The Sword Village conference hall, though small, was densely packed. The air within the wood-paneled room was thick and warm, heavy with the combined scent of pine resin, damp woolen robes, and the faint, lingering aroma of tea. Dozens of martial artists, representing various sects and clans, were seated within the confined space.
The leaders sat on simply low cushions with a low wooden table in front of them, a simple small table with enough room for their personal weapon and a set of teacups, while their disciples sat quietly cross-legged on the floor behind them.
Inside the conference hall, shadows gathered in the corners, cast by the early morning sun filtered through narrow paper windows.
The atmosphere was one of tense, quiet expectation, broken only by the low murmur of voices and the occasional rustle of silk as a person shifted their weight. Each face—from stern-eyed elders to watchful young disciples—was a study in gravity and suspicion, reflecting the importance and potential danger of the gathering.
The low murmurs that broke the silence were not of political debate, but of shared, grim recognition of the deadly traps encountered and the bodies recovered within the Mu Cave. They had gathered not merely for formality, but to confront the tangible proof of what lay within the cave and discuss the final, unsettling fate of Mu Dishi. They were here now to dissect their findings and chart a new course for the tumultuous martial world.
Yong Gui, the chief of Sword Village, finally stood up to face the gathering martial artists, his voice firm and commanding. "As everyone knows, Mu Dishi is buried in the Mu graveyard. I want to make it clear to everyone that if someone wants to disturb the deceased, Sword Village will not let him go easily." He swept his gaze across the room, demanding compliance. "Before we entered the cave, we had agreed to this."
Fu Yuanjun stood, connecting the deceased to a powerful legacy. "Mu Dishi is the grandson of the late leader Yi of Tianshan. Whoever makes trouble for him is the enemy of Tianshan." He sighed heavily. "We have all seen that when Mu ge's body was placed in the coffin, it was nothing more than a skeleton. In other words, the Killer String manual is not with him, so this is a good enough reason not to rob his grave."
A martial artist stood quickly to voice his agreement. "Chief Yong, Chief Fu, and everyone. I agree."
Li Kong Bai reinforced the practical conclusion of the expedition. "Furthermore, this also leads to the conclusion that there is no treasure inside the Mu Treasure Cave as everyone claimed." He looked pointedly at the weary faces in the room. "Too many people died because of this. We should never set foot again inside the Mu Treasure Cave." The general consensus in the room was one of relief and grim finality regarding the cave.
Yuan Zixin then stood up, seizing the moment. "Everyone, I want to announce one thing."
Yong Gui prompted him. "What is it, Master Yuan?"
"I know that I am not part of the martial arts world, but I regard every martial artist as a good friend," Yuan Zixin stated, buttering up the assembly.
"Although Master Yuan might be a businessman, you have been of great help to the seven sectors over the years. Please speak up freely," Yong Gui granted, giving Yuan Zixin the platform he sought.
Yuan Zixin then delivered his announcement with theatrical gravity. "Everyone knows that the Rao family was murdered a long time ago. This is the biggest loss in the Central Plains and even more in the martial arts circles."
Monk Ling offered a somber, "Amitabha."
Yuan Zixin reached out, pulled Rao Zhengsheng to stand next to him, and presented him to the leaders. "This young man is Rao Zhengsheng, the last survivor of the Rao family. He was fortunate enough to be saved by two martial artists."
Fu Yuanjun, ever cautious, questioned the claim. "How do we know that he is the last person in the Rao family?"
Rao Zhengsheng didn't speak. Instead, he reached behind his back and drew out the butterfly swords. Monk Ling immediately walked over and examined the weapons carefully. He then confirmed the truth to the hall. "This is the late Chief Raos original sword."
A martial artist, seeking definitive proof, asked Monk Ling, "how do you know?"
Monk Ling turned to the assembly and spoke with quiet authority. "Because I gave it to Chief Rao on the day he becomes chief." The affirmation from Shaolin's leader silenced all doubt regarding Rao Zhengsheng's identity.
Wu Jianping, a genuine friend and now Chief of the Mangsha Sector, stood and walked toward Rao Zhengsheng. "I will support Rao-xiong," he declared. His backing gave immediate weight to the cause.
