Walking less than a hundred paces east from the bamboo hut, the trio arrived at a two-story building with white walls and dark tiles. Compared to the surrounding thatched cottages and bamboo shelters, this small building was noticeably more elegant.
Cai Zhao couldn’t help but ask, “We haven’t seen Second Brother Shi yet. I wonder if we’ll be able to pay our respects to him soon.”
“Not possible,” Shi Tieqiao firmly rejected.
Worried, Cai Zhao inquired, “Could it be that Second Brother Shi’s injuries from back then were too severe, and he…?”
The young girl’s large eyes filled with concern and sorrow as if a mist had settled over a clear sky.
Shi Tieqiao momentarily lost in thought, mused that those eyes were remarkably similar to Cai Pingshu’s. It was precisely such hopeful eyes that had prevented the martial arts world from descending into complete darkness during those tumultuous years.
He smiled and reassured them, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. Seven or eight years ago, after he recovered from his injuries, he set sail to find his sweetheart. He sent a letter two or three years back, saying he now has children and has been urging me to come back for a visit. I’ve just been refusing.”
Cai Zhao’s eyes lit up. “I know about this! Is it that formidable female pirate?”
Shi Tieqiao chuckled, “That’s the one. My second brother has always been a mischievous spirit. I knew he wouldn’t be able to stay put here, so when I initially came in and later left, I never told him about the entry and exit routes.”
He sighed and added, “Your aunt was right. As long as we know each other is safe, what does it matter if we’re apart?”
As they entered the building, a strong, bitter medicinal smell greeted them. Shi Tieqiao’s daughter-in-law was busy working silently inside.
Seeing the new burial clothes placed nearby, Cai Zhao understood what Shi Tieqiao meant earlier about having his daughter-in-law prepare—they were getting ready for someone’s impending death.
Ascending to the second floor, Shi Tieqiao rushed forward to carefully help the person in bed sit up, then gestured for Cai Zhao and Mu to sit opposite the bed.
The bedridden individual had graying hair and a face lined with wrinkles and sorrow. His once-lively eyes, now dimmed by years of worry, carefully examined Cai Zhao.
His face brightened with joy as he said, “This must be Zhao Zhao. You look just like your mother. Has she been out and about lately? When I heard she married Little Spring, I was so surprised…”
Mu Qingyan suddenly looked up.
Both surprised and amused, Cai Zhao realized this was the first person to mention Ning Xiaofeng rather than Cai Pingshu when seeing her face. She smiled and replied, “My mother is doing well, but she doesn’t go out much anymore. She was taking care of my aunt while she recovered, then had to handle my grandfather’s funeral arrangements. When my grandmother doesn’t need her, she’s busy with my little brother… She has a lot on her plate.”
The sick man sighed, “Little Feng has grown up, and so have all of you. I promised to take my parents sightseeing, but I failed. I said I’d carry Little Feng on my back at her wedding, but I broke that promise too. Ah I’m such a failure!”
He turned to Cai Zhao and Mu, asking, “Do you know who I am?”
Cai Zhao looked puzzled.
Mu Qingyan responded, “You must be Master Yin’s seventh disciple, Guo Zigui, correct?”
Shi Tieqiao was startled. “How did you guess that?”
Mu Qingyan explained, “I heard Master Guo call ‘Little Spring Brother’ and ‘Little Feng Sister’ earlier. Among the well-known disciples of Beichen at that time, only Master Guo was younger than Cai Gu but older than Mrs. Ning.”
He continued, “Back then, Master Yin was wary of Miss Cai’s influence, so his disciples rarely associated with those close to her. Only Master Guo, due to his connections, knew Mrs. Ning from a young age.”
The sick man sighed, “You’re right. I am Guo Zigui.”
Cai Zhao’s mouth fell open, her heart heavy with sadness as she gazed at the terminally ill man before her. In Ning Xiaofeng’s memories, the missing Guo Zigui should have been a dashing young man, always carefree and full of laughter.
