When Chang Ning announced he would heal his injuries through self-cultivation, Cai Zhao sincerely hoped he would enter seclusion—even if not for the legendary three to five years, at least for forty-nine or eighty-one days.
But Young Master Chang never took the conventional path, entering and exiting seclusion with no discernible pattern—
On the first day, he secluded himself in his room all morning, only to stroll out in the afternoon, first visiting the medicine hut, then the Twin Lotus Pond Palace.
The next day, he secluded himself the entire day, only to grab a lantern that very night and go hunting for vengeance.
On the third day, he secluded himself for two and a half days straight, vanishing again right after lunch.
"What kind of self-invented cultivation method is Great Hero Chang practicing, where he secludes himself for two and a half days at a time?" Cai Zhao planted her hands on her hips and glared at the sky. "And the moment he emerges, he’s gone like the wind—you couldn’t catch him even with a hound at his heels!" She had been busy with her own training and couldn’t possibly camp outside Chang Ning’s door all day.
Feicui hurried over to report, "We’ve searched everywhere. Young Master Chang isn’t in the Quiet Retreat."
"Can’t you keep a better eye on him?" Cai Zhao sighed.
Furong pouted in frustration. "Young Master’s lightness skill is too good. One blink, and he’s gone. What can we do?"
Cai Zhao gave up. "Fine, forget it. He’ll come back once he’s done being reckless. Feicui, keep brewing his qi-tonic and detox soups. I saw a big basket of cherries being sent to the main kitchen earlier—Furong, go fetch some. We’ll serve him sugar-glazed cherries tonight. He likes those."
The two maids acknowledged the orders.
Rubbing her temples, Cai Zhao now found preventing Chang Ning from running wild far more exhausting than protecting him from others. Thinking it over, she realized their connection was so distant it would take four or five strokes of a rod to reach—this troublesome man was better off pushed onto someone else.
With that thought, she clapped her hands decisively. "Master is returning to Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff at noon today. As his disciple, I really ought to greet him in person."
Furong was slow to react, but Feicui immediately praised in a perfectly flat tone, "Wow, Miss is so respectful and filial, truly exemplary." She even clapped mechanically, prompting Furong to hastily mimic her—same hollow praise, same complete lack of enthusiasm.
Cai Zhao scowled. "Even a paid claque in an opera troupe would sound more sincere than you two."
Feicui: "After years of clapping on cue, who has any sincerity left?"
Furong: "Miss, give us a break. We still have to marry someday—can’t waste all our sincerity now."
Cai Zhao: "..." Fine, I’m done with you both!
Arriving at Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff in low spirits, she happened to see Qi Yunke and Zeng Dalou descending the Iron Chain, dust-covered from their journey. Looking left and right, Cai Zhao realized only three people had come to greet Qi Yunke—the cold and taciturn Song Yuzhi, the fidgeting Fan Xingjia, and herself, empty-handed. The scene was so bleak and pitiful that Cai Zhao felt even a roasted duck brought back from the valley would receive a warmer welcome.
Even more depressing was that two of the three disciples present had only come for Chang Ning.
The moment Fan Xingjia spotted Qi Yunke, he eagerly rushed forward to report Chang Ning’s "heroic exploits" from the night before last. Though he didn’t take sides, his main point was clear: "Young Master Chang’s power is boundless, and my skills are too meager—I simply can’t manage him."
Zeng Dalou frowned. "Chang Ning’s temperament is far too erratic and cold. Even if he suffered mistreatment before, his methods shouldn’t be so brutal."Qi Yunke didn’t mind and waved his hand. “Chang Ning has always had a bad temper—we knew that long ago. Besides, the real blame lies with those sect disciples who neglected their cultivation and discipline to fool around with Lingbo. Do you think they only bullied children like Chang Ning who came seeking refuge? Back when I was a disciple in the sect, poor and weak in cultivation, I suffered plenty from such ill-intentioned people.”
Zeng Dalou had no choice but to say, “Xingjia, no matter how improper Chang Ning is, you must still counsel him more. We absolutely cannot let chaos arise in the sect.”
