The night was deep, and a chilly mist hung over the mountains. Inside the guest room, however, it was warm and dry. A silent warmth flowed slowly through the thick stone walls and floor, quietly permeating the entire Muwei Palace. It was said that years ago, the North Chen Patriarch had an old servant skilled in mechanical engineering. While others were obsessed with adorning palace beams and jade steps with gold and jewels, he quietly built these hidden conduits behind the stone walls.
In cold winters, they channeled in hot springs, and in sweltering summers, they switched to cool spring water, keeping the palace comfortable year-round.
Cai Han rolled over slightly, mumbling incomprehensibly. One chubby little arm and half a shoulder dangled off the bed. Cai Zhao estimated that with just a slight shift of his plump little bottom, he would inevitably roll onto the floor. Suppressing a chuckle, she gently pushed the little chubby boy towards the inner side of the bed.
Sitting by the bedside, Cai Zhao gazed at her younger brother’s steady breathing.
Since she could remember, she had always thought she was her aunt’s child, and those called “Dad” and “Mom” were kind neighbors who often brought treats and toys to visit. It wasn’t until she went out to play and heard other children calling their parents that she vaguely understood that “Dad” and “Mom” were her birth parents. Her first childhood worry was that if she was her parents’ child, then her aunt wouldn’t have a child of her own.
When Cai Han was born, she was secretly happy for a long time, feeling that her aunt and parents would no longer need to feel guilty towards each other.
Placing her palm on the chubby boy’s chest, feeling the lively heartbeat beneath, Cai Zhao suddenly thought of the “future sect leader” of Sigui Gate she had seen earlier that day. Even she, with no medical knowledge, could see that the child was born weak with damaged meridians, barely sustained by precious medicines and human effort.
Over the past two hundred years, the Six Sects of North Chen have undergone many changes.
Qingque Sect and Taichu Temple, being master-disciple lineages, were no longer of the original bloodline.
Guangtian Gate and Peiqiong Mountain Villa relied on having numerous descendants. If the direct line had no heirs or mediocre offspring, a side branch could take over.
Sigui Gate, however, clung to old ways. The struggle for power among siblings was intense. Whenever one branch rose to power, the others would either mysteriously “die young” or change their names and retreat from the martial world. The other five sects had tried to mediate, but family affairs were difficult for outsiders to resolve. Gradually, the Yang bloodline grew weaker, now having five consecutive generations of single heirs.
According to Cai Zhao’s ancestors, this was Heaven’s way of preventing the Yang family from further fratricide, simply making them have only one child per generation so there would be no more fighting. Heaven was quite considerate, they thought.
Only Falling Petal Valley took a different path.
Since the first generation, Falling Petal Valley had followed the principle of letting nature take its course, believing that having too many children was detrimental to both peaceful cultivation and physical well-being. Thus, Falling Petal Valley always had few offspring. If there was a son, he would inherit; if not, a daughter would marry and bring in a son-in-law. If the daughter was capable, she would become the valley master; if the son-in-law was more capable, he could take charge. If a son had other aspirations or lacked talent, the daughter and son-in-law could still run the household.
As for which surname to use or which ancestors to worship? It didn’t matter; they could choose whichever they preferred. After all, there was no Falling Petal Valley two hundred years ago, and the founders were open-minded.
As a result, Falling Petal Valley had changed surnames three times in two hundred years.
The least pleasant was when the valley founder’s surname was Niu (Ox), which even the nature-embracing ancestors couldn’t tolerate. The most pleasant was the husband of the third-generation Niu family’s only daughter, whose surname was Gu. The difference between Niu Ling’er and Niu Yuxuan versus Gu Ling’er and Gu Yuxuan was quite noticeable.
There were exceptions in Falling Petal Valley’s history. For instance, one generation of valley masters enthusiastically had five sons and four daughters, leading people to believe that Falling Petal Valley was about to flourish. Reality proved otherwise.
Of these nine children, excluding those who became monks or married out, the rest either roamed the martial world unmarried or traveled overseas never to return. In the end, only one was left to inherit the position of valley master.
Perhaps this was fate.
About seventy or eighty years ago, when that generation’s valley master couple approached forty without children, they observed the stars and concluded that Heaven wanted Falling Petal Valley to have new blood. Following this divination, they sought an adopted son and soon found an orphan with great talent and good character. The couple felt incredibly fortunate, believing it was truly Heaven’s will.
