Cai Zhao sighed softly.
She had avoided the martial world because of its tendency to bully the weak. As a person of honor, she couldn’t stand idly by, so she preferred to stay in Luoying Town, away from such sights. But now that she was here, how could she ignore a damsel in distress? She immediately turned and followed the sound.
Rounding a verdant mountain bend, she found a group of young disciples surrounding someone, laughing and jeering. They had cornered a tall, thin youth against the mountain wall.
A beautiful girl in an apricot-colored robe seemed to be their leader. She shrilled, “…If you know what’s good for you, you’ll cooperate. We won’t take your life, just a bit of flesh and blood!”
Cai Zhao was taken aback, realizing it wasn’t a helpless girl being bullied after all.
A sharp-faced boy chimed in, “That’s right! Changning, you should be dead. If it weren’t for Master’s efforts to save you, you’d be long gone!”
Another square-jawed youth sneered, “Sure, you survived, but you ate the Snow Lotus Pill meant for Senior Sister. It’s damaged her cultivation. Don’t you think you deserve to die for that?”
The group jeered in unison, “Just give us a bowl of your heart’s blood, and we’ll let you go… Ha! Otherwise, we’ll flay you alive…”
The tall, thin youth called Changning turned slightly, asking, “Who said my heart’s blood has the same effect as the Snow Lotus Pill?” His clothes were dull and worn, but his voice was calm, though hoarse as if he’d been severely injured.
“You all know I’m not just injured but poisoned too. Do you want the heart’s blood of someone still battling toxins?” Changning turned, revealing a face covered in poisonous sores. Some were crusted over with black scabs, while others still oozed pus, a truly sickening sight.
The youths grimaced in disgust.
“You’re not really after my heart’s blood. You just want to torment me,” Changning faced them, his horrifying visage contrasted by eyes as clear and beautiful as the bright moon.
“I won’t comply. If you have the guts, take my life and be done with it. Otherwise, I’ll repay this tenfold.”
Some of the youths began to waver.
“Hey, this guy is the son of the Sect Leader’s good friend. If the Sect Leader finds out…”
“Maybe we should forget it. We’re just outer disciples. What if the Sect Leader expels us in anger?”
“Senior Sister, what if the Sect Leader punishes us?”
The beautiful girl bit her lip. “He’s set back my cultivation. Even if we don’t take his heart’s blood, we can’t let him off easily. Hmm… Let’s beat him up. If my father asks, we’ll insist it was just sparring among disciples. As martial artists, we can’t go crying over a few hits. My father won’t punish us for that!”
This idea seemed much less risky, and the youths eagerly agreed. As they were about to pounce on Changning, a calm, leisurely female voice spoke from behind them—”Haven’t you had enough?”
Startled, they all turned to see a young girl in an embroidered dress standing quietly behind them. Sunlight filtering through the trees made her peach-tinged cheeks and fair complexion even more striking.
“The day after tomorrow is the 200th anniversary of our ancestor’s passing. Almost every notable sect in the martial world is here. If they see you behaving like this, won’t it bring shame to the Qingque Sect?” she said with a hint of exasperation.
She had thought a group was bullying a girl, but it turned out to be a girl leading a group to bully someone else. Her righteous indignation had been wasted.
Jealousy flared at the sight of another beauty. The leader stepped forward, shouting, “Who are you, you little hussy? How Qingque Sect deals with its disciples is none of your business!” She assumed Cai Zhao was from another sect, as few could stand up to the Qingque Sect.
Cai Zhao replied calmly, “Of course, it’s my business. In a few days, I’ll be apprenticed to Sect Leader Qi. Don’t you think I should care about my own sect’s reputation? Soon, I’ll even be calling you Senior Sister.” She thought to herself that this young lady’s intellect seemed well-matched with that Song fellow from earlier.
Qi Lingbo hesitated, her expression uncertain. “You… you’re Cai Zhao from Luoying Valley?”
“That’s right.” Hearing the girl repeatedly mention her father, Cai Zhao guessed she was the Sect Leader’s daughter.
Qi Lingbo, remembering her father’s enthusiasm for Luoying Valley, felt inclined to back down. But her followers were used to her leadership, and losing face now would undermine her authority.
“Junior Sister Cai, you’ve just arrived at the Cliff of Myriad Waters and Thousand Mountains, haven’t you?” Qi Lingbo put on a sweet smile. “It’s getting late. Please return to your quarters. You’re new here and don’t understand the situation. This doesn’t concern you.”
Cai Zhao raised an eyebrow. “What if I don’t leave?”
