Cai Zhao immediately put down her chopsticks upon hearing the voice, her face hardening as she refused to even turn her head.
Qian Xueshen paled at the thought of the 'engagement' that had just been settled these past two days.
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Those who traveled long distances rarely arrived with neat attire—either exhausted in appearance or disheveled in spirit. Even someone like Cai Qianren, who arrived on the Giant Peng, couldn't avoid being blown about until his hair was tousled and messy.
Yet this handsome young man seemed as though he had just stepped out of an elegant waterside study, impeccably refined and tidy beyond reason.
The innkeeper, as usual, greeted him with a beaming smile: "Welcome, honored guest! Will you be dining or staying—"
"I'll be staying. Bring in the Li chest from outside." Mu Qingyan bypassed the innkeeper and walked straight toward Cai Zhao.
The manager straightened up and forced a smile. "Esteemed guest, forgive my lack of welcome. My deepest apologies—"
Mu Qingyan acted as if he hadn't heard and sat down beside Cai Zhao. "Zhao Zhao, was the journey these past two days difficult?"
Noticing the manager's puzzled look, Cai Zhao quickly smiled. "Zhao Zhao is my childhood name. My formal name is indeed Feng Xiaohan."
The manager forced another laugh. "As they say, who among us doesn’t have a childhood name—"
Before he could finish, a terrified shriek came from outside the inn!
A servant stumbled in, trembling. "Qian Si and the others... they're all dead... their necks... their necks were stomped and broken!"
The manager gasped and rushed outside.
Cai Zhao frowned. "Someone died at the inn's entrance? Also, who’s Qian Si and the others?"
Mu Qingyan: "No idea. But they had a few chopsticks stuck in their backs. Looked quite amusing."
Cai Zhao thought for a moment before realizing. "Huh?"
Qian Xueshen trembled as he stared at Mu Qingyan. "Y-you killed them?"
Mu Qingyan glanced at him sidelong with his handsome eyes but said nothing.
The manager and several guests from the hall rushed outside, where they saw the three men Cai Zhao had struck with chopshots either lying face-up or prone on the ground. Each of their necks was twisted at an unnatural angle, clearly indicating their cervical bones had been completely shattered. Faint footprints, still damp with melted snow, were imprinted on their necks.
Just then, another servant screamed. The manager and the others hurried to the corner of the inn, where the two men Cai Zhao had slashed across the chest and severed at the wrist also lay dead, their necks similarly crushed by stomping.
The manager returned, his soul seemingly absent from his body.
He looked up at Mu Qingyan. "You... you killed them?"
Mu Qingyan leaned back slightly. "Terribly sorry. I accidentally stomped them to death."
The manager's eyes widened—this man spoke as if he had merely crushed a few ants.
Mu Qingyan smiled apologetically. "It seems the manager will need to find new 'scouts.'"
The manager shuddered and forced a laugh. "Hahaha... honored guest, please enjoy your meal. I'll have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes." With that, he slipped out of the hall.
"How could you just kill people like that?!" Cai Zhao glared and slammed the table.
Mu Qingyan replied airily, "And you just stabbed people with chopsticks."
"Is there no difference between that and taking lives?"
"That one with the chest wound—if the cut had been half an inch deeper, you'd have dug out his heart." Mu Qingyan teased. "You could say it was intentional, that you didn’t control your strength well enough."
Cai Zhao flushed awkwardly. "When I pulled the dagger from his chest earlier, I noticed there was still unwashed blood on it. I figured he’d taken lives before, so I struck a little harder.""They've all taken lives," Mu Qingyan chuckled. "Ever heard of 'probing darts'? When martial artists encounter unfamiliar territory, they usually throw a few darts to test the waters. Over the years, more than one or two groups of merchants have mysteriously disappeared from this inn."
Cai Zhao was shocked: "This is a murderous inn?!"
Mu Qingyan: "Half and half. If the guests are ruthless—like you, Zhao Zhao—the inn will do honest business and make you feel at home. But if the guests aren't from the Martial World and have no backing, well... let's just say things might not go so smoothly."
Cai Zhao narrowed her eyes: "How do you know all this?"
"You've been too busy asking about the terrain of the Great Snow Mountain along the way," Mu Qingyan said, wiping his chopsticks with a handkerchief. "I took the time to learn about the local customs. This inn was built over a decade ago. Before that, fur and medicinal herb traders in this snowy mountain town were scattered. But once this inn appeared, all such business had to go through here."
Cai Zhao curled her lip. "So it's a local tyrant."
