As the sound of footsteps approached, everyone turned to see Song Yuzhi enter, wearing coarse white linen mourning clothes. Upon seeing his attire, Song Yuzhi exclaimed with a trembling voice, “You… Father… Is Father…?”
Song Xiuzhi smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. According to our scouts, Father has been taken to Luoying Valley by Master Cai. Lady Ning, known for her medical expertise, will surely tend to Father’s wounds. As for my attire… alas, it’s for our great-uncle. He succumbed to his injuries yesterday.”
Mu Qingyan scoffed softly. Cai Zhao rolled her eyes, thinking, “Of course, he predicted this too.” Aloud, she said, “So it’s for a distant relative? Seeing you in full mourning, I thought your father had died. When there’s something to gain, even distant relations become important enough for such displays of filial piety.”
Song Xiuzhi’s expression flickered briefly before he smiled again. “As a nephew of the same clan, wearing full mourning is not inappropriate.”
As Cai Zhao was about to retort, a sudden gust of wind swept through the room. The thick windows on three sides burst open, allowing the cold night air and frost to rush in. More than a dozen figures leaped into the room, led by Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhizhen, and the white-bearded Master Fakong, followed by several Guangtian Gate elders. Outside, Guangtian Gate archers aimed their arrows at Mu Qingyan and his companions. Li Wenxun and Ding Zhuo were notably absent.
Cai Zhao’s eyes twitched nervously as she rushed to Qi Yunke’s side, smiling sweetly. “Master, Uncle Zhou, and Great Master, you’ve all arrived! That’s wonderful. You see, my Third Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, and I just happened to encounter these members of the Demon Sect…”
Qi Yunke, angered by the mere sight of Mu Qingyan, feared his young disciple might have become entangled with the demon leader again. He spoke sternly, “If you were already here, why didn’t you find us instead of coming to this place in the dead of night?”
Song Yuzhi intervened, “I wanted to hear Sect Leader Mu interrogate Yang He’ying. It has nothing to do with Junior Sister. Master, if you must blame someone, blame me.”
Given the recent tragedy that had befallen the Song family, Qi Yunke hesitated to reprimand his beloved disciple. Instead, he maintained a stern expression and merely grunted coldly.
Cai Zhao quickly added, “Yes, yes! We were shocked to learn that it wasn’t Song Maozhi who killed the Huang family heroes and created corpse puppets at Qimu Mountain, but Yang He’ying! He just confessed, and we all heard it!”
“Nonsense!” Yang He’ying hastily retracted his confession. “That demon leader and his family were threatening me. I was merely playing along!”
Cai Zhao shot back, “You’re the one talking nonsense, going back on your word!” She turned to her master. “It’s true, Master. It wasn’t an act. Yang He’ying confessed when he thought no outsiders were present!”
Song Yuzhi supported her claim, “Junior Sister speaks the truth. Yang Heying’s actions are despicable. My brother Fanyi and I both heard it! Moreover, Song Xiuzhi was also involved in the plot to frame his elder brother and harm their father!”
Song Xiuzhi frowned. “We should deal with external threats before addressing internal matters. Elders, we mustn’t let the Demon Sect witness our discord.”
The Song family’s second grand-uncle agreed, “Xiuzhi is right. Surely we’re not going to fight among ourselves in front of the Demon Sect?”
His words garnered widespread support. Seeing the Northern Chen faction’s strength in numbers, Sha Zuguang finally “awoke” and shouted, “That Cai girl has been cozying up to the demon leader. She must have colluded with the Demon Sect to trick my brother-in-law into confessing!”
Madam Sha chimed in, “Exactly! This little harlot once betrayed her parents and master to save that demon leader, injuring several elders. They’ve probably been in cahoots for a long time. The shameless girl is just putting on an act!”
The insinuation of impropriety caused the disciples of Siqimen and Guangtian Gate to burst into laughter, casting lewd glances at Cai Zhao and making crude remarks. Cai Zhao’s face flushed red with anger, her youth making it difficult to ignore the gossip completely.
Mu Qingyan, who had been watching the Northern Chen faction’s internal strife with amusement, now darkened his gaze. His long sleeve swept towards the Sha siblings. In a flash, Yang He’ying, who was closest, cried out and lunged forward, only to be struck in the chest by Mu Qingyan’s phantom palm, causing him to spit blood.
