On the day of the ceremony, chaos suddenly erupted. Initially, four people from the Chuguan sect died, tarnishing the reputation of the Six Northern Chen Sects.
Afterward, the various sects gradually departed. However, Wu Gang and Wu Xiong, injured by the “Thunderstorm” technique, left on their own. If they had been handed over to Chuguan, they might have sought revenge for Qiu Yuanfeng’s faction. Therefore, Qi Yunke allowed them to recuperate in the sect’s guest quarters.
These guest quarters were located between the Wanshui Qianshan Cliff and the Muwei Palace.
Chang and Cai arrived quickly, only to find the guest quarters deserted, with just a few servants who hadn’t managed to escape hiding around. Cai Zhao dragged a trembling servant from behind a door, demanding to know where the Wu brothers had gone.
The terrified servant, unable to answer, only said that the Wu brothers had left after lunch and hadn’t returned.
Cai Zhao turned to Chang Ning, suggesting, “Since we can’t find out where they’ve gone, let’s shout everywhere, spreading the word that these two are traitors. We’ll ask everyone to be on guard.”
Chang Ning, being a gentleman, was reluctant to shout like a peddler. As he was about to correct the girl’s “brilliant idea,” a young servant crawled out from under a table and timidly said, “… Are you talking about Master Wu and Second Master Wu?”
Cai Zhao exclaimed excitedly, “What do you know? Quick, tell us!”
The young servant didn’t know much, having only overheard snippets while delivering water and coal to the rooms.
He explained, “Steward Wang asked Master Wu if they needed anything besides fresh flowers, fruits, and incense. Master Wu said it was enough. When Steward Wang asked if they wanted an altar table brought, Second Master Wu said it wasn’t necessary, saying, ‘Our eldest senior brother was always generous and easygoing in life, never fussing over details. Just bowing in his direction will suffice.'”
Cai Zhao and Chang Ning exchanged glances, realizing this was the Wu brothers’ final farewell before “taking action.”
“Is that all? Anything else?” Cai Zhao pressed.
The young servant thought hard. “Oh, Steward Wang asked if they wanted to continue receiving medicinal soup, but Second Master Wu said it wasn’t necessary. He said they had almost fully recovered and should be leaving soon. Steward Wang said he’d inform the steward at Fengyun Peak to prepare horses and carriages for them. However, Master Wu said there was no rush, as they had to properly bid farewell to the sect leader before leaving…” The servant now remembered the strange smile on Wu Gang’s face as he said this.
Cai Zhao exclaimed and turned to run.
Feeling regretful, she couldn’t help but blame Chang Ning, “See? I told you we should have gone to Muwei Palace. We’ll have to go there anyway. We should have listened to me from the start!”
Chang Ning, following her at a leisurely pace, calmly said, “If Zhao Zhao is so prescient, she should have spent less time delivering soup and more time capturing the Wu brothers.”
“Are you still hung up on that?”
“People in relationships, regardless of gender, should be more cautious and not casually deliver or drink soup with others. Would Lady Cai approve of your actions?”
Bringing up Cai Pingzhu silenced Cai Zhao, though she fumed inwardly.
Arriving at Muwei Palace, they found the battle had already ended.
Disciples were carrying out corpses, both of gray-robed men with painted masks and sect members.
As Chang and Cai made their way inside, they saw injured disciples supporting each other as they left for treatment. Chang Ning stopped one disciple and asked, “Have all the intruders been killed?”
The disciple replied, “The intruders in Muwei Palace have been eliminated. Master instructed us to clean up while the injured senior brothers sought treatment. About a dozen escaped towards the outer gate, and Senior Brother Song led a group to pursue them.”
Chang Ning deliberately smiled at Cai Zhao, saying, “I told you twenty people couldn’t cause much trouble.”
Just then, they encountered a stretcher carrying Zeng Dalou. Cai Zhao, terrified, rushed over with tears nearly falling: “Senior Brother, what happened? You’re not dead, are you? Are you alright? Wake up!”
Chang Ning could barely suppress his laughter.
Zeng Dalou, almost startled to death by the girl’s shrill cry, tried to sit up but couldn’t. He waved his hand weakly, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m not dead, just injured.”
“You scared me to death!” Cai Zhao clutched her chest, her eyes reddening. “They were carrying out corpses one after another, and suddenly I saw Senior Brother on a stretcher. I thought you were dead too!”