“I’m from Jiangdong,” Guo Zigui reminisced, his eyes distant. “Little Feng’s maternal grandfather’s home in Jiangdong was just an alley away from mine. Whenever we met as children, chaos ensued, much to everyone’s dismay…”
Shi Tieqiao suddenly snorted coldly, “You should have joined Peiqiong Manor. If it weren’t for old Yin Dai’s meddling, how could you have ended up like this?”
Guo Zigui spoke softly, “My mother couldn’t bear to let me go too far. My father had already arranged for me to join Peiqiong Manor when I was older, but who knew… who knew that when I was ten, Master suddenly came to Jiangdong and offered to take me as his last disciple.”
Shi Tieqiao’s face showed contempt. “Although the Guo family of Jiangdong wasn’t very famous in the martial arts world, they were one of the wealthiest families in the south, owning countless shops, workshops, and mines. Old Yin Dai was greedy for their wealth and wanted to extend his influence into Jiangnan!”
“Brother Shi, please don’t say that,” Guo Zigui weakly protested.
Cai Zhao had never heard this story before, likely because it was a painful memory Ning Xiaofeng never mentioned.
Mu Qingyan, however, had come across this incident in his meticulous research of past events and knew the details well.
“Old Yin Dai was crafty,” he said bluntly. “He threw a grand banquet, and in front of Jiangdong elders and martial arts veterans, he lavishly praised Master Guo’s parents for their years of support to the Qingque Sect. He then proposed taking Master Guo as his last disciple to strengthen their bond.”
Shi Tieqiao’s face showed anger. “Others chimed in, adding pressure until Guo had no choice but to accept. It was as if refusing would have been ungrateful. Even Old Zhou of Peiqiong Manor couldn’t speak up without offending Yin Dai.”
“I can’t believe Master Yin was so domineering!” Cai Zhao exclaimed, surprised.
She had grown up seeing the Qingque Sect under Xi Yunke’s laid-back leadership become much milder, making it hard to imagine its former aggressive stance.
Mu Qingyan chuckled lightly. “So you can imagine how furious Yin Dai must have been when your aunt suddenly emerged and dominated the martial arts world.”
“Furious doesn’t begin to describe it. He was shocked, enraged, and utterly helpless,” Shi Tieqiao laughed with satisfaction.
As they chatted and laughed, color returned to Guo Zigui’s face, and his eyes regained some life.
Cai Zhao quickly said, “After you disappeared, Master Guo, everyone thought you had met with foul play. How happy they’ll be to know you’re still alive!”
Guo Zigui shook his head. “I didn’t disappear; I fled for my life. If I hadn’t escaped, Master would have immediately expelled me from the sect.”
Cai Zhao was shocked again, wondering what sect rule he could have broken to warrant such severe punishment.
Guo Zigui, not wishing to elaborate, changed the subject. “Zhao Zhao, tell me about the sect. I know Eighth Junior Brother… well, actually your master is older than me. He’s now the sect leader, but what about his senior brothers?”
“Everything has changed except the chef,” Cai Zhao replied, noticing his failing strength. She chose her words carefully. “You know my master’s personality. He’s not only lenient with himself but even more so with others. Nowadays, the Qingque Sect disciples love to gather, chat, and watch the excitement. They sweep up enough sunflower seed shells every day to fill a large basket. It’s thanks to Uncle Li Wenxun that the sect rules haven’t completely fallen apart.”
Guo Zigui seemed wistful. “Oh, that’s quite different indeed. When I joined the Qingque Sect, Master was very strict with us…” His tone turned melancholic as he changed the subject. “So, all six of my senior brothers are gone, aren’t they?”
Recalling Qiu Renjie’s tragic suicide, Cai Zhao hesitated before responding, “…Uncle Lei is still around. He spends his days in the medicine pavilion, grumbling about the quality of pills.”
Guo Zigui laughed. “Sixth Senior Brother always loved looking his best. He’d dress up and go where the crowds were. How could he bear to stay in the medicine pavilion all day? Is it because he’s injured and doesn’t want to be seen?”
