A sudden change occurred at midnight, and Taichu Observatory lost another sect leader. Li Yuanmin was devastated and confused, while Qi Yunke and others took on the responsibility of handling Wang Yuanxing’s funeral and other subsequent matters.
While the observatory staff were preparing Cai Zhao’s room, Mr. and Mrs. Cai took her back to their quarters to talk. After closing the doors and windows tightly, with her husband guarding the door, Ning Xiaofeng pulled Cai Zhao to sit at the table.
“Explain clearly, what’s your relationship with that Mu fellow? Don’t try to deceive us!” Ning Xiaofeng demanded.
Cai Zhao stared at the jade lamp stand and sighed softly, “Actually, we had already agreed to part ways.”
Ning Xiaofeng, quick to catch the key points, narrowed her eyes, “To part ways, you must have been together before. And what do you mean by ‘had’? Has the situation changed now?”
Cai Zhao sighed again, “Mother, you’re so perceptive. Why ask so directly? It’s not good for harmony.”
Ning Xiaofeng poked her forehead forcefully, “Forget about harmony! The second biggest regret of my life is not thoroughly investigating your aunt’s relationship with that wild man she met. If I had, many tragedies might have been avoided! Now, don’t try to evade. Speak clearly!”
Cai Zhao rubbed her forehead, “What’s there to explain? You already know! We met when he was impersonating Chang Ning. He helped when Father and Master were in trouble, and I went to assist him when he returned to the Demonic Sect to confront Nie Zhe. Although I wasn’t much help, we agreed to settle our debts and have no future together.”
“Half a month ago, I came with my senior brothers to prepare for Master Chang’s memorial. Unexpectedly, he showed up too, claiming to look for clues about the true culprit… Later, when Zhou Yuqi made a fuss about breaking off the engagement, I ended up following him to search for clues.”
Cai Zhao felt she was being considerate by omitting the “human skin demon’s” manipulation of Zhou Yuqi’s decision to break the engagement, to avoid making her parents dislike him even more.
Suddenly, Cai Chunqiu, guarding the door, asked, “Zhaozao, do you like that person? How much?”
Caught off guard, Cai Zhao blushed deeply. As she stammered, trying to deflect, her father spoke gently, “Zhaozao, don’t be afraid. Tell us what’s in your heart. We’re your parents.”
Ning Xiaofeng stroked her hair, adding softly, “Your father is right. Our Luoying Valley doesn’t care about those vague distinctions between orthodox and evil. Haven’t there been plenty of scoundrels among the Northern Chen Six Sects?”
Filled with courage, Cai Zhao said quietly, “I do like him. I’m not sure how much.”
Ning Xiaofeng asked curiously, “How does he compare to Zhou Yuqi? You seemed quite excited about the engagement initially.”
Cai Zhao sighed helplessly, “Mother, it’s in comparison to Brother Yuqi that I understand what it means to like someone. I wasn’t even that upset about his entanglement with Min Xinrou all these years. I just thought I’d drive her away after we married to get even.”
“But if it were him…” the young girl became pensive, “If he dared to show the same care and concern for another girl… I’d never see him again in this lifetime!”
She spoke with unwavering determination, “I would never forgive him!”
This was something she had turned over in her mind many times. She’d rather eat dumplings without green onions for the rest of her life than tolerate the “human skin demon” having an inseparable cousin. However, once she understood this, it made her even more dejected.
Ning Xiaofeng and Cai Chunqiu exchanged glances, understanding these subtle feelings as experienced adults.
“What about that Mu fellow? Does he treat you the same way?” Cai Chunqiu asked calmly.
Cai Zhao replied bitterly, “He’s wanted to kill Brother Yuqi and my senior brother for a long time.”
Ning Xiaofeng snorted, “Earlier this evening, your master was still enthusiastically recommending your senior brother to us.”