Just then, two inn attendants carried in Mu Qingyan's luggage.
The heavy chest was nearly half a man's height, made of gleaming, expensive lacquered wood inlaid with exquisite mother-of-pearl and seashells. The chest alone was worth a fortune and should have drawn attention, yet the few remaining guests in the hall didn't even dare glance at it.
If Cai Zhao's earlier display had made them wary and cautious, Mu Qingyan's ruthless methods had left them uneasy and downright terrified.
Cai Zhao sighed mournfully: "Ah, why is traveling so difficult? Why are there so many bad people in the world? It makes it hard for good folks like us to travel in peace."
"Who says it isn't?" Mu Qingyan plucked a chicken leg and placed it in Cai Zhao's bowl. "I've always told you the outside world is full of treacherous people. One careless move, and you could fall into a trap."
Inn attendants & guests: ...
Mu Qingyan turned his head with a smile, his gaze icy and sinister.
The attendants immediately scattered like startled birds, retreating to the side corridors, while the remaining guests hastily gathered their bowls and slipped back upstairs to their rooms.
In no time, the once bustling and noisy hall fell silent, leaving only Cai Zhao's table occupied.
"Changing the subject," Cai Zhao turned back. "Why are you here? I've already made myself clear—we're not the same kind of people. It's better we go our separate ways."
Mu Qingyan: "What if I told you I also have business on the Great Snow Mountain?"
"What business?" Qian Xueshen asked curiously.
Mu Qingyan lightly furrowed his brow, pressing a jade-white hand to his chest. "Truthfully, my injuries haven't fully healed. I need a certain medicinal herb from the Great Snow Mountain to recover."
Even Qian Xueshen, a man, felt his heartbeat falter at such a captivating sight.
But the girl across the table remained unmoved: "I don't believe you. You're just making things up—and even if it's true, you go your way, and I'll go mine. I won't travel with you. If people find out, the charge of Fallen Blossom Valley colluding with the Demonic Cult will be set in stone!"
Mu Qingyan straightened, neither frowning nor clutching his chest anymore. He said, "In that case, pay me back first."
Qian Xueshen was puzzled: "What money?"
A flicker of guilt flashed in Cai Zhao's eyes.
Mu Qingyan continued, "Not to mention the food and lodging at Green Bamboo Residence—basic hospitality, after all... But how should we account for that large bag of silver Little Cai Xia carried when she left?"
Qian Xueshen's eyes widened as he turned to the girl. "You didn't even think to bring money when you left?"Cai Zhao shrugged. "I fought my way out, and carrying heavy silver was inconvenient. I originally had four silver notes, but two were lost during the fight, one got soaked in blood, and the last one happened to tear right at the flower stamp."
Qian Xueshen was incredulous. "So for the past few days, all our travel expenses have been covered by Mu Shaojun?!"
Cai Zhao put on an innocent face. "Storybooks say that those in the Martial World share wealth as a matter of righteousness."
"Are you navigating the Martial World based on storybooks?!" Qian Xueshen felt his hair standing on end—clearly, his earlier impression of her as thoughtful and measured had been blind!
"What does Little Cai Xia have to say?" Mu Qingyan asked leisurely.
Cai Zhao: "Not much. If you hadn't lent me money, I suppose I would have had to 'rob the rich to help the poor.' I’d definitely get the silver, but it would certainly delay us a few days. So, I’ll thank Mu Shaojun in advance for his generous assistance. However, good and evil are irreconcilable—a disciple of North Star ultimately cannot associate with the Demonic Cult’s young master."
Mu Qingyan’s smile faded gradually. "You eat my food, spend my money, and even ride my Golden-feathered Giant Peng, and in the end, a flippant 'thank you' is all I get? Go ask around—even within our own sect, who would dare borrow my Giant Peng? I despise being taken advantage of in my life. If anyone tries to rely on thick skin to cheat me, I guarantee they’ll never wear human skin again in their next life!"
The words were harsh, and Qian Xueshen grew uneasy.
Cai Zhao suppressed the urge to curse back and firmly held her ground. "No matter what you say, I won’t agree to go with you."
Mu Qingyan scoffed lightly, lowering his head with a sigh. "There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while. But I feared it would upset you, so I’ve been holding back."
Cai Zhao stiffened her neck. "Say what you want. I won’t change my mind."
"Actually," Mu Qingyan looked at her, "my cultivation is higher than yours."
Qian Xueshen’s jaw dropped.
"W-what did you say?" Cai Zhao thought she’d misheard.
