Over a month later, Sect Leader Mu cheerfully paid his respects to Madam Ning, accepted a red envelope, and affectionately called her grandmother. He managed to bid a joyful farewell to the Cai family just before Madam Ning fainted, in stark contrast to the ashen face of Song Third Young Master who had come to escort his father.
On one side lay familial strife and misfortune, with the impending struggle for leadership of the Song family likely to claim more lives. On the other, jubilation and radiant faces greeted a happy occasion. One might ask: how much sorrow can a man bear? Perhaps it’s best if this hero never returns.
Fearing Mu might provoke the Song father and son, Cai Zhao hastily ushered him out, disregarding their reluctance to part. The Green Bamboo Gang bid them a tearful farewell once more.
As they reached the Hanhai Mountain Range, passing by the Vermilion Bird Altar, they found it festooned with lanterns and banners, creating an atmosphere as lively as a village feast hosted by a wealthy landlord. Cai Zhao, assuming You Guanyue had arranged this grand welcome, felt deeply flattered. She immediately adopted a coquettish air, telling Mu Qingyan that You Guanyue was so considerate, that he should be promoted to elder or something similar.
Mu Qingyan replied, “He’s already been promoted. However, You Guanyue has many old comrades at the Vermilion Bird Altar, and they’re celebrating for him. It’s not for his promotion, though, but for his marriage. You Guanyue is going to marry Xing’er.”
After returning from Jiuli Mountain, whether due to a profound realization following their brush with death or Shang Guanhaonan’s promise to care for You Guanyue’s wife, You Guanyue immediately proposed to Xing’er upon his return. Xing’er, laughing through tears, accepted without hesitation.
Cai Zhao intended to ask Xing’er if she truly wished to marry You Guanyue. However, she was nearly blinded by the piles of brocade, embroidery, and dazzling jewels in Xing’er’s room. “How much dowry has You Guanyue saved up for you?” she exclaimed, her heart racing as she picked up a golden phoenix hairpin weighing over half a jin, its massive wings adorned with countless gemstones. “Isn’t he afraid of breaking your neck? By the way, why did You Guanyue suddenly decide to marry you? Wasn’t he adamant about finding you a worthy and talented husband?”
Xing’er blushed to her ears, twisting her handkerchief into a braid. “He said… it wasn’t until he faced death that he realized he couldn’t bear to entrust me to anyone else’s care. He couldn’t trust anyone but himself.” She paused, then added emphatically, “Especially not those fickle men with multiple wives and concubines!”
The implication was too obvious. Cai Zhao let out a laugh and asked, “So You Guanyue has come to his senses now. But what if he hadn’t? What would you have done then?”
“We’ve been through difficult times before,” Xing’er replied softly but resolutely. “No matter how much hardship master endured outside, he always comforted me when he returned, telling me not to worry, that he’d take care of everything. From childhood until now, there’s never been anyone in my heart but him. If he wants to marry me, that’s wonderful; if he couldn’t make up his mind, I wouldn’t marry anyone else. I’d serve him for life.”
Cai Zhao pondered this, then removed the pair of pearl and jade bracelets gifted by Cai Pingshu and offered them to Xing’er as additional adornments. Xing’er, startled, waved her hands in refusal.
“You deserve them,” Cai Zhao insisted, personally placing the bracelets on Xing’er’s wrists. “My aunt would have liked you too.”
Later, when Cai Zhao met with Mu Qingyan, she was still musing, “May all lovers in the world be like them. Though they’ve endured hardships, may they ultimately find happiness and a perfect union.”
Mu Qingyan rolled his eyes, finding fault even in stone cracks: “Aren’t we the same? When it comes to hardships, who could compare to us? Why envy others?”
Cai Zhao replied, “Ah yes, yes, you’re right about everything.”
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingyan’s mood shifted, and he smiled, “But you’re also right; we are different from others. They’ve gone from bitterness to sweetness, while we’ve been in perfect harmony from the start, never experiencing bitterness.”
His smile was as radiant as spring flowers, brilliant and beautiful.
