As Chang Ning’s words reopened old wounds that had long scabbed over, Cai Zhao felt a dull ache in her heart.
In her youth, she had asked her aunt more than once if she ever regretted exchanging her rare and extraordinary talent for just a few years of peace in the jianghu. Cai Pingshu replied, “In two hundred years of the vast world, there have been countless heroes. How can there be so much talk of regret? If it felt right at the time, you just do it.”
Young Miss Qi’s temper was indeed fierce. Not only did she leave in a huff, but she also knocked over several plates of snacks on the table. Bai jade cakes, green pear pastries, kumquat yogurt, cherry mille-feuille… a colorful mess scattered across the table. Cai Zhao, who had been too busy putting on an act with Qi Lingbo to eat earlier, could only sigh and pick up the fallen snacks to munch on. Even as she hastily filled her stomach, she didn’t forget to savor the flavors.
How to put it… It wasn’t that they tasted bad, but like those grand imperial banquets with lobster, roast goose, and duck – while the ingredients were plentiful, the dishes lacked both distinctiveness and warmth. She immediately felt a bit disappointed in Qingque Sect’s master chefs.
Chang Ning had expected Cai Zhao to be furious upon hearing about Yin Sulian’s words. To his surprise, he saw Cai Zhao slowly compose herself and even start eating the snacks. After waiting for a while, seeing Cai Zhao holding a piece of mille-feuille, frowning and tasting it carefully without speaking, he suddenly asked, “Did you find half a cockroach in it?”
Since their first meeting in the plum forest, whether facing Qi Lingbo’s bullying and threats, Zeng Dalou’s fence-sitting, or even Dai Fengchi’s intimidation, this young girl had maintained a playful attitude and warm words, showing remarkable composure. Chang Ning couldn’t help but want to provoke her.
Cai Zhao’s rosy cheeks still bore a smile: “Don’t worry, Senior Brother Chang.”
“What am I not to worry about?”
“Even if I become friends with Senior Sister Qi, I won’t let her dig out your heart’s blood.”
Chang Ning’s expression changed abruptly, though his face full of sores mostly concealed it. He slowly said, “What do you mean by that, Junior Sister?”
Cai Zhao replied, “I mean that Senior Brother Chang needn’t deliberately sow discord. I know what kind of person Lady Sulian is, but I’ll be staying at Qingque Sect for three years. There’s no need to burn bridges now. However, since she insulted my aunt, there’s no need to force a friendly facade either.”
After hearing this, Chang Ning’s face – and his sores – remained expressionless.
“Leaving aside the entanglements of our elders, Senior Sister Qi just has that kind of temper. Uncle Qi has said before that his daughter behaves well for days after being scolded, and even longer after being beaten, but Lady Sulian always protects her — otherwise, Uncle wouldn’t have avoided introducing her to my aunt all these years. But Senior Brother Chang is different. Our North Chen Six Sects are closely connected. Unless one betrays their master and sect, we can’t just beat or kill someone we dislike. Take Lady Sulian, for instance. My aunt has said that this lady won’t do good deeds but can’t do truly evil ones either; she just annoys people with her mouth. My mother says that if things get really bad, a good fight should settle it.”
Despite this earnest speech, Chang Ning seemed unaffected. Instead, he asked, “If you know all this, why come to Qingque Sect? Aren’t there other places in the North Chen Six Sects you could go? Couldn’t you find a more peaceful place to become a disciple?”
Cai Zhao couldn’t admit that she had been escorted here by her parents, so she said, “Harmony brings wealth, you know. As long as it’s not a big deal, letting others say a few words is fine. If every shop in Luoying Town had such a quick temper, how could they do business? Besides, there are no smooth paths in this world. You make the path smoother by treading it.”
Chang Ning’s smile was cold as he looked at her for a moment. “You didn’t come here willingly. You were forced. I guess Sect Leader Qi and your aunt arranged your discipleship years ago, and your parents are just carrying it out. Even if you were unwilling, you couldn’t resist.”
Cai Zhao’s expression cooled: “Senior Brother Chang, I sincerely want to get along with you.”
