The snow-covered mountain stretched endlessly, with undulating snow drifts as far as the eye could see, dotted with black spots and lines of varying depths.
Cai Zhao, curious, asked, “Isn’t snow supposed to be white? Why is there black?”
Having grown up in the ever-spring Luo Ying Valley, where winter occasionally brought a few scattered snowflakes that quickly melted in puddles, she had never seen such massive snow piles.
Lan Tianyu turned back to answer, “This is just the foot of the mountain, where people often pass. The snow doesn’t accumulate, revealing the rocks and soil beneath. The mountain forests, when covered in snow, aren’t visible, but once the mountain winds blow off the snow, they appear black from a distance.”
Leading the group, he shed his previous wariness from the inn. Facing the mountain wind and scattered snowflakes, his eyes shone brightly, and his expression relaxed as if he had returned home.
Mu Qingyan asked with a smile, “Master Lan speaks like an expert. Did you perhaps grow up around these snowy mountains?”
Lan Tianyu’s face brightened as he replied, “Indeed. I was born in the snow region to the west. I grew up climbing in and out of these snowy mountains. Even my light footwork was honed on these snow layers. Back then, I…”
A soft cry came from the back of the group, just loud enough to be heard. It was the beautiful, alluring concubine who had twisted her ankle.
The handsome middle-aged man steadied her, “Qinong, step carefully. If it’s too much, you should go back down the mountain.”
Qinong, her eyes full of emotion, replied in a coquettish tone despite the kind words, “Thank you for your concern, master. But wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”
More than half the men in the group envied the handsome middle-aged man’s good fortune. However, he remained stoic, releasing Qinong and continuing forward, wasting the seductive woman’s charms and causing the other men to sigh in disappointment.
Two hours had passed. If they were still at Qing Que Sect, this would be when Furong and Feicui would be bringing tea to Cai Zhao. But here in the mountains, dusk was already setting in, the sky growing dark.
According to local customs, it was unwise to travel on the snowy mountain after dark. One misstep into an ice crevasse or snow cliff could result in instant burial under an avalanche, leaving no trace to be found.
Lan Tianyu scanned the horizon, his brow relaxing as he pointed to several black spots in the distance, “There it is, our resting place for the night.”
Jin Baohui, panting heavily, almost collapsed at the news. Thankfully, he had brought enough manpower; his guards took turns dragging, carrying, and supporting the 200-pound master up the mountain.
The next worst off was the silent master and his two servants. The master’s face was pale, his legs trembling slightly, clearly running out of inner strength.
After another half hour of trudging, the group finally reached their destination.
Cai Zhao looked around, finally understanding, “Now I see why we left in the afternoon.”
They had arrived at a wind-sheltered mountain hollow where five or six brick hunting cabins of varying sizes were scattered in a plum blossom pattern. Surrounding the cabins was a ring of towering snow pines, each with dozens of red silk ribbons tied to their upper halves. As the mountain wind rose, snow fell from the trees and the red ribbons fluttered, creating a striking contrast against the black and white snowy landscape.
The mountain nights were bitingly cold and windy, making tents insufficient for warmth. To allow herb gatherers and hunters to venture further and harvest more, several wealthy patrons had jointly funded the construction of many overnight cabins along the southern slope of the snowy mountain decades ago. They hired over a hundred craftsmen for the project. Residents only needed to maintain the shelters annually.
This first stop happened to be half a day’s journey from the inn.
Upon arrival, the group split up to occupy the cabins.
Jin Baohui, having the largest entourage, chose the biggest cabin, with Lan Tianyu following him in.
Zhou Zhiqin and Dong Fangxiao, being just two, took the smallest cabin.
The remaining nine people, conveniently in groups of three, found their cabins without fuss.
Whether intentional or not, Mu Qingyan chose the cabin furthest from the others.
Seeing Mu Qingyan and Qian Xueshen carrying firewood and provisions from the sled, Cai Zhao rolled up her sleeves to help but was pushed away by Mu Qingyan. Displeased, she lowered her voice, “Since we’ve agreed to travel together up the snowy mountain, I won’t shy away from doing my part. Don’t treat me like some delicate flower.”
Mu Qingyan’s eyes held a hint of mockery, “Treat you delicately? Don’t make me laugh. We’ve been trudging through snow for half a day, half the men are exhausted, and fat Jin nearly broke down. Yet you, Miss Cai, aren’t even flushed or out of breath. You’re still full of energy, eager to do heavy lifting. Is this my fragile, martial arts-ignorant sister?”
