Finally capturing the two young troublemakers, the Northern Chen group rushed day and night towards Mount Jiuli. Qi Yunke was eager to enforce the sect rules, Cai Pingchun was anxious to apply family discipline, and Song Shijun was desperate to restore his son’s abilities. After some squabbling, Song Shijun’s booming voice prevailed.
In the medicine hut, Song Yuzi sat cross-legged, meditating quietly with his hands clasped around the ice jade. Qi Yunke, Cai Pingchun, and Song Shijun extended their palms, hovering them over Song Yuzi’s three major acupoints: the Baihui on his head, the Tanzhong on his chest, and the Fengmen on his back. They began to channel their qi steadily.
The simultaneous energy release from the three Northern Chen masters was extraordinarily powerful. This surging force, like rolling waves, rushed through Song Yuzi’s body. If this energy had directly hit his dantian, it would have certainly dispersed the gloomy cold qi lingering there. However, it would have inevitably damaged his dantian and meridians throughout his body.
Following Lei Xiuming’s instructions, Song Yuzi carefully guided the three elders’ qi towards his right palm, then through the ice jade to his left palm. From there, he directed it through the Tianxi and Qimen acupoints towards his dantian. This process tempered the originally scorching and conflicting energies, allowing them to merge seamlessly into his dantian, becoming mellow and nourishing.
Beads of sweat formed on Song Yuzi’s forehead as he slightly separated his palms, suspending the ancient ice jade between them. Under the intense pressure of the qi, the jade emitted a faint hum.
As the incense on the table gradually burned out, a sudden, sharp crack of shattering jade rang out. Cai Pingchun, standing closest to Song Yuzi, was the first to notice. He called out “Stop!” – and the three masters immediately withdrew their qi and began to regulate their breathing.
Simultaneously, several crisp sounds of jade pieces hitting the ground echoed through the room. The supposedly “hardest and toughest” ancient ice jade had shattered into several pieces, scattering on the floor.
Song Yuzi was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
Qi Yunke said in a deep voice, “Yuzi, don’t slack off. Quickly apply the cultivation techniques from the first three chapters of the ‘Marrow Cleansing Scripture’ to heal yourself and nurture your meridians and dantian.”
At this moment, Song Yuzi was completely drained, and on the verge of collapse. However, having been resilient since childhood, he immediately gritted his teeth and began cultivating upon hearing these words.
Song Shijun examined the shattered ice jade on the ground. “It seems that demonic cult rascal was honest. This ice jade is indeed a rare treasure in the world.”
Seeing that the gloomy grey qi that had lingered for months in Song Yuzi’s brow had receded, despite his pale complexion, Qi Yunke felt relieved. Taking advantage of Song Shijun’s unwillingness to leave the medicine hut, he quickly pulled Cai Pingchun away to interrogate their unworthy disciple, Cai Zhao.
Having already endured a scolding from Ning Xiaofeng, Cai Zhao now faced her father and master. She recounted her experience with the demonic cult in detail, omitting only the private moments between her and Ning Xiaofeng and the secrets from the snowy ridge. She revealed almost everything else.
It was rare for Cai Zhao to tell so much truth at once.
“So, obtaining the Snow Scale Dragon Beast’s saliva was all thanks to that boy’s help?” Qi Yunke asked.
“More or less,” Cai Zhao replied.
“And you went after the demonic cult to repay him for saving you?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t much help.”
“Were you treated well?”
“…Very well.”
“Do you think this boy might have ulterior motives?”
“Whether he does or not is irrelevant to me. I won’t be seeing him privately again anyway.”
Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng exchanged glances, both detecting the bitter melancholy in their daughter’s voice. The scolding that had been on the tips of their tongues dissipated. Surprisingly, Qi Yunke, who had been the most anxious earlier, now sat quietly to the side after hearing Cai Zhao’s story. He stared blankly at the ground, lost in thought, only snapping out of it when Ning Xiaofeng called his name several times.
“Little Zhao, come here,” Qi Yunke said, pointing to a small stool in front of him.
Cai Zhao obediently went over and sat down.
