Mu Yan had just turned one month old and was already extremely endearing—beautiful, fair, and chubby-cheeked. Mu Qingyan especially loved his son’s eyes, dark and deep, bright and clear, seeming to sparkle with mirth even when not smiling—very much like Cai Zhao.

However, Mu Yan only resembled his mother in those eyes. His nose, ears, and jawline all followed his father’s features. At his one-month celebration, the townspeople of Luoying Town marveled at how much father and son resembled each other, and with each passing year, his appearance grew closer to Mu Qingyan’s.

Four generations of father, son, uncle, nephew, and grandfather all shared the same face. Old man Yan Xu couldn’t help but sigh at the dominance of the Ouyang Xue bloodline—terrifying indeed.

Mu Yan was an easy child to care for. He didn’t cry or make a fuss, nor did he run around wildly. He simply loved clinging to his mother. As long as he stayed by Cai Zhao’s side, he would be obedient and well-behaved, patiently expressing his needs—completely the picture of a good boy. Cai Zhao adored him immensely. The only flaw was that the child loved to frown too much, scowling at strangers with his little face.

After becoming a mother, Cai Zhao changed considerably.

In her youth, she had been carefree and unconcerned, casual and at ease, never taking anything to heart. Now, just watching her young son clumsily move a chair for her to sit on or bring her water to drink could move her to tears—her emotions had become frighteningly rich.

One midnight, by the dim light of a night pearl, Cai Zhao gazed at her husband’s pale, handsome profile and suddenly thought of how he had lived like a puppy or kitten in a lightless little room for the first five years of his life. No wonder he was still afraid of the dark as an adult. She couldn’t help but burst into tears.

When Mu Qingyan woke and learned the reason, he was deeply moved. He embraced his wife, wanting to be intimate, but Cai Zhao wiped away her tears and pushed him away with one hand, rolling off the bed to fumble toward their son’s little bed next door. She held the small, chubby body with overwhelming love, unable to contain her affection.

“Do you think he’s afraid of the dark?” The thought of a tiny child alone and frightened in a quiet, dark room made Cai Zhao’s tears flow uncontrollably, as if it were her own heart and flesh suffering.

Mu Qingyan glanced at the little dumpling with rosy cheeks and peaceful breathing, his face frosting over: “Look at him sleeping like a pig—such a commotion didn’t even wake him. Would someone afraid of the dark sleep like this?”

Cai Zhao felt that Mu Qingyan lacked any compassion, while Mu Qingyan felt that Cai Zhao’s empathy was completely baseless.

The circumstances of his birth and upbringing versus his son’s were worlds apart—one in a pit of thorns, the other in a nest of honey. If Cai Zhao wanted to shower someone with pity and love, it should be directed at him. What was the point of desperately bestowing gold, silver, and precious jewels on a little rich master with a round belly?

It wasn’t that Mu Qingyan didn’t love his son—he simply didn’t know how to begin loving him.

He still remembered his younger self, helpless and ignorant in that little dark room, not even knowing to cry when hungry or in pain, like a little savage. After his father brought him back to the Hall of No Thoughts, he couldn’t even open his eyes in the warm sunlight. He sat dumbly in a chair, letting Uncle Cheng cut off his disheveled hair that reached his legs, and only began learning to speak at age five.

Once he gained some awareness, he began to understand fear. He feared the dark, feared loneliness, feared his father would abandon him, feared being sent back to that little dark room. When looking in the mirror while grooming, he could often see the terror hidden in his eyes.

It wasn’t until he gradually grew up and his father filled his childhood with boundless love that he slowly forgot his early suffering.

But with his son Mu Yan, it was an entirely different story.

Cai Zhao was well-liked and easy-going, and Mu Yan was strikingly beautiful. Inside and outside the Vast Sea Mountain Range, whether people knew them or not, everyone showered them with praise and compliments. A single outing would yield a pile of gifts.

Mu Qingyan didn’t know whether to be happy or jealous—the perfectly envisioned scenes of fatherly kindness and filial piety showed no signs of materializing.

Actually, it wasn’t just that Mu Qingyan found his son displeasing—Mu Yan also found his father displeasing.

Not only did father and son look remarkably similar, their habits were nearly identical too. What Mu Qingyan loved to eat, Mu Yan also loved; what Mu Qingyan disliked, Mu Yan also detested. Their other preferences might differ somewhat, but there was only one Cai Zhao—accompanying one meant not being able to accompany the other.

Mu Yan felt his father was being unreasonable—at his advanced age, why did he still need someone to coax him to sleep?

Mu Qingyan felt his son was willful and arrogant. Without all those years of his heartfelt effort and bitter appeals, how would this little brat have had the chance to be born? Whoever won the wife should keep her—did he understand the rules of the martial world or not?

Regardless of whether father and son were happy about it, time continued to pass swiftly.

When Mu Yan was past six and not yet seven, Cai Zhao suddenly left the Vast Sea Mountain Range one day, leaving only a hastily written note: “Recently encountered a difficult matter. After much hesitation, I’ve finally decided to seek out an old friend for consultation. I’ll return in three or four days. Watch over little Yan, don’t worry.”

Little Mu Yan stared at the note repeatedly. He recognized every character, but strung together, he couldn’t understand what his mother meant.

Looking up, he saw his suspicious father pushing open the hidden compartment in the study, searching inside and out, then opening and rummaging through the large sea stone jade cabinet in the inner room, even bending down to feel around the cellar’s entrance.

Mu Yan asked, “Why are you feeling around the secret compartments? Do you think Mother is hiding to play games with us? Mother isn’t that bored.” As he spoke, he wrinkled his pretty little nose and let out a soft snort of derision.

For a six-and-a-half-year-old child, this expression of disdain was quite well-executed.

His face was practically begging for a beating.

Mu Qingyan lifted his chin and asked, “When did you last see your mother today?”

Mu Yan raised an identical delicate chin: “You dragged me to the back mountain to practice breathing exercises early this morning, and we just returned. You tell me when I last saw Mother.”

Mu Qingyan sat at the long desk, tapping the surface with his fingers.

Mu Yan said, “I just asked Elder You, and he said no one saw Mother go down the mountain.”

Mu Qingyan said nothing.

Mu Yan continued, “So I went to the Celestial Bird Dwelling on the mountaintop. Big Gold is still there, but Little Gold is missing. Mother must have left riding Little Gold.”

Mu Qingyan remained silent.

Little Mu Yan finally grew anxious: “Are you worried about Mother or not? Why aren’t you asking anything?”

Mu Qingyan shot his son a look: “If she relied only on walking, your mother could barely make it to the small towns outside the Vast Sea Mountain Range in three or four days. Even with a swift horse, she could only reach Hanging Sky Nunnery for a vegetarian meal. Since she said she could return in three or four days, she must have taken the Golden-Winged Roc—it’s obvious. Why ask around? Hmph, ignorant child.”

Little Mu Yan rarely had his intelligence crushed, his small face flushing slightly. “Since Father knows everything, why were you feeling around everywhere earlier, as if Mother would play hide-and-seek with us?”

Mu Qingyan shot his son another look: “Travel brings three parts danger. I just wanted to know what your mother took with her—medicine pouches, hidden weapons, clothing—whether she brought enough.”

Only then did Mu Yan understand, continuing to be mouthy: “Whether she brought enough or not, Mother has already left… So what should we do now?”

Mu Qingyan snorted: “What do you mean, what should we do? Your mother only got married and had a child—she’s not in prison. Why can’t she go out if she has business? You were just saying you’d grown up a few days ago. What’s wrong, can’t sleep at night without your mother?” After mocking his son, he swept his sleeves and departed with an air of nonchalance.

Three or four days it was—who lacked patience?

After ten years of marriage, he was no longer the gloomy youth of the past. If not omniscient, he was at least experienced and composed.

But what difficulty was Zhao Zhao facing, and whom had she gone to consult? What matter couldn’t she discuss with him?

All day long with sweet words, saying that from now on he would be her dearest and most beloved person. Sure enough, her nature remained unchanged—what she said and what she did were two different things. Her carefree nature persisted: one moment swearing eternal love and vowing never to part, the next moment heartlessly turning away without looking back.

No rush—he’d settle accounts when she returned.

Just three or four days—tomorrow morning it would be two and a half days.

After one cycle of sunrise and sunset, Mu Qingyan’s face remained calm, but he couldn’t sit still. He couldn’t help but ask You Guanyue to question Xing’er about what had been troubling Cai Zhao these past few days.

You Guanyue blurted out, “The Sect Master doesn’t know?…”

Though he didn’t finish speaking, his meaning was crystal clear—what loving couple doesn’t know what troubles their partner? It seemed some so-called loving couples had their relationships watered down!

Mu Qingyan restrained himself again and again to avoid beating You Guanyue’s organs halfway out.

Xing’er’s reply was simple: these past few days, Madam seemed to have something on her mind (obviously), showing no interest in watching plays or shopping, always sitting alone in contemplation. When asked, she refused to say.

On the second night, little Mu Yan couldn’t endure it anymore. He came running with his soft little pillow to Mu Qingyan’s inner chamber, saying he wanted to sleep in Cai Zhao’s spot on the bed—previously, Cai Zhao would coax him to sleep every night before returning to her room.

Mu Qingyan wasn’t a stepfather after all. Seeing his son’s little face topped with two dark circles under his eyes, he couldn’t bear to send him away.

Little Mu Yan hugged his mother’s fragrant pillow, taking several deep breaths and nuzzling it before quickly falling into peaceful sleep, as if he hadn’t slept well in a long time. In the middle of the night, Mu Qingyan sensed something amiss. Opening his eyes, he saw his son’s little hand firmly gripping his own robe’s front, his sleeping face serene and adorable.

His heart suddenly softened.

Perhaps even children with both parents and happy childhoods would fear the dark and fear loneliness.

After waiting painfully until the fourth day, Cai Zhao still hadn’t returned. Only a carrier pigeon arrived with a letter in Cai Zhao’s familiar handwriting: “The difficulty remains unresolved and will require more time before I can return. All is well, don’t worry.”

This time, both father and son’s faces darkened.

This note didn’t even mention when she would return. How could Mu Qingyan continue waiting? He immediately decided to find her, but Mu Yan blocked the doorway, demanding his father take him along.

“I can go and return quickly—how convenient. Taking you would be inconvenient,” Mu Qingyan frowned.

Mu Yan said urgently, “I’ll be obedient, I won’t cause trouble… Hmph, if Father won’t take me, I can go out myself. Elder You and the others can’t stop me!”

Biting his lip and tensing his little face, that stubborn expression was just like Cai Zhao’s.

Though Mu Yan was young, he had been trained since childhood to be agile and quick-witted, with plenty of clever tricks. You Guanyue and the others might not be able to control him. Remembering Cai Zhao’s instruction to watch over their son, Mu Qingyan had no choice but to agree.

The carrier pigeon had come from Hanging Sky Nunnery. Father and son quickly packed their traveling bags and immediately mounted another Golden-Winged Roc, racing away.

Traveling day and night, Sect Master Mu inevitably had to serve the little master’s needs—eating, drinking, resting, washing feet, and combing hair—acting as both father and nursemaid. The hardships were countless. Fortunately, their recent nights of sleeping together had provided some emergency bonding training, making the journey smooth.

Hidden Beauty Creek remained lush with vegetation, its mountains clear and waters beautiful, as if the massacre from ten years ago had never occurred.

The current abbess of Hanging Sky Nunnery was Master Xiumiao.

Round-faced and about forty years old, she had a pleasant smile and was the eldest among Master Jingyuan’s surviving disciples.

She invited father and son into the nunnery hall for hot tea. Along the mountain path, numerous nuns were busy with laughter—planting vegetables and fruits, gathering medicinal herbs, pounding and dyeing cloth. There was even a shelter with a huge iron pot where several nuns had rolled up their sleeves, sweating as they vigorously fried melon seeds, peanuts, and other items. Even the mountain breeze seemed tinged with fragrance.

Master Xiumiao wrapped some freshly roasted candied chestnuts in oil paper and smiled: “It doesn’t look like a martial arts sect anymore, does it? I hope the Sect Master and young master don’t find it amusing.”

Mu Qingyan offered a few polite remarks.

Little Mu Yan glanced at the various nuns’ movements and postures, mentally noting that they either had low cultivation or didn’t know martial arts at all.

Master Xiumiao said, “Since our master’s passing, Hanging Sky Nunnery’s martial talents have dwindled further. A few years ago, when Benefactor Cai brought us the carefully collected heart methods and martial arts manuals of our nunnery, she asked if we needed help teaching our young disciples martial arts. I declined.”

Little Mu Yan was puzzled.

He had begun cultivation since childhood. In his view, practicing martial arts was as natural as breathing or eating—it could help him escape his father’s discipline and act arrogantly outside. Why would anyone not want to learn martial arts?

Master Xiumiao smiled: “Our Hanging Sky Nunnery is different from the Six Sects of Beichen and your esteemed sect. Our founding master, Divine Nun Minghui, originally just wanted to provide shelter for helpless women who were bullied and had lost their support amid the bloody conflicts of the martial world.”