Cai Zhao thought to herself, “As long as you’re happy…”
Mu Qingyan’s joy was short-lived as he suggested taking Cai Zhao somewhere. As they walked towards the back mountain, Cai Zhao recognized the path. “Isn’t this the way to your family’s ancestral burial ground? Are you missing your father again? I don’t mind accompanying you to pay respects to Uncle Mu, but today is You Guanyue and Xing’er’s happy day. With all the festivities below, what do you want to tell your father?”
“We’re not here to pay respects to my father. You’ll see when we get there,” Mu Qingyan replied, slightly annoyed. “You Guanyue’s celebration is nothing. When we marry, it’ll be ten times grander. I’ll have the entire mountaintop covered in red clouds, shimmering brilliantly!”
“Alright, alright,” Cai Zhao said cautiously, “but… perhaps it shouldn’t be too extravagant?”
Mu Qingyan narrowed his eyes. “What are you thinking now?”
Cai Zhao grimaced. “My parents are the masters of Falling Petal Valley. It doesn’t seem appropriate for them to come to the Demon Sect’s headquarters to marry off their daughter.”
Mu Qingyan quickly suggested, “Then let’s have the wedding at Falling Petal Valley. We can invite the townspeople to join the celebration.”
“What if someone accuses Falling Petal Valley of colluding with the Demon Sect and uses it as an excuse to cause trouble?”
“Then we’ll hold it at Pei Qiong Manor. We saved Zhou Zhixian’s life in Linshu, so the Zhou family should grant us this favor.”
“Getting married at your former fiancée’s home? Sect Leader Mu, you’re truly a genius.”
“Fine, let’s have it at Guangtian Gate then. It’s spacious and grand. Since you keep saying you and Song Yuzhi are like siblings, we can hold the wedding there and consider it Song Yuzhi marrying off his sister!”
This last comment was clearly said out of spite.
“…Please spare Third Senior Brother,” Cai Zhao sighed. She remembered the day Song Yuzhi left, seemingly having much to say to her, but with Mu Qingyan sulking nearby, he had only managed a brief “Take care, Junior Sister. Until we meet again.” Mu Qingyan had thought the last four words unnecessary.
Cai Zhao felt concerned for Song Yuzhi. “I wonder how Third Senior Brother is faring in resolving his family disputes.”
Mu Qingyan responded sarcastically, “Didn’t I say that considering our shared hardships, our sect would offer Young Master Song full support? Who knew he’d flatly refuse? So he’s on his own now. Ah we’ve arrived!”
They had reached the Mu family’s forbidden burial ground. Cai Zhao asked curiously, “Isn’t this your family’s tomb? I thought you said we weren’t here to pay respects to your father?” She thought to herself that even if he felt bitter on such a joyous day, he shouldn’t come to his father’s grave to complain.
“Indeed, we’re not. I want to show you someone else: Mu Zhengyang.”
The cave’s exterior was cold and gloomy, surrounded by dark forests, but its interior was surprisingly dry and temperate. Unlike her previous frantic dash through the cave, Cai Zhao now noticed its layout as Mu Qingyan led her through two identical tunnels, finally stopping before Mu Zhengyang’s skeleton. Since discovering this twin cave, Mu Qingyan had forbidden anyone from approaching. Mu Zhengyang’s remains still sat propped against the cave wall.
“Is this… Mu Zhengyang?” Cai Zhao asked uncertainly. The man who had ruined her aunt’s life and caused a bloodbath years ago had been lying silently in this dark cave for over a decade.
Mu Qingyan nodded, pointing to fatal breaks in the dark iron armor and bones. “These wounds were inflicted by the Yan Yang Blade.”
Cai Zhao spoke haltingly, “When I heard Aunt tell Master that she had killed Mu Zhengyang, I had doubts. I wondered if she might have softened and imprisoned him somewhere instead. But Master firmly denied this. He said Aunt wasn’t that kind of person. Since Mu Zhengyang had killed Kong Danqing and the others, Aunt would never spare him. If she said she killed him, then she did.”
“Master said Aunt wasn’t an ordinary woman who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong because of love… Some things in this world are far more important than romantic feelings.”
Mu Qingyan paused before continuing, “Perhaps Qi Yunke understood your aunt best. If Mu Zhengyang had realized this earlier, he wouldn’t have acted so rashly, thinking he could win her back even after she discovered his vile schemes.”
