At this moment, whispers arose from all around:
“They say that after Cai Pingshu’s decline, Luoying Valley has become increasingly desolate these years, with no real skill left. It’s only kept up appearances with the help of Sect Leader Qi Yuque. But did you see that young girl? Could you pull off those two moves she just used?”
“What desolation? Luoying Valley has always kept out of jianghu affairs, preferring a quiet life. That doesn’t mean they lack skill.”
“Exactly! I’ve heard Cai Pingchun has made great strides in recent years. Otherwise, how come all those challengers who went to Luoying Valley later fell silent? If they had gained any advantage, wouldn’t they have boasted about it?”
“Cai Pingchun? He’s never seen in the jianghu. Perhaps it was Cai Pingshu who dealt with them.”
“Didn’t you just say Cai Pingshu had declined?”
“Enough idle talk! Wasn’t that young girl using Cai Pingshu’s self-created ‘Dragon Capturing Hand’? The first move must have been ‘Unique Skill, Vigorous Joint,’ but what was the second? Was it ‘Gentle Breeze, Unique Tranquility’? Years ago, Cai Pingshu used this palm technique to wipe out thirteen bandit strongholds in the Northern Wasteland in just half a month, leaving no survivors!”
“But I heard Cai Pingshu used a large blade when he single-handedly challenged the Northern Wasteland gang lairs!”
“What difference does it make whether he used a blade or his palms?”
“It matters! It truly matters! The Cai family is extraordinary!”
Yin Sulian’s face turned from pale to ashen. She forced a smile and said, “I’ve heard you were pampered since childhood. Martial arts training is so demanding. How could your aunt bear to force you to practice?”
Cai Zhao slowly sheathed her dagger, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Aunt says that in this world, relying on mountains can lead to their collapse, and depending on seas can result in their drying up. It’s most reliable to depend on oneself.”
In her carefree childhood, her aunt, who had never allowed her to suffer even the slightest grievance, had only forced her to do one thing over the past decade or so: practice martial arts—tirelessly, through summer and winter, from dawn to dusk.
She remembered once when she cried from exhaustion, Cai Pingshu massaged her neck and said softly, “Whether you choose to walk the path of jianghu or not, you must have the ability to protect yourself. If I let you live a lazy, carefree life, I would be doing you harm.”
Yin Sulian struggled to maintain her smile. “That indeed sounds like something your aunt would say. However, as women, we don’t necessarily have only one path. Having someone to rely on isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Well then, since this is our first meeting, please accept this jade bracelet as a gift.” She removed the bracelet from her wrist.
Cai Zhao quietly accepted the bracelet, examining its quality under the crystal lamp light. She expertly estimated its pawn shop value.
Seeing the tension ease, Zeng Dalou quickly said, “Master, my junior sister is young and can’t tolerate hunger. Perhaps we should go to the back for some refreshments.”
Qi Yunke nodded. Before Cai Zhao left, he brought Chang Ning to her and said in a low voice, “Your senior brother Chang is severely wounded, with poison still in his system. During the ancestor’s memorial period, I’m afraid I’ll be too busy to look after him. Please keep an eye on him.”
It was clear that Qi Lingbo wasn’t an obedient daughter, and with a biased mother, if she were to bully Chang Ning in secret, the other disciples might be unwilling or unable to intervene due to respect for their master’s wife. Only Cai Zhao wasn’t afraid to act.
Cai Zhao understood his meaning and gave a faint smile.
Qi Yunke coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed. “Once Chang Ning recovers, I’m sure no one will be able to bully him. Sigh, it’s all due to my poor parenting and inability to manage my disciples. If your aunt knew, she’d surely scold me for my incompetence first…”
Cai Zhao coolly replied, “In all these years, when has Aunt ever said a bad word about you? It’s always been my mother who criticizes you.”
