When Chang Ning said he would use his skills to heal himself, Cai Zhao sincerely hoped he would seclude himself for cultivation. Even if not for three to five years like in legendary stories, at least for 49 or 81 days.
However, Young Master Chang took an unconventional approach, with no regularity to his seclusion:
The first day, he cultivated in his room all morning, then strolled out in the afternoon, first to the medicine pavilion, then to Shuanglian Huachi Palace.
The next day, he secluded himself for a full day, only to sneak out with a lantern that night to seek revenge.
On the third day, he began a two-and-a-half-day seclusion but disappeared after lunch on the last day.
“What kind of self-invented cultivation method is this great hero Chang practicing, closing himself off for exactly two and a half days?” Cai Zhao stood in the courtyard, hands on hips, questioning the heavens. “And as soon as he comes out, he vanishes without a trace. Even a wolf hound couldn’t keep up with him!” She had been busy with her training that day, unable to keep a constant watch on Chang Ning’s door.
Feicui rushed over to report: “We’ve looked everywhere. Young Master Chang isn’t in Qingjing Zhai.”
“Can’t you keep a better eye on him?” Cai Zhao sighed.
Furong complained: “The young master’s qinggong is too good. He disappears in a flash. There’s nothing we can do.”
Cai Zhao resigned herself: “Forget it. We won’t bother anymore. He’ll come back when he’s done being crazy. Feicui, continue brewing the qi-replenishing soup and detoxifying soup. I saw baskets of cherries being sent to the main kitchen earlier. Furong, go get some. We’ll make sugar-glazed cherries for that guy tonight. He likes them.”
The two maids acknowledged her orders.
Cai Zhao rubbed her forehead. She now found it ten times harder to prevent Chang Ning from going out and causing trouble than to prevent others from bullying him. Thinking carefully, she and Chang Ning were only distantly related. It would be best to push this big trouble away as soon as possible.
With this in mind, Cai Zhao clapped her hands and said seriously: “Master is returning to Wanshui Qianshan Cliff at noon today. As his disciple, I should go welcome him personally.”
Furong was a beat slow, but Feicui had already started praising in a calm voice: “Wow, Miss is truly respectful to her master, filial and understanding of etiquette.” She even clapped her hands, and Furong quickly followed suit, praising and clapping identically, both with equally emotionless expressions.
Cai Zhao was dissatisfied: “Even hired audience members in a theater troupe would show more genuine enthusiasm than you two.”
Feicui replied: “After being hired audience members for years, where would we find such genuine enthusiasm?”
Furong added: “Miss, that’s enough. We still need to get married someday. We can’t use up all our sincerity now.”
Cai Zhao was indignant: “…” I’m not playing with you anymore!
Arriving at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff with a dejected look, she saw Qi Yunke and Zeng Dalou descending the iron chain, covered in dust from their journey. Looking around, Cai Zhao realized only three people had come to welcome Qi Yunke: the cold and taciturn Song Yuzhi, the hand-wringing Fan Xingjia, and herself, empty-handed. The scene was desolate and cold. Cai Zhao felt that even if she had gone out to buy a roast duck and returned, she would have received a warmer welcome.
Even more dismal was the fact that two of the three disciples who came to welcome them were there because of Chang Ning.
As soon as Fan Xingjia saw Qi Yunke, he excitedly rushed forward to report Chang Ning’s “great achievements” from two nights ago. He didn’t take sides but emphasized that “Young Master Chang’s powers are boundless, but his knowledge is shallow, and he’s unmanageable.”
Zeng Dalou frowned: “Chang Ning’s temperament seems excessively perverse and unsociable. Even if he was bullied before, his methods shouldn’t be so violent.”
Qi Yunke was indifferent, waving his hand: “Chang Ning has always had a bad temper. We’ve known this for a long time. Besides, it’s karma. Those disciples should have been cultivating and improving their character instead of causing trouble with Lingbo. Do you think they only bullied relatives and friends who came to seek refuge like Chang Ning? When I was a disciple here, I was poor and low in cultivation. I suffered no small amount at the hands of such ill-intentioned people.”
