weep in grief? Did anyone vow to avenge the Chang family?"
Cai Zhao froze."None, not a single one." Ning Xiaofeng's eyes brimmed with sorrow. "Brother Chang was a renowned figure among our righteous faction. After suffering such a tragic fate, all the orthodox sects should have risen together to demand justice. Yet now they all feign deafness and blindness."
"In the days when your aunt was still with us, she would never have tolerated such things. Back then, everyone revered your aunt. A single call from her would bring immediate response—if injustice was heard at dawn, help would arrive by dusk." Ning Xiaofeng's beautiful eyes reddened as tears fell. "Qi Yunke, though nominally the leader of the six sects, shows no sense of responsibility at all. Xiaochun, I... I just can't accept this..."
Cai Pingchun held his wife's hand and softly consoled her, "Don't blame Brother Qi anymore. He's always been such a kind and honest man. He never intended to become the sect leader—it was just the twists of fate, something beyond his control."
He then looked up and met his daughter's gaze squarely. "Brother Chang brought this disaster upon himself by killing Zhao Tianba. Others may pretend not to hear or see, but we cannot. I've already spoken with Uncle Qi. After tomorrow's memorial ceremony, we'll send people out to investigate the massacre of the Chang family. Brother Zhou and Sect Leader Song will also lend their aid. Chang Ning is still young—we'll avenge this for him."
Seeing the resolute and steady determination in her father's eyes, Cai Zhao knew there was no dissuading him. A sense of helplessness unlike anything she'd ever felt washed over her. Though she had never set foot in the Martial World, she could faintly sense the storm of bloodshed that was about to descend. Only fifteen years old, her heart filled with fear, and she buried herself in her mother's embrace, sobbing, "...Mother, Mother, I miss Auntie."
Ning Xiaofeng wept as well. "I miss her too. If your aunt were still here, such injustice would never have happened."
Cai Pingchun's eyes also reddened.
Through her tear-blurred vision, Cai Zhao thought of Cai Pingshu's eyes—so optimistic, open-hearted, and fearless. Even when bedridden from grave injuries, she had never shown a trace of regret or fear, as if nothing in the world could ever defeat her.
She also thought of Great Hero Chang, and the many other legendary heroes whose names she knew but whose faces she had never seen—
Those bold and brilliant youths, like the blazing sun, had either grown old or perished. Those passionate, fiery years of their youth were gone, never to return.
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