The many martial artists whom Rao Zhengsheng and Yongzheng had rescued from the Mu Cave traps also expressed their support for Rao Zhengsheng to reestablish the Rao House. With the confirmation of his lineage and the backing of key figures, the Rao name was once again viable in the martial world.
After resting in Sword Village for two days, the martial artists began dispersing, returning to their own sectors and clans.
Early on the third morning, Yuan Zixin and the five young people stood at the gate of Sword Village. Yuan Zixin, the shrewd businessman, made his final offer to Rao Zhengsheng. "Once you see what needs to be done, let me know. I will settle everything. You don't have to worry about repaying back the money." He patted Rao Zhengsheng's right arm lightly, then revealed the condition. "You just have to be nice to Xiurong."
Dong Lanying, standing a distance away, spoke to the others. "Da shixiong owes the Yuan greatly. The reason Master Yuan helped da shixiong is because he wants da shixiong to be his son-in-law." She looked pointedly at Xue Horan. "Are you going to be okay with this?"
Xue Horan sighed, recognizing the political reality of their situation. "Da shixiong is old enough to understand the consequences of accepting other people's offers, and we can't do anything about it." He looked to Yongzheng for agreement. "Am I right?"
Yongzheng gave a silent nod.
The five companions—Rao Zhengsheng, Yuan Xiurong, Dong Lanying, Xue Horan, and Yongzheng—had said their goodbyes to Yuan Zixin, who was heading toward the Rao Manor to begin his arrangements. Exhausted from their long day's walk, they settled into the small village tavern and reluctantly accepted the five cold buns the waiter offered in lieu of a hot meal.
Later, after everyone had settled into their rooms, Yongzheng heard three soft, deliberate knocks on his door. He moved to open it, but before he could, Xue Horan slid inside and gently dragged his hand back toward the kitchen.
Xue Horan seated Yongzheng on a chair. "Wait, I'll cook something for us," he said, his face alight with a secretive energy.
Yongzheng watched, mesmerized, as Xue Horan quietly washed vegetables, expertly cut meat, and started cooking. Soon, the sweet, savory aroma of food began to circle through the silent kitchen. After nearly an hour, Xue Horan placed the dishes on the table. He picked up his chopsticks and fed a small portion to Yongzheng.
Xue Horan asked, his expression eager, "How is it?"
Yongzheng savored the taste, the rich, warm flavors a stark contrast to the cold bun. "It tastes good," he confirmed, a genuine smile forming.
Meanwhile, Rao Zhengsheng couldn't sleep. He decided to find Xue Horan to discuss the recent, troubling arrangement with the Yuan family. He knocked on Xue Horan's door, but received no answer. Thinking Xue Horan might be asleep, he walked toward the bathroom area. He then heard Xue Horan's voice and realized he must have gone to the kitchen. He walked to the kitchen, intending to see what his shidi was doing. He was just about to poke his head around the corner to scare Xue Horan but was stopped cold by another voice.
"Horan, these are delicious. Have you studied cooking for several years?" It was Yongzheng.
Xue Horan set his chopsticks down and poured himself a cup of tea. "When I was very young, I was about seven or eight years old," he explained, looking at Yongzheng with a hint of sorrow. "I wanted to learn to cook the best dishes, so when we finally settled down on Butterfly Island, I would cook for da shixiong."
He picked up his chopsticks and started eating, his tone turning melancholy. "But every time I made something for da shixiong, he was always busy. He was always seeking revenge in Central Plains. When I poured my heart into cooking for him, either he came too late, or he didn't come. In the end, he never really got to taste my cooking."
Xue Horan picked up a piece of meat and gently stretched his hand toward Yongzheng's mouth. Yongzheng opened his mouth and ate the piece of meat.
Xue Horan laughed lightly, the painful memory receding. "You are the third person fortunate enough to eat the food made by the famous Chef, Xue Gongzi."
Yongzheng smiled back, playing along with the title. "Thank you, famous chef, Xue gongzi."
Xue Horan gestured to the table. "Continue eating."
Rao Zhengsheng stood frozen just outside the kitchen, the warmth of the lantern light casting his shadow, listening to the intimate, quiet moment—a moment in which his shidi shared his deepest, most vulnerable memories with Yongzheng, the man he was supposed to hate. The delicious aroma and the soft laughter twisted his's heart with a fresh, sharp pain of being excluded.