“Has Senior Brother ever advised Chang Ning himself?” Song Yuzhi suddenly spoke up. “You’ve never managed more than three words with Chang Ning, so why make things difficult for Fifth Junior Brother?”
Fan Xingjia looked at Song Yuzhi gratefully. Cai Zhao was somewhat surprised—she had assumed someone as proud as Song Yuzhi would look down on everyone.
Zeng Dalou shook his head. “Fine, I’ll handle it myself.”
Then it was Cai Zhao’s turn. She was much more straightforward. “Master, you heard what Fifth Senior Brother said. Since Chang Ning is almost fully recovered, it’s time for me to move back to Camellia Longevity Abode.”
Qi Yunke chuckled. “Very well. Since Chang Ning can protect himself now, Zhao Zhao should live more comfortably.”
Cai Zhao cheered, shouting praises for her master’s wisdom.
Zeng Dalou frowned again, clearly displeased with Cai Zhao’s move. But before he could speak, Song Yuzhi unexpectedly interjected, “The next few days will be clear and perfect for moving. However, there was heavy rain yesterday, so I’ll send someone to Camellia Longevity Abode first to dispel the dampness. Junior Sister can move in tomorrow.”
Cai Zhao had actually planned to wait a few more days, fearing Chang Ning might lose his temper if she left too abruptly. But since Song Yuzhi was being so considerate, she decided to accept gracefully. “Ah… thank you, Third Senior Brother.”
With matters settled, Song Yuzhi left first—perhaps to arrange for the dampness removal immediately. Cai Zhao couldn’t help but marvel at how kindhearted Song Yuzhi was beneath his cold exterior.
Next, Qi Yunke urged Zeng Dalou to rest. “You’ve always been frail and afraid of heights. Every time you come up from the foot of the mountain, you fall ill. You’ve been exhausted these past days—go rest now, or you’ll be bedridden for half a month like before.”
Soon after, Fan Xingjia also left, likely to hand over sect affairs to Zeng Dalou.
Cai Zhao smiled as she saw them off, then turned back. “Uncle—oh, Master, did something bad happen during your trip down the mountain?”
“You noticed.” Qi Yunke sighed. “Originally, we just went to gather news about your father. But the disciples below told us that the people sent earlier to escort various sects still haven’t returned.”
“Ah.” Cai Zhao was puzzled. “Where did they go? Did they take a detour to have fun?”
Qi Yunke laughed briefly before sighing again. “Let’s wait two or three more days. If there’s still no word, we’ll have to send another team to investigate.”
Though Cai Zhao knew little of the Martial World, she couldn’t help but feel worried now.
Qi Yunke comforted his disciple. “Don’t frown so deeply, child. Even if the sky falls, it won’t be your burden to bear. Just focus on living happily. Oh, by the way—is Chang Ning truly alright now? Good, good. Alright, go play now. I’ll head to the sect to find your Uncle Li.”
Having achieved her goal, Cai Zhao was content. She plucked two long strands of grass from the cliffside and skipped back, swinging them merrily. As she passed a hidden section of the cliff, she suddenly froze.Then, slowly retreating, slowly turning her head, slowly steadying her gaze—
"Chang Ning! What are you doing~!" Cai Zhao shrieked, her voice loud enough to scare all the ducks under Lei Xiuming's care.
The tall young man standing by the cliff turned his head, his jet-black hair flowing like silk.
Slightly surprised: "How did Zhao Zhao find her way here?"
Cai Zhao rushed forward in a few steps, pointing at the person sobbing pitifully at the cliff's edge, and demanded again: "What are you doing! Huh? You... you're..." She suddenly realized the person lying at the cliff's edge looked very familiar.
That narrow forehead, that crooked chin, those mismatched triangular eyes—this, this, wasn't this one of the people who bullied Chang Ning with Qi Lingbo in Dusk Micro Palace that day?
How many people were behind Qi Lingbo that day? Right, four in total—crooked melons and cracked dates, with sharp mouths and monkey cheeks.
A flash of insight struck Cai Zhao, and she hurried to the cliff's edge to peer down. Sure enough, the remaining three were hanging pitifully on the cliff face below, at risk of plummeting into the bottomless abyss at any moment.
