Cai Zhao and Fan Xingjia emerged from the inner room like drenched quails, heads lowered.
Fan Xingjia, showing loyalty, rushed to explain why they had snuck in through the back door, taking all the blame. Cai Zhao added, “Master, we truly didn’t intend to eavesdrop on you and the Master’s wife. We won’t tell anyone about it.”
Qi Yunke was both amused and exasperated. “It’s alright, I understand. Besides, what your Master’s wife and I discussed isn’t something that needs to be kept secret. Ah everyone knows the situation.”
His voice sounded tired and somewhat resigned. After being ambushed by Wu Gang and controlled by the Chaos Soul Needle for days, Qi Yunke appeared much thinner, with seemingly more gray hairs.
He slowly leaned back on the recliner. “Xingjia, what did your Uncle Lei say about Dalou’s injury?”
Fan Xingjia replied, “Uncle Lei said the poison has seeped into Senior Brother’s bones. He’ll need at least half a year to recover.”
Qi Yunke sighed, “As long as he can recover, that’s good. Dalou has suffered greatly this time… Chaochao, is your father feeling better?”
“He could move around yesterday, but my mother refused to believe Uncle Lei’s diagnosis. She cried and insisted that my father rest for a few more days, which infuriated Uncle Lei,” Cai Zhao said, suppressing a laugh.
“Xiaofeng has never liked listening to doctors since childhood,” Qi Yunke smiled. “Chaochao, your father’s quick rescue this time is largely thanks to you. It’s a pity that at such a young age, not even a month after joining the sect, you had to endure such hardships outside. If Pingchu knew, she’d surely shout, ‘What a terrible trap this master has set, run away quickly!'”
Fan Xingjia burst out laughing, and Cai Zhao joined in, “Master, your imitation is spot on. That’s exactly what Aunt would say.”
As the three were joking, a disciple announced Song Shijun and Zhou Zhizhen’s arrival.
Qi Yunke, sensing they had something to discuss, asked Cai Zhao and Fan Xingjia to leave. However, Song Shijun called Cai Zhao back. Qi Yunke immediately understood they wanted to question her.
After Fan Xingjia left, Song Shijun eagerly asked, “Chaochao, a few days ago in the medicine hut, you said that Thousand Faces Sect disciple was already dead. Is that true?”
Without missing a beat, Cai Zhao smoothly replied, “Of course it’s true. The Demonic Sect didn’t trust him and had given him a controlling drug. After I brought him down the mountain, the poison soon took effect. I didn’t have time to bring him back then. Without an antidote, he naturally died.”
“The Demonic Sect’s methods are quite effective,” Qi Yunke commented. “It’s better that he’s dead, saving us from further troubles. Shijun, don’t overthink it. Besides, the Snow Scale Dragon beast’s saliva Chaochao brought back has greatly benefited Yuzhi. Have you thanked her?”
Song Shijun grumbled, “What’s the use of verbal thanks? When I return this time, I’ll pick out a nice treasure to send to Chaochao. That’s real gratitude.”
Cai Zhao liked this, beaming as she said, “Thank you, Sect Leader Song. It’s a pity there isn’t much saliva left. Otherwise, Third Senior Brother might have fully recovered his skills.”
Song Shijun looked worried, shaking his head, “That small amount of saliva is enough to nourish Yuzhi’s meridians. The Snow Scale Dragon beast is cold, and Yuzhi is struck with the extremely cold Netherworld Chill. More wouldn’t help. I wonder how your aunt treated Old Shi back then. Even your parents don’t know the details. Yunke, you spent the most time with Cai Pingchu. Can you think back? Maybe you’ll remember something.”
Qi Yunke smiled bitterly, “I happened to be away when Shi Brother was injured. I don’t know.”
Song Shijun sighed helplessly, then turned to Zhou Zhizhen, “Hey, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Zhou Zhizhen looked solemn. After a moment, he said, “Chaochao, did you not go to the Great Snow Mountain in the Far North?”
“Of course not,” Cai Zhao replied with an innocent and frank expression. “I got the Snow Scale Dragon beast’s saliva from that Thousand Faces Sect disciple. Because the saliva counters the body-switching technique, Thousand Faces Sect members always secretly kept some to guard against each other. I brought all of their years of collection this time.”
“That makes sense,” Song Shijun agreed. “The more dishonest people are, the more they guard against each other. That body-switching technique is so evil that unless the person dies, it’s practically flawless. Besides, the Great Snow Mountain in the Far North is so far away. Even if Chaochao rode at full speed, a round trip would take at least a month. How could she return in just a few days?”
Zhou Zhizhen sighed, “I don’t doubt Chaochao’s words, but… alas, I fear Zhiqin might have met with trouble in the Great Snow Mountain.”
This statement startled the other three. Only one was genuinely surprised, while another feigned shock.