Zeng Dalou could only say: “Xingjia, you still need to advise Chang Ning more if he misbehaves. We absolutely cannot allow disorder in the sect.”
“Has Senior Brother tried to persuade Chang Ning himself?” Song Yuzhi suddenly spoke up. “I’ve never been able to say more than three sentences to Chang Ning. Why should Senior Brother trouble Fifth Junior Brother?”
Fan Xingjia looked gratefully at Song Yuzhi. Cai Zhao was quite surprised; she had thought Song Yuzhi, as a proud genius, would look down on everyone.
Zeng Dalou shook his head: “Alright, I’ll handle it myself.”
Then it was Cai Zhao’s turn. She was more straightforward: “Master, you heard what Fifth Senior Brother said. Since Chang Ning has almost recovered, he should move back to Chunling Zhu.”
Qi Yunke chuckled: “Alright since Chang Ning can protect himself now, Zhao Zhao can live more comfortably.”
Cai Zhao cheered, praising her master’s wisdom.
Zeng Dalou frowned again, seemingly displeased with Cai Zhao moving out. However, before he could speak, Song Yuzhi unusually quickly interjected: “The weather will be fine for the next few days, very suitable for moving. But it rained heavily yesterday, so we should send someone to Chunling Zhu first to remove the dampness. Junior Sister can move tomorrow.”
Cai Zhao had planned to move in two days, fearing Chang Ning might go crazy if she left too quickly. But since Song Yuzhi was being so polite, she decided to comply: “Uh… thank you, Third Senior Brother.”
With matters settled, Song Yuzhi left first, presumably to immediately send someone to remove the dampness from Chunling Zhu. Cai Zhao couldn’t help but marvel at how Song Yuzhi was truly a good senior brother, cold on the outside but warm-hearted.
Next, Qi Yunke told Zeng Dalou to go rest: “You’ve always been weak and afraid of heights. Every time you come up from the mountain, you fall ill. You must be exhausted from these past few days. Go rest quickly, don’t be like before when you’d be sick for half a month.”
Afterward, Fan Xingjia also left with Zeng Dalou, probably to hand over sect affairs.
Cai Zhao smiled as she saw them off, then turned to ask: “Unc… oh, Master, did you encounter any troubles on this trip down the mountain?”
“You noticed,” Qi Yunke smiled bitterly. “We originally just went down to receive news from your father, but the disciples at the foot of the mountain told us that the people we sent earlier to escort various sects haven’t returned yet.”
“Ah,” Cai Zhao was confused. “Where did they go? Did they take a detour to play?”
Qi Yunke was amused by her response but then sighed: “We’ll wait another two or three days. If there’s still no news, we’ll have to send more people to investigate.”
Although Cai Zhao was unfamiliar with jianghu affairs, she couldn’t help but feel worried.
Qi Yunke comforted his disciple: “Don’t furrow your brow so deeply, child. Even if the sky falls, it’s not your responsibility to hold it up. Just live happily. Oh right, has Chang Ning recovered? That’s good, that’s good. Alright, you go play now. Master is going to find your Uncle Master Li.”
Having achieved her goal, Cai Zhao was content. She picked two long blades of grass from the cliff edge and skipped back, swinging them as she went. As she passed a hidden part of the cliff, she suddenly stopped.
Then, slowly backing up, slowly turning her head, slowly focusing her gaze—
“Chang Ning! What are you doing~!” Cai Zhao screamed shrilly, loud enough to scare all the ducks raised by Lei Xiuming to death.
The tall young man standing at the cliff edge turned his head, his jet-black long hair flowing like silk.
Slightly surprised, he asked: “How did Zhao Zhao sneak here?”
Cai Zhao took a few steps forward, pointing at the person sobbing at the cliff edge, and questioned again: “What are you doing? Oh? You… you are…” She suddenly realized the person at the cliff edge looked familiar.
That narrow forehead, that crooked chin, those mismatched triangular eyes—wasn’t this one of the people who bullied Chang Ning with Qi Lingbo at Muweixiu Palace that day?
How many people came with Qi Lingbo that day? Right, four ugly-looking guys in total.
A light bulb went off in Cai Zhao’s head, and she quickly looked over the cliff edge. Sure enough, she saw the other three pitiful figures hanging on the cliff face below, in danger of falling into the bottomless abyss at any moment.