Cai Zhao could only lie, “He just has a scar on his face. I think it makes him look more dashing, but he refuses to come out and meet people.”
Guo Zigui shook his head. “If it were just a scar, Sixth Senior Brother would have healed himself long ago. There must be something else wrong.”
Knowing Lei Xiuming’s medical skills and personality, he guessed that his injuries might be too severe to remedy, possibly affecting his limbs or facial features. “But being alive is what matters. If he can still make medicines and talk to people, that’s already quite good.”
Cai Zhao remained silent.
Suddenly, Guo Zigui’s face contorted in pain. His pale face turned purplish-blue, and his emaciated body convulsed. Shi Tieqiao’s hands moved swiftly, expertly pressing various acupoints.
Guo Zigui’s pupils dilated, and he began to ramble incoherently. “Father, why haven’t you come to see me? Take me home quickly! I don’t want to stay here. I don’t want to practice martial arts. It hurts, it hurts so much! Mother, please stop crying. I’m fine. The sect has everything I need, and my senior brothers take good care of me. I’m not suffering, truly…”
His childish fears gradually transformed into the reassurances of a young adult, leaving Cai Zhao feeling heartbroken.
Gasping for air, Guo Zigui became increasingly delirious, as if his parents were right in front of him and he was a returning traveler sharing only good news. He spoke intermittently:
“First and Second Senior Brothers have the worst tempers, but they often sneak me… into town for treats. They’re afraid I’ll cry at night, so at night… they leave a light on. Fourth and Fifth Senior Brothers don’t like people much, but they’ve never bullied me. The third Senior Brother is Master’s future son-in-law. Although he likes to lecture, as long as I’m obedient and respectful, he’s willing to teach me… Mother, next time you come across that shimmering fabric, remember to save some for Sixth Senior Brother. Don’t forget, okay?”
Shi Tieqiao massaged various points on Guo Zigui’s body, finally pressing hard on the Baihui acupoint at the top of his head. A steady stream of internal energy flowed in, and Guo Zigui suddenly regained half his consciousness.
Cai Zhao was inwardly shocked, realizing that Shi Tieqiao was using a dangerous method to temporarily revive the patient at the cost of his vital energy.
Guo Zigui’s eyes widened, staring intently at Cai Zhao. His face flushed unnaturally as he said, “Zhao, Zhao Zhao, please take something out for me. No, no!”
Cai Zhao repeatedly agreed.
Guo Zigui pointed to a somewhat familiar-looking long sword hanging by the bed—Cai Zhao had seen a similar scabbard and hilt on Lei Xiuming’s wall. “This is the treasured sword Master gave me when I joined the sect. Please… help me return it!”
Cai Zhao was slightly surprised. Since their meeting, Guo Zigui had spoken softly and gently, but these last five words were said with unwavering determination.
Guo Zigui spoke deliberately, each word weighted: “I’ve disgraced the sect and am unworthy to be Master’s disciple. Please help me return this sword. Consider it my formal departure from the sect, no longer a disciple from this day forward!”
Cai Zhao seemed to understand and nodded in agreement.
Guo Zigui then pointed to a small box on the opposite table. “That’s for your mother. The Guo family of Jiangdong…” His expression turned pained. “Guo Jing is gone. This is all I have left. Consider it a belated dowry for your mother, to make up for all the mischief we caused together as children.”
Cai Zhao fought back tears and nodded firmly.
Having given these two instructions, Guo Zigui visibly weakened, as if his inner vitality had completely dispersed.
With a barely audible voice, he said, “One last thing… please take my ashes back to Jiangdong and scatter them at my parents’ grave.”
Cai Zhao was shocked. “Master Guo, why say such things? No matter how severe your internal injuries, with proper care, you’ll surely recover.”
Guo Zigui smiled weakly. “I’ve been clinging to life for years now. Living… is worse than dying. Don’t try to persuade me, Zhao Zhao.” He turned, his eyes pleading. “Brother Shi, my wishes are fulfilled. Let me go… please, let me go!”
