After the pleasantries, the old nun scrutinized Cai Zhao. “The Qingque Sect is a prestigious school. Once you join, you must abandon your lazy habits from Luoying Town. Don’t tarnish your family’s reputation!”
“…I’ll heed your instructions, Master,” Cai Zhao replied, though he wanted to point out that Luoying Valley already ranked last among the Six Northern Sects in terms of resources and reputation—how much lower could it fall?
Noticing the girl’s discomfort, Master Juexing chuckled, “Zhao-Zhao, after becoming a disciple, you’ll be considered an adult. You must be sensible and obedient at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff… but don’t let others bully you. I’ve brought you a cage of carrier pigeons. If you’re ever wronged, inform your elders immediately.”
Qingxi Ao’s Changchun Temple was renowned for training carrier pigeons that could deliver messages anywhere. Cai Zhao beamed, “Thank you, Uncle! I promise to be good and won’t let anyone take advantage of me!”
Master Jingyuan glared at her nephew. “As a monk, you should refer to yourself as ‘this poor monk,’ not ‘I’! You barely said two sensible things before encouraging her to tattle. Your cultivation needs work!”
Cai Han blinked his big eyes. “…Great-aunt, you just said ‘I’ too.”
Mr. and Mrs. Cai Ning lowered their heads, smiling quietly.
As the feast was about to begin, the Fan family invited everyone to the main hall. Cai Zhao and the other young ones were to dine at a side table in the southeast corner of the main hall. Before leaving, Master Jingyuan couldn’t resist one last admonition to Cai Zhao: “…After joining the sect, follow the rules diligently. Don’t be like your aunt, always courting trouble!”
Cai Zhao remained silent, bowing her head respectfully as the elders left.
Chang Ning stood for a while, noticing Cai Zhao still lost in thought. He then took the siblings by their sleeves and led them to a clean, bright table. Initially, young Cai Han feared this brother with a face full of sores, but upon seeing how gently Chang Ning served him snacks and fruits, he gradually relaxed.
“If you can’t stand that old nun criticizing your aunt, just talk back. The worst you’ll get is a punishment. What’s the use of being angry in silence?” Chang Ning added two spoonfuls of chicken mushrooms dressed with sesame oil and crushed walnuts to Cai Zhao’s plate.
“…I used to talk back when I was little, but later my aunt told me not to argue with Master Jingyuan. She said the old master just disapproves of her free-spirited nature but is a very fair and upright person.”
Although Cai Zhao had resolved not to speak much with this peculiar character, Chang Ning had voiced thoughts she’d pondered for years, and she found herself engaging in conversation once more.
“Of course, your aunt would say that,” Chang Ning remarked, adding two slices of thinly sliced beef to Cai Zhao’s plate. “The old nun is from a prestigious sect and your mother’s elder. Did you expect your aunt to say, ‘Well done, Zhao-zhao! Let me teach you more comebacks for next time?”
Cai Zhao nearly laughed out loud but quickly composed herself. “Brother Chang, watch your words.”
Undeterred, Chang Ning continued serving food, this time adding three thick salt-grilled fish fillets. “Fine, let’s change the subject. Why did all your mother’s family elders become monks and nuns? Is there a story behind it?”
This topic instantly piqued Cai Zhao’s interest. Accustomed to gossiping around town with Cai Pingzhu, she readily answered, “My grandmother and Master Jingyuan are twin sisters. In their youth, they had a fateful encounter with Buddhism. They believed they were like a pair of conjoined lotuses in the pond before the Mahavairocana Hall. However, just before taking their vows, my grandmother met my grandfather and broke her oath to marry him.”
Chang Ning turned, puzzled. “Why does this story sound familiar? Ah I remember. It’s said that the Northern Ancestor once cultivated a pair of conjoined lotuses at Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. The late Master Yin, who always imitated the Ancestor, named his two daughters Sulian and Qinglian. Why do all these old stories sound the same? So, what happened next? Your grandmother didn’t become a nun, so she made your uncle join instead?”
Seeing the relaxed atmosphere, Cai Zhao continued, “You see, Buddhism emphasizes cause and effect. If my grandmother had kept her vow and become a nun, my mother and uncle wouldn’t exist, nor would the subsequent generations. So, she hoped both my mother and uncle would join the monastery to fulfill her broken oath.”
Chang Ning nodded. “Growing up in such an environment naturally instills Buddhist inclinations. Your uncle became a monk, but your mother met your father…”
“Not quite,” Cai Zhao grinned. “My mother initially met my aunt, who was disguised as a man. She fell in love, forgetting all about becoming a nun.”
Chang Ning set down his chopsticks. “Ah I know the rest. My father told me. When your mother discovered Cai the female warrior’s true identity, she almost became a nun at Xuankong Temple. Master Jingyuan was delighted and set up barriers at Yinxiu Ravine to prevent your aunt from interfering. Your aunt then led a group of brothers to fight their way up and ‘persuade’ your mother back to the secular world.”
He smirked slightly, “My father kept urging everyone not to disturb the Buddhist sanctuary. Your aunt’s brothers then gave him the nickname ‘Granny Chang’.”
“…My aunt always told them not to use that nickname,” Cai Zhao said, feeling awkward.
“It’s fine,” Chang Ning replied calmly. “My father misses the days of being called ‘Granny Chang’. He misses the people who called him that.” It wasn’t the nickname Hero Chang Haosheng missed, but rather those carefree, youthful days and the joyful youngsters who were now gone forever.
Cai Zhao felt melancholic. After a moment, she said, “My aunt misses those times too. Everyone was young then, riding high on success. They caused such a commotion at Yinxiu Ravine that Master Jingyuan nearly broke her vows in anger. Back then, Nie Hengcheng hadn’t practiced evil arts or used living people to create corpse puppets. Everyone was alive and well, without injuries or lost loved ones…”
“Are you finished? Good, now it’s my turn,” Chang Ning waited for Cai Zhao to finish before speaking.
He sat up straight and said, “Your grandmother couldn’t let go of love, broke her vow to marry, and lived half her life in marital bliss. Yet, to make up for her youthful regret, she wanted to send both her children into Buddhism, disregarding their wishes. How is this any different from those scoundrels who sell their daughters to brothels to pay off debts and live comfortably?”