In the following days, Cai Zhao became particularly well-behaved. She spent her time either hiding in the Qingjing Study waiting for Cai Pingchun’s return or staring at the pigeon coop.
Indeed, the coop of messenger pigeons given to her by Master Juexing would finally prove useful.
Upon hearing about the attacks on various sects, Cai Zhao immediately began writing letters, skipping meals in the process. Changning stood by, grinding ink and cutting paper for her, occasionally glancing at the letter contents, which earned him glares from the girl.
The first letter was destined for Peiqiong Manor.
She inquired about the health of Zhou Zhizhen, Zhou Zhixian, and others, asking if their injuries were serious and if they needed any medicine. She emphasized that Luoying Valley had an abundance of various healing medicines. She even attached two vials of wound medicine to the pigeon’s leg. If not for fear of weighing down the plump little pigeon, she would have sent the entire medicine box left by Ning Xiaofeng.
Changning quipped, “Is it because you like Master Zhou and Miss Zhou that you’ve grown fond of Zhou Yuqi? Or is it because you’re worried about Zhou Yuqi that you’re showing such care for Master Zhou and Miss Zhou?”
Cai Zhao retorted, “… I could splash this freshly ground ink on your face.”
The second letter was for Changchun Temple.
She first wished Master Fakong well, inquiring about his burn injuries and noting that old skin doesn’t heal easily. She included two vials of burn ointment produced by Luoying Valley, claiming it could revive even cooked shrimp. She also asked if the thick smoke he had inhaled had cleared from his lungs, enclosing a recipe for a detoxifying lung tonic. She warned that if the lung injury wasn’t treated properly, the old monk might only be able to tap the wooden fish instead of chanting sutras.
Changning asked, “Did Luoying Valley have a previous grudge with Master Fakong?”
Cai Zhao replied, “Not at all. The old monk is very kind.”
Changning prodded, “So Zhao Zhao wants to comfort Master Fakong?”
Cai Zhao affirmed, “Naturally.”
Changning muttered, “… May the Master live as long as the Southern Mountain. Amitabha.”
She initially intended to write a third letter to Ning Xiaofeng but crumpled it up, realizing that even she couldn’t find the entrance to Ning Family Fortress without utmost concentration, let alone a pigeon.
She then considered writing to Master Jingyuan at Xuankong Nunnery. However, recalling her great-aunt’s eternally frosty face, she couldn’t squeeze out a single word. In the end, she simply attached two vials of wound medicine as a gesture of concern.
After sending the letters, Cai Zhao could hardly resist sleeping by the pigeon coop, eagerly awaiting replies and Cai Pingchun’s return.
During this frustratingly tedious wait, Sect Leader Qi Yunke’s condition suddenly worsened. Initially, everyone thought he had only minor injuries that would heal with rest and the expulsion of residual poison. Unexpectedly, his condition suddenly deteriorated. One morning, Qi Yunke vomited several mouthfuls of black blood and became bedridden, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Cai Zhao visited him three times, but on two occasions, she could only see Qi Yunke lying in his bed, eyes tightly shut and face sallow.
Zeng Dalou rushed about, either managing sect affairs, seeking medical treatment, or handling matters on Qi Yunke’s behalf. He barely had time to exchange words with Cai Zhao before hurrying off again.
When Qi Yunke finally regained consciousness, all the disciples gathered to visit him, including Song Yuzhi, who had to be supported by others.
Lei Xiuming furrowed his brow, growing more perplexed as he took Qi Yunke’s pulse. He muttered, “Why has the poison suddenly become so potent? I’ve managed to suppress it for now, but I don’t understand why it keeps recurring.”
Qi Yunke, however, seemed more at ease. He smiled weakly and said, “It was my carelessness while practicing my cultivation. I made a mistake and didn’t expel the remaining poison in time. Thanks to Brother Lei’s skillful treatment, I’m much better now. I just need more rest.”
Lei Xiuming could only acquiesce.
With her husband in grave danger, Yin Sulian weighed whether it was more impressive to be the sect leader’s wife or the sect leader’s mother-in-law. She finally displayed unprecedented thoughtfulness, serving tea and attending to Qi Yunke with uncharacteristic gentleness, causing the disciples to shudder in discomfort.
Unfortunately, Qi Yunke was not at all appreciative. He muttered something coldly, which infuriated Yin Sulian, causing her to storm off angrily.