“Oh, Master is…” Cai Zhao felt a bit frustrated, “At least Brother Yuqi knows what I like to eat and wear. As for the senior brother, he’s so handsome, but he still doesn’t know how to love someone. Forget it!”
“We can’t blame your master for being so anxious to find you a future husband. Your father and I only learned these past two days how deeply that person hurt your aunt,” Ning Xiaofeng said, biting her lower jaw with hatred in her eyes. “Your aunt didn’t have to die.”
Cai Zhao was shocked, “What do you mean?”
Ning Xiaofeng explained, “This matter is unfavorable to your aunt’s reputation. If you weren’t facing a similar situation now, your master wouldn’t have told us even on his deathbed. Back then, seeing Nie Hengcheng capturing and killing martial arts experts, your aunt couldn’t be without countermeasures. She, your master, and five other martial arts heroes secretly practiced a formation derived from the Big Dipper constellation.”
Cai Chunqiu continued, “The seven of them cultivated complementary martial arts. Once the formation was complete, even Nie Hengcheng would have struggled to resist it. But unfortunately…”
Ning Xiaofeng added bitterly, “Unfortunately, except for your aunt and your master, the other five were killed one by one before the decisive battle. We were puzzled at the time. They were all well-hidden, yet they were either ambushed in their hiding places by Demonic Sect minions or mysteriously lured out and killed.”
Cai Zhao felt as if she had swallowed ice water, trembling as she asked, “Is that why Aunt had to confront Nie Hengcheng alone?”
“Exactly,” Ning Xiaofeng gritted her teeth. “Your aunt said that since the formation couldn’t be completed, there was no point in risking your master’s life too. So she went to fight the demon alone.”
“Who… who betrayed those five heroes?!” Cai Zhao exclaimed.
Cai Chunqiu glanced at his wife and slowly said, “We suspected many people back then, even your Master Qi Yunke. However, your aunt said it wasn’t him because she never told him where those five heroes were hiding.”
Ning Xiaofeng snorted, “By then, your master had already been chosen as Yin Dai’s son-in-law. Your aunt was very cautious, fearing that your foolish master might let something slip to his future wife or father-in-law, so she simply didn’t tell him.”
“The matter was left unresolved at the time,” Cai Chunqiu looked towards the distant candlelight. “It was only a couple of days ago that your master told us your aunt had discovered who betrayed the five heroes and dealt with him.”
Cai Zhao asked with difficulty, “…Was it Aunt’s… that man she loved?”
Cai Chunqiu nodded slowly, “Your master had met that person. After the five heroes died, your master, in his naivety, wanted to seek that man’s help. Your aunt then told him that the man was already dead.”
“Who exactly was that person?” Cai Zhao asked indignantly.
Ning Xiaofeng sighed, “Your foolish master doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the name or background, just that he met him twice, that he was highly skilled in martial arts and seemed decent—bAh what decent person? Qi Yunke has been blind his whole life!”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, “Now we understand why your Aunt Pingxu left without looking back to kill Nie Hengcheng. That scoundrel had killed her sworn brothers. How heartbroken she must have been!”
Cai Chunqiu also sighed, “Brother Yunke has been remorseful ever since. He knew that man had connections with the Demonic Sect, but because of your aunt’s request, he didn’t tell anyone.”
Ning Xiaofeng wept softly, “Those two—one naive and foolish, the other blinded by first love—failed to see through that traitor’s true nature! If only they had told someone, or if your uncle or others could have warned them, they might not have been so terribly deceived!”
Cai Zhao hugged her mother’s shoulders, holding back tears, “Mother, let it go. If that person could fool Aunt, what could you and Father have seen through?”
Ning Xiaofeng wiped her tears and lamented, “How could we not have seen it? Your father and I are observant and attentive, unlike your aunt… Ah but then again, those with great skills often overlook minor schemes. They believe that strength overcomes all, and any underhanded tricks crumble before them. She knew Yin Qinglian was plotting against her, making her take the lead against the Demonic Sect, but she didn’t care.”