The stone walls of Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff had been smoothed by centuries of harsh winds, leaving few protrusions, making climbing especially difficult. These three were strung along the cliff face from far to near, with no footholds or handholds to rely on—only a thin, pitiful rope connecting all four of them.
The rope trembled in the cold wind, as if one tug would snap it.
Aside from the crooked melon already lying at the cliff's edge, the other three, in their extreme terror, had begun wailing, tears and snot streaming down their faces, desperately begging Chang Ning to pull them up.
At this sight, Cai Zhao's vision darkened, and she nearly slipped.
"Pull them up right now!" she screamed as if she'd caught Cai Pang visiting a brothel.
Chang Ning gave an "oh" and leisurely began hauling the rope to pull them up. Somehow, despite the weight of three people, the thin rope stubbornly refused to break.
Cai Zhao shook Chang Ning's arm vigorously—she would have preferred to shake his shoulders or neck, but he was too tall—and shouted in a frenzy:
"Are you insane, insane, absolutely insane?! This is Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff! Below is a bottomless abyss—if they fall, we won't even recover their bodies! Sure, they wronged you, but it's not a capital offense! Have you lost your mind from training? Are you really going to kill them? Aaaaaah!"
Chang Ning straightened his sleeves, unfazed. "If they really fell, we could just say they couldn't endure the hardships of cultivation and fled the mountain. No bodies anyway..." Seeing the girl before him nearly bristling with fury, he smiled and explained, "Don't worry, Zhao Zhao. I'd never take their lives. You misunderstood."
"Misunderstood?!" Cai Zhao panted heavily. "Fine, then tell me—what are you doing here?!"
Chang Ning nudged the first person with his foot. "A Gua, speak up. Did I mean to harm your lives?"
The man, having been the first to climb up, had regained some composure and blurted out reflexively, "My name isn't A Gua..."
"No, your name is A Gua," Chang Ning said coldly, his gaze venomous.
A Gua met Chang Ning's poisonous glare and recoiled as if burned. "Y-yes, I'm A Gua! Senior Sister Cai, Senior Brother Chang definitely isn't trying to kill us!"
Cai Zhao was so angry she laughed. "Fine, then what are you doing here?!"
A Gua, dizzy and disoriented, stammered, "W-we... we're..."
"Go on, what are you doing?" Chang Ning asked with a smile.A Gua finally came up with an excuse before suffocating himself: "The four of us got curious and wanted to see what was at the bottom of the cliff, so we tied a rope and climbed down. Who knew going down would be easy but coming back up would be so hard? Luckily, Senior Brother Chang... Chang pulled us up. Senior Brother Chang saved our lives!"
Chang Ning suddenly understood: "So that's what happened. Did you hear that, Zhao Zhao?"
Cai Zhao: "..."
The other three also caught on and began shouting over each other—
"Senior Brother Chang disregarded past grievances and risked himself to save us from danger. Such great benevolence and righteousness!"
"Wuwuwu, from now on, Senior Brother Chang is like a second parent to us. We'll set up a longevity tablet for him, wuwuwu..."
"A virtuous gentleman like Senior Brother Chang is truly the pillar of righteousness! I was an animal before—no, worse than an animal—to dare disrespect Senior Brother Chang!" The last one, fearing the atmosphere wasn't intense enough, even started slapping his own face.
Cai Zhao's face stiffened. Suddenly, she turned and walked away without a word.
Chang Ning quickly caught up, tilting his head onto her shoulder with a smile. "Alright, alright, Zhao Zhao, don't be angry. It's because I remembered your words that I didn’t actually throw them down."
Cai Zhao suddenly deflated, feeling life was truly difficult. Leaving home to study under a master was hard enough, but heaven had to pair her with a Chang Ning who was either causing trouble or about to cause trouble.
She stopped on a wooden bridge spanning a deep ravine. "You really need to know when to stop. My aunt once said the saddest thing in the world is when a victim goes too far in revenge and ends up becoming the target of public scorn and condemnation."
Chang Ning nodded. "I know. They were the last four sect disciples. There’s no one else."
"Good, you know. Then rein it in quickly. Master has already gone up the mountain. When he returns from Elder Li Shibo’s place, Qi Lingbo will definitely complain to him. You’d better watch your own skin!"