"My cultivation surpasses yours," Mu Qingyan’s clear eyes were like a painting. "I must ascend this great snowy mountain, and I must go with you. If Little Cai Xia refuses outright, why don’t we settle it with a few moves?"
......
The innkeeper and four servants hid behind the door curtain, peeking at the last remaining table of guests in the hall.
"What are those three even talking about? I can’t hear a thing."
"Who could hear from this far? Oh, seems like they’re arguing—look, they’re really going at it..."
"What’s the relationship between that terrifying young master and Miss Feng?"
"Siblings?"
"But they don’t look alike at all."
"Childhood sweethearts? Betrothed?"
"Have you lost your mind? That Wan guy is Miss Feng’s fiancé!"
"Honestly, that Wan fellow isn’t a good match for Miss Feng at all!"
"That’s the truth."
"I’ve got it!" One servant smacked his palm. "Miss Feng was originally betrothed to the new young master, but she fell for someone else and ran off with this Wan guy!"
The moment he said it, the other three servants attacked him, convinced he’d lost his mind. To abandon a terrifying young master like that for a coward like Wan Daqiang—unless Feng Xiaohan was blind!
"Enough!" The innkeeper’s face darkened. "I’ve got the worst luck in eight lifetimes, first with that pair of male and female terrors. From now on, all of you serve them properly—no funny business. If we mess this up, none of us will live!"
......
The innkeeper personally led Cai Zhao and the other two upstairs to their rooms, respectful and cautious, not daring to ask a single extra question or take an unnecessary step. Nor did he dare tamper with anything in the guest rooms.More dangerous than villains are those without principles. The men were indeed wicked, but the newly arrived young master had no scruples at all.
Two of the five men under Qian Si had blood on their hands, yet that handsome young master crushed them like insignificant insects, then casually dismissed it afterward as if it were nothing.
Such a person was not to be provoked.
Seeing the innkeeper leave and taking advantage of Mu Qingyan’s momentary absence as he nitpicked over the room next door, Qian Xueshen hurried to Cai Zhao’s side. “Hey, hey, are you really no match for him?”
Cai Zhao pouted and sat at the table. “I still don’t know the extent of his cultivation—I’d have to fight him to find out. But even if I could defeat him, it would likely leave me severely injured. After traveling all this way, I haven’t even caught a glimpse of the Snowscale Dragon Beast’s fur, only to end up half-dead in a fight—forget it, forget it. For now, I’ll just have to tolerate this Demonic Cult’s Young Master.”
Qian Xueshen leaned in closer. “Little Cai Xia, when he asked nicely earlier, you refused. But the moment he showed his fists, you immediately gave in. Don’t you think you’re being a bit of a bully who fears the strong?”
To his surprise, Cai Zhao replied matter-of-factly, “Of course I’m a bully who fears the strong. How many people in this world aren’t? Take you, Young Master Qian—did you come to this frozen wasteland out of righteousness and chivalry?”
—Of course not. This poor fellow was dragged here by those two demonic stars gripping his neck.
“Fine, go ahead and mock me,” Qian Xueshen grumbled. “But I advise you to be extra careful around that Mu Shaojun next door. I think he’s…”
“Zhao Zhao, Zhao Zhao, where are you? Come here.” Mu Qingyan’s voice called from the next room—bright, gentle, and affectionate, a stark contrast to the cold, sharp-tongued youth from moments ago.
Qian Xueshen sighed and finished his thought. “I think Mu Shaojun is unpredictable, with moods that shift like the weather. You’d better keep your guard up.” Though he had bickered with the girl for days, he knew full well that she might be the only decent person in the entire inn.
Cai Zhao also sighed. “You think I just found out today that he’s unpredictable?”
When her aunt first entered the Martial World, she encountered gallant heroes like the Shi brothers or hidden talents like Qi Yunke. But when Cai Zhao stepped out of Fallen Blossom Valley, she ran straight into a half-madman like Mu Qingyan.
Ah, what more could be said?
The two fell silent, listening to the commotion next door.
In mere moments, the crude earthen hut in this desolate land had been transformed. A separate bathing area was set up, with two large buckets of hot water carried in. A silver-filament charcoal brazier warmed the center of the room, and on the table sat an elegant pink porcelain vase holding fresh, fragrant yellow plum blossoms with green pistils.
After dismissing all the attendants, Mu Qingyan smiled warmly and beckoned to Cai Zhao. “Zhao Zhao, come sit. This room is for you—the one next door can go to Brother Qian.”
Qian Xueshen thought of the cold, dreary room next door and cursed inwardly.
