After the incident, Grandma Mao helped Madam Sulian review the events.
Upon closer examination, those old love letters couldn’t truly ruin Yin Sulian’s reputation. After all, the Song, Zhou, and Yang families involved would do their best to cover for her and save face. Even if Qi Yunke was deeply troubled, he couldn’t use this as a reason to abandon his wife—otherwise, he’d only confirm himself as a petty man with a cuckold’s shame.
Yin Sulian was in a panic, but after Grandma Mao’s reassurances, she finally calmed down. Still, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble, and unless absolutely necessary, they had no intention of provoking Cai Zhao again.
However, Qi Lingbo remained completely unaware of the truth and kept begging her mother to seek revenge. Unwilling to reveal her youthful misdeeds to her daughter, Yin Sulian could only use Qi Yunke as a shield, saying, "My dear, surely you don’t want your parents to grow further apart? If we reconcile, we might even give you a little brother someday. So, about Cai Zhao… you’ll have to handle it yourself. Be good, alright?"
Qi Lingbo stood there, stunned, unable to process this for a long while.
In this battle, Cai Zhao emerged victorious.
She had hoped for a few peaceful days—time to train, rest, mix cosmetics, sketch embroidery patterns, and return to her usual leisurely pursuits. Unfortunately, the heavens had other plans, and the ever-timely Eldest Young Master Chang Ning next door promptly filled the void.
After returning from the Twin Lotus Pool Palace, Chang Ning instructed Cai Zhao not to let anyone disturb him, then secluded himself in his inner chamber for a full day and night. By the time he emerged, lanterns were already lighting up the evening. After a hearty meal, he announced he was going for a walk— "to aid digestion."
The night breeze was cool. The nineteen-year-old youth had fair skin and a tall, slender frame, gradually shedding the awkwardness of adolescence, his figure now striking and handsome. Even with his face covered in venomous sores, the maids in the courtyard still blushed and whispered about how devastatingly attractive he’d be once healed.
Cai Zhao had already settled in to read a romance novel when Chang Ning’s words inexplicably made her brow twitch. "Where exactly are you going for this walk?"
"Wherever my heart takes me. No place is off-limits—leisurely and carefree." Chang Ning was brimming with energy, his eyes gleaming, his wide sleeves billowing gracefully in the night wind, exuding the untamed elegance of an ancient scholar.
Cai Zhao wasn’t buying it. "Are you going out to stir up trouble?"
Chang Ning smiled mysteriously. "Trouble follows men, and men seek trouble. Where there are people, how can there be no trouble?"
Cai Zhao had no patience for his riddles. "How much of your power have you recovered today?"
"Not much. Just half."
"So you can’t even wait one night? You’re going out looking for a fight in the pitch dark, lantern in hand?"
Chang Ning, who had just taken a lantern from a servant, grinned. "Rest well, Zhao Zhao. I’ll be back soon."
Cai Zhao wrestled with herself for a moment before finally giving in and following him. Damn it, I’m really cursed with a life of toil!
Whether it was due to that half-restored power or not, Chang Ning moved with startling speed, his feet barely touching the ground as he skirted a grove and raced along the hillside. Within moments, they arrived at a sprawling complex of dimly lit buildings—the outer disciples’ quarters.
Cai Zhao was alarmed. "You’re here to pick a fight with the outer disciples? But there are so many of them!"
Chang Ning replied casually, "What, are you scared now—" but seeing Cai Zhao’s wide-eyed glare, he quickly amended, "Zhao Zhao’s righteous heart is beyond compare, but a gentleman must act where he—"
"Speak plainly!"
"Those mutts who bullied me before—it’s not too much to collect a little debt, is it?" Cai Zhao recalled the group of lackeys surrounding Qi Lingbo when she first arrived at Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff—clearly, this wasn’t their first time.
“You remember all of them?” She had already forgotten most of them. Did he really keep grudges so meticulously?
Chang Ning gazed reverently at the sky. “Heaven has eyes. It will surely help repay grievances.”
Then he casually found an isolated courtyard nearby and kicked open one of the doors with a loud bang , shouting, “The sect sends its regards to everyone!”
The disciples inside, whether reading or resting, immediately shrieked in alarm. The sounds of hurried footsteps, teacups shattering, basins being knocked over, and startled shouts and curses from neighboring rooms erupted, throwing the entire courtyard into chaos.
Standing alone in the cold wind outside the courtyard, Cai Zhao: “…” What the hell kind of ‘Heaven has eyes’ is this?
