Mu Qingyan had always known that Cai Zhao was sweet-faced but ruthless at heart. When she said she would sever ties, she would get up in the middle of the night to sharpen her blade.
True to his expectations, the next morning Cai Zhao had the innkeeper clean out the small building’s upper floor and then forcibly dragged a yawning Fan Xingjia to move in. As she had seen the night before, the upper floor of this small building was originally a finely decorated suite of guest rooms. However, the Painted-Skin Demon had callously removed all the furnishings and decorations, covered the windows with dull gray burlap, and piled up rough, bulky lumber as a disguise.
After half a day of cleaning, Fan Xingjia watched as the previously shabby room transformed into a bright, comfortable, and spacious space with several inner chambers—far larger than the superior rooms his fellow disciples were staying in. His reluctance quickly turned into sheepish gratitude.
Ding Zhuo came by to take a look and immediately had the innkeeper move his luggage over. Fan Xingjia hoped his senior brother would at least give a reason for moving in, to which Ding Zhuo replied, “I’m worried you might be afraid of the dark at night.” Fan Xingjia retorted, “Senior Brother, you might as well not have said anything.”
Qi Lingbo was furious and jealous, but it was inconvenient to demand a room change now. She stormed off in a huff, with Dai Fengchi predictably chasing after her to console her.
Song Yuzhi gave Cai Zhao a complicated look, but she turned her face away. She knew Song Yuzhi had guessed, and Song Yuzhi knew that she knew he had guessed—yet neither of them spoke a word about it.
After all this commotion, Cai Zhao’s intentions were crystal clear: Mu, if you dare sneak into my room again, Ding and Fan will raise the alarm, swords will clash, and we’ll see who’s left standing!
But Mu Qingyan was not one to be easily deterred. If stealth wouldn’t work, he’d go for the open approach.
At noon that day, when the disciples of the Azure Tower Sect and Grand Beginning Temple gathered for a banquet in the inn’s main hall on the second floor, they found Mu Qingyan already seated across from them with his entourage in tow. The same fragrant honey wine, the same braised pork knuckle with glutinous rice, even the roasted goose heads arranged in identical indignant poses.
Dai Fengchi slammed the table and stood up, loudly demanding to know what they were up to.
Mu Qingyan, dressed in a lavish crimson brocade robe with gold patterns, his hair as dark as ink, adorned with a golden crown and jade hairpin, leisurely fanned himself with an obviously expensive gold-inlaid jade-handled folding fan, looking every bit the dashing young master of the jianghu. Feigning innocence, he said, “Just stopping by for a meal after shopping. Shopping isn’t illegal, is it? Eating isn’t illegal, is it? Do you North Star disciples even control this?”
You Guanyue and Shangguan Haonan immediately chimed in, leading their lackeys in a chorus of mocking remarks— Is this street owned by the North Star? Is this city under North Star’s protection? and the like.
Mu Qingyan cast a sidelong glance at a certain young woman and sighed theatrically. “Ah, they say the Big Dipper Six Sects are the righteous leaders of the martial world, but times have changed. Their disciples grow more unruly by the day—snarling and snapping without reason, utterly unreasonable!” The last few words were practically ground out between his teeth.
Dai Fengchi’s face turned green with rage. Ding Zhuo and Fan Xingjia both believed Mu Qingyan was provoking them, but only Song Yuzhi understood that this wasn’t provocation—it was an unorthodox, roundabout form of flirtation.
The surrounding disciples rose in anger, denouncing the Demonic Cult’s nonsense. Qi Lingbo, seeing Cai Zhao still playing dumb, snapped, “Junior Sister, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Cai Zhao countered, “I did speak.”
“What did you say?”
“I said, ‘Senior Brother is right.’”
“That’s it?!”
“And also, ‘Senior Brother is absolutely right.’”Qi Lingbo was so furious she nearly toppled over. Seeing Cai Zhao's sharp tongue spewing venom, she yanked her closer and threatened in a low voice, "If you dare bring up my past of protecting that person again, I’ll beat Second Brother into a dead dog and hire seven, eight, nine—no, ten storytellers to turn your ambiguous mess with Second Brother into a play and broadcast it to the heavens!"
Qi Lingbo’s hair stood on end. "I can also expose your affair with that Demonic Cult fiend!"