Madam Sha was caught in the sleeve’s wind and felt as if she’d been slashed by swords. She crashed into the wall and fell to the ground, her bones shattered. She spat out several bloodied teeth. As she was about to cry out, she felt a searing pain on her face. Touching it, she let out a piercing scream, “My face! My face!” A piece of flesh had been torn from her left cheek, leaving it a bloody mess.
Before Madam Sha’s screams subsided, Sha Zuguang began bellowing like a mad bull. He fell face-first to the ground, pinned down by Mu Qingyan’s foot on his back, unable to move. While Qi Yunke and the others were distracted by Madam Sha’s plight, Mu Qingyan swiftly grabbed Sha Zuguang’s right arm and yanked it off, skin and bone intact!
“Aaaaargh!” Sha Zuguang howled in agony.
As Qi Yunke and the others were about to rush forward, You Guanyue raised Yang Tianchi high in the air. Shangguan Haonan shouted, “Come any closer if you dare! Let’s see if I can kill this brat with one throw!”
Faced with such brutal tactics, who would dare doubt them? Everyone halted in their tracks.
Mu Qingyan casually tossed aside Sha Zuguang’s severed arm, leaving a bloody streak on the white wall. “I don’t want to hear those two siblings speak like that again. Not now, not ever. Anyone who doubts me is welcome to try.”
His tone and expression remained calm, his handsome features as flawless as fine jade. Normally, such an appearance would inspire goodwill, but amidst the blood and echoing screams, the onlookers saw Mu Qingyan as no better than a man-eating demon. No one dared to “try” him, and the room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen looked deeply troubled. While they didn’t want Cai Zhao to be the subject of gossip, it was the demon leader who had swiftly silenced the rumors.
The Sha siblings’ screams gradually weakened, likely due to shock and blood loss. Yet with the demon leader standing before them, no one dared approach to help the injured pair.
Master Fakong sighed and stepped forward. “Amitabha. Even in Buddhism, we speak of the karma created by words. The Sha siblings have spoken inappropriately, and Sect Leader Mu has already punished them. Please allow us to tend to their wounds and stop the bleeding.”
After a moment’s consideration, Mu Qingyan tilted his head slightly. Understanding the gesture, Shangguan Haonan kicked the Sha siblings high into the air. Yang He’ying quickly caught his beloved concubine, while another Siqimen disciple caught Sha Zuguang.
Master Fakong chanted another Buddhist mantra before continuing, “If Sect Leader Mu has achieved his purpose, perhaps he could take his leave and allow the Six Sects of Northern Chen to handle their internal affairs. What do you think?”
Mu Qingyan’s gaze remained cold and deep as he stared at the old monk. Master Fakong glanced toward Cai Zhao and sighed, “Your sect and the Six Sects of Northern Chen have been at odds for two hundred years. The grudges and entanglements are beyond measure. Whatever Sect Leader Mu says or does today is meaningless. Sect Leader Mu, you should leave while you can.”
Yang He’ying, seeing his beloved concubine’s face a bloody mess, angrily exclaimed, “The leaders of three Northern Chen sects are present today. If we let this demon leave so easily, won’t we be the laughingstock of the world?!”
You Guanyue immediately raised Yang Tianchi higher. “Sect Leader Yang, look carefully at what I’m holding before you speak.”
“Release my son at once!” Yang He’ying roared.
“Oh, I’m so scared,” You Guanyue mocked.
Song Xiuzhi called out, “Men, draw your bows and arrows! Let’s capture this demon in one fell swoop!”
Mu Qingyan took a step forward and said calmly, “Very well. Who wants to go first?” His icy gaze swept across the crowd, sending chills down everyone’s spines. They looked at each other hesitantly, no one daring to step forward. The young and handsome Demon Sect leader exuded an aura of terrifying power and ruthlessness that silenced them all.
Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen exchanged glances. Zhou Zhizhen whispered, “Let’s deal with Guangtian Gate’s matters first. Let the demon go.”
They both knew that forcibly capturing Mu Qingyan would inevitably harm many innocents.
Qi Yunke nodded and then raised his voice, “Master Fakong is right. Northern Chen has internal matters to attend to. We ask Sect Leader Mu to do us the courtesy of leaving.”