Chang Ning remained unperturbed. “No need to panic, fellow disciples. I’m just here to find one person.”
If it had been any other sect disciple, they might not have recognized him immediately. But Chang Ning’s signature face full of toxic sores was unmistakable on Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff.
The startled disciples who rushed out of their rooms reacted differently—some wary, some cursing, though a few asked politely who he was looking for.
Chang Ning said, “The man has crooked eyes, a large black mole on his left cheek, with a tuft of hair on it…”
Cai Zhao thought that with such distinctive features, finding the person shouldn’t be hard. But the result was even easier than expected.
Before Chang Ning could finish, the disciples in the courtyard instinctively glanced to the left—where a skinny disciple with a large black mole on his left cheek was trying to sneak back into his room. So the man was right here in this courtyard.
Chang Ning raised his left hand and made a grasping motion in the air. As if yanked by an invisible rope, the man with the mole flew in an arc and landed directly in Chang Ning’s grip, his neck firmly seized.
The mole-faced man flailed with his right hand, still defiant. “Y-you—what do you think you’re doing?! Don’t think I’m afraid of you… Ah—!” His bravado ended in a scream.
A dull crack sounded, and the man’s right arm went limp—likely broken.
The disciples were stunned. Cai Zhao was speechless.
Chang Ning wiped his right hand on the mole-faced man’s clothes, as if considering further action.
“H-hey, Brother Chang, don’t be rash!” Cai Zhao hurriedly intervened. “Using violence to counter violence isn’t the way of chivalry!”
By then, the disciples had regained their senses. A few who were close to the mole-faced man shouted and lunged at Chang Ning. Chang Ning flung the mole-faced man heavily to the ground and struck out with both palms, his sleeves billowing like banners. As effortlessly as a child batting leather balls, he swiftly knocked several men to the ground, their groans filling the air.
Chang Ning turned to Cai Zhao with a smile. “What are you talking about, Zhao Zhao? My fellow disciples were nothing but gentle and courteous—how could that be called ‘violence’? Only this counts as ‘violence.’” As he uttered the last four words, his pupils dilated slightly, a hint of excitement flickering in them.
Turning back, he addressed the crowd in a soft tone. “I’m sure you all know why I’m looking for this mole-faced senior brother. Every cause has its effect, and all deeds bear their consequences. If you’re not birds of the same feather, best not interfere. Otherwise…”
In truth, even if he hadn’t spoken, the sheer ferocity of his earlier strikes had already made the would-be attackers hesitate.Chang Ning lifted the large black mole halfway up and gently patted the dust off his clothes for him: "So you're Senior Brother Black Mole, huh? Senior brother has such a unique bone structure, truly unforgettable. Others might forget, but every time Qi Lingbo comes to pick a fight, I always see you there. Come on, tell me properly, who else is with you?"
The large black mole was terrified, but remembering that Qi Lingbo was, after all, the sect leader's daughter, he hesitated.
Chang Ning helpfully assisted him in overcoming his indecision by swiftly twisting his right arm with a sharp jerk. The large black mole immediately let out a pig-slaughtering howl and cried out repeatedly, "Alright, alright, I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! I'll point them all out for you..."
Chang Ning smiled gently, but in the large black mole's eyes, it was no different from a demon incarnate. Trembling, he forced himself to stand up, enduring the excruciating pain in his right arm as he led the way for Chang Ning.
Meanwhile, Cai Zhao was also caught in a dilemma. According to the number one rule of the Martial World—an eye for an eye—Chang Ning's actions didn't seem wrong. But she also felt that standing by idly and just watching the drama unfold wasn't quite right. Why had Fallen Blossom Valley never encountered such situations before? It left her with no experience to draw from.
At that moment, Fan Xingjia arrived, panting heavily. From a distance, he saw Chang Ning in full swing and didn't dare approach. Instead, he wiped the sweat from his brow and gave Cai Zhao an awkward smile. "He's causing such a scene—shouldn't Junior Sister try to talk him down?"
"Senior Brother is older than me, how could I presume to interfere... Oh, never mind the formalities." Cai Zhao dropped the polite pretense. "And don't act so righteous, Senior Brother. If you have the guts, why don't you go talk him down yourself?"
Knowing he didn't have that kind of influence, Fan Xingjia gritted his teeth and ran toward the courtyard on the other side.
While Cai Zhao hesitated, the large black mole had already efficiently guided Chang Ning forward, and soon the entire outer disciple residential area was in an uproar.
Using Chang Ning's revenge map as a baseline, the outer disciples could be divided into categories.