Cai Zhao blushed. She had forgotten her role.
Mu Qingyan stared at her steadily.
Cai Zhao held out for a moment before surrendering.
She slumped her shoulders, feigning weakness, “Brother, why do I suddenly feel dizzy?” How utterly humiliating!
Mu Qingyan gently supported her, smiling kindly, “Children don’t understand. We’re at high altitude here; don’t be too excited. Now you’ve overexerted yourself.”
Meanwhile, Qian Xueshen was left behind, miserably carrying the supplies for the three of them for the next few days.
The hunting cabin, uninhabited for a winter, was cold and damp. Mu Qingyan removed his cloak, had Cai Zhao tie up his sleeves, and set about cleaning. He bundled dry grass to sweep the floor, and lit a wooden torch to singe the four corners of the room, driving out the ice crystals that had seeped in.
Inside the cabin, Cai Zhao no longer needed to pretend. She rolled up her sleeves and helped. However, as an amateur, she couldn’t match Mu Qingyan’s tall, long-armed, efficient movements. She couldn’t help but sigh, “I should thank your father for teaching you so well.”
Mu Qingyan looked up with a smile, “Actually, I’d like to thank your aunt as well.”
When Qian Xueshen finally dragged in the large pile of supplies, he found the cabin clean and tidy, with a warm fire burning in the center. His resentment immediately dissipated, thinking that although Mu and Cai could be sharp-tongued, they were a thousand times better than those demanding gentlemen outside.
As night fell, the three sat around the fire, roasting dried meat and using a copper kettle to boil snow water to soften their dry rations.
Qian Xueshen couldn’t help but ask, “Who do you think killed the innkeeper?”
“You’re still hung up on that?” Cai Zhao said lazily, leaning against a pile of straw.
Qian Xueshen was so excited he nearly dropped the meat from his wooden fork, “By the heavens! If I hadn’t happened to go to the kitchen for food, the blame for the murder would have fallen on the cook and the innkeeper’s wife! The real killer might be among those people outside. The thought of it keeps me up at night. How can I not be concerned?”
“Relax, I’ll protect you until we find the Snow Kirin Beast,” Cai Zhao said, biting her lip. “What I’m more concerned about is what the waiters and the cook said.”
Qian Xueshen was puzzled, “The waiters? The cook? What did they say?”
Mu Qingyan suddenly spoke up, “The waiter said the innkeeper went to sleep after receiving Fat Jin’s group. The cook said when Fat Jin’s group arrived, he realized more people were going up the mountain than the innkeeper had previously mentioned, so the prepared provisions weren’t enough.”
“So you noticed it too,” Cai Zhao looked up. “It seems the innkeeper knew about many people coming last night and had instructed the cook to prepare enough provisions in advance. When Fat Jin’s group arrived, it was assumed everyone was accounted for, so the innkeeper went to sleep.”
Qian Xueshen blinked, “Someone must have sent word ahead to the innkeeper to prepare for the mountain trip. What’s wrong with that?”
Cai Zhao glared, “Look at fat Jin, pampered and privileged as he is. Would he come to such a godforsaken place to suffer without good reason? What could be up that mountain to draw him here? Herbs, animal pelts… no matter how precious, they can be bought with money. Besides, the Si Qi Gate isn’t particular about such things, and money comes easily to them. What exactly is Fat Jin doing here? When things are out of the ordinary, there must be something fishy going on!”
Qian Xueshen blurted out, “Could there be a priceless treasure up the mountain?”
Cai Zhao threw a twig at him, “Idiot, I just said Si Qi Gate has plenty of money!”
Qian Xueshen ducked, “Then it must be a martial arts secret manual!”
Cai Zhao threw another twig, “After the Northern Chen Patriarch, the most powerful martial arts are either with Northern Chen or the Demon Cult. What other impressive martial arts secrets could there be elsewhere?”
Qian Xueshen could only shrink to the side.
Cai Zhao turned to Mu Qingyan, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Mu Qingyan’s expression remained calm, “Rather than guessing their purpose for going up the mountain, we should first guess how many of them there are. We might not need to concern ourselves with why they’re going up, but we should be wary of them potentially harming us. After all, they have strength in numbers. Even that concubine Qinong is quite skilled in martial arts. We, on the other hand, are just two and a half.” He was accustomed to preparing for the worst.