Qi Lingbo’s smile remained, but her tone carried a veiled threat. “My father only has us two girls as disciples. We should get along well in the coming years. If you insist on being stubborn and ruin our sisterly bond, how will we study martial arts together?”
Cai Zhao thought for a moment. “It’s fine. I’m not interested in martial arts anyway. My parents never taught me any. You can focus on your cultivation, Senior Sister. I’ll just read books and enjoy the scenery.”
“If you don’t want to learn martial arts, why are you here?” Qi Lingbo’s smile faltered.
“To become a disciple, of course. I want to be the master’s student,” Cai Zhao explained, growing weary.
“If you’re not learning martial arts, why apprentice under my father?” Qi Lingbo couldn’t comprehend it. Qingque Sect’s martial arts were unrivaled, attracting countless aspiring students each year.
Cai Zhao replied smoothly, “Senior Sister, you’re being too narrow-minded. Isn’t learning about moral character important? Sect Leader Qi is renowned for his integrity and benevolence. If I could learn even a fraction of that, it would benefit me for life… Why are you all looking at me like that? Am I wrong?”
She thought to herself, it’s like a business opening speech. You don’t just say you’re in it for the money; you talk about benefiting the community and forming good relationships.
The group of young men stood awkwardly, mumbling vague agreements. Qi Lingbo’s face darkened. “Such a glib tongue! I don’t think our Qingque Sect has room for someone like you!”
Cai Zhao laughed. “Are you threatening that I’ll be turned away from Qingque Sect, Senior Sister? But do you have the authority to decide who becomes a disciple?” She thought to herself, “Doesn’t this young lady understand that servants answer to the shopkeeper, and the shopkeeper answers to the owner? Poor Uncle Qi, such a kind and gentle man, to have a daughter lacking in intelligence.”
Qi Lingbo was at a loss for words.
Cai Zhao continued, “If Master Qi insists on accepting me as a disciple, but you’re unhappy about it, are you saying Master Qi would reject me at your command?”
Hearing the muffled laughter behind her, Qi Lingbo’s face turned an interesting shade.
If Song Yuzhi were here, he would have advised Qi Lingbo not to argue with Cai Zhao, to not say a word, lest she be infuriated to death.
Qi Lingbo said hatefully, “Chang Ning offended me, and I intend to vent my anger today. If you refuse to step aside, I’ll have to teach you some manners as your senior sister.”
She had made up her mind. Since Cai Zhao’s martial arts were weak, she’d simply slap her a few times to vent her anger. If her father inquired later, she’d insist it was their first meeting and she was merely testing Cai Zhao’s skills, unaware of her strength.
“Are you done talking?” Chang Ning glanced at Cai Zhao, pondered for a moment, then spoke. “You’re all so indecisive. One moment you want to teach me a lesson, the next you’re threatening someone else. If you’re going to act, do it quickly. Stop dawdling.”
Everyone glared at him angrily. Qi Lingbo smiled at Cai Zhao, “See? This is how ungrateful he is. During his time on Wanshui Qianshan Cliff, he’s always been disrespectful, never listening to his senior brothers…”
“Apart from being impolite, has he done anything else wrong?” Cai Zhao interrupted. “If so, say it quickly. Otherwise, I’m taking charge of this situation.”
“He’s so disrespectful, yet you still want to protect him?!” Qi Lingbo seemed surprised.
Cai Zhao remained unperturbed. “As long as he’s not evil and hasn’t started trouble himself, you shouldn’t bully him. Whether he’s polite or likable is none of my concern.” She remembered her aunt’s words: acting righteously doesn’t always guarantee gratitude or reward.
Qi Lingbo’s beautiful almond eyes widened as she gritted her teeth, “You’re asking for trouble. Let me show you…”
She raised her right arm, positioned herself sideways, and formed her right hand into a knife-like pose, about to strike Cai Zhao. Suddenly, a familiar shout came from nearby: “Lingbo, stop immediately! What are you doing?!”
Cai Zhao turned to see it was Zeng Dalou.
He was rushing over with several disciples, looking exasperated.
Cai Zhao sighed quietly in disappointment. Her aunt had also said that maintaining composure was crucial in the martial arts world. Even if you want to slap someone, when a peacemaker arrives, you must show some respect.
Keep smiling, stay friendly, and prosper.
“Lingbo, you’re becoming more and more disobedient! I’ve told you not to bully Chang Ning. What did you promise everyone? Now look at you, getting worse! The Luoying Valley group just arrived at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff today. Not only did you fail to show hospitality, but you’re also trying to bully them! I must report this incident truthfully. You, you’d better leave now!”