“After this adventure, do you feel that not everyone in the demonic cult is a monster? That there might even be some exceptionally righteous individuals among them?” Qi Yunke asked in a gentle tone.
Cai Zhao nodded.
“Do you remember the ‘Painted Skin’ story that Pingxu used to tell you when you were little?”
Cai Zhao nodded again and said, “It’s about a type of bloody, faceless demon that craves human hearts and livers, and habitually wears human skin to deceive people.”
Qi Yunke continued, “When wearing human skin, these demons appear no different from ordinary people. They enjoy operas, appreciate wine, and engage in lively conversations. They laugh at amusing parts in stories and become indignant at outrageous events. They might even wait two hours outside a restaurant just to buy a freshly roasted pigeon to satisfy their cravings.”
Cai Zhao’s eyes widened, her mouth agape.
Qi Yunke went on, “After spending time together, the demon might even reveal its true identity. One might then secretly pity it – being born a demon wasn’t its choice, so how could one hate it indiscriminately?”
Ning Xiaofeng listened, her eyes glazing over, while Cai Pingchun slowly straightened his posture.
“Before revealing its bloody fangs, it might even be more understanding and pleasant than real humans.”
Qi Yunke’s eyes reddened, “Yes, it will eventually show its fangs. It will eventually eat people.”
“The painted skin demon may not intend to do evil, but its very existence is ‘evil.’ If it doesn’t eat hearts and livers, it will die. The paths of humans and demons are fundamentally different, and we are, after all, human. Zhao Zhao, would you be willing to let this demon eat the hearts and livers of your family and friends?”
Cai Zhao understood the meaning behind Qi Yunke’s words. Fighting back tears, she shook her head vigorously, “Master, I won’t see him again!”
Qi Yunke smiled wearily but with relief, “Zhao Zhao has always been a good girl. Remember your master’s words – it will eventually eat people.” With that, he sent Cai Zhao to rest.
After watching their sobbing daughter leave, Ning Xiaofeng glanced at her husband. Cai Pingchun understood and carefully broached the subject, “Elder Brother Yunke, back then…”
“Ask me,” Qi Yunke covered his face with one hand and said softly, “Little Chun, ask me. I know nothing, and you’ve asked nothing.” Suddenly noticing the deep spring colors outside the window, he raised his head absentmindedly, “It’s this time of year already. Pingxu loved this season the most. The harsh winter is gone, and it’s time to pack up and set out on adventures.”
Seeing his state, the Cai couple felt it inappropriate to press further and rose to take their leave.
As they were about to exit, Qi Yunke called out to them, “Regarding Zhao Zhao’s affair with that demonic cult rascal, let it remain known only to us. I’ll inform Yuzi myself. I promised Pingxu to ensure Zhao Zhao’s lifelong happiness and well-being. Therefore, Zhao Zhao must never be subject to criticism from others.”
Seeing Qi Yunke’s body filled with hidden pain and dejection, Ning Xiaofeng choked up and said, “Elder Brother Yunke, Sister Pingxu has been gone for three years. You… you’re suffering too much…”
“Don’t worry, the worst of the suffering is over,” Qi Yunke waved his hand. “You should go rest now.”
Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng exchanged glances and sighed, silently walking hand in hand to their quarters. However, just as they reached their door, it swung open on its own. Two small, pale hands reached out and unceremoniously pulled the couple inside. Fortunately, Cai Pingchun recognized his daughter’s hands; otherwise, he would have employed a joint-breaking technique.
“What’s this? Have you come to apologize for your grave mistake?” Cai Pingchun’s face hardened as he pulled his wife to sit beside him.
Cai Zhao, wide-eyed, asked, “If I apologize, will you spare me from punishment, Father?”
“Dream on!” Cai Pingchun slammed his hand on the table.
Smiling sheepishly, Cai Zhao replied, “Exactly! I knew I’d be punished either way, so what’s the point of apologizing? Of course, I wouldn’t do that. You’ve misunderstood me, Father.”
“…” Cai Pingchun paused. “Then why are you here?”
Ning Xiaofeng coolly remarked, “Probably to ask about Sister Pingchu.”