Unexpectedly, ten years later, they suddenly had a beautiful daughter of their own.
Given past precedents, they considered having their adopted son marry their daughter to strengthen family ties. However, due to the large age gap, they decided to let nature take its course and send their daughter to a brother sect, where she would naturally find a good martial brother to marry. But when their daughter turned sixteen, as the old couple was sunbathing on a hillside, they heard a great commotion outside the valley.
Their steady and capable adopted son had inexplicably gone out and defeated all the eligible young men in their daughter’s sect, as well as several young heroes who happened to be nearby, under the pretext of “friendly martial arts exchanges.” This news nearly knocked the old couple off their rattan chairs. The Qingque Sect leader at the time even came to hint, “Your son’s future is limitless. Do you have any intention of competing for leadership of the Six Sects?” The old couple nearly shook their heads off.
After understanding the shy, unspoken love between their adopted son and daughter, the old couple quickly arranged their marriage. They also begged their son not to go out for more “friendly exchanges,” as Falling Petal Valley had maintained a moderate and peaceful stance for over a hundred years, which the martial world had grown accustomed to. The adopted son replied, “Now that I have my wife, I don’t like going out anyway.”
Incidentally, this adopted son’s surname was Cai.
While reading the ancestral records, Cai Zhao often thought that her aunt must have inherited this ancestor’s exceptional talent, enabling her to be so capable and world-shaking. However, over the past three years, as Cai Zhao sat in her aunt’s cold, empty room at midnight, she tearfully wondered if perhaps that ancestor was right to conceal his talents and maintain a low profile.
The candlelight flickered slightly as if plucking a string in her mind. Cai Zhao came back to her senses and went to check on Chang Ning in the next room.
Unlike the sprawling Cai Han, Chang Ning slept neatly, lying on his side like a tall pine tree. His long eyelashes were motionless, but his blanket was no longer neatly arranged as it had been in the afternoon. Half was on the bed, half on the floor. Naturally, his robe had opened even more, revealing a larger expanse of his jade-like, solid chest.
Cai Zhao honestly averted her gaze, maintaining a righteous expression as she properly covered Chang Ning with the blanket. She then stepped back three paces and stood at a distance.
Cai Zhao had met Chang Hao Sheng three or four times when she was young.
Searching deep in her memories, she found a handsome, steady face. Though he rarely smiled, he was meticulous and considerate. Every time he came to Falling Petal Valley, he would check the formations inside and outside the valley entrance three times. Her aunt would tease him, saying he was “once a nanny, always a nanny.”
Chang Hao Sheng didn’t visit Falling Petal Valley as often as Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen. Each time he came, he would have long, in-depth conversations with Cai Pingchu. He neither played with little Cai Zhao nor brought many gifts, so naturally, he didn’t leave as deep an impression in Cai Zhao’s heart.
Since Cai Pingchu passed away, he had never returned to Falling Petal Valley, busy with who knows what. As three years flowed by, Cai Zhao’s memories of this hurried Master Chang grew increasingly vague. She never expected to hear the news of the Chang family’s annihilation today.
Cai Zhao let out a small sigh, feeling downcast.
At that moment, there was a slight sound and voices from the adjoining room. Cai Zhao’s heart stirred, and a smile appeared on her lips. She quickly left Chang Ning’s room, stepped past the room where Cai Han was sleeping soundly, and walked to the third guest room. There, the lights were already on; Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng had indeed returned.
Cai Zhao happily pushed open the door. She saw Cai Pingchun with a flushed face, one hand propped on the table, the other rubbing his temples. He had drunk quite a bit. Ning Xiaofeng was muttering as she searched for hangover medicine in her medicine pouch. Looking up to see her daughter enter, she immediately asked why she wasn’t asleep yet, if she had washed up, and if little Han had fallen out of bed.
Hearing the familiar nagging, Cai Zhao’s heart finally settled.
“Dad, Mom, you’re finally back. I thought you were going to drink all night! Didn’t you say you didn’t want to bother with those people at all? How did you end up drinking so much after just greeting them?” Cai Zhao poured a cup of water from the warm pot on the table and brought the hangover medicine to Cai Pingchun.
