Chapter 36

The next morning, in the study of Qingjing Study.

Cai Zhao was writing furiously, her characters as small as mosquito legs, densely packed on a small scroll of paper.

Chang Ning was grinding ink beside her, round and round.

"...Didn't you say you were unwilling to plead for help everywhere and just sit and wait for news?" he couldn't help but ask.

"First, I didn't plead everywhere. I only pleaded with three parties: Uncle Zhou, Venerable Fakong, and Abbess Jingyuan." Cai Zhao didn't stop writing.

"Second, I'm not just sitting and waiting for news. I need to let outsiders know my situation—my dad is missing, his fate unknown; my mom is far away and wouldn't be of use even if she came; I'm a lonely, helpless little girl, and if I so much as have a headache, it's the sect's fault."

The inkstone was a bit dry. Chang Ning used a small gilt spoon to add some clear water and continued grinding. "Do you think those three will come to the rescue immediately after seeing your letters?"

"They will come, but not immediately." Cai Zhao's fingers were numb from writing. She put down her brush and shook her hand. "After all, I have my master here, and they have plenty of their own troubles. Especially Uncle Zhou, not only are he and his family seriously injured, but he also has to compensate for a pile of dead and wounded. Sigh, my aunt was right, it's better to rely on yourself than on others."

Chang Ning hesitated for a moment, but finally asked, "Who do you suspect in your heart?"

Cai Zhao picked up her brush again. "Since it was done by someone my father knows in the Qingque Sect, it could be Master, Eldest Martial Brother, Martial Uncle Li, Martial Uncle Lei, or even Senior Brother Fan. But what I don't understand is..."

She furrowed her delicate brows, full of confusion. "What exactly was the purpose of capturing my father? Among the Six Sects, Falling Blossoms Valley ranks last, and in the Wulin, the Cai Family is not significant. Even if that acting leader of the Demonic Cult wanted to establish his might, it wouldn't be my father's turn."

After thinking for a long time, she still had no clue.

She finished the last scroll, stuffed it into the small bamboo tube on the carrier pigeon's leg, and gave it to Furong to release. At the same time, she pretentiously took another carrier pigeon from Feicui and took out a 'secret letter'.

Outside, the sun was high in the sky. Cai Zhao left with the 'secret letter' in hand. Before leaving, she turned back and said, "Brother Chang, you shouldn't come this time. I'm afraid someone already suspects you."

Chang Ning said lightly, "I'm worried about you. If they want to be suspicious, let them. If things really go south, we'll just slip away."

Cai Zhao was helpless and had to let him follow.

According to the current situation, the normal course of action would be to observe secretly and wait for the real culprit hidden within the Qingque Sect to make another move—after putting so much effort into this scheme, it surely wouldn't end with just capturing Cai Pingchun.

However, Cai Zhao was determined not to wait—what a joke, that was her own father, her own flesh and blood!

If the enemy doesn't move, then she will move first.

In the courtyard directly behind Twilight Palace, Qi Yunke's room was still filled with the strong smell of medicinal soup. This bitter and murky scent made Cai Zhao inexplicably uncomfortable, as if she were a young beast that had accidentally encountered its natural enemy; even without recognizing it, she would instinctively bristle all over.

Zeng Dalou and Fan Xingjia stood on the left and right of the sickbed, and several stewards from the inner and outer sects were reporting on the accounts.

When Qi Yunke heard Cai Zhao's report clearly, he was unspeakably shocked. "Zhaozhao, what did you say?! Someone saw the murderer who killed the innkeeper and the waiter last night?"

Zeng Dalou's brush fell from his hand with a clatter. Fan Xingjia was so shocked he almost jumped up, and the several stewards' jaws nearly dropped in astonishment.

Cai Zhao, 'with a look of joy on her face', said, "Yes, I just received a secret letter. Someone saw it last night."

Zeng Dalou came to his senses and was about to ask the stewards to leave, but Cai Zhao said, "No need. I'll have to ask for the help of you steward-uncles later."

Qi Yunke hurriedly asked, "Zhaozhao, explain clearly, what exactly is going on?"

"Early this morning, my family's steward and servants rushed over after hearing the news. When they were on the street, someone deliberately bumped into them, and they later found a note tucked into their lapels." The little girl's cheeks were flushed pink, and she looked both excited and pleasantly surprised.

Chang Ning resisted the urge to smirk.

"The note said that this person retired from the Jianghu many years ago and no longer wishes to meddle in its affairs. However, he admires my aunt's reputation from when she was alive, so he came specially to report." Cai Zhao said, 'with a hint of shyness amidst her joy', "He said that he heard about the bloody case at Yuelai Inn early this morning, and only then did he realize that what he saw last night was the real murderer."