Chang Ning: “So do I.”
Cai Zhao, with a cold face: “In any case, I’ll protect you well during these days of the ancestor’s memorial. I won’t let Senior Sister Qi dig out your heart’s blood. When Sect Uncle Qi is free, we can go our separate ways.”
Chang Ning sneered, “Junior Sister Cai doesn’t need to force herself. After all, the entire Chang family is dead. What difference does one more make!”
Cai Zhao felt this person was simply sick. Even the most diplomatic shopkeeper couldn’t handle a customer intentionally looking for trouble. She let out a huff and turned her back, cradling her teacup. Chang Ning also huffed, turning his back in the same manner.
At that moment, a young, enthusiastic voice came from outside—
“…Come this way, Mrs. Cai, be careful. There’s a lampstand at this corner, don’t bump into it. Oh, who put this bonsai here? It’s already so crowded, are they trying to trip the guests? Valley Master Cai, don’t worry, it should be right here. I asked Senior Brother personally, and he said Junior Sister is in this side room.”
Hearing this familiar shopkeeper’s tone, Cai Zhao immediately felt goodwill towards the person outside.
Since coming to Qingque Sect, she had encountered nothing but arrogant young misses, biased senior brothers, clueless sycophants, and one sarcastic neurotic. She had almost thought there were no normal people in the sect.
The voice outside quickly approached, and soon the door was pushed open. A medium-built young man with a round face and dimples entered, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Cai Pingchun.
“Father, Mother, you’re here!” Cai Zhao stood up with a smile. “I thought I’d only find you at the banquet. This must be Fifth Senior Brother, Senior Brother told me about you. This Wanshui Qianshan Cliff is so vast, earlier I… Ouch!”
Ning Xiaofeng gave her daughter a flick on the forehead: “What do you mean vast? It’s your heart that’s too big! How dare you run around in a strange place you’ve just arrived at? Many major martial arts sects have forbidden areas and secret places. What if you had stumbled into trouble?”
Chang Ning stood dumbfounded, staring at the red mark on Cai Zhao’s forehead.
Cai Pingchun kept a stern face, ignoring his daughter, and turned to say, “Thank you, Nephew Fan. This child is inconsiderate and has caused trouble for you and Dalou.”
Fan Xingjia laughed heartily, “Valley Master Cai, what are you saying? Any shortcomings in hospitality are the Qingque Sect’s fault, how could we blame the guests? Besides, Little Junior Sister will soon become a disciple. We’ll all be family then, so it’s no problem for her to walk around Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. Mrs. Cai, please don’t scold Little Junior Sister.”
“Alright, your master is right. Among all the disciples, Xingjia has the best temperament,” Ning Xiaofeng said with a smile. As she turned her head, she saw a tall young man with a face full of sores slowly standing up by the table, his beautiful eyes fixed intently on her fingers that had just flicked her daughter’s forehead.
“And this is…?” Ning Xiaofeng looked towards Fan Xingjia.
Cai Zhao quickly interjected, “This is Chang Ning, Uncle Chang’s…”
Cai Pingchun let out a soft “Ah”: “It’s Brother Chang’s son. We’ve heard about what happened to your family…”
He was at a loss for words, unsure how to comfort this young man whose entire family had met with tragedy.
Knowing Chang Ning’s identity, Mr. and Mrs. Cai’s attitude towards him became especially gentle.
“Mother, where’s Xiao Han? Where did you leave him?” Cai Zhao looked around but couldn’t see her younger brother.
“What do you mean, ‘leave him’?” Ning Xiaofeng said. “Your great-aunt and uncle are here today. You might be able to avoid them, but doesn’t Xiao Han need to pay his respects? Come on, let’s go greet the elders!” She reached out to pull her daughter along.
“They’ve both become monks, why are we still calling them great-aunt and uncle… Hey, hey, Mother, slow down! Senior Brother, Senior Brother Chang, come with us too.” Cai Zhao was dragged a couple of steps before remembering she couldn’t leave Chang Ning behind. She quickly reached back with her left hand, grabbing Chang Ning’s sleeve, and the group moved out like a chain.