“How could he do this?” Cai Zhao cried, tears streaming down her face as she thought of her aunt’s frail, desolate state. “My aunt was such a good person. How could Mu Zhengyang hurt and use her like this? Aunt was so sincere to everyone. When she learned that her beloved had killed her hidden comrades, she must have been heartbroken and filled with guilt! How could Mu Zhengyang be so heartless and cruel? Didn’t he have any feelings at all?”
Mu Qingyan embraced the girl, gently patting her back and kissing the top of her head. ” I don’t think Mu Zhengyang was entirely without feeling or loyalty to your aunt.”
Sniffling, Cai Zhao asked, “How do you know?”
Mu Qingyan bent down, using his hand to mimic a blade, making a slashing motion toward the skeleton, and then turning his hand. “This must be the final move of your aunt’s ‘Great Wind River Breaks Clear Sky Blade Technique’ – ‘Wind Howls, Water Chills’, right?”
Cai Zhao nodded, wiping her nose. Through her tears, she recalled a passage from her aunt’s notes: [When I first obtained the treasured blade ‘Yan Yang’, I was overjoyed. The following month, while passing through a flat river valley on a clear, breezy day, I suddenly had an epiphany and began to dance with my blade. As the blade rose, a fierce wind swept across the river, breaking through the clear sky. Sand and stones flew everywhere, unstoppable. Thus, I named it the ‘Great Wind River Breaks Clear Sky Blade Technique’.]
“‘Wind Howls, Water Chills’ must be a move meant for mutual destruction,” Mu Qingyan mused. He had seen Cai Zhao practice her blade technique many times and heard about its origins. This particular move wasn’t part of Cai Pingshu’s original technique but was created later. Although Cai Pingshu had lost her parents young and lived dependent on others, her exceptional talent and numerous fortuitous encounters, coupled with her cheerful nature, meant she hadn’t suffered much after entering the martial arts world. She wouldn’t have created such a self-destructive move unless the situation was extremely dire. When she used this move against her former lover Mu Zhengyang, it was clear she had resolved to perish together with him.
“The Mu family’s martial arts aren’t just for show. Even if Mu Zhengyang was a fool who hadn’t mastered his skills, he shouldn’t have been completely defenseless,” Mu Qingyan said, pointing to the skeleton’s sleeves. The finest silk brocade still gleamed with golden threads after more than a decade, revealing shocking tears from blade winds, evidence of a fierce battle between Mu Zhengyang and Cai Pingshu. However, there were no decisive diagonal slash marks on the bones or fabric, indicating that when Cai Pingshu struck with ‘Wind Howls, Water Chills’, Mu Zhengyang didn’t defend himself.
“If Mu Zhengyang had used his inner force to defend or employed hidden weapons, your aunt wouldn’t have escaped unscathed,” Mu Qingyan said, slowly standing up. “Counting from when Kong Danqing’s tragic death was discovered to the Battle of Tu Mountain…”
“No need to calculate,” Cai Zhao said. “After Aunt killed Mu Zhengyang, she indeed went to Mount Tu shortly after. When I was confined behind the Qingque Sect’s mountain, Master often visited to tell me stories about Aunt’s past.”
Mu Zhengyang’s martial arts were certainly not for show. According to Qi Yunke, ‘Young Master Yang’ possessed exceptional innate talent, rarely seen in the world. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, he hadn’t built a solid foundation in his youth, wasting a significant opportunity. Despite this, among those Qi Yunke had encountered, this ‘Young Master Yang’ was rarely matched.
Mu Qingyan coldly interjected, “Qi Yunke despises Mu Zhengyang. He keeps mentioning him to warn you away from me.”
Cai Zhao sighed, “You’re like a hedgehog, interpreting every word as a threat against you.” Ignoring him, she continued, “Mother once said that Aunt returned that year, pale-faced, telling Master she had killed the ‘Young Master Yang’ who betrayed his brothers. Soon after, Aunt engaged in a battle to the death with Nie Hengcheng. Aunt never believed she could defeat Nie Hengcheng, and if severely wounded, she wouldn’t have gone to Mount Tu.”
Cai Pingchu, in her youth traveling the martial world, never believed in the myth of ‘invincibility through willpower’. Fighting while severely injured was tantamount to suicide.