Ning Xiaofeng sighed, “Firstly, your father wanted to ask about some things. Secondly, there were just too many people urging us to drink. We couldn’t outright refuse. Even declining ten cups and drinking half a cup was tough. Your father is doing well. Song Shijun was carried back like an upside-down turtle, completely drunk. Luckily, I noticed something was off later and mixed a lot of fruit juice into your father’s wine pot. I must say, Brother Zhou was clever. As soon as he saw something was wrong, he pretended to pass out drunk…”
Cai Pingchun swallowed the hangover medicine and drank two more cups of water before catching his breath. “It’s been such a busy day, full of people. We didn’t have time to look after you two. Zhaozao, tell Dad, is everything alright? Is there anything that’s made you unhappy? We can still go down the mountain now if needed.”
“Yes, tell us everything. I thought after more than ten years, Yin Qinglian would have improved, but as soon as I saw her, I was still full of anger, barely able to contain it! If it’s not good, we’ll leave!” Ning Xiaofeng said resentfully.
Cai Zhao was about to mention the incidents with Qi Lingbo and her lackeys, but she swallowed her words and blinked. “I met some good people, some not-so-good people, and some in between — but I can handle them all.”
Ning Xiaofeng frowned, “What kind of talk is that? Never mind, I won’t try to decipher your riddles. Anyway, stay at Qingque Sect if you can, but if you can’t, just let us know. Didn’t your uncle give you a cage of carrier pigeons? Use those to send messages quickly. If needed, I’ll send you to stay at Peiqiong Mountain Villa for a few years. The main thing is not to let anyone bully you!”
Cai Zhao pretended to look shy, “Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to live at my fiancé’s home so early? It’s not like I’m an orphan like Aunt was…”
Ning Xiaofeng deadpanned, “Then go to Xuankon Nunnery. It’s peaceful and safe…”
“No need, Qingque Sect is great with its beautiful scenery and talented people. It’s perfect, and I don’t want to change sects at all,” Cai Zhao quickly dropped her shy act.
Ning Xiaofeng pretended to raise her hand to hit her, smiling as she gave her daughter a look.
Seeing her parents, Cai Zhao felt relieved and was about to say goodnight with a yawn when Cai Pingchun stopped her, saying he had something to discuss. Cai Zhao was surprised and quickly asked what it was about.
Cai Pingchun spoke slowly, “I was planning to tell you this after the ceremony, but I think it’s better to let you know earlier. It’s about Chang Ning, Master Chang’s son…”
“What about him?” Cai Zhao’s ears perked up, having been quite troubled by Chang Ning earlier that day.
“Although Master Chang always said he owed your aunt a great debt that he could never repay, over the years, he has protected Falling Petal Valley in every way possible, truly giving his all. There are many things, big and small, that you and your brother don’t know about, and few outsiders know either. But we, the Cai family, must remember this in our hearts,” Cai Pingchun said.
Cai Zhao nodded, “Today, I heard many stories about Hero Constant. Father is right; even if others don’t care, we must remember our debts of gratitude.”
Cai Pingchun glanced at his wife, and Ning Xiaofeng cautiously asked, “Zhaozao, did you notice anything amiss when speaking with Constant Ning today?” She trusted her daughter’s judgment, given her intelligence and years of experience in the marketplace.
Cai Zhao playfully smiled, “Are you and Mother wondering if this Constant Ning is genuine or an impostor?”
“Indeed,” Cai Pingchun nodded. “The Demon Sect’s actions are unpredictable, so we must be cautious. After all, none of us have met Brother Constant’s son before.”
Cai Zhao laughed, “Don’t worry, Father. I’ve read enough novels and plays to recognize this trope. Villains love disguising themselves to infiltrate the enemy. How could I trust someone I’ve never met before? I’ve been on guard…”
“And then? Did you notice any flaws?” Ning Xiaofeng pressed.
“No, he’s ninety-nine percent genuine,” Cai Zhao’s face fell. “Senior Brother Constant not only knows the past events clearly but also effortlessly mentions details I’ve never heard before. Some secrets only Hero Constant would know, and some daily trivialities that even torture couldn’t extract from him—it’s as if a father shared these stories with his son during casual conversations.”
Ning Xiaofeng found this reassuring, but Cai Pingchun probed further, “Why only ninety-nine percent? What’s the remaining doubt?”
Cai Zhao looked perplexed, “I vaguely remember Hero Constant being quite generous and not very talkative. However, this Senior Brother Constant has a sharp tongue, capable of killing with words! Not only are his words biting, but his temperament is also gloomy and irritable. How can he be like his father?”