She sighed again, “It’s us weaker ones who know to be cautious everywhere. Back then, Yin Qinglian’s reputation for kindness spread far and wide, but she was never swayed by her sweet words.”
Cai Chunqiu looked at her steadily, “Zhaozao, pay attention. Your father isn’t asking about Mu Qingyan’s character. I’m reminding you to learn from the past and be extremely careful not to follow in your aunt’s footsteps.”
Cai Zhao felt bewildered.
She tossed and turned half the night, finally falling into a fitful sleep in the morning. After waking up in the afternoon, she went to town in the light rain to buy freshly roasted chicken for Fan Xingjia as compensation.
Fan Xingjia, munching on the chicken, mumbled, “You… and that person, you should give up. Whether he’s good or bad, Master and your parents won’t agree… It’s too difficult.”
Cai Zhao lowered her head in silence.
Ding Zhuo, polishing his sword nearby, added, “Senior brother seems quite good. Since both your engagements have been called off, you might as well marry him. Everyone would be happy with that.”
“What do you know about marriage? Go spend your life with your sword!” Cai Zhao threw a chicken bone at him.
Ding Zhuo’s wrist flicked, and his sword split the bone.
He said seriously, “I’m speaking reasonably. It’s like practicing martial arts – going with the flow makes things easier, while going against the current leads to difficulties and can even drive you mad. If you end up with Sect Leader Mu, what about Master and your parents? If the two sides fight in the future, how will we, as fellow disciples, even speak to each other?”
Cai Zhao dragged him out by his collar, “It’s such a beautiful day. Let’s have a duel!”
“Fine, I’ll accept a beating from you,” Ding Zhuo stood up, stretching his neck. “But let me finish first – if you marry senior brother, not only will the Northern Chen Six Sects – at least four of them – stand together in unity, but it will also resolve the grudges of our predecessors. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Cai Zhao released Ding Zhuo dejectedly and walked away with her head down. After a few steps, she encountered Qi Lingbo, radiant with joy, walking with Dai Fengchi.
Seeing Cai Zhao, Qi Lingbo stopped and deliberately spoke slowly, “Now that I’ve broken off the engagement with my senior brother, I’m not afraid to say anything. As for you, don’t tell me you’re planning to go with that Demonic Sect fiend? Who would have thought? Cai Pingxu fought against the Demonic Sect’s atrocities, but in the end, her niece wanted to collude with them. Haha, she must be rolling in her grave!”
Cai Zhao looked at her for a moment, imagining a hundred ways to teach this foul-mouthed senior sister a lesson.
In the end, she said nothing and quietly walked around them.
Dai Fengchi’s cautiousness was for naught as he and Qi Lingbo were left standing there, staring at each other in bewilderment.
As she crossed the courtyard, Song Yuzi stood tall, quietly waiting for her.
Cai Zhao said wearily, “What advice does a senior brother have now?”
Song Yuzi pondered for a moment, “…I think what Mu Qingyan said might not be false.”
Cai Zhao looked at him for a while, patted his shoulder, and walked away with a sigh.
As the rainy days continued, Cai Zhao’s mood grew increasingly low. She hid in her room, not even wanting to eat dinner.
The night watch had barely struck once when someone skillfully climbed through the window. His tall figure slid into the room like a swimming dragon, without making a sound.
He looked dazzling, his tightly bound waist belt accentuating his slender, beautiful waist. “Want some supper?”
Cai Zhao frowned, “No, take it back!”
Mu Qingyan lifted the bundle in his hand, “It’s what you like.”
Cai Zhao said proudly, “Tonight, Sect Leader Song ordered the best feast in town, but I still didn’t want to eat anything!”
Mu Qingyan smiled slightly, “It’s crab roe soup dumplings and chicken porridge.”
Cai Zhao: …
“Fresh June blue crabs with golden roe, tender chicken, and young ginger porridge.”
Cai Zhao: (?^?)
Mu Qingyan watched the young girl eating eagerly, resting his long elbow on the table edge.
