With their plan settled, Mu Qingyan and the others quickly packed up and set off immediately. Disguised as ordinary sect members, they traveled against the direction of the main assault. After about an hour on a narrow mountain path, they arrived at an elegant mountain cottage. The walls were built of white stone, the pillars of dark wood, and beneath the golden-thatched eaves hung several strings of crisp, colorful shell wind chimes.
Song Yuzhi praised, "What a refined courtyard. The owner has excellent taste."
Shangguan Haonan hesitated, "It's all just wood and straw—isn't it a bit too simple?"
Mu Qingyan replied indifferently, "I built this based on the blueprints my father left behind."
Shangguan Haonan immediately fell silent, and Song Yuzhi turned his head away.
Cai Zhao remained expressionless. "Are you blind? This is obviously white marble carved to look like rough stone, purple heartwood disguised as ordinary pillars, golden horsehair pretending to be straw, and those wind chimes are practically glowing. They’re so beautiful, they must be studded with jewels."
Mu Qingyan tilted his head and chuckled softly, tacitly acknowledging her words.
Shangguan Haonan perked up at once, lavishing praise on Mu Qingyan’s impeccable taste, declaring that every inch of him exuded refinement.
Cai Zhao curled her lip. "Anyone with that much money would have great taste."
—First, there was Song Yuzhi, who wore Granny Zhuo’s Godly Needle-woven garments as everyday attire, and now Mu Qingyan, who disguised treasures as shabby wood and straw. She hated these falsely modest young masters the most—why couldn’t they just flaunt their wealth openly and honestly?
Song Yuzhi was still admiring the place. "True wealth conceals itself, while modest comfort flourishes. Young Master Mu’s cottage is indeed extraordinary."
Cai Zhao sighed weakly. "Third Senior Brother is open-hearted and magnanimous, free of pettiness—a true gentleman of ancient virtue."
Mu Qingyan found this odd and glanced at Song Yuzhi.
Far removed from the chaos ahead, Cheng Bo had already prepared meals, hot water, and fresh clothes for their arrival.
After freshening up, Cai Zhao followed Cheng Bo straight into the kitchen. Shangguan Haonan, who had spent the previous night comforting his three beloved wives (not just with words) and had been busy with discussions and travel since dawn, was exhausted and promptly collapsed into bed for a nap.
Mu Qingyan had intended to seek out Cai Zhao in the kitchen, but as he passed Song Yuzhi’s room, he noticed through the half-open door that the latter was meticulously polishing the twin swords, Azure Rainbow and White Rainbow. Though these blades were renowned across the land, their appearance lacked the dazzling brilliance of the Bright Sun Blade, so few recognized them on sight.
A thought struck him, and he changed direction.
"Song Xiaoxia remains unshaken in the face of danger, calm and composed—what remarkable courage," Mu Qingyan remarked with a smile as he knocked and entered.
Song Yuzhi lifted his eyelids slightly. "I go by the surname Dai now. Young Master Mu should be careful with his words."
Ignoring the comment, Mu Qingyan took a seat opposite him. "Song Xiaoxia has been exceptionally composed this trip. Every word you speak now carries weight, every judgment you make is righteous and solemn. Zhao Zhao has been singing your praises nonstop along the way."
Song Yuzhi continued polishing his sword. "I speak from the heart. If my junior sister praises me, it’s because she thinks the same way. This must be what Heroine Cai Pingshu often called ‘kindred spirits.’"
Had Mu Qingyan heard this before, he might have just rolled his eyes.
But the night before, during his deep conversation with Cai Zhao, he had heard this phrase—and Cai Pingshu’s original words had been in reference to marital harmony. Now, hearing these same four words from Song Yuzhi’s mouth, Mu Qingyan’s expression darkened instantly.
"How did Song Xiaoxia come to know Heroine Cai’s words?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral while suppressing his displeasure.Song Yuzhi said frankly, "When Senior Sister Cai tried to dissuade Master from marrying my teacher's wife back then, she used these exact four words. My aunt was furious upon hearing this and told my mother, who then relayed it to me."