Noticing her parents’ relaxed expressions, Cai Zhao asked, “What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”
“On the contrary, your observation confirms it,” Cai Pingchun explained. “Although Brother Constant rarely mentioned his son, from the occasional comments, Constant Ning should indeed have such a personality.”
Cai Zhao was bewildered, “Huh?”
Ning Xiaofeng spoke softly, “Brother Constant’s wife, Miss Xue, was always frail and quiet. That year, she returned to her family home while pregnant, only to encounter a Demon Sect attack. She survived by hiding in a secret compartment but witnessed the slaughter of over a dozen family members. After her rescue, she became mentally unstable, which is why Brother Constant never let her out.”
She continued, “After this tragedy, your aunt searched high and low for miraculous medicines to save Miss Xue’s unborn child. When the boy was finally born, only your aunt and I went to offer congratulations. Your aunt said the child was in poor health, which is why Brother Constant never let him out all these years. Afterward, Brother Constant only occasionally mentioned his wife’s worsening mental state or his son’s weak constitution, saying the boy could only slowly practice internal arts to nourish his meridians. It wasn’t until two years ago that Brother Constant wrote saying his son’s health was improving, and with proper training, he might not lag behind the young heroes of the time.”
“Zhaozao, think about it. A child who’s never left home since birth, with a mentally unstable mother, and his poor health—how could he have a good temperament? If a well-mannered and agreeable Constant Ning had shown up today, that would have been suspicious.”
Cai Zhao pondered this and agreed.
Cai Pingchun added, “Brother Qi initially had doubts too, but while treating Constant Ning’s injuries, he detected traces of internal energy. Both Brother Qi and Brother Lei checked his pulse and confirmed it was undoubtedly Brother Constant’s unique internal technique. The Constant family’s internal arts aren’t hereditary but were created by Brother Constant himself, so it’s unlikely that old Mr. Constant passed them on to other relatives. Moreover, Brother Constant is even more cautious than Brother Qi and me, so how could he have taught his unique technique to an impostor?”
Cai Zhao listened intently, “So, Constant Ning is indeed genuine.”
“Yes, your mother and I believe there’s no mistake,” Cai Pingchun nodded. “That’s why I suggested to Brother Qi earlier that we bring Constant Ning to Falling Petal Valley for recuperation, but Brother Qi refused…”
“How dare he refuse? If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have given him a piece of my mind!” Ning Xiaofeng exclaimed. “His wife and daughter are so bitter and harsh, and Constant Ning clearly won’t bow his head. How can he fare well in the Azure Void Sect? I don’t even need to mention Yin Sulian—she’s been the sect leader’s beloved daughter for half her life and the sect leader’s wife for the other half. She treats the Azure Void Sect as her personal property!”
“Mother’s words may be blunt, but they ring true,” Cai Zhao applauded her mother gently.
Cai Pingchun tried to mediate, “But Brother Qi’s words also make sense.”
“That’s just your misguided reasoning!” Ning Xiaofeng retorted.
Cai Zhao asked her father directly, “Father, what did Uncle Qi say?”
Cai Pingchun spoke gravely, “Zhaozao, who do you think wiped out the Constant family?”
Cai Zhao was taken aback, “Wasn’t it the Demon Sect?”
Cai Pingchun explained, “You heard today that the Demon Sect is in turmoil. A few years ago, a female demon leader emerged, supported by Nie Zhe, and took the position of Tianxuan Elder. Many were dissatisfied, and she’s been killing left and right. With such chaos, would they have the resources to trouble us? You should know that the Constant family fortress isn’t an easy target. To be honest, I’ve never even been there myself…”
“Even if we had been there, it might not have helped,” Ning Xiaofeng added dejectedly. “Brother Constant was so worried about his wife and child’s safety that he hid the fortress in mist and clouds. Ordinary people couldn’t even find the main gate. However, the Demon Sect has always had some individuals with unusual abilities, so they might have been able to break through.”
“Even if they could break through, it would require a massive effort,” Cai Zhao mused.
“Exactly,” Cai Pingchun frowned. “Those who went to such lengths to wipe out the Constant family must have had a deep-seated grudge.”
“Nie Hengcheng’s old faction?” Cai Zhao suggested, then shook her head. “No, that’s not right. It was Aunt who killed Nie Hengcheng, so why didn’t they come to Falling Petal Valley? Then it must be… Zhao Tianba?!”