Cai Zhao replied leisurely, "I was deceived back then, but now I’ve seen the light. What about you, Senior Sister? You’re still inseparable from Second Brother. Unless you cut ties immediately—but would you even dare?"
Struck at her weak spot, Qi Lingbo faltered. She was already conflicted—how could she bear to break Dai Fengchi’s heart?
Li Yuanmin and Dai Fengchi were no match for the likes of You Guanyue in a war of words. While they roared in anger, You Guanyue and his companions responded with sarcastic, cutting remarks. In just a few exchanges, Li and Dai were red-faced and fuming. Just as they were about to flip tables and draw their swords in rage, a middle-aged Taoist in purple robes ascended the stairs with several disciples.
"Hehe, such a lively scene! What are we discussing that no one even noticed this humble Taoist entering the inn?" Wang Yuanjing’s crane-feathered cloak fluttered as he smiled warmly.
Mu Qingyan’s eyes flickered, glancing left and right. Understanding his cue, You Guanyue and Shangguan Haonan subtly prepared—one’s fingers tightened around hidden weapons in his sleeve, the other’s hand rested on his quiver. Both took half a step back, signaling their followers to stay alert.
Mu Qingyan wasn’t afraid of Wang Yuanjing. Previously, the power balance had been like crushing a snail—effortless. Now, there was a risk of entanglement. Even so, he was confident he could punch Li Yuanmin, slap Dai Fengchi, kick down Ding Zhuo, knock out Fan Xingjia, and then calmly stroll past Song Yuzhi and Wang Yuanjing without breaking a sweat.
But doing so would only give a certain young lady a chance to laugh at him.
So he remained seated, composed and unruffled.
"I heard that Sect Leader Mu quelled the Nie Clan’s rebellion and reclaimed your position as leader in just a few months. This humble Taoist offers his congratulations," Wang Yuanjing said with a smile. "Earlier, at the door, I overheard Sect Leader Mu accusing my junior brother and disciple of being domineering. I must respectfully disagree."
"If we’re talking about true tyranny and unreasonableness, no one in the world surpasses Nie Hengcheng and his nephew. The disciples of the six sects are merely wary of your sect’s methods, fearing they might fall victim without realizing it. Their reactions may have been impulsive. But Nie Hengcheng and his nephew were in a league of their own—ruthless and bloodthirsty to outsiders, and no less brutal to their own."
Mu Qingyan already knew what Wang Yuanjing would say next, and not a trace of amusement remained on his face.
Wang Yuanjing continued unhurriedly, "Sect Leader Mu’s ancestors showed Nie Hengcheng immense kindness—taking him in and nurturing him. Yet, how did Nie Hengcheng repay the Mu Clan? Alas, if not for Sect Leader Mu’s timely return to turn the tide, how many today would even remember the Mu Clan’s illustrious legacy of over a century?"
His tone was gentle, but every word struck Mu Qingyan’s sore spots—overtly targeting the Nie uncle and nephew, while covertly mocking the Mu ancestors for poor judgment, raising a tiger only to be devoured by it.
Mu Qingyan’s jaw tightened slightly, his jade-like face icy.
His fingers clenched in his sleeves. "You should know I can still take any of your lives—including yours, Head Wang."
At these words, Li Yuanmin and Dai Fengchi immediately gripped their sword hilts."I am aware," Wang Yuanjing replied with an unshaken smile. "The cultivation of Sect Leader Mu is unfathomable. Despite our six sects' efforts to probe, we still cannot gauge his depths. Though I am advanced in years, I am far from his equal—shameful indeed."
"However, Sect Leader Mu should also understand how difficult it is to maintain the current peaceful coexistence between our six sects and your sect. Does Sect Leader Mu truly wish to reignite the bloodshed of the past? With your composed and resolute nature, why trouble yourself with the impulsive and straightforward temperaments of my junior brothers and nephews?"
His words were reasoned and measured, neither submissive nor overbearing. They struck at the hidden wounds of the Mu family while clarifying the current standoff, effectively cornering Mu Qingyan. Cai Zhao couldn’t help but silently admire his skill.
She leaned toward Fan Xingjia and whispered, "Head Wang is quite the strategist. How come I’ve never heard of his reputation before?" This elder Wang had a quiet, gentle demeanor, unremarkable at first glance, yet exuded a power as soft and unyielding as water.