Chang Ning's long lashes flickered almost imperceptibly. "Alright, I know."
Cai Zhao sighed in relief and stepped off the bridge, only to realize there were no footsteps behind her. She turned to see Chang Ning still standing at the bridge’s highest point. "Why aren’t you coming?"
Standing tall against the mountain breeze, Chang Ning smiled faintly. "The lackeys are dealt with, but the ringleader hasn’t been punished yet. Zhao Zhao, go back to Serene Abode first. I’ll return shortly." With that, he struck the bridge with a palm strike, the force as fierce as a hammer blow. The bridge cracked with a loud snap , and then, with a series of creaks and groans, both ends shattered, wooden fragments tumbling into the deep ravine below.
At the same time, Chang Ning leaped into the air, his movement light and ethereal, like a carefree wisp of green cloud drifting up before gently landing on the opposite bank.
"......" Cai Zhao was stunned. Only after the entire bridge had collapsed did she snap out of it. "Y-you—where are you going? Are you going after Qi Lingbo? Don’t be insane! Come back, come back right now!"
Chang Ning waved at her from afar and then strode away briskly.
Cai Zhao paced anxiously at the edge of the ravine. The gap was too wide for her to jump across in one go. If only she had a long whip or rope to give her some leverage! But she had grown up in Fallen Blossom Town and never developed the habit of carrying weapons.
Finally, gritting her teeth, she resolved to take the long way around, determined to reach Qi Lingbo’s residence, the Jade Exquisite Abode, as quickly as possible.Skirting the deep ravines and pushing forward along the mountain slope, Cai Zhao saw from afar the Jade Exquisite Abode, once adorned with gold and silver, now engulfed in roaring flames. The bloodstained private guards of the Yin family lay scattered on the ground, groaning in pain—some clutching their stomachs, others gripping their arms. Servants and maids who hadn’t escaped in time huddled by the pond, wailing from their burns, while those unharmed scrambled to fetch water and fight the fire.
Cai Zhao stepped over charred trees and flowers, standing helplessly amidst the chaos.
She grabbed a passing maid and asked, “Did Chang Ning set this fire?”
The maid trembled. “Yes, it was Young Master Chang! He knocked out all the guards as soon as he arrived! He demanded Senior Sister Lingbo come out, and when she didn’t, he set the fire without another word, saying he’d force her out!”
Cai Zhao: “Where is Senior Sister Lingbo now?”
“Young Master Dai took her out through the back gate, and Young Master Chang chased after them!” The maid was already crying in fear.
Releasing the maid, Cai Zhao picked up an intact Qinggang Sword from the ground and sprinted in the direction the maid had pointed.
……
Hanging Sky Dock, beneath the azure silk curtains.
A handsome and valiant young man sat on a bamboo couch, meticulously polishing his beloved sword, ‘Kunpeng.’
A servant cautiously reported, “Young Master, it seems there’s a fire in the direction of the Jade Exquisite Abode. Won’t you go and see?”
Song Yuzhi: “No need.”
The servant hesitated before adding, “I heard Young Master Chang Ning caused quite a stir at the sect the other day. Could he be seeking trouble with Senior Sister Lingbo?”
Song Yuzhi didn’t even look up. “What if he is?”
“Young Master, Senior Sister Lingbo is after all your…”
Song Yuzhi set down the white velvet cloth. “Lingbo has acted improperly for years. She deserves some discipline. Since she refuses to listen to reason, perhaps Brother Chang can teach her instead.”
The servant: “I only hope Young Master Chang doesn’t go too far, or he might face severe punishment.”
“Not necessarily.” Song Yuzhi mused, “Out of respect for Old Sect Leader Yin, Lingbo has never been properly punished for her misdeeds all these years. Similarly, out of regard for the late Great Hero Chang, even if Chang Ning does something wrong, can our master truly bring himself to harshly punish the last descendant of the Chang family?”
The servant couldn’t help but say, “Old Sect Leader Yin is your grandfather.”