Mu Qingyan lowered his long lashes, casting a slender shadow on the ground. The girl kept her head down, silent. Though only a dozen steps separated them, it felt like an insurmountable distance.
“Very well. Our paths diverge here. Farewell,” Mu Qingyan said, raising his head without looking at anyone. In a gust of wind, he soared away as if riding on clouds.
You Guanyue tossed the child into an open space and leaped away with Shangguan Haonan, their laughter echoing as they vanished into the snowy night sky.
Qi Yunke took a deep breath and said sternly, “Yang He’ying, now that the outsiders are gone, what do you have to say about the deaths of the Huang family heroes?”
“What is there to say? I’ve already told you that I was just pretending to fool that demon!” Yang He’ying replied aggressively.
Madam Zhuo tearfully pleaded, “Sect Leader Qi, you must believe my husband! You all saw how vicious and domineering that demon was. My husband had no choice but to play along for the sake of our family. Lanr, say something! Isn’t that right?”
Yang Xiaolan, however, was too stunned to utter a word.
Zhou Zhizhen hesitated before saying, “Perhaps Sect Leader Yang truly had no choice but to comply under duress.”
Unable to contain his frustration any longer, Song Yuzhi exclaimed, “Is Sect Leader Yang trying to pin all the blame on my brother?!”
Yang He’ying snorted coldly. “You should ask Song Xiuzhi about that. He clearly stated that it was Song Maozhi who created the corpse puppets and silenced witnesses!”
Song Xiuzhi calmly replied, “I never said it was Maozhi’s doing.”
Shocked, Yang He’ying stammered, “You… you clearly said…”
Song Xiuzhi smiled slightly. “It’s true that the two Demon Sect members Maozhi captured claimed to be Nie Zhe’s subordinates and offered to help him create corpse puppets. As for whether they were genuine or sent by someone else, I couldn’t say.”
He continued, “Maozhi mentioned finding a secluded, densely forested area and withdrew a substantial amount of money, claiming he wanted to cultivate his trusted circle. Whether that forest was Qimu Mountain, I don’t know.”
“Moreover, that night when Maozhi returned covered in blood, he said all the helpers he had painstakingly recruited were killed by a group of mysterious men in black—what if he was telling the truth?”
The crowd listened in stunned silence. A strange smile played on Song Xiuzhi’s delicate features as he added, “I’m only repeating what I saw and heard. I wouldn’t dare make baseless assumptions. Uncle Yang, it was you who concluded Maozhi was the culprit based on this information, not me.”
Yang He’ying exploded with rage. “You cunning bastard, Song Xiuzhi! You’ve managed to extricate yourself completely. If you hadn’t been so eager to become the sect leader, why would I have gone to such lengths?!”
Song Xiuzhi replied coolly, “As a member of the Song family’s main branch, I’m qualified to become sect leader as long as I’m filial to the elders and can bring glory to our sect. Why would I need Uncle Yang to go to such ‘lengths’ on my behalf?”
Even Yang He’ying found himself unable to refute this logic. He sputtered incoherently, his face turning purple with anger. The onlookers thought to themselves that it was Yang He’ying who wanted his son-in-law to succeed, which explained his meddling. Otherwise, why would he be so altruistic?
Zhou Zhizhen pondered aloud, “So, it remains unclear whether Maozhi was truly responsible for the murders of the Huang family heroes.”
“But my brother is dead, and my father is gravely injured!” Song Yuzhi cried out, filled with grief and indignation.
Song Xiuzhi sighed softly. “I never anticipated that Young Master Sha would perish alongside Maozhi. Alas, perhaps he was overcome with grief, thinking of his maternal grandfather’s family’s tragic end and his mother’s death from excessive worry. He might have felt compelled to trade his life for theirs.”
Yang Xiaolan’s eyes widened in disbelief. She murmured, “What Young Master Sha? My aunt, Lady Huang, never had a son. And she passed away ten years ago. What’s all this about trading lives and being overcome with grief?”
Cai Zhao gasped, suddenly realizing why she had felt uneasy when Mu Qingyan mentioned Lady Huang’s death years ago. She exclaimed, “That’s right! That night, the man called Sha Tian kept talking about his mother’s recent death due to her family’s tragic fate—so it was all a lie?!”
