The next morning, in a room at Qingjing Zhai.
Cai Zhao was writing furiously, her characters as tiny as mosquito legs, densely packed across small scrolls of paper.
Chang Ning stood beside her, grinding ink in circles over and over.
"...Didn't you say you didn’t want to beg for help from all directions and just wait for news?" he couldn’t help but remark.
"First, I’m not begging from all directions—only three: Uncle Zhou, Venerable Fakong, and Shijing Yuantai," Cai Zhao replied without pausing her brush.
"Second, I’m not just sitting around waiting for news. I need people outside to know my situation—my father is missing, his fate unknown; my mother is far away and wouldn’t be of much help even if she came. I’m just a helpless young girl, and any troubles I face are the sect’s responsibility."
The inkstone was drying out, so Chang Ning added a little more water with a gilded spoon and continued grinding. "Do you think those three will rush to your aid as soon as they read your letters?"
"They’ll come, but not immediately." Cai Zhao’s fingers ached from writing, so she set down the brush and shook her hand. "After all, I still have my master here. They have their own troubles to deal with. Especially Uncle Zhou—not only is he and his family severely injured, but there are also many casualties to compensate. Sigh, as my aunt always said, it’s better to rely on yourself than to beg others."
After hesitating for a moment, Chang Ning finally asked, "Who do you suspect in your heart?"
Cai Zhao picked up the brush again. "Since it was someone within the Azure Tower Sect who knew my father, it could be Master, Senior Brother Zeng, Li Shibo, Lei Shibo, or even Senior Brother Fan. But what I don’t understand is..."
She furrowed her delicate brows, utterly perplexed. "What’s the point of capturing my father? Among the six sects, Fallen Blossom Valley ranks last, and the Cai Family isn’t particularly prominent in the martial world. Even if the leader of the Demonic Cult wanted to make an example of someone, my father wouldn’t be the target."
After much thought, she still had no answers.
She finished the last scroll, tucked it into a small bamboo tube attached to a carrier pigeon’s leg, and handed it to Furong to release. At the same time, she pretended to receive another pigeon from Feicui, retrieving a ‘secret message.’
Outside, the sun was high. Cai Zhao held the ‘secret message’ and prepared to leave, turning back at the door to say, "Brother Chang, you shouldn’t come this time. I’m afraid people are already suspicious of you."
Chang Ning replied indifferently, "I don’t trust you to go alone. Let them be suspicious if they want. If things go south, we’ll just slip away."
Cai Zhao had no choice but to let him follow.
Given the current situation, the sensible approach would be to observe quietly and wait for the true culprit hidden within the Azure Tower Sect to make another move—after all, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths just to capture Cai Pingchun and stop there.
But Cai Zhao absolutely refused to wait—ridiculous, this was her father, her own flesh and blood!
If the enemy wouldn’t act, then she would move first.
In the courtyard of Dusk Micro Palace, Qi Yunke’s room still reeked of thick medicinal fumes. The bitter, stifling scent made Cai Zhao inexplicably uneasy, like a young beast instinctively bristling at the presence of a natural predator, even if it didn’t recognize the threat.
Zeng Dalou and Fan Xingjia stood on either side of the sickbed, while several stewards from the inner and outer sects reported accounts.
When Qi Yunke heard Cai Zhao’s report, he was stunned beyond words: "Zhao Zhao, what did you say?! Someone saw the murderer who killed the innkeeper and his servants last night?"
Zeng Dalou’s brush clattered to the floor. Fan Xingjia nearly jumped in shock, and the stewards gaped in disbelief.
Cai Zhao ‘beamed with joy.’ "Yes! I just received a secret message—someone witnessed it last night."Zeng Dalou snapped out of his thoughts and was about to dismiss the stewards when Cai Zhao spoke up, "No need. We'll still need the help of these uncles and elders later."
Qi Yunke quickly asked, "Zhao Zhao, explain clearly. What exactly happened?"
"Early this morning, our family's stewards and servants rushed over upon hearing the news. While walking down the street, someone deliberately bumped into them, and they later discovered a note had been slipped into their clothes." The young girl's cheeks were flushed pink, looking both excited and pleasantly surprised.
Chang Ning resisted the urge to smirk.