Qi Yunke waved his hand. “Ah your mother speaks without thinking. I never take it to heart. But if your aunt says something, I truly feel ashamed. Zhao Zhao, the Chang Hao family of heroes died tragically, their blood debt is still unpaid. Poor Chang Hao, a lifetime of chivalry, always ready to fight injustice. Even if just for his sake, please look after Chang Ning…”
Cai Zhao felt it was time to express her lofty principles before her future master. “Uncle, you needn’t say more. I understand completely. Aunt often tells me that her proudest achievement in life isn’t defeating Nie Hengcheng, but that throughout her jianghu career, no matter how urgently she needed to act, she never sacrificed innocent people. And no matter how much she wanted to avoid trouble, she never stood by and watched innocents suffer. Rest assured, I will look after my senior brother Chang. We who practice martial arts may not seek to shake the jianghu or become renowned throughout the land, but at the very least, we should help the weak, aid the poor, and uphold justice.” Her words were passionate and righteous, perfectly matching the tone Cai Pingshu would ideally use.
“Excellent! Well said!” Qi Yunke was delighted. He pulled Chang Ning over and had him bow to Cai Zhao.
Chang Ning bowed with a hint of a smile, his posture straight and dignified.
Cai Zhao suddenly felt an inexplicable discomfort. Thinking of the truly chivalrous hero Chang Hao, she felt her earlier words were somewhat hypocritical. She hastily bid farewell to Qi Yunke and tugged on Chang Ning’s sleeve as they left together.
Chang Ning’s body stiffened slightly, staring at the small hand on his sleeve in a daze.
Seeing Qi Yunke about to entertain the guests, Yin Sulian quickly pulled Dai Fengchi to her husband’s side, having him accompany his father to meet the jianghu elders. She then gave her daughter a push, nodding towards Cai Zhao and Chang Ning. Qi Lingbo understood and reluctantly followed.
The rear hall had many side rooms. Zeng Dalou found a quiet and elegant one for Cai Zhao and the others, instructing the servants to attend to their tea needs before hurrying off to handle other matters.
As the saying goes, “Like a teacher, like a student.” Just as Cai Zhao had learned from Cai Pingshu, Qi Lingbo had learned from Yin Sulian. In less than half a cup of tea’s time, Qi Lingbo’s face was all smiles, and she had gone from calling Cai Zhao “Junior Sister Cai” to “Sister Zhao Zhao,” and from “interfering little bitch” to “youthful impulsiveness, all a misunderstanding.”
Unfortunately, the transition was too abrupt, and the logic of her words was unclear. Having just called her a little bitch and even intending to teach her a lesson, she now tried to brush it off with a single word of “misunderstanding,” which seemed insincere. It was clear that this Young Miss Qi’s skill in winning over young ladies was not even a tenth of her ability to flatter sycophants.
Any other hot-tempered young girl trained in martial arts would have spat in Qi Lingbo’s face by now, but Cai Zhao certainly wouldn’t. She had aspired from a young age to become the general manager of Luoying Town’s seventy-two shops. In business, one must be amiable to make money, seeing through things without exposing them.
So Cai Zhao put on a welcoming smile, fully cooperating with Young Miss Qi’s rhetoric.
Qi Lingbo said, “Come to think of it, my mother and Lady Cai have been friends for decades. Sigh, when we suddenly heard of her passing three years ago, my mother was so heartbroken she couldn’t eat or take her medicine. She nearly fell gravely ill, which is why she couldn’t attend your aunt’s funeral.”
Cai Zhao replied, “Oh, senior sister, you needn’t explain. With the deep friendship between our elders, as vast as mountains and seas, I know your mother wouldn’t have missed coming to Luoying Valley unless she was too ill to rise.”
Qi Lingbo (wondering if she was being too sensitive in feeling mocked): “My mother has always been frail. When she was twelve, she went to Peiqiong Mountain Villa seeking treatment, and that’s where she formed a deep friendship with Lady Cai. My mother often says that Lady Cai was righteous and chivalrous from a young age, praised by all. My mother’s martial skills are humble, and she owes her life to Lady Cai’s help many times. That’s why she can stand here today.”
Cai Zhao: “My aunt became a disciple of Old Master Zhou at Peiqiong Mountain when she was ten. Although there were other young ladies there, none were as clever, obedient, and understanding as your mother. She was especially close to my aunt. My mother once said that when the young ladies encountered danger that year, your mother nearly fell into the hands of a grand disciple of some Heavenly Elder from the Demon Cult. It forced my aunt to create several moves of the Dragon Capturing Hand in just a few days to resolve the crisis—now that’s a life-and-death bond!”