“So, Mu Zhengyang didn’t fight back?” Cai Zhao suddenly realized this point. If Cai Pingchu had disregarded her safety to kill him, and if Mu Zhengyang had fought back fiercely, Cai Pingchu would have been severely wounded, if not killed.
Mu Qingyan added, “Or perhaps he hesitated for a moment, and…”
Cai Zhao finished the thought, “And Aunt’s strike was so decisive that Mu Zhengyang’s brief hesitation cost him his life?”
Regardless of the scenario, Mu Zhengyang must have felt some reluctance. Or perhaps, guilt?
“If he knew his actions were so despicable, why did he do it?!” Cai Zhao exclaimed angrily. “Seeking revenge is one thing, but his obsession with power and wealth caused so many deaths!”
Mu Qingyan calmly replied, “Perhaps it was a moment of weakness that led him down a dark path. Once started, regret couldn’t undo his actions.”
After a long silence, Mu Qingyan asked, “How do you plan to handle Mu Zhengyang’s remains? Will you grind his bones to dust?”
Cai Zhao hesitated, “He hurt Aunt and so many others, but he also died by Aunt’s hand. You decide.”
Mu Qingyan nodded, “Then I’ll bury him beside my father. I think Father would want that.”
Cai Zhao, curious, asked, “Mu Zhengyang wanted to use you for his evil cultivation. Don’t you hate him at all?”
After a long pause, Mu Qingyan pointed at the remains and said, “He lived in squalor for fifteen years, enduring countless hardships without ever yielding. When Nie Hengcheng’s power seemed unshakeable, he found a small crack and slowly chipped away at Nie’s foundation. Although his schemes ultimately failed, he can be considered a formidable adversary.”
He continued, “In the end, Nie Hengcheng must have realized he had cultivated the wrong technique and was on the brink of losing control. He accidentally killed his most beloved disciple and must have deeply regretted it when lucid. He likely secluded himself on Mount Tu to avoid harming other disciples and followers during his manic episodes—his final years must have been filled with despair and loneliness.”
“In essence, Mu Zhengyang’s revenge succeeded. Nie Hengcheng’s betrayal and scheming had destroyed two generations of my family. My father, being kind-hearted, was defenseless. In the end, it was Mu Zhengyang who avenged our family. To be honest, deep down, I somewhat admire him. He lived more freely than my father, settling all debts.”
Cai Zhao, stunned, said, “But he hurt Aunt.”
Mu Qingyan replied, “If he truly loved your aunt, then he also destroyed himself.”
Cai Zhao sighed deeply and shook her head, “I don’t want to stay here anymore. Let’s leave.”
As they walked out of the cave, Cai Zhao remarked, “Your uncle was incredibly extreme and unyielding. If only he and my master had balanced each other out. Wait, if Uncle Chang subtly sensed something was wrong with Master, why did he entrust you to Master on his deathbed? Wasn’t he afraid Master would discover your identity or eliminate you as a member of the Chang family?”
“That’s precisely where Uncle Chang’s cleverness lies,” Mu Qingyan’s eyes twinkled. “Only an incredibly powerful force could have wiped out the Chang family in one night. In such circumstances, the Qingque Sect was the only place in the world that could ensure his son’s safety. It would have been strange and suspicious if Uncle Chang hadn’t entrusted his only son to Sect Leader Qi.”
Cai Zhao realized, “I understand now. Uncle Chang sensed a hidden force at work, and Master noticed Uncle Chang’s secret investigation, but he didn’t know Uncle Chang suspected him. Master slaughtered the Chang family to eliminate potential threats. When Uncle Chang entrusted his ‘only son’ to the Qingque Sect without hesitation on his deathbed, Master believed Uncle Chang hadn’t discovered his involvement.”
“It’s a bit convoluted, but you’ve guessed correctly,” Mu Qingyan smiled.
As they approached the cave’s entrance, Cai Zhao skipped ahead, “Thankfully, Uncle Chang was so clever, otherwise you might have—ouch! What’s wrong?”
“Don’t walk in front of me!” Mu Qingyan’s expression suddenly changed, veins bulging on his long neck, his eyes intense. He grabbed the girl’s arm and pulled her beside him.
