“Brother Chang’s offense is indeed hateful, but he’s the last of the Chang bloodline. If you force him to eat excrement, how could Hero Chang rest in peace? Moreover, Brother Chang is currently injured. It wouldn’t be honorable to take advantage of that. Why not wait until he’s recovered? Then, Sister, I won’t interfere no matter when or where you choose to settle this.”
Qi Lingbo looked slightly embarrassed, thinking it was easy for you to say. If she waited for Chang Ning to recover, and he turned out to be highly skilled, when would she ever get her revenge?
“Besides,” Cai Zhao continued, “there are proper ways to settle disputes, both civil and martial. Chang Ning hasn’t laid a finger on you. If you’re truly angry, why not insult him back? You have numbers on your side. A good verbal lashing might relieve your anger. If you can’t think of what to say, we could invite some storytellers from the town to help. I’m sure they could insult him for an hour without repeating themselves.”
“Insult… what?” Qi Lingbo looked confused.
Chang Ning calmly added, “Ugly freak, a harbinger of misfortune, the lone star that doomed his family, a defeated dog fleeing in disgrace, a useless waste eating free meals at Qingque Sect… there are plenty more.”
Qi Lingbo shouted, “Your skin is so thick, nothing I say will affect you. Why should I waste the effort?” The point of insults is to hurt, but with someone as indifferent as Chang Ning, it would be pointless.
Cai Zhao, hungry and impatient after missing her meal, said, “I’ve tried reasoning with you. If you still won’t listen, there are other ways.”
With that, she lightly jumped to a nearby peach tree, plucked a few petals and leaves, and held them in her palm. She then flashed forward like a shadow, swiftly moving left and right. In the blink of an eye, she appeared before Qi Lingbo and the four disciples. Five rapid “pats” later, Cai Zhao leaped back to her original position and calmly wiped her hands with a handkerchief.
Qi Lingbo and the others looked down to find flower petals and leaves stuck to their chests or shoulders.
Cai Zhao spoke coldly, “You can’t defeat me even if you all fight together. I promised Uncle Qi to look after Brother Chang. If you’re unhappy, go complain to your parents and senior brothers.” When faced with deliberate troublemakers, there’s no need for courtesy.
With that, Cai Zhao dragged Chang Ning back to their table, ignoring the curses from Qi Lingbo and the others.
Pulling Chang Ning by his sleeve back to their corner seat, they found young Cai Han devouring his fourth chicken leg. Cai Zhao glared at him, “Eat less meat! Look how fat you’re getting. We could sell you for pork!”
Cai Han replied glumly, “Please understand, Sister. After the ancestor’s memorial day, I’ll be visiting Grandmother with Uncle. I’ll be staying for months. At Grandmother’s, not only do we have to chant ‘Amitabha,’ but we also have to eat vegetarian.”
Cai Zhao pressed her lips together, “Stop complaining. Grandmother is seriously ill. Be good and don’t upset her!”
Tears welled up in Cai Han’s eyes, “Sister, you’re so heartless! If you weren’t becoming a disciple, you’d be visiting Grandmother too. Then you wouldn’t be fussing over dumpling fillings, but whether the cabbage is stir-fried, boiled, or pickled! You say I should please Grandmother, but she’d be happiest if you and I became monks. Would you do that?”
Chang Ning couldn’t help but chuckle. Cai Zhao glared at him, then turned back to her brother, “Enough talk. Eat your chicken leg… and that’s the last one!”
After scolding Cai Han, Cai Zhao pulled Chang Ning to sit down, facing him squarely with a penetrating gaze.
“Let’s keep this brief. I propose three rules. First, no bad-mouthing my aunt! Second, no bad-mouthing my parents! Third, do not bad-mouth the elders I respect… Xiao Han, if you want to keep eating meat, don’t interrupt!”
Cai Han was about to point out the logical flaws in his sister’s words but quickly lowered his head to eat silently.
Chang Ning covered his mouth with his sleeve, revealing a pair of enchanting eyes.
Cai Zhao realized her words were full of loopholes, clearly spoken in anger.
She scratched her cheek and started over, “…That doesn’t count. Let’s set three rules again! First, you can’t speak ill of any elders I respect, not even sarcastically! Second, you can’t provoke trouble or cause problems that I have to clean up. Third… I haven’t thought of the third one yet. I’ll add it later.”
As Chang Ning was about to object, Cai Zhao quickly added, “If you behave yourself, I’ll watch over and protect you until your injuries heal. I won’t let anyone bully or harass you. How’s that?”
Chang Ning’s smile cooled. Cai Zhao stared at him intently.
Chang Ning slowly said, “With Sect Leader Qi around, I’m unlikely to face any real danger.”
Cai Zhao snorted, “Is eating dog excrement not considered a real danger?”
Chang Ning stopped smiling.
Cai Zhao looked at Chang Ning’s torn clothes, “Qi Lingbo isn’t one to swallow her pride. While your life may not be in danger, you’ll face plenty of bullying and humiliation. Stop pretending. You’re actually fed up with these persistent flies, but you’re currently restrained by your injuries and can’t deal with them properly. Am I right?”
Chang Ning stared at her, “You clearly despise me too, yet you’re still willing to protect me. Is this also what your aunt taught you?”
Cai Zhao was silent for a moment, “My aunt is a truly chivalrous hero with a soft heart. She fights evil, helps the weak, and upholds justice without considering her likes or dislikes. I just hope not to dishonor her teachings.”
Chang Ning gazed out the window for a moment, then said slowly, “My father also hoped I could become someone like him, but I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Cai Zhao, thinking she was being understood, said, “Right, you need to seek revenge, so naturally you must show some killing intent and ruthlessness. You can’t be as warm-hearted and benevolent as Hero Chang.”
Chang Ning looked back at Cai Zhao, his clear eyes reflecting like water. He said softly, “I was wrong earlier to criticize your elders. But it reminded me of something…”
His tone suddenly softened as he traced the cloud and bat patterns on the table, “Before my father died, he asked me to look after an elder, one I greatly despise—cowardly, disloyal, and greedy for comfort and wealth.”
“I was very reluctant. Are the words of elders always right? Not necessarily. But it was my father’s dying wish.”
The young man’s fingers were pale and slender, with distinct knuckles that looked strong against the smooth dark brown table. They had a kind of decadent beauty, like a cold white hairpin in an old jewelry box of a declining noble family, evoking a strange melancholy in the observer.
“So did you agree or not?” Cai Zhao asked patiently.
Chang Ning’s gaze became calm as he put aside his melancholy, “A deal is a deal.”
“Good.”
Cai Zhao picked up her chopsticks and snatched the last chicken leg from Cai Han’s plate, taking a bite under her younger brother’s teary gaze—supporting the weak starts at home (but she didn’t plan to expand the scope). She hoped her aunt’s spirit in heaven wouldn’t be too upset to eat.