Chang Ning forcefully pulled his sleeve back. “We’re just getting started,” he retorted. Then, raising his voice, he continued his warm and enthusiastic nonsense, “Senior Sister Qi and Senior Brother Dai, you have a long life ahead. You should think about where to live in the future. Make sure it’s close by; living far apart won’t do…”
In truth, both Dai and Qi knew Chang Ning’s words were absurd. However, one had long been accustomed to being a subservient follower, never considering his future. The other had grown used to being flattered and praised, reluctant to let go of her handsome, proud, and exceptionally skilled fiancé. Each harboring their concerns, neither could bring themselves to contradict Chang Ning.
As Chang Ning’s words became increasingly outrageous, Cai Zhao was about to drag the troublemaker away. Suddenly, a cold, proud voice cut through the air: “What are you all doing here?!”
Everyone turned to see Song Yuzhi, his face solemn, frowning at them.
“Third Senior Brother, you’re finally here!” Fan Xingjia exclaimed, his eyes nearly tearing up with emotion as if witnessing a deity descending to save the world.
Dai and Qi remained silent, their expressions changing.
Cai Zhao thought to himself, “If you hadn’t come, Chang Ning would have planned your fiancée’s and senior brother’s lives until the end of time.”
Chang Ning, never one to let an opportunity for mischief pass, said, “Ah Senior Brother Song, you’re here. We were just talking about the future…”
“We were just chatting idly, nothing important!” Cai Zhao interjected, pulling Chang Ning behind him and shooting him a warning glare to stop his nonsense.
Song Yuzhi stared at her for a moment before turning to Fan Xingjia. He admonished, “Senior Brother is too busy to attend to everything, so he sent Sixth Junior Brother to find Junior Sister Cai and Junior Brother Chang. How did you end up chatting idly? The time for the sacrificial ceremony is almost upon us.”
Fan Xingjia, not daring to argue, could only apologize quietly.
“Alright, let’s get in line,” Song Yuzhi ordered finally.
Everyone complied, even Chang Ning, who was pushed into nodding by Cai Zhao.
For today’s ceremony, disciples from each sect wore their respective traditional attire. The Qingque Sect members donned white robes with silver edges and blue sashes. The Guangtian Gate wore crimson brocade embroidered with golden suns. The Beiqiong Mountain Manor disciples were dressed in light blue robes with silver-embroidered landscapes and wide sleeves. The Siqimen wore yellow-fitted clothes embroidered with four dark horses. Only the Luoying Valley stood out—since their ancestors advocated for following nature’s course, everyone wore whatever they pleased.
Fortunately, the Luoying Valley had the fewest disciples, so their diverse attire wasn’t too jarring.
Upon joining the Qingque Sect’s ranks, Cai Zhao met Fourth Senior Brother Ding Zhuo for the first time.
Ding Zhuo, about seventeen or eighteen years old, had lightly tanned skin, clearly from years of practicing martial arts under the sun. His features were handsome, and his demeanor was upright and fierce, reminiscent of an unsheathed sword. Cai Zhao greeted him respectfully, to which Ding Zhuo merely nodded slightly in response before turning away, no longer acknowledging anyone else.
Aware of Chang Ning’s propensity for causing trouble at any moment, Cai Zhao didn’t dare stand too close to the other sects’ disciples. Instead, she grabbed Chang Ning’s sleeve and positioned them at the back of the side hall. She finally understood Fan Xingjia’s efforts to keep them separated from others and couldn’t help but reproach Chang Ning: “With your acting skills, why don’t you perform on stage?”
Chang Ning raised an eyebrow. “Are you so anxious because you’re afraid I might follow you to Beiqiong Mountain Manor?”
Cai Zhao rolled her eyes. “Follow me! You absolutely must come to Beiqiong Mountain Manor with me. I’ll find you a strong, burly girl there to be your wife. That way, someone can protect you. How’s that?”
Chang Ning frowned. “Wait until you’re married to flaunt your power as the young mistress’s wife. You speak as if this marriage is a done deal!”
“My mother and Uncle Zhou have agreed, so how is it not settled?” Cai Zhao pondered for a moment. “It was the same back then. There was a lot of opposition to my aunt and Uncle Zhou’s marriage, but once the old master of the Zhou family insisted, no one dared to object.”
Hearing this, Chang Ning smiled strangely. “Don’t get too excited. What if this Zhou turns out to be a bad person?”
“Nonsense!” Cai Zhao flared up. “You’re criticizing my elders again. Have you already forgotten our three rules?”
“Look,” Chang Ning pointed to the front of the left side hall. Cai Zhao held her tongue and followed his gaze.
