According to ancient texts preserved in Luoying Valley, the original Muwei Palace was just a few simple rooms built by the Northern Chen ancestors for quiet cultivation. As disciples and servants increased, the residence gradually expanded, growing into a palace. At that time, Mount Jiuli was rich in spirit stones, with gold as common as dirt and jade as plentiful as mountains. Even simple buildings appeared majestic, exuding an otherworldly aura.
Entering the bustling inner hall, Cai Zhao saw guests gathered in small groups, some laughing and reminiscing, others whispering privately. From afar, she spotted her future master, his square face set in a righteous expression, sitting stiffly at the head of the hall, receiving what seemed like the umpteenth wave of guests. Cai Zhao’s aunt had once described her sworn brother as “clearly suited to be a generation’s master through diligent cultivation, yet forced to entertain guests daily like a courtesan from Lichun House.”
Since Cai Pingxu had secluded herself to recover from injuries, she rarely interacted with the martial world, seeing only a few close friends. Qi Yunke was one of these few, visiting Luoying Valley almost yearly. Each time, he’d either bring a cage with beautiful birds or cats, or his pockets would be full of snacks that little Cai Zhao loved but wasn’t allowed to eat.
In her naive youth, Cai Zhao had thought Qi Yunke might become her uncle, only later realizing he was already married with a daughter. His relationship with Cai Pingxu was one of true friendship and loyalty unto death. Embarrassed by her narrow-mindedness, Cai Zhao resolved to read fewer romance novels about elopement.
Following Zeng Dalou, she approached Qi Yunke, who spotted her like a drowning man seeing a lifeline. He quickly excused himself from the guests he was conversing with and called out loudly, “Little Zhao is here! Come quickly! Your parents and brother have already had three rounds of tea. Where have you been?”
Cai Zhao approached with a dignified expression and bowed, “Hello, Uncle Qi. Thank you for your hard work. I was captivated by the picturesque scenery of Wanshui Qianshan Cliff and took a stroll around.”
Qi Yunke smiled, “I hope Zhao Zhao didn’t get lost this time. Years ago, you got lost at the town’s lantern festival, and your aunt and I searched for half the night. Luckily, there were no child traffickers in Luoying Town, or you’d have been in tears!”
Cai Zhao refused to admit it, “I wasn’t lost. I was helping an old grandfather watch his sugar painting stall. I’m good with directions now! Besides, Uncle, you and Aunt always had endless conversations that I couldn’t understand…”
Qi Yunke’s face suddenly darkened, his eyes showing a hint of sorrow, “Yes, we always had so much to talk about then. Now, who can I share those conversations with?”
Cai Zhao fell silent.
A beautiful middle-aged woman who had been sitting next to Qi Yunke grew impatient at his prolonged absence. She smiled at the four or five well-dressed guests nearby, then called out to her husband, “Alright, let the child go play over there. Yunke, come back quickly and catch up with the uncles.”
Qi Yunke’s head began to ache at the sound of his wife Yin Sulian’s voice.
Cai Zhao whispered, “Uncle, are those your good friends?”
“Friends my foot!” Qi Yunke whispered back mischievously, “They’re all Yin family relatives and old acquaintances. Each one is an elder, and entertaining them is exhausting!”
As Yin Sulian called out again with displeasure, Qi Yunke had no choice but to lead young Cai Zhao towards the challenge ahead, his square face maintaining a righteous expression, “Zhao Zhao, come, let Master introduce you to the elders…”
Cai Zhao glared at Qi Yunke, annoyed. These days, even elders were unreliable, clearly using her as a shield because he was too lazy to deal with those people himself.
Qi Yunke grinned widely as he introduced the guests one by one. The beautiful middle-aged woman was, of course, the current Sect Leader’s wife, Yin Sulian. Cai Zhao bowed obediently, lowering her head to see the hem of Yin Sulian’s skirt spread on the golden velvet carpet. The fabric was luxurious, dotted with gold stars, and the skirt’s edge was adorned with thumb-sized pearls.
Yin Sulian was the same age as Cai Pingxu, but unlike the increasingly frail Cai Pingxu, she had maintained herself well. Her face was fair and delicate, her features refined, looking no more than twenty years old. She was dressed exquisitely, with a pair of priceless cat’s eye emeralds dangling from her ears, clearly indicating her comfortable lifestyle.
She glanced at Cai Zhao haughtily, mumbling, “So this is Zhao Zhao? Who does she take after? Your aunt and mother were fairly good-looking, but this child doesn’t seem to have inherited any of it.”
Qi Yunke frowned, “Nonsense. Zhao Zhao resembles both Pingxu and Xiaofeng. She’s even more beautiful than both of them.”
Yin Sulian raised an eyebrow, her smile not reaching her eyes, “How rare to hear you speak of Cai Pingxu’s shortcomings.”
Qi Yunke replied, displeased, “A girl’s strengths don’t necessarily lie in her appearance. What’s important is her character and abilities…”
Zeng Dalou quickly intervened to smooth things over, “Father, Mother, Sister Cai just mentioned she was hungry. Why don’t we let her have some snacks first before introducing her to the elders?”
