The next morning, in Qingjing Study…
Cai Zhao was writing furiously, her characters as tiny as mosquito legs, covering a small scroll densely.
Chang Ning was grinding ink beside her, going around and around.
“…Didn’t you say you didn’t want to beg for help everywhere and just wait for news?” he couldn’t help asking.
“First, I’m not begging everywhere. I’ve only asked three places: Uncle Zhou, Master Fakong, and Reverend Jingyuan,” Cai Zhao replied without stopping her brush.
“Second, I’m not just waiting for news. I need people outside to know my situation—Father is missing, his fate unknown, Mother is far away and can’t help even if she comes. I’m just a lonely little girl; any trouble I face is the sect’s responsibility.”
The inkstone was drying out. Chang Ning added some clear water with a gilded small spoon and continued grinding. “Do you think those three will come to your rescue immediately after seeing your letters?”
“They’ll come, but not immediately,” Cai Zhao said, putting down her brush to shake her aching fingers. “I still have Master here, after all, and they have their troubles. Especially Uncle Zhou—not only are he and his family seriously injured, but he also has a lot of casualties to compensate for. Ah Aunt was right: it’s better to rely on yourself than others.”
Chang Ning hesitated for a moment before asking, “Who do you suspect?”
Cai Zhao picked up her brush again. “Since it was someone from the Qingque Sect who my father knew, it could be Master, Senior Brother, Elder Li, Elder Lei, or even Brother Fan. But what I don’t understand is…”
She frowned, her delicate brows furrowed in confusion. “What’s the purpose of capturing my father? Luoying Valley ranks last among the Six Sects, and the Cai family isn’t that significant in the martial arts world. Even if the Demon Sect’s leader wanted to establish his authority, it wouldn’t be my father’s turn.”
After thinking for a long time, she still had no clue.
She finished the last scroll, inserted it into a small bamboo tube tied to a carrier pigeon’s leg, and handed it to Furong to release. At the same time, she pretended to receive another pigeon from Cuiyu and took out a “secret letter.”
Outside, the sun was high. Cai Zhao left with the “secret letter,” turning back at the door to say, “Brother Chang, you’d better not come this time. I’m afraid someone already suspects you.”
Chang Ning replied calmly, “I’m worried about you. Let them suspect if they want. If things go wrong, we’ll just leave.”
Cai Zhao had no choice but to let him follow.
Given the current situation, the sensible approach would be to observe secretly and wait for the hidden culprit in the Qingque Sect to make another move—they surely wouldn’t stop at just capturing Cai Pingchun after all their elaborate planning.
However, Cai Zhao was determined not to wait—after all, it was her father at stake!
If the enemy wouldn’t move, she would make the first move.
In the courtyard of Muwei Palace, Qi Yunke’s room still reeked of strong medicinal soup. The bitter, turbid smell made Cai Zhao inexplicably uncomfortable, like a young beast instinctively bristling upon sensing a natural predator, even without recognizing it.
Zeng Dalou and Fan Xingjia stood on either side of the sickbed, with several inner and outer sect managers reporting accounts.
When Qi Yunke heard Cai Zhao’s report clearly, he was shocked: “Zhaozao, what did you say?! Someone saw the murderer who killed the innkeeper and servant last night?”
Zeng Dalou dropped his brush with a clatter, Fan Xingjia almost jumped in shock, and the managers nearly dropped their jaws in astonishment.
Cai Zhao put on a ‘delighted face’: “Yes, I just received a secret letter. Someone saw them last night.”
Zeng Dalou came to his senses and was about to ask the managers to leave, but Cai Zhao said, “No need. I’ll need the help of the uncles later.”
Qi Yunke hurriedly asked, “Zhaozao, please explain clearly. What exactly happened?”
“Early this morning, when my family’s steward and servants arrived after hearing the news, someone deliberately bumped into them on the street and slipped a note into their clothes,” the young girl said, her cheeks flushed with excitement and joy.
Chang Ning resisted the urge to smirk.
“The note said that this person had retired from the jianghu for many years and no longer wished to be involved in its affairs. However, out of respect for my aunt’s reputation, they came to report this information,” Cai Zhao continued, showing ‘joy mixed with a hint of embarrassment.’ “They said that they only learned about the Yuelai Inn bloodbath this morning and realized that what they saw last night was the real culprit.”