The stone walls of Wanshui Qianshan Cliff had been smoothed by hundreds of years of fierce winds, making them particularly difficult to climb. The three were hanging at different heights, with no hand or foot holds. They were connected only by a single, pathetically thin hemp rope.
The hemp rope swayed in the cold wind, seeming ready to snap at the slightest pull. Apart from the crooked-faced one already sprawled on the cliff edge, the other three were crying out in extreme terror, tears streaming down their faces as they begged Chang Ning to pull them up.
Faced with this scene, Cai Zhao’s vision blurred, and she nearly stumbled.
“Quick, pull them up!” she screamed as if she’d caught Cai Pan visiting a brothel.
Chang Ning let out an “Oh” and slowly began pulling up the rope. Somehow, despite bearing the weight of three people, the thin hemp rope didn’t break.
Cai Zhao vigorously shook Chang Ning’s arm—she actually wanted to shake his shoulders and neck, but Chang Ning was too tall for her to reach—and shouted furiously:
“Have you gone mad? Are you crazy? This is Wanshui Qianshan Cliff! There’s a bottomless abyss below. If they fall, we won’t even be able to recover their bodies! Yes, they’ve offended you, but surely not enough to deserve death! Has your cultivation addled your brains? Do you want to take their lives? Ahhh!”
Chang Ning straightened his sleeves, unconcerned: “If they fall, we can just say they couldn’t bear the hardships of cultivation and fled down the mountain. After all, there won’t be any bodies…” Seeing the child before him with her hair almost standing on end, he smiled and explained, “Don’t worry, Zhao Zhao. I won’t take their lives. You’ve misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood you?” Cai Zhao panted heavily. “Fine, then tell me, what are you doing here?!”
Chang Ning kicked the person at the front: “Ah Gua, did you hear that? Quickly, tell her, do I intend to take your lives?”
The man, having been the first to climb up and regain his composure, blurted out in a daze: “Don’t call me Ah Gua…”
“No, you’re Ah Gua,” Chang Ning said coldly, his expression turning vicious.
Ah Gua, seeing Chang Ning’s menacing look, hurriedly said: “Right, right, I’m Ah Gua! Senior Sister Cai, Senior Brother Chang isn’t trying to harm our lives!”
Cai Zhao laughed in exasperation: “Fine, then what are you doing here?”
Ah Gua, feeling dizzy, stammered: “We… we were…”
“Go on, what were you doing?” Chang Ning smiled.
Before suffocating himself, Ah Gua finally thought of a reason: “We… we four were just curious and wanted to see what the bottom of the cliff looked like, so we lowered ourselves down on ropes. Who knew it would be easy to go down but hard to come back up? Thankfully, Senior Brother Chang pulled us up. Senior Brother Chang saved our lives!”
Chang Ning had an epiphany: “Oh, so that’s what happened. Did you hear that, Junior Sister Zhao Zhao?”
Cai Zhao: “…”
The other three, hearing this, also caught on and started clamoring:
“Senior Brother Chang, not holding grudges, risked his life to save us from danger. He’s truly magnanimous and righteous!”
“WAh from now on, Senior Brother Chang is like our second father. We’ll set up an ancestral tablet for Senior Brother Chang’s long life, waaah…”
“A righteous gentleman like Senior Brother Chang is truly a pillar of morality! We were beasts before, no, worse than beasts, to have dared disrespect Senior Brother Chang!” The last one, fearing the atmosphere wasn’t intense enough, even started slapping his face.
Cai Zhao’s face tightened, and she suddenly turned and left without a word.
Chang Ning quickly caught up, tilting his head onto the child’s shoulder, smiling: “Alright, alright, don’t be angry, Zhao Zhao. It was because I remembered what you said that I didn’t throw them down.”
Cai Zhao suddenly deflated, feeling that life was truly difficult. Leaving home to become a disciple was hard enough, but heaven had also saddled her with a Chang Ning who was either causing trouble or about to cause trouble.
She stopped on a wooden bridge over a ravine: “You need to stop now. The aunt said the most tragic thing in the world is when a victim goes too far in seeking revenge and becomes the target of public criticism and contempt.”