“Now that the world is peaceful and conflicts have ceased, women can marry and have children, engage in commerce or farming—they all have their places. Speaking of which, we should thank the Sect Master for his governance over these years. The area around the Vast Sea Mountain Range for several cities is now prosperous and stable. Fewer and fewer women come to the mountains seeking help. When all us old nuns pass away, the nunnery will simply close its doors.”

Mu Qingyan said, “Master is magnanimous.”

He had no interest in whether the nunnery opened or closed—he only wanted to inquire about Cai Zhao’s whereabouts.

Master Xiumiao seemed to understand and smiled: “Benefactor Cai came to our nunnery two days ago. She first paid respects at our master’s grave, then after the vegetarian meal, she sat in meditation all night in the stone chamber where the bandits once invaded. The next morning, she asked me, ‘Can unforgivable sins be forgiven?'”

Mu Qingyan was taken aback: “How did Master reply?”

Master Xiumiao said, “I said, ‘If they are unforgivable, how can they be forgiven?’ Benefactor Cai sighed, wrote a note, sent it via carrier pigeon, then mounted that Golden-Winged divine bird and left.”

Mu Yan asked urgently, “Father, what does Mother mean by this?”

Mu Qingyan was equally puzzled.

“That’s all she said? She didn’t mention where she was going?”

He pressed with repeated questions, but Master Xiumiao only shook her head. Finally, she thought for a moment: “Before leaving, Benefactor Cai took the thickest fur pouch from our nunnery’s stores, along with much dried food and two bags of strong liquor.”

Mu Qingyan’s eyes lit up.

Master Xiumiao smiled: “I suspect Benefactor Cai is going to an extremely distant and cold place.”

As Mu Qingyan was leaving, he was suddenly called back.

“Please give Benefactor Cai a message from me,” Master Xiumiao said. “I was too extreme before. ‘Buddha has compassionate virtue—even the unforgivable, if they have already atoned with their bodies, should be pardoned.'”

Mu Qingyan nodded slightly, picked up his son, and turned to leave.

Mu Yan asked repeatedly, “Father, you know where Mother went, don’t you? Don’t you? Don’t you?”

“I know. It should be Great Snow Mountain.”

Mu Qingyan’s cultivation was profound—he feared no harsh, bitter wind and snow. But the little master was different. He waved his hand to have the local helm master prepare thick fur coats, hats, little boots, and cold-resistant food and medicine before departing. This delayed them another half day, and he couldn’t help but spank his son’s little bottom twice.

Reaching the snowy peaks, the cold air entered his lungs, and the fierce battle from over ten years ago appeared vividly before his eyes.

With his extraordinarily strong sense of direction, Mu Qingyan efficiently found the snow hut near the mountaintop, surprisingly discovering it was empty inside. However, he did rouse the Snow Qilin Dragon Beast that was sleeping buried in the snow pile behind the hut.

Many years had passed since they’d last met. The ice and snow beast that had just hatched back then was now as large as half a small hut. It flapped its wings spanning several zhang and approached with thunderous steps that shook the snowy ground with each footfall.

Mu Qingyan skillfully lifted his son forward. Though little Mu Yan had heard stories of the Snow Qilin Dragon Beast since childhood and understood his father’s action, seeing the massive beast’s head sniffing around right in front of him still made him hold his breath in shock.

“Don’t be afraid, look at its forehead,” Mu Qingyan whispered in his son’s ear.

Mu Yan looked up and saw that the left horn on this mighty beast’s forehead was actually tied with a light red silk ribbon, knotted in a very familiar peach blossom knot.

“Mother has already been here?” Mu Yan was amazed.

Mu Qingyan nodded: “Look how fresh this ribbon is—it was probably tied just a few days ago.”

The Snow Qilin Dragon Beast sniffed Mu Yan for a moment, showing an expression that was both confused and rather dissatisfied. It let out two low roars that shook the accumulated snow from the nearby roof, then turned back to its massive snow pile behind the hut to continue sleeping. Before leaving, it heavily exhaled a breath mixed with ice crystals and bloody scent for father and son to smell.

Mu Yan was displeased: “Mother said it shares blood with Luoying Valley, so why is it so rude to me?”

Mu Qingyan suppressed a laugh: “Who told you to be a boy? Its ancestors were saved by Gu Qingkong, and for two hundred years, all its caretakers have been women. It probably just doesn’t like men.”

Mu Yan was dissatisfied and took out his delicate little handkerchief to wipe his small face: “So where do we look for Mother now?”

After brief consideration, Mu Qingyan carried his son down the mountain via another slope, quickly finding the old residence of Qian Xueshen’s family from years ago.

Unlike the desperate, dilapidated state of over ten years ago, a delicate two-courtyard dwelling had been rebuilt on the original site. The bricks and tiles were solid, the fence neat and tidy, the eaves beautiful, and the chimney was even emitting cooking smoke.

Hearing the commotion, four white-furred wolves nearly as tall as a person came prowling from behind the house, their emerald eyes gleaming with murderous light, saliva dripping from their fangs. They seemed ready to pounce and tear at any moment—clearly guarding their master’s home.

Little Mu Yan tensed, but these four white-furred wolves stopped several paces away upon seeing Mu Qingyan.

The four beasts sniffed the visitors’ scent with their large nostrils, pacing back and forth with their hooves and claws, but hesitating to approach—like mice encountering a cat, or students meeting their teacher. The four furry big heads huddled together as if consulting, then quickly fled.

Little Mu Yan was delighted: “They must have fled so quickly because they feared the Cai family bloodline in me.”

Mu Qingyan looked toward where the four beasts had run, muttering quietly: “They’ve all grown up. Hmph, at least their memory serves them well.”

These four emerald-eyed white-furred wolves were the four orphaned cubs from years ago.

When they were born, they immediately lost their parents—helpless as little puppies. Mu Qingyan had stuffed them in leather pouches, grabbing their necks and throwing them around, once threatening to eat them or abandon them. That terror was obviously unforgotten.

“Father, let’s quickly knock on the door.” Little Mu Yan was eager to find his mother.

Mu Qingyan gathered his energy slightly, concentrating his voice into a focused line, and shouted: “Qian Xueshen, come out quickly, or I’ll tear down your doghouse!”

To Mu Yan’s ears, this was just normal volume, but the voice actually shot like a sharp arrow straight into the house, making the ears of those inside ring. Soon, a white-faced middle-aged man in his thirties opened the door, smiling wryly as he bowed to Mu Qingyan: “Greetings, Sect Master Mu.”

Looking down, he saw the boy in Mu Qingyan’s arms and smiled again: “Oh my, isn’t this the most beloved treasure of Lady Cai, little Master Mu? Truly adorable as jade and snow!”

Little Mu Yan had been coldly maintaining his small face, but he really loved hearing such words. He smiled: “Do you know my mother? Has my mother mentioned me?”

Qian Xueshen smiled obsequiously: “Of course. Your mother showed me life-saving grace and the virtue of rebirth. Back then…”

Mu Qingyan swept his long sleeve, and in the passing gust, five fence panels two zhang away cracked and shattered to the ground.

Qian Xueshen: …

Mu Yan: …

Mu Qingyan: “Go ahead and waste time chattering. See how many blows your doghouse can withstand.”

“After all these years, Sect Master Mu’s temper hasn’t changed at all,” Qian Xueshen said helplessly, respectfully inviting father and son into the residence.

The interior was warm with firelight and filled with the fragrant aroma of simmering soup. Mu Qingyan was unsurprised to see the Snow Maiden in plain blue clothing. After more than ten years, she appeared unchanged, only wearing a simple married woman’s hair knot at the back of her head.

Mu Qingyan snorted: “I knew it.” A man and woman alone together, affection growing over time—this ending was more cliché than market storybooks.

Qian Xueshen coughed repeatedly: “Cough, cough, this… that… we’re married.”

Mu Qingyan spoke mockingly: “Weren’t you two supposedly dead-hearted and beyond all worldly desires? How did you suddenly get married?”

Qian Xueshen felt embarrassed, but the Snow Maiden spoke matter-of-factly: “We married nine years ago.”

Mu Qingyan calculated: “So you married after just three years. If so, why did you put on that resolute act of despising everything worldly? Zhao Zhao felt sorry for you for quite a while.”

Qian Xueshen coughed: “Cough, cough, it wasn’t really… wasn’t acting back then…”

The Snow Maiden was very calm, saying seriously: “I didn’t lie. I still dislike everything worldly. But I like Little Tree, and I want to be husband and wife with him.”

“A’xue!” Qian Xueshen turned to look at her, his face glowing with emotion and joy in his eyes.

Mu Qingyan: …

Little Mu Yan’s head turned back and forth, amazed to discover that his father was actually struck speechless.

The Snow Maiden thought for a moment and added: “We’ve lived well these years, happy every single day. I’ve never been this joyful since I was born. Even if we become estranged in the future and he grows tired of me, I won’t regret it.”

“A’xue…” Qian Xueshen was helpless, both exasperated and amused.

Mu Qingyan grew impatient: “Stop the nonsense. Tell me where Zhao Zhao went.”

Qian Xueshen looked up, surprised: “She returned to Luoying Valley. Doesn’t the Sect Master know?”

Hearing it was Luoying Valley, Mu Qingyan’s heart settled.

The Snow Maiden called out: “Since we have guests from afar, the bear paw stew is just ready. Let’s eat together. Little Tree, help me serve the food.”

The small round dining table was covered with a light green cloth embroidered with small yellow flowers, and there were several waddling little ducks embroidered on it—quite warm and lovely. On the other side, the low bookshelf held various miscellaneous travel records and strange tales, along with children’s rattles and bell rings. At the top sat a round, plump ceramic vase with several winter plum blossoms, reflecting the firelight—this small family’s happiness and contentment was practically overflowing.

Mu Qingyan sat down holding his son, thoroughly displeased.

He most disliked seeing happy couples showing affection, especially now when he was wandering thousands of miles in wind and rain searching for his wife while others were reunited and sweet. He endured and endured, waiting until his son’s belly was round with food before opening his mouth to inquire about Cai Zhao’s purpose.

He still had to try to appear nonchalant. His wife was just in a hurry to leave without explaining clearly—it wasn’t that their marital relationship was poor, absolutely not!

Qian Xueshen said: “Lady Cai has always been open-hearted, but this visit I found her heavy with worry.” An old friend unseen for over ten years should have been laughing and chatting, but Cai Zhao had kept her brow furrowed the entire time.

“When we asked, she wouldn’t say.” Qian Xueshen continued, “She only chatted about family matters with us, then asked if we had now let go of our bloody vendetta from years past.”

Mu Qingyan raised an eyebrow: “So have you let go?”

“Of course I have.” Qian Xueshen smiled, “Saving lives and helping others is the right thing to do. My family wasn’t wrong to save people back then—we just encountered heartless scoundrels. Those few beasts from over ten years ago each died more miserably than the last, each suffered more torment than the next. Even now, thinking of it makes me feel satisfied. With great revenge achieved, of course I’ve let go!”

He glanced at his wife and said quietly, “Moreover, I think my parents and uncle and aunt in heaven would also want me to forget hatred, find someone I love, and live each remaining day well.”

Mu Qingyan listened with tooth-aching disgust, shifting his gaze to the Snow Maiden.

The Snow Maiden said: “I haven’t completely let go.”

“A’xue?” Qian Xueshen was surprised.

The Snow Maiden said: “I just remembered yesterday—Master had an old book about charms and spirits. Little Tree, let’s set up a ritual formation and draw some charms to pray that my father never achieves rebirth. Even if he is reborn, let it be in the animal realm, enslaved and laboring for generations—then I’ll let go.”

How ruthless!

The other three people and six eyes in the room all looked at her.

“Nothing much. A beast like my father doesn’t deserve to be human again,” the Snow Maiden said flatly. “Does Sect Master Mu think my actions are improper?” This wasn’t a rhetorical question or provocation, but a sincere request for guidance.

“…There’s nothing improper about it. It’s quite good,” Mu Qingyan suddenly felt a dull toothache. “Particularly good.”

Little Mu Yan had truly opened his eyes—there were indeed many extraordinary people in this world. When it came to the ruthlessness of revenge, even his father would have to rank second.

Finally, Mu Qingyan asked, “Why did Zhao Zhao return to Luoying Valley?”

The Snow Maiden said, “Lady Cai originally hadn’t decided where to go. We couple asked her to deliver a message to Luoying Valley. After thinking it over, she said returning to her old home would be good too.”

“What message did you ask Mother to deliver?” Little Mu Yan quickly asked.

Qian Xueshen became bashful again, “Well… the child has grown up and wants to see the outside world…”

“Oh, you two had a child,” Mu Qingyan said expressionlessly.

Qian Xueshen was both proud and embarrassed, “It’s a girl, almost nine years old, clever and lovable…”

“Oh, you had one right after getting married,” Mu Qingyan noted.

Qian Xueshen’s face grew even redder, “We didn’t plan it originally, but back then we didn’t understand…”

Actually, martial artists who didn’t want children had plenty of ways to avoid it. In extreme cases, they could even follow the example of Taoist and Buddhist practitioners—men could sever the white dragon, women could cut the red dragon. But he and the Snow Maiden had grown up in unusual environments and didn’t understand many simple principles. Only after creating a life did they hurriedly consult piles of books.

