A young, attractive couple slowly descended from the second floor. The man was tall and elegant, while the petite girl seemed timid, hiding behind him.
The fat man, hit by the shards, was jumping with rage. Seeing the pair, he immediately cursed, “Which bastard dared to ambush me? Come and die… Ah was it you two? How dare you, I’ll…”
Mu Qingyan calmly said, “Brother, please calm down. Such a small matter isn’t worth ruining your health over.”
With a sweep of his sleeve, a powerful gust swept up the scattered shards, embedding them into the mud wall with a series of clinks.
This display of skill silenced the hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
The fat man, though brash, wasn’t stupid. He could tell who not to provoke.
Unable to pick a fight, he greeted them with a forced smile.
The pair introduced themselves as siblings – the brother named Yan Ning, and the sister, Feng Xiaohan.
Sharp observers had noticed they came from the same room, which seemed improper even for siblings. As for their different surnames, some speculated they might be half-siblings. When questioned about their dissimilar appearances, they explained they each took after their respective fathers – a convenient excuse everyone found reasonable.
When it was the fat man’s turn to introduce himself, he hesitated, but Mu Qingyan pre-empted him: “Might I ask which Siqimen leader you are?”
As the fat man wavered over using an alias, Zhou Zhiqin spoke up: “This is Mr. Jin Baohui, uncle to Siqimen’s leader Yang.”
Mu Qingyan bowed perfunctorily, “Ah Uncle Jin. My apologies for not recognizing you.”
Jin Baohui, annoyed, snapped at Zhou, “Zhou, I can introduce myself. Mind your own business!”
Zhou Zhiqin, slightly drunk, stood to retort but was restrained by Dongfang Xiao, who urged, “Let it go.” – The Northern Chen Six Sects were allies, and as Yang Heying’s uncle, Jin Baohui outranked Zhou Zhiqin.
Mu Qingyan seized the opportunity to approach Zhou’s table. “I’m Yan, may I ask your esteemed names?”
The handsome youth’s charming smile won people over. Zhou Zhiqin introduced himself without hesitation, and Dongfang Xiao simply added, “Dongfang Xiao from Zhongzhou.”
Mu Qingyan immediately expressed his admiration. Cai Zhao, disliking his fake courtesy, whispered, “Brother, you’ve never heard of these seniors. You’re being insincere.”
Mu Qingyan frowned, “Even if these seniors keep a low profile, everyone’s heard of Pei Qiong Mountain Villa’s reputation. What’s wrong with showing respect?”
Cai Zhao meekly lowered her pink cheeks, “I won’t say anything then,” playing the role of a timid, naive girl.
While others might not notice, the nearby waiters almost bulged their eyes – wasn’t this the same fierce woman who cut off a hand yesterday? Were they dreaming then, or having a nightmare now?
Even Zhou Zhiqin, despite his worries, couldn’t help but smile.
He looked closely at Cai Zhao, “This young lady looks quite familiar.”
As Cai Zhao tensed, Mu Qingyan casually remarked, “Father often says my sister has a common face, resembling everyone.” Cai Zhao inwardly cursed, resisting the urge to pinch his waist.
Dongfang Xiao wondered how Yan Ning’s father could have met his half-sister born to a different father, but reasoned that perhaps the stepfather and son were close enough to use familial terms.
Zhou Zhiqin kept trying to place Cai Zhao’s resemblance, finally saying, “If you young siblings aren’t familiar with jianghu, why come to this snowy wilderness? Not only are jianghu folk dangerous, but these mountains are no joke. There are many man-eating beasts and…” He suddenly teared up, unable to continue.
Cai Zhao asked, surprised, “Senior, what’s wrong?”
Dongfang Xiao sighed, “Brother Zhou had an only son who began training in jianghu two years ago. Last year, between summer and autumn, he somehow came to these snowy mountains. His attendant brought back only half his remains, likely killed by some fierce beast.”
Cai Zhao felt deeply saddened, eventually asking, “If so, wouldn’t coming here be even more painful for Senior Zhou?”
Though Zhou Zhiqin suspected the siblings’ identities might be false, he appreciated the young girl’s sincere concern. He sighed, “My foolish son, unskilled, rashly ventured into danger and lost his life in these mountains. It’s no one’s fault, but I…” His voice choked, “I still want to see where he died, hoping to find his other half.”
The snow and wind were merciless, but a father’s love was touching. Cai Zhao felt at a loss for words.
Dongfang Xiao also sighed deeply, “Brother Zhou is grieving. I’m accompanying him to look, but you siblings should turn back.”