The Guangtian Gate disciples immediately began to murmur among themselves. Many had heard Sha Tian’s impassioned accusations that night, and now they cast suspicious glances at the nearby Siqimen disciples.
Fan Xingjia asked, puzzled, “So who exactly was this Sha Tian?”
“Sha Tian was a trained assassin,” Song Yuzhi replied, closing his eyes as he recalled that fateful night. In the face of death, Song Maozhi had unleashed all his power, his hands like knives, plunging deep into Sha Tian’s abdomen, nearly ripping out and shattering his internal organs. Yet the burly youth had endured the excruciating pain, clinging desperately to Song Maozhi.
“I should have realized sooner!” Song Yuzhi lamented bitterly. “That man’s martial arts were mediocre, his footwork clumsy, yet his arms possessed incredible strength, and he could withstand inhuman pain. How could anyone achieve such a feat without specialized training? I should have seen it!”
His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Yang He’ying. “You sent an assassin to kill my brother!”
Trapped in his web of lies, Yang He’ying could only bluster, “Song Maozhi murdered the Huang family heroes. I sought vengeance for the Huang family. What of it?!”
Qi Yunke frowned. “We have yet to determine if Song Maozhi was truly the culprit. How could you arbitrarily kill a disciple from a brother sect?!”
Overwhelmed with grief, Song Yuzhi exclaimed, “He wanted to conceal his guilt, so he pinned everything on my brother!” No longer doubting Mu Qingyan’s words from the previous night, he shouted, “The Huang family heroes had withdrawn from the martial world and ceased contact with everyone. How could my brother have known their whereabouts?! Only you, you old scoundrel, could have known because…”
“Because Grandfather missed my mother and me,” Yang Xiaolan interjected, her voice hollow and her face streaked with tears. “He worried about our well-being and often sent us things… That’s how Father knew about Qimu Mountain!”
“You insolent wench! How dare you spout such nonsense!” Yang He’ying raised his sword to strike his daughter, but Yang Xiaolan nimbly dodged the attack.
Madam Zhuo rushed forward, clutching Yang He’ying’s sword arm and pleading with him not to lose his temper. Enraged, Yang He’ying violently shook her off, causing her to slam headfirst into the brick wall, drawing blood.
“Mother!” Yang Xiaolan cried out in anguish, rushing to embrace her mother.
As Yang He’ying prepared to strike again, the onlookers could no longer stand idly by. Zhou Zhizhen shouted “Stop!” while Qi Yunke’s palms slowly pushed forward, generating a gust of wind from his sleeves. The powerful, harmonious force knocked the sword from Yang He’ying’s hand.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Yang He’ying roared. “Even if I knew the Huang family was living in seclusion on Qimu Mountain, why would I choose to create corpse puppets there?”
Qi Yunke retorted, “Stop playing dumb, Yang He’ying! We’ve all witnessed the process of creating corpse puppets before. It’s not only noisy but requires water sources, firewood, and a constant supply of living people. How do you think Wu Yuanying and the others discovered someone was creating corpse puppets on Dinglu Mountain?” It was this discovery that prompted Wu Yuanying to lead a group of heroes up the mountain to eliminate the threat, only to find it was Elder Yaoguang.
Zhou Zhizhen added, “Moreover, the living people used to create corpse puppets are preferably those with martial arts skills. Ordinary civilians without any foundation would produce puppets of little power. Qimu Mountain was the perfect location—unknown to others, with water and forests, and a group of retired martial artists living there. Though physically disabled, they still retained their skills. The villagers below could be easily controlled, and if word got out, the entire village could be silenced!”
Yang He’ying laughed coldly. “Fine, fine. You’ve all decided to pin this great crime on me tonight. What now, Sect Leader Qi? Are you going to kill my entire family? Without evidence, relying solely on baseless accusations, I refuse to admit guilt!”
Qi Yunke’s face was as cold as frost. “Every family has its rules, every sect its laws. If anyone in the Six Sects of Northern Chen commits such a heinous crime, I will show no mercy! Yang He’ying, you may leave tonight, but I will personally investigate Qimu Mountain afterward. The net of heaven has large meshes, but it lets nothing through. Creating corpse puppets is no small operation; I doubt you could erase all traces. When the time comes, I will gather the heroes of the world to hold you accountable!”