Little Mu Yan glanced at the children’s toys on the bookshelf, thinking to himself that his father had obviously noticed early on and was deliberately bullying Qian Xueshen. Hmph, just mean-spirited.

Qian Xueshen had always been defeated by Mu Qingyan’s sharp tongue, so the Snow Maiden had to answer for him—

The deep mountains were lonely and the snowy peaks silent. They couple were accustomed to living there, but children were naturally curious and filled with longing for the mortal world below. The couple were both worried and afraid. They themselves were unwilling to enter crowds, but letting their daughter go down the mountain alone was absolutely impossible.

Just as they were fretting, Cai Pingchun and his wife actually climbed up to the snowy peaks.

“Father-in-law and mother-in-law?” Mu Qingyan was slightly surprised.

The Snow Maiden said, “Valley Master Cai and his wife have been traveling everywhere these years. A few months ago, they happened to pass through here. Lady Ning wanted to see what the Snow Qilin Dragon Beast looked like, so Valley Master Cai brought his wife up the mountain.”

Mu Qingyan sorted through his thoughts and understood everything. “So you two entrusted your daughter to father-in-law and mother-in-law? That makes sense. Luoying Valley is lively and interesting, and with the Cai family’s protection, your daughter should be safe and sound.”

Qian Xueshen’s eyes were full of longing, “Bing’er has been away for several months. I wonder if she misses home.”

The Snow Maiden said, “If she missed home, Luoying Valley would naturally send someone to bring her back. Several months without any news—the little girl is probably too happy to think of returning.”

Qian Xueshen sighed and looked hopefully at Mu Qingyan, “Lady Cai left in a hurry and only brought an oral message. Since Sect Master Mu is also going to Luoying Valley, could you help carry some mountain goods and dried meat? They’re not heavy—all rare treasures unique to the snowy peaks…”

Mu Qingyan’s eyes flashed coldly—you little brat have grown tired of living, actually daring to order me to deliver things to your daughter.

“Actually, our Bing’er got tired of eating them long ago. It’s Valley Master Cai and his wife who like them,” Qian Xueshen added quietly. “When a child lives in someone else’s home, she can’t be completely impolite.”

“…” Mu Qingyan’s expression wasn’t good, “Bring them along.”

Father and son didn’t want to delay further and were about to depart.

When leaving, they saw a large pile of game meat at the door—pheasants with long tail feathers, plump roe deer, beautiful snow ferrets and pearl deer… Each had clear bite marks on their necks, apparently freshly hunted from the snow forest.

The four white-furred wolves that had fled earlier had returned, hiding far behind the fence, cautiously poking out their four huge heads to peek.

Qian Xueshen smiled, “This is a thank-you gift from the four of them.” Though they had suffered quite a bit of bullying, they hadn’t forgotten someone’s life-saving grace.

Mu Qingyan showed a hint of a smile.

The Snow Maiden went to pack the mountain goods and dried meat, while Qian Xueshen still chattered behind him, “It’s a pity Sect Master Mu is leaving urgently this time. Such a heavy pile of meat would be impossible to carry. How about…”

Mu Qingyan glared him back, “Pack everything up and send it down the mountain. The local branch will collect it. If even one piece is missing, I’ll skin you alive!”

Qian Xueshen immediately shrank back his neck.

Knowing that Cai Zhao had returned to Luoying Valley, father and son were no longer anxious.

Thinking they couldn’t visit father-in-law empty-handed, Sect Master Mu held his son while traveling and sent carrier pigeons to the branch closest to Luoying Valley to prepare a comprehensive grand gift. Before entering Luoying Valley, he dressed both himself and his son to look spirited and impressive.

Little Mu Yan looked at his own exquisite new clothes, precious pearl-inlaid little boots, and purple jade crown, coming to a conclusion that wasn’t very face-saving, “Father, do grandfather and grandmother still dislike you?”

Mu Qingyan glanced sideways, “Do you know what kind of people die early in the martial world?”

“People with poor martial skills?”

“Wrong! People who think they’re clever.”

After eight fat, strong oxen pulling four gift carriages decorated in red entered Luoying Valley with great fanfare, father and son learned from playing children that Cai Pingchun and his wife had already left again, leaving only Cai Xiaohan to watch over the valley.

Great, another wasted trip.

Little Mu Yan said, “Father, you can stop smiling now. Give your cheeks a rest.”

Since entering Luoying Valley, his father had been all smiles, not only greeting everyone but also chatting about business from time to time. If he joined a theater troupe and wasn’t made the lead actor, the audience wouldn’t stand for it!

Mu Qingyan carried his son with a dark face, striding into the valley to find his brother-in-law in a wooden house full of crawling kittens and puppies, working on woodcraft.

Cai Xiaohan was seventeen this year, slender in build, fair and handsome, very much like Ning Xiaofeng. When he smiled, dimples bloomed on both cheeks. As long as he didn’t speak, he was a first-rate beautiful young man in the martial world.

Unfortunately, he had a mouth.

“Brother-in-law and little Yan are here! I just stewed a pot of pickled pork and bamboo shoots, plus crispy fried carp and red bean glutinous rice balls. Want some? Oh, and we can pick greens on the mountain recently—if you want green pancakes, I’ll make them fresh for you.”

“Of course you have to ask about food first when meeting someone. Why are you glaring at me, brother-in-law? By the way, what are you here for?”

“Father and Mother? They left half a month ago. Said they wanted to go to sea while they still had strength, to see the flying bat fish in the South Sea. Brother-in-law, have you seen bat fish? Do they really fly? I told Father and Mother to catch a few to bring back and see if we could raise them in Luoying Valley.”

“Oh, so you came looking for Sister! You should have said so earlier. If you didn’t tell me, how would I know? If you’d asked earlier, I would have answered earlier.”

“Sister did come, but knowing Father and Mother weren’t here, she stayed one night and left again. Look, just two days ago.”

Mu Qingyan’s face gradually turned iron-blue, cold air randomly emanating from his body. The little cats and dogs on the ground instinctively retreated to huddle in the corner with their heads buried, only showing round little bottoms. Only the oblivious Young Valley Master Cai continued chattering endlessly.

“I asked her what she came for, but she wouldn’t say. Asked where she was going, still wouldn’t say. I asked if she wanted fresh bamboo shoot soup, and she called me an idiot. I told her to take some glutinous rice balls before leaving, and she said I only grew in height but not in brains.”

“Anyway, Sister was quite bad-tempered this trip. Brother-in-law, did you make her angry again? Hmm, Sister didn’t say nothing though, but I didn’t really understand. Probably nothing important…”

Little Mu Yan couldn’t stand it anymore. He took two steps forward with his short legs in a wide stance, crossed his little arms at his waist, “Mother doesn’t come home every day—she only returns to Luoying Valley once every couple of years, and this time she came alone in such a hurry. How could it be ‘nothing important’?! Even if Little Uncle couldn’t find out Mother’s troubles, he should have made her stay a few more days!”

Though they were uncle and nephew by generation, Cai Xiaohan had never put on airs and was still quite childlike, so uncle and nephew had always been casual with each other.

Cai Xiaohan was stunned by this scolding, when a soft, thin girl’s voice came from the corner, “Sister Zhao Zhao came back this time because she had something to ask her parents, but unfortunately both the Valley Master and Valley Master’s wife were away.”

Only then did father and son notice there was another person in the room.

The warm sunlight of the valley streamed into the room, and the little girl’s skin was so fair it seemed transparent. Her calm expression resembled the Snow Maiden, but her features were more like Qian Xueshen’s—delicate and peaceful, with naturally curved eyebrows, just lacking some color in her complexion. Her figure was overly slender and small, only the size of a six or seven-year-old girl.

While the brother-in-law and little uncle had been chatting aimlessly, she had been quietly holding a little white rabbit in the corner, shelling beans. She would shell one bean, and the little rabbit would eat one.

Mu Qingyan was startled, “You’re Qian Xueshen’s daughter?”

Before the little girl could speak, Young Valley Master Cai cheerfully said, “Right! Her name is Bing’er. Father and Mother left Steward Mama and Grandmother Tangbao to look after her. Now I teach her reading, writing, and painting every day. The child is so well-behaved!”

Mu Qingyan frowned, “You teach her?”

Hearing his brother-in-law’s disbelief, Cai Xiaohan got angry, “What can’t I teach her? Woodworking, blacksmithing, fishing, cooking, astronomy, medicine, planting flowers and trees, translating Buddhist scriptures, fortune-telling… I know everything! Whatever she wants to learn, I can teach.”

Little Mu Yan was somewhat surprised, “Little Uncle knows so much.”

Mu Qingyan suppressed a laugh, “That’s quite a lot indeed.” The siblings were exactly the same in their carefree, casual nature. Without another Cai Pingshu pressuring him to practice martial arts, he naturally changed trades every so often. Over time, he had indeed learned many skills.

He turned his head, “What else?”

Tao Bing stood up and answered, “The night Sister Zhao arrived, it was already late, so she rested here. When I brought her a late-night snack, I saw her writing and drawing at the desk, very troubled, not sleeping even though it was very late.”

Mu Qingyan said, “Take me to see.”

Tao Bing stood up, and the cats and dogs on the ground followed out. As she led the way, Mu Qingyan noticed her steps were light and her breathing even. Among the randomly scurrying kittens and puppies, she lightly touched her toes without bumping into any of the furry balls.

This was Luoying Valley’s lightness skill technique.

He lagged a few steps behind and turned to his brother-in-law, “You taught her martial arts?”

Cai Xiaohan almost bumped into his brother-in-law’s back, “Yes, I taught her a little.”

Mu Qingyan frowned, “You yourself practice martial arts three days fishing, two days drying nets. How can you teach others without ruining them?”

Cai Xiaohan hurriedly said, “Initially, Father taught her breathing exercises, then found some beginner technique books for her to study herself. I just helped watch.”

He smiled again, “Brother-in-law, you can see Bing’er has good aptitude too, right? Father only taught her for three days before saying her bone structure and natural gifts were even stronger than Sister’s. I wonder if she’ll catch up to Aunt in the future.”

Mu Qingyan remained noncommittal.

Cai Pingshu’s achievements came not only from exceptional talent but also from diligent cultivation after losing her parents, extensive travels in her youth, and repeated fortunate encounters that greatly increased her cultivation.

He said indifferently, “Everyone has their own fate.”

Quickly catching up to Tao Bing and Mu Yan, Mu Qingyan noticed the little girl’s skirt hem had peculiar embroidery—two round fat dogs fighting over a meat bone. Setting aside the subject matter, the needlework was exquisite and lifelike.

He frowned again, “When did you learn embroidery?”

“Brother-in-law has good taste!” Cai Xiaohan was quite proud, “Not bad embroidery, right? Two years ago I found a book called ‘Flower-Threading Needle Manual’ in Aunt’s collection. I taught myself from the book.”

Mu Qingyan said, “You’re at least the Young Valley Master of Luoying Valley. Learning random things before was one thing, but now you’re even embroidering?”

Cai Xiaohan didn’t care, “It doesn’t matter. Mother says I’m clever with my hands, like grandfather.” He patted his nephew’s little head, “Stay a few more days this trip, and Little Uncle will make you new clothes with a big tiger embroidered on them, okay?”

“No.” Mu Yan pushed away the hand on his head, pointing at Tao Bing’s skirt hem, “What’s this? The embroidery isn’t even as good as my moth…”

Mu Qingyan’s large palm pressed down, covering his son’s face in time.

…And mouth.

The group arrived at Cai Zhao’s house in the valley, and Tao Bing took out a thick stack of papers from under the inkstone on the desk.

Mu Qingyan took them to look through—they were actually portrait sketches of real people, just a few strokes with simple line outlines, but quite vivid and lifelike.

Cai Pingchun with his hands behind his back, the mischievous and smiling Ning Xiaofeng, bent-backed Peach Lady holding a broom, the worried Shaomai steward calculating accounts, Grandmother Tangbao, and also Cai Xiaohan, Tao Bing, Furong, Feicui… all people from Luoying Valley.

Mu Qingyan asked again, “She left the next morning?”

Tao Bing said in her childish voice that it wasn’t so, “The second day at dawn, she first went to pay respects to Hero Cai Pingshu, then returned to the old residence in town, sat in Hero Cai’s room for the time it takes to drink a few cups of tea, then left.”

Mu Qingyan sat down.

Cai Xiaohan pulled up the two children by the hand, “Let him think properly. Let’s go out and play.”

Mu Yan walked while pouting, “What’s fun about it?”

Cai Xiaohan smiled, “The town is lively today! At the east end, Old Li’s family who sells gold items is marrying off a daughter-in-law, and at the west end, the town chief is presiding over a family division. Shall I take you to see?”

Mu Yan was a child after all and asked curiously, “I’ve never seen a family division. I heard in storybooks that even brothers and sisters will air all sorts of dirty laundry when fighting over family property. How interesting!”

“Then let’s go to the west end.”