Zeng Dalou smiled bitterly, “My skills were inadequate. I’ve shamed our master.”
Cai Zhao had no time to comfort him and quickly asked, “Senior Brother, have you seen Elders Wu Gang and Wu Xiong?”
Zeng Dalou was puzzled: “They came to bid farewell to Master not long ago, and then the demonic cult intruders burst in…”
“Where are they now?” Chang Ning frowned.
“They were talking in Master’s room…”
Before Zeng Dalou could finish, Cai Zhao had already darted off like a fluttering flower, with Chang Ning following close behind, his wide sleeves and long robe forming a blue shadow.
Zeng Dalou was stunned. “… Chang Ning’s martial arts have improved so much.” This was the first time he had seen Chang Ning display his skills since recovering.
Cai Zhao raced like lightning straight to the side hall of Muwei Palace’s main hall, where Qi Yunke’s room was. The door was open, and through it, they could see him bending over his desk, examining something. Wu Xiong stood four paces behind him, his right hand slightly raised.
Seeing this, Cai Zhao almost tripped in fright, screaming, “Master, watch out behind you! He’s a traitor…”
As soon as Wu Xiong glimpsed Cai Zhao bursting in, he seemed to realize he was about to be exposed. His right hand flashed, and he thrust swiftly towards Qi Yunke’s vital points on his back!
Hearing Cai Zhao’s cry, Qi Yunke instinctively turned and pushed out a palm. In that split second, Wu Xiong’s blade missed its mark, merely piercing Qi Yunke’s left upper arm. Wu Xiong, struck by a powerful palm force, was sent flying back. His internal organs ruptured, and he died, spewing blood.
Qi Yunke staggered back two steps, clutching his left arm.
Cai Zhao rushed in to support him, trembling, “Mas-master, you…”
Before she could utter a fourth word, Chang Ning had arrived, his right hand swiftly sealing the acupoints on Qi Yunke’s left arm.
Before Cai Zhao could react, Qi Yunke had already torn open his left sleeve. Black blood oozed from the wound, and Cai Zhao cried out, “The dagger was poisoned!”
Qi Yunke said gravely, “It’s not serious. The dagger didn’t penetrate deeply, and Chang Ning has sealed my acupoints. I’ll expel the poison shortly.”
Cai Zhao hurriedly helped him to a chaise lounge, where Qi Yunke immediately sat in meditation.
Chang Ning stood nearby, both reserved and proud: “Perhaps I should assist the Sect Leader in expelling the poison.”
Qi Yunke, his face pale, still smiled kindly: “No need. You’ve only recently recovered; you shouldn’t strain your vital energy. Zhao Zhao, go get that bottle from the bookshelf… Zhao Zhao? What’s wrong?” He noticed the girl staring blankly at Wu Xiong’s corpse on the floor.
Cai Zhao asked fearfully, “Wu Xiong is here, but where’s Wu Gang?”
This question startled even Chang Ning. Qi Yunke slapped his leg, exclaiming, “Oh no! Earlier, Yuzi went to pursue the remaining cult members. Wu Gang said he had fully recovered and wanted to help Yuzi—he went with him…”
As Qi Yunke said “Help,” Cai Zhao had already snatched up the fallen dagger and flew out of the room like a petal on the wind, leaving behind the words, “I’m going to find Senior Brother. Master, please take care of your wound…”
By the time Qi Yunke said “went with him,” Chang Ning had also followed Cai Zhao, disappearing through the doorway.
Disciples who rushed in upon hearing the commotion found their Sect Leader sitting dazed on the chaise lounge, his left sleeve torn, revealing a bloody wound, with Wu Xiong’s lifeless body in the corner of the room.
…
In the eastern courtyard of Muwei Palace, the fighting had also nearly concluded. After a fierce pursuit, all the intruders who had attacked the Qingque Sect were killed.
Song Yuzhi effortlessly swept his arm, causing his Bai Rainbow sword to arc gracefully. Blood droplets slid off the blade, leaving a trail of red dew on the white marble tiles. After nearly two hours of battle, even the handsome youth’s jade-like face was speckled with blood.
He sheathed Bai Rainbow on his back and retrieved Blue Rainbow from a corpse. As he prepared to clean it, he noticed Wu Gang leaning against a tree, clutching his chest and gasping for breath, seemingly injured internally.
Around them, disciples were either helping their wounded comrades leave or examining the bodies.