Yang He’ying let out a cold laugh. “Fine, we’re leaving!” He picked up his wailing son, Yang Tianchi, and ordered his disciples to carry the gravely injured Sha siblings. The large group departed without hesitation.
Yang Xiaolan watched her father’s retreating figure, left alone cradling her unconscious mother. Song Xiuzhi sighed softly and took out a pair of lustrous jade ruyi rings from his robes, holding them out with both hands. “My apologies, Miss Yang. Your father has framed and killed my second brother Maozhi. With such a great grudge between us, I’m afraid we cannot proceed with our marriage. This betrothal gift…”
Yang Xiaolan turned back, her gaze empty, as if she hadn’t even seen Song Xiuzhi. As he was about to speak again, a sudden gust of wind swept by. The jade rings vanished from his hands, replaced by a white jade pendant—the token Song Shijun had originally given to Yang He’ying to seal the engagement.
Without a word, Yang Xiaolan bent down to carry her mother on her back, heading in a different direction from Yang He’ying. As she left, she seemed to stomp her foot slightly. As her figure faded into the distance, the night breeze swept across the ground, stirring up a flash of green. The onlookers, puzzled, realized that Yang Xiaolan had crushed the jade rings to powder beneath her foot.
Cai Zhao inwardly cheered, feeling that Yang Xiaolan was worth befriending.
“Alas, while Sect Leader Yang’s conduct was improper, Miss Yang proved to be a woman of integrity,” Song Xiuzhi sighed wistfully.
His feigned look of regret infuriated Cai Zhao. Song Yuzhi stepped forward angrily, “Yang He’ying may be despicable, but what about you? It was your public accusation against our elder brother that allowed Yang He’ying to kill him!”
Song Xiuzhi’s face was filled with sorrow. “At the time, I was gravely injured and believed Maozhi had sent people to attack me. Filled with grief and anger, I revealed the truth to everyone. Had I known it would come to this, I would have kept everything hidden and not uttered a single word.”
His words were cleverly crafted, repeatedly stating that he shouldn’t have revealed the truth while subtly implying that Song Maozhi had indeed acted improperly. Many Guangtian Gate disciples began clamoring that Song Xiuzhi had only told the truth and, apart from being a bit loose-lipped, had done nothing wrong. Song Yuzhi found himself momentarily unable to refute this.
Cai Zhao stood beside Song Yuzhi and loudly declared, “The Song family’s main branch has suffered numerous casualties in a single day—the current sect leader gravely injured, the future sect leader tragically killed, the Hall of Saints’ Elder Pang dead, and the great-uncle who was next in line for leadership succumbing to his injuries. Even the Yang family of Siqimen has been dragged into this quagmire. Young Master Xiuzhi, are you suggesting that you alone remain clean and completely innocent?”
Song Xiuzhi frowned slightly. “I merely recounted what I saw and heard, without adding or omitting anything. I never intended for my second brother Maozhi to be misunderstood, and I certainly had no intention of framing him.”
Cai Zhao sneered, “You think denying it makes it untrue? Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll gather a couple hundred storytellers to spread the tale of what’s happened at Guangtian Gate far and wide. Let heroes and commoners alike witness the true nature of the supposedly pure and untainted Young Master Song Xiuzhi!”
Song Xiuzhi’s expression finally changed. He turned to Qi Yunke, “Master Qi, it’s clear that Yang Zhangling maliciously framed my younger brother. Now, with Miss Cai’s aggressive accusations, isn’t she trying to pin the crime of fratricide and conspiracy on me? Do you, as the leader of the Six Sects, intend to judge me?”
Cai Zhao blocked his path. “Stop playing the victim! Why would Yang He’ying frame Song Maozhi for no reason? Could a Yang become the master of the Guangtian Gate? It’s all for you, the prized son-in-law! Let’s cut to the chase…” She suddenly raised her voice, “I refuse to let Song Xiuzhi become the master of Guangtian Gate!”
Song Xiuzhi’s supporters erupted in anger, stepping forward to shout, “Who are you to have a say in this?”
Cai Zhao retorted, hands on hips, “I may be nobody, but I still refuse!”