Zeng Dalou skeptically said, “Could it be someone trying to extort money?”
Qi Yunke raised his left hand. “Eh, Dalou, don’t interrupt. Zhaozao, continue. What did that person see?”
“They said that around midnight last night when they were at a street corner, they saw the innkeeper instructing the servant to close the main door when suddenly several people entered the inn. Because of the distance, they couldn’t see their faces clearly, but both the innkeeper and the servant seemed to recognize these people. The servant even bowed repeatedly before fastening the door panels one by one.”
Cai Zhao looked at Qi Yunke. “Master, think about it. It’s one thing for the innkeeper to recognize them, as he used to be in the jianghu, but even the servant knew them. They must be people from Qingque Town. And the servant bowed repeatedly—could they be from our sect?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Qi Yunke reprimanded the girl in a low voice, glancing at the managers.
Zeng Dalou hesitated. “Just one note like this—leaving aside its authenticity—could it be a plot by the Demon Sect to sow discord?”
Cai Zhao pouted, her face showing a ‘desperate attempt at any solution’ and on the verge of tears. “Master, Senior Brother, I know this sounds unreliable, but even if it’s a long shot, you should investigate the people in town and the sect. Is anyone behaving suspiciously or suddenly wealthy? We might catch the Demon Sect’s spies! We’ve been ambushed repeatedly lately; it’s time to close the doors and thoroughly investigate. Better late than never, right?”
This time, Zeng Dalou had no objections. Stroking his short beard, he said, “With so many newcomers recently, an investigation would be good. If there’s a problem, we’ll correct it; if not, we’ll work harder.”
Fan Xingjia lowered his head and couldn’t help interjecting, “Could someone have disguised themselves as sect members, causing Valley Master Cai to be deceived?”
Chang Ning scoffed lightly, “On the day of the ceremony, from seven or eight zhang away, Madam Cai could spot that Luo Yuanrong was in disguise at a glance. I don’t think Valley Master Cai would be so easily fooled.”
Cai Zhao quickly added, “That’s right! Although my father’s eyes aren’t as sharp as my mother’s, anyone within five steps of him couldn’t hide whether they were in disguise or not. So, those who could make my father lower his guard must be people he knows!”
Qi Yunke pondered for a moment, seemingly making a decision. “Alright, let’s investigate.”
The little girl seemed overjoyed upon hearing this. “Thank you, Master, thank you, Senior Brother. I’ll go back and wait for news!”
As Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were about to leave, Qi Yunke suddenly spoke, “Ning’er, have your wounds and poison fully healed?”
Cai Zhao stumbled, almost tripping.
Chang Ning turned around nonchalantly, smiling. “Almost.”
Qi Yunke looked at him for a while. “…That’s good.”
The two returned to Qingjing Study and hurriedly ate lunch.
Cai Zhao took out the medicine box Ning Xiaofeng had given her and pulled out a hidden compartment at the bottom. It contained bottles and jars of various colors, powder brushes, powder puffs, and powder skins of different sizes, and even assorted fake beards, sideburns, and Adam’s apples.
Chang Ning’s veins pulsed slightly as he watched. He couldn’t help asking, “You came to Qingque Sect to become a disciple. Why did your mother prepare these things for you?”
Cai Zhao replied, “My aunt said, wherever there are people, there’s jianghu. My mother said when in the jianghu, one must be prepared for trouble.”
Chang Ning: …
Cai Zhao worked quickly, first selecting two suitable powder skins and soaking them in warm water. Then she took out an apricot-colored porcelain bottle and poured several drops of a liquid smelling of fresh grass into the water. The powder skins immediately became thin, soft, and sticky.
She squeezed the water out of one powder skin and applied it to her face, then used the mirror to apply various touches and adjustments. Finally, she fixed her hair and put on the sect robes Furong had procured—a white, silver-trimmed, tight-sleeved long robe with a blue embroidered waistband. In an instant, she transformed into a Qingque Sect disciple with ordinary features and a small stature.
“Luckily, many newcomers arrived yesterday. Otherwise, the cliff-guarding disciples of Fengyun Peak have sharp eyes. If they saw a face they’d never seen before, they’d surely ask who I am,” Cai Zhao said, having Cuiyu hold up a flower-shaped mirror as she practiced walking like a man.