They saw Ning Xiaofeng smiling, having said something that left Yin Sulian red-faced and unsteady, supported by the young and charming Madam Sha from Siqimen. After upsetting Yin Sulian, Ning Xiaofeng turned to the Zhou family’s women and disciples, speaking cheerfully and wittily, making everyone laugh.
Cai Zhao looked closely at one of the women. “That’s Aunt Zhixian from the Zhou family, Uncle Zhou’s cousin. She’s incredibly skilled with dual swords. Years ago, her fiancé was killed by villains from the Demon Sect, and she vowed never to marry. She single-handedly raised Brother Yuqian and Brother Yukun after their parents died early.”
She turned back to Chang Ning. “What’s wrong with that?”
Chang Ning, with one hand behind his back, said casually, “This morning, I chatted with your mother and found that she was quite dissatisfied with Sect Leader Qi but very close to and supportive of Master Zhou.”
Cai Zhao was puzzled. “What’s wrong with that? Uncle Zhou is a good person.”
Chang Ning continued, “Isn’t Sect Leader Qi a good person too? Your mother always blames Sect Leader Qi for not sharing life and death with Lady Cai and for marrying Madam Sulian, who had conflicts with Lady Cai. But if you think about it, isn’t Master Zhou the same? He was Lady Cai’s fiancé—he didn’t share her fate either and married a woman from the Min family, who had issues with Lady Cai.”
Cai Zhao’s thoughts became muddled. “At that time, Uncle Zhou was caught up in other matters, and my aunt deliberately kept things from him… In any case, you’re still criticizing my elders!”
Chang Ning laughed coldly. “I’m saying this for your good. If you don’t want to hear it, I’ll stop. Watching a thousand plays and reading ten thousand novels in Luoying Town can’t compare to experiencing the complexities of the real world!”
“The complexities of the world are nothing compared to your wolf-like nature!” Cai Zhao fumed. “I’ve known you for just two days, and I’ve already wanted to hit you three times and tear you apart four times!”
Hearing this, Chang Ning leaned in closer, taunting, “Then hit me! Go ahead, don’t hold back!”
Cai Zhao almost raised her hand but restrained herself. “Your face is already such a mess, I’m afraid of dirtying my hands!”
They parted ways for the nth time, but neither dared to move far from the other. They stood back-to-back, fuming. Fortunately, their corner was so secluded that no one noticed them.
Suddenly, a thunderous boom like falling rocks echoed from outside the hall, startling everyone inside.
In that instant, Cai Zhao instinctively pulled Chang Ning behind her protectively. However, they then heard Zeng Dalou from the main hall announcing loudly, “Venerable Fakong from Changchun Temple has arrived!”
An elderly monk with a long white beard stood at the entrance, his expression kind. Behind him were six strong-looking warrior monks with piercing gazes.
“The Venerable One has finally arrived. Our humble sect is truly honored,” Qi Yunke’s hearty laugh rang out as the Five Northern Sects rose to welcome the guests. Among the seated guests, only Master Jingyuan from Xuankong Nunnery remained seated.
Song Shijun laughed heartily. “Brother Yang was just saying that the Venerable One might not make it in time. I said that was impossible—when the Venerable One gives his word, he always arrives on time! Brother Yang, see, I was right! Hahaha…”
Yang Heying quickly agreed.
Venerable Fakong smiled. “This is the 200th anniversary of our predecessor’s passing. No matter what, this old monk couldn’t miss it. It’s been many years, and I’m glad to see you all looking as well as ever.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they all proceeded into the hall. Venerable Fakong first exchanged greetings with Master Jingyuan. After some polite back-and-forth, Venerable Fakong, being ten years senior, took the seat of honor on the right side of the hall.
Seeing this, Cai Zhao finally relaxed her guard. When she turned her head, she found Chang Ning’s beautiful, bright eyes quietly watching her. Embarrassed, she said, “So that was just a welcoming salute for the honored guests. I was startled because I didn’t know… What are you looking at?”
“I spoke rashly again earlier. I want to apologize to Sister Zhao,” he said, setting aside his previous sharpness and sincerely apologizing. To be fair, when Chang Ning wasn’t intentionally annoying others, he exuded a natural elegance. At this moment, his voice was particularly gentle and pleasant. “I have a bad temper. Next time I make you angry, feel free to scold me harshly.”
Cai Zhao, being naturally generous, gave him a mock glare and smiled. “There’s going to be a next time? If you keep talking nonsense like this, I won’t bother scolding you—I’ll just give you a good beating!”
Chang Ning smiled brightly. “That works too.”