Qian Xueshen protested, “Hey, am I the half?”
“Don’t interrupt, stay out of it,” Cai Zhao turned back. “I’ve thought about this too. First, we’re not included in the innkeeper’s calculations. Second, Uncle Zhou is probably here by coincidence, even though his only son died here years ago. Who could have predicted when he’d come – he even missed the Northern Chen Patriarch’s memorial ceremony to be here. As for the rest, fat Jin is part of it, since the innkeeper said everyone was accounted for when he arrived. As for Lan Tianyu…”
“I think he’s also part of the innkeeper’s count,” Qian Xueshen interjected. “I saw him enter the cabin with Fat Jin’s group earlier. They must know each other already. Hey, isn’t Si Qi Gate also part of Northern Chen? Would a righteous sect casually associate with thieves?”
Cai Zhao sighed, “Actually, except for the Demon Cult being our mortal enemy, we don’t avoid associating with other jianghu factions or individuals, whether they’re grey or white. My great-uncle Cai Changfeng almost became a sworn brother with a fake medicine peddler when he was young. Luckily, he was talked out of it.”
Cai Zhao continued, “Besides, Lan Tianyu sharing a cabin with Fat Jin’s group might just be a chance acquaintance they made on the road, not necessarily an old friendship. As for the rest, we don’t even know their names, let alone their intentions for going up the mountain.”
Mu Qingyan looked up at the ceiling beams, “True. I still can’t figure out who that quiet master and his two servants are.”
Cai Zhao blinked, “And we don’t know who Miss Qinong’s master is either.”
“I do,” Mu Qingyan said.
Cai Zhao: “?”
The firelight cast half-light, half-shadow on the young man’s handsome face. “His surname is Hu, called Hu Tianwei. He was the top disciple of Elder Tianji, Duan Jiuxiu. Nie Hengcheng’s top disciple was Zhao Tianbao, so Duan Jiuxiu named his top disciple Hu Tianwei – to distinguish himself from Nie Hengcheng.”
Cai Zhao was stunned for a moment before saying, “Duan Jiuxiu died so long ago. How could you have met his top disciple?”
Mu Qingyan glanced up lightly. Qian Xueshen, catching his cold gaze, felt as if he’d been spotted by a wild beast in a desolate cave. He shuddered and immediately found an excuse to go relieve himself.
After Qian Xueshen left, Cai Zhao asked softly, “Does this have to do with your father?” She had noticed that Mu Qingyan disliked mentioning his father in front of others.
Mu Qingyan nodded, “After Nie Hengcheng’s death, the cult was in chaos for years. First, Zhao Tianbao and Mu Yisu went around like mad dogs, causing havoc. Soon after, in the battle at Qingluo River, both were severely injured. Then Nie Zhe, wielding the remnant forces of the Tiangang Dishacamps, established himself as the acting cult leader. The two remaining Seven Star Elders had reservations, and it was then that my father, his injuries somewhat healed, emerged from seclusion…”
“Your father was injured?!” Cai Zhao exclaimed.
Mu Qingyan’s dark eyes looked at her.
Cai Zhao suddenly realized: “Your father died from severe injuries… I thought he died from illness.”
Mu Qingyan lowered his thick lashes: “He was fine originally. In the year I was born, he was suddenly ambushed, resulting in severe injuries. Many thought he had died then, but fortunately, years of detachment from worldly affairs left him unaffected by joy or sorrow. This helped him survive. During years of quiet recuperation, he created a method to nourish his qi and protect his meridians, stabilizing his condition. Regrettably, this method could only extend his life by a decade or so, not cure him completely. He still passed away four years ago.”
Cai Zhao’s emotions surged. After a while, she asked, “…Who injured your father?”
Mu Qingyan frowned: “Father didn’t tell me, only that the person was already dead. I guess it was someone from within the cult, because shortly before I was born, Elder Tianquan, Qiu Baigang, died.”
“Who’s that?”
“He was the oldest of the Seven Star Elders, only ten years younger than my great-grandfather, and the leader of the faction most loyal to the Mu family within the Divine Cult.”