Cai Zhao gave a thumbs up. “Mother, you’re truly brilliant!”
While grinning obsequiously, he poured tea for his parents from the hot teapot he had brought. “Father, Mother, you heard what Master said earlier, right? His eyes were red; I’m sure there’s more to the story of the skin-changing demon than he let on!”
Setting down the teapot, he sat on a small stool nearby. “Father, Mother, tell me, did Aunt encounter a skin-changing demon years ago?”
Cai Pingchun frowned. “The affairs of elders shouldn’t be…”
“Even if you won’t tell me, I’ll find out from other sources,” Cai Zhao maintained his smile.
“Let’s just tell her,” Ning Xiaofeng sighed, knowing her daughter’s nature all too well. “The truth is…”
Cai Zhao leaned forward, ears perked.
“…we don’t know much either,” Ning Xiaofeng admitted.
“Mother!” Cai Zhao exclaimed.
Cai Pingchun interjected, “Stop shouting. Your mother’s telling the truth. However…” He glanced at his wife. “Your aunt used to take your mother everywhere she went. But later, she made excuses about the places being too dangerous and stopped bringing her along.”
“At first, I thought Sister Pingchu had met a girlfriend, so I dragged your father around the world looking for her!” Ning Xiaofeng recalled, still indignant. “But later, I realized it probably wasn’t a girl. If Sister Pingchu had met someone, it was likely a man.”
“How do you know it was a man, Mother?”
“It’s simple. When Sister Pingchu was with me, she’d always find me the prettiest hair ornaments, the most fragrant cosmetics, the most flattering fabrics… Ah she doted on me so much, I couldn’t refuse even if I wanted to.” Ning Xiaofeng’s face flushed with pride, suddenly looking a decade younger.
Cai Zhao turned to her father. “Father, look at Mother.”
Cai Pingchun maintained his stern expression. “What are you looking at? Your mother’s not wrong. Don’t change the subject.”
Cai Zhao: Alright, I’ll be quiet.
“But during those two years, your aunt stopped buying jewelry and cosmetics. Instead, she asked the Shi brothers to forge a pair of dark iron gauntlets. Judging by their size, they were meant for a man,” Ning Xiaofeng recalled.
Cai Zhao straightened up. “So, Aunt did…” Could Mu Qingyan’s guess be right?
“I don’t know the whole truth,” Ning Xiaofeng shrugged. “You know your aunt’s personality. If she didn’t want to talk, no one could get anything out of her.”
Cai Zhao was stunned for a moment. “…Then Uncle Zhou must have suffered greatly.” Despite her love for her aunt, she couldn’t help but feel for Zhou Zhizhen’s unrequited devotion. “When Aunt passed away three years ago, Uncle Zhou even coughed up blood.”
Ning Xiaofeng sighed, “Indeed, it was heartbreaking.”
Everyone knew Cai Pingchu’s life was cut short, her health deteriorating for years. Yet when her pulse finally stopped, Zhou Zhizhen was still overwhelmed with grief, stumbling outside to vomit blood repeatedly.
“I think…” Cai Pingchun suddenly said, “Zhou probably knew about this back then.”
“What?!” Ning Xiaofeng and Cai Zhao exclaimed in unison.
Cai Pingchun explained, “Although no one knows what my sister did alone during those two years, I believe Zhou sensed something. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have married and had children so quickly.”
Ning Xiaofeng looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Cai Zhao felt a twinge in her heart. “Uncle Zhou knew Aunt loved someone else and felt guilty about it. To ease her guilt, he followed her advice to marry and start a family.”
Cai Pingchun nodded with a sigh. “Zhao is right.” Despite appearing slow-witted, he had long ago pieced together this hidden truth, which was why he never blamed Zhou Zhizhen for remarrying so quickly after Cai Pingchu became bedridden.
“So that’s it,” Ning Xiaofeng realized. “No wonder I never felt Zhou had wronged Sister Pingchu.”
Though not as perceptive as her husband, her intuition was sharp. She had sensed something in the way the Cai siblings treated Zhou Zhizhen, which was why she had always been especially kind to him.