“You’re making such an ugly face. Did your master say bad things again?” he asked casually. “Last time it was the human skin demon, what is it this time?”
Cai Zhao finished the last dumpling and started on the porridge, “Master said it was that human skin demon from back then who caused my aunt to face Nie Hengcheng alone on Tushan Mountain.” She briefly explained the situation.
“Not just those five heroes, but several of my aunt’s brothers who were previously captured and killed by Nie Hengcheng were also secretly betrayed by that human-skin demon,” she sighed. “Imagine how heartbroken and remorseful my aunt must have been when she discovered her loved one had harmed her brothers…”
“What does this have to do with me?” Mu Qingyan narrowed his eyes. “I’ve made it clear to you, if you dare to misdirect your anger at me, I’ll find someone else to vent on – with those surnamed Song and Zhou at the top of the list.”
Cai Zhao was speechless, “Can’t you speak without threatening? Don’t you know how to win people over with virtue?!” She poked at her porridge bowl, “Of course, you’re lacking in virtue, so I guess there’s no helping it.”
Mu Qingyan picked up the empty porridge bowl, snorting coldly, “Aren’t you turning on me a bit too quickly?”
Cai Zhao glared at him sideways.
Mu Qingyan became alert, “Why are you looking at me like that? You haven’t believed those ghost stories your master made up, have you?”
Cai Zhao grumbled, “That human skin demon from back then also risked his life several times to help my aunt. Turns out he invested heavily upfront to reap more benefits later. If you’ve deceived me and made up some story about a mastermind behind the scenes, I really wouldn’t be able to tell.”
Mu Qingyan said coldly, “Should I cut out my heart and liver for you to see?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Cai Zhao looked troubled. “It’s all because of that bastard who hurt my aunt back then. Now whenever I mention you to my parents or master, their faces turn more bitter than yellow gentian. My poor aunt, she spent her life as a righteous hero, invincible in all directions, only to encounter a heartless person whose ancestors must have accumulated no virtue for eight generations…”
Mu Qingyan was about to make a sarcastic remark when his expression suddenly changed, “Someone’s coming!”
Before Cai Zhao could react, the sound of torches and heavy footsteps filled the air outside.
Qi Yunke’s stern voice came from outside, “Sect Leader Mu, since you’ve graced us with your presence, why not come out and meet us?”
Cai Zhao’s mouth fell open, “Oh no, they knew you were coming and set a trap for you!”
Mu Qingyan, seemingly unconcerned about his safety, grabbed the girl’s ear and kept instructing her, “Remember this well, if they force you to choose sides later, you must not betray me!”
Cai Zhao was exasperated, “Are you being reasonable? Do you expect me to betray my parents and master?”
A hint of cruelty flashed in Mu Qingyan’s eyes, “In any case, if you betray me, don’t blame me for being ruthless and breaking the rules later!”
Cai Zhao angrily shook off his hand and went to open the door.
Outside, the courtyard was lit up like daylight by fifty or sixty torches. Disciples from various sects surrounded the area, with Qingque Sect disciples forming the inner circle, Peiqiong Manor disciples on the outer layer, and Guangmen disciples stationed in trees or on rocks with bows and arrows at the ready. Everyone had their weapons drawn, vigilantly on guard.
Cai Zhao stood at the doorway, apologizing, “Master, why have you come?”
Qi Yunke’s face was as stern as water, not saying a word.
Beside him stood Zhou Zhizhen, stroking his beard and shaking his head with sighs, along with Mr. and Mrs. Cai, who looked very uncomfortable.
Song Shijun stepped forward, speaking in a tone of deep concern, “Zhaozao, you’re young and don’t understand how treacherous the Demonic Sect is. We can’t let you continue with this foolishness. Step aside and let the adults handle this matter.”