Shi Tieqiao’s eyes filled with sorrow as he slowly cut off his energy transfer and removed his palm from Guo Zigui’s Baihui acupoint.
Guo Zigui instantly deflated like an empty goatskin raft, collapsing lifelessly. His mumbling became barely audible: “Father, Mother, your unfilial son has arrived. It’s my fault you both died…”
After a faint sob, Guo Zigui breathed his last.
Cai Zhao could no longer hold back, hot tears streaming down her face.
Mu Qingyan sighed softly, rising to help Shi Tieqiao use their internal energy to repeatedly stimulate Guo Zigui’s dantian and meridians.
Once they confirmed he was truly gone, Shi Tieqiao called for his daughter-in-law to begin the funeral preparations.
Martial artists didn’t typically observe elaborate rituals. When Cai Pingshu passed away, her body was only kept for three days before burial to accommodate those rushing to pay their respects. According to Cai Pingshu herself, death was like a candle being extinguished—the sooner buried, the sooner reborn, without unnecessary fuss.
Under the guidance of Shi Tieqiao’s daughter-in-law, the servants efficiently washed Guo Zigui’s body, combed his hair, dressed him, prepared his appearance, filled his mouth with white rice, and finally laid him on a simple iron stretcher covered with fragrant flowers. They then carried him to the brick kiln for cremation.
Watching the smoke slowly rise from the kiln, Shi Tieqiao couldn’t hold back his tears, choking with emotion. “This poor child, not even forty years old, never married or had children, not even a sweetheart!”
Though upset herself, Cai Zhao tried to distract him. “Elder Shi, what sect rule did Uncle Guo break that made Master Yin so determined to take his life?”
Shi Tieqiao angrily replied, “What rule-breaking! He was simply captured by the Demon Cult and surrendered under unbearable torture. You’ve examined Brother Zigui’s body. Ask him why Brother Zigui couldn’t recover from his illness for ten years!”
Mu Qingyan, appreciating the term “examined,” calmly answered, “Master Guo’s meridians throughout his body were forcefully severed one by one, and his dantian appears to have been repeatedly damaged by someone’s internal energy.”
Shi Tieqiao lamented, “Zigui was timid and afraid of pain since childhood. He wasn’t cut out for the front lines. Yet old Yin Dai, for the sake of his pride, insisted on sending out all seven-star disciples to ‘avenge Taichu Temple,’ forcing Zigui to go!”
Mu Qingyan frowned. “What does ‘avenge Taichu Temple’ mean?”
Cai Zhao asked, puzzled, “Where was Uncle Guo captured?”
Shi Tieqiao wiped away his tears and sat heavily on a stone stool. Frustrated, he explained, “Taichu Temple foolishly provoked the Demon Cult. First, the sect leader’s junior brother Canglong Zi died tragically. Then they lost their top disciple Wu Yuanying at Dinglu Mountain. Next, sect leader Canghuan Zi perished along with the Demon Cult’s Elder Yaoguang. Shortly after, the last remaining Cangqiong Zi fell victim to an ambush by Elder Yaoguang’s subordinates, losing the use of his legs.”
“I know about this!” Cai Zhao eagerly raised her hand. “My mother told me. It wasn’t Taichu Temple being reckless—earlier, my aunt had broken Chen Shu’s Five Poison Palm technique, saving many Taichu Temple disciples. Yin Dai felt humiliated and went to provoke Taichu Temple…”
Shi Tieqiao was speechless. “Little Feng, that silly girl, saying what shouldn’t be said and not saying what should! It wasn’t entirely Yin Dai’s provocation. Your aunt had already embarrassed Taichu Temple at the Six Sects Competition, and they’d been holding a grudge.”
Mu Qingyan scoffed. “Then what? Did Yin Dai lead everyone to seek revenge?”