Yin Sulian snorted, and Qi Yunke resigned, handing Cai Zhao a plate of snacks from the table, “Go to the side room in the back hall and have some snacks first. We’ll have better food when the banquet starts, alright?”
Cai Zhao took the snacks, smiling broadly. She had just turned to leave when she saw several familiar figures approaching, causing her to pause.
“Father, Mother, I’ve come with my senior brothers,” Qi Lingbo was now dressed in new attire, a water-red dress with dark gold embroidery, adorned with peach blossom-colored jeweled hairpins and ornaments, making her appear more beautiful than flowers. She even captivated Dai Fengchi beside her.
A few steps behind them, silently following at a slow pace, was a tall youth – naturally, it was the pockmarked Chang Ning.
Yin Sulian’s eyes lit up, “Oh my, our Lingbo is here. Why are you willing to wear this outfit today? Didn’t you always complain that such attire was inconvenient for martial arts practice?”
Qi Lingbo smiled, glancing at Cai Zhao, “Before, it was for the convenience of practicing martial arts. I saw how neatly Sister Cai was dressed earlier, so I decided to dress up too. Sister Cai, you’re here as well?”
As she spoke the last word, she signaled Dai Fengchi with her eyes. He smiled slightly, his right hand gently brushing inside his left sleeve before throwing something out. With a light clinking sound, a flash of light shot directly at Cai Zhao’s face. The crowd vaguely saw what seemed to be a sharp weapon, and it looked as if Cai Zhao was about to be splattered with blood.
Amidst the crowd’s gasps, Qi Yunke roared angrily, about to intervene, when suddenly the flash of light stopped half a chi from Cai Zhao’s face, quickly retracting back to Dai Fengchi’s hand. Only then did everyone realize it was a small dagger with a chain attached to its handle, which Dai Fengchi had used to pull it back.
Although he had used the chain, the strength and accuracy of his control were still impressive.
Qi Yunke exploded with anger, “What do you think you’re doing!”
Qi Lingbo giggled coquettishly, “Don’t be angry, Father. It was just a small joke. We met Sister Cai in the plum forest earlier and hit it off immediately, so we decided to prepare a welcoming gift for her. Senior Brother, show Father!”
Dai Fengchi detached the thin chain and presented the dagger with both hands. As everyone craned their necks to look, they saw that the handle was entirely inlaid with gold thread and rubies, while the blade gleamed like a pool of clear water. It was indeed a precious item.
Seeing her husband’s displeased expression, Yin Sulian quickly interjected, “Isn’t this the welcoming gift Yuzhi’s father gave to Fengchi? It’s Fengchi’s beloved possession. Are you willing to give it away? You’re truly considerate of Zhao Zhao coming from afar. Right, Yunke?!”
Qi Yunke’s anger hadn’t subsided, but with guests filling the hall and his wife intervening, it wasn’t the time to lose his temper. He could only let out a cold snort.
This was exactly what Qi Lingbo had planned. She smiled at Cai Zhao, “Sister, you weren’t scared, were you? You…” She had been bested in the mountain valley earlier and was determined to get her revenge, so she had conspired with Dai Fengchi to give Cai Zhao a good scare.
To their surprise, Cai Zhao’s expression remained unchanged, “I figured my senior brother and sister wouldn’t hurt me. There’s nothing to be scared of. Elders, please don’t worry. I’m completely fine.”
Qi Lingbo let out a disappointed “Oh.”
Qi Yunke grunted, “Fengchi, Lingbo may not know better, but how could you join in such foolishness? What if you hadn’t pulled back in time and hurt Zhao Zhao? How would you two explain yourselves? Is this how your Master has taught you to behave, without any sense of propriety…”
Dai Fengchi blushed and was about to bow and apologize.
“Enough, enough!” Yin Sulian interrupted, “Don’t you know Fengchi’s personality by now? How could he play such a joke without absolute confidence? Didn’t Zhao Zhao say she wasn’t scared? Not only is Chang Ning alone and helpless now, but Fengchi is too. Don’t just care about Chang Ning, show some concern for Fengchi as well. … Zhao Zhao, come here. This dagger is for you. Keep it safe.”
Qi Yunke suppressed his anger, slamming his hand forcefully on the table.
Cai Zhao stepped forward, taking the dagger. She examined it carefully before praising, “Indeed, it’s an excellent blade. Thank you, senior brother and sister. I’ll gladly accept it.”
Qi Yunke took a deep breath and pulled Chang Ning forward. He then addressed Cai Zhao, “This is your senior brother Chang Ning. He’s three years older than you. His family… well, Zeng Dalou must have told you everything. Fortunately, your aunt has already left; otherwise, knowing what happened to Haosheng’s family would have devastated her. The Demon Sect has become far too brazen.”
Cai Zhao looked at Chang Ning, noticing his tall stature and slender build. However, his face was a pitiful sight to behold.