The next morning, the group of five people walked for about half a day and decided to rest by a stream to wash their faces.
Xue Horan suddenly pointed to the water, his voice cheerful. "Yongzheng, look…look…fish! Next time we go to Butterfly Island, we should go fishing in the back stream. When we were young, da shixiong always took us there." He turned to Rao Zhengsheng. "Right, da shixiong?"
Rao Zhengsheng, who had recently become annoyed by the increasingly close relationship between Xue Horan and Yongzheng, merely managed a slight smile. He changed the subject. "The Rao Manor is ahead. The road to Rao Manor is very steep, please be careful."
The group of five soon stood in front of a small, old pavilion. Next to the pavilion was a tombstone that read, "Here lie the wife of Dong Shun, Dong Qiji."
"Shijie, is this Aunty Dong's grave?" Xue Horan asked Dong Lanying.
"Yes," Dong Lanying confirmed.
"Where is Dong shushu's grave?"
Before Dong Lanying could answer, a palm suddenly swept toward Xue Horan's back. Yongzheng instantly reacted, pushing Xue Horan out of the way and counterattacking. The assailant performed a backflip and landed lightly on his feet.
Rao Zhengsheng recognized the man instantly. "Cao Fengge!"
A large group of people rushed out from hiding, surrounding the five companions.
Cao Fengge smiled coldly. "The Rao has been eliminated from the martial arts world for more than ten years, and now you want to reclaim your position in the martial arts world?" He snickered. "How pathetic? I'll send you down to see your Dong Shushu." He released five red thread needles toward Rao Zhengsheng.
Simultaneously, a masked man flew toward Yongzheng and began to attack him.
Rao Zhengsheng immediately drew out his sword and began to cut the red threads one by one.
Cao Fengge knew that among the five, Yongzheng was the most skilled, so he left Rao Zhengsheng to Red Mice and the rest of the disciples. Cao Fengge went straight for the most vulnerable target: Xue Horan's back.
Xue Horan was fighting against several Beixing disciples, unaware of the lethal danger lurking behind him. Yongzheng, seeing Cao Fengge's move, quickly rushed to Xue Horan. He wrapped his arms around Xue Horan, hugging him tightly, just in time to receive the full force of Cao Fengge's blow. Cao Fengge's powerful palm strike hit them both, sending both Yongzheng and Xue Horan tumbling off the steep cliff.
Yongzheng's immediate reaction saved them. As they fell, he grabbed Xue Horan's sword and, using his internal force, plunged it into the hillside. They slipped twenty feet before the embedded sword finally brought them to a grinding halt. Yongzheng held Xue Horan's wrist tightly, maintaining his grip despite the strain.
Xue Horan looked up, terrified. "Yongzheng…"
Yongzheng looked down at him and suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood. The blood dripped down and dyed one side of Xue Horan's face red. Yongzheng felt the sword begin to bend, unable to support their combined weight any longer. With a desperate final effort, he exhausted the last of his internal strength: he pulled Xue Horan higher onto his chest, then leveraged himself onto the sword's hilt. Gathering his final force, he pushed upward, striking Xue Horan's right sole with a sudden blow that sent Xue Horan flying back to the edge of the cliff. Having expended all his power, Yongzheng lost his grip and fell into the dense mountain fog.
Xue Horan landed hard on his side but scrambled up instantly and rushed to the edge of the cliff. He screamed, "Yongzheng…"
Just then, Rao Zhengsheng flew past him, having also been struck off the cliff during the fight. Xue Horan stretched out his right hand to grab him, but only managed to touch the fingertips of Rao Zhengsheng's left hand before he, too, plunged into the thick fog.
Dong Lanying shouted, trying to pull him back. "Horan, let's go!" She grabbed Yuan Xiurong's hand and dragged her away from the danger.
Xue Horan watched the spot where Rao Zhengsheng had disappeared into the thick mist. Tears streamed down his face. He murmured brokenly, "Yongzheng… da shixiong…" With nothing left to live for after losing both his lover and his protector, he made his decision. He jumped off the cliff, following Yongzheng and Rao Zhengsheng into the enveloping fog.