Cai Zhao couldn’t reveal their true purpose of testing her fiancé, and finding no excuse, looked to Mu Qingyan for help.
Mu Qingyan said directly, “We siblings have our reasons. We must go up the mountain.”
Having said this much, Zhou Zhiqin and Dongfang Xiao felt it improper to dissuade them further.
“I overheard upstairs that everyone here plans to ascend the mountain this afternoon. We’ve heard along our journey that the snowy mountains are dangerous and rarely visited. Why are there so many people going up this time, besides you two seniors and us?” Mu Qingyan asked humbly.
Dongfang Xiao hesitated, “I’m not sure either. It’s neither summer nor autumn, why are so many people going up?”
Mu Qingyan deliberately glanced at the lone bandit and the master-servant trio, feigning confusion.
Noticing this, Zhou Zhiqin explained, “I don’t know those three, but that skinny, shifty-looking man is Lan Tianyu, a notorious bandit. If not for his recent lack of crimes, the Northern Chen Six Sects would have dealt with him long ago. Still, he’s a thief, so you siblings should be cautious.”
Seeming to hear himself mentioned, Lan Tianyu turned and grinned, showing yellow teeth.
Qian Xueshen finally came downstairs, yawning and looking boneless. He lazily approached Mu Qingyan and Cai Zhao. Cai Zhao quipped, “Oh, you’re finally up?”
Qian Xueshen showed no shame: “If I wasn’t starving, I wouldn’t have gotten up.” Seeing Zhou Zhiqin and Dongfang Xiao’s distinguished demeanor, he quickly bowed in greeting.
After introductions, Dongfang Xiao was startled, asking again, “Young Master Wan is… Miss Feng’s fiancé?”
He had doubted Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan were siblings, suspecting they were eloping lovers. Suddenly, this pale youth who didn’t match the girl at all appeared, claiming to be her official fiancé!
“What… what should we do?” Cai Zhao, noticing the surprise in the two elders’ faces, could only force a weak smile.
Mu Qingyan’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she said, “Please forgive us, elders. My sister has suffered from an ailment since childhood, which remains uncured.”
“You’re the one with an ailment! You all have ailments!” Cai Zhao inwardly fumed.
The three, feeling uncomfortable sitting at someone else’s table, chose the farthest, most secluded table to sit and talk privately. Qian Xueshen urgently called for the waiter to bring food, ordering the best-steamed buns, stewed pancakes, roast chicken, and roast duck.
While wiping his chopsticks, he whispered, “I’ve heard that the disciples of Peiqiong Manor are all elegant and extraordinary. How come this Elder Zhou looks so disheveled? Could he be an impostor?”
“What do you know? His only son died! Let’s see how elegant you’d look if your only child died!” Cai Zhao glared at him fiercely.
Qian Xueshen suddenly understood Mu Qingyan’s displeasure and said sourly, “Just because your fiancé is the young master of Peiqiong Manor doesn’t mean you should defend all Zhou clan members. With so many disciples, Peiqiong Manor is bound to have some bad apples…”
“Nonsense! Your Thousand Faces Sect is the one full of scoundrels, which is why you all died out. Don’t drag Peiqiong Manor into this!” Cai Zhao wielded her chopsticks like a weapon and snarled, “Uncle Zhou grew up with my aunt. She knows him well. In terms of martial arts, he’s second only to Uncle Zhou at Peiqiong Manor. When Uncle Zhou led the fight against Nie Hengcheng’s followers, Uncle Zhou was there to assist him—risking his life! As for character, his wife has been bedridden for years, and he’s never abandoned her, caring for her tirelessly. He’s a hundred times better than you Qian clan demons!”
“Alright, alright! All the Zhous are perfect gentlemen, happy now?” Qian Xueshen nearly got sprayed with saliva. “Master Mu, please control her. We’re the ones who’ll be risking our lives with her later, yet she’s completely on the Zhous’ side.”
Mu Qingyan, seemingly oblivious to their argument, turned her head and said quietly, “I have no complaints about Hero Zhou Zhiqin. His son died last year between summer and autumn. Soon after, winter came, and heavy snow blocked the mountain paths. Peiqiong Manor is in the south, at least a two-month journey from here. It’s reasonable for him to arrive at Snow Mountain at this time.”
“However, he seems to be at odds with Jin Baohui from the Siqimen. Is there a story behind this?”
Cai Zhao perked up, “My mother told me about this. Back then, this Jin fellow, relying on his status as Old Master Yang’s brother-in-law, often pulled rank on my aunt and the others. He also loved to keep vicious dogs, vultures, and venomous snakes, which sometimes harmed civilians. My master and Uncle Zhou strongly disapproved of this.”
