The bicentennial grand ceremony for the Northern Chen Patriarch was originally intended to demonstrate the six sects’ powerful influence. It aimed to intimidate the demonic cult and show off to other righteous sects. However, the ceremony took unexpected turns, ultimately backfiring. Not only did it reveal the discord among the six sects, but it also culminated in Wu Yuanying’s shocking and tragic incident.
As Cai Zhao said, the ceremony was truly ill-fated.
Originally, a three-day feast was planned after the ceremony. Now, seeing the embarrassment and displeasure of the Northern Chen Six Sects, the gathered sects on Wanshui Qianshan Cliff hastily bid farewell, not even staying for dinner. Although the innkeepers in Qingque Town wore faces like indebted corpses, their food couldn’t possibly be poisonous enough to kill.
The empathetic Changchun Temple left first. Before departing, Master Fakong glanced at the magnificent Muwei Palace and suddenly told Cai Pingchun, “This old monk has been thinking of your elder sister lately.”
Enlightened Master Juexing didn’t leave with them. As planned, he took his sister Ning Xiaofeng, nephew Cai Han, and a pile of luggage to visit the gravely ill Lady Ning. Before the nuns of Xuankong Nunnery left, he enthusiastically invited Master Jingyuan to join them, suggesting it might be the last chance to see her old friend. Unexpectedly, this invitation earned him a lecture from Master Jingyuan about how “monastics should be detached from worldly affairs.”
After Master Jingyuan left, Enlightened Master Juexing told the Cai siblings, “Monastics are born of parents too. If we’re supposed to sever all family ties to leave the secular world, we might as well give up the gardens and orchards around the temples and all go begging together.”
There was a significant age gap between Juexing and Ning Xiaofeng. Before Ning Xiaofeng even entered the martial world, Juexing had already completed his training. Reportedly, in his youth, the master had spent six years as a wandering monk.
For the first three years, he roamed freely in the martial world, indulging in both virtuous and questionable activities. He fought frequently and consumed plenty of meat and wine.
In the latter three years, he focused on helping common people in towns and villages, specializing in resolving conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, and brothers dividing family property.
Had Nie Hengcheng not suddenly turned against them, forcing Changchun Temple to urgently recall him as a guardian, Juexing might have established a “Dirty Clothes Branch” of Changchun Temple, guaranteeing even more flourishing business than the main temple.
Naturally, Taichu Observatory was the first of the six sects to leave. Everyone understood why, so no one tried to stop them. Only Qi Yunke pulled Wang Yuanjing aside to offer some words of encouragement, urging him not to be discouraged and to work hard to restore the sect’s reputation.
The severely injured Wu Gang and Wu Xiong stayed on Wanshui Qianshan Cliff to recover. Once healed, they could go wherever they wished.
This decision was the result of discussions among Qi Zhou and others. These two were Wu Yuanying’s cousins, raised and taught by him in Taichu Observatory since childhood. They were undoubtedly loyal to their elder cousin. Although Qiu Yuanfeng was dead, his close disciples might still harbor resentment towards these two. If any further incidents occurred, it would only worsen Taichu Observatory’s reputation.
Next to leave were Guangtian Gate and Siqimen.
Song Shijun was eager to reorganize his sect. After this trip, he resolved to treat corrupt managers, big and small, with winter’s merciless cold; to show midsummer’s passionate warmth to the widows and orphans of Leigong Village; and finally, to prune the disciples within the sect like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves, determined to rid the sect of rebellious and resentful individuals like Qiu Yuanfeng.
Yang Heying left because his young son was frightened and clamoring to go home. As a doting father, the sect leader naturally complied.
The people of Peiqiong Manor were the most courteous. They helped the disciples of the Qingque Sect clean up the mess in Chaoyang Hall before bidding farewell.
Zhou Zhizhen patted Cai Zhao’s head, telling her to come to Peiqiong Manor if she couldn’t stay in Qingque Sect.
Zhou Zhixian patted Cai Zhao’s head, reminding her to eat well and not catch a cold.
Zhou Yuqian and Zhou Yukun, grinning, tried to pat Cai Zhao’s head too but were fiercely slapped away by her.
Next to leave was Luoying Valley.
Cai Pingchun, after seeing off Enlightened Master Juexing and his family, was in no hurry to return to the valley. He planned to first visit the ruins of the attacked Changjiawu Fortress, then discuss with Qi Yunke about avenging the Chang family.
