Ten Years Lantern on a Stormy Martial Arts World Night Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Twelve Hours of Muwei Palace: Two Quarters Past Noon 

Chang Ning’s words reopened Cai Zhao’s scars, and Cai Zhao felt her chest hurt slightly. 

When she was younger, she had asked her aunt many times if she regretted it: if she regrated using her one-in-a-million martial arts skills to bring the martial arts world just a few years of peace. Cai Pingshu had said, “Heroes come and go. What is there to regret or not regret? At the time I felt it was the right thing to do. So, I did it.”  

Miss Qi had left with a ruckus. The plates on the table were everywhere, and so were its contents. The surface of the table now sported white jade cake, pineapple custard, golden knot cake, cherry-flavoured thousand-layer crepe… Cai Zhao had been so busy acting with Qi Lingbo she had forgotten to eat. Now she picked a few snacks to eat…directly off the table. 

She chewed slowly and evaluated. It wasn’t that it was not good, but it was like a fancy imperial dinner, everything was big and expensive, but nothing had personality. It was missing a touch of inspiration. She was disappointed by the cooks after all.  

Chang Ning thought that Cai Zhao would be angry at what Yin Sulian had said. Yet he watched her quickly calm her emotions and start eating dessert. He watched as her fine eyebrows moved together in a frown as she stared at a cherry crepe. 

“Did that bite have a cockroach?” He asked. Ever since he met this girl in the plum forest, no matter what happened, she always kept her attitude and words reasonable. Chang Ning couldn’t help wanting to provoke her. 

Cai Zhao smiled. “Chang Ning shixiong doesn’t have to worry.” 

“I’m not worried.” 

“Even if I become close to Qi shijie, I won’t let her take your blood.” 

Chang Ning’s expression changed slightly.  

“What does shimei mean?” 

“Chang Ning shixiong doesn’t need to deliberately instigate. I know what kind of person Madame Sulian is. But I plan to stay here for three years. So why do I have to make her an enemy? It’s just that if she dares to bad mouth my aunt, then there isn’t a need to pretend to be best sisters.” 

Chang Ning said nothing. 

“Disregarding the conflict among our elders, Qi shijie just has this temperament. Qi Bofu has already explained. This daughter of his, you scold her and she is good for a few days, discipline her and she is good for a few days, but it doesn’t stop Madame Sulian’s constant protection and coddling—otherwise, Bofu wouldn’t have never taken her to see Aunt. Those of us that are Beichen descendants, we don’t harm each other. For example, this Madame Sulian, my aunt has always said that this Madame doesn’t do good things, and she lacks the ability to do bad things. She just has a disgusting mouth. And my mom said, if she really does give and inch and take a mile, just beat her up.” 

Cai Zhao said this much to explain clearly her thoughts. But Chang Ning still said: 

“If you knew all that, why did you come to Qingque Sect? The Beichen Sects have other places you could go. Why didn’t you find a more peaceful place?” 

“Peace builds prosperity.” Cai Zhao could hardly say she had been gang pressed by her parents. “As long as it’s not something big, so what if people gossip? And there is no easy road in the world. As you walk along, you flatten the road your feet, and your road will slowly become easy.” 

“You didn’t want to come.” Chang Ning smirked. “You were forced. Probably because Sect Master Qi and your aunt had decided it years ago. So, your parents forced you to do it.”  

“Chang shixiong,” Cai Zhao’s face became cooler. “I am honestly trying to be acquainted with you peacefully.”  

“Me too.” 

“All that to say, these days of Beichen’s remembrance ceremony, I will protect shixiong. Once shifu has time again, we can each go our own way.” 

“Cai shimei doesn’t need to torture herself.” Chang Ning ridiculed. “The entire Chang family is dead, so it’s not like it’d be lonely if I follow!” 

This guy had something wrong with his brain, Cai Zhao thought. Even the most patient shopkeeper couldn’t deal with a customer that was purposefully provoking them.  

She ‘harrumphed’ and spun to face the other way, turning her back to Chang Ning.  

Chang Nine ‘harrumphed’ and did the same.  

At this time, a young and energetic voice came from outside the room. 

"...Come this way, Madame Cai, be careful. Valley Master Cai, don't worry. I asked da shixiong in person, and he said that shimei was here.” 

Hearing this familiar shopkeeper-like voice, Cai Zhao felt a fondness for this man outside the door.  

Since coming to Qingque Sect, she had met an domineering elder shijie, an overprotective da shixiong, a senior brother who was a sycophant, or this odd psycho. She almost thought that there was no one normal in the sect. 

The door was quickly pushed open and a young man with a medium build and a round face with dimples entered with the Cai couple. 