Mu Qingyan slowly stirred the fire, his expression unusually calm. “Elder Qiu’s death was suspicious, and everyone guessed it was Nie Hengcheng’s doing, but there was no evidence. If I’m not mistaken, Nie Hengcheng’s subordinates probably killed Elder Qiu, and then decided to strike first against my father, fearing his revenge.”
“After Elder Qiu’s death, my father was severely injured and disappeared. The Divine Cult, founded by the Mu family, was about to change its name to Nie. Unfortunately, Nie Hengcheng’s joy lasted less than a year before he was killed by your aunt at Tu Mountain. His grand ambitions turned to dust in the blink of an eye, quite laughable really.”
Cai Zhao’s head jerked, and she suddenly asked, “How many years did your father hide to recover?”
Mu Qingyan stared at the flames: “Five years.”
Cai Zhao felt she had touched on something. “Who raised you before you were five?”
Mu Qingyan quietly gazed at her.
“Was it your mother?” Cai Zhao pressed.
A mocking smile curled Mu Qingyan’s lips.
Cai Zhao’s breathing quickened, “You, you…”
Her anxious, helpless expression was utterly captivating. The young man was mesmerized and reached out to her. Just as his hand was about to touch her cheek, the girl hurriedly turned away, asking softly, “When exactly did you see Hu Tianwei?”
Mu Qingyan laughed bitterly to himself, then said, “When I was about six or seven, Hu Tianwei came to see my father at night. Nie Zhe was incompetent, and they asked my father to come out of seclusion, with Duan Jiuxiu’s faction willing to provide full support.”
Cai Zhao: “Your father, being so detached, must have refused – but did Duan Jiuxiu still have any forces left?” According to her aunt, all the evil forces from that legendary story had been eliminated.
Mu Qingyan continued to stir the fire: “You might not believe it, but your aunt’s reputation in our Divine Cult is far more resounding than in your Six Sects of Northern Chen.”
“Why wouldn’t I believe it? Before Old Sect Leader Yin Dai passed away, he certainly didn’t want anyone to have more prestige than him. No matter what impressive feats my aunt accomplished, he would have suppressed them. As for your Demon Cult, you’ve genuinely suffered a lot at my aunt’s hands, how could you not remember it vividly?”
Mu Qingyan chuckled: “Indeed. Even today, when many old members of the cult mention your aunt, they’re terrified as if a killing star has descended. Especially after the tragic destruction of Qingfeng Temple, your aunt was furious and insisted on hunting down the Tianji faction. Duan Jiuxiu’s disciples, originally known as the Seven Great Disciples and Eight Golden Warriors, were slaughtered by your aunt and her people. The rest of Duan’s followers also lost their heads… Only Hu Tianwei, having mastered the art of hiding like a turtle, managed to escape into deep mountains and cold valleys, barely surviving.”
He laughed again, “So, there were no ‘forces of Duan Jiuxiu’s faction’ left. Hu Tianwei was just boasting in front of my father.”
His gaze lowered, noticing the girl silently pressing her hand against her waistband. His eyes flashed, “What are you planning to do?”
Cai Zhao looked up: “A survivor who slipped through my aunt’s net shouldn’t have lived all these years. Let me finish him off.”
Mu Qingyan stopped her: “Getting the Snow Kirin Beast’s saliva for your father is more important. We shouldn’t create unnecessary complications. As long as Hu Tianwei is alive, you can always kill him later. Right now, you’re still supposed to be a delicate, weak girl.”
“…Alright.” Cai Zhao slowly released her hand.
The firelight flickered, and she suddenly thought of something. “Wait, wait.”
She looked up excitedly, “Even if I can fool Uncle Zhou now when I marry Brother Yu Qi, Uncle Zhou will recognize me when he sees me!”
Mu Qingyan’s eyes were innocent: “Is that so? Zhao Zhao is so smart, I hadn’t even thought of that.”
Cai Zhao slapped her leg in regret: “I should have had Qian Xueshen disguise me. Now we’re in trouble!”
Feeling more and more frustrated, she gave up, “Why am I still pretending? I might as well come clean with Uncle Zhou first thing in the morning.”
“Better not,” Mu Qingyan held his palm close to the fire, his expression calm. “No matter how fallen Duan Jiuxiu’s faction is now, Hu Tianwei was once an important figure in the cult, and there’s also that master and two servants whose background we don’t know. If your identity is exposed, unless you kill them all before going down the mountain, they’ll contact their cult brothers once they’re back, which could endanger your father.”