He then raised his voice, “Sect Leader Mu, aren’t you coming out yet? Don’t worry, we won’t turn you into a porcupine before we’ve cleared things up, haha…”
As he was laughing heartily, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind him – “Sect Leader Song, be careful not to bite your tongue in this strong wind!”
Cai Zhao was startled – it was You Guanyue’s voice!
The disciples quickly turned around to see dozens of black shadows that had quietly climbed onto the wall tops, each holding several dark, round iron eggs. Zhou Zhizhen said gravely, “They’re holding Rainstorm Thunder. Be careful to avoid the poison needles!”
The Guangmen disciples immediately turned their bows and arrows, facing off against the black-clad figures on the wall. Half of the Qingque Sect and Peiqiong Manor disciples continued to focus on the door, while the other half guarded against the black-clad intruders.
At that moment, the door opened again, and Mu Qingyan appeared nonchalantly.
With a cold expression, he stood with one hand behind his back. “What guidance do the esteemed sect leaders have for me?”
Qi Yunke, seething with anger, shoved Song Shijun aside and stepped forward. “Mu, you and Zhao—”
But after uttering six words, his voice abruptly stopped.
Everyone found this strange and turned to look at him. They saw an expression of extreme shock on Qi Yunke’s face, his eyes staring fixedly ahead.
In the bright lamplight, Mu Qingyan stood tall and slender, his demeanor cool and aloof, as proud and beautiful as the moon above.
From any angle, he was an exceptionally handsome man. Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng looked at him particularly closely, understanding after a few glances why someone might be captivated by him.
However, Qi Yunke looked as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes filled with disbelief, his throat making choking sounds as he struggled to speak, seemingly frozen in place.
“Master, Master, what’s wrong?!” Song Yuzhi called out anxiously.
“You… it’s you…” Qi Yunke pointed a trembling finger at Mu Qingyan. “Your father is Mu Zhengming? So it’s Mu Zhengming?”
“Master, what are you saying?” Song Yuzhi asked, confused.
A sense of unease rose in Cai Zhao’s heart.
“So it was your father, Mu Zhengming!” Qi Yunke suddenly roared. “It was him who killed Zhuge Zhengming and the other four, as well as our brothers before!”
These words, while others might not have understood, the Cai family and Mu Qingyan immediately grasped their meaning.
“What did you say?!” Ning Xiaofeng shrieked. “You’re saying that man is this youngster’s father?”
Cai Pingchun’s voice trembled, “Brother Yunke, what are you saying?”
Qi Yunke’s eyes were bloodshot, glaring at Mu Qingyan like a predator. “It’s him, that face, the same face and figure! I’d never forget it, not even in death or the next life! The Mu family, father and son, who else could it have been twenty years ago if not him?!”
Song Shijun still didn’t understand.
Zhou Zhichen, however, turned pale, having guessed something.
Cai Zhao suddenly turned her head, looking helplessly at the person beside her.
Mu Qingyan, seeing the hatred and fear in the child’s eyes, felt a surge of shock and anger. He shouted, “Nonsense! My father would never be such a vile and treacherous person! He’s always been upright and honest, never even leaving the Hanhai mountain range. How could he have gone out to deceive and harm people?!”
“No more talking with him!” Qi Yunke, now completely unhinged, leaped forward with his palm outstretched. “Capture this scoundrel!”
Mu Qingyan stepped forward to meet him, about to counter with both palms when he caught sight of the pale and trembling child from the corner of his eye. He diverted his palm strike away from Qi Yunke and instead grabbed a pair of giant stone locks from the ground, hurling them into the air.
Qi Yunke, midair, had to shift his position to avoid the stone locks.
You Guanyue, seeing the situation turning dire, shouted, “Cult Master, retreat for now!”
Mu Qingyan nodded slightly.
In an instant, dozens of thunderbolt darts rained down. The small courtyard was engulfed in smoke, rocks shattered, and countless fine needles scattered among them. The disciples scrambled to dodge, cursing loudly.
When the smoke cleared, the cult members had all fled.