Fan Xingjia also lowered his voice. "Lei Shibo mentioned that Head Wang nearly left the sect in his youth to return home and marry. It was only after Wu Yuanying’s incident and the chaos at Grand Beginning Temple that he stayed."
Wang Yuanjing’s tactful words eased the previously tense atmosphere. Li Yuanmin gazed at his sect leader with deep admiration, and Dai Fengchi sheathed his sword and sat back down.
Mu Qingyan, displeased, was about to storm off when he suddenly heard Wang Yuanjing call out to Cai Zhao from across the table, "Zhao Zhao, guess who else arrived today?"
Cai Zhao, curious, asked, "Who?"
Wang Yuanjing smiled without answering and instead called toward the inn’s entrance, "Aren’t you coming in?"
Everyone turned to look, and their eyes brightened.
At the doorway stood several disciples in light-blue wide-sleeved robes, swords at their waists. Among them was a strikingly handsome youth of sixteen or seventeen. Under the bright sunlight, the silver-threaded mountain-and-water embroidery on his robes seemed to shimmer like flowing water.
"Zhao Zhao, it’s been a while," he said, looking up with a gentle smile.
Cai Zhao rushed to the second-floor railing, overjoyed. "Brother Jade Kirin!"
The sweet, crisp call halted Mu Qingyan in his tracks and stiffened Song Yuzhi’s spine—indeed, this elegant youth was none other than Zhou Yuqi, the famed son of the Lord of Peiqiong Manor and a disciple of the Azure Tower Sect.
Wang Yuanjing laughed heartily and beckoned the Grand Beginning Temple disciples to leave. "Yuanmin, let the youngsters enjoy their meal and conversation. I have matters to discuss with you."
Li Yuanmin obeyed and departed.
As Zhou Yuqi ascended, Fan Xingjia tactfully yielded his seat beside Cai Zhao to him and moved to sit with Ding Zhuo.
Qi Lingbo, brimming with schemes, didn’t budge.
Under the astonished gazes of Song Yuzhi, Ding Zhuo, and Fan Xingjia, they shuffled closer to the table where Cai Zhao sat.
Mu Qingyan, now refusing to leave no matter what, settled back into his seat in his grand crimson-and-gold embroidered robes, scrutinizing the new arrival with suspicion.
Zhou Yuqi was tall, bearing a six- or seven-tenths resemblance to his father, Zhou Zhizhen. Though slightly less imposing, his refined grace surpassed his father’s. His voice was exceptionally pleasant as he softly inquired whether Cai Zhao was tired from her journey, if she was adjusting well to life at the Azure Tower Sect, and if she’d like him to send a chef skilled in Jiangnan cuisine.
Delighted, Cai Zhao replied, "That’s too much trouble—sending a chef just for me."“Then why not open a restaurant in Azure Tower Town? We can hire a few more chefs skilled in other cuisines. Sister Zhao Zhao can visit whenever she craves something and even manage the accounts. With her intelligence and capability, the business is sure to thrive.” Zhou Yuqi’s eyes brimmed with the gentle charm of the Jiangnan region.
Cai Zhao, touched by his concern, beamed with joy and tried her best to appear modest. “Brother Yuqi, if you keep praising me like this, I might become arrogant and unlikeable. What then?”
Zhou Yuqi replied sincerely, “Sister Zhao Zhao, you’ve always been measured and considerate since childhood, the most endearing person. No amount of praise from me could ever be enough.”
“Oh, Brother Yuqi, you’re too much!” Cai Zhao playfully swatted his arm.
—The entire second floor of the grand restaurant fell silent without anyone noticing. Apart from Zhou Yuqian and Zhou Yukun, who had seen this before, everyone else was stunned. Glasses and chopsticks froze mid-air as all eyes turned to Cai Zhao’s table.
Song Yuzhi had met Zhou Yuqi several times before, remembering him as an unremarkable and quiet young man, hardly worth noting. He never expected Zhou Yuqi to be so tender, attentive, and meticulous when interacting with Cai Zhao.
If Zhou Yuqi was this humble and accommodating, then all the obstacles Song Yuzhi had imagined for the Zhou-Cai marriage might not exist after all—because Zhou Yuqi clearly didn’t mind a wife who was stronger than him.
Alarm bells rang in Song Yuzhi’s mind.
Mu Qingyan’s heart clenched.