Fan Xingjia, following at the back, caught sight of Chang Ning lowering his head, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
…
Outside, the noise of the crowd was deafening.
Over the past two hundred years, the Qingque Sect had been led by about ten generations of sect leaders, with tenures varying in length. The longest lasted over thirty years, while the shortest was just three hours. Except for two instances of father-son succession, the rest were all master-disciple inheritances. After so many sect leaders with different tastes constantly adding and removing things, the current decor of Muwei Palace was truly a mix of various styles.
Above Cai Zhao’s head hung an elegant, cold, and transparent crystal chandelier—a legacy of the fourth sect leader. Merely three feet away, beneath the white jade beam, loomed a massive chandelier left by his son, the fifth sect leader. This extravagant piece boasted eighteen branches of red-gold dragons chasing phoenixes, adorned with rubies and a porcelain flower basket in pastel enamels. Cai Zhao, standing below, mused for a moment that this son might as well have been adopted.
Looking down, he faced a sea of shining heads—men and women, young and old, some kind-faced, others stern.
Feeling dizzy, Cai Zhao hastily bowed to the elderly nun and middle-aged Zen master before him. “Greetings, Master Jingyuan and Master Juexing. It’s been long since we last met. I hope you’re both in good health and all is well with you.”
Master Jingyuan, over sixty, stood tall and lean. Decades of austere discipline had etched a fierce expression on her face, enough to frighten a group of mischievous children. At that moment, young Cai Han quietly hid behind Master Juexing, not daring to make a sound.
Ning Xiaofeng then introduced Chang Ning. The Chang family’s tragedy was well-known throughout the martial arts world. Even the usually unsentimental Master Jingyuan softened her expression, while Master Juexing repeatedly expressed his condolences for Chang Ning’s family.
However, Chang Ning maintained his usual cold and detached demeanor.
After the pleasantries, the old nun scrutinized Cai Zhao. “The Qingque Sect is a prestigious school. Once you join, you must abandon your lazy habits from Luoying Town. Don’t tarnish your family’s reputation!”
“…I’ll heed your instructions, Master,” Cai Zhao replied, though he wanted to point out that Luoying Valley already ranked last among the Six Northern Sects in terms of resources and reputation—how much lower could it fall?
Noticing the girl’s discomfort, Master Juexing chuckled, “Zhao-Zhao, after becoming a disciple, you’ll be considered an adult. You must be sensible and obedient at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff… but don’t let others bully you. I’ve brought you a cage of carrier pigeons. If you’re ever wronged, inform your elders immediately.”
Qingxi Ao’s Changchun Temple was renowned for training carrier pigeons that could deliver messages anywhere. Cai Zhao beamed, “Thank you, Uncle! I promise to be good and won’t let anyone take advantage of me!”
Master Jingyuan glared at her nephew. “As a monk, you should refer to yourself as ‘this poor monk,’ not ‘I’! You barely said two sensible things before encouraging her to tattle. Your cultivation needs work!”
Cai Han blinked his big eyes. “…Great-aunt, you just said ‘I’ too.”
Mr. and Mrs. Cai Ning lowered their heads, smiling quietly.
As the feast was about to begin, the Fan family invited everyone to the main hall. Cai Zhao and the other young ones were to dine at a side table in the southeast corner of the main hall. Before leaving, Master Jingyuan couldn’t resist one last admonition to Cai Zhao: “…After joining the sect, follow the rules diligently. Don’t be like your aunt, always courting trouble!”
Cai Zhao remained silent, bowing her head respectfully as the elders left.
Chang Ning stood for a while, noticing Cai Zhao still lost in thought. He then took the siblings by their sleeves and led them to a clean, bright table. Initially, young Cai Han feared this brother with a face full of sores, but upon seeing how gently Chang Ning served him snacks and fruits, he gradually relaxed.
“If you can’t stand that old nun criticizing your aunt, just talk back. The worst you’ll get is a punishment. What’s the use of being angry in silence?” Chang Ning added two spoonfuls of chicken mushrooms dressed with sesame oil and crushed walnuts to Cai Zhao’s plate.