Finally, only Cai Zhao remained.
She stood blankly in front of Wanshui Qianshan Cliff for a long time, watching people on the iron chains walk further and further away until they disappeared into the thick fog.
Chang Ning, knowing this was her first time away from her parents and relatives, tried to comfort her: “Try to think positively. Everyone has to grow up and become independent eventually. Look at me, I’ve lost my family and home, but I’m still doing fine.”
Cai Zhao replied, “… Please, in the future, don’t use your mouth to comfort people.”
Cai Zhao finally saw the Chunling Cottage that Qi Yunke had meticulously prepared for her. Indeed, the house was exquisite, and the scenery was beautiful, with flowers and trees in front and a stream behind. In spring, one could appreciate flowers; in summer, one could fish. Cai Zhao was delighted by the sight. The only drawback was its proximity to other disciples’ residences, especially Song Yuzhi’s. Their homes were separated only by a small stream and two rows of green bamboo. If Qi Lingbo were to harass Song Yuzhi, Song Yuzhi would only need to shout once for Cai Zhao to come to the rescue.
Chang Ning strongly disagreed with Cai Zhao living there and insisted she stay near his residence for close protection.
Cai Zhao naturally objected, preferring Chang Ning to move into Chunling Cottage instead. However, Chang Ning argued vehemently—
“Do you know why Wu Yuanying ended up in such a miserable state?”
“… Because the demonic cult is cruel.”
“Has the demonic cult only become cruel today? We need to look more at our faults,” Chang Ning said earnestly.
“Because Qiu Yuanfeng was despicable and fickle, and Canqiong Zi was too selfish?”
“Wrong! Most people are evil; good people are the minority. Qiu Yuanfeng and Canqiong Zi are just ordinary in their wickedness. Taichu Observatory’s biggest mistake was choosing the wrong friends!”
Cai Zhao looked puzzled.
Chang Ning asked her, “If that Kaiyang Elder was captured by your great-uncle at the cost of his life, would your aunt and father be willing to exchange him for Wu Yuanying?”
“Of course they would!” Cai Zhao said firmly. “In my aunt’s heart, a hundred evil people aren’t worth one good person. At worst, they could secretly take some measures to cripple that old villain before the exchange. As long as it saves Wu Daxia, it’s worth it.”
“You see, that’s the difference,” Chang Ning sneered. “Old Sect Leader Yin wouldn’t agree.”
He continued, “Even if Luoying Valley had no hostages to exchange if Canghuang Zi had been willing to put aside his prejudices and sincerely ask your aunt for help back then, would someone like Lady Cai have ignored the request?”
Cai Zhao considered her aunt’s character and murmured, “At the very least, she would have personally gone to check on Wu Daxia’s life or death.”
Chang Ning said, “Your aunt might struggle to kill Nie Hengcheng, but escaping unscathed after dealing with a few elders wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, back then she had plenty of hot-blooded, trouble-seeking brothers by her side.”
Cai Zhao thought about it and agreed with Chang Ning’s assessment.
Chang Ning continued, “It was just a broken sword, yet Canghuang Zi and his disciples felt they had lost face. They were too proud to lower themselves to ask for help. Instead, they treated that old fox Yin Dai as a close friend, not realizing that he had been slippery for decades. He might help with small matters, but how could he be relied upon for big issues?”
“Is it really necessary to go on about this? It’s just about where to live. Why such a long lecture?” Cai Zhao said, “What are you trying to say? If you keep beating around the bush, I’m leaving.”
Chang Ning frowned, “Don’t you think you should stay away from people who aren’t worth befriending? Canghuang Zi and his two disciples ended up in such a miserable state precisely because they made the wrong friends. Haven’t you learned anything from this?”
Cai Zhao had indeed learned something, but not what Chang Ning was saying.
She slowly said, “My aunt once said, ‘Don’t mock pitiful people. Even if pitiful people have detestable aspects, they’re already suffering the consequences of their actions. Others shouldn’t mock them.'”
“…” Now it was Chang Ning’s turn to learn something. He was moved and said, “Lady Cai truly has a compassionate heart.”
“I like hearing that,” Cai Zhao smiled. “All right, I’ll have my belongings moved to your place.”
Chang Ning: “… Why did you agree so quickly?”