“I know.” Song Yuzhi lifted his sword, inspecting it as he spoke to himself. “They say a beauty should be matched with a hero, but the Azure Tower Sect doesn’t belong to the Yin family. The next sect leader doesn’t necessarily have to marry the daughter of the previous one. It’s just that Grandfather’s reputation is too towering, and he’s held the sect for too long—so everyone has forgotten this fact.”
……
Cai Zhao dashed past pavilions and towers until she reached the edge of a vast lake. There, two figures clashed fiercely amidst flashing sword lights.
Qi Lingbo lay drenched nearby, watching the duel with tearful eyes. She was wrapped in Dai Fengchi’s robe, her face smeared with mud.
Dai Fengchi, known as the ‘Wind-Chasing Swordsman,’ wielded the Meteor Chasing Swordplay, renowned for its swiftness and brilliance, striking like fleeting meteors. This time, Chang Ning had abandoned his branch and instead seized a Qinggang Sword from a guard, employing the Chang family’s ‘Willow Catkin Swordplay’—gentle and supple as willow tendrils.
Neither sword style was inherently superior, but before Cai Zhao could reach them, Chang Ning suddenly slashed diagonally at Dai Fengchi’s left shoulder, his blade faster than a shooting star. Dai Fengchi grunted, staggering back two steps. Chang Ning followed with a palm strike, sending Dai Fengchi flying several paces before he collapsed, coughing blood.
Chang Ning stepped forward, pointing his sword at Dai and Qi. “Did you ever imagine this day when you forced me to bark like a dog?”Qi Lingbo shouted angrily, "You kicked me into the lake and humiliated me with mud, what more do you want now?! Killing is just a matter of a moment—if you have the guts, just kill me!"
Chang Ning chuckled lightly, "You both saw how Wu Yuanying ended up that day. Killing you would be too merciful—I want you to suffer!"
The horrific state of Wu Yuanying was seared into everyone's minds like a nightmare.
Qi Lingbo was so terrified she could barely speak: "You... what do you want... my father won’t let you get away with this!"
"True. Out of respect for Sect Leader Qi, I can’t actually kill you two." Chang Ning nodded, then suddenly swung his sword. With a flash of steel, the blade shot straight toward Qi Lingbo’s face.
Just as the "Fairy of Lingbo" was about to have her face slashed, a crisp clang of clashing blades rang out—Cai Zhao had swiftly stepped in, her sword barely intercepting Chang Ning’s lightning-fast strike.
Chang Ning withdrew his sword and took a step back, smiling. "You’re quick, Zhao Zhao. Fallen Blossom Valley’s Flower-Fluttering Crossing is truly impressive."
Almost simultaneously, the other inner disciples and guards rushed over, witnessing Cai Zhao standing protectively in front of the two Qis, her youthful beauty like a flower, her sword cold as ice.
Having already seen Chang Ning’s skills, none dared to step forward recklessly.
Cai Zhao spoke deliberately, "Senior Brother Chang, as I’ve said before, you should know when to stop."
Chang Ning’s expression darkened. "Surely you’re not going to parrot those hypocrites who say, ‘Since no real harm was done, you shouldn’t hold a grudge.’ If someone is forced to bark like a dog, roll in mud, eat filth, or have their heart’s blood drained, that’s their misfortune—not because Qi Lingbo and her ilk showed mercy."
He swung his sword forward, his voice icy. "If someone intends harm, they must be judged as harmful. Why shouldn’t vengeance be taken?!"
Cai Zhao sighed softly. "Brother Chang, we’ve said all there is to say. Besides, someone as clever as you already understands these principles. ‘Intending harm’ is indeed despicable, but it’s still different from ‘having actually harmed someone.’ Seeking justice is fair, but excessive retribution goes too far."
"Is this also what your aunt taught you?" Chang Ning glanced at her sidelong, his smile cold and sharp. "No wonder your aunt, despite her unparalleled martial prowess, ended up bedridden for years and died in sorrow. I won’t follow her example—and I advise you not to either! Roaming the Martial World with freedom and joy is far better than being shackled by the name of righteousness at every turn!"
Cai Zhao’s face turned frosty. "On the very first day we met, we agreed to three rules. Now that you no longer need my protection, you dare to speak of my aunt like this?!"