“Who was that person? Were they unkind to Aunt?” Cai Zhao felt a pang in her heart.
Ning Xiaofeng replied, “Qi Yunke called him a skin-changing demon, so he must not have been a good person. But Master just said he wasn’t sure either. I don’t think he was trying to brush us off; he probably only knew bits and pieces.”
“Is that person still alive? Where could he be?” Cai Zhao wondered silently.
“Zhao,” Cai Pingchun said, “Did you take Master’s words to heart?”
Cai Zhao looked up, meeting her father’s knowing gaze, then lowered her head. “I did, Father.”
“Good!” Ning Xiaofeng emphasized. “Although Master may be indecisive and lacking in resolve, his love is genuine. Don’t do anything to disappoint your elders.”
Cai Zhao hung her head as if weighed down by an enormous burden.
Cai Pingchun spoke earnestly, “Zhao, you’ve always been clever. At two or three, you never stepped on a spot where you’d fallen before. Before you turned four, when we told you Sichuan cornel was very spicy, you wouldn’t even try a bite.”
Ning Xiaofeng sighed, “Yes, your aunt was particularly pleased then. She said Zhao wasn’t the type to seek out trouble, and would surely lead a smooth, comfortable life.”
“Father, Mother, you don’t need to say more,” Cai Zhao lifted her head. “I’ll gradually forget the past few months. If not in a day, then in two; if not in two, then in a month or a year. I still have three years at Qingque Sect. I’ll forget everything by then.”
Cai Pingchun looked at his sensible daughter and sighed inwardly. “I’ve heard that the Demon Cult Lord has helped many people. Perhaps this debt of gratitude should…”
Cai Zhao cut him off decisively, “If I’m to make a clean break, it should be complete. Let’s not speak of debts or gratitude. If the opportunity arises in the future, I’ll repay it then.”
“What if the opportunity never comes?” Ning Xiaofeng couldn’t help but ask.
“Then I’ll let it go unpaid.”
The beautiful young girl’s usually smiling face now showed an almost cold determination and resolve.
Ning Xiaofeng’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly reminded of the night before Cai Pingchu decided to kill Nie Hengcheng.
In the pouring rain, under a starless sky, she had tearfully begged Cai Pingchu to find more help, insisting she shouldn’t go alone.
Cai Pingchu smiled bitterly and asked, “Who can I ask for help? Brother Meng Chao was hacked to death, Miao Jianshi died from countless arrows, the entire Zhuge Lie family of over ten people was left with no bodies to bury, the Five Yous were wiped out, and the Shi brothers were still severely injured, not to mention all the brothers who died at the hands of the Demon Cult before…”
“But there’s still Brother Qi, and Brother Zhou, and me and Xiaochun…” Ning Xiaofeng had sobbed incoherently.
“Zhou Zhuangzhu is bedridden with old wounds and can’t leave Peiqiong Manor. Xiaochun must guard Luoying Valley to prevent the Demon Cult from taking advantage. As for Yunke…” Cai Pingchu had shaken her head with a bitter smile. “Forget it, what difference would one more person make? After Nie Hengcheng is brought to justice, the righteous path of the martial arts world will need successors.”
“What can we do? Are you going to your death? No, no, I won’t allow it! Let’s hide away. Nie is old now. We can hide in the deep mountains until he dies, okay?” Ning Xiaofeng’s tear-stained face had been contorted with anguish.
“Nie Hengcheng has already declared that he’ll slaughter any clan or sect that dares disobey him. Every day he lives, more innocent people will die needlessly,” Cai Pingchu had gently consoled her. “Don’t worry, Xiaofeng. My life is precious. I won’t die without taking Nie Hengcheng with me.”
“Is there no one who can help?” Ning Xiaofeng had refused to give up, desperately grasping at straws. “What about… what about the person who sent the dark iron gauntlets?”
Cai Pingchu’s calm expression had seemed to crack slightly. After a long pause, she said, “That person… no longer exists in this world.”
Ning Xiaofeng remembered clearly that Cai Pingchu’s face had shown the same almost cold determination and resolve then.