“Chang Ning, come and meet Zhao Zhao. She…” Qi Yunke began.
“I’ve already met junior sister Cai,” Chang Ning interjected.
Qi Yunke probed, “Was that just now in the plum grove?”
Chang Ning nodded, causing Zeng Dalou to tense up once again.
After a moment’s pause, Qi Yunke’s face darkened. “Lingbo, did you bully Chang Ning again? Have you forgotten my instructions? If this happens once more, I’ll…”
Yin Sulian interrupted her husband, smiling as she said, “What kind of father are you, scolding your daughter without knowing the full story? Look at Zhao Zhao and Chang Ning. They’re both perfectly fine…”
Upon hearing “perfectly fine,” Cai Zhao couldn’t help but glance at Chang Ning’s disfigured face. Chang Ning, however, showed no signs of discomfort and even gave her a slight smile. Despite his face being covered in horrific sores, his eyes were clear and captivating, enough to make one’s heart melt.
“…Even if Lingbo can be mischievous at times, she wouldn’t act out on such an important day,” Yin Sulian continued, turning to Cai Zhao. “Isn’t that right, Zhao Zhao?”
“Yes, yes, Father! We were just playing around!” Qi Lingbo hastily explained. “Junior sister, say something!”
Inwardly, Cai Zhao scoffed, wondering where this senior sister got the confidence to assume she would simply swallow her pride and say nothing had happened.
Seeing Zeng Dalou’s troubled expression, Cai Zhao nodded and said, “Although I’ve just met a senior sister, I can tell she has a kind and honest nature. She seems quite sincere.”
Zeng Dalou thought to himself, “Junior sister Cai, you only needed to say enough to save face for the master and mistress. There’s no need to lie so convincingly – no one will believe it anyway.”
Qi Yunke, both angry and exasperated, could only say, “Very well. If you truly believe that, in the future…”
“Uncle, I genuinely believe it,” Cai Zhao said with a straight face. “If you don’t believe me, just watch.” Before she finished speaking, her right hand flicked upward. The exquisite dagger made a soft sound as a burst of energy propelled it toward Qi Lingbo like an arrow cutting through the air.
Yin Sulian let out a piercing scream. The force of the weapon was even more intense than when Dai Fengchi had thrown the dagger earlier. As the blade flew straight toward her daughter’s face, Yin Sulian nearly fainted. Qi Lingbo stood frozen, unable to move. Qi Yunke was too far away, leaving only Dai Fengchi to swiftly raise his hand in an attempt to intercept.
However, just as the dagger was mere inches from Qi Lingbo’s nose, Cai Zhao suddenly struck out with her left palm. The dagger abruptly changed course, tracing a graceful arc in the air before obediently returning to her hand as if pulled by an invisible string.
A hush fell over the crowd as guests stopped to observe the scene. In the silence, a clear ‘clink’ was heard as a pearl hairpin fell from Qi Lingbo’s hair. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
Only Chang Ning remained unfazed, watching the spectacle with great interest.
Yin Sulian, drenched in cold sweat, shrieked, “Cai Zhao, what are you doing? Are you trying to kill Lingbo?”
“It was just a joke, Aunt and Senior Sister. Don’t be afraid,” Cai Zhao said with a smile, playfully tossing the dagger in her hand.
Qi Lingbo, feeling cold and numb, struggled to find her voice. “… You… didn’t you say you weren’t skilled in martial arts?!” Even with her limited knowledge, she could tell that Cai Zhao’s move was impressive, matching Dai Fengchi in both power and technique.
Cai Zhao feigned surprise. “Senior Sister, you must be mistaken. When did I ever say I couldn’t do martial arts?”
“But in the grove, you said…”
Chang Ning helpfully interjected, “Junior Sister Cai said she doesn’t enjoy learning martial arts, not that she couldn’t do them.”
Qi Lingbo, eyes bulging with anger, exclaimed, “That’s right, you said you don’t like learning martial arts!”
“What does not enjoying learning have to do with ability? Even if I don’t like it, I still have to learn,” Cai Zhao replied innocently.
Qi Lingbo retorted furiously, “You also said your parents never taught you martial arts!”
“They didn’t, but my aunt did,” Cai Zhao explained matter-of-factly.
Qi Lingbo trembled with rage, unable to speak. Dai Fengchi wanted to intervene but was at a loss. Yin Sulian’s face turned ashen, while Qi Yunke sighed, rubbing his forehead. Only Chang Ning watched Cai Zhao with an amused smile.
With a gentle tap of her right palm towards the ground, Cai Zhao made a grasping motion. The fallen pearl hairpin sprung up, flying directly into her hand.
Everyone except Qi Yunke and Chang Ning stared in astonishment.
Cai Zhao approached Qi Lingbo with a smile, leaning in to repin the ornament in her hair. Her voice grew even softer as she said, “Uncle, don’t you see I was right? Senior Sister is so honest. She believes everything she’s told without a second thought.”
Qi Yunke replied expressionlessly, “Indeed. You and Lingbo are both such honest children.” Even he didn’t believe his own words.