“…I used to talk back when I was little, but later my aunt told me not to argue with Master Jingyuan. She said the old master just disapproves of her free-spirited nature but is a very fair and upright person.”
Although Cai Zhao had resolved not to speak much with this peculiar character, Chang Ning had voiced thoughts she’d pondered for years, and she found herself engaging in conversation once more.
“Of course, your aunt would say that,” Chang Ning remarked, adding two slices of thinly sliced beef to Cai Zhao’s plate. “The old nun is from a prestigious sect and your mother’s elder. Did you expect your aunt to say, ‘Well done, Zhao-zhao! Let me teach you more comebacks for next time?”
Cai Zhao nearly laughed out loud but quickly composed herself. “Brother Chang, watch your words.”
Undeterred, Chang Ning continued serving food, this time adding three thick salt-grilled fish fillets. “Fine, let’s change the subject. Why did all your mother’s family elders become monks and nuns? Is there a story behind it?”
This topic instantly piqued Cai Zhao’s interest. Accustomed to gossiping around town with Cai Pingzhu, she readily answered, “My grandmother and Master Jingyuan are twin sisters. In their youth, they had a fateful encounter with Buddhism. They believed they were like a pair of conjoined lotuses in the pond before the Mahavairocana Hall. However, just before taking their vows, my grandmother met my grandfather and broke her oath to marry him.”
Chang Ning turned, puzzled. “Why does this story sound familiar? Ah I remember. It’s said that the Northern Ancestor once cultivated a pair of conjoined lotuses at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. The late Master Yin, who always imitated the Ancestor, named his two daughters Sulian and Qinglian. Why do all these old stories sound the same? So, what happened next? Your grandmother didn’t become a nun, so she made your uncle join instead?”
Seeing the relaxed atmosphere, Cai Zhao continued, “You see, Buddhism emphasizes cause and effect. If my grandmother had kept her vow and become a nun, my mother and uncle wouldn’t exist, nor would the subsequent generations. So, she hoped both my mother and uncle would join the monastery to fulfill her broken oath.”
Chang Ning nodded. “Growing up in such an environment naturally instills Buddhist inclinations. Your uncle became a monk, but your mother met your father…”
“Not quite,” Cai Zhao grinned. “My mother initially met my aunt, who was disguised as a man. She fell in love, forgetting all about becoming a nun.”
Chang Ning set down his chopsticks. “Ah I know the rest. My father told me. When your mother discovered Cai the female warrior’s true identity, she almost became a nun at Xuankong Temple. Master Jingyuan was delighted and set up barriers at Yinxiu Ravine to prevent your aunt from interfering. Your aunt then led a group of brothers to fight their way up and ‘persuade’ your mother back to the secular world.”
He smirked slightly, “My father kept urging everyone not to disturb the Buddhist sanctuary. Your aunt’s brothers then gave him the nickname ‘Granny Chang’.”
“…My aunt always told them not to use that nickname,” Cai Zhao said, feeling awkward.
“It’s fine,” Chang Ning replied calmly. “My father misses the days of being called ‘Granny Chang’. He misses the people who called him that.” It wasn’t the nickname Hero Chang Haosheng missed, but rather those carefree, youthful days and the joyful youngsters who were now gone forever.
Cai Zhao felt melancholic. After a moment, she said, “My aunt misses those times too. Everyone was young then, riding high on success. They caused such a commotion at Yinxiu Ravine that Master Jingyuan nearly broke her vows in anger. Back then, Nie Hengcheng hadn’t practiced evil arts or used living people to create corpse puppets. Everyone was alive and well, without injuries or lost loved ones…”
“Are you finished? Good, now it’s my turn,” Chang Ning waited for Cai Zhao to finish before speaking.
He sat up straight and said, “Your grandmother couldn’t let go of love, broke her vow to marry, and lived half her life in marital bliss. Yet, to make up for her youthful regret, she wanted to send both her children into Buddhism, disregarding their wishes. How is this any different from those scoundrels who sell their daughters to brothels to pay off debts and live comfortably?”