"The note said that this person had retired from the Martial World years ago and no longer wished to be involved in its affairs. However, out of admiration for my late aunt's reputation, they came specifically to deliver a message." Cai Zhao 'radiated joy mixed with a hint of shyness,' "They said that upon hearing about the bloody incident at the Yue Lai Inn this morning, they realized what they saw last night was the real culprit."
Zeng Dalou voiced his suspicion, "This might just be a scam."
Qi Yunke raised his hand, "Now, now, Dalou, don't interrupt. Zhao Zhao, go on. What did this person see?"
"The person said that around midnight last night, while walking near a street corner, they saw the innkeeper instructing the staff to close the main gate when several people entered the inn. Because of the distance, the person couldn't clearly see their faces, but the innkeeper and staff seemed to recognize them, with the staff even repeatedly bowing in greeting—then the staff proceeded to bolt the door panels one by one."
Cai Zhao looked at Qi Yunke, "Master, think about it. It's one thing if the innkeeper recognized them—he used to be part of the Martial World—but even the staff knew them, so they must be from Qing Que Town. And the staff kept bowing, which means they were likely from our sect!"
"Don't speak nonsense," Qi Yunke scolded the girl in a low voice, then glanced at the stewards.
Zeng Dalou hesitated, "With just a note like this, we can't even verify its authenticity. Could this be a Demonic Cult scheme to sow discord?"
Cai Zhao pouted, her face a picture of 'grasping at straws in desperation,' on the verge of tears, "Master, Eldest Brother, I know this sounds unreliable, but even if it's a long shot, you should still investigate the people in town and the sect. See if anyone's been acting suspiciously or suddenly came into a fortune recently—maybe we can catch a Demonic Cult spy! Lately, we've been ambushed repeatedly. It's time to close ranks and thoroughly investigate—better late than never."
This time, Zeng Dalou had no objections. Stroking his short beard, he said, "With so many newcomers lately, it wouldn't hurt to investigate. If there's a problem, we'll correct it; if not, we'll remain vigilant."
Fan Xingjia lowered his head and couldn't resist interjecting, "Could someone have disguised themselves as a sect member, tricking Valley Master Cai?"
Chang Ning scoffed lightly, "During the ceremony, Lady Cai could spot Luo Yuanrong's disguise from over twenty feet away. I doubt Valley Master Cai would be so easily fooled."
Cai Zhao quickly added, "Exactly! Although my father isn't as sharp-eyed as my mother, as long as someone comes within five steps of him, any disguise would be impossible to hide. So whoever put my father at ease must be someone he knows!"
Qi Yunke pondered for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind, "Alright, we'll investigate."
The young girl seemed overjoyed upon hearing this, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Eldest Brother! I'll go back and wait for news!"
Just as Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were about to leave, Qi Yunke suddenly spoke up, "Ning'er, have your injuries and poison fully healed?"
Cai Zhao stiffened, nearly tripping.
Chang Ning turned back nonchalantly with a faint smile, "Almost."
Qi Yunke studied him for a moment, "...Good."The two returned to the Quiet Cottage and hastily had their midday meal.
Cai Zhao brought out the medicine chest Ning Xiaofeng had given her, pulling out a hidden compartment at the bottom. Inside were bottles and jars of various colors, large and small brushes, powder cakes, powder sheets, and even an assortment of fake beards, sideburns, and Adam's apples...
Chang Ning's temple twitched slightly as he couldn't help but ask, "You came to the Azure Tower Sect to become a disciple. Why would your mother prepare these things for you?"
Cai Zhao replied, "My aunt said, 'Where there are people, there's the Martial World.' My mother said, 'In the Martial World, one must always be prepared.'"
Chang Ning: "..."
Without pausing, Cai Zhao first selected two suitable powder sheets and placed them in lukewarm water. Then she found a pale yellow porcelain bottle and poured a few drops of a grassy-smelling liquid into the water. Immediately, the two powder sheets became thin, soft, and sticky.
She wrung out one sheet and pressed it onto her face, then used a mirror to apply, dab, and stick various items. After arranging her hair and donning the sect robes Furong had procured—a white silver-trimmed long-sleeved robe with a blue embroidered waistband—she instantly transformed into an ordinary-looking, short-statured Azure Tower Sect disciple.
"Luckily, many strangers arrived yesterday. Otherwise, the disciples guarding Wind Cloud Peak have sharp eyes—if they saw a face they didn't recognize, they'd definitely ask who I was," Cai Zhao said, having Feicui hold up a mirror as she practiced walking like a man.