Zeng Dalou said suspiciously, "Could this be a swindler?"

Qi Yunke raised his left hand: "Dalou, don't interrupt. Zhaozhao, tell us what that person saw."

"That person said that at around midnight last night, as he was walking past a street corner, he saw the innkeeper telling the waiter to close the main door when several people suddenly entered the inn. Because it was too far away, he didn't see their faces clearly, but both the innkeeper and the waiter seemed to know these people. The waiter even cupped his hands in salute repeatedly—after that, the waiter latched the door panels one by one."

Cai Zhao looked at Qi Yunke. "Master, think about it. It's one thing for the innkeeper to know them, as he used to be a man of the Jianghu, but even the waiter knew them. They must be people from Qingque Town. The waiters even bowed repeatedly; maybe they are even people from our sect."

"Don't speak nonsense." Qi Yunke chided the girl in a low voice, then glanced at the several stewards.

Zeng Dalou said hesitantly, "It's just a note. We can't even tell if it's real or fake. Could it be a scheme by the Demonic Cult to sow discord?"

Cai Zhao pouted, on the verge of tears with a 'desperate times call for desperate measures' look. "Master, Eldest Martial Brother, I know this sounds unreliable, but even if it's a long shot, you have to investigate the people in the town and the sect. See if anyone has been acting suspiciously, or has suddenly come into great wealth recently. Maybe we can catch a spy from the Demonic Cult! We've been repeatedly ambushed lately, it's time to close our doors and conduct a thorough investigation. Better late than never, right?"

Zeng Dalou had no objections this time. He stroked the short beard under his chin. "So many people have arrived recently. It's good to investigate. If we find something, we correct it; if not, we take it as a warning to be more careful."

Fan Xingjia lowered his head and couldn't help but interject, "Could someone have disguised themselves as a member of the sect, causing Valley Master Cai to be deceived?"

Chang Ning sneered lightly, "On the day of the ceremony, from seventy or eighty feet away, Madam Cai could tell at a glance that Luo Yuanrong was in disguise. I don't think Valley Master Cai would be so easily deceived either."

Cai Zhao quickly added, "Yes, yes! Although my dad's eyes aren't as sharp as my mom's, as long as someone is within five steps of him, he can definitely tell if they're in disguise. Therefore, the person who could make my dad lower his guard must be someone he knows!"

Qi Yunke pondered for a moment, then seemed to make up his mind. "Alright, then we'll investigate."

Hearing this, the little girl seemed extremely happy. "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Eldest Martial Brother! I'll go back and wait for news now!"

Just as Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were about to leave, Qi Yunke suddenly spoke up, "Ning'er, have the poison and injuries on your body fully healed?"

Cai Zhao's figure froze, and she almost tripped.

Chang Ning turned around nonchalantly and smiled. "They're almost healed, I suppose."

Qi Yunke looked at him for a while. "...That's good."

The two returned to Qingjing Study and had a hasty lunch.

Cai Zhao brought out the medicine box Ning Xiaofeng had given her and pulled out a hidden compartment at the bottom. Inside were bottles and jars of various colors, brushes, powder puffs, and cosmetic skins of all sizes, and even an assortment of fake beards, sideburns, Adam's apples, and so on...

A vein twitched on Chang Ning's forehead as he watched. He couldn't help but ask, "You came to the Qingque Sect to become a disciple. Why would your mother prepare these things for you?"

Cai Zhao replied, "My aunt says, where there are people, there is the Jianghu. My mom says, when you're in the Jianghu, you have to be prepared for anything."

Chang Ning: ...

Cai Zhao's hands and feet didn't stop. She first picked out two suitable cosmetic skins and dropped them into lukewarm clear water. Then she found an apricot-colored porcelain bottle and poured a few drops of a liquid with a grassy scent into the water. The two skins immediately became thin, soft, and sticky.

She squeezed the water out of one skin and applied it to her face. Then, looking in the mirror, she dabbed, smeared, and pasted until she was done. Finally, she tidied her hair and put on the sect robe that Furong had gotten for her—a white long robe with silver trim and tied sleeves, paired with a blue embroidered sash. Instantly, she looked like a short Qingque Sect disciple with ordinary features.

"Luckily, many strangers arrived yesterday. Otherwise, the disciples guarding the cliff at Wind and Cloud Peak have sharp eyes. If they saw a face they'd never seen before, they would definitely ask who I am." Cai Zhao had Feicui hold up a bronze mirror and imitated a man's walk for a few steps while looking at her reflection.