The four sect leaders could have pursued Mu Qingyan, but the thunderbolt darts posed a lethal threat to the many disciples in the courtyard.
Cai Pingchun first protected his wife, while Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhichen, and Song Shijun had no choice but to use their palm techniques to deflect the rain of fine poisoned needles, striving to protect their disciples.
Despite their efforts, groans of pain filled the courtyard. Many disciples who weren’t quick enough to dodge were struck by the needles. Fortunately, after extracting the needles with magnets, they found them to be non-poisonous, much to everyone’s relief.
Before Mu Qingyan fled, he pushed the stunned and helpless Cai Zhao into the room with a backward palm strike, ensuring her safety.
Navigating through the groaning crowd, she approached Qi Yunke in the corner like a lost soul and knelt beside him. “Master, please tell me, that man… was that his father, Mu Zhengming?”
Qi Yunke looked at the young girl kneeling by his legs, pale and frail, as delicate as a mayfly, seeming as if a single breath could wither her.
Tears welled up in his tiger-like eyes. “About your aunt’s matter, how could I lie? It was that face, I’ve seen it twice.”
“The first time was our initial encounter. My skills were still shallow then. While pursuing Zhao Ba’s henchmen, we fell into a trap. Your aunt came to our rescue. As we were struggling in battle, that man appeared and lent us a hand.”
It was also a summer night, the moon bright, its clear light filling the valley.
A tall, handsome young man descended from above, his moves graceful, dispatching the remaining henchmen as easily as cutting melons. Though it was his first meeting with Cai Pingzhu, they coordinated as if they were old friends.
Young Qi Yunke, nursing his injured arm, watched in amazement.
His rough appearance aside, even his sworn sister Cai Pingzhu was merely pretty. But this man before him was extraordinary. Qi Yunke hated his crudeness and lack of words to properly describe this man who was as captivating as the bright moon. Even the aggressive arrogance on his face seemed exceptionally noble.
After the battle, Cai Pingzhu, sword in hand, went about stabbing the injured and immobile cult members one by one, showing no mercy even to those kneeling and begging for their lives.
When she looked up, she found the young man staring at her. She straightened her neck and asked, “What? Think I’m too cruel?”
Qi Yunke, of course, knew that the cruel ones weren’t his sworn sister, but Zhao Ba’s henchmen.
Merely to recapture a few escaped slaves, they had massacred an entire village, not sparing even nursing infants. When Cai Pingzhu learned of this, her eyes had turned red with anger. She immediately led her brothers to retaliate, vowing to leave none alive.
That battle nearly wiped out Zhao Ba’s trusted generals, after which he no longer dared to act so recklessly.
However, even if all the villains were killed, it couldn’t bring back the villagers.
Cai Pingzhu, still a young girl then, felt deeply troubled.
The handsome young man replied to her question: “No, young lady, you’re not cruel at all. On the contrary, I’d like to offer you four words—”]
“Qingfeng liehumo,” Qi Yunke spat these four words through gritted teeth, clutching his chest as his qi and blood surged.
Cai Zhao felt her heart stop.
[“Qingfeng liehumo,” the handsome young man said, his tone both gentle and sincere, his eyes sparkling like stars. “A cool breeze sweeps the mountain ridge, fierce flames consume the demons—it perfectly suits your character.”
The usually carefree and unrestrained girl paused for a moment, then grabbed the injured Qi Yunke and left.
Young Qi Yunke, however, was deeply moved. He knew that many in the jianghu respected and feared his sworn sister, but few truly understood her. He felt this young man who had come to their aid was worth befriending.
Of course, that was just the beginning.]
Qi Yunke leaned against the wall, tears falling. “If I hadn’t been so useless, your aunt might never have met that man. I was blind not to see that he was a demon in human skin!”
He paused, then spoke with determination, “Pingzhu, I won’t let Zhao-Zhao end up like you!”
Cai Zhao knelt motionless on the ground as if the world around her had suddenly fallen silent, leaving her alone.