Song Yuzhi hesitated briefly before approaching Wu Gang. He gently said, “Thank you for your assistance, Elder Wu. Please go to the medicine hall for treatment.”
Wu Gang nodded, smiling faintly. “I can walk on my own. Please lead the way, Young Master Song.”
Seeing Wu Gang’s pride and reluctance to accept help, Song Yuzhi let go and turned to lead the way.
Cai Zhao arrived just in time to see Song Yuzhi facing her, with Wu Gang right behind him, raising his right palm to strike—
Her heart leaped to her throat, rendering her speechless. She immediately threw her dagger, sending the poisoned blade flying straight ahead.
Song Yuzhi had just turned to see Cai Zhao running towards him, her expression panicked and fearful. Then… she threw a dagger at him?
He was shocked. Why would Zhao Zhao try to kill him? No, that wasn’t it!
In a flash, he understood something, but it was too late to escape. He could only gather his inner energy to defend against the attack.
In an instant, Cai Zhao’s dagger struck Wu Gang’s shoulder just as Wu Gang’s palms hit Song Yuzhi’s back. Immediately, a surge of powerful inner energy retaliated.
Wu Gang cried out in agony, stumbling backward. He was both struck by Song Yuzhi’s counterattack and wounded by the flying dagger.
Song Yuzhi took the full brunt of two palm strikes, coughing up blood and falling to one knee. Cai Zhao rushed forward to support him.
Chang Ning arrived to find this unpleasant scene.
Chang Ning: …I hate the demonic cult.
Wu Gang lay on the ground, mouth full of blood, laughing maniacally. “You’ve been hit by my Netherworld Frost! If you don’t die, you’ll lose half your life!”
Surrounding disciples, seeing this, drew their swords and encircled him.
Song Yuzhi stood up with Cai Zhao’s help, glaring at Wu Gang. “Qingque Sect treated you both well, and I had no prior grudge with you. Why did you resort to such a despicable act, Elder Wu?”
Raised with proper manners, he still used an honorific title even now. If it were Cai Zhao, she would have cursed his ancestors already.
Wu Gang’s eyes were full of hatred. “I indeed have no grudge with a youngster like you, but I have a great grievance with your maternal grandfather! Haha! Some ‘Number One Sect under Heaven’! What a bunch of hypocrites! If that old dog Yin hadn’t been so selfish back then, if he had been willing to exchange Elder Kaiyang for my elder brother, my brother wouldn’t have ended up in such a half-human, Half-Face-Ghost state!”
Cai Zhao couldn’t help but interject, “It’s understandable that Qingfeng Sect was unwilling to exchange two captured demonic cult leaders for Wu Daxia…”
“Shut your damn mouth!” Wu Gang cursed loudly. “My master and old dog Yin were friends for so many years. If Yin hadn’t wanted to keep Elder Kaiyang to force out a secret, he would have gladly done the favor!”
Cai Zhao: “Uh?”
Years of resentment poured out of Wu Gang, no longer holding back. “Even if old dog Yin was unwilling to exchange for my brother, he could have refused outright. My master wouldn’t have blamed him. But no, he had to accompany my master to negotiate with Elder Yaoguang… Hmph! I thought old dog Yin was righteous, but it turns out he had already questioned Elder Kaiyang and wanted to verify the information with Elder Yaoguang.”
“They barely exchanged a few words before a fight broke out. Old dog Yin escaped unscathed, but my master was fatally wounded!” Wu Gang’s face contorted as he wailed, tears falling. “If my master had lived, my brother wouldn’t have suffered in the demonic cult for over a decade, with no one to help him. My master would have found a way to save my brother…”
“So, your enemies aren’t just Cangqiong Zi and Qiu Yuanfeng, but also the old Sect Leader Yin?” Chang Ning calmly asked.
Wu Gang smiled defiantly. “Correct. We came this time only to kill Qi Yunke and Song Yuzhi. They’re our enemies simply because one is old dog Yin’s successor, and the other is his grandson!”
Cai Zhao interjected again: “But Sect Leader Yin has more than one grandson, right?” Master, you’re so wrong, she thought. You’re a late joiner but counted as Sect Leader Yin’s direct disciple.
At this point, the poison in Wu Gang took effect. He shouted deliriously, “I don’t care! I don’t care! I want all of old dog Yin’s descendants dead! They promised me that as long as…” Before he could finish, black blood gushed from his mouth. After a few convulsions, he died.
The setting sun casts a cold light on everyone, sending a chill through their hearts.