Qi Lingbo (feeling mocked again): “…Sister Zhao Zhao is right. My mother and your aunt did quarrel when they were young, but later they formed a life-and-death bond. It shows that childhood squabbles don’t count, hehe, hehe.”
Cai Zhao: “Senior Sister Qi is right! Not only do childhood quarrels and arguments not count, but even throwing small objects at each other is just playful teasing. No one should take it to heart!”
Qi Lingbo’s smile became strained: “…Indeed, indeed.” —Mother, trying to win over this young lady with pleasantries is exhausting!
The two girls continued their exchange, seemingly in perfect harmony and agreement, as if they were about to exchange hairpins and become sworn sisters. However, they had forgotten there was a third person in the room. Suddenly, an ill-timed chuckle broke the air—brief and cold.
At that moment, Qi and Cai both turned their heads towards the source of the sound.
“Junior Sister Cai, you’re truly a hero, able to bend and stretch,” Chang Ning said with a faint mockery. He then pointed at Qi Lingbo, “She was just calling you a little bitch earlier. Are you not taking it to heart?”
Cai Zhao smiled mildly, “Mere verbal sparring, why dwell on it?”
Qi Lingbo breathed a sigh of relief.
“She also wanted to use her numbers to bully you, intending to beat you up first. Are you letting that go too?” Chang Ning pressed on.
Cai Zhao replied helplessly, “Well, it didn’t happen, did it? Even if they had tried, they couldn’t have beaten me.”
“Yes, yes, Junior Sister is right!” Qi Lingbo laughed nervously.
“What if they could? What if they had beaten you severely?” Chang Ning wouldn’t let up.
“Even if they could, even if they had beaten me severely, it would be like a flood washing over the Dragon King’s temple – internal affairs of the Six Sects. We should let it go,” Cai Zhao said, but thought to herself, ‘As if that’s possible. I’d have to smash the heads of anyone who bullied me afterward.’
Qi Lingbo seized the moment to praise, “Junior Sister’s magnanimity is truly admirable, the spirit of a true knight!”
“You’re too kind. Harmony brings wealth, after all,” Cai Zhao played along, maintaining the cordial atmosphere.
“What if someone insulted your aunt, Lady Cai?” Chang Ning suddenly asked.
Cai Zhao’s expression cooled.
“What if someone called Lady Cai a ‘dragging bitch who took over a decade to die’?” Chang Ning’s tone was calm, and his long lashes lowered. “Would Junior Sister Zhao still consider it mere verbal sparring, not worth dwelling on?”
Qi Lingbo jumped up, pointing at Chang Ning’s nose and shouting, “Don’t talk nonsense! … Sister Cai, don’t listen to him. He bears a grudge against me and is trying to sow discord!”
Cai Zhao ignored her, all traces of a smile gone from her face. “Senior Brother Chang Ning, please explain clearly.”
Chang Ning said, “Three years ago when Lady Cai passed away, my father went to pay his respects. On the return journey, overcome with grief, he fell seriously ill. As we were near Mount Jiuli at the time, Sect Leader Qi brought my father into the sect to recover. One day, the Sect Leader and his wife had a fierce argument. Zeng Dalou failed to mediate, so he came to ask my father for help. When my father arrived, he overheard Lady Sulian shouting, ‘Everyone says Cai Pingshu was fatally wounded fighting Nie Hengcheng for the world’s sake, but that bitch dragged on for over a decade before dying. You keep telling me to remember her kindness, it’s so annoying!'”
Qi Lingbo panicked, “Sister Zhao Zhao, don’t listen to this madman. How could my mother say such things? That’s all… that’s all…”
“It wasn’t just my father present at the time, but also Zeng Dalou and Elder Li from the outer sect,” Chang Ning stated decisively.
Cai Zhao’s small, pale hand slowly clenched on the table, her nails digging deep into her palm.
“My father didn’t say another word. He immediately left the mountain, despite his illness,” Chang Ning’s eyes were like icy water, clear and cold. “Sister Zhao Zhao, in this world, not everything and everyone can be dealt with through ‘harmony brings wealth’.”