Chang Ning couldn’t suppress the wildness in his eyes as he laughed. "Don’t be angry, Zhao Zhao. I shouldn’t have spoken of your aunt—punish me however you like when we return... just let me vent this last bit of rage!"
In the blink of an eye, Chang Ning twisted his wrist, his sword coiling like a viper’s strike, bypassing Cai Zhao to aim once more for Qi Lingbo’s face.
Amid Qi Lingbo’s shriek, Cai Zhao flipped her wrist to deflect Chang Ning’s blade, then lunged forward. Within a single breath, their swords clashed several times with clear, ringing strikes—so fast that the onlookers could barely follow their movements.
Cai Zhao had once heard Cai Pingshu say that the Chang family’s Willow Catkin Swordplay was fluid and elusive, its most formidable aspect being the "Entanglement" technique—once an opponent’s weapon was ensnared, defeat was inevitable. From the very first move, Cai Zhao wielded her sword with blinding speed, striving to strike first at every turn, ensuring Chang Ning’s sword net could never entangle her.After just seven or eight moves, Cai Zhao noticed Chang Ning's left hand seemed slightly sluggish—as if his sword technique wasn't fully mastered yet, or perhaps he was running out of stamina. Seizing an opening, she swiftly thrust her sword forward—
"Ah!" The crowd gasped in unison.
One drop, then another—bright red blood fell onto the snow-white jade steps of the lake.
Chang Ning stared blankly downward. The gleaming blade had pierced his left shoulder.
It wasn't deep, nor did it hurt much. He thought.
The crowd murmured in shock—
"Junior Sister Cai is amazing! Did anyone even see how she struck just now?"
"Next time anyone dares to say the Cai Family has fallen and there's no one left in Fallen Blossom Valley, I'll slap them silly!"
"Looks like Young Master Chang went easy on them..."
"Stop trying to save face! Seven or eight of your brothers were knocked flat by a single flick of Young Master Chang's sleeve—couldn't even get up! And now you're here pretending to have dignity?"
"Thank goodness Senior Brother Dai insisted on sparring with Junior Sister Cai."
"Hahaha, I wouldn't have thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it..."
"Stop laughing. Young Master Chang holds grudges so fiercely. Now that blood's been drawn, who knows how this will end."
The sword blade withdrew from flesh with a sharp hiss, drawing another crimson line.
"Have you had enough of this madness?" Cai Zhao struggled to steady her breathing, keeping her sword hand from trembling—this was the first time she'd ever wounded someone.
"Senior Sister Lingbo bullied you, but the maids and servants at Jade Exquisite Abode had nothing to do with it! How many innocent people got burned when you set that great fire? You feel wronged, you want revenge—does that mean you can ignore the innocent?!"
Her voice quivered slightly but remained firm. "Someone does evil, then you respond with greater evil to retaliate. Becoming exactly like those you once despised—I have no respect for such people."
With a crisp clang, Chang Ning lightly tossed his sword to the ground, then pressed a hand to his wounded shoulder. His long lashes lowered, the violent frenzy around him dissipating like scattered clouds.
Relief washed over Cai Zhao as she relaxed her tense posture, casually discarding her own sword. The bloodied tip drew a thin red line across the white jade steps.
Steadying herself, she slowly approached Chang Ning and tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go. Time to go home for some soup."
Chang Ning looked down at the pale hand clutching his sleeve, just like that day in Dusk Micro Palace when Qi Yunke entrusted the girl with his care. He responded softly, "Mm."
The crowd watched dumbfounded as the two walked away together.
"That's... it's over?"
"What else did you want? More chaos?"
"But this isn't right! Senior Sister Lingbo barely did anything, yet this Chang fellow turned the world upside down. Now there's bloodshed, and he just walks away like nothing happened?"
"Good that he's leaving, good that he's leaving. Thank goodness Junior Sister Cai could restrain him—if they'd really fought, we'd have had to intervene. Want to get beaten up again?"
...
Song Yuzhi stood beneath the corridor eaves, gazing at the sky where a gentle breeze carried the promise of fair weather.
He smiled. "Tomorrow's weather will be even better than today's. Perfect for moving."
OpenNovel