Tao Bing looked up, her voice childish, “Let’s go see the wedding instead. The old town chief is decent enough, but his son isn’t good—he always makes fun of Brother Xiaohan.”

“What?” Mu Yan was shocked.

Tao Bing said, “He’s so annoying. Always saying he and Brother Xiaohan were born into the wrong families. He’s so smart and talented that if he had the chance to study martial arts, he could surely become a great hero.”

Mu Yan snorted, “Then why doesn’t he leave the valley to find a master? If grandfather wrote a recommendation letter, any righteous sect in the martial world would be willing to accept him.”

Luoying Valley was the only sect among the Six Sects of Beichen that didn’t recruit outside disciples. They either only taught their own descendants or directly adopted children to raise as their own. Teaching classes was too troublesome.

The little girl’s nose twitched lightly, “He’s the town chief’s late-born son. He says the chief can’t bear to have his youngest son leave home, and he wants to stay and be filial to his old father.”

Mu Yan’s little face turned cold, “Hmph, what an ambitious son of the town chief! Ill-mannered thing. Wait till I break his bones one by one—let’s see if he still dares talk nonsense!” Little Uncle might be useless, but he absolutely wouldn’t allow outsiders to say half a word against him.

Cai Xiaohan scratched his head, “Don’t, don’t. We grew up playing in mud together. He just has a sharp tongue, nothing serious. Bing’er is right—let’s go see the wedding instead.”

Tao Bing sighed, “Brother Xiaohan is too kind. The town is peaceful and harmonious, with no bullies or extortion—all because of Luoying Valley’s protection. Sigh, let’s just listen to Brother Xiaohan and go see the wedding.”

Mu Yan said, “Hmph, why should we avoid him! Let’s go see the family division, go see the family division! I want to see who dares be rude! Anyone who dares look at Little Uncle wrong, I’ll gouge out their eyeballs.”

Tao Bing’s mouth corners showed tiny rice-grain-sized dimples. She quickly lowered her head and said softly, “With Young Master Mu here, watching the family division is fine too. A small lesson would be good.” Though her tone was childish and gentle, her underlying meaning was quite approving.

“Oh my, why are you two little kids talking about fighting and killing?” Cai Xiaohan had a terrible headache, “Forget it, let’s not go anywhere. Let’s go back and continue building nests for the kittens and puppies.”

Mu Yan and Tao Bing exchanged glances, then looked away.

Though the two children were meeting for the first time and had only exchanged a few words, they seemed to have a telepathic understanding of each other’s intentions.

Mu Yan smiled fakely, “So Little Uncle was building cat and dog houses earlier—they look like little houses.”

Tao Bing also showed a cute smile, “Yes, Young Master has good eyes. It’s just like a three-courtyard residence.”

Seeing the two children had abandoned their bad intentions, Cai Xiaohan happily pulled them back to the woodworking room, “I’ve prepared gold-sprinkled red paper. You two help me cut it into small strips and write things like ‘May you have surplus every year,’ then paste them on as little couplets. Oh, shall we steam green pancakes dipped in sugar later…”

After long contemplation with no results, Mu Qingyan didn’t care whether it was late or not and simply followed Cai Zhao’s trail for a walk.

First, he stood at Cai Pingshu’s grave for half an hour, bowed three times, then looked left and right without discovering any clues. Then he went to the old residence in town, familiarly slipping into the boudoir where Cai Zhao had lived since childhood, still finding nothing. Finally, he entered Cai Pingshu’s former residence.

It wasn’t that respect for Cai Pingshu made Mu Qingyan hesitant about this room, but if Cai Zhao knew he had rummaged around in her aunt’s room, she would surely lose her temper with him later.

After carefully examining everything, Mu Qingyan finally discovered that a book in the bedside shelf seemed to have been moved. He reached out to take it, opened it, and found two pieces of paper inside.

The first showed a portrait of Cai Pingshu—Cai Zhao’s imagined image of her aunt in her spirited youth, with twin hair buns and martial attire, a warm smile, and the Blazing Sun Blade dancing high.

The second was of another woman.

After a moment, Mu Qingyan recognized this woman’s identity, thanks to the weapon in the portrait—the Wind-Thunder Mother-Child Axes.

Yang Xiaolan?

She was the only person in this stack of portraits who wasn’t from Luoying Valley.

However, she was also someone whose advice Cai Zhao would be willing to hear.

Siqi Gate wasn’t far from Luoying Valley—riding the Golden-Winged Roc would take only most of a day.

This time Mu Qingyan learned his lesson and had Steward Shaomai first send a carrier pigeon to Siqi Gate with a message, informing Gate Master Yang Xiaolan that he would visit tomorrow. If Cai Zhao was currently at Siqi Gate, she must keep her there.

Father and son set out early the next morning.

Well-fed little baby Mu Yan had pink, tender cheeks, sitting on the giant roc bird, beaming with joy in the warm wind, “Bing’er praised me for being righteous, magnanimous, and daring to think and act. We got along quite well.”

Mu Qingyan glanced at his son, “What did you and Bing’er sneak out to do last night?”

Mu Yan’s little face was smug, “Hahaha, nothing much. Just upheld some justice.”

“Speak plainly.”

Mu Yan had to explain, “The town chief’s youngest son relied on having played with Little Uncle in childhood and spoke without proper respect. Sometimes saying Little Uncle’s cultivation was weak and he didn’t know if he could protect Luoying Valley in the future; sometimes saying Little Uncle was too soft-natured and lacked the dignity of a valley master; then saying his own talent was high but he lacked opportunities to learn martial arts; finally saying he had no selfish motives and was thinking of Luoying Valley’s long-term plans. Anyway, the Cai family has always been indifferent to fame, so why not give the valley master position to someone capable.”

Mu Qingyan frowned slightly, “What a scoundrel, so disrespectful.”

Mu Yan mumbled, “Exactly! Little Uncle is good-tempered and never minds this. Grandfather and grandmother have been away so much these years, they probably don’t even know.”

“So you and Bing’er went out to deal with that kid last night?”

“Of course!” Mu Yan was very proud, “I used medicine to attract a bunch of tiny snakes, insects, rats, and ants—don’t worry, Father, they were all non-poisonous—and put them with that kid in a big jar, only leaving his head exposed. Hahaha… that kid howled like a ghost. I told him to remember that though the Cai family is benevolent and doesn’t bother with him, the Mu family isn’t vegetarian! If he dares be disrespectful again, I’ll definitely take his life!”

Mu Qingyan asked, “This was your idea?”

“Uh, more or less. I originally wanted that guy to lose some flesh, but Bing’er said if he really lost arms or legs, Little Uncle would be sad. It would be best to cause physical suffering without obvious injuries, so I thought of this method recorded in the Punishment Hall’s monthly records.”

Two hundred years of being called an evil cult wasn’t for nothing—the Li Sect’s Punishment Hall had a rich and colorful variety of sinister tricks.

The operation details were as follows: the victim’s neck and above were exposed outside the jar. To prevent insects and ants from gnawing and burrowing into his lower body, he had to use both hands to firmly protect his front and back vital areas, making it impossible to drive away insects and ants gnawing at other parts of his body. As long as the insects and ants in the jar were non-poisonous and the snakes and rats were small with few teeth, it would only cause suffering without serious injury or death—quite a safe punishment.

Mu Qingyan said nothing, just quietly looked at his son.

Mu Yan felt uneasy under his gaze, “Father, did I do something wrong?”

Mu Qingyan turned to look ahead, “The town chief’s family can no longer stay in Luoying Valley. Either eliminate them or get them out of the valley. Go to Elder Hu for punishment when you return.”

“Ah?”

“Your actions were sloppy and left hidden dangers, yet you’re pleased with yourself. If your Little Uncle gets implicated because of you, let’s see how you’ll face your mother.”

“Ah!”

Mu Qingyan looked at his son, “Comfortable days for too long will breed presumptuous fools who don’t know their place. Your grandfather and grandmother are shrewd and capable people, but unfortunately, they’ve been away from the valley for so long that they’ve neglected supervision.”

Mu Yan said urgently, “So I taught that kid a lesson!”

Mu Qingyan said, “Luoying Valley has been peaceful for years. The reclusive martial artists can live quietly, and the original valley and town residents can work and multiply. Those with conscience know to be grateful for the Cai family’s protection. The town chief’s son didn’t just misspeak occasionally—he repeatedly made wild statements, showing he’s not a good person.”

“The town chief knew about this but never properly disciplined his son. Either he’s careless or incompetent.”

“Originally, your Little Uncle is magnanimous and kind, suffering some verbal losses. With the trusted subordinates your grandparents left watching over important matters, nothing major would happen.”

“But you severely humiliated them without eliminating the root. What if the town chief’s family harbors secret resentment? They wouldn’t dare settle accounts with the Mu family, but they could quietly scheme against your Little Uncle who’s right under their noses.”

“Your Little Uncle is simple-natured. If he’s careless and falls into a trap, what then? Bing’er has lived long on the snowy peaks—she doesn’t understand this principle, but don’t you?”

Cold sweat appeared on little Mu Yan’s forehead as fear arose.

Since childhood, he feared nothing except harming his loved ones.

Mu Qingyan withdrew his gaze, “When we land, I’ll send a message to You Guanyue to arrange things. Luoying Valley has been peaceful for decades—better not to hurt feelings. Just get them out.”

“As for you, remember this lesson.”

Arriving at Siqi Gate, father and son found things had gone from bad to worse—they’d hit completely empty.

Not only had Cai Zhao already left, but Yang Xiaolan wasn’t there either.

Receiving father and son was Yang Xiaolan’s daughter, Yang Baozhu—yes, Yang Xiaolan had given birth to a daughter but had never married.

Back then, Yang Xiaolan killing her own father had already shocked the martial world. Afterward, she single-handedly fought her way back to Siqi Gate, demanding to take over as gate master. The gate elders naturally firmly refused.

Yang Xiaolan was also straightforward—whoever disagreed, she challenged. She fought and killed them one by one. When the opponents couldn’t win openly, they resorted to underhanded methods. Various sneaky tricks emerged, and Yang Xiaolan truly suffered quite a bit.

The most dangerous time, she was severely poisoned and heavily injured, fleeing Siqi Gate alone. After more than a month of recovery, she killed her way back and directly bloodbathed Siqi Gate.

Afterward, she personally established twelve new gate rules, re-recruiting disciples. She didn’t require family background, bloodline, or talent—only good character and uprightness. If they saw injustice on the road, they must dare to draw their swords to help. If they saw demons descending, they must dare to sacrifice themselves for righteousness.

A few months later, Yang Xiaolan’s belly swelled, and she openly declared she was pregnant.

No marriage, no husband.

All sorts of nasty things were said at the time, but her iron-fisted methods had already shaken the world. Naturally, no one dared say anything to her face, only whispering in dark corners. But these things could no longer hurt her.

Nine-year-old Yang Baozhu had thick eyebrows and big eyes, fair skin, and was tall for her age. She spoke and acted quite methodically.

She opened all sixteen main hall doors, properly receiving father and son. The hall was set with a welcoming feast according to protocol—eight precious and eight rare dishes, sixteen cold and hot delicacies, plus three types of wine, with two long rows of servants and maids standing respectfully on both sides, bowing to greet father and son.

Little Mu Yan was rarely uncomfortable, “…Sister Yang, we actually could have entered through the side door.”

Two hundred years of enmity wasn’t easily brushed aside. Though the Six Sects of Beichen and the Li Sect were no longer enemies, who knew what the future held? It was better to be cautious when meeting and conducting business.

That’s why Mu Qingyan had sent a carrier pigeon message in advance—to let Yang Xiaolan prepare.

Yang Baozhu bowed with cupped fists, respectfully performing junior etiquette, then smiled cheerfully, “Mother has said that Aunt Zhao Zhao showed her great kindness. Now that times are peaceful, it seems this debt can hardly be repaid in this lifetime. Now that Aunt’s loved ones have come, this modest hospitality is nothing. I only fear neglecting honored guests.”

Mu Qingyan rarely felt no sarcastic impulse, carrying his son to take seats according to protocol.

Since others treated him with courtesy, he couldn’t very well give a little girl the cold shoulder.

Yang Baozhu said, “Aunt Zhao Zhao came two days ago and spoke privately with Mother in the inner room for a while. She didn’t even stay for a meal before hurriedly leaving.”

“I don’t know what Aunt and Mother discussed, but after Aunt left, Mother shut herself in her room for half a day, then suddenly said she wanted to pay respects to Grandfather and left too.”

“Though Aunt Zhao Zhao left in haste, she told Mother her destination. I was fortunate to overhear.”

Little Mu Yan had already given up hope, but hearing this, his spirits lifted. He quickly asked, “Where did Mother go?”

“She went to Guangtian Gate to meet with Uncle Song.”

This time Mu Qingyan dared not delay any longer. He cupped his hands toward the table of fine wine and delicacies, asked Yang Baozhu to help send a carrier pigeon to Guangtian Gate, then bid farewell and set off.

Sitting on the roc’s back, Mu Yan gnawed on a duck leg while mumbling indistinctly, “…That Sister Yang… why do I feel she looks familiar… like I’ve seen her somewhere… how strange, I shouldn’t have met her before.”