Zhou Zhizhen continued, “Last year, Zhiqin’s son Yulin died while away from home. Zhiqin never revealed where it happened. Shortly after, he left with Dongfang Xiao on a long journey, saying they needed to clear their minds. They didn’t even attend the Ancestor’s centennial death anniversary.”
“I didn’t want to say anything, understanding his grief over losing his beloved son. It wasn’t until Zhixian was ambushed on her way back that the clan elders urgently tried to locate Zhiqin to protect the estate. After inquiring with the Dongfang family’s old servant, we learned they might have gone to the Great Snow Mountain in the Far North.”
“So what?” Song Shijun asked, puzzled.
“Previously, Zhiqin would send a pigeon message every month to report his safety, but there’s been no news this month,” Zhou Zhizhen said, frowning deeply. “If I’m not mistaken, Yulin also perished in that Great Snow Mountain. Why else would Zhiqin travel so far to go there?”
Qi Yunke consoled him, “They say the Great Snow Mountain is treacherous. Wait a bit longer. Perhaps Zhiqin and his brother are trapped by snow and unable to send a message for now.”
Zhou Zhizhen nodded.
Cai Zhao lowered her head inconspicuously, secretly delighted.
On her way back from the Great Snow Mountain, she had already planned this. To protect Qianxue, Shenxue, and the five young beasts, the fewer people who knew about the situation on the mountain, the better. It was a pity she couldn’t expose Zhou Zhiqin and the others’ true nature, but their miserable deaths had avenged the Tao family.
As she left Qi Yunke’s room, she encountered Ding Zhuo approaching. Cai Zhao greeted him and was about to leave, but Ding Zhuo stopped her, bringing up the matter of a martial arts competition again.
Cai Zhao was exasperated. “Do we still need to compete?” You already know my abilities, she thought.
Ding Zhuo looked serious. “The purpose of martial arts competitions is to exchange skills and broaden our knowledge, not to determine a winner or loser. As long as we compete fairly, what does it matter who wins or loses? According to legend, the match between Qingfeng Observatory’s founding master and Fengzhou Han of the Sky-Flipping Palm…”
“Alright, alright, Senior Brother, please stop. I agree,” Cai Zhao hurriedly interrupted.
They agreed to compete in half a month.
Five days later, Cai Pingchun fully recovered. Lei Xiuming threatened Ning Xiaofeng that if she dared question his diagnosis again, he would add something to Cai Pingchun’s medicine to make him “rest longer” for real.
To prevent further incidents, Zhou Zhizhen insisted on personally escorting the Cai family of three back to Luoying Valley, along with over a dozen warrior monks sent by Changchun Temple to assist Master Juexing. This should ensure a safe journey.
As they were about to leave, Cai Han looked worried, like a little old man. When Cai Zhao asked why, he replied with a glum face, “Mother said Aunt was far-sighted back then, insisting that Sister practice martial arts. Now we see it has countless benefits. When we get back, she’ll push me to practice harder too.”
Cai Zhao laughed, “Practicing is tough, but you won’t have to eat vegetarian food anymore. That’s a good thing, right?”
Cai Han looked indignant. “Sister doesn’t know, Grandmother suddenly had an epiphany. Every day on this trip, she’s been giving me delicious food. It was quite nice staying with the Ning family. It’s all the Demonic Sect’s fault for causing trouble, making my future life difficult — from now on, I’m sworn enemies with the Demonic Sect!”
Cai Zhao replied, “…Alright.”
The next day, Song Shijun was also preparing to leave. Before departing, he kept nagging his son, repeating, “If you can’t fully recover, just come back to Guangtian Gate. I’ll take care of you for life.”
Song Yuzhi expressionlessly shook off his father’s hand. “Son’s martial power is damaged, but I’m not an invalid. Father, go get some sun and think more positively.”
In the following days, the martial arts world remained calm, and peace reigned within the sect.
Cai Zhao finally moved back to Chunling Cottage. As Qi Yunke had promised, it was comfortable and scenic. However, she still felt listless and unmotivated. When the kitchen steamed perch with scallion oil, they forgot to add ginger slices, and she ate it without complaint.
Fan Xingjia asked why she seemed absent-minded. She replied, “I’m worried.”
“Worried about what?” Fan Xingjia didn’t understand.
Cai Zhao explained, “There was a fluffy little duckling, quite cute but with a bad temper. I looked after it for a while, only to discover one day that it wasn’t a duck at all, but a snobbish white goose. Fine, it’s a goose, but then it insisted on venturing out into the world. Ah I’m worried. What if someone roasts and eats it?”
Fan Xingjia thought for a moment, believing he understood. He exclaimed in alarm, “You’re not thinking about Uncle Lei’s ducks, are you? Don’t even consider it! If you want a duck, ask someone to buy it in town. If you touch the master’s ducks, he’ll fight you to the death!”