Mu Qingyan felt a weight lift from his heart and smiled faintly. "Young Master Song, you were only about ten years old when your mother passed away. Yet Madam Qinglian dared to tell such things to a young child."
He had intended to provoke Song Yuzhi, but to his surprise, Song Yuzhi showed no sign of distress. Instead, he continued calmly, "I left home at seven to join the Azure Tower Sect and lost my mother at ten—our time together was indeed short. However, when I was nine, my mother, knowing her days were numbered, begged Master to let me return home to care for her. During that year, she told me many, many things."
Hearing Song Yuzhi speak of these tender memories with his mother, Mu Qingyan's face darkened. He had brought up the early death of Yin Qinglian to strike a nerve, but instead, he found himself wounded, his heart aching faintly.
Mu Qingyan stood up with a laugh. "Madam Sulian spent her days cursing Senior Sister Cai, wishing for her death. Little did she know her own elder sister would die before the severely injured Senior Sister Cai. Truly, justice prevails."
"My mother said those very words on her deathbed. Unfortunately, my aunt was spoiled by our grandfather from childhood. No matter how often my mother advised her, she would revert to her old ways after a few days." Song Yuzhi swung the freshly polished Qinghong Jian to his side, testing its edge—sharp as the wind, brimming with killing intent—before laying it flat on the table. He then drew Baihong Jian and began polishing it.
Lifting the sword to inspect it, his cold, piercing eyes shone brighter than the autumn-clear blade.
Mu Qingyan's words were sharp as knives, each one cutting open old wounds, peeling away scabs to reveal raw pain. Yet Song Yuzhi remained unmoved, like a ball of aged cotton.
Mu Qingyan had been ready to leave in anger, but instead, he sat back down and said slowly, "I’ve long heard of your mother’s wisdom—that she alone possessed seven-tenths of the world’s intellect. Did she leave you any final teachings before her passing?"
"My mother said that all things in this world revolve around one word: 'momentum,'" Song Yuzhi replied, lifting his head for the first time since Mu Qingyan had entered. "Act with the momentum, and effort is halved; go against it, and even someone as illustrious as Nie Hengcheng will meet failure and death."
Mu Qingyan sneered, "And what, pray tell, is this 'momentum,' Young Master Song?"
Song Yuzhi answered, "In the grand scheme, it is the rising sun and setting moon, the eastward flow of great rivers, the towering mountains. No matter how much effort one expends, the sun will always set as usual; no matter how the cuckoo cries blood, the moon will always arrive on time."
Mu Qingyan scoffed, "Clichés."
"As a child, I thought so too. Only recently have I begun to grasp my mother’s meaning." Song Yuzhi glanced out the window. "Back then, when Senior Sister Cai made a stunning debut at the Grand Beginning Temple’s Six Sects Tournament and took first place, my mother observed coldly and concluded that even without interference, the marriage between the Zhou and Cai families would never come to pass."
Mu Qingyan laughed derisively. "That was meant for Madam Sulian, wasn’t it?"—Clearly, Madam Qinglian had said this to dissuade her sister from meddling endlessly in the affairs of the betrothed couple."Young Master Mu seems well-versed in the Yin family affairs," Song Yuzhi smiled faintly. "Indeed, these were my mother's words to persuade my aunt. She said that a heroic woman like Lady Cai, who had seen the vastness of heaven and earth, would never return to the inner chambers to endure the temper of a narrow-minded old woman. No matter how gentle and considerate Master Zhou might be, it would be useless unless Old Madam Min passed away sooner... though my mother believed Old Madam Min would live a long life."
Mu Qingyan smirked without warmth. "The wicked always live long."
"Mother also advised my aunt to give up on Master Zhou, because while Old Master Zhou appeared respectful toward my grandfather, he was inwardly wary and had arranged his son's marriage early to prevent my grandfather from arranging a match with a Yin family daughter."