“Mom! Dad! You’re here!” Cai Zhao smiled and stood. “I thought that I’d have to wait for the banquet to start before seeing you! And this one must be fifth shixiong, right?” She looked pleadingly at her mother. “This Wan Shui Qian Shan Peak is too big, just now I…” 

“Big?” Ning Xiaofeng flicked her fingers against Cai Zhao’s forehead. “I think what’s big is your head! Sheer recklessness to go running around in an unknown place! All sects have forbidden areas, what if you went in accidentally and caused trouble?!”  

“Thank you, Fan shizhi.” Cai Pingchun said, turning to Fan Xingjia. “This child is reckless and has caused trouble for you and Dalou.” 

“What are you saying Cai Valley Master.” Fan Xingjia smiled. “It’s Qingque Sect’s fault for our poor reception. How can we blame our guests? Besides, shimei will become the disciple of shifu soon, so we are one family. If shimei gets used to Wan Shui Qian Shan Peak now, it is no problem. So please don’t blame her, Madame Cai.” 

“Very well.” Ning Xiaofeng laughed. “Your shifu was right when he said you have the best temper out of all his disciples.” She then turned to look at the young man whose face was covered in sores, but who had a pair of beautiful eyes that was looking at her raised fingers that still itched to knock some sense into her daughter. 

“This is…” Ning Xiaofeng looked at Fan Xingjia. 

“This is Chang Ning,” Cai Zhao said first. “He is Chang shufu’s…”  

Cai Pingchun let out a sad sigh. “So he is Chang dage’s son. We just heard about his family…” He was not good with words, and he did not know how to comfort this young man who had just lost his entire family. The Cai couple’s attitude towards him grew very warm.  

“Mom, where’s xiao Han? Where’d you throw him?” Cai Zhao looked left and right but she didn’t see her younger brother.  

“Throw?” Ning Xiaofeng said. “Today your great aunt (姨祖母)and uncle (舅父) are here. You’ve hidden yourself and haven’t greeted them, but will xiao Han not greet them? Come on, come with me to go greet your elders.” 

“They have both sworn themselves to buddha, leaving the mortal connections behind, why do you still call them aunt or uncle? Ai, mom, wait a second, Chang shixiong, you come too.” Cai Zhao’s mom pulled her with one hand, so Cai Zhao used her other hand and grabbed Chang Ning’s sleeve. Their group walked away together like this, a string.  

Fan Xingjia brought up the rear, and so he saw how Chang Ning had a small smile despite his lowered head.  

--- 

Outside, it was already crowded. 

In two hundred years, Qingque Sect has had over ten Sect Leaders, and because some held the position for thirty years (longest record) and one held it for three hours (shortest record), the decoration in Muwei Palace was eclectic.  

The minimalistic, elegant crystal chandelier above Cai Zhao's head was left by the fourth sect master. However, just three feet away, under the white jade minimalistic light, hung eighteen dragon branches left by his own son, the fifth sect master. Cai Zhao looked at the giant chandelier with a red gold inlaid with red jewels and a pastel glazed porcelain flower basket. Maybe his son had been adopted? 

Cai Zhao had been led to a monk and a nun, and she quickly bowed to them. “Cai Zhao greets Jingyuan shitai and Juexing dashi. Long time no see, I hope both elders can have health and happiness.”  

Jingyuan shitai was over sixty years old, with a thin and tall figure. She had been solemn and stern for decades, and the aura of chill on her face was enough to scare a dozen naughty boys to tears. At this time, Cai Han obediently huddled behind Juexing dashi, not daring the make a sound. 

Ning Xiaofeng then introduced Chang Ning - the Chang family murder case was well known in the world. Even Jingyuan shitai, a frigid person, softened her expression. Juexing dashi felt even more so. 

But Chang Ning was still his usual cold self. 

After the exchange of pleasantries, Jingyuan shitai inspected Cai Zhao up and down. “Qingque Sect is a prominent sect. Once you enter, you must stop being lazy, and don’t disgrace us!” 

“…yes, shitai.” Cai Zhao said. Luoying Valley was already the lowest ranking of the Beichen Six Sects. There wasn’t much lower she could drag them. 

Juexing dashi saw that the little girl was uncomfortable and laughed: "Zhaozhao, you will be an adult after you become a disciple. From now on, you must be sensible and obedient... But don't let anyone bully you. I brought a cage of messenger pigeons with me. If you are wronged, you should tell your elders immediately." 

Her uncle has always liked raising pigeons and his messenger pigeons could carry things with great accuracy.  

“Thank you, uncle! Zhaozhao will listen to your words and not allow herself to be bullied!” 

Jingyuan shitai glanced at her nephew. “Monks do not refer to themselves as ‘I’. You should call yourself ‘this poor monk’ or ‘this master’! You just said two sentences that sounded like an elder and the third sentence was to tell her to tattle!” 

“You also said “I” just now.” Cai Han pointed out with wide eyes.  

The Cai couple lowered their heads to hide their laughter.  