Cai Zhao was startled, recalling a strange memory, “Oh right, I’ve been meaning to ask, why do you always forbid me from walking ahead of you?”
Mu Qingyan’s expression shifted several times as they walked. He stopped and turned back, “Remember when you rescued me from Taichu Temple? In that hidden cave, you resolutely abandoned me.”
“I was severely injured then, powerless. I could only watch your back as you walked further and further away. For a long time after, I would wake from nightmares, always seeing your retreating figure.”
“You left me all alone and went off to a warm, lively place, leaving me in solitude. In this life, I’ve decided never to see your back again!” With that, he swept out of the cave like a gust of wind, disappearing in an instant.
Cai Zhao stood frozen in place.
The wedding feast for You Guanyue was a joyous affair. Although the career-focused Elder Yan Xu believed they should focus on defeating their weakened northern rivals before discussing marriage, Elder Hu Fengge’s strong support (and physical intimidation) ensured everyone happily prepared for the celebration.
You Guanyue was well-liked, and leaders from all factions came to toast him. Even the half-dead Ghost Doctor Lin Shu brought two jars of his prized poisonous scorpion wine. Mu Qingyan gave a brief speech, bestowed colorful treasures upon the newlyweds, and then tactfully left to allow his subordinates to drink and celebrate freely.
Strangely, Shangguan Haonan, usually fond of festivities, seemed downcast, drinking only a few cups before excusing himself to change clothes and disappear.
Cai Zhao sat with Xing’er in the bridal chamber for a while, her mind preoccupied with Mu Qingyan’s odd behavior. She wanted to discuss it with him but had only taken a few steps when she encountered Hu Fengge sobering up in a narrow passageway.
Hu Fengge, still beautiful despite her facial scars, smiled at Cai Zhao, “Miss Zhao, you needn’t have shielded You Guanyue from drinking earlier. That boy has a good tolerance; he was just pretending to stumble and even mixed water into his wine cup, afraid of ruining his wedding night with Xing’er.”
Cai Zhao smiled wryly, “I did it for Xing’er’s sake. She was nearly in tears with worry.”
Hu Fengge laughed, “A cunning fox married a simple rabbit. I wonder what their children will be like, haha! By the way, Miss Zhao, have you heard any news from the Qingque Sect recently?”
Cai Zhao sighed, “A little. The third Senior Brother has decided to stay at Guangtian Gate. Elder Lei wrote to me, asking me to return and become the Qingque Sect leader, as he can’t unite everyone.”
Hu Fengge nodded, “Yin Dai’s disciples are all dead, and he’s killed most of his fellow disciples’ students too. Of your master’s seven disciples, Zeng Dalou died in the underground palace, the second, Dai Fengchi, is crippled, the third, Song Yuzhi, will return to lead Guangtian Gate, the fourth, Ding Zhuo, is obsessed with martial arts, and lacks people skills, the fifth, Fan Xingce, excels in medicine but not in martial arts, the sixth, Qi Lingbo, is best not mentioned, so indeed, only you remain.”
“Among your generation, aside from Song Yuzhi, Zhuang Shu was the second most promising. I heard he was mature, kind, and capable. Unfortunately, he was Li Wenxun’s direct disciple. So…” She fixed her gaze on Cai Zhao. “Miss Zhao, will you return to become the sect leader?”
Cai Zhao shook her head. “I’m used to a carefree life. Being a sect leader isn’t my desire, but if the sect needs help, I’m willing to assist for a few years. However…” She smiled. “Can a sect leader bring her husband along? Would it be acceptable if the sect leader’s husband is the Departure Sect’s leader?”
The young woman’s smile was bright and carefree. Hu Fengge couldn’t help but smile too. “Perhaps it’s possible, but you’ll need to ‘reason’ with your fellow disciples.”
Cai Zhao noticed the female elder’s dignified composure, a stark contrast to her previous anguish after Yu Huiyin’s betrayal. She hesitated, wanting to ask something but holding back. Hu Fengge noticed and asked directly, “Miss Zhao, do you want to know if I’ve fully recovered from Yu’s harm?”
Cai Zhao nodded sheepishly.