After a pause, he suddenly realized, “Then where will Mu Shaojun stay?”
Mu Qingyan answered easily, “I’ll stay here with Zhao Zhao.”
“Wh-what?!” Qian Xueshen nearly choked on his own saliva. “Th-that’s completely inappropriate…”
Cai Zhao sat unmoving, either calm or resigned. “It’s not a big deal. I was planning to share a room with you anyway. We’re warriors of the Martial World—no need to fuss over trivialities. Besides, I have a fiancé—surname Zhou, young and handsome, gentle and kind, with a house and land. A man of Mu Shaojun’s status would surely observe propriety and never cross the line.”Mu Qingyan cast a faint glance at the child and said, "Indeed. Even if Young Heroine Cai intends to stray from the path, she would climb over the Zhou family's wall, which has nothing to do with Brother Qian."
Cai Zhao shot him a sharp look. Mu Qingyan smirked slightly, and Qian Xueshen fell silent.
After this exchange, Mu Qingyan prepared to shoo Qian Xueshen out. Before he left, Mu Qingyan handed him a small crimson pill.
"Here, Da Qiang, take your medicine," he said with a smile.
Qian Xueshen grew fearful. "W-what is this?"
Mu Qingyan frowned in thought. "Was it called Soul-Chasing Pill or Soul-Snatching Pill? Hmm, perhaps Soul-Claiming Pill? Anyway, it's all the same. Take it quickly, or I'll have to force it down."
"B-but, I—" Qian Xueshen's teeth chattered.
Cai Zhao stood up, her expression uncertain.
Mu Qingyan said coldly, "Do you really expect Zhao Zhao and me to watch you every moment? We don’t have the time. This pill requires another dose every ten hours. When the time comes, you’ll come to me yourself—once this matter is settled, I’ll give you the antidote."
Qian Xueshen turned deathly pale.
Cai Zhao hesitated. "Do... do you really have the antidote?" She didn’t want Qian Xueshen to die.
Mu Qingyan immediately grew displeased. "Should I take one too, to reassure Young Heroine Cai?"
Cai Zhao opened her mouth but then turned and sat back down.
Under Mu Qingyan’s icy gaze, Qian Xueshen gritted his teeth and swallowed the pill. Before he could even gulp it down, Mu Qingyan swiftly struck his back with a palm.
Qian Xueshen coughed violently—the pill had already slid down his throat.
After sending Qian Xueshen away, Mu Qingyan closed the door, bolted it, and carefully checked the windows for drafts.
Cai Zhao couldn’t resist mocking him. "Young Master Mu is quite particular about his accommodations."
Mu Qingyan didn’t retort. Instead, he began undressing.
Cai Zhao froze.
Yes, undressing.
He set aside his heavy fur cloak, then removed his gold-threaded belt adorned with trinkets, the sachets, the medicine pouch, the gold-filigreed incense ball, the jade pendant with twin dragons and phoenix heads, the small jade dagger inlaid with gold, and finally his snow-white brocade outer robe with hidden bailan patterns...
"W-what are you doing?" Cai Zhao sat up straight.
Mu Qingyan didn’t stop until he was down to his white silk undergarments. He even took a long sash to tie back his sleeves, standing before the mirror and slightly bending his tall frame to secure the flowing fabric high above his elbows.
Hearing Cai Zhao’s question, he turned his head slightly toward her, one end of the sash clenched between his teeth. His deep-set eyes, arched brows, fair skin, and red lips curved into a faint smile. "How can I tidy up if I’m not dressed properly? Besides, it’s warm in here. You don’t need to wear so much either."
Cai Zhao barely registered his words, her heart pounding erratically.
Once his sleeves were tied, he effortlessly lifted the heavy chest and placed it beside the bed.
As he passed in front of her, Cai Zhao caught sight of his long, sturdy arms against the dark wood of the chest, faint veins tracing beneath his skin, and the hint of muscle beneath the gathered fabric of his upper arms.
She tugged at her collar, suddenly feeling the brazier was too hot.
Mu Qingyan retrieved a plain bundle from the chest and handed it to Cai Zhao, uncharacteristically sheepish. "These are clean clothes. Freshen up. Once we’re on the mountain, there won’t be any luxuries."
Cai Zhao clutched the bundle, stunned.
Mu Qingyan guided her to the corner where a bucket of hot water stood, then fetched a folding screen from the wall and set it up around her.