Chang Ning: "Then why don't you just disguise yourself as a sect disciple? Hmm, you could disguise yourself as Ah Gua or one of the others."

Cai Zhao put on a straight face. "Sorry, my skills are lacking. This is the best I can do." Disguising oneself as a familiar person was much harder than disguising oneself as a stranger!

After pulling a reluctant Chang Ning into a disguise and change of clothes as well, Cai Zhao declared they could go out.

To hide their movements, not only did the two not leave through the main gate, but they also climbed over the walls one after the other.

The afternoon sun was lazy. Most disciples, after finishing their studies, liked to go down the mountain for a stroll at this time. Mixed in with the crowd of people in groups of three and five crossing the iron chain bridge, Cai Zhao saw Song Yuzhi from a distance. As his injuries had not yet healed, he could no longer cross the cliff with ease and was instead escorted by two guards from the Vast Heaven Sect.

She suddenly remembered that the first time she saw him was also on the iron chains. The handsome young man back then seemed to not touch the dust, so elegant and aloof, a truly dazzling sight. But now he had been reduced to this.

At this moment, a disciple next to her whispered, "Hasn't Senior Brother Song's injury healed yet?"

Another said, "Looking at him, it's definitely not healed."

"Then what is he doing out here? He should be resting properly."

"I heard that more people from the Song Family have arrived, a full twenty first-rate experts. It seems Sect Leader Song personally selected them from the protectors of the Vast Heaven Sect's Golden Light Sacred Hall. With such a formation, how would the martial uncle guarding the town entrance dare to let them in casually? That's why Senior Brother Song is going personally to meet them."

"The Vast Heaven Sect is truly powerful and impressive."

"Sect Leader Song must be furious, with his most promising son ending up like this. Do you guys think Senior Brother Song can recover?"

"I don't know either. If he can't recover, wouldn't he become a cripple just like Cai Pingshu?"

"Hehehe, I dare you to say that a little louder. You dare gossip about Heroine Cai? If Junior Sister Xiao Cai hears you, see if she doesn't beat you into a leaky pot! She's neither injured nor poisoned, and she has that mad dog Chang Ning by her side, hmph!"

"Sigh, Junior Sister Xiao Cai is pitiful too. So young and all alone, with her father's whereabouts unknown, she must be so worried."

"If you have time to feel sorry for her, you might as well feel sorry for yourself. Junior Sister Xiao Cai's skills are good enough to beat eighteen of you. Martial Uncle Li has already said that our lessons will be increased starting next month!"

Like all students under the heavens, upon hearing about extra lessons, the disciples all started to wail.

Cai Zhao listened silently, her heart filled with sighs.

After landing on Wind and Cloud Peak, she saw Song Yuzhi's group walking ahead of her on the way down the mountain. She subconsciously wanted to go over and say a few words, but stopped after a few steps—she remembered that she was currently in disguise.

Just as she was smiling wryly, someone suddenly brushed past her, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her behind a large rock.

Chang Ning's gaze was gloomy. "Where were you thinking of going just now?"

Cai Zhao frowned. "Why do you sound so much like Old Man Wu?"

Chang Ning couldn't help but ask, "Who is Old Man Wu?"

"Old Man Wu is the best cooper in Falling Blossoms Town. His wife ran off with a storyteller who came to town."

"Pretty boys are all bad news!" Chang Ning said with disdain.

Cai Zhao was surprised. "No, not a pretty boy. It was a very talented female teacher with a pleasant voice."

Chang Ning's face turned green.

"Actually, Old Man Wu's wife was a good person—virtuous, capable, and warm-hearted towards the neighbors. My aunt said that she probably just discovered her true self—later, my aunt even had my mom find a new match for Old Man Wu."

After her emotional reflection, Cai Zhao spoke to Chang Ning earnestly, "Brother Chang, you should really change your temper. Otherwise, your future wife will also 'discover her true self' sooner or later."

Chang Ning felt as if he was glowing green.

A commotion came from behind as another wave of disciples descending the mountain approached.

The two quickly hid themselves behind the trees and rocks.

"Which one should we catch?" Chang Ning looked at the crowd passing by, as if staring at fat rabbits ready for slaughter.

Cai Zhao said, "The people in the sect now can be divided into three categories: those who were here originally, those who just came up the mountain yesterday, and those from the Vast Heaven Sect. Where do you think we should start?"

"The Vast Heaven Sect." Chang Ning said without thinking.

"Alright, then let's first catch a few of those who just arrived yesterday. Senior Brother Fan always says they look creepy."

Chang Ning: ...Then why did you ask me?

He glanced sideways at the girl, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fist.