“So, you should continue your disguise. Given the unclear situation, the more we hide, the safer we’ll be.”
Cai Zhao tensed up, falling silent.
Mu Qingyan smiled gently at her slightly biting her cheek, then waved his right hand towards the door, which opened slightly.
He said teasingly, “Big Strong, come in.”
Qian Xueshen shuffled into the room, shivering, with snow on his hair and eyebrows, looking like a little old man. Cai Zhao couldn’t help but smile. Qian Xueshen carefully explained, “This cabin is made of brick and tile, with a thick wooden door. I didn’t hear anything.”
Mu Qingyan: “I know. I checked earlier when we were cleaning the cabin.”
Cai Zhao noticed Qian Xueshen’s sleeve moving up and down and asked curiously, “What’s in your sleeve?”
“I caught it while relieving myself in the woods,” Qian Xueshen quickly pulled out a large gray rabbit that was kicking its legs. “I’m not very full. Why don’t we roast it?”
Cai Zhao’s eyes lit up: “Sure, I brought some salt and spices from the inn’s kitchen before we left. But my cooking skills aren’t great. Can you roast rabbit?”
Qian Xueshen’s eyebrows danced up and down as he smiled, “Not to brag, Miss Cai, but just you wait and see… Hey, what are you doing…”
As they were talking, Mu Qingyan moved like lightning, snatching the gray rabbit. He said in a deep voice, “I won’t feel at ease until we figure out the identity of that master and his two servants.”
Qian Xueshen stared at the rabbit, more excited than when he caught it, “Then go figure it out! Why take my rabbit?”
Cai Zhao also tried to persuade him, “Brother, calm down. Don’t be rash. We can talk this over. Just put the rabbit down first… Hey, hey…”
As he stood up, his clothes fluttering, Mu Qingyan strode out the door. Cai Zhao and Qian Xueshen had no choice but to scramble after him.
Mu Qingyan’s method of “figuring it out” was simple and brutal. He channeled his inner force and began pounding on the door of the master and two servants, making loud banging noises.
In the dead of night, with the mountain ridges silent, the sound of the pounding was particularly startling.
Soon, people from all the cabins came out, even Jin Baohui poked his head out from behind his guards to watch the commotion.
The master and two servants slowly opened their door, standing in the doorway, confused.
Zhou Zhiqin frowned, “Everyone is exhausted from the day’s journey. What is Young Master Yan up to, making such a racket?”
Mu Qingyan laughed loudly, “The moon is bright and the stars are clear tonight. I’m in high spirits and wish to spar with these three gentlemen.”
Hearing the last part, the master opened his mouth in surprise, his eyes showing fear. Before he could turn to flee, Mu Qingyan had already lightly chopped towards him with a palm strike. The two servants quickly moved to block, one wielding a knife, the other a sword, both showing considerable skill.
Mu Qingyan used a single palm, moving sideways. In an instant, they exchanged seven or eight moves. On the ninth move, Mu Qingyan spotted an opening and with one finger each, knocked down the two servants. He immediately pursued the master, and they began close combat.
It was clear to everyone that Mu Qingyan wasn’t using his full strength, only using single palm strikes to attack left and right, forcing the master to reveal his true skills. Initially, Zhou Zhiqin wanted to intervene, but after being held back by Dong Fangxiao and watching for a few moves, he stopped.
After about thirty moves, the master’s face was flushed red, his eyes bloodshot with anger. “I was minding my own business, why are you forcing me like this? This is too much!” He then used all his strength to angrily strike out with his right palm.
Mu Qingyan, timing it perfectly, threw the struggling gray rabbit in his left hand towards his opponent.
With a loud thud, the master’s right palm struck the gray rabbit squarely.
The rabbit fell to the ground, its legs twitching painfully a few times before going still.
The stars and moon in the snowy night sky were exceptionally bright. A clear, pale green palm print was visible on the rabbit’s corpse, like the eerie gaze of a venomous snake or the ghostly fire on bones. The sight made Cai Zhao’s scalp tingle.
Seeing this palm print, Zhou Zhiqin was shocked: “This, this is…”
“It’s the Five Poison Palm,” Mu Qingyan said calmly.
The silent, silver moonlight spilled over his billowing robes. His gaze was cold and decisive, “You are Chen Fuguang, Chen Shu’s younger brother.”