Chang Ning nodded: “I know. They were the last four disciples from the sect. I won’t bother anyone else.”
“Good that you understand. Rein it in quickly. Master has already come up the mountain. When he returns from Uncle Master Li’s place, Qi Lingbo will surely complain to Master. You’d better watch out for your skin!”
Chang Ning’s long lashes moved imperceptibly. “Alright, I understand.”
Cai Zhao sighed in relief and took a few steps off the bridge, but noticed no footsteps behind her. She turned to see Chang Ning still standing in the center of the arched bridge. Puzzled, she asked: “Why aren’t you coming?”
Chang Ning stood tall, smiling slightly in the mountain breeze: “The henchmen have been dealt with, but the main culprit remains unpunished. Zhao Zhao, go back to Qingjing Zhai first. I’ll be back soon.” As he spoke, he struck the bridge with his palm. The force was as fierce as a heavy hammer, and the bridge split in two with a loud crack. Then, with a series of creaks and snaps, both ends of the bridge shattered, wooden pieces falling into the deep ravine below.
At the same time, Chang Ning leaped into the air, his movement light and ethereal, like a carefree blue cloud rising and drifting away, before landing gracefully on the opposite bank.
Cai Zhao stood stunned, only realizing what had happened after the wooden bridge had completely fallen. “Where are you going?” she cried out. “Are you going to find Qi Lingbo? Don’t be crazy! Come back quickly!”
Chang Ning waved to her from afar, then swiftly departed.
Anxiously, Cai Zhao paced back and forth at the edge of the deep ravine. The gap was too wide for her to leap across. If only she had a long whip or rope to give her some leverage! However, having grown up in Luoying Town, she wasn’t accustomed to carrying weapons.
Finally, gritting her teeth, she decided to take the longer route, determined to reach Qi Lingbo’s residence, the Xianyu Linglong Dwelling, as quickly as possible.
After circumventing the deep cliff, she struggled up the mountainside. In the distance, she saw the gold-threaded, silver-inlaid Xianyu Linglong Dwelling engulfed in flames. The fire raged, spreading in all directions. Blood-stained Yin family guards lay sprawled on the ground, clutching their stomachs or arms, wailing in agony. Servants who couldn’t escape in time huddled by the water pool, crying out in pain from their burns. Those unaffected by the fire frantically carried water to douse the flames.
Cai Zhao stepped over the charred tree branches and flowers on the ground, standing helplessly amidst the chaos. She grabbed a passing maid and asked, “Did Chang Ning start this fire?”
The maid replied trembling, “Yes, it was Young Master Chang! He came and knocked down all the guards! He called for the mistress to come out, and when she did, he set the fire without a word, saying he wanted to force her out!”
“Where is Senior Sister Lingbo now?” Cai Zhao pressed.
“Young Master Dai took the mistress out through the back door, and Young Master Chang chased after them!” The maid was now crying in fear.
Cai Zhao released the maid, picked up an intact Qingang sword from the ground, and sprinted in the direction the maid had pointed, using her qi to propel herself forward.
…
Under the green gauze corridor of Chuitianwu.
A handsome and heroic young man sat on a bamboo couch, meticulously polishing his beloved sword, ‘Kunpeng’.
A servant reported, “Young Master, it seems there’s a fire in the direction of Xianyu Linglong Dwelling. Would you like to go and see?”
Song Yuzhi replied, “No need.”
The servant, after much hesitation, added, “I heard that Young Master Chang Ning caused quite a commotion at the gate a few days ago. Could he be causing trouble for Miss Lingbo?”
Song Yuzhi didn’t even look up. “So what if he is?”
“Young Master, Miss Lingbo is, after all, your…”
Song Yuzhi put down the white velvet cloth. “Lingbo has been misbehaving for years. She deserves to be taught a lesson. Since she won’t listen to a word I say, I might as well let Brother Chang do the job.”
The servant cautioned, “I just hope Young Master Chang doesn’t go too far, or he might face severe punishment.”