The first category consisted of martial prodigies—those whose names were known even in the Martial World. Naturally, they disdained acting as Qi Lingbo's lackeys. Aware of Chang Haosheng's heroic reputation, they already looked down on those who bullied the orphaned Chang siblings, but they dared not intervene due to Qi Lingbo's status. Now that Chang Ning was settling scores, they naturally feigned sleep, pretending to know nothing.
The second category comprised those of average skill, most of whom were busy training. However, a few, seeing their progress stagnate, sought to curry favor with Qi Lingbo to enter the inner sect.
The third category included those with little talent, barely qualifying as outer disciples. Aside from a minority who were timid or decent, most had served as Qi Lingbo's lackeys.
After the large black mole pointed out the first person, Chang Ning had them compete to see who could identify the others faster and more accurately. Fearing Chang Ning's wrath, they held nothing back, revealing every detail.
As the saying goes, even a cornered dog will leap over a wall. With more and more lackeys being exposed, they considered overwhelming him with numbers—especially since a few among them were skilled enough to put up a fight. Chang Ning, still smiling, moved like a crane in flight, his sleeves fluttering as he struck with palms, fingers, and kicks. In moments, over a dozen were knocked to the ground.
One disciple, his face bruised and swollen, shouted angrily, "Chang, if you've got the guts, go take it out on Qi Lingbo! What kind of skill is it to pick on us small fry?!"
Chang Ning laughed heartily. "She has a sect leader for a father—what do you have? Maybe I don’t have the means to settle scores with Qi Lingbo, but I sure have the means to break your dog legs! What can you do about it? What an idiot—before becoming someone's lackey, you should’ve considered whether you were even worthy!"
Even as he mocked them, his hands never stopped moving.A square-faced disciple struggled forward and declared righteously, "Young Master Chang, I've never approved of Miss Qi's actions and have admonished her several times. I know you've suffered some grievances these past months, but Miss Qi merely has a temper—she never harmed you physically. Your late father was renowned for his chivalry. As his son, shouldn't you uphold his reputation instead of seeking personal vengeance? Let's settle this peacefully—"
Before he could finish, Chang Ning swiftly leaped to his side and delivered a resounding slap that sent the square-faced man flying two zhang away, his cheek swollen and several teeth knocked loose.
Chang Ning pursued him, planting a foot on his chest and grinding down repeatedly.
"You're worse than the others. At least those little bastards know they're being vile, but you? You drape yourself in this sanctimonious facade, pretending to be different just to catch Qi Lingbo's attention. This hypocritical act of yours is utterly revolting!"
Cai Zhao also disliked the square-faced man's words and felt a perverse satisfaction watching him get beaten—so according to him, a chivalrous hero could only act for others, never seek personal justice? Seeking revenge for oneself was suddenly "personal vengeance"?
The square-faced man couldn't speak under Chang Ning's foot, only whimpering for help.
Another tall, lean youth who had been silently observing finally stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Young Master Chang, that's enough! I too disapprove of their actions, but your rampage has gone too far."
Seeing the tall youth's agile movements, Cai Zhao knew he had some skill.
Chang Ning let out a short, cold laugh. He snapped a slender branch from a nearby tree, keeping his right hand behind his back while wielding the branch with his left. The tall youth raised his sword in response.
Though the branch was pliant and the blade sharp, the crowd watched as the gleaming sword struggled against the dull gray shadow of the branch. In Chang Ning's hands, an ordinary twig became as supple as a whip yet as keen as a Cicada Wing Blade, its movements light and elusive—the signature Willow Catkin Swordplay of Chang Haosheng.
In just seven or eight exchanges, the tall youth's face, arms, and chest were struck multiple times, leaving bloody marks and torn clothing. Losing patience, Chang Ning suddenly reached out with his right hand, grabbed the youth by the front of his robe, and tossed him aside. The youth landed heavily with a grunt.
Chang Ning flicked the branch before him and said coldly, "Don't preach righteousness when you've never walked in another's shoes. Since you never stood up for the weak before, don't bother spouting noble platitudes now. Get lost!"
...
While chaos reigned outside, a refined side chamber remained undisturbed.
"Shishu, aren't you going to intervene?" Fan Xingjia asked anxiously, wiping sweat.
The elderly man on the long chair continued brewing tea calmly. "There are other elders in the outer sect—why come to me? By the way, why didn't your senior brother come himself?"
"Eldest Shixiong went down the mountain with Shifu and hasn't returned. I'm the only one here."
The old man sighed. "You shouldn't have come either."
"Shishu?" Fan Xingjia was startled.