“Keeping pets isn’t inherently wrong, but since he raised such dangerous creatures, he should have kept them under control to prevent harm to innocents. Once, his vicious dogs killed several young children. In a fit of rage, my aunt stormed Siqimen, killed all his pets, and crippled one of his arms and legs. After that, he never dared to show off again.”
Mu Qingyan sneered, “He caused children’s deaths, and losing an arm and a leg was all the punishment he got?”
Cai Zhao sighed, “Actually, my aunt wanted to enforce a life for a life,’ but Old Master Yang desperately intervened, both threatening and begging. My master eventually pulled my aunt away. Old Patriarch Yin advised my aunt to consider the bigger picture, as the Six Northern Sects were uniting against Nie Hengcheng. He urged her not to create discord among the sects.”
Mu Qingyan snorted coldly.
Qian Xueshen, gnawing on a chicken leg, mumbled, “So, this Elder Zhou is not only a good person but also skilled in martial arts. That’s great news—we’ll have a formidable ally on Snow Mountain. What about Elder Dongfang? Is he powerful too?”
Cai Zhao exclaimed happily, “Of course he is! Years ago, when some elder from the righteous path or the demonic cult issued a kill order, Elder Dongfang played a crucial role!”
Mu Qingyan glanced at her sideways, “You don’t need to be polite. That kill order was issued by your aunt. Didn’t you know?”
Cai Zhao was shocked, “Really? Aunt never mentioned… She only told me how the righteous path traced clues, eliminated the evil elder’s strongholds one by one, killed his numerous disciples, and finally cornered and slew the wicked elder.” She had listened to it as if it were a legendary tale.
Mu Qingyan, both amused and exasperated, explained, “That was your aunt’s kill order to hunt down Sky Essence Elder Duan Jiuxiu. Of course, Dongfang Xiao gave his all, as it was this Elder Duan who had severely injured Cloud Script Daoist and massacred the Clear Wind Temple.”
Qian Xueshen, tearing off two duck legs to gnaw on, marveled, “To think that Lady Cai was so decisive and fierce, openly killing a Seven Stars Elder while the demonic cult could only watch helplessly.”
Mu Qingyan continued, “If it were any other elder, the Divine Cult certainly couldn’t just stand by—it would be too humiliating. But because it was this particular Elder Duan, Nie Hengcheng must have turned a blind eye.”
“Why is that?” Cai Zhao asked curiously.
“Because Duan Jiuxiu was also my great-grandfather’s adopted son.”
Cai Zhao gasped, leaning back in surprise.
Mu Qingyan elaborated, “Duan Jiuxiu and Nie Hengcheng were both adopted by my great-grandfather, but Nie Hengcheng always had the upper hand. In the end, my great-grandfather chose Nie Hengcheng as the Acting Law King, while Duan Jiuxiu could only settle for being one of the Seven Stars Elders. How could he be content with that? For decades, he constantly plotted against Nie Hengcheng, gathering disciples and establishing his faction, all to get even with Nie Hengcheng one day.”
“Bound by the cult’s rule of ‘no internal killing,’ Nie Hengcheng endured Duan Jiuxiu for decades. When he learned of Lady Cai’s kill order, Nie Hengcheng must have been overjoyed.”
“But old Duan was truly vicious. Just because the Clear Wind Temple master laughed at him for being ‘eternally second-best,’ he vowed to destroy their sect. Fine, the Divine Cult destroying other sects isn’t uncommon, but he could have attacked openly—it’s not like he couldn’t win. Instead, he waited until Clear Wind Temple was weakened after attacking the Ghostly Bamboo Grove Dao on Yin Dai’s orders. Then he snuck in at night, used poison, and carried out a bloody massacre.”
“Not content with just killing and burning, he violated several Daoist nuns to death, hung their naked corpses on trees outside the temple, and even turned children under ten into human jerky. What a disgrace to the Divine Cult! And he was so proud of himself, thinking he was some kind of hero. Hmpf, he deserved what he got!” Mu Qingyan said contemptuously.
Qian Xueshen couldn’t help but whisper, “I’ve always heard that your cult members kill indiscriminately and use any means necessary. Isn’t what Elder Duan did… quite normal for you?”
Mu Qingyan glared at him fiercely, “What do you think the Divine Cult is? A band of lowly thieves?”
Qian Xueshen dared not speak further.
