“What about him?” Cai Zhao’s ears perked up, having been quite troubled by Chang Ning earlier that day.
“Although Master Chang always said he owed your aunt a great debt that he could never repay, over the years, he has protected Falling Petal Valley in every way possible, truly giving his all. There are many things, big and small, that you and your brother don’t know about, and few outsiders know either. But we, the Cai family, must remember this in our hearts,” Cai Pingchun said.
Cai Zhao nodded, “Today, I heard many stories about Hero Chang. Father is right; even if others don’t care, we must remember our debts of gratitude.”
Cai Pingchun glanced at his wife, and Ning Xiaofeng cautiously asked, “Zhaozao, did you notice anything amiss when speaking with Chang Ning today?” She trusted her daughter’s judgment, given her intelligence and years of experience in the marketplace.
Cai Zhao playfully smiled, “Are you and Mother wondering if this Chang Ning is genuine or an impostor?”
“Indeed,” Cai Pingchun nodded. “The Demon Sect’s actions are unpredictable, so we must be cautious. After all, none of us have met Brother Chang’s son before.”
Cai Zhao laughed, “Don’t worry, Father. I’ve read enough novels and plays to recognize this trope. Villains love disguising themselves to infiltrate the enemy. How could I trust someone I’ve never met before? I’ve been on guard…”
“And then? Did you notice any flaws?” Ning Xiaofeng pressed.
“No, he’s ninety-nine percent genuine,” Cai Zhao’s face fell. “Senior Brother Chang not only knows the past events clearly but also effortlessly mentions details I’ve never heard before. Some secrets only Hero Chang would know, and some daily trivialities that even torture couldn’t extract from him—it’s as if a father shared these stories with his son during casual conversations.”
Ning Xiaofeng found this reassuring, but Cai Pingchun probed further, “Why only ninety-nine percent? What’s the remaining doubt?”
Cai Zhao looked perplexed, “I vaguely remember Hero Chang being quite generous and not very talkative. However, this Senior Brother Chang has a sharp tongue, capable of killing with words! Not only are his words biting, but his temperament is also gloomy and irritable. How can he be like his father?”
Noticing her parents’ relaxed expressions, Cai Zhao asked, “What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”
“On the contrary, your observation confirms it,” Cai Pingchun explained. “Although Brother Chang rarely mentioned his son, from the occasional comments, Chang Ning should indeed have such a personality.”
Cai Zhao was bewildered, “Huh?”
Ning Xiaofeng spoke softly, “Brother Chang’s wife, Miss Xue, was always frail and quiet. That year, she returned to her family home while pregnant, only to encounter a Demon Sect attack. She survived by hiding in a secret compartment but witnessed the slaughter of over a dozen family members. After her rescue, she became mentally unstable, which is why Brother Chang never let her out.”
She continued, “After this tragedy, your aunt searched high and low for miraculous medicines to save Miss Xue’s unborn child. When the boy was finally born, only your aunt and I went to offer congratulations. Your aunt said the child was in poor health, which is why Brother Chang never let him out all these years. Afterward, Brother Chang only occasionally mentioned his wife’s worsening mental state or his son’s weak constitution, saying the boy could only slowly practice internal arts to nourish his meridians. It wasn’t until two years ago that Brother Chang wrote saying his son’s health was improving, and with proper training, he might not lag behind the young heroes of the time.”
“Zhaozao, think about it. A child who’s never left home since birth, with a mentally unstable mother, and his poor health—how could he have a good temperament? If a well-mannered and agreeable Chang Ning had shown up today, that would have been suspicious.”
Cai Zhao pondered this and agreed.
Cai Pingchun added, “Brother Qi initially had doubts too, but while treating Chang Ning’s injuries, he detected traces of internal energy. Both Brother Qi and Brother Lei checked his pulse and confirmed it was undoubtedly Brother Chang’s unique internal technique. The Chang family’s internal arts aren’t hereditary but were created by Brother Chang himself, so it’s unlikely that old Mr. Chang passed them on to other relatives. Moreover, Brother Chang is even more cautious than Brother Qi and me, so how could he have taught his unique technique to an impostor?”
Cai Zhao listened intently, “So, Chang Ning is indeed genuine.”
“Yes, your mother and I believe there’s no mistake,” Cai Pingchun nodded. “That’s why I suggested to Brother Qi earlier that we bring Chang Ning to Falling Petal Valley for recuperation, but Brother Qi refused…”
“How dare he refuse? If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have given him a piece of my mind!” Ning Xiaofeng exclaimed. “His wife and daughter are so bitter and harsh, and Chang Ning clearly won’t bow his head. How can he fare well in the Azure Void Sect? I don’t even need to mention Yin Sulian—she’s been the sect leader’s beloved daughter for half her life and the sect leader’s wife for the other half. She treats the Azure Void Sect as her personal property!”
“Mother’s words may be blunt, but they ring true,” Cai Zhao applauded her mother gently.
Cai Pingchun tried to mediate, “But Brother Qi’s words also make sense.”
“That’s just your misguided reasoning!” Ning Xiaofeng retorted.
Cai Zhao asked her father directly, “Father, what did Uncle Qi say?”
Cai Pingchun spoke gravely, “Zhaozao, who do you think wiped out the Chang family?”
Cai Zhao was taken aback, “Wasn’t it the Demon Sect?”