“Not necessarily,” Song Yuzhi mused. “Out of respect for Old Sect Master Yin, Father has always been lenient with Lingbo, even when she’s made mistakes. Similarly, considering the late Chang Daxia’s reputation, would Father severely punish the orphan of the Chang family, even if Chang Ning makes a mistake?”
The servant couldn’t help but interject, “Old Sect Master Yin is your grandfather, Young Master.”
“I know,” Song Yuzhi examined his sword, speaking to himself. “They say beauty should be paired with a hero, but the truth is, the Qingque Sect doesn’t bear the surname Yin. The next Sect Master doesn’t necessarily have to marry the previous Sect Master’s daughter. It’s just that Grandfather’s reputation is too great, and he has led the sect for too long, so everyone has forgotten this fact.”
…
Cai Zhao raced past pavilions and towers until she reached a large lake. There, she saw two figures engaged in an intense battle, their swords flashing.
Qi Lingbo lay nearby, soaking wet and tearfully watching the two combatants. She wore Dai Fengchi’s robe, her face smeared with mud.
Dai Fengchi, known as the ‘Wind-Chasing Swordsman’, was renowned for his Meteor Chasing Wind sword technique, known for its swift, meteor-like strikes. Chang Ning, no longer fighting with a tree branch, had seized a Qingang sword from a guard. He employed the Chang family’s ‘Willow Floss Sword Technique’, light and graceful like willow catkins in the wind.
The two sword techniques were evenly matched. However, before Cai Zhao could reach them, Chang Ning suddenly thrust his sword diagonally toward Dai Fengchi’s left shoulder, his speed surpassing even the Meteor Chasing Wind. Dai Fengchi grunted in pain, staggering back. Chang Ning immediately followed with a palm strike, sending Dai Fengchi flying several steps. Dai coughed up blood and collapsed.
Chang Ning stepped forward, pointing his sword at both Dai and Qi. “When you made me bark like a dog back then, did you ever imagine this day would come?”
Qi Lingbo shouted angrily, “You kicked me into the lake and humiliated me with mud! What more do you want? If you have the guts, just kill me!”
Chang Ning laughed softly. “You both saw what happened to Wu Yuanying that day. Killing you wouldn’t satisfy me. Making you suffer is what I want!”
The horrific state of Wu Yuanying was seared into everyone’s minds like a nightmare.
Qi Lingbo, terrified, stammered, “What… what do you want? My father won’t let you get away with this!”
“True, out of respect for Sect Master Qi, I can’t kill you two,” Chang Ning nodded, then swung his sword towards Qi Lingbo’s face amidst her screams.
Just as it seemed the Fairy Lingbo’s face would be marred, a clear clang of sword meeting sword rang out—Cai Zhao had flown in from the side, her sword barely blocking Chang Ning’s fierce attack.
Chang Ning withdrew his sword, stepping back with a smile. “Zhaozao, you came so quickly. The Flying Flower Crossing of Luoying Valley is indeed impressive.”
Almost simultaneously, other inner disciples and guards arrived, witnessing Cai Zhao standing with her sword before Dai and Qi. Her beauty rivaled blooming flowers, her long sword as cold as ice.
Having already witnessed Chang Ning’s skills, no one dared to step forward.
Cai Zhao spoke firmly, “Senior Brother Chang, as I said before, you should stop now.”
Chang Ning’s expression grew serious. “Zhaozao, you’re not going to be like those vulgar people who say ‘since no real harm was done, you shouldn’t hold a grudge,’ are you? Being forced to bark like a dog, roll in mud, and eat feces, having one’s heart blood extracted—that was Wu Yuanying’s misfortune. It wasn’t because Qi Lingbo and the others felt compassion or showed mercy.”
Chang Ning swung his sword, his voice cold. “If they intended to harm, they should be judged as if they succeeded. Why can’t I seek revenge?!”
Cai Zhao sighed softly. “Senior Brother Chang, we’ve said all that needs to be said. You’re intelligent; you understand these principles without me explaining. ‘Intending harm’ is indeed despicable, but it’s different from ‘actually causing harm’. Seeking justice is right, but excessive revenge goes too far.”