Chang Ning remarked, "Then why not just disguise yourself as a sect disciple? For example, you could disguise yourself as A Gua or one of the others."
Cai Zhao frowned. "Sorry, my skills aren't that refined. This is all I can manage." Disguising oneself as a familiar face was far more difficult than disguising oneself as a stranger!
After reluctantly dragging Chang Ning through the same disguise process, Cai Zhao declared they were ready to leave.
To conceal their movements, they didn't exit through the door but instead climbed over the courtyard walls one after the other.
The midday sun was lazy, and most disciples who had finished their tasks preferred to go down the mountain at this time. Blending into the small groups crossing the Iron Chain Bridge, Cai Zhao spotted Song Yu in the distance. Due to his unhealed injuries, he could no longer cross the cliff with ease and was instead escorted by two guards from the Vast Heaven Gate.
She suddenly recalled that the first time she had seen him was also on the Iron Chain. Back then, the handsome young man had moved with effortless grace, exuding an air of pride that made him stand out. Now, he had been reduced to this state.
A disciple nearby whispered, "Is Senior Brother Song still not recovered?"
Another replied, "Judging by his appearance, definitely not."
"Then why is he out? He should be resting."
"I heard the Song family sent more people—twenty first-class experts, apparently handpicked by Sect Leader Song from the Vast Heaven Gate's Golden Light Sacred Hall guards. With that kind of force, the gatekeeping elders wouldn't dare let them in casually, so Senior Brother Song had to go receive them himself."
"The Vast Heaven Gate truly has formidable strength. Their presence is extraordinary."
"With Sect Leader Song dead and his most promising son in this state... Do you think Senior Brother Song can still recover?"
"I don't know. If he can't recover, wouldn't he end up a cripple like Cai Pingshu?"
"Ha! You dare say that louder? If Junior Sister Cai hears you talking about Lady Cai like that, she’ll beat you into a leaky pot! She’s neither injured nor poisoned, and she’s got that mad dog Chang Ning by her side. Hmph!"
"Ah, poor Junior Sister Cai. So young and all alone, with her father missing... It must be hard for her.""Instead of worrying about her, you should worry about yourself. Junior Sister Cai could take on eighteen of you. Li Shibo has already said that starting next month, our workload will increase!"
Like students everywhere, the disciples all groaned at the news of extra lessons.
Cai Zhao listened quietly, feeling a wave of melancholy.
After landing at Wind Cloud Peak, she spotted Song Yu and his group ahead on the downhill path. She instinctively wanted to approach and say a few words, but stopped after a few steps—remembering she was currently in disguise.
With a bitter smile, someone suddenly brushed past her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her behind a boulder.
Chang Ning's eyes were dark: "Where were you just going?"
Cai Zhao frowned: "You sound just like Old Wu."
Chang Ning couldn't help asking: "Who's Old Wu?"
"Old Wu is the most successful cooper in Fallen Blossom Town. His wife ran off with a traveling performer."
"Pretty boys are all scoundrels!" Chang Ning scoffed.
Cai Zhao looked surprised: "No, not a pretty boy—it was a very talented female performer with a beautiful voice."
Chang Ning's face turned green.
"Actually, Old Wu's wife was a good person—virtuous, capable, and kind to neighbors. My aunt said she probably just discovered her true self. Later, my aunt even had my mother arrange another marriage for Old Wu."
After this reflection, Cai Zhao turned to Chang Ning earnestly: "Brother Chang, you should really work on your temper. Otherwise, your future wife might also 'discover her true self' someday."
Chang Ning felt like he was emitting green light from his entire body.
Noise suddenly came from ahead as another group of descending disciples approached.
The two quickly hid among the trees and rocks.
"Who should we catch?" Chang Ning eyed the passing crowd like fat rabbits ready for slaughter.
Cai Zhao: "Right now the sect members fall into three categories—original members, those who arrived yesterday, and those from Vast Heaven Gate. Who do you think we should start with?"
"Vast Heaven Gate," Chang Ning answered without hesitation.
"Good. Then let's catch some of those who arrived yesterday first. Senior Brother Fan always says they look creepy."
Chang Ning: ...Then why did you even ask me? (｀⌒´)
He glared sideways at the girl, cracking his knuckles.