This was Li Wenxun, the elder overseeing outer sect disciples.
Inhaling the delicate tea fragrance with satisfaction, Li Wenxun said, "Xingjia, you were recommended to the inner sect. Before you left the outer sect, did no one tell you? Just follow your Lei Shibo's lead—stay out of other people's business."
"..." Fan Xingjia hesitated."Indeed, I understand your dilemma. You've always enjoyed lively company and making friends—there's nothing wrong with that. However..." Li Wenxun spoke with great patience, "you must learn to turn a deaf ear and feign ignorance."
Fan Xingjia remained silent for a moment before asking, "So... we just ignore what's happening outside now?"
"How can we intervene?!" Li Shibo slammed down his scent cup with displeasure. "Where did this all begin? It started with the sect leader's beloved daughter throwing her weight around in the sect for years, and the sect leader's wife indulging her favoritism! When the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will follow. If even the inner sect can't sort out their own mess, what can we in the outer sect do?!"
After a pause, he added, "Stay out of this matter. From now on, pretend you know nothing about such things."
Fan Xingjia lowered his head, at a loss.
Li Shibo placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke gravely, "My mentor was Wang Dingchuan, one of the former Azure Peaks Elders. Now, my fellow disciples are scattered to the winds, fortunate to live carefree lives. Today, I'll teach you this—"
"Xingjia, you're a good lad. Don't try to please everyone. Because... not everyone is worth it."
...
Under the high moon of the deep night, Chang Ning rounded up every last one of Qi Lingbo's lackeys. At Cai Zhao's reminder, he herded them into a nearby mountain hollow to avoid disturbing others' sleep.
Once alone, Chang Ning let loose on the lackeys—some were punched until their faces twisted mid-air, others were tossed into mud pits to flail about, while some were made to slap each other and trade accusations. Finally, amidst a flood of tears and snot, they all recited the Azure Tower Sect's rules in unison—a truly spectacular sight.
Seeing that Chang Ning hadn't resorted to breaking limbs or spilling blood, Cai Zhao sighed helplessly and yawned, preparing to retire for the night.
Noticing this, Chang Ning turned to see the weariness on the girl's face. With reluctant reluctance, he waved off the lackeys, declaring the night's affairs concluded and advising them to wash up and sleep—staying up late would give them dark circles.
The lackeys nearly fainted from rage, yet none dared utter a word of protest.
Chang Ning caught up to Cai Zhao in two strides and draped his purple lamb's wool cloak over her shoulders—Cai Zhao had chased after him in haste without warm clothing, while Chang Ning had come prepared, fully outfitted.
As he fastened the ties for her, he chided, "You shouldn't have followed me. I would've returned after handling things. Don't worry so much—no one can bully me anymore..."
Cai Zhao thought silently: Actually, I'm worried you'll bully others.
Wrapped in the warm cloak carrying the scent of a young man, she felt slightly awkward and changed the subject. "You should know your limits. Showing off with just half your strength—if you really anger Qi Lingbo, she might summon her senior brother to deal with you. His skills are leagues above Dai Laoer's. Even at full strength, you'd only be twice as powerful as tonight—no match for him!"
Chang Ning looked at her with the affectionate gaze one reserves for a silly child. "Your arithmetic is so poor—how will you manage all the shops in Fallen Blossom Town someday? Half strength means half of my current power, not half of my full power."
"Tonight was only half of your current power?! Hah, as if!" Cai Zhao burst into laughter, not because her math was bad, but because it seemed impossible. "If you're that strong, why not formally join the sect and aim for the leader's position! Oh mighty hero, the future glory of Azure Tower Sect rests on you!"
Chang Ning leaned close, his warm breath brushing her ear. "I couldn't care less about being sect leader. Let's go back for supper."Cai Zhao grew increasingly uncomfortable. "Could you not stick so close? I can walk on my own. Besides, what are we eating at this late hour?"
"How about you make wontons? Chicken soup wontons," Chang Ning shifted slightly away. "I've already asked Furong to prepare the chicken broth, and Feicui saved some shrimp and meat for the filling."
"You know how to cook?"
"At least better than you. What I make won't poison anyone."
"...What kind of meat is in the filling?"
"Premium front leg pork. Don't worry, I've checked everything."
Under the shimmering stars and radiant moonlight, the young man's eyes were dark and bright, gentle and beautiful, even the sores on his face seemed more bearable now.
For some inexplicable reason, Cai Zhao felt a sudden surge of joy.
She thought to herself: Finally, I'll get to eat something that truly suits my taste.
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