“Fool.” Mu Qingyan patted his son’s head, “Look at which uncle in our sect she resembles.”

Mu Yan was startled, his mind rapidly searching through faces, “Ah! She looks like Uncle Shangguan! Huh? Do the Yang family and Elder Shangguan’s family have relatives? Why is that?”

“Shut up. Don’t go around talking about this outside,” Mu Qingyan said. “If you want to know the details, ask your mother later.” Even if Zhao Zhao didn’t know originally, seeing Yang Baozhu’s appearance this time would certainly make her understand.

Thus, the mystery from nine years ago was finally resolved.

The day after Mu Qingyan and Cai Zhao’s wedding, Shangguan Haonan, with his green cloud-covered head, had hurriedly fled.

This flight lasted several months. When he returned, he was gravely poisoned and barely alive.

It was called strange poison not because the toxicity was rare or difficult to cure, but because Shangguan Haonan hadn’t been poisoned directly—rather, he had transferred it from someone else. He had used his own cultivation to probe another’s meridians and actively absorbed the poison from that person.

This was a very dangerous method of poison removal with many limitations.

You Guanyue repeatedly asked the ghost doctor Lin Shu if he had made a mistake—knowing him for so long, he had never discovered Shangguan Haonan had such a Bodhisattva heart. Lin Shu insisted it was definitely voluntary poison transfer.

You Guanyue had to turn and ask Shangguan Haonan, but he refused to reveal the truth even unto death. When pressed urgently, he almost drew his blade to fight You Guanyue.

The matter was left unresolved.

More than half a year later, news came from branch masters that the new Gate Master of Siqi Gate, Yang Xiaolan, was pregnant out of wedlock and had just given birth to a daughter.

This news spread like wildfire throughout the martial world. At the time, everyone in the Vast Sea Mountain Range was watching the spectacle, except for two people.

One was Cai Zhao, completely bewildered, unable to imagine that a shy, quiet girl like Yang Xiaolan would do such a thing.

The other was Shangguan Haonan. According to the servants who attended him, when he heard the news, his expression became strange, his soul seemed to leave his body, and he stumbled while walking.

At that time and place, no one would connect Shangguan Haonan and Yang Xiaolan, two people who couldn’t be more unrelated.

So You Guanyue relied on “common sense” to speculate that Shangguan Haonan must have been touched by the situation.

The Shangguan family had been without descendants for generations, their lineage desolate, while their old enemy from the Six Sects of Beichen had children whenever they wanted. It was truly infuriating.

The sect members all clapped their hands, saying Elder You was indeed wise and his guess was reasonable.

Over these years, You Guanyue, proud of having both son and daughter and a fulfilling life, had more than once subtly shown off his children in front of Shangguan Haonan. Now it turned out Shangguan Haonan’s daughter was even two years older than the You family’s eldest daughter.

Sect Master Mu couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

After several days of travel, father and son finally reached Guangtian Gate.

Having experienced Yang Baozhu’s warm hospitality, Mu Yan was curious about the guest reception of the Song family, renowned throughout the world for their wealth.

Who knew Song Yuzhi not only didn’t open the main gate, he didn’t even open the side gate, directly having father and son land at the Guangtian Sacred Hall on the mountaintop.

The mountain wind was fierce, blowing Mu Yan’s hair into complete disarray.

He finally understood why his father so disliked the old Song family—he disliked them too!

Song Yuzhi looked at Mu Yan’s tense, displeased little face—a miniature version of Mu Qingyan—and was immediately delighted. He waved his hand to summon a long line of beautiful palace-dressed maids to serve little Master Mu with hot baths, grooming, and meals.

“Don’t worry, your father and I have much to discuss. Little Yan, take your time.”

Mu Qingyan said with a stern face, “I have nothing to discuss with you.”

Song Yuzhi suppressed a laugh, “Really not even one word?”

Mu Qingyan said, “Just two sentences. Is Zhao Zhao here? Where did Zhao Zhao go?”

Song Yuzhi: …

Song Yuzhi shook his head helplessly, “Ten years unseen, and you haven’t changed at all.”

Actually, during these ten years, Cai Zhao had visited Guangtian Gate several times, mostly to discuss sect matters with Song Yuzhi. But Mu Qingyan, maintaining his pride and holding grudges, preferred to wait at inns at the foot of the mountain rather than come up to see his old rival.

“You’ve changed quite a bit,” Mu Qingyan looked up and down at this former enemy, seeing Song Yuzhi dressed in splendid brocades, his manner gentle and humble—completely different from the proud son of heaven who barely deigned to speak an extra word years ago.

Entering the inner hall, the two sat at a table. Mu Qingyan couldn’t help asking, “Why have you changed so much? You’ve become…”

He looked again, “You’ve become more and more like your father.”

Song Yuzhi was silent for a moment, then sighed, “I had no choice but to change. Guangtian Gate has countless complications, overlapping family ties, and tangled connections. I had to navigate slowly.” Even the most aloof young noble, once rolled into the mundane world, must harmonize with the dust.

Mu Qingyan snorted disdainfully, “Since you can’t bear to deal harshly with that pile of relatives, you can only wear them down slowly. Enough nonsense—did Zhao Zhao come here, and where has she gone now?”

Song Yuzhi said, “She returned to Qingque Sect.”

Mu Qingyan’s heart sank, and he immediately stood to leave.

Song Yuzhi held him back, “Easy, easy! This time she’ll stay at the sect for a while—plenty of time for you father and son to travel there slowly. Don’t you want to ask what junior martial sister came here for?”

Mu Qingyan slowly sat back down. Not wanting to lose face, though he still hadn’t guessed Zhao Zhao’s troubles, he said, “I know Zhao Zhao has serious concerns, just not convenient to discuss.”

Song Yuzhi laughed, “This is… sigh, how do you know junior martial sister didn’t tell me her concerns?”

“Oh, really?” Mu Qingyan felt a sour feeling rise, “What important matter couldn’t she ask her closest family member, but came to ask you, someone completely unrelated?”

Song Yuzhi was speechless, “We are martial siblings after all, meeting from time to time to discuss matters of the Six Sects of Beichen. How are we completely unrelated?”

Mu Qingyan interrupted, “What exactly did Zhao Zhao ask you?”

Song Yuzhi pondered for a moment, “…Zhao Zhao’s concern is something she could ask anyone except you.”

Seeing Mu Qingyan about to explode, he said word by word, “Junior martial sister asked me whether I still hate our master?”

“That year during the Guangtian Gate chaos, brothers turned against each other, blood relatives killed each other. Song Xiuzhi deserved his fate, but my eldest brother was only twenty-one when he died. Father was severely injured and disabled, passing away within two years. And Uncle Pang Liu, who treated us brothers as his own sons, died so miserably…” Song Yuzhi choked up, “All this was the result of our master’s secret planning. How could I not hate!”

He raised his head, looking directly at Mu Qingyan, “Sect Master Mu, what about you? Do you still hate my master?”

Mu Qingyan didn’t speak, as if hearing his own breathing.

He looked out the window at the deep night sky dotted with bright lights, very much like the night sky outside the Hall of No Thoughts. As long as it wasn’t raining, his father would always hold young him, pointing at the starry sky, teaching him to recognize the stars one by one.

His greatest hatred in this life was his father’s early death.

Mu Zhengming had never harmed anyone in his life, nor had he ever hindered anyone.

He had already planned that once his son turned fifteen and had the ability to protect himself, he would secretly slip out of the Vast Sea Mountain Range to see the diverse landscapes of north and south, fulfilling his lifelong wish.

At that time, Qi Yunke still didn’t know that the one who had been in love with Cai Pingshu was Mu Zhengyang, and that it was Nie Hengcheng and his faction who had fought the Six Sects of Beichen for decades. As for the Mu family, who had long lost power and retired, Qi Yunke truly had no grudge against them. In fact, he had never even met Mu Zhengming.

Simply because he felt the existence of the Mu father and son might interfere with his plans, Qi Yunke unhesitatingly ordered Sun Ruoshui to poison them, intending to eliminate potential threats early. He had wanted to poison both father and son, not expecting Mu Qingyan to survive.

Mu Qingyan rarely thought about Qi Yunke, afraid that hatred and resentment would grow wildly in his heart, twisting his mind and harming the hard-won days with Zhao Zhao.

But—did he still hate Qi Yunke?

Of course he hated! Hated to the bone, wished he could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin!

Mu Qingyan suddenly understood what Cai Zhao had been asking Master Xiumiao, the Snow Maiden, Qian Xueshen, and even Yang Xiaolan, whom he didn’t know about. All those questions had the same meaning.

She just didn’t dare ask her own husband.

“Qi Yunke is already dead. What’s the point of talking about hatred or not,” Mu Qingyan said somewhat hoarsely. “What does Zhao Zhao want to do?”

Song Yuzhi shook his head, “She didn’t say. Now you’re her closest person—go ask her yourself.”

At night, Mu Qingyan sat by the bedside, looking at his son’s tender, weary face—even the strongest child would be tired after so many days of continuous travel.

Mu Yan slept drowsily, mumbling incoherently, revealing his worries only in sleep, “Why does Mother keep running everywhere? We can’t even catch up. Doesn’t she want to come home? She won’t abandon us, will she?”

Mu Qingyan touched his son’s little face, his voice gentle, “Don’t worry. Even if she doesn’t want me, she won’t abandon you.”

“I think so too. Mother loves me most,” Mu Yan twisted his little bottom, turned over, and slept contentedly.

Mu Qingyan: …Still very punchable.

The next day, Mu Qingyan let his son sleep until the sun was high, eat and drink his fill, before leisurely setting off from the mountaintop.

Before leaving, he suddenly asked Song Yuzhi, “Don’t you plan to marry?”

Song Yuzhi was helpless, “Why are you asking this? I won’t compete with you for junior martial sister. Still not reassured?”

Mu Qingyan said, “When you were handsome back then, you couldn’t steal Zhao Zhao away, let alone now?” He looked maliciously at Song Yuzhi’s beautiful short beard, “Zhao Zhao hates beards most.”

Song Yuzhi smiled bitterly, “Fine, fine, I was overthinking. Actually, marrying or not doesn’t matter. The Song family has flourishing branches with many excellent descendants. Adopting one to inherit the sect master position isn’t impossible.”

Mu Qingyan hesitated, “Your father passed away so many years ago. Now you’re alone in this world… Zhao Zhao is very worried about you.”

Song Yuzhi looked toward the sacred hall, silent for a long time before saying, “Before Father died, he gave me some instructions. He told me not to marry for the sake of continuing the family line, not to marry for so-called greater good, and especially not to marry because of elders’ commands or following others’ opinions.”

“Guangtian Gate isn’t anything special. If I don’t be the sect master, someone else will. Even if there’s no Guangtian Gate, the sky won’t fall. When I meet someone I want to marry and we’re mutually in love, then I’ll marry.”

“I promised Father.”

Now Mu Qingyan had nothing to say, thinking to himself that with your unlucky lone star appearance, if you never meet someone you love, won’t you be alone your whole life, dragging my Zhao Zhao into worry?

Song Yuzhi seemed to see his internal criticism and smiled, “Last year when I passed through Luoying Valley, little Han cast a divination for me. He said my romantic star was moving and I’d definitely have a marriage within three years. Hmm, there’s still more than a year left.”

Sitting on the giant golden-winged roc, Mu Yan asked, “Father, is little uncle’s fortune-telling accurate?”

Mu Qingyan sighed, “I hope it is.”

Approaching Jiuli Mountain, Mu Qingyan’s emotions were complex.

In the ten years since their marriage, he had accompanied Cai Zhao back to the sect only three times.

The first time was to attend Zhuang Shu’s succession ceremony.

He had You Guanyue prepare ten full carts of heavy gifts and accompanied Cai Zhao as a family member into Muwei Palace to observe the ceremony.

The disciples of the six sects present were as if facing a great enemy, fearing the Li Sect would take advantage of the sect’s weakness to invade. In the magnificent first hall of Muwei Palace, hundreds of pairs of eyes stared intensely at Mu Qingyan, each with hands on their weapons, nervously sweating. From beginning to end, no one noticed that the new sect master’s inauguration ceremony had already concluded.

As a result, for the next several years when Zhuang Shu went out on business as sect master, few disciples of the six sects could recognize him.

The second time was the year after Zhuang Shu’s succession, when Qingque Sect experienced a half-hearted internal rebellion.

The Yin family’s chronic illness hadn’t been completely eliminated. Their followers gathered several elderly uncles and jointly challenged Zhuang Shu, arguing that since he was Li Wenxun’s disciple and his martial arts weren’t necessarily superior, he wasn’t qualified to be sect master. They should have several senior uncles form an elder council system to discuss matters together until another outstanding disciple emerged.

Zhuang Shu had reservations and was somewhat constrained, so Cai Zhao angrily returned to Jiuli Mountain to quell the rebellion.

Looking back on past events, almost all tragedies originated from Yin Dai and Nie Hengcheng, but unfortunately, those two had died early. Cai Zhao couldn’t dig up graves to whip corpses, so now she finally had a place to vent—if she couldn’t beat two dead ghosts, couldn’t she beat you old things?