Although Zeng Dalou’s words were harsh, Cai Zhao could tell he was secretly protecting Qi Lingbo.
Unfortunately, despite his good intentions, with so many onlookers, Qi Lingbo refused to back down. She stomped her foot, “Don’t interfere with this. I’ll apologize to Father later, but today, I must teach this… these two a lesson!”
Cai Zhao laughed, “How do you plan to teach me a lesson?”
Zeng Dalou stepped in front of Cai Zhao, shielding her, and whispered, “Say less.”
Cai Zhao wondered silently why Zeng Dalou, whom she had known for less than two hours, wasn’t telling Qi Lingbo, a fellow sect member, to say less.
Qi Lingbo shouted, “In the martial arts world, true skill is shown through combat!”
Cai Zhao peeked out from behind Zeng Dalou, smiling, “I merely spoke a few words. I didn’t eat your Snow Lotus Pill or disrespect you. How quickly you’ve lumped me together with little brother Chang Ning. How does Senior Sister Qi calculate this?”
Qi Lingbo’s eyes reddened with anger, “You dare say you weren’t disrespectful?! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be scolded and later punished by my father. If it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened…”
“You’re mistaken,” Chang Ning suddenly spoke. Everyone turned to look at him.
Chang Ning looked at Cai Zhao, “I’m older than you. I’m not your little brother.”
Everyone was stunned.
Cai Zhao spoke earnestly, “You’re the one being bullied, and I’m here to help you. Shouldn’t you just accept being called ‘little brother’? In the martial arts world, it’s better to be agreeable.”
Chang Ning looked skyward, “I’d rather be beaten by them than be called ‘brother’ by someone younger than me. Their flowery fists and embroidered legs couldn’t hurt me anyway.”
“You two… are too much!” Qi Lingbo was nearly apoplectic.
“Enough, both of you say less!” Zeng Dalou roared.
After his outburst, everyone turned to look at him.
Zeng Dalou pressed his throbbing temple, “All three of you, say less! Today, all sects are gathered at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. Do you want to make the Northern Chen faction a laughingstock? Lingbo, come with me to receive punishment. Everyone else, disperse immediately!”
Cai Zhao shrugged, not objecting. Tears welled up in Qi Lingbo’s eyes as she dragged her feet.
At that moment, another figure darted into the woods, brushing past Cai Zhao like the wind, and positioned himself between Zeng Dalou and Qi Lingbo, gesturing to mediate.
“Wait, wait, let’s talk this through!” The young man was handsome and also dressed as a sect disciple. His forehead glistened with sweat, clearly having rushed over after hearing about Zeng Dalou’s arrival.
Qi Lingbo’s eyes brightened as she took a small step forward, looking pitiful, “…Second Senior Brother.”
Cai Zhao gave this posture full marks – a mix of grievance with coquettishness, resentment with fear, and a plea for help. It seemed that although this young Senior Sister Qi wasn’t adept at dealing with women, she had quite a way with men. Indeed, every talent has its use; if not here, then elsewhere.
The young man first bowed to Cai Zhao, “Sister Cai has just arrived today, and we disciples have failed in our duties as hosts, allowing you to wander alone and nearly causing a misunderstanding with our little sister. It’s truly our negligence. Sister Cai, please accept my apologies.”
His words were clever, using terms like “wander alone” and “misunderstanding” to reframe a blatant bullying incident.
“No need, no need,” Cai Zhao smiled. “Senior Sister Qi and I have no grievances. As long as she doesn’t try to teach me a lesson, all is well. The important thing is this Chang Ning, little broth… oh…”
Unnoticed by all, the tall youth with the pockmarked face had disappeared. Growing impatient, Chang Ning had left on his own.
Cai Zhao smiled awkwardly, “Well, I guess that’s the end of it.”
The young man then pleaded with Zeng Dalou, “It’s busy up front, with Master greeting all the sect leaders. Many tasks are awaiting your command. Why not let me take charge of our little sister? I’ll give her a good talking-to. What do you say?”
Zeng Dalou sighed in resignation and waved his hand, signaling the end of the matter.
Qi Lingbo’s tears turned to smiles as she tugged at the young man’s sleeve like a child, happily running off.
As she left, her accomplices became even more sheepish, trying to slink away along the mountain wall. Zeng Dalou glared at them, and they scurried away like a line of mice.
Cai Zhao looked ahead, then behind.
Today had been another day of striving for righteousness, even if she had saved a seemingly ungrateful little brat.