Cai Zhao was speechless. She patted Fan Xingjia and walked away with a sigh.
That day, she sat alone in the empty Qingjing Study for a while. The recent arguments and laughter seemed to still echo in the room.
She finally made up her mind and, with renewed spirit, rushed to Chunling Cottage with her skirts flying. There, she saw the maidservants standing in the corridor, all blushing and shy.
As she approached, she saw Song Yuzhi standing in her courtyard, hands behind his back.
She invited her strikingly handsome Third Senior Brother into the house and personally served tea. Unexpectedly, Song Yuzhi asked, “Junior Sister Chaochao seems in much better spirits today. Have you finally decided to go to the Demonic Sect?”
Cai Zhao nearly hit her forehead on the table. She quickly got up to close the windows and doors, pulling Song Yuzhi to the inner room to talk.
“Senior Brother, please be careful with your words,” she said seriously. “Why would a disciple of a righteous sect casually go to the Demonic Sect?”
Song Yuzhi looked at her calmly. “Junior Sister Chaochao might not know, but while the martial arts world has been quiet these past few days, there’s been a lot of movement in the Demonic Sect. They’re recalling personnel from various locations — it seems something has happened to the Netherworld Bamboo Path.”
Cai Zhao’s heart tightened.
Song Yuzhi continued, “When I was young, I heard from my mother that before Nie Hengcheng, most Demonic Sect leaders had the surname Mu. It’s just that Nie Hengcheng’s influence was great, and he led the sect for so long that people gradually forgot about this. Chang Ning is likely from the Mu family.”
Cai Zhao remained silent for a long while before nodding. “When I went down the mountain to find the Snow Scale Dragon beast’s saliva, he helped me a great deal and even saved my life. If all is well with him, then that’s fine. But if he’s in trouble, I should at least repay his kindness.”
She looked up. “Will Senior Brother try to stop me?”
Song Yuzhi shook his head. “I want to go with you.”
“???” Cai Zhao was stunned, never expecting this response. “You… why do you want to go? Uh, Senior Brother doesn’t need to worry about me. I can protect myself.”
Song Yuzhi smiled self-deprecatingly. “With only half of my power left, how dare I claim to protect others?” He paused. “I want to find Chang Ning and borrow something from him.”
“What is it?”
“The Purple Jade Golden Sunflower.”
Cai Zhao looked confused. “What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”
Song Yuzhi explained, “It’s a Demonic Sect treasure, said to have been passed down from the Northern Chen Ancestor’s era. It has the effect of calming the mind and spirit, preventing one from going berserk during cultivation.”
“What does Senior Brother need this for?” Cai Zhao was still puzzled. “My aunt said that going berserk during cultivation is mostly due to insufficient skill, incomplete understanding, or similar issues — basically, personal shortcomings. Relying on external forces to avoid going berserk might result in future problems, even if you succeed in your cultivation. Abilities gained through one’s efforts are the most reliable and stable.”
Song Yuzhi’s well-shaped eyebrows raised slightly. “Well said. Your aunt’s insights are indeed extraordinary. However, I don’t intend to use the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower for cultivation, but for healing.”
Cai Zhao finally understood. “Can the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower help Senior Brother recover his martial power?”
“Correct.”
“How is Senior Brother so certain?”
“It can. Because your aunt once used the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower to restore Shi Xia’s martial power.”
“…” Cai Zhao was dumbfounded. After a while, she said, “No, I didn’t even know about this. How do you know?”
Song Yuzhi explained, “An elder in my family was struck by the Netherworld Chill and forcibly recovered, only to go berserk and die soon after. But Shi Xia lived well until the Tushan Battle. It wasn’t until after Nie Hengcheng’s death that he and his brother went into seclusion.”
“These past few days, I’ve been reviewing all the records from ten years ago. That year, after Shi Xia was struck by the Netherworld Chill, Lady Cai brought him to Qingque Sect for help. However, no one in the sect could do anything, so Lady Cai took Shi Xia away again. Surprisingly, just a month later, Shi Xia had recovered his martial power and even participated in the operation to suppress Elder Tianjixiao Duan Jiuxiu.”
“I carefully examined the events in the martial arts world during that month. The constant conflicts between righteous and evil factions continued, with nothing unusual. However, when I asked Uncle Li, he recalled something — around that time, Great Uncle Wang Dingchuan caught several Demonic Sect members trying to sneak up Mount Jiuli. Under interrogation, they revealed they were guards from the Demonic Sect’s treasure vault. Lady Cai had recently stolen the Demonic Sect’s treasure, the Purple Jade Golden Sunflower, and they had to recover it before Nie Hengcheng found out, or they would be sent to the God-Devouring Platform.”