In the martial world, everything was decided by martial prowess.

Little Lady Cai was majestic and unstoppable, whether single combat or group fights, she would accompany all.

No other meaning—it wasn’t that she didn’t trust the respected elders, the juniors just wanted to see the elders’ abilities.

As troublemakers were picked up one by one like little chicks and forced to “spar” with Cai Zhao in the martial arts arena, the long-quiet medical hut was full again. Lei Xiuming was too busy alone and nearly delayed Fan Xing’s family matchmaking.

Everyone understood that if any fool in the sect dared to cause trouble again, they would have the honor of receiving Little Lady Cai’s “challenge letter”—light punishment meant broken ribs and leg bones, severe meant destroyed qi sea and completely wasted martial arts.

What? Little Lady Cai was too heavy-handed and seemed to be venting?

No choice—her aunt and master died early, and young people without guidance were like this.

If you’re really unhappy, you could completely go find Cai Pingshu and Qi Yunke to reason with.

Where to find them? Underground!

Crossing the black iron chains of Wind Cloud Peak, Mu Qingyan carried his son onto Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff.

The slightly plump Zhuang Shu stood opposite, having gained dignity from years of being sect master. He said not without humor, “When I saw junior martial sister Cai arrive a few days ago, I knew you’d follow.”

Mu Qingyan snorted, pretending not to hear the implication.

Zhuang Shu lowered his gaze slightly and said gently, “Little Yan, do you still remember martial uncle?”

Mu Yan nodded, “I remember. Martial uncle took me to pick apricots last time.” He had a good memory, and besides, his mother often read him letters from Qingque Sect.

Zhuang Shu smiled, “Little Yan came at just the right time. Stay for a while this time. Next month the sect will hold a competition for newly advanced young disciples of the six sects. Aren’t you always thinking about this?”

Mu Yan’s eyes lit up, “Can I participate?”

Zhuang Shu smiled, “You’re almost seven years old, which should be within the rules, and few people know you anyway. I’ll give you a false name, counting you as my distant nephew. You can compete with everyone then. But to avoid exposing your identity, you’ll have to live in the inner disciple quarters for a while. Can you bear to part with your parents?”

Little Heartless Mu Yan scrambled down from his father’s arms, his face glowing, “I can!”

“Good. I’ll take you to see the small armor for competitions and pick one that fits.” Saying this, Zhuang Shu was about to lead the child away.

Mu Qingyan coughed heavily.

Only then did Zhuang Shu turn back, suppressing a laugh, “After dinner, junior martial sister said she wanted to walk for digestion, wandering around. I don’t know where she’s gone now. Go find her yourself.”

Mu Qingyan was completely familiar with every blade of grass and tree on Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, having stayed in the sect as Chang Ning for almost half a year. At that time, his heart bore the two great hatreds of his father’s death and the massacre at Chang family fortress. Not only was the remaining poison in his body not cleared, preventing him from recovering his martial arts, but Qi Lingbo would bring Dai Fengchi and other lackeys to provoke and bully him daily.

The tangled mess of troubles often ignited evil fire in his heart. Despite the delay in recovering his martial arts, he would still mix a jar of soul-confusing bone-rotting powder for those blind fools to eat with their rice.

Then a little girl who was very unwilling to join the sect appeared, unluckily becoming the scapegoat, having to stay alert day and night to protect him.

—Recalling the past, Mu Qingyan unconsciously smiled.

Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff was a vast area with over a hundred people including disciples and servants, houses connected to houses, pavilions and waterside towers—everything was there. He didn’t know where Cai Zhao had wandered. Mu Qingyan passed Chunling Small Residence, Chuitian Dock, even visited the medical hut with poor business. Unknowingly, he saw from afar the area that had been burned to white ground—the Twin Lotus Flower Pool Palace.

Ten years passed in a flash. Where once stood a magnificently beautiful place like a heavenly palace, now only remained wasteland that had been gradually cleaned up.

There had once been a talented Yin family young hero who, with earth-shaking ambitions, wanted to forever carve his bloodline into the eternal glory of Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff.

Now there remained only a piece of wasteland.

This place was built facing the lake with mountains behind—truly a treasure location from a feng shui perspective. Perhaps many years later, someone would build new magnificent palaces on this land, establishing new overwhelming power.

Just wondering what surname the new palace’s master would have.

Two years ago, the couple brought their son to Jiuli Mountain for the third time.

The reason this time was quite bizarre. Qi Lingbo suddenly brought a six or seven-year-old boy up the mountain, saying that Lady Sulian and Dai Fengchi had died of illness in recent years. Seeing the child had reached school age, she wanted to find him a teacher.

Regarding Qi Lingbo, everyone in the sect felt somewhat melancholic. On one hand, her grandfather and father truly had too much blood on their hands; on the other hand, she was genuinely a victim with no great faults.

Zhuang Shu, remembering their past fellowship and seeing her difficulties as an orphan and widow, felt compassion and wanted to arrange well for the child. Who knew Qi Lingbo would immediately ask for her son to apprentice under Cai Zhao.

Receiving the letter, Cai Zhao was completely puzzled, not knowing what Qi Lingbo was planning, so she personally made the trip.

But Mu Qingyan thought that child had both Yin and Qi bloodlines. Whether he inherited Yin Dai’s once-in-a-century excellent aptitude or Qi Yunke’s extremely rare “Heavenly Fire Dragon” hidden meridian, he would be a great future threat—so he followed along.

After arriving, both husband and wife discovered they had overthought.

Qi Lingbo wanted her son to apprentice under Cai Zhao simply because Cai Zhao currently had the highest martial arts in Qingque Sect—Miss Qi wanted the best of everything, plus some complex feelings long held.

Moreover, after Lei Xiuming’s examination, her son only had upper-middle aptitude, far from Yin Dai and Qi Yunke’s excellent foundation.

Cai Zhao laughed at Mu Qingyan for being paranoid. Among the hundreds of people in the Baimao Yin family over so many years, only Yin Dai was a rare talent with both literary and martial excellence and meticulous mind, let alone the “Heavenly Fire Dragon” hidden meridian, which was always heaven-sent fortune, not inherited through bloodline.

However, seeing the child’s face, the faintly familiar nose and mouth lines touched Cai Zhao, and she actually had some intention of taking him as a disciple. Then Mu Qingyan overturned the table with one sentence: Would he follow us back to live in the sect?

Everyone knew Mu Qingyan would never live separately from Cai Zhao, and Qingque Sect would never let the Li Sect leader stay long at Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, not even as a live-in son-in-law. For the same reason, Luoying Valley wasn’t suitable for Sect Master Mu to reside long-term.

Conclusion: The Vast Sea Mountain Range welcomes you.

This statement immediately frightened Qi Lingbo. Sending her young son to the legendary demon sect stronghold where monsters and ghosts roamed freely would give her nightmares. After a war of words, Zhuang Shu finally took the child under his own tutelage as sect master, while Qi Lingbo returned to the Baimao Yin family’s ancestral land and could visit her son anytime.

Before leaving, Cai Zhao suddenly called her, her tone somewhat stiff: “You’re only twenty-six. How do you plan to live in the future? You won’t spend your days full of resentment and unwillingness like in storybooks, will you?”

Qi Lingbo said coldly, “My affairs are none of your business. If I want to resent, I’ll resent. If I want to be unwilling, I’ll be unwilling. Whether my future days are good or bad has nothing to do with you!”

The once beautiful and proud eldest daughter of the world’s premier sect already had weathered lines on her face, but those eyes remained proud.

She walked a few steps, then turned back, “I’ve started a business. Baimao was originally the world’s silk capital, but decades ago when grandfather rose in status, one person’s success lifted the whole family, and the clansmen enjoyed wealth and comfort, no longer willing to work. Now with no one to rely on, naturally I can only return to the old trade.”

This was completely unexpected for Cai Zhao. She was startled, and Qi Lingbo had already walked more than ten steps.

Cai Zhao caught up a few steps and shouted at her back, “Well… if the business has surplus, you could also set up a shop in Luoying Town!”

Qi Lingbo turned around and snorted coldly, “I don’t need your pity!”

Cai Zhao shut up.

Qi Lingbo continued walking, then turned around for the third time. She looked directly at Cai Zhao, “Before my mother died, she had a moment of lucidity and said…”

After a moment’s hesitation, she seemed to make up her mind: “My mother said your aunt was remarkable.”

Cai Zhao’s heart shook.

Qi Lingbo’s gaze seemed to penetrate Cai Zhao, looking toward some distant unknown place.

“My mother said your aunt was more remarkable than grandfather, than Nie Hengcheng.”

“She and aunt had resented your aunt for a lifetime, schemed against your aunt for a lifetime, spoke ill of your aunt behind her back for a lifetime, but actually they deeply envied her in their hearts. Heart-wrenching envy, envying to the point of wanting to become your aunt, ultimately envying into hatred, buried deep in their hearts.”

“When you have time, light an incense stick for your aunt on my mother’s behalf. Tell your aunt these words, and say ‘sorry’ for my mother—truly sorry.”

The last sentence, Qi Lingbo spoke very softly, unclear who was speaking to whom.

Cai Zhao stood in place for a long time.

Finally, Mu Qingyan found her in the Guilt Stele Forest behind the mountain, seeing her in tears, which greatly startled him. He wondered in amazement if Qi Lingbo still had the ability to bully Zhao Zhao?

Stepping over the lush green grass, winding around the dark and secluded stream, Mu Qingyan once again came to the back mountain of Qingque Sect.

Tall stone tablets covered with moss stood silently among the mountains, their inscribed words all recording horrifying crimes. Cai Zhao sat on a large rock, staring up blankly.

“I knew you’d be here,” Mu Qingyan said slowly.

Cai Zhao turned her head, recognized who had come, and showed deep apology on her face: “…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run around everywhere without explaining clearly.”

After ten years of marriage, the two had long been of one mind, so there was no need for much blame or apology.

Mu Qingyan sat beside his wife, “Tell me, what’s wrong?”

Cai Zhao said listlessly in a low voice, “You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?”

Mu Qingyan said gently, “Are you willing to tell me now?”

Cai Zhao remained silent.

“Alright, I’ll speak first. Two things.” Mu Qingyan cleared his throat, “Before coming up Jiuli Mountain today, I received You Guanyue’s carrier pigeon message saying something happened at Luoying Valley. Specifically, something happened to little Han…”

Cai Zhao was startled: “What did you say?”

“…But it’s already resolved now.”

“Speak properly to me!”

“Alright.” Mu Qingyan saw she was more spirited and smiled as he explained everything.

Since his youth, Sect Master Mu’s crow’s mouth had been infallibly accurate.

That self-important town chief’s son, after being dealt with jointly by Mu Yan and Tao Bing, indeed harbored resentment and sought revenge.

“Uncle Luo?” Cai Zhao was greatly surprised, “His son little Radish Cake? Uh… I remember he’s only one year older than little Han.”

Mu Qingyan was speechless, “Did you give everyone in Luoying Town a food nickname?”

Cai Zhao waved her hand, “No, no. He was chubby like a sponge cake when he was little, so I called him that. Sigh, Uncle Luo is quite capable and a decent person, just too protective of his youngest son.”

She found it incredible, “I thought they were as close as brothers. I never imagined he was secretly bullying little Han all along. Really couldn’t tell… Uncle Luo said our family was small and little Han seemed lonely, so he always had little Radish Cake play with little Han.”

Mu Qingyan was full of scheming thoughts: “The town chief had long-term vision, unfortunately his son was clueless. Your father-in-law and mother-in-law are probably like you—little Han wouldn’t complain either.”

Cai Zhao sighed.

She had never experienced such things. Little Mu Yan never complained because he would directly tear off roofs, trample bed boards, repay drops of water with gushing springs, successfully turning himself into the one being complained about.

Continuing from before:

Young Master Radish Cake suffered for most of the night, his body covered with tiny bites from snakes, insects, rats and ants—painful, itchy, angry and resentful. He first complained to his parents. His mother acted as if the sky had fallen, crying and wailing, cursing “those two little beasts aren’t human, using such methods over a few words.”

Though the old town chief loved his son, he wasn’t foolish. He said this matter could only be glossed over as children’s mischief. If it reached Cai Pingchun and his wife, their son’s years of disrespectful behavior toward Cai Han would also be exposed.

“So Town Chief Luo knew about his son’s behavior all along…” Cai Zhao felt uncomfortable, then puzzled, “How do you know so clearly? Did you have people hiding under their bed to eavesdrop?”

“All interrogated afterward,” Mu Qingyan said matter-of-factly. “If I’d sent people to eavesdrop earlier, the later events wouldn’t have happened. I was careless—should have instructed local altar masters to infiltrate Luoying Valley for vigilance first. You Guanyue was far away in the Vast Sea Mountain Range, and by the time he arranged personnel, many days had passed.”

Young Master Radish Cake was unconvinced, clamoring for heroes of the world to judge fairly, using righteous morality to pressure them into having to punish their own son.