Fan Xingjia, hiding in the back, almost laughed at the tense situation.
“Zhaozao, don’t spread baseless rumors,” Zhou Zhizhen chided gently, suppressing a smile. “We judge actions, not intentions. Surely, the elders of Guangtian Gate understand the principle of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.”
No matter how Song Xiuzhi defended himself, it was his testimony that led to Song Maozhi’s death and Song Shijun’s severe injury. If he were to succeed as the master now, it would raise suspicions. This veiled criticism hit the mark, angering Song Xiuzhi’s supporters.
The great-granduncle from the Fifth Branch stepped forward. “Master Qi, please consider. Though the Six Sects are closely allied, for two hundred years, we’ve managed our affairs. Unless there’s a grave transgression against heaven’s principles, each sect handles its matters. Other sects shouldn’t interfere needlessly, lest we risk disunity and allow the Devil Sect to exploit—as history has shown, you’re well aware of this.”
Qi Yunke’s expression turned solemn. “…Of course, I understand.”
The Northern Chen Six Sects had faced misfortune in recent years. First, two consecutive masters of Taichu Temple were exposed as villains and died tragically. The impending trial of Siqimen would surely cause great turmoil. Guangtian Gate couldn’t afford another mishap now.
Master Fakong, observing the chaos, stepped forward. “Forgive my presumption, but allow this old monk to offer some clarity. There are two matters we must address. First, according to the pigeon message from Luoying Valley, Master Song is severely injured and unconscious…”
“Correct,” the eldest son of the late grand-uncle interjected loudly. “In this state, even if the Master’s life isn’t in danger, he likely can’t continue leading Guangtian Gate.”
Master Fakong continued, “Thus, we must select an interim master. This is the second matter. Master Song now has only two sons left, Young Master Xiuzhi and Young Master Yuzi…”
The second son of the late grand-uncle interrupted, “By seniority and merit, Xiuzhi should be the interim master. As for Yuzi, he’s been with the Qingque Sect for over a decade and knows nothing of Guangtian Gate’s affairs. He’s unsuitable!”
Cai Zhao couldn’t hold back any longer. “I don’t think Song Xiuzhi is suitable either. You two would be most fitting. They say great misfortune is followed by great fortune. Since you two weren’t crippled by Chen Shu’s Five Poison Palm, surely you’re destined for greatness.”
The two sons of the grand-uncle blushed, aware that regardless of the Five Poison Palm incident, their talents and cultivation were unremarkable.
Zhou Zhizhen smiled, shaking his head as he pulled Cai Xiaozhao aside. He glanced sideways and said softly, “Yuzi, it’s time for you to make your own decision.”
Song Yuzi straightened his clothes and stood before everyone. He announced loudly, “Given the circumstances, let’s follow Guangtian Gate’s old traditions. I’m willing to compete with my elder brother to determine who will succeed as master.”
Cai Zhao called out softly from behind, “Hey, Third Senior Brother, you haven’t recovered from your injuries yet.”
Fan Xingjia leaned in, “It’s fine, Song Xiuzhi’s cultivation isn’t that high.”
Without turning back, Song Yuzi declared resolutely, “To prevent bloodshed within the Song family and chaos in Guangtian Gate, let my battle with my elder brother settle this once and for all.”
Qi Yunke sighed, “Yuzi, are you certain about this?”
Song Yuzi nodded. Surprisingly, Song Xiuzhi agreed and had someone bring forth a pair of swords. “Yuzi, these are your Qinghong and Baihong twin swords. They were left at the entrance of the Sacred Hall that night.”
Song Yuzi took the swords. “Thank you.” He strapped Qinghong to his back as usual, wielding only Baihong for the fight.
“Please,” Song Xiuzhi said, raising his long sword with the tip pointing skyward.
The brothers’ duel began, filling the arena with flashing sword lights. Zhou Zhizhen stepped back two paces, watching quietly. Song Yuzi truly lived up to his reputation as a prodigy. Despite his disadvantages, his techniques remained exquisite and his movements graceful, clearly surpassing Zhou Yuqi in every aspect.