“Considering the timeline, it wasn’t long ago that Heroine Cai took the treasure and left with Shi Hero,” said Song Yuzhi.
“What happened next?” Cai Zhao pressed.
“Nothing more,” Song Yuzhi replied.
Cai Zhao couldn’t believe it. “Did the matter just end there?”
“Of course not,” Song Yuzhi explained. “At that time, Nie Hengcheng was at the height of his power. How could he tolerate the Demonic Sect’s treasure being stolen right under his nose by Heroine Cai? However, the Demonic Sect didn’t pursue the matter further, nor did anyone seek out Heroine Cai again. If I’m not mistaken, after Shi Hero recovered, Heroine Cai returned the Purple Jade Golden Mallow without Nie Hengcheng ever noticing.”
Puzzled, Cai Zhao asked, “Even if Nie Hengcheng didn’t discover it, didn’t anyone else mention it?”
A subtle expression crossed Song Yuzhi’s solemn, heroic face. “Because it involved Heroine Cai, Grand-Uncle Wang Dingchuan didn’t inform Elder Yin or others. Thus, the matter was settled.”
“Oh, I see,” Cai Zhao nodded, cradling her teacup.
Song Yuzhi continued, “Heroine Cai is known for her integrity and righteous actions. Even with the Demonic Sect, she likely wouldn’t want to keep their treasure. After using the Purple Jade Golden Mallow, she probably returned it.”
Cai Zhao nodded vigorously. “Yes, that’s exactly like my aunt.”
“Therefore, I need to visit the Demonic Sect and ask Young Master Mu to lend us the Purple Jade Golden Mallow,” Song Yuzhi said, furrowing his brow slightly. “I hope he’ll be willing to lend it.”
“Of course, he should be willing,” Cai Zhao quickly replied. “He owes you a favor for the Snow Lotus Pill you gave him.”
“Showing kindness to gain favors isn’t the righteous way,” Song Yuzhi said, his eyebrows lifting slightly. His starry eyes dimmed, and his expression turned melancholic, like a bright moon sinking into deep, jade-green waters—so captivating it made one’s heart race.
Cai Zhao pressed her hand to her chest, urging him, “In the martial world, we shouldn’t worry about saving face. Recovering your abilities is most important; everything else can wait. Um, may I accompany you on this journey?”
Song Yuzhi’s eyebrows arched, his melancholy vanishing as he calmly asked, “Do you know how to get to the Ghostly Bamboo Path?”
Cai Zhao was immediately silenced.
“Perhaps you planned to ask for directions on the street?” Song Yuzhi inquired further.
Cai Zhao looked up at the ceiling, imagining:
“Excuse me, sir, do you know which direction the Demonic Sect’s headquarters is?”
“Pardon me, ma’am, could you tell me how to get to the Ghostly Bamboo Path? Did you hear me? ‘Ghostly,’ not ‘Oily’…”
The mental image was both amusing and slightly disheartening.
Song Yuzhi produced a small scroll from his sleeve and unrolled it for Cai Zhao to see. “This is a map I drew after researching the archives. It shows how to avoid many treacherous caves along the way.”
Cai Zhao was speechless.
Song Yuzhi then casually pulled out several gold-threaded, flower-pressed silver notes from his jacket. “We needn’t worry about travel expenses either.”
Cai Zhao remained silent.
She picked up the teapot and respectfully refilled Song Yuzhi’s cup, smiling obsequiously. “Third Senior Brother, let’s toast with tea to a smooth journey ahead.”
Later, Cai Zhao and Song Yuzhi left the mountain half a day apart.
The former left a note saying she wanted to emulate her aunt by exploring the martial world alone to gain experience.
The latter instructed his attendant to relay a message that due to his unsatisfactory recovery, he felt dispirited and wanted to clear his mind while searching for ways to regain his abilities.
They met outside Qingque Town.
Cai Zhao worried, “Do you think anyone will suspect we left together?”
“No,” Song Yuzhi replied confidently. “I deliberately waited until everyone discovered you had left, then had lunch with the other disciples before departing.”
“That’s good,” Cai Zhao said, still feeling uneasy and constantly looking back.
Song Yuzhi asked, “What’s wrong?”
Cai Zhao rubbed her head. “I feel like I’ve forgotten something.”
…
Ding Zhuo emerged from the inner chamber, smiling slightly. “Fifth Junior Brother, please prepare a fragrant bath for me tomorrow.”
“Certainly, certainly. So tomorrow is the day of the martial arts competition? Congratulations!” Fan Xingjia said, wiping sweat from his brow. “But Brother, there’s a small matter you should know about.”
“With the competition approaching, there’s no need to tell me about minor issues. It might distract me.”
“…This is something you must know.”
“Fifth Junior Brother doesn’t understand. What could be more important than tomorrow’s competition?”
“Your opponent has run away.”