Hu Fengge gazed towards the distant mountain pass. “Yu Huiyin and I were orphans who grew up together, caring for each other. I was sincere to him for over a decade, but he heartlessly hurt me. Initially, I was full of hatred for that couple and all romantic relationships. But later, when I retrieved Commander Lu’s remains on the sect leader’s orders, I found a small golden phoenix hairpin in his skull.”
“A golden phoenix hairpin?” Cai Zhao asked curiously. “Is it valuable or significant?”
“No, it’s neither particularly valuable nor significant,” Hu Fengge shook her head. “It’s just over two inches long, weighing less than half an ounce, light enough to blow away with a breath. But it was the first thing I bought with my savings as a child. I lost it down a cliff and cried for days, even childishly vowing to marry whoever could find it for me.”
“Yu Huiyin just laughed when he heard this, comforting me and warning me not to risk myself on the dangerous cliff. He bought me a larger golden phoenix pin instead. I appreciated his kindness, though I still missed the original. Little did I know…”
Cai Zhao gently finished, “Little did you know Lu Chengnan had secretly retrieved it from the cliff and kept it with him all along.”
Hu Fengge’s expression softened. “He was like a teacher and brother to me. I never dared to think otherwise.” She sighed deeply. “I was deceived by Yu Huiyin for half my life, while he lay alone in a cave for over a decade. We were both unlucky. But having met in this life is enough.”
Cai Zhao felt a pang in her heart. As she walked away, she heard movement behind her. Turning back, she saw Qiu Cuilan bringing sobering soup to Hu Fengge, followed by the bumbling Lian Shisan.
Eager to see Mu Qingyan, Cai Zhao headed towards his study. However, she saw Shangguan Haonan enter first, his head hanging low. Curious, she took a hidden passage to eavesdrop.
Before she got close, she heard loud sobbing – Shangguan Haonan’s voice.
“Master, I can’t go on living, wuwuwu…” Shangguan Haonan cried, clinging to Mu Qingyan’s leg like a slaughtered pig.
“Let go and speak clearly!” Mu Qingyan was irritated, glancing at the hidden compartment behind him.
Shangguan Haonan continued sobbing, “If this news spreads, I’ll lose face completely! Everyone’s still celebrating Little Moon’s wedding, but soon they’ll notice what’s happened to me!”
“Are you going to tell me what happened or not? If not, get out!” Mu Qingyan glanced at the hidden compartment again.
Covering his face with his sleeve, Shangguan Haonan wailed, “My… my wives… they’ve run away! Wuwuwu…”
Mu Qingyan was stunned. “Run away? Do you mean Hong, Lü, and the others? Did they go back to their families? Are they just angry with you?”
Shangguan Haonan’s face turned red as a pig’s liver. “No, it’s not that. They’ve… they’ve eloped. They don’t want to be with me anymore. They’ve gone to live with others!”
Mu Qingyan was rarely so surprised. He forgot about the eavesdropping girl nearby. “Eloped? You mean your wives left you? Which one was so bold as to betray you like this?”
Shangguan Haonan broke down further: “All three! All three have gone! My Ying, Yan, and Hong are all gone!”
Mu Qingyan’s mouth twitched, unsure how to console him. “Perhaps we should investigate. There might be a misunderstanding…”
“There’s no misunderstanding. They told me themselves,” Shangguan Haonan wailed louder. “Hong ran off with her distant cousin. I even helped that cousin with his business when he came to visit!”
“They told you themselves? You watched them elope?” Mu Qingyan raised his foot, ready to kick him.
Shangguan Haonan’s heart was shattered. “Hong isn’t a bad woman. She could have run while we were attacking the Qingque Sect, taking lots of gold and silver. But she worried about my safety and waited for my return before leaving. Wuwuwu… all three knelt and begged me to let them go…”
Mu Qingyan, dark-minded, thought to himself: Whether you live or die, Hu Fengge would hunt down anyone who dared to cuckold a Departure Sect leader. By saying you softened and let them go, you’ve avoided future trouble.
“Alright, so Hong left with her cousin. What about Ying and Yan?” Mu Qingyan asked patiently.
Shangguan Haonan’s face turned from red to black, filled with grief and anger. “They… they left on their own.”