"Mother strongly urged Grandfather not to target Lady Cai. She said Lady Cai was passionate, pure-hearted, and a rare genius—if used properly, she would be a sharp blade. Thus, in the following years, no matter how unrestrained or willful Lady Cai acted, Grandfather silently endured it and never suppressed her as an elder. Indeed, when Nie Hengcheng later committed atrocities, Lady Cai stepped forward with a resolve to die, eliminating the Demon to uphold righteousness."
Though Mu Qingyan himself was far from righteous, he couldn’t help but feel a chill upon hearing this.
He sneered, "After the Battle of Tushan, our Demonic Cult was left leaderless, Cai Pingshu’s divine skills were completely destroyed, and only Yin Dai reaped the rewards. What a scheme, what an open conspiracy—Qinglian Furen’s cunning is truly beyond ordinary people. If she was so shrewd, why couldn’t she foresee her own father’s tragic death?"
"Mother always advised Grandfather not to covet Lady Cai’s achievements," Song Yuzhi shook his head slightly. "With Nie Hengcheng dead, Lady Cai crippled, and Old Master Zhou nearing his end, Grandfather, as the leader of the orthodox sects, was already the foremost figure in the world. Whether he claimed credit for slaying Nie Hengcheng or not, it wouldn’t diminish his power. There was no need to chase empty fame."
He sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, Grandfather refused to listen. After the victory banquet, the Demonic Cult remained silent, and even Mother let her guard down. That’s how Grandfather met his tragic end in the ambush."
Mu Qingyan’s eyes darkened, and he remained silent.
Inwardly, he thought, Thankfully, Yin Dai overreached for glory. When Yin Qinglian heard of her father’s brutal death, she was so grief-stricken that she miscarried. Overwork and exhaustion led to her early death years later, removing a formidable enemy for our sect. Otherwise, with Yin Qinglian’s scheming mind and Yin Dai’s overwhelming power, Nie Zhe might not have survived until my adulthood, and the Nether Sect’s entire legacy would have been lost.
He smiled faintly. "Zhao Zhao should hear Young Master Song’s words. Let her learn how your mother plotted against Lady Cai behind the scenes—then see if she still treats you with the same warmth." I’ve made up my mind—I’ll relay this to Cai Zhao later.
Song Yuzhi met Mu Qingyan’s gaze squarely. "Whether you tell her or not, I never approved of my mother’s actions."
He continued, "Mother saw the trends of the world clearly, but she didn’t use her insight for good. I admire her sharp foresight and ability to predict others’ moves, but I don’t agree with her methods."
Mu Qingyan scoffed. "A minor flaw in an otherwise perfect woman—it seems Young Master Song has inherited her teachings and surpassed her!"
Song Yuzhi lowered his head again, slowly wiping his sword. "Though I heard much of Mother’s advice, I didn’t take it to heart before. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have ended up like this—half a cripple.""On the day our sect was attacked, I acted too hastily. The moment I heard the warning whistle, I immediately divided our forces to resist without thinking. I failed to consider that with the iron chain mechanisms of Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, even if intruders breached our gates, their numbers couldn't have been large."
"My rash orders played right into our enemies' scheme. If Zhao Zhao hadn't arrived in time, my injuries would have been far worse than they are now. Young Master Mu, however, remained calm and thoughtful in his response. I am no match for Young Master Mu's composure—this current predicament is what I deserve."
Mu Qingyan showed no pleasure at these compliments, idly toying with an exquisite teacup. "You've been rambling for half the day, yet none of this has anything to do with the present or with us. Young Master Song, perhaps your prolonged convalescence has led to excessive contemplation—you've thought yourself into illness."
Song Yuzhi set down Baihong Jian and fixed his gaze on the other man. "Then let me speak of the present, and of us."
"Just as my mother once saw through the doomed romance between Master Zhou and Heroine Cai, Young Master Mu's wisdom surpasses even hers. Can't you see the current 'circumstances' between you and Zhao Zhao?"