Through the gaps in the screen, she watched him strip the bed of its original bedding and toss it aside. From the chest, he took out two sets of fresh, soft bedding and meticulously arranged them on the bed and the wooden couch by the window.This kind of chore was something Cai Zhao had done before, but Mu Qingyan was tall and long-limbed. While she and her aunt had to work together to straighten the bedding, he could smooth it out with just a flick of his wrist.
That night, she slept on the bed while Mu Qingyan took the wooden couch by the window.
"...Do you often do housework at home?" she suddenly asked.
Mu Qingyan replied softly, "Mm, I've done all sorts of odd chores." His thoughts were somewhat scattered. Earlier, when the child had jumped behind the curtains, he'd caught a glimpse of tiny pink feet.
Though it was just a glance, he couldn't stop thinking about them—how soft they must be, how tender... and those delicate, slender ankles that could easily be wrapped in one hand. That soft, almost translucent skin—what would it taste like if he bit down? Would it weep moisture?
His body grew hot, and hard—very hard, in fact.
He hated this reaction. It reminded him of Nie Zhe's endless gifts of beautiful maidservants and the confidence Nie Hengcheng had instilled in Nie Zhe back then. Unfortunately, he wasn't his father. He had no qualms about killing.
"I thought you lived a life of luxury in the Demonic Cult, with servants at your beck and call." In Cai Zhao's imagination, the Demonic Cult should be decked out in gold bricks, silver tiles, and jewels everywhere—a nouveau riche style.
"Living like that wouldn't be hard, but Father disliked noise and crowds. He said there was endless joy in wiping down every inch of your own dwelling and organizing your books one by one." Speaking of his father finally calmed Mu Qingyan's restless mind.
Cai Zhao rested her head on her arm, lying on her side. "Your father sounds like he lived a very leisurely life."
"He was a gentle and unambitious man—he loved rainy days. Whenever it rained, he'd set up a small red clay stove under the eaves to brew tea or wine. Well, mostly wine. When he got drunk, he'd lie down among his books and say he dreamed of the joyful lives and immortal realms within them. I tried to learn drinking from him, but I wasn't very good at it. After Father passed, I stopped drinking much for fear it would hinder my duties."
"Father also taught me to raise and tame some rare creatures. Aside from the Golden-feathered Giant Peng, most of them were useless things. Father said they belonged to Old Ancestor Bei Chen's era, but as time passed, their survival became increasingly difficult—they were destined to gradually vanish from this world. What we did was to let them pass with some dignity in their final days."
The young man's voice carried an especially distant quality in the quiet night.
Cai Zhao listened intently. "...I really admire your father."
She had thought sharing a room with Mu Qingyan would be unbearably awkward, but the atmosphere before sleep was unexpectedly soft and warm.
As her eyelids grew heavy, she faintly felt she'd overlooked something.
"Hey, hey, are you asleep?" She propped herself up on her elbow. "We've been talking about your father all this time—what about your mother? Is she still alive?"
The atmosphere in the room shifted abruptly.
The soft warmth vanished completely, replaced by an indescribable silence.
—"She's living very well, with servants at her beck and call, in wealth and luxury."
Even without a lamp, Cai Zhao could imagine the sarcasm on Mu Qingyan's face right now.
She didn't dare ask any more.
After a while of restless thoughts, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
Mu Qingyan heard it and asked why.
Cai Zhao said mournfully, "Though those in the Martial World aren't bound by trivial etiquette, spending the night like this with you feels somewhat unfair to Brother Jade Kirin."
"Aren't you going by Feng Xiaohan now? You have no ties to the Cai Family."
"That's what I say, but I know the truth in my heart."
"What do you want to do about it, then?"
"Next time Madam Min criticizes me, I'll try to endure a few more remarks."
"How spineless."
"Next time Min Xinrou flirts with Brother Jade Kirin, I'll turn a blind eye and not give him a hard time."
"That's more like it." His voice already carried a hint of laughter."Also, next time we spar, I'll try to defeat Jade Kirin Brother after two hundred moves. Men, after all, should be left some face—do you think that's enough? I'm not sure, should I add fifty more moves?"—questions about men's pride should really be asked to men.
A muffled chuckle came from under the blankets, Mu Qingyan's shoulders shaking with laughter beneath the covers.
Cai Zhao realized she'd asked the wrong person. Annoyed, she turned over and went to sleep without another word.
Mu Qingyan lay quietly on his back, listening to the steady breathing of the child asleep behind the bed curtains. He felt a deep sense of peace and tranquility, the heat and tension within him gradually easing, no longer so urgent to be relieved.
He thought it would be nice if Father could meet her, he would surely be pleased.
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