Cai Pingchun explained, “You heard today that the Demon Sect is in turmoil. A few years ago, a female demon leader emerged, supported by Nie Zhe, and took the position of Tianxuan Elder. Many were dissatisfied, and she’s been killing left and right. With such chaos, would they have the resources to trouble us? You should know that the Chang family fortress isn’t an easy target. To be honest, I’ve never even been there myself…”
“Even if we had been there, it might not have helped,” Ning Xiaofeng added dejectedly. “Brother Chang was so worried about his wife and child’s safety that he hid the fortress in mist and clouds. Ordinary people couldn’t even find the main gate. However, the Demon Sect has always had some individuals with unusual abilities, so they might have been able to break through.”
“Even if they could break through, it would require a massive effort,” Cai Zhao mused.
“Exactly,” Cai Pingchun frowned. “Those who went to such lengths to wipe out the Chang family must have had a deep-seated grudge.”
“Nie Hengcheng’s old faction?” Cai Zhao suggested, then shook her head. “No, that’s not right. It was Aunt who killed Nie Hengcheng, so why didn’t they come to Falling Petal Valley? Then it must be… Zhao Tianba?!”
Ning Xiaofeng smiled, “So you’ve heard this story today too? Indeed, we discussed this earlier and concluded that only Nie Hengcheng’s top disciple Zhao Tianba’s death squad could have pulled off such a large-scale attack.”
Cai Zhao looked up at the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray, “These death squad members are strange. Instead of avenging Nie Hengcheng, they insist on avenging his disciple…”
“You young ones didn’t experience those times,” Ning Xiaofeng explained. “Nie Hengcheng’s four top disciples were all fearsome figures who could make children cry at night. Internally, they were on par with the Seven Star Elders, and externally, they could command troops independently. It’s not surprising that Zhao Tianba had some fanatically loyal followers.”
“Father, Mother, I understand now,” Cai Zhao gathered her thoughts, her eyes clear. “Uncle Qi means that Senior Brother Chang would be safer staying in the Azure Void Sect, protected by the natural barrier of Wanshui Qianshan Cliff. If he came to our home, it might endanger Falling Petal Valley. Don’t worry, I agree that Senior Brother Chang should stay in the Azure Void Sect. After all, only a few people here might give him trouble—I can handle that waste Qi Lingbo with one hand tied behind my back. I’ll make sure no one bullies Senior Brother Chang.”
Cai Pingchun nodded, “That’s what we think too. The troubles within the Azure Void Sect are minor compared to the life-threatening dangers outside. Zhaozao, for Brother Chang’s sake, you must look after Chang Ning no matter what.”
Cai Zhao inwardly grimaced but smiled obediently, “Father, don’t worry. I wouldn’t stand by and watch Senior Brother Chang being bullied anyway. Aunt taught me the ways of chivalry for so many years; I haven’t forgotten her lessons.”
She felt a slight twinge of guilt as she said this. Only slight.
Cai Pingchun sighed in relief, “That’s good. Now we can rest easy.”
Cai Zhao sensed the unspoken meaning in his words and anxiously asked, “Father, what are you planning to do?”
Cai Pingchun hesitated, but Ning Xiaofeng spoke scornfully, “Zhaozao, did you hear anyone mention the Chang family’s tragedy at tonight’s banquet? Did anyone express outrage? Did anyone shed tears of sorrow? Did anyone vow to avenge the Chang family?”
Cai Zhao was stunned.
“No one did. Not a single person,” Ning Xiaofeng’s eyes filled with grief. “Brother Chang was a prominent figure in our righteous faction. Such a tragedy should have united all sects to seek justice, but now everyone pretends to be deaf and mute.”
“When your aunt was around, she would never have allowed such a thing to happen. Back then, everyone respected her. If she had called for action, no one would have refused—they would have righted wrongs at a moment’s notice.” Ning Xiaofeng’s eyes reddened, and hot tears fell. “Qi Yunke is unworthy of being the leader of the Six Sects. He has no sense of responsibility. Little Spring, I… I can’t accept this…”
Cai Pingchun held his wife’s hand, consoling her softly, “Don’t blame Brother Qi anymore. He’s always been kind-hearted and gentle. He never wanted to be the sect leader; it was just the circumstances that put him there. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
He raised his head and looked directly at his daughter, “Brother Chang brought this calamity upon himself by killing Zhao Tianba. Others may pretend not to notice, but we can’t. I’ve agreed with your Uncle Qi that after tomorrow’s ceremony, we’ll send people to investigate the Chang family’s massacre. Brother Zhou and Sect Leader Song will also help. Chang Ning is still young; we’ll avenge him.”
Seeing her father’s firm and steady expression, Cai Zhao knew she couldn’t dissuade him. She felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness. Although she had never set foot in the jianghu, she could vaguely sense the impending bloodshed. Being only fifteen years old, she felt afraid and fell into her mother’s arms, sobbing, “…Mother, Mother, I miss Aunt.”
Ning Xiaofeng wept, “I miss her too. If your aunt were still here, such injustice wouldn’t happen.”
Cai Pingchun’s eyes also reddened.
Through her tear-blurred vision, Cai Zhao remembered Cai Pingxiu’s eyes—so optimistic, open-minded, and fearless. Even when severely injured and bedridden, she never showed a hint of regret or fear, as if nothing in the world could defeat her.
She then thought of Hero Chang and many other legendary predecessors whose names she had only heard but never met—
Those young people, as fierce as the proud sun, had either grown old or died; those youthful, passionate days were gone, never to return.