The golden threads of auspicious clouds woven into the dark brown tablecloth flickered in the bright lamplight, giving off a dazzling white glare. It reminded Cai Zhao of the strands of white hair she had noticed in her aunt’s temples when she was young. At that time, Cai Pingshu was only twenty-five years old.
Cai Zhao recalled the Yin Qinglian she had just met – with radiant skin and jet-black hair, living a life of honor and wealth as the revered wife of the world’s number one sect leader. She wondered if there was truly such a thing as justice in this world.
“There are many guests today, and everyone in the sect is extremely busy. Senior Sister, perhaps you should go attend to the guests,” Cai Zhao said, her expression indifferent.
“No, no, no, Sister Zhao Zhao, let me explain. My mother was arguing with my father then. She spoke without thinking, it just slipped out in the heat of the moment…” Qi Lingbo explained frantically.
Cai Zhao said coolly, “In this vast world, it’s not that no one can speak ill of my aunt, but those who have benefited from her kindness cannot. Speaking without thinking is not acceptable, nor is letting things slip out. Senior Sister, please leave.”
Qi Lingbo flew into a rage, “Chang, who do you think you are? Your family met with disaster and came to Qingque Sect to recover and seek refuge. You should be overwhelmed with gratitude and know your place! How dare you now speak such vile words and try to disrupt the brotherhood of our North Chen Six Sects. You homeless dog, have you no shame! If you look down on us so much, why do you linger in our sect? If you have any guts, get out of here quickly. Don’t embarrass yourself here!”
Chang Ning sat upright, not moving an inch. “I’m indeed not as concerned with a face as my father, who felt he was only causing trouble for others and never remembered the kindness shown to him. Since Young Miss Qi’s memory is poor, let me remind her of a few things.”
“Twenty years ago, when your mother, Lady Sulian, ran away in anger and nearly fell victim to evil cultists, it was my father who came to her aid. Nineteen years ago, when two of the Three Elders of Qingque were killed by the evil cult, and Nie Hengcheng hung and whipped their corpses, no one from the North Chen Six Sects dared to challenge him at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. It was my father who went undercover and risked his life to retrieve the elders’ remains. Sixteen years ago, when Sect Leader Qi set up an elaborate trap to avenge Old Sect Leader Yin, my father played a crucial role…”
With each incident Chang Ning mentioned, Qi Lingbo’s face grew darker.
“These are just the well-known incidents. There were many more where my father contributed greatly without recognition,” Chang Ning looked at Qi Lingbo with derision. “My father never mentions these things, but that doesn’t mean your Qingque Sect has forgotten. Given all this, my staying in the sect to recover is entirely justified.”
Qi Lingbo wasn’t unaware of these events. Qi Yunke had reminded his daughter countless times. However, under her mother Yin Sulian’s influence, she had come to believe that the Qingque Sect was the world’s greatest sect, and it was only natural for martial artists to serve it. Unless the Qingque Sect chose to mention past kindnesses, others shouldn’t bring them up.
Chang Ning glanced at Cai Zhao and chuckled lightly, “But justified or not, even all these past kindnesses haven’t stopped Young Miss Qi from constantly thinking about digging out my heart’s blood, right? Sister Zhao Zhao, don’t you agree? Sister Zhao, Sister Zhao Zhao…”
Cai Zhao turned her head towards the lampstand, lost in thought. It took several calls before she snapped out of it. “Oh, I just remembered a story I heard in Luoying Town. There was a line in it: ‘You spilled your hot blood for the world, but how many remember now? It seems all in this world are ungrateful.'”
Chang Ning smiled, “What story is that? I’ve never heard of it.”
Cai Zhao shook her head gently, “My mother wrote that story.”
Chang Ning was stunned.
“Now I understand what my mother meant,” Cai Zhao sighed softly.
Their back-and-forth exchange, each sentence implying Yin Sulian’s ingratitude, was more than Qi Lingbo could bear. She abruptly stood up, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger. “You… you just wait!” She kicked over her stool and stormed out of the side room in fury.