“Exactly!” Shi Tieqiao exclaimed angrily. “After Taichu Temple suffered one setback after another, that old fool Yin Dai couldn’t save face anymore. So he ordered the elite forces of the six sects to attack the Demon Cult’s Youming Huangdao to vent their anger!”
“Starting a war out of anger doesn’t seem wise,” Cai Zhao commented.
Shi Tieqiao shouted, “Who says it wasn’t? Your aunt strongly opposed it at the time, saying Nie Hengcheng would surely be prepared if they attacked Youming Huangdao—but would Yin Dai listen to her?”
“So to set an example, Yin Dai sent out all seven of his disciples?” Cai Zhao asked skeptically.
Shi Tieqiao grunted in affirmation. “That’s right.”
“I see,” Mu Qingyan said, sweeping the dust at his feet with a tree branch. Catching Cai Zhao’s eye, he quickly changed the subject. “Who participated in the attack on Youming Huangdao that year?”
“Almost all of the younger generation went,” Shi Tieqiao replied. “Among the three elders of Qingque, Master Cheng Hao and Master Wang Dingchuan had already died capturing Elder Kaiyang. So, the Qingque Sect sent the most people. Peiqiong Manor and Guangmen also sent many, as both their old sect leaders were severely injured by Nie Hengcheng…”
Cai Zhao interjected, “Were they injured while testing Nie Hengcheng’s demonic skills?”
Shi Tieqiao nodded affirmatively before continuing, “Your aunt led the Luoying Valley group, along with us brothers. Lao Yang Yi from Siqimen sent half his forces, dispatching his son. Wang Yuanjing led the Taichu Temple group. Everyone pitied their heavy losses, so they were deliberately arranged to guard the rear.”
He pondered deeply, “Those who didn’t go… Well, Brother Yunke and Xiaochun were too injured to participate. My second brother was still pursuing his lover and hadn’t returned. Qiu Yuanfeng was wounded in the battle at Yangdinglu Mountain and couldn’t go. As for him… I can’t remember…”
The smoke above the brick kiln turned dark. Knowing they were now burning Guo Zigui’s remains, Cai Zhao feared it would sadden Shi Tieqiao. So, she asked, “Since we stormed their stronghold, Nie Hengcheng must have used all his deadly moves. Did we suffer heavy casualties?”
“We didn’t, because Nie Hengcheng was in seclusion at the time,” Shi Tieqiao smiled. “After breaking into Youming Huangdao, we split up… Well, I don’t know how many ways. My brothers and I followed Sister Pingsu, charging at the forefront. We fought fiercely for a while before returning.”
“Zigui wasn’t so lucky,” he sighed. “His senior brother Feng Yuantu was quite protective, arranging for him to follow the Taichu Temple group at the rear, ready to flee at the first sign of danger. Who knew they’d get lost while fighting and stumble into a pitch-black valley to the west? It was filled with stone pillars, caves, and cliff faces, like a maze. Shi statues of lions and leopards stood everywhere, snarling like infernal demons. Zigui was terrified and got separated from the Taichu Temple group. Feng Yuantu died in that battle; he was an honest man, such a pity.”
“Alas, Zigui would’ve been better off with us. Although we were at the front, when Sister Pingsu brandished her Blazing Sun Blade, standing firm against the wind, her imposing presence made even ghosts and spirits retreat! Unless Nie Hengcheng himself appeared, no one in the demonic sect could match her in combat! We just had to follow her lead and fight. It was exhilarating, truly exhilarating!”
Recalling these passionate events, Shi Tieqiao straightened up, his eyes gleaming. “Lu Chengnan later said he deliberately arranged for Zhao Ba and Han Yisu to avoid our route, fearing his senior brother would lose his life. Ha ha, hahaha!”
As he looked up, Shi Tieqiao noticed the thick black smoke above the kiln, and his mood plummeted.
Weeping, he continued, “Old Guo Er was a good man. When we brothers were young and fleeing from vengeful pursuers, we escaped to Jiangdong where Guo took us in. Although Zigui was carefree, he had a kind heart since childhood. Knowing we were injured, he wanted to buy all the ginseng and tiger gallbladders in the market for us.”