The banquet was about to start. The elders were placed near the center of the hall, so Cai Zhao and her parents were separated. The kids were to sit in the northeastern corner of the banquet hall. Before they separated, Jingyuan shitai got off one final reminder: “…after you become a disciple, follow the rules and don’t be like your aunt who kept getting into trouble!” 

Cai Zhao bowed her head respectfully and silently sent off her elders. 

Chang Ning stood for a while and noticed that Cai Zhao was still staring into space. So he simply took the sleeves of the two Cai children and went to sit down at a clean table. At first, Cai Han was a little scared of this young man with sores all over his face, but then when this older brother began warmly piling delicious food and snacks in his plate, he relaxed. The young man’s movements were warm and considerate. 

After serving food for them, Chang Ning remarked, “You know, if you don’t like how that old nun talks about your aunt, you can retort.” Chang Ning gave Cai Zhao two spoonfuls of sesame oil and crushed walnuts mixed with cold mushrooms. “At most you’ll just get a punishment, but that’s better than being angry all alone afterwards.” 

"... I used to argue with her when I was a child. Later, my aunt told me not to talk back to Jingyuan shitai. My aunt said that Jingyuan shitai just couldn't stand my aunt’s carefree nature, but she was a good and fair person.”  

Cai Zhao had originally decided not to say another word to this psycho guy, but what Chang Ning said at this time was exactly what she had thought about for many years, and they unknowingly started talking again. 

"Of course your aunt has to say that. The old nun is both a well-known and upright person and your mother’s elder.” Chang Ning Cai Zhao added two thin slices of soy sauce beef to Cai Zhao's plate. “Could your aunt have said, 'Zhaozhao is so good at quarreling, why don't I teach you a few more words so that you can quarrel even better'?"  

Cai Zhao almost laughed out loud and quickly straightened her face: "Chang shixiong, be careful what you say." 

Chang Ning continued to serve Cai Zhao food, this time three thick salt-grilled fish steaks: "Okay, let's change the subject - how come all the elders of your family have become monks or nuns? What's the story?" 

“My maternal grandmother and Jingyuan shitai were twin sisters. When they were young, they were found to have fate with Buddhism. It was thought that they were reincarnations of the pair of lotus flowers in the Heavenly Palace. But, my maternal grandmother met my grandfather, and they got married.” 

“How come I feel like I’ve heard this story?” Chang Ning said. “Oh, yes, it is said that Patriarch Beichen also raised a pair of twin lotus flowers in front of the Wan Shui Qian Shan Peak. The late Sect Leader Yin loved to imitate his ancestor, so he named his two daughters Qinglian and Sulian.”  

(T/N: Lian means lotus.)  

“And then what happened? Your maternal grandmother did not become a nun. So she wanted her son, your uncle, to become a monk?”  

“Buddhism pays attention to karma, meaning cause and effect. My grandmother was supposed to become a nun according to her vows. However, she did not. If she had followed her vows, there would be no mother and uncle. So my grandmother hopes that both my mother and uncle will become monks and complete the vow.” 

“Your uncle became a monk, but your mother fell in love with your father…” 

“Nope, my mother fell in love with my aunt who was dressed as a man. She fell helplessly in love she forgot all about her vows and gave chase.” Cai Zhao smiled. 

“I know what happens next as my father told me.” Chang Ning put down his chopsticks. “Your mother found out that Cai Pingshu was actually a woman and almost went back to become a nun. Master Jingyuan was so happy. She was afraid your aunt would stop it, so she set up all these obstacles. But your aunt led a bunch of brothers and they ‘persuaded’ your mother to return to the mundane world.” 

He raised the corner of his mouth slightly, with a bit of joking, "My father was trying to persuade everyone not to disturb the Buddhist pure land, and then your aunt's brothers called him 'Mother Chang'."  

"...My aunt keeps telling them not to use that nickname." Cai Zhao was a little embarrassed. 

"It doesn't matter." Chang Ning said calmly. "Actually, my father misses being called 'Mother Chang' very much and misses those people who call him 'Mother Chang'." 

Chang Haosheng hadn’t liked that nickname, but he missed those carefree years of his youth and that band of happy teenagers. 

"My aunt also misses those years very much - at that time, everyone was still young, and they rode into the monastery causing quite a ruckus. Jingyuan shitai was so angry that she wanted to kill. At that time, Nie Hengcheng hadn’t practiced evil skills yet, and hadn’t used living people to make corpse slaves yet. Everyone was alive and well, without being injured or disabled, and without losing loved ones, relatives or friends..." Cai Zhao’s voice trailed off. 

"Are you done?” Chang Ning waited until Cai Zhao finished with sadness before speaking. “If you’re done, let me say something." 

He sat upright slowly, "Your grandmother couldn't give up her love, broke her vows to get married, and spent half her life in martial bliss, but in order to fulfill her regret in her youth, she wanted to send a pair of children to Buddhism, regardless of the children's own wishes. ——What’s the difference between this and the bastard who sells his daughter into a brothel to pay off his debts to make himself comfortable?” 

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