This is the reality of the jianghu—whether you have a good ending or can die peacefully has little to do with whether you’ve done good or evil. That’s why Cai Zhao had no interest in the jianghu at all.
Song Yuzhi listened expressionlessly while discreetly observing Cai Zhao.
Jade hairpin, side comb, small crescent-shaped silver comb, half-sleeves, a pleated skirt, gauze shawl, long flowing sleeves, and at the hem of her misty skirt, a small, exquisite pink jade ornament shaped like a… plump cat? It even appeared to be dozing.
Very well, this was the little disciple his master had been eagerly anticipating—the legendary diligent and obedient little junior sister. It seems one should only believe half of what the elders say.
At that moment, there was a commotion near the cliff. Zeng Dalou called out loudly, “Fellow disciples of the Song and Cai families, please prepare to cross the chasm.”
Unnoticed earlier, several more thick iron chains had been shot across from the opposite cliff. Cai Zhao watched as agile disciples of the sect leaped and maneuvered across multiple chains, swiftly laying down rectangular black iron plates. Each plate had hidden clasps on its sides and bottom, interlocking with adjacent plates and securely fastening to the chains to prevent slipping.
With a series of clicking sounds as the locks engaged, a level bridge appeared before the cliff. Cai Zhao had been wondering how carriages could cross, given that martial artists could traverse the chains. Now she understood.
“When it was just us, only four chains were sent across. Now that Master Song has arrived, not only have four more chains been added, but they’ve also laid down iron plates for carriages. Father, Mother, isn’t Wanshui Qianshan Cliff looking down on Luoying Valley? Perhaps we should just go back,” Cai Zhao suggested, genuinely trying to sow discord.
Cai Pingchun and Ning Xiaofeng didn’t even bother to respond to her.
The carriage moved slowly across the bridge suspended thousands of feet in the air. The abyss below was said to be filled with traps, poisonous mists, and miasmas left from the great battle of demons long ago. Anyone who fell was said to never climb back up.
The wheels scraped against the cold iron plates, producing an eerie, grating sound like nails on steel. The noise made the Cai siblings’ skin crawl. Ning Xiaofeng grumbled, “We could have crossed in a few steps on the chains. That Song fellow just had to show off.”
Cai Han was surprised. “Mother, is your lightness skill that good?”
Ning Xiaofeng blushed a rare occurrence. “Well, your father would carry me across.”
“My lightness skill isn’t good either,” little Cai Han sighed maturely. “Father would have to carry me too.”
Cai Zhao scoffed, “Your lightness skill isn’t good? Do you even have any?”
The little boy continued sighing, “I know sister is upset, so I won’t argue. But Father, does sister have to stay here for three years? Who will scare away Ah Hei and Ah Gou when they bully me in the future?”
His words made Cai Zhao emotional, and she sighed as well.
Ning Xiaofeng angrily retorted, “Your father is the master of Luoying Valley, yet he’s scared off by children in the valley? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Cai Zhao quickly hugged her little brother’s head. “Our Xiao Han is just approachable and never puts on airs as the valley master’s son. That’s why the other children like to play with him. Aunt said Father was also this amiable and easy-going as a child. Who knows how reliable he’ll be when he grows up!”
“If Xiao Han turns out to be half the man your father is, I’ll be thankful!” Ning Xiaofeng inadvertently praised her husband.
As Cai Han snuggled close to his sister, Cai Zhao embraced the chubby boy and said sadly, “Father, do I have to become Sect Leader Qi’s disciple? I don’t want to be a female hero…”
Ning Xiaofeng interjected, “Who expects you to be a female hero? We’re trying to prevent you from becoming an evil woman!”
Cai Zhao furrowed her delicate brows. “Father, Mother, you saw the town at the foot of the mountain yesterday. The shopkeepers there act more pompous than the leader of the martial arts alliance. You’d think it was a perfume shop, but it looks more like a coffin shop. No, that’s not right—even the coffin sellers in our Luoying Valley town treat customers like they’re celebrating.”
Ning Xiaofeng stifled a laugh.
Cai Pingchun sighed, “… That might not necessarily be a good thing.” The idea of coffin shop owners being so cheerful and welcoming was rather unsettling.
Cai Zhao linked arms with her parents. “If the town is like this, life on Mount Jiuli must be even more austere. It’s nothing like our town, where we have everything. Starting from the blind fortune-teller’s stall at the town entrance and heading west, we have water-fried buns, wonton with thin skin, sugar-coated rolls, steamed buns with stewed meat, plum vegetable flatbread, crystal shrimp soup dumplings, pan-fried lamb dumplings, soy sauce pork zongzi, rice sugar soup… I could have different breakfasts for a month, and even at three in the morning, I can still get a midnight snack. But here…”
Her words, though unintentional, nearly made little Cai Han drool.
Cai Zhao looked disgusted. “Unlike here, where even if I were brave and skilled enough to sneak down the mountain on the iron chains, at most I could only eat that bland noodle soup made by the tall pockmarked guy. He doesn’t even add a single scallion!”
“That’s right, that’s right!” Cai Han chimed in angrily.
“Wonton without scallions—how absurd! It’s truly outrageous,” young Cai Zhao said, her face full of disbelief, as if the sun rising in the west wouldn’t be more shocking.
Ning Xiaofeng turned away, laughing, while Master Cai helplessly explained, “Zhao-Zhao, think of Scarface Uncle from the back mountain. Qingque Town is quite similar. The perfume seller, the noodle stand owner, and even the quiet innkeeper where we’re staying—they were all once great figures roaming the jianghu. When they had nowhere else to go, they sought refuge in Qingque Prefecture. Now they live in the town, essentially serving as gatekeepers for Mount Jiuli.”
“If they’re gatekeepers, why do they need to run businesses? There’s a proper way to do business, and it’s not good to be aggressive,” Cai Zhao sighed like an adult. “Of course, I know the jianghu is hard to navigate. Aunt used to say that many great figures are impressive in their youth, but when they’re injured, crippled, old, or in decline, their later years become bleak. It’s like the saying goes, ‘Heroes, like beauties, aren’t allowed to grow old.'”
Ning Xiaofeng’s shoulders shook with laughter.
Just then, the sect disciples outside called out “We’ve arrived!” The Cai family quickly disembarked, realizing the carriage had moved from the iron plates onto the stone pavement. Cai Zhao smoothed her hair and adjusted her skirt, adopting the air of a young lady from a prestigious family. As she looked up…
She was caught completely off guard by the sight before her, leaving her mouth agape for a long time. She didn’t even notice when her parents and brother walked away.