People often speculated that Zhou Zhizhen arranged his son’s marriage to Cai Zhao to help him succeed as the sect leader. Even Zhou’s mother and wife believed this. Only Zhou knew it wasn’t his intention. Zhaozao was carefree, while Yuqi lacked ambition. Even if they married, Zhou hadn’t planned for them to lead Peiqiong Manor. He simply thought his gentle, caring son would cherish Zhaozao for life. Unfortunately, his son’s heart belonged to another, and Zhou wasn’t one to forcibly separate lovers. The Zhou-Cai marriage was called off.
Song Yuzi’s sword slashed diagonally, tearing Song Xiuzhi’s robe hem, nearly striking him before he dodged. Cai Zhao gasped, her eyes wide. Nearby, Qi Yunke pulled her back, mumbling, “Zhaozao, stand back. Don’t let the sword energy hit you.”
Zhou Zhizhen looked away. He and Qi Yunke both wanted the best for Zhaozao, but their views differed. Zhaozao had no lofty ambitions, so Qi wanted her to marry the most outstanding young hero, enjoying worldly riches and respect. Zhou, however, didn’t see the appeal in being the supreme martial arts master. He believed that as long as a couple was in love, spending a lifetime together was happiness enough.
Sometimes he wondered: if Mu Qingyan wasn’t the Devil Sect’s leader, things might be different. When Zhaozao looked at him, her eyes sparkled with emotion… just like 13-year-old Cai Pingshu’s gaze by Peiqiong Manor’s lake.
The swords clashed, ringing out. Song Yuzi, still recovering, weakened. Song Xiuzhi seized the opportunity to counterattack, his sword moved to become fierce and overwhelming.
Zhou frowned. He knew Qi Yunke wanted to match Zhaozao with Song Yuzi, but Zhou felt Song Yuzi had been too fortunate, becoming arrogant and unprepared for adversity. At least Zhou Yuqi knew his limitations, planning a quiet life of study, art, and managing family businesses.
If Song Yuzi were wise, he’d know tonight wasn’t the time to face Song Xiuzhi. The Song family was already divided after the injuries of the grand-uncle and Song Shijun. Song Maozhi’s death, though carried out by the Sha family, stemmed from the Song family’s accusations. If Song Shijun recovered or Song Yuzi succeeded, those involved in Song Maozhi’s demise would fear retribution. Even if Song Yuzi won tonight, he’d face fierce opposition. The best strategy would be to retreat temporarily and plan carefully. Moreover, given Song Xiuzhi’s calculated nature, his readiness to fight tonight suggested thorough preparation.
A roar erupted from the arena. Song Xiuzhi’s sword pointed at Song Yuzi, who had fallen with a bleeding shoulder. Cai Zhao punched Fan Xingjia, “Didn’t you say Song Xiuzhi’s skills were average? He’s on par with Senior Ding!”
Fan Xingjia rubbed his shoulder, “It was just a guess!”
“Even fortune-tellers get their stalls smashed for wrong predictions!” They argued while rushing to help Song Yuzi up.
Fan Xingjia pondered, “If he’s this skilled, why did he shoot such shallow darts that night?”
“Oh, I get it,” Cai Zhao realized. “He never intended to kill Third Senior Brother. He wanted to defeat him publicly!”
Whether Song Yuzi was caught by darts that night or challenged tonight, his injuries, family turmoil, fatigue, and Song Xiuzhi’s deliberate underperformance all led to this inevitable outcome. Cai Zhao admired the cunning of the unassuming Young Master Xiuzhi. Only Mu Qingyan could match his scheming nature.
“Little brother, well fought,” Song Xiuzhi gracefully sheathed his sword.
Song Yuzi looked dejected. “I was outmatched.”
He turned, “Master, let’s go.”
“Don’t be discouraged,” Qi Yunke patted his shoulder. “Today’s defeat will be tomorrow’s stepping stone.”
After consoling his beloved disciple, he bowed to the Guangtian Gate crowd, “We’ll take our leave. I hope you’ll conduct yourselves well when leading the righteous path.”
Song Xiuzhi agreed respectfully, inviting them to stay until dawn, but was politely refused.
As they descended the mountain, Song Yuzi suddenly said, “Zhaozao, I want to recover quickly and expel all the Netherworld Cold Energy.” His eyes flickered with fire like the golden flames tempering a precious sword.
Cai Zhao replied, “Let’s return to Luoying Valley together and find the Purple Jade Golden Mallow.”