But the old town chief advised his son not to be fooled by theatrical stories—heroes of the world weren’t so idle as to uphold justice over every trivial matter. It was just physical suffering, after all. He said Cai Pingchun only appeared gentle and mild-mannered, but was actually cold-hearted, not to mention Cai Zhao who favored family over reason, and Ning Xiaofeng who could make trouble out of nothing.

Moreover, the entire Luoying Town lived by depending on the Cai family’s goodwill, so the townspeople wouldn’t side with his family when the time came.

Actually, the only truly easy-going member of the Cai family was Cai Pingshu—passionate, benevolent, and soft-hearted. If she were still alive, this complaint might actually have a chance.

Cai Zhao’s face turned cold. “This Town Chief Luo certainly has keen insight, understanding every member of our Cai family’s temperament clearly. What happened next? How did his son frame little Han?”

Mu Qingyan said, “If he had directly harmed little Han, I would have thought better of him.”

Unlike ordinary wastrels, Young Master Radish Cake still listened to his old father’s advice—though only half of it.

Fearing Cai family retaliation, he didn’t dare harm Cai Han, so he set his sights on Tao Bing instead.

Heaven seemed to favor his plan, as a heavy rain came the next day.

After the downpour, everything in the mountains sprouted anew. Young Valley Master Cai, following his usual habit, went into the mountains to dig bamboo shoots, gather mushrooms, and pick wild vegetables, typically returning in two or three days.

Young Master Radish Cake stole an extremely potent sleeping smoke from his father—left behind years ago by a master thief who had retired to Luoying Town—and prepared ropes, muting drugs, and a dagger.

He planned to first drug everyone unconscious in the valley, then sever the little girl’s hand and foot tendons, mute her with poison, destroy her appearance, and finally sell her to human traffickers traveling the river. When Cai Han returned, he would say the child had been naughty and wandered off to play.

Though Tao Bing was almost nine years old, her small frame made her appear only six to outsiders. Young Master Radish Cake didn’t know her background and thought such a small child probably couldn’t even read many characters. Once sold this way, she would never return.

Cai Zhao listened with growing coldness throughout her body.

She had always thought Luoying Town was the most simple and kind place in the world, a paradise embodying her aunt’s beautiful wishes. She never imagined that after more than ten years, evil parasites had secretly bred in the dark, damp crevices.

“Is Bing’er alright?” Cai Zhao’s voice trembled.

She knew what this child meant to the Snow Maiden and Qian Xueshen—two survivors who had endured the world’s worst tragedies, the tender new sprout they had barely managed to nurture in the remote, icy wilderness.

“Don’t worry, she’s fine,” Mu Qingyan patted his wife.

Though little Tao Bing was experiencing human society for the first time, from her parents’ implicit fearful gazes and countless hesitant sighs, she had quietly prepared herself for vigilance from the day she left the snowy mountains.

She wasn’t afraid of this world, nor would she hide for life because of fear.

In Luoying Valley, aside from Cai Han, almost no one knew her martial arts training had shown initial success.

So when she inhaled the sleeping smoke, she immediately sensed something wrong. Watching Grandmother Tangbao and others collapse one by one, she quickly drew golden needles from Cai Han’s medicine box and inserted them into several major acupoints on her body, willing to damage her dantian to stay conscious.

Then, through the window crack, she saw Radish Cake approaching with a sinister grin. She immediately decided to escape Luoying Valley.

Her first instinct was to no longer trust anyone in the valley or town.

She would hide until Cai Han returned.

The next day, Cai Han came back.

By then, the town chief knew his son had caused great trouble. If he had done it cleanly, it would be one thing, but leaving such loose ends, he could only help his son cover up. Under his secret arrangements, rumors began spreading in town that Tao Bing had set off the sleeping smoke. After arguing with some children, she had drugged everyone in anger, stolen Cai family treasures, and fled.

Grandmother Tangbao and others vaguely felt something was wrong, but on one side was the old town chief they’d known their whole lives, on the other a child who’d only been there a few months. Besides, Tao Bing was cold and aloof, rarely speaking, so no one knew what she was thinking.

Only Cai Han didn’t believe it, trying to convince everyone that Tao Bing wasn’t such a willful child. Seeing no one believed him, he angrily rushed out alone to find her. He chased all the way to Qingluo River, just as a group of human traffickers was about to weigh anchor and depart. Cai Han crept close to spy, overhearing them discussing “knowing Luoying Valley business was difficult” and “where’s the promised little girl” and such.

Cai Han panicked and went to question them. The traffickers were too busy fleeing to answer.

Words led to blows.

It was truly a day worth commemorating—this was the first time the mild-mannered and benevolent Young Valley Master Cai had ever fought anyone.

That’s right, Cai Han had never laid hands on anyone before.

Since birth, he’d had no fellow disciples to spar with, never thrown punches with valley children, never even stepped foot in the martial world. All his martial training had been self-entertainment—creating moves and dismantling them himself.

By common sense, even with Cai Han’s modest cultivation, dealing with a group of human traffickers should have been manageable.

However, due to his complete lack of experience, these seasoned scoundrels employed various tricks—sometimes throwing fishing nets, sometimes launching hidden weapons, sometimes acting like delicate wives crying “oh my, you’re killing me,” then like elderly men with creaking bones seeming about to break, throwing ash in his eyes, scattering caltrops on deck—leaving Cai Han flustered and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Grandmother Tangbao was steady and experienced. Discovering Cai Han had fled, she not only led people in pursuit but bypassed the townspeople entirely, directly notifying Li Sect members to request assistance.

Out of consideration for Cai Zhao, the Li Sect never dared place informants or sentries near Luoying Valley, but outside their sphere of influence, across Qingluo River, stood a Li Sect branch altar.

Rarely having a chance to prove themselves, the entire altar was greatly energized, everyone striving to excel.

Hundreds of people, under unified coordination, searched in expanding circles from near to far. They not only found the bloodied Young Valley Master by Qingluo River but also discovered the cold and hungry Tao Bing in wilderness brush, while incidentally capturing the town chief’s family and several lackeys who had packed their valuables to flee.

“Nothing serious—little Han just has a broken head and fractured leg, with some ash in his left eye. All minor injuries,” Mu Qingyan comforted. “Bing’er is fine too. Her acupoint needling was precise, so her injuries aren’t severe. I’ve had Lin Shu examine her.”

Cai Zhao felt heartache but said, “Taking a beating is good for him. A dignified Luoying Valley disciple fighting a group of marketplace thieves to a draw—how embarrassing! Let’s see if he’ll slack off in his training again!”

Mu Qingyan asked with a smile, “How should we deal with the Radish Cake family?”

Who knew Cai Zhao’s answer would greatly surprise him. After pondering, she said, “If not for little Radish Cake’s complete lack of conscience in targeting a child, their desire to replace the Cai family wouldn’t be unacceptable.”

Mu Qingyan was shocked: “What do you mean by this?”

Cai Zhao sighed, “Mother ran away from home in a fit of anger at thirteen, and after meeting my aunt, she rarely had peace. Facing off against Yin Dai and Nie Hengcheng, she didn’t dare return home for years, fearing to implicate grandfather and grandmother. After those two old thieves died, Mother married Father, had us siblings, and spent another decade tending to Aunt and guarding against the Nie faction.”

“Uncle became a monk early to strike wooden fish, grandfather’s health was poor, and grandmother feared loneliness. All these years, Mother never had a chance to properly serve and accompany her parents. Actually, when grandfather died, Mother already felt quite guilty.”

Mu Qingyan understood: “No wonder your mother is so accommodating to your grandmother.”

Though he’d met few elderly women, based solely on the half month he’d accompanied Cai Zhao to stay at the Ning family after their wedding, he dared assert that Old Madam Ning could definitely rank among the top in a worldwide “difficult people” competition. She was gentle yet stubborn, sentimental yet paranoid, picky and sensitive yet self-righteous. Sometimes when Ning Xiaofeng got angry and said a few words to her, she could sob while holding her late husband’s memorial tablet for three days…

Cai Zhao couldn’t stand it either. After just half a month, she dragged her newlywed husband to flee, leaving her dear parents to deal with the situation themselves.

“When grandmother was alive, she and Mother argued constantly, but after grandmother’s death, Mother regretted not being more filial. These years, when she and Father tire of traveling, they mostly return to the Ning home to rest, organizing every blade of grass, tree, book, and manuscript left by grandfather and grandmother. Leaving little Han alone to guard Luoying Valley is what encouraged the Luo family’s ambitions.”

“The Cai family is in this situation. Father will most likely accompany Mother to spend their final years at the Ning home, little Han is too honest and soft-hearted, and I’ve gotten involved with you, a demon sect leader, making me unsuitable as well. If there truly were worthy persons, giving Luoying Valley to them wouldn’t matter. Unfortunately, the Luo family’s intentions are improper—they’re not trustworthy people.”

Mu Qingyan was genuinely surprised: “What about your family’s ancestors?”

“New graves can be moved, but old graves… the ancestors have probably all reincarnated. Better not disturb them.”

“It’s still your father’s birthplace.”

“Father grew up at Peiqiong Mountain Villa. When he returned to Luoying Valley as an adult, he even got lost finding his way.”

“Two hundred years of accumulated mechanisms, hidden doors, valley pavilions, rare medicinal gardens, plus cellars here and storehouses there—you’d give it all up?”

“It’s not like burning it all down. What’s wrong with giving it to worthy people?”

“Would father-in-law and mother-in-law agree?”

“I think they’ve had this idea for a while, just wanting to see if little Han’s character can still be salvaged. Anyway, it’s still early—we’ll deal with future matters in the future.”

Mu Qingyan looked his wife up and down twice, finally sighing, “When I heard people say Luoying Valley’s ancestral motto was ‘flowers bloom and fall in their season, let everything follow nature,’ I was skeptical, thinking it was righteous sects’ hypocritical retreat-as-advance. Now… very well, I had a petty heart. Your family motto is genuine.”

Thinking about it now, the last Valley Master couple of Luoying Valley, the Luo family, had been childless for years before adopting a Cai-surnamed orphan as their son. If they hadn’t unexpectedly had a daughter years later, with the adopted siblings marrying, Luoying Valley’s bloodline would probably have ended long ago.

Cai Zhao laughed and spat at him, “You worldly person naturally can’t comprehend the life philosophy of ‘tranquility and contentment as the most precious.’ If it were your father, he’d definitely understand.”

Mu Qingyan thought seriously, then sighed, “That’s actually true.”

“Anyway, have your people confine the Radish Cake family first, and let my parents deal with them when they return!” Cai Zhao said angrily. “They’re off enjoying themselves traveling mountains and waters while not caring whether little Han is reliable, nearly implicating Bing’er. They should take responsibility for their own negligence!”

After finishing her scolding, she worried again, “When this matter is settled, we should still return to Luoying Valley to check.”

Mu Qingyan had no objections.

“By the way, what’s the second matter?” Cai Zhao asked.

Mu Qingyan stared into her eyes: “I met Yang Xiaolan’s daughter.”

Cai Zhao: …Her gaze shifted away.

Mu Qingyan immediately understood: “You knew already. When did you find out?”

Cai Zhao smiled bitterly, “Not much earlier—just a few months ago when little Lan wrote to tell me.”

“How did those two get involved?”

“Don’t put it so crudely.” Cai Zhao punched his shoulder. “Actually, when little Lan was ambushed and drugged with something improper, she escaped and happened to encounter Shangguan Haonan, who was lying low nearby.”

Mu Qingyan understood immediately: “Those old things in the Yang family were truly despicable. Unable to win through skill, they wanted to force Yang Xiaolan to submit by finding her a husband.”

Cai Zhao snorted coldly, “Little Lan not only had a daughter out of wedlock but openly plans to cultivate Baozhu as the future Siqi Gate Master. Hmph, infuriating those old things to death!”

Mu Qingyan thought for a moment, “Yang Xiaolan was drugged, but Shangguan Haonan wasn’t. Did he already have feelings for Yang Xiaolan?”

“Sect Master Mu, don’t overthink. You know our Brother Haonan—he loves playing hero to save beauty most.”

Though Yang Xiaolan wasn’t exactly a beauty, she had once fought alongside them at Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff and had killed her own father before Shangguan Haonan and You Guanyue’s eyes. Shangguan quite admired her.

After their confused physical intimacy, Shangguan Haonan felt he’d wronged the girl, so he voluntarily transferred the poison from Yang Xiaolan’s body to his own, then fled.

Shangguan Haonan, who always loved delicate beauties, and Yang Xiaolan, plain-looking and stern-natured, seemed completely incompatible. Both thought it was just a fleeting affair that would pass.

For this reason, Yang Xiaolan chose to hide her daughter’s paternity from everyone, including Cai Zhao.

One can imagine why Shangguan Haonan’s eyes went black and he felt thunderstruck when news of Yang Xiaolan’s daughter reached him.

In the following years, Brother Shangguan had to secretly visit the Yang family mother and daughter. Initially, both were very awkward, not knowing what to say, only making small talk about the baby in swaddling clothes.

As time passed, Shangguan Haonan personally witnessed a young woman’s solitary courage and determination, struggling through gossip and slander, painstakingly reforming the sect’s culture, boldly rebuilding rules and customs. Gradually, pity grew into love, and love into respect.