“Is this what your aunt taught you?” Chang Ning glanced at her, his smile ice-cold. “No wonder your aunt, despite her martial prowess, ended up bedridden for years and died in misery. Don’t follow her example! Isn’t it better to live freely and joyfully in the martial world than to be constantly constrained by the name of righteousness and chivalry?”
Cai Zhao’s face turned cold. “You set three rules on the first day we met. Now that you no longer need protection, you dare to criticize my aunt?!”
Chang Ning couldn’t hide his crazed, unrestrained air. He laughed loudly, “Don’t be angry, Zhaozao. I shouldn’t have spoken about your aunt. You can punish me however you like when we return… Just let me vent a little more!”
In a flash, Chang Ning’s sword curved like a striking snake, bypassing Cai Zhao and aiming straight for Qi Lingbo’s face.
Amidst Qi Lingbo’s screams, Cai Zhao flipped her wrist to deflect Chang Ning’s sword, then lunged forward. In an instant, their swords clashed numerous times, their movements too fast for onlookers to follow.
Cai Zhao recalled Cai Pingzhu’s words about the Chang family’s Willow Floss Sword Technique—graceful and ethereal, its deadliest aspect was the ‘entanglement’ move. Once caught in it, defeat was inevitable. Thus, from the start, Cai Zhao struck swiftly, aiming to preempt each move and prevent Chang Ning’s sword from ensnaring her.
After seven or eight exchanges, Cai Zhao noticed Chang Ning’s left hand seemed slightly stiff, either from lack of practice or fatigue. Seizing an opening, she thrust her sword forward—
“Ah!” The crowd gasped in unison.
One drop, then two—bright red blood fell onto the white jade steps by the lake.
Chang Ning lowered his head, stunned. The gleaming sword tip had pierced his left shoulder.
The wound wasn’t deep, nor particularly painful, he thought.
The crowd murmured in astonishment:
“Junior Sister Cai is so skilled! I couldn’t even see how she struck!”
“Who dares say the Cai family has no talents left in Luoying Valley? I’ll slap them!”
“Maybe Young Master Chang held back…”
“Don’t flatter yourself! Seven or eight of you were knocked down by his sleeve and couldn’t even get up. Now you’re trying to save face?”
“Fortunately, Senior Brother Dai insisted on sparring with Junior Sister Cai.”
“Haha, now that you mention it…”
“Stop laughing. Chang Ning is so vengeful. Now that blood has been drawn, who knows how this will end.”
The sword was swiftly withdrawn from the flesh, trailing a line of crimson.
“Have you had enough of your madness?” Cai Zhao struggled to steady her breathing, trying to keep her sword from shaking—this was the first time she had injured someone.
“Senior Sister Lingbo bullied you, but the servants in Xianyu Linglong Dwelling were innocent. Your fire injured so many! You were wronged and wanted revenge, but does that mean you can disregard the innocent?!”
Her voice trembled slightly, but she persisted, “Others were cruel, so you became even crueler in your revenge. You’ve become just like those you once despised—I can’t respect someone like that.”
With a soft clatter, Chang Ning gently tossed his sword to the ground. He covered his wounded shoulder, his long lashes lowered. The wild, violent aura around him dissipated like scattered clouds.
Cai Zhao felt her heart lighten. She relaxed her tense body and casually discarded her sword, its bloodied tip drawing a thin red line on the white jade steps.
She composed herself, slowly walked to Chang Ning, and pulled up his sleeve. “Let’s go home and have some soup.”
Chang Ning looked down at the pale hand on his sleeve, reminiscent of the day Qi Yunke entrusted him to care for the child in Muwei Palace. He softly replied, “Mm.”
The crowd watched in bewilderment as the two departed.
“Is… is that it?”
“What else do you want? Isn’t this chaotic enough?”
“But it’s not right! What about Senior Sister Lingbo? Chang caused such a commotion, and now after drawing blood, he’s leaving like nothing happened?”
“It’s good that they’re leaving. Thankfully, Junior Sister Cai could control him. If a real fight broke out, we’d have to help—do you want another beating?!”
…
Song Yuzhi stood in the corridor, gazing at the sky. A gentle breeze blew, and the weather was beautiful.
He smiled. “Tomorrow’s weather will be even better than today’s. Perfect for moving.”