Cai Zhao watched this drama unfold with an amused smile. As she turned to leave, she noticed Song Yuzhi standing behind a pillar with a peculiar expression.
A fleeting sense of unease passed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it and returned to guard the pigeon coop, waiting for news.
In the following days, the messenger pigeons gradually returned.
Peiqiong Manor had indeed suffered heavy casualties, with very few escaping the Evil Cult’s ambush. Fortunately, the four members of the Zhou family were not severely injured and would recover with time and care. Zhou Zhizhen decided to provide for the elderly mothers and widows of the deceased disciples.
At Changchun Temple, most had only suffered flesh wounds. Only Master Fakong was in poorer condition, given his advanced age. In terms of seniority and years, he was of the same generation as the Three Elders of Qingfeng. This journey had first seen the passing of his lifelong companion, Master Fahai, and then an ambush upon his return. The old monk was struggling to cope.
Xuankong Nunnery, as usual, sent a long stack of sermons, which Cai Zhao couldn’t be bothered to read.
Just as she tossed aside Master Jingyuan’s admonishing letter, Furong arrived with news—Cai Pingchun had finally returned.
Cai Pingchun arrived in Qingque Town as night fell. Not wishing to spend the night on Mount Jiuli, he checked into the Joy Inn in town.
Despite its ordinary yet confident name, the inn wasn’t the largest in town but was certainly the most expensive.
Walking along the stone-paved streets of Qingque Town, Cai Zhao noticed the considerable foot traffic. “The festival is over, yet there are still so many people in town. Are they returning customers for the shops?”
Changning looked up and observed, “These people all seem to be martial artists. I wonder what they’re doing in Qingque Town.”
Both found it strange, but being unfamiliar with Qingque Town, they couldn’t tell if these people were regulars or strangers, or if their presence was normal or unusual. Unable to make sense of it, they put it out of their minds.
Entering the Joy Inn, they saw the consumptive-looking innkeeper standing expressionlessly behind the counter. He merely raised an eyebrow at Cai Zhao and Changning, pointed to the “Heaven Suite No. 1” bamboo sign hanging behind him, and then listlessly called for a waiter to show them the way.
Changning chuckled, “Now I’m certain that Zhao Zhao must have a grudge against this innkeeper.”
“When we first came to Mount Jiuli, my family stayed at this inn,” Cai Zhao explained resignedly. “It’s such a small, rundown place with only us as guests, yet the room rate was exorbitant, and the innkeeper had such a long face. So I gave him a little suggestion.”
“What suggestion?”
“I said, ‘Innkeeper, why don’t you open a funeral parlor instead?'”
Changning burst out laughing.
…
After half a month apart, Cai Zhao noticed her father had grown darker and thinner. Feeling distressed, she wanted nothing more than to immediately start brewing a nutritious soup for him.
Cai Pingchun also looked his daughter up and down, noticing the young girl had grown taller and seemed more mature. He smiled and said, “It seems the cooks at Qingque Sect are quite good, having fed our Zhao Zhao so well. Indeed, sending her away to be raised was the right decision. In just a few days, she looks much more sensible.”
He then turned his attention to Changning.
Although the young man’s face was still covered in poisonous sores, he appeared calm and composed, his eyes gleaming with intelligence. Cai Pingchun asked, “Nephew Chang, have you recovered?”
Changning bowed respectfully and replied, “There’s still some residual poison that hasn’t been cleared.”
Cai Pingchun frowned slightly but said nothing.
Cai Zhao also furrowed her brow.
Since entering the room, Changning hadn’t uttered a single bizarre comment. His behavior was elegant and refined, his demeanor graceful—he seemed even more like a young master from a noble family than Song Yuzhi.
The father and daughter, not having seen each other for a long time, naturally had much to discuss. After chatting about various topics for a while, they eventually turned to the matter of the Qingque Sect being invaded and the ambushes set by the Evil Cult against various sects.
Cai Zhao voiced her earlier confusion: “Changning said the Evil Cult isn’t as powerful as before, so why are they still so vicious?”
Cai Pingchun replied, “With so many villains in the world, how can we guess their thoughts? There’s no point in trying to figure out their motives. After everyone recovers, we’ll let the master lead us to confront Cult Leader Nie Zhe at Youming Huangdao. We’ve been at peace for so many years; if Cult Leader Nie is eager to stir up trouble again, the Six Northern Sects will naturally oblige.”