Cai Zhao, shocked by the story, exclaimed, “So that’s what happened. No wonder my aunt was angry enough to issue a kill order… But seriously, what kind of adopted sons did your great-grandfather choose? Nie Hengcheng, Duan Jiuxiu—what kind of people are they?”
Surprisingly, Mu Qingyan wasn’t very angry. She said casually, “They’re not too bad. Out of the vast sea of humanity, my great-grandfather managed to pick the two most vicious, cunning, and ambitious ones. In a way, that’s quite an achievement.”
Qian Xueshen laughed so hard he almost choked on his duck neck, “Master Mu’s self-deprecating humor shows true grace.”
Cai Zhao glared at him, “You’ll see how graceful he is when he doesn’t give you the antidote!”
Qian Xueshen’s face immediately fell.
While they were discussing others, others were also discussing them. However, none of the four tables, including Zhou Zhiqin and Dong Fangxiao, could guess Mu and Cai’s backgrounds. They couldn’t even discern Mu Qingyan’s martial arts style.
This wasn’t surprising. For nineteen years, Mu Qingyan had been either in the Demonic Cult or at Chang Fortress and Qingque Sect, never venturing into the jianghu. As for Cai Zhao, she had gone straight from Luoying Valley to Mount Jiuli, and news of her impressive display the night she left the mountain hadn’t spread yet.
Thus, no one could figure them out.
Qian Xueshen was eating voraciously while yawning, looking quite unseemly.
Cai Zhao frowned, “Can you stop yawning while eating? You look like a consumptive ghost.”
Qian Xueshen retorted, “How could I sleep with all the commotion last night? Just as I’d fall asleep, a group would arrive; just as I’d start to doze off, another group would come; when I finally fell asleep, boom! Another group. It was terrible—I didn’t get a wink of sleep!”
Cai Zhao, who had slept well, softened her tone, “Why don’t you go take a nap later? I’ll wake you when it’s time. Not sleeping all night makes you especially hungry. You should’ve asked the waiter to bring you some late-night snacks.”
Qian Xueshen grimaced, “You think I didn’t try? The innkeeper and waiters were busy with new guests and ignored me. I had to go to the kitchen myself to find food. And boy, did I stumble upon quite a show!”
Cai Zhao eagerly asked what he saw.
Qian Xueshen lowered his voice, “Remember that thin, sallow woman from yesterday? Turns out she’s the innkeeper’s wife. When I went to the kitchen for food last night, I caught her embracing the cook!”
“Really?!” Cai Zhao’s gossip instincts flared up.
“I saw it with my own eyes,” Qian Xueshen’s eyes gleamed. “After being woken up seventeen or eighteen times, I was wide awake.”
Cai Zhao giggled, “An old man with a young wife—he deserves to be cuckolded. I think…”
“There were seventeen or eighteen times,” Mu Qingyan suddenly interjected. “The inn’s main door opened five times, probably for five groups.”
Cai and Qian both looked at her, seemingly annoyed at her for spoiling the fun.
Mu Qingyan tapped the table with her chopsticks, “Elder Zhou and Elder Dong Fang are one group, Jin Baohui from Siqimen is another, the lone bandit Lan Tianyu is one more, and that master with two servants makes another. Now in the main hall, besides us, there are only four tables. Where’s the fifth group?”
Just then, they heard steady, powerful footsteps from upstairs.
The footsteps were deep and resonant as if treading on everyone’s heads, slowly descending the wooden stairs.
“Here comes trouble,” Mu Qingyan’s gaze cooled slightly.
This was the fifth group.
There were three people. In front was a handsome man in his forties, dressed luxuriously with an imposing air. His eyes were as cold as electricity when he looked at people, and his movements were silent—a top-tier expert with well-concealed skills.
Behind him followed an old servant and a beautiful concubine.
The handsome man walked to the central table and ordered the waiter, “Go fetch your innkeeper.”
The waiter quickly complied.
The old servant looked ordinary and was busy wiping the table.
However, the concubine was a natural beauty. Not only was she graceful and alluring, but her every glance and smile was also full of charm. Her gaze was like tiny hooks, making all the men feel a tingling sensation.
She served the handsome man as he sat at the table, personally wiping his hands and pouring water for him.
Mu Qingyan’s eyes deepened. She was about to share her observations with Cai Zhao when she noticed Qian Xueshen staring blankly at the beautiful concubine.
Surprisingly, Cai Zhao’s eyes were even more fixed than his.
Feeling both amused and annoyed, Mu Qingyan was about to snap Cai Zhao out of it when suddenly, a shrill cry came from the direction of the kitchen—
“Help! Murder! The innkeeper is dead!”