"Young Master Mu was born into the Demonic Cult, while Zhao Zhao belongs to the Big Dipper Six Sects—she has loving parents, caring elders, and harmonious siblings. Her attachments run deep."
A sharp crack sounded as the teacup shattered in Mu Qingyan's hand. He slowly opened his palm, revealing faint streaks of red.
When he looked up, his eyes gleamed with cold fury. "So this is where you were leading me! I wondered why Young Master Song would waste time reminiscing with this great Demon! My relationship with Zhao Zhao is none of your worthless business!"
Even Song Yuzhi's dull senses could detect the killing intent radiating from Mu Qingyan.
Meeting his gaze squarely, Song continued, "Rest assured, Young Master Mu, I won't speak a word or take any action regarding Zhao Zhao. Though she refuses to elaborate on what happened after she descended the mountain that day, I'm certain you risked much for her. Zhao Zhao's feelings for you are undeniable—no outsider's words could change that."
"However, my mother once said that no matter how deep love runs, it cannot overcome the 'circumstances' of this world. I accompanied Zhao Zhao here precisely so she could see this for herself."
Mu Qingyan felt rising fury. "What if we can overcome all obstacles?"
"If you truly can, then your union is heaven-ordained and unshakable," Song Yuzhi said solemnly. "As I've said, while I admire my mother's wisdom, I don't endorse her methods. You needn't worry—I won't interfere."
Though the words sounded reasonable, they only aggravated Mu Qingyan's irritation.
He stood abruptly, turning his back. The slight tremble in his shoulders betrayed his inner turmoil.
Song Yuzhi added, "Did you know my father and mother's wedding was postponed for half a year?"
Mu Qingyan scoffed, "Who has time for your family's ancient history?" Of course he knew.
Unperturbed, Song continued leisurely, "Though I may be ignorant, I'm aware of your methods, Young Master Mu. Before recruiting those like You, Wang, Tang, Liu, and Shangguan Haonan, you probably investigated how many piglets their wet nurses' families raised. Naturally, you'd be even more thorough regarding our Big Dipper Six Sects."
"Back then, my father loved another, so he found endless excuses to delay the wedding. Yet my mother never reproached him—she even forbade my grandfather from confronting Vast Heaven Gate.""Because she knew that Father and that woman were fundamentally different in temperament, their aspirations poles apart. After Father returned with his head full of bruises, he naturally grew more respectful and remorseful toward Mother, never daring to defy her again after marriage."
Mu Qingyan turned around with a cold laugh: "Fine. When Qi Lingbo comes back with her head full of bruises, she’ll surely become more respectful and remorseful toward Young Master Song. I’ll congratulate you in advance on a smooth marriage." When that time came, he’d definitely send a grand green hat their way!
Song Yuzhi looked at him calmly: "You know what I mean."
Mu Qingyan sneered repeatedly: "Have you forgotten that Zhao Zhao already has a fiancé? It’s not your turn yet."
Song Yuzhi raised his brows proudly and declared, "The Young Master has never regarded Zhou Yuqi as worthy of consideration. Though I may lack talent, even with only half my strength, I doubt I’d be inferior to Junior Brother Zhou."
"Enough." Mu Qingyan had no desire to continue the conversation. He turned to leave, saying, "Once we take this last city in a few days, I’ll have a proper discussion with Young Master Song..."
"'The inferior strategist attacks cities,'" Song Yuzhi stood up, "'the superior strategist attacks plans.'"
Mu Qingyan whirled around, his voice icy: "What do you mean by that?!"
"Young Master need not worry. I merely advise caution against Nie Zhe’s schemes." Song Yuzhi cupped his hands in a courteous farewell.
The austere young man in plain robes stood by the door, smiling faintly, his handsome eyes sharp and proud—radiant to the point of arrogance.
Only now, after all these days, did the usually gentle and upright Senior Brother Song reveal his true colors.
Mu Qingyan’s killing intent flared. With a short, cold laugh, he flicked his sleeve and left.
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