“Back then, little Lan asked me to witness her oath before her late mother Lady Huang’s spirit, vowing to never marry and end Yang Heying’s bloodline. She wrote in her letter that she not only had a daughter but now wants to marry Baozhu’s father. She asked if this wronged the deceased Lady Huang.” Cai Zhao sighed.

Mu Qingyan asked, “How did you reply to Yang Xiaolan?”

Cai Zhao said, “What else could I say? I’m a Luoying Valley disciple—naturally I advised her to ‘follow nature.’ If she wants to marry, marry. If she doesn’t want to, don’t. People live once—if they can’t live freely, isn’t it a wasted life?”

Mu Qingyan quickly said, “Those words are absolutely right. If she wants to marry, she should marry immediately without hesitation. One hesitation, and a lifetime passes.”

Cai Zhao shot him a look.

“She said Shangguan Haonan treats their mother and daughter with great care. She never knew being a father and husband could be so wonderful.” Cai Zhao couldn’t help cursing, “Yang Heying really wasn’t human!”—He’d traumatized his daughter.

In the secret countryside cottage, Yang Xiaolan watched Shangguan Haonan, a rough man, patiently teaching her daughter to read and write, holding her for somersaults, climbing trees to catch cicadas, and letting the little girl stand on his broad shoulders to gaze at distant sunset clouds.

Watching the similar faces of father and daughter laughing heartily, Yang Xiaolan inexplicably wept, then wrote to Cai Zhao.

Even if their affair still couldn’t be publicly announced, she wanted to marry this man.

Mu Qingyan couldn’t help his sarcasm: “No wonder he’s avoided sect duties whenever possible these years, pushing everything onto You Guanyue when he can’t escape. I thought he was too ashamed to show his face. Turns out he was spending his energy elsewhere. Hmph, when he marries, I’ll definitely give him a good scare!”

He turned his head, “We’ve talked about others’ affairs for ages. It should be time for our own business.”

Cai Zhao’s mood dropped again, finally speaking up: “I want to… want to move Master’s remains from this Criminal Stele Forest to beside Aunt.”

Mu Qingyan was completely stunned.

After two months of travel, contemplating countless times in his heart, turning the question over and over, Mu Qingyan still hadn’t guessed his wife’s true intention.

“I had a dream where Master was blind and deaf, fumbling in darkness searching for my aunt. He searched and searched, stumbling and falling, but could never find her. He called my aunt’s name, but no one answered him…”

Cai Zhao pulled up a wild grass and wound it around her finger, her voice low, “Uncle Lei and Brother Zhuang wouldn’t mind, and my parents would probably agree, but I… how could I dare bring this up with you?”

Mu Qingyan said nothing. He was very clear about Qi Yunke’s past—

His father died young, and his widowed mother supported her son by washing and mending for others. Qi Yunke was dull-witted from childhood, often bullied, yet remained honest and kind-hearted. When he finally achieved fame, his mother had already died of illness, and he never had a single day to properly serve her.

Before his mind matured, he was chosen by Yin Dai and became his son-in-law in confusion.

Cai Zhao continued rambling, “Am I overthinking? Matters of ghosts and spirits are illusory anyway. I just think of Aunt—even in illness, she regretted encouraging Qi Yunke to pursue Yin Sulian. When Master came to Luoying Valley, Aunt always asked him ‘are you well?’ Master would answer ‘very well,’ and Aunt would scold him for lying. Later Master would answer ‘fairly well,’ and Aunt could only sigh.”

Yin Sulian didn’t like Qi Yunke at all. Even if Qi Yunke didn’t understand initially, he certainly understood after becoming husband and wife. Qi Yunke’s latter half of life was sustained by the obsessive thought of ‘destroying everything that had ever hurt Cai Pingshu.’

The couple sat on the wild rocks chatting and laughing for a long time, able to ramble about other matters but having only brief words for their own situation. Yet it seemed no more words were needed—Mu Qingyan already understood all of Cai Zhao’s burdens and doubts.

From Hanging Sky Nunnery to Great Snow Mountain, then to Guangtian Gate and Siqi Gate—vengeance had been achieved, the dead were gone, and survivors were working hard to live, rebuilding their lives toward sunlight and vitality.

“Alright.” Mu Qingyan stood up, brushing grass from his clothes while extending his hand to help his wife. “Let’s move Qi Yunke to beside your aunt.”

“…” Cai Zhao was pulled up in a daze. She had prepared many arguments, unsure whether to convince herself to stop overthinking or convince her husband not to mind.

“How did you agree so easily?” she wondered.

Mu Qingyan looked at the cotton-like clouds in the sky, “I just thought about what Father would say if he were still alive. Father would definitely agree. That’s one reason…”

Cai Zhao asked, “What’s the second?”

Mu Qingyan’s mouth curved in a smile as he glanced at her, “If this were before, little Lady Cai would have bought two shovels and dug up the grave overnight. By the time I knew, Qi Yunke’s new grave would probably be growing grass.”

“I was never that self-willed before,” Cai Zhao touched her nose.

Mu Qingyan smiled slightly, “Now you would worry about making me unhappy and brood for so long. In the end, wandering east and west so far. Seeing how much you care about me, I can’t be petty either.”

“At least you have a heart,” Cai Zhao smiled with her eyes.

Mu Qingyan took her hand and slowly walked forward, “Father always said the present life is more important than the afterlife, the living more important than the dead.” He turned to look at his wife, “If moving that Qi fellow somewhere else can stop your nightmares, it’s very worthwhile.”

Cai Zhao smiled brilliantly, hugging Mu Qingyan like an octopus.

Mu Qingyan huffed, “Anyway, no more leaving without a word! If there’s a next time…”

“What then?”

“Then I’ll come find you again.”

Qi Yunke’s crimes were obvious, and though many had forgiven him, this matter ultimately shouldn’t be conducted with great fanfare.

So Mu Qingyan chose a not-very-auspicious auspicious day, dug up Qi Yunke’s ashes by night, placed them in a sandalwood box, and gave them to Cai Zhao. The couple departed the next day, leaving Mu Yan at Jiuli Mountain.

Returning to Luoying Valley, Grandmother Tangbao scolded Town Chief Luo and his son for their vicious hearts, frightening the child.

The “child” here wasn’t the almost-nine-year-old Tao Bing, but the seventeen-year-old Young Valley Master Cai.

Though Tao Bing had caught cold, developed fever, gone hungry for two days, and suffered some internal injuries, she was now very calm. She held a medicinal diet list, checking with the kitchen women and apologizing to Cai Zhao for causing trouble in the valley.

Cai Zhao felt guilty and immediately offered comfort.

Cai Han hid in his room recovering, initially feigning calm composure—a young man in plain clothes writing by the window, truly beautiful as a flower. But when he saw Cai Zhao enter, his grievances immediately burst forth like a broken dam, hugging Cai Zhao and sobbing without letting go.

Cai Zhao had originally wanted to scold him for not living up to expectations, but touching her brother’s bandage-wrapped head, she couldn’t help feeling heartbroken.

“Wah wah wah, Sister, I was so scared! Their weapon tips were yellow—they must have been coated with deadly poison!”

“That was rust on the iron.”

“They poured lots of oil on the ground so I couldn’t stand steady. That oil was fishy and sour—definitely the legendary poison oil that rots skin on contact! So despicable, wah wah wah!”

“That was spoiled rapeseed oil.”

“Radish Cake isn’t human! Bing’er even called him brother, yet he was so cruel! Really not human!”

“Radish Cake was never human—it’s food. We’ll never eat radish cake again. Be good, stop crying.”

Mu Qingyan standing by the door: …

Looking on the bright side, fortunately his son took after him—also a ruthless, harsh, vindictive demon star. If his nephew resembled his uncle, honest was honest enough—even now not saying a word of complaint about Radish Cake’s outrageous behavior toward him—but constantly crying would be truly heaven-defying.

The next day, the couple personally buried Qi Yunke’s ashes beside Cai Pingshu’s grave.

Under the peach tree, Cai Zhao burned paper money with tears.

Mu Qingyan drew a scroll from his chest, “Burn this too.”

“What is this?” Cai Zhao wiped her tears, took it and looked, exclaiming in shock, “The Purple Star Heart Sutra?”

Mu Qingyan said, “This is the last copy of the Purple Star Heart Sutra. Burn it clean.”

Cai Zhao looked at him, “Can you bear to? It’s your family’s ancestral inheritance, and the martial arts recorded are truly miraculous.”

Mu Qingyan shook his head, interrupting her, “Actually, when the second Mu Sect Master needed the previous generation to open his meridians before he could cultivate the Purple Star Heart Sutra, it was already forced. Later, Mu Song’s son, to compensate for his innate deficiencies, actually used his own blood siblings for cultivation. Disregarding natural law and human ethics, forcibly cultivating an uncultivatable technique created a tragic human disaster.”

“Two hundred years ago, spirit beasts and fierce birds were everywhere, spiritual mountains and stones were common. The Purple Star Heart Sutra could be cultivated then, but now… seas have become mulberry fields, the world has changed completely. Keeping this thing would only harm people.”

Cai Zhao stared blankly at her aunt’s tombstone, “Very well, let’s burn it here. My aunt never found any secret manuals or heart sutras, yet still became invincible under heaven.”

“Like our peach blossoms—originally the valley’s peach trees were ordinary things. Later, through generations of flower-loving people’s casual grafting and additions—four-cornered peach blossoms, six-petaled peach blossoms, three-layered peach blossoms—they became magnificently diverse and rare under heaven, not through force.”

The ancient scroll slowly burned to ash in blue flames, finally becoming a pile of light-colored ashes. A breeze scattered them along with peach petals, drifting to the horizon until they vanished without trace.

The couple stayed in Luoying Town for another ten days. Calculating the time, the new disciple competition at Ten Thousand Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff should be finished, so they planned to return to Jiuli Mountain to collect their son. Passing the town’s tea pavilion, they heard a group loudly cursing Town Chief Luo for being worthless.

Blacksmith: “When he remarried less than a year after his first wife died, I knew he was no good. My wife’s been dead twelve years and I still haven’t remarried!”

Fish vendor: “What kind of insight is that? When his first wife gave birth to six daughters and he still wanted sons, I knew he was no good!”

Tofu shop owner: “That’s nothing! When his eldest daughter found her own marriage, I knew. She didn’t trust her stepmother or stepfather.”

“But Old Luo is her real father.”

“You don’t understand—once there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather!”

Wine shop keeper: “None of you have insight! When his eldest daughter took all five sisters away when she married into Liusu City across the river, wasn’t it obvious?”

“How is Eldest Daughter Luo doing now?”

“Pretty well. Liusu City is under our son-in-law’s jurisdiction. Since she married from Luoying Valley, they take good care of her. I heard she opened a pastry shop with booming business.”

“Is it the meat-filled kind? I’ve tried it—so fragrant!”

Pickled goods wife: “The Valley Master’s family treated Old Luo so well, yet he and his son dared harm people! Really worthless!”

“I heard Town Chief Luo’s ancestors were Valley Master family relatives?”

“That’s wrong—the Valley Master family is surnamed Cai, not Luo.”

“You just married in and don’t know. The Valley Master family used to be surnamed Luo.”

“So isn’t Town Chief Luo a distant relative of the Valley Master family?”

“What relatives? His ancestors were refugees who happened to share the surname.”

…

Mu Qingyan shook his head repeatedly, “Actually, I’ve wanted to say this—what kind of live-in son-in-law did your Luoying Valley recruit? Shouldn’t children born to live-in husbands take the wife’s surname? How could they keep changing surnames for two hundred years?”

Cai Zhao said quietly, “Yes, ‘Niu Zhao’ would be quite refreshing and attention-grabbing.”

Mu Qingyan suppressed laughter, “Let’s forget that—the ancestors were wise.”

Cai Zhao turned toward the tea pavilion and suddenly said, “Their talk made me hungry. How about we try that meat pastry across the river in Liusu City?”

Mu Qingyan naturally agreed.

It happened to be a temple fair, so Liusu City was bustling and lively, and the meat pastries were indeed delicious.

At the sugar figurine shop, Cai Zhao watched with interest as the craftsman molded a cold-faced, handsome boy doll. Just as little Mu Yan’s sugar figurine was nearly finished, she turned to call her husband but saw Mu Qingyan looking strange, staring unblinkingly across the street.

Following his gaze, she saw several people at the candied chestnut stand across the way.

A young, beautiful couple led a boy and girl, with an elderly steward-like man nearby. The family was chatting and laughing in harmony. The young husband’s appearance seemed vaguely familiar to Cai Zhao.

She was about to ask who these three were when, seeing Mu Qingyan’s excited and joyful expression, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and whispered, “Is that Chang Ning?”

Mu Qingyan nodded, his voice trembling slightly, “I never expected the old steward would bring him to live in seclusion here.”

As if guided by fate itself, Cai Zhao smiled.

“Heaven finally woke up.”

Author’s Note:

Complete and finished!

Finally done! Thank you everyone for your tolerance and patience all along. I bow to all of you.

Goodbye!