As a presumed rival, he had naturally sent many people to investigate Zhou Yuqi’s character and conduct. Yet, hearing reports was different from witnessing it firsthand. The reports described the weak and ordinary Master Zhou, but here he was, laughing and chatting effortlessly with Cai Zhao.
He couldn’t help but recall a certain popular romance novel about a useless scholar whom the heroine adored beyond reason. No matter how sincerely the talented and martial-skilled young lord tried to win her over, she remained steadfast in her devotion to the scholar.
Mu Qingyan/Song Yuzhi realized he had made a mistake.
He had evaluated this rival from a man’s perspective, but women see men differently. What he perceived as Zhou Yuqi’s weakness and softness might be seen as gentleness and thoughtfulness by women.
Moreover, Cai Zhao herself was exceptionally skilled in martial arts. She might even find a husband like Zhou Yuqi perfectly suited to her.
“Zhao Zhao, you look pale and thinner. Have you not been eating well lately?” Zhou Yuqi asked with concern.
Cai Zhao sighed. “The journey was exhausting. I had no appetite.”
“I knew it.” Zhou Yuqi smiled and took out a delicate white porcelain jar from his bag. “Try this. It’s freshly pickled this month.”
“Amber plums!” Cai Zhao’s eyes lit up. She took one and savored the tangy sweetness as it slowly spread across her tongue, instantly refreshing her appetite. Delighted, she grinned. “Mm, so delicious! Only Jade Pendant Mountain Manor could make something this good. Fallen Blossom Valley could never replicate this flavor.”
“Sister Zhao Zhao, once you come to Jade Pendant Mountain Manor, you can have them whenever you like,” Zhou Yuqi said warmly.
Cai Zhao blushed. “I still have two more years of training at Azure Tower Sect.”
Zhou Yuqi lowered his head and spoke softly, “No matter how long it takes. Ever since I learned of our betrothal, I’ve known it’s my duty to take good care of you.”
At these words, the gazes of the Azure Tower Sect disciples subtly shifted toward Song Yuzhi and Qi Lingbo.
—Both were childhood betrothals, yet the difference was stark. One side was bathed in warm sunlight and affection, while the other was shrouded in cold winds and barely exchanged a few words.Qi Lingbo couldn't contain her anger any longer and blurted out, "Master Zhou, do you know who's sitting at that table? It's none other than the new Demonic Cult leader Mu Qingyan. If we're talking about his temperament and abilities, others might not know, but Junior Sister Cai certainly does—after all, they were practically inseparable back at the sect. For the future safety of Jade Pendant Mountain Manor, why don't we ask Junior Sister Cai?"
At this moment, both the Azure Tower Sect disciples and the Demonic Cult members were equally wide-eyed, holding their breaths in anticipation of the drama.
Cai Zhao hadn't felt this carefree in a long time and was floating on cloud nine when suddenly cold water was poured over her head. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Zhou Yuqi spoke first.
He looked at Qi Lingbo sincerely and said, "Senior Sister Qi, you're bright, generous, intelligent, and the beloved daughter of Sect Leader Qi. Your character, appearance, and family background are all top-notch. Why say such things?"
"Everyone knows about Zhao Zhao's situation, and my father has long since explained it to me. Junior Sister Zhao Zhao did nothing wrong. How can we, the Big Dipper Six Sects, stab our own in the back? Senior Sister Qi, I understand your intentions—everyone does. Not only is it pointless, but it also makes it clear to everyone that you're targeting Zhao Zhao. Senior Sister Qi, why go through all this trouble?"
Looking into Zhou Yuqi's clear, innocent eyes, Qi Lingbo knew he meant well. But being exposed so bluntly left her feeling both bitter and wronged, tears welling up uncontrollably.
She was also a young woman who longed for affection, care, and tenderness. She wished for her fiancé to dote on her, for them to share sweet, innocent moments. Yet all Song Yuzhi had given her was cold indifference time and again (at this moment, she conveniently forgot about Song Yuzhi's repeated attempts to correct her domineering behavior since childhood).
Qi Lingbo held back as long as she could but ultimately ran off in tears, with Dai Fengchi quickly chasing after her.
The crowd let out soft murmurs of understanding, their gazes toward Zhou Yuqi now filled with respect.
Song Yuzhi and Mu Qingyan's eyes met briefly in midair before both looked away.
They each knew what the other was thinking, but both had their own calculations.
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