“He was gentle by nature, unsuited for martial arts and disliking violence. He should have been a nominal disciple at Peiqiong Manor, living an easy life. Somehow, he inexplicably became the last closed-door disciple of a major sect, unable to stay out of the limelight.”
“When Sister Pingsu rescued Zigui, he had been tortured beyond recognition. What’s wrong with surrendering or signing a surrender document? He didn’t harm anyone! Not everyone can be a great hero! I guess Yin Dai, knowing Zigui wasn’t dead, deliberately spread the word that ‘any Qingque disciple showing the slightest weakness or surrendering to the enemy would face death’!”
“He was hoping Zigui would quickly end his own life outside, rather than tarnish his reputation! This prevented Zigui from returning. Poor Old Guo Er soon died of a broken heart.”
Shi Tieqiao grew increasingly sorrowful, alternating between cursing Yin Dai and pitying Guo San.
Cai Zhao’s heart ached as she listened, and she cried along with him.
Mu Qingyan, however, knew that Yin Dai’s acceptance of Guo Zigui as a disciple wasn’t simple, but rather a complex internal struggle within the Northern Chen sects.
Yin Dai was indeed shrewd and capable, his cultivation surpassing the six sects. With the Qingque Sect’s dominance, Guangmen’s Song family as his relatives, Taichu Temple’s leader Canghuanzi as his close friend, and Siqimen’s Yang Yi as his subordinate, the six Northern Chen sects showed signs of merging.
He even subtly encouraged his second daughter to approach Zhou Zhizhen, the Zhou family’s only son. However, whenever he hinted at “young love” during banquets, Old Man Zhou would always brush it off.
Later, when the Cai siblings were orphaned, Yin Dai intended to adopt them as the leader of the premier sect. However, Old Man Zhou, armed with a marriage agreement written by Old Cai before his death, took the young siblings away first, foiling Yin Dai’s plans.
But Yin Dai wasn’t one to give up easily. Soon after, he traveled to Jiangdong and made a grand show of accepting Guo Zigui as his closed-door disciple.
Old Man Zhou dared not openly oppose him.
Mu Qingyan suddenly understood Cai’s feelings towards Zhou. If Old Man Zhou hadn’t acted first, who knows how Cai Pingsu, with her talents and temperament, would have been treated growing up in the Qingque Sect.
Of course, he refused to admit that his newfound leniency towards Zhou was due to Zhou Yuqi and Cai Zhao’s marriage falling through.
The fire in the brick kiln burned for two full hours, from dawn until midday.
When the kiln was opened, Shi’s eldest son led people to carry out the iron stretcher. Shi Tieqiao, teary-eyed, personally collected the ashes and placed them in a jade-inlaid purple sandalwood box, which he handed to Mu and Cai.
“Zhaozao, please ask your parents to offer incense to your aunt for me. Tell her we’re living well in Qiyin Village,” Shi Tieqiao said, his tiger-like eyes brimming with tears. “I remember her words: our children and grandchildren will have their fortune. When I pass away in a hundred years, I’ll let them dig up the gold and secret manuals, and they can decide whether to stay or leave. Then, I’ll go find her and my brothers in the underworld to catch up.”
Cai Zhao solemnly agreed.
After drinking a cup of medicinal wine, Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan both fell into a deep sleep.
When they awoke, they found themselves in the blacksmith shop in Taohua Village. The door was tightly shut, and dinner was laid out on the table. Guo Zigui’s long sword and Ning Xiaofeng’s dowry were neatly placed nearby, along with the bundle containing the ash urn.
Upon opening the door, villagers asked, “Why did the Qiao brothers leave so suddenly? Are you their relatives? Who will take over this shop?”
Mu and Cai realized that the Shi family had once again gone into hiding. They wondered where they would open their next blacksmith shop, or perhaps start a fragrant fried snack shop, leveraging Shi’s eldest daughter-in-law’s skills.