His words were simple, but they hinted at the bloodshed to come.
Cai Zhao couldn’t help but shudder.
Changning also found it quite interesting. Cai Pingchun appeared gentle and low-key, but his nature was unexpectedly decisive.
“Uncle Cai,” Changning stepped forward and bowed respectfully, his posture elegant. “Forgive my rudeness, but I wonder if you’ve uncovered any clues about my family’s case during your journey?”
Cai Pingchun pondered for a moment. “The Chang Family Fortress is now in ruins. I searched it thoroughly and investigated the surrounding area. I can confirm that it was indeed the work of the Evil Cult.”
Cai Zhao quipped, “Father, Brother Chang already said it was the Evil Cult. You were gone for half a month just to find that out?”
Cai Pingchun ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Silly girl, what do you know?”
Turning to Changning, he continued, “I initially thought someone might be taking advantage of the situation, using the Evil Cult’s name to commit atrocities. But after thorough investigation—the markings at the foot of the mountain, the hidden lines in the grass, the stake holes around the ambush site, even the remnants of the battle in the ruins—all bear the hallmarks of Lu Chengnan. Hmph, it’s the Tiangang Dishagying again.”
Cai Zhao’s mind raced. “Lu? Could he be one of the four disciples of Nie, Heng, Cheng, Zhao, Chen, Han, and Lu?”
“Correct,” Cai Pingchun nodded. “He’s Nie Hengcheng’s fourth disciple. He usually kept a low profile, so he wasn’t well-known in the martial arts world. In reality, he was a man of many talents—proficient in internal martial arts, mechanisms, formations, astrology, geography, tracking, and assassination. He trained all the members of the Tiangang Dishagying.”
Cai Zhao listened in horror. “So this man killed Brother Chang’s entire family!”
“No, he’s already dead, even earlier than Nie Hengcheng,” Cai Pingchun explained. “Years ago, when we were tracking down the leaders of the Tiangang Dishagying, we found them in mourning, faces covered in tears and snot—they were burning incense and paper money to commemorate Lu Chengnan.”
“… So even the Evil Cult has human emotions,” Cai Zhao said sheepishly.
Cai Pingchun smiled at his daughter. “Members of the Evil Cult are human too, with their desires and emotions. Lu Chengnan was highly respected among the younger generation in the Evil Cult, but no one knows exactly how he died. Some say he died from cultivation gone wrong, others claim he was killed by a trap set by our Six Northern Sects, and there are even rumors that his two senior fellow disciples conspired to kill him out of jealousy…”
“In any case, Lu Chengnan’s death was like cutting off one of Nie Hengcheng’s arms. If he were still alive, your aunt wouldn’t have found it so easy to locate Nie Hengcheng and challenge him when he was alone.”
“Sounds like he was quite formidable,” Cai Zhao sighed. “What kind of people are in the Evil Cult?”
Changning glanced at the girl but said nothing.
“Even today, the Tiangang Dishagying still trains according to Lu Chengnan’s methods. I recognized it from the traces left at the Chang Family Fortress,” Cai Pingchun continued. “In recent years, the Guangtian Gate and Siqi Gate have become more aggressive, extending their reach and expanding their influence. Understandably, the Evil Cult would want to teach them a lesson.”
“But why did they have to annihilate the Chang family? Since Nie Hengcheng’s death, Brother Chang has hardly been involved in martial arts affairs.” He couldn’t understand it.
Changning remained silent.
Hearing the words “Guangtian Gate,” Cai Zhao immediately thought of Song Yuzhi and hurriedly asked, “Father, my third senior brother… Song Yuzhi, the son of Master Song, was afflicted by the Netherworld Chill. He’s lost most of his martial arts abilities. Have you heard of any treatment for this kind of injury?”
Changning took a deep breath, suppressing his jealousy, and continued to maintain his gentle and respectful demeanor.
Damn it!
“Netherworld Chill? I don’t know of a cure,” Cai Pingchun hesitated. “No… it should be treatable.”
Cai Zhao’s eyes lit up. “How does Father know it can be treated?”
“Your aunt once had a brother named Shi Tieqiao…”
Changning interjected, “The second eldest of the Shi brothers?”