Cai Zhao pretended not to hear and asked herself, "We can't just grab them here, can we? Should we do it after going down the mountain?"

Chang Ning said sinisterly, "Since you want to startle the snake in the grass, there's no need to hold back. Catch a few today, catch a few more tomorrow. It would be best if we can get some information out of them. If not, just kill them and toss them into the mountains. The wild beasts in the mountains next year will surely be well-fed and strong. Isn't that great?"

"It's not good to kill people randomly. What if they just look unpleasant but are actually good people?" Cai Zhao still had her principles.

Chang Ning rolled his eyes. "Then knock them out and throw them onto a grain transport boat heading south. They won't be back for at least ten to fifteen days." Of course, they would also have to be injured, the kind of injury that takes some time to recover from.

"That's a good idea." Cai Zhao was delighted, her gaze returning to the front. "But which one should we catch?"

Chang Ning: "Naturally, we'll catch the one with the best skills."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of bark from the ground, spun his arm, and threw it. The piece of bark traced a crescent arc in the air and hit a large tree opposite the group, making an abrupt 'pat' sound.

The sudden event revealed the differences between individuals.

Some were bewildered, not knowing what had happened; others immediately circulated their energy and looked around vigilantly; and still others, after listening to the wind and distinguishing the sound, immediately rushed towards that large tree... Among them, only two people were particularly calm. They were neither at a loss nor did they act rashly, but instead looked suspiciously in the direction where Chang Ning and Cai Zhao were hiding.

At that moment, a fat rabbit suddenly darted out from the bushes, flashed before everyone's eyes, and disappeared.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and laughed.

Chang Ning turned to look at the girl with a deadpan expression. "Let's get those two."

Cai Zhao agreed.

It was market day in Qingque Town today. Villagers from several surrounding villages had come into town one after another, buying or selling, enjoying themselves immensely. Chang Ning and Cai Zhao tailed the two men from a distance, and unexpectedly followed them all the way to a brothel—

The brothel was named 'Little Xuan Pavilion'.

Not only was the name elegant, but the building was also decorated beautifully and tastefully.

If it weren't for the patrons with their arms around courtesans coming in and out of the entrance, Cai Zhao wouldn't have dared to recognize it as a brothel.

"There's actually a brothel in Qingque Town?" She was a bit stunned.

Chang Ning suppressed a laugh. "Isn't there one in Falling Blossoms Town?"

Cai Zhao thought for a moment. "There almost was one, but my mom ruined it."

"Was your mom afraid the courtesans would seduce your dad?"

"No, my mom was afraid they would seduce my aunt."

"..." Chang Ning had already lost count of how many times he had been left speechless that day.

Seeing the two men enter the brothel, Cai Zhao swallowed and wanted to follow them in, but was stopped by Chang Ning with stern righteousness.

In the end, the two of them had no choice but to wait by a window on the second floor of a tavern diagonally opposite the brothel. To prevent any oversights, Cai Zhao even hired a few children to keep watch around the brothel, specifically looking for customers who left without being seen off by the madam, pimps, or courtesans.

Seeing that Chang Ning didn't quite understand, Cai Zhao explained patiently, "Most brothels have more than one door. Only about half of the patrons stroll in brazenly. Those with families, lovers, or great and upright reputations as heroes often can't bring themselves to be seen, so the brothel guides them through a side or back door."

"Also, if those two were really there to patronize the business, as long as they didn't skip out on the payment, the establishment would definitely see them off enthusiastically, hoping for repeat business."

Chang Ning frowned. "How do you know all this so clearly?"

"The ways of doing business are ever-changing. The sea of learning is boundless."

Chang Ning inexplicably felt like a worried father and sighed a long sigh.

Cai Zhao asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"

Chang Ning sighed. "It's nothing. I just hope that when you grow up, you can be upright and follow the rules a bit more." This girl's knowledge of unorthodox methods was almost greater than his own. The so-called righteous sects these days... it was truly hard to put into words.

Cai Zhao was bewildered: "?"

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a child downstairs frantically waved a red cloth.

Upon seeing it, Cai Zhao immediately dragged Chang Ning downstairs to give chase. They saw two unfamiliar people who had just come out of the brothel's back door and immediately slipped into a small alley.

Chang Ning was startled. "That's not them. These are different people, right?" Their clothes and appearance were completely different. Just as he was about to laugh at the girl for making a mistake for once, he felt a tug on his sleeve and was pulled along after them.

"No, it's them! They're in disguise too!" Cai Zhao said in a low voice. "Disguising themselves and changing clothes for no good reason, they're definitely up to something! Let's hurry and follow them!"