Cai Zhao pretended not to notice and mused: "We can't catch them here though. Should we wait until we're down the mountain?"
Chang Ning said darkly: "If you want to stir up trouble, don't hold back. Catch a few today, a few more tomorrow. Best case we get information. Worst case we kill them and dump them in the mountains—next year's wildlife will be well-fed."
"Killing randomly isn't good. What if they just have unfortunate faces but are actually good people?" Cai Zhao still had principles.
Chang Ning rolled his eyes: "Then knock them out and throw them on a southbound grain barge. They won't return for ten days at least." (Of course they'd need to be injured enough to require recovery time.)
"Good idea." Cai Zhao brightened, turning her gaze forward. "But who should we catch?"
Chang Ning: "Naturally the most skilled ones."
With that, he picked up a piece of bark and threw it in a spinning arc. The bark flew in a crescent moon trajectory, striking a tree opposite the group with a sudden loud crack.
In this sudden event, everyone's true capabilities became apparent.Some were bewildered, unsure of what had happened, while others immediately activated their inner energy to guard against threats, scanning their surroundings. A few even relied on their keen hearing to pinpoint the source and lunged toward the large tree... Among them, only two remained exceptionally calm—neither lost in confusion nor hastily taking action. Instead, they cast suspicious glances in the direction where Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were hiding.
At that moment, a plump rabbit suddenly darted out from the bushes, flashed past the crowd, and vanished.
Everyone relaxed and laughed.
Chang Ning turned to the girl with an expressionless face. "Let’s follow those two."
Cai Zhao agreed.
Today was market day in Qingque Town, and villagers from surrounding areas had flocked in to buy and sell, bustling with excitement. Chang Ning and Cai Zhao trailed the two men from a distance, only to find themselves led all the way to a brothel—
The brothel was named 'Little Xuange.'
Not only was its name elegant, but the building itself was adorned with refined and tasteful decor.
Were it not for the patrons and gaudily dressed women coming and going, arms draped over each other, Cai Zhao wouldn’t have even recognized it as a brothel.
"Qingque Town actually has a brothel?" she muttered, stunned.
Chang Ning suppressed a laugh. "Does Fallen Blossom Town not have one?"
Cai Zhao thought for a moment. "There almost was one, but my mother ruined it."
"Was she afraid the courtesans would seduce your father?"
"No, she was afraid they’d seduce my aunt."
"..." Chang Ning had no idea how many times today he’d been left speechless.
Seeing the two men enter the brothel, Cai Zhao swallowed hard and considered following them in, but Chang Ning sternly stopped her.
In the end, the two settled by a second-floor window in a tavern diagonally across from the brothel. To avoid missing anything, Cai Zhao even hired a few children to keep watch around the brothel, specifically monitoring patrons who left without being escorted by the madam, pimps, or courtesans.
Noticing Chang Ning’s confusion, Cai Zhao patiently explained, "Most brothels have more than one entrance. Only about half the patrons swagger in openly. Those with families, lovers, or reputations to uphold—like esteemed martial heroes—often can’t bear the shame, so the brothel guides them through side or back doors."
"Also, if those two were genuinely there for business, unless they skipped out on payment, the establishment would surely see them off warmly, hoping for repeat visits."
Chang Ning frowned. "How do you know all this?"
"The ways of commerce are ever-changing. The sea of learning is boundless."
Chang Ning inexplicably felt a surge of paternal exasperation and let out a long sigh.
Cai Zhao tilted her head. "What’s wrong?"
Chang Ning sighed again. "Nothing. I just wish you’d grow up to be upright and law-abiding." The girl’s knowledge of underhanded methods was nearly surpassing his own. The state of renowned sects these days was truly... indescribable.
Cai Zhao blinked. "Huh?"
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, a child below the tavern frantically waved a red cloth.
Spotting this, Cai Zhao immediately dragged Chang Ning downstairs to give chase. They saw two unfamiliar men emerge from the brothel’s back door and slip into an alley.
Chang Ning paused. "Not them. Must be someone else." Their clothes and appearance were entirely different. He was about to tease the girl for miscalculating when he felt his sleeve tugged—she was already pulling him forward.
"No, it’s them! They’ve disguised themselves!" Cai Zhao said gravely. "Changing their looks and clothes for no reason? Definitely suspicious! Let’s hurry!"
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