Cai Pingchun nodded, “Yes, that’s him. He was once afflicted by the Netherworld Chill, but somehow your aunt managed to cure him. I don’t know the details of how she did it.”
“So… how exactly did he recover?” Cai Zhao asked, perplexed. “Does anyone know?”
Changning couldn’t help but feel a hint of schadenfreude: “There aren’t many who practice the Netherworld Chill technique, so naturally, there aren’t many who’ve been afflicted by it. How could anyone know the cure?”
To prevent the girl from fixating on Song Yuzhi’s injury, Changning quickly changed the subject. “If I may be so bold, Uncle Cai, I’d like to ask about something.”
“Go ahead,” Cai Pingchun replied.
Changning inquired, “Before Wu Gang’s death, he mentioned that Old Sect Leader Yin refused to exchange Elder Kaiyang for Hero Wu Yuanying to force him to reveal a secret. Does Uncle Cai know what this secret might be?”
Cai Zhao was startled, remembering this as well. She couldn’t help but mutter, “I’ve always wondered about this. Why not ask the master directly? He must know Old Sect Leader Yin’s intentions.”
Changning maintained his act, smiling sympathetically. “I fear this matter might not be very honorable. It would be unfair to force Sect Leader Qi to speak of it…”
Cai Pingchun nodded. “Nephew Chang is right. This matter is indeed not very honorable.”
“Ah,” Cai Zhao exclaimed in surprise.
Twenty years ago, although the Evil Cult was at its peak, the Six Northern Sects were not pushovers.
The Three Elders of Qingfeng were in their prime; the Twin Heroes of Chu each had their strengths; Peiqiong Manor, Guangtian Gate, and Siqi Gate all had numerous disciples and formidable experts; even Luoying Valley had top-tier martial artists like Cai Changfeng. Among the younger generation, there were rising stars like Zhou Zhizhen, Song Shijun, and Wu Yuanying, not to mention rare talents like Cai Pingshu.
For a long time, the righteous and evil factions were evenly matched, and neither dared to declare war lightly.
“Suddenly one day, Old Sect Leader Yin sensed something was amiss,” Cai Pingchun continued. “He had previously fought with Nie Hengcheng and, while not evenly matched, he wasn’t completely outclassed. At their level of martial arts, significant improvements were rare. However, for some unknown reason, Nie Hengcheng’s power suddenly increased dramatically.”
“The first time, Old Sect Leader Yin barely escaped unscathed after exchanging moves with him.”
“The second time they met, Old Sect Leader Yin couldn’t last a hundred moves against Nie Hengcheng.”
“By the third encounter, if not for the sacrifice of his fellow disciples Cheng Hao and Wang Dingchuan, Old Sect Leader Yin might have lost his life on the spot.”
Cai Zhao’s mouth gaped open. “Father, how do you know this so clearly? Old Sect Leader Yin wouldn’t go around talking about his defeats.”
“One of Uncle Wang Dingchuan’s disciples told your aunt,” Cai Pingchun said calmly. “Your aunt saved his life.”
This was news to Changning as well. Shocked, he suddenly realized something. “If Nie Hengcheng suddenly gained such power, the balance between the two sides must have been disrupted.”
“So, this is why Nie Hengcheng suddenly became aggressive? As his fears grew, he allowed the Evil Cult members to run rampant, aiming to eradicate the Six Northern Sects and unify the world under his rule.”
Cai Pingchun nodded and continued, “Old Sect Leader Yin, being quite perceptive, naturally deduced that Nie Hengcheng must have had some fortuitous encounter, obtaining an incredibly powerful martial art technique.”
“So he captured Elder Kaiyang to force Nie Hengcheng to reveal what kind of fortuitous encounter he had?!” Cai Zhao clapped her hands.
Cai Pingchun explained, “Both Elder Kaiyang and Elder Yaoguang were personally recruited by Nie Hengcheng and had been his confidants for ten years. If they didn’t know, no one would.”
“Did they eventually reveal it?” the young Miss Cai asked anxiously.
Changning maintained his composed demeanor, his eyes gentle. “If they had, your aunt wouldn’t have needed to risk her life to kill Nie Hengcheng.”
Cai Pingchun smiled. “Nephew Chang is correct.”
Cai Zhao narrowed her eyes at Changning, her gaze conveying one word: Fake.