Mu Qingyan frowned. “On their own? Without men? How is that eloping?”
Shangguan Haonan blew his nose, mumbling in shame: “No, Master, you don’t understand. Ying and Yan didn’t run off with men. They left together… they want to live together from now on…”
The brilliant Sect Leader Mu was confused for a moment. His mind raced, finally recalling a certain book hidden under Miss Cai’s pillow – a story with no male characters, only two female ones.
Mu Qingyan seemed to understand something. His sympathy grew as he looked down at the sobbing man, his gaze full of pity. “You… you shouldn’t be too upset. This… this past cannot be changed…” He couldn’t continue.
Shangguan Haonan wailed, beating his chest, tears, and snot flowing freely. “The four of us grew up together! I treated them well, always fulfilling their requests! They were my childhood playmates chosen by my parents as personal maids. I even thought about finding a fourth girl so they wouldn’t be short a player for card games…”
Mu Qingyan’s sympathy vanished instantly. He kicked the man away. “Stop rambling. What do you want to do? Speak clearly, then get out.”
Shangguan Haonan wiped his tears. “Master, I can’t stay in the Vast Sea Mountains anymore. Once this news spreads, I won’t be able to show my face, wuwuwu… I’ll leave tonight, and hide for three, four, five, or six years until everyone forgets about this. Please tell the brothers that I’m not running away in shame, but that you’ve sent me on a top-secret mission. Is that alright?”
Mu Qingyan felt both irritated and amused. He agreed to this fool’s request. After Shangguan Haonan left, thanking him profusely, he called out impatiently, “Come out now. Haven’t you heard enough?!”
Cai Zhao, her face red from suppressing laughter, bounced out and collapsed on the desk, giggling. “How could this happen? We always hear him bragging, acting like he’s irresistible. Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter…”
“Wonderful, truly wonderful,” Mu Qingyan sat down heavily, smirking. “To what do I owe the honor of Miss Cai’s visit? If there’s nothing important, I’ll…”
“I came to tell you that I won’t let you see my back as I leave anymore,” Cai Zhao said, getting up from the desk. “But if you don’t want to hear it, I’ll go.”
Mu Qingyan caught her by the waist. “You’re never reliable. You just said you wouldn’t let me see your back as you leave, and now you’re about to walk out! Are you here to cause trouble?”
“No, I came to say something nice,” Cai Zhao said, hugging his neck. She burst into laughter again. “I just didn’t expect to hear such a story, hehe…”
Mu Qingyan found it amusing too. “That fool. He looks brave and heroic, but he’s soft-hearted and muddle-headed! Those three women knew his weakness and dared to ask him face-to-face to let them go. I wouldn’t be surprised if that idiot even gave them dowries!”
After laughing for a while, Cai Zhao sighed, thinking of her sect. “The Vast Sea Mountains are full of joy, but my Qingque Sect is facing hard times.”
Mu Qingyan knew the situation well. “It’s all your master’s fault.”
“We can’t blame my master entirely. It started with Yin Dai and Yang Yi’s misdeeds.”
“It all goes back to Nie Hengcheng cultivating the Purple微 Heart Sutra.”
“The root cause was your uncle Mu Zhengyang.”
“That was because Nie Hengcheng caused him to be abandoned and alone.”
“The very beginning was your great-grandfather adopting a son.”
At this point, Mu Qingyan had a sudden thought. “If my great-grandfather had understood his feelings earlier, and my great-grandmother hadn’t passed away from depression… what would have happened?”
Cai Zhao paused, following this train of thought. They discussed how events might have unfolded differently, leading to a world where Mu Qingyan would never have been born.
Suddenly, Cai Zhao was gripped by a great fear. What would her life be like without Mu Qingyan? She trembled as she reached out, tracing his features from forehead to lips. She kissed him deeply, and passionately, and received an even more frenzied response.
“Qingyan, from now on, let’s live our lives well together, never separating again,” she said softly.
“You’ve said that many times and most of them were lies,” Mu Qingyan replied, his pale skin flushed and eyes full of emotion. “Let’s get married first.”
Cai Zhao laughed. “Alright, however, you want to do it.”
“You’re not worried about considering everything anymore?”
“From now on, I only care about you.”
[The End]