Ning Xiaofeng smiled, “So you’ve heard this story today too? Indeed, we discussed this earlier and concluded that only Nie Hengcheng’s top disciple Zhao Tianba’s death squad could have pulled off such a large-scale attack.”
Cai Zhao looked up at the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray, “These death squad members are strange. Instead of avenging Nie Hengcheng, they insist on avenging his disciple…”
“You young ones didn’t experience those times,” Ning Xiaofeng explained. “Nie Hengcheng’s four top disciples were all fearsome figures who could make children cry at night. Internally, they were on par with the Seven Star Elders, and externally, they could command troops independently. It’s not surprising that Zhao Tianba had some fanatically loyal followers.”
“Father, Mother, I understand now,” Cai Zhao gathered her thoughts, her eyes clear. “Uncle Qi means that Senior Brother Constant would be safer staying in the Azure Void Sect, protected by the natural barrier of Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. If he came to our home, it might endanger Falling Petal Valley. Don’t worry, I agree that Senior Brother Constant should stay in the Azure Void Sect. After all, only a few people here might give him trouble—I can handle that waste Qi Lingbo with one hand tied behind my back. I’ll make sure no one bullies Senior Brother Constant.”
Cai Pingchun nodded, “That’s what we think too. The troubles within the Azure Void Sect are minor compared to the life-threatening dangers outside. Zhaozao, for Brother Constant’s sake, you must look after Constant Ning no matter what.”
Cai Zhao inwardly grimaced but smiled obediently, “Father, don’t worry. I wouldn’t stand by and watch Senior Brother Constant being bullied anyway. Aunt taught me the ways of chivalry for so many years; I haven’t forgotten her lessons.”
She felt a slight twinge of guilt as she said this. Only slight.
Cai Pingchun sighed in relief, “That’s good. Now we can rest easy.”
Cai Zhao sensed the unspoken meaning in his words and anxiously asked, “Father, what are you planning to do?”
Cai Pingchun hesitated, but Ning Xiaofeng spoke scornfully, “Zhaozao, did you hear anyone mention the Constant family’s tragedy at tonight’s banquet? Did anyone express outrage? Did anyone shed tears of sorrow? Did anyone vow to avenge the Constant family?”
Cai Zhao was stunned.
“No one did. Not a single person,” Ning Xiaofeng’s eyes filled with grief. “Brother Constant was a prominent figure in our righteous faction. Such a tragedy should have united all sects to seek justice, but now everyone pretends to be deaf and mute.”
“When your aunt was around, she would never have allowed such a thing to happen. Back then, everyone respected her. If she had called for action, no one would have refused—they would have righted wrongs at a moment’s notice.” Ning Xiaofeng’s eyes reddened, and hot tears fell. “Qi Yunke is unworthy of being the leader of the Six Sects. He has no sense of responsibility. Little Spring, I… I can’t accept this…”
Cai Pingchun held his wife’s hand, consoling her softly, “Don’t blame Brother Qi anymore. He’s always been kind-hearted and gentle. He never wanted to be the sect leader; it was just the circumstances that put him there. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
He raised his head and looked directly at his daughter, “Brother Constant brought this calamity upon himself by killing Zhao Tianba. Others may pretend not to notice, but we can’t. I’ve agreed with your Uncle Qi that after tomorrow’s ceremony, we’ll send people to investigate the Constant family’s massacre. Brother Zhou and Sect Leader Song will also help. Constant Ning is still young; we’ll avenge him.”
Seeing her father’s firm and steady expression, Cai Zhao knew she couldn’t dissuade him. She felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness. Although she had never set foot in the jianghu, she could vaguely sense the impending bloodshed. Being only fifteen years old, she felt afraid and fell into her mother’s arms, sobbing, “…Mother, Mother, I miss Aunt.”
Ning Xiaofeng wept, “I miss her too. If your aunt were still here, such injustice wouldn’t happen.”
Cai Pingchun’s eyes also reddened.
Through her tear-blurred vision, Cai Zhao remembered Cai Pingxiu’s eyes—so optimistic, open-minded, and fearless. Even when severely injured and bedridden, she never showed a hint of regret or fear, as if nothing in the world could defeat her.
She then thought of Hero Constant and many other legendary predecessors whose names she had only heard but never met—
Those young people, as fierce as the proud sun, had either grown old or died; those youthful, passionate days were gone, never to return.