Chang Ning asked, “Then why don’t you just disguise yourself as a sect disciple? Say, disguise yourself as A’Gua or one of the others?”
Cai Zhao frowned. “Sorry, my skills are limited. This is the best I can do.” Disguising oneself as a familiar person was much harder than disguising oneself as a stranger!
After reluctantly helping Chang Ning disguise himself and change clothes, Cai Zhao indicated they could leave.
To conceal their tracks, the two not only didn’t leave through the door but climbed over the walls of the house one after another.
The afternoon sunlight was lazy. Disciples who had finished their tasks often liked to go down the mountain to wander at this time. Mingling with groups of three to five people crossing the iron chain bridge, Cai Zhao saw Song Yu in the distance. Due to his unhealed injuries, he could no longer cross the cliff easily and was escorted by two Guangtian Gate guards.
She suddenly remembered that the first time she saw him was also on the iron chain. At that time, the handsome young man had walked as if floating on air, proud and aloof, immediately catching everyone’s eye. Now he was in such a state.
At this moment, a nearby disciple whispered, “Hasn’t Brother Song’s injury healed yet?”
Another replied, “Looking at his condition, it seems not.”
“Then why is he out? He should be resting properly.”
“I heard that more people from the Song family have arrived, a full twenty top-tier experts. They were personally selected by Sect Leader Song from the guardians of Guangtian Gate’s Golden Light Sacred Hall. With such a lineup, the gate-keeping uncle wouldn’t dare let them in casually, so Brother Song came to receive them personally.”
“Guangtian Gate is indeed powerful, sending such extraordinary people.”
“Sect Leader Song’s most promising son has ended up like this. Do you think Brother Song can recover?”
“I don’t know. If he can’t recover, wouldn’t he become useless like Cai Pingxu?”
“Haha, speak a little louder if you dare. If you dare to gossip about Lady Cai, let Little Sister Cai hear you and see if she doesn’t beat you into a leaky pot! She’s neither injured nor poisoned, and she has that mad dog Chang Ning by her side. Hmph!”
“Sigh, Little Sister Cai is also pitiful, so young and all alone, not knowing where her father is. She must be very worried.”
“Instead of feeling sorry for her, you’d better feel sorry for yourself. Little Sister Cai is strong enough to beat eighteen of you. Elder Li has already said that starting next month, he’s going to increase our training!”
Like all students worldwide, the disciples groaned when they heard about additional classes.
Cai Zhao listened silently, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
After landing at Fengyun Peak, she spotted Song Yu and his group walking ahead during her descent. She instinctively wanted to approach them but stopped after a few steps, remembering she was in disguise.
As she smiled bitterly, someone suddenly brushed past her, grabbing her wrist and dragging her behind a boulder.
Chang Ning’s gaze was dark. “Where were you trying to go just now?”
Cai Zhao frowned. “Why do you sound like Old Wu the Cooper?”
Chang Ning couldn’t help but ask, “Who’s Old Wu the Cooper?”
“He’s the most successful cooper in Luoying Town. His wife left him to come to town.”
“Pretty boys are never any good!” Chang Ning scoffed.
Cai Zhao was surprised. “No, it wasn’t a pretty boy. It was a talented female teacher with a beautiful voice.”
Chang Ning’s face turned green.
” Old Wu’s wife is quite nice—virtuous, capable, and kind to neighbors. My aunt says she might have just discovered her true self. My aunt even asked my mother to arrange a new match for Old Wu.”
After her reflections, Cai Zhao spoke earnestly to Chang Ning, “Brother Chang, you should work on your temper. Otherwise, your future wife might eventually ‘discover her true self’ too.”
Chang Ning felt like his whole body was glowing green.
Suddenly, a commotion arose as another group of disciples came down the mountain.
The two quickly hid themselves among the trees and rocks.
“Who should we catch?” Chang Ning eyed the passing crowd like a predator eyeing plump rabbits.
Cai Zhao replied, “There are now three types of people in our sect: the original members, those who just arrived yesterday, and those from Guangtian Gate. Which group do you think we should target?”
“The ones from Guangtian Gate,” Chang Ning answered without hesitation.
“Alright, then let’s first catch a few who just arrived yesterday. Senior Apprentice Fan always says they look creepy.”
Chang Ning thought, “Then why did you even ask me?” He glanced sideways at the girl, his knuckles cracking.
Ignoring his reaction, Cai Zhao continued, “We can’t grab them here, right? Should we wait until they’re down the mountain?”
Chang Ning replied darkly, “Since you want to stir things up, don’t hold back. We’ll catch a few today, and a few more tomorrow. If we can get any information, great. If not, we’ll kill them and dump them in the mountains. The wild beasts will be well-fed next year. Isn’t that good?”
“Killing people indiscriminately isn’t right. What if they’re good people with unfortunate appearances?” Cai Zhao still had her principles.
Chang Ning rolled his eyes. “Then we’ll knock them out and put them on a barge heading south. They won’t be back for at least ten days or half a month.” Of course, he meant to injure them severely enough to require a long recovery time.
“That’s a good idea,” Cai Zhao said cheerfully, turning her gaze back to the crowd. “But who should we grab?”
Chang Ning replied, “Naturally, the ones with the best kung fu.”
He picked up a piece of bark from the ground and threw it with a flick of his wrist. The bark traced an arc in the air, hitting a large tree opposite the group with a sudden “thwack.”
The unexpected noise revealed the differences among the people.
Some were confused, unaware of what had happened. Others immediately went on guard, looking around warily. A few even rushed towards the tree, guided by the sound. However, only two remained particularly calm, neither panicking nor acting hastily, but instead glancing suspiciously towards where Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were hiding.
At that moment, a fat rabbit suddenly darted out from the bushes, disappearing in a flash before everyone’s eyes.
The group relaxed and laughed.
Chang Ning turned to the girl, his face expressionless. “Let’s take those two.”
Cai Zhao agreed.
It was market day in Qingque Town, and villagers from the surrounding area were streaming in to buy and sell goods, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Chang Ning and Cai Zhao followed the two targets at a distance, surprisingly to a brothel—
The brothel was called ‘Little Xuan Pavilion.’
Not only was the name elegant but the building itself was also decorated with tasteful beauty.
If it weren’t for the men and courtesans entering and leaving arm in arm, Cai Zhao wouldn’t have dared to believe it was a brothel.
“There’s a brothel in Qingque Town?” She was somewhat stunned.
Chang Ning suppressed a laugh. “Isn’t there one in Luoying Town?”
Cai Zhao thought for a moment. “There almost was, but my mother ruined the plan.”
“Was your mother afraid the courtesans would seduce your father?”
“No, she was afraid they’d seduce my aunt.”
Chang Ning was once again at a loss for words, unsure how many times this had happened today.
Seeing the two men enter the brothel, Cai Zhao swallowed and wanted to follow, but Chang Ning sternly stopped her.
In the end, they could only sit and wait by the window on the second floor of a tavern diagonally across from the brothel. To avoid missing anything, Cai Zhao hired a few children to keep watch around the brothel, specifically looking for customers leaving without being seen off by madams, pimps, or courtesans.
Noticing Chang Ning’s confusion, Cai Zhao patiently explained, “Most brothels have more than one door. Only about half the visitors enter openly. Those who are married, in relationships, or have reputations as righteous heroes often can’t bear to lose face, so the brothel lets them use side or back doors.”
“Also, if those two are there as customers, as long as they don’t skip out on payment, the establishment will see them off warmly, hoping for repeat business.”
Chang Ning frowned. “How do you know all this?”
“The ways of business are endless. Learning is a vast ocean, you know.”
Chang Ning inexplicably felt like an old father, letting out a long sigh.
Cai Zhao asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”
Chang Ning sighed, “Nothing. I just hope that when you grow up, you’ll be more upright and follow the rules.” The girl’s knowledge of these unorthodox matters was already surpassing his own. The famous sects of today were truly beyond words.
Cai Zhao was puzzled. “Huh?”
About a cup of tea later, a child below the tavern began waving a red cloth frantically.
Seeing this, Cai Zhao immediately dragged Chang Ning downstairs to follow. They saw two unfamiliar men leaving the brothel’s front door and quickly slipping into a small alley.
Chang Ning was stunned. “That’s not them. It must be different people.” The clothes and appearances were completely different. He was about to tease the girl for making a mistake when he felt a tug on his sleeve, pulling him along.
“No, it’s those two! They’ve disguised themselves!” Cai Zhao said gravely. “Why would they change their appearance for no reason? Something’s fishy! We need to follow them quickly!”