After a year of rigorous training, the five disciples of Chang Jingyun displayed significant differences in their martial abilities. Of them all, the eldest, Zhai Yue, and the youngest, Xia Zhaoyun, showed the most promise. The second disciple, Yu Xiaohui, had been frail and sickly for years, leaving him with little chance to pursue martial arts. The third, Chen Zhiyuan, was timid and cowardly, while the fourth, Li Mangran, showed little interest in worldly matters. In Chang Jingyun's eyes, only Zhai Yue and Xia Zhaoyun were worthy of inheriting his true martial arts legacy.
One day, as Xia Zhaoyun was practicing in the courtyard, Chang Jingyun observed him in secret. Half an hour passed, and Xia Zhaoyun remained fully focused, repeatedly performing the moves of the Wind Flow Eight Styles without rest. Chang Jingyun felt a sense of pride seeing this. But suddenly, Zhai Yue launched a surprise attack from behind. Caught off guard, Xia Zhaoyun was struck and staggered forward, spitting blood.
Though wounded, Xia Zhaoyun steadied himself, wiped the blood from his lips, and coldly remarked, "Striking from behind—how heroic."
Zhai Yue, unbothered, arrogantly replied, "Someone like you doesn't deserve courtesy."
"I've always respected you as my senior brother. Why do you always treat me with such hostility?" Xia Zhaoyun asked bitterly.
Hearing this, Chang Jingyun realized that he had been oblivious to Xia Zhaoyun's plight in Yufeng Manor over the years. Such scenes must have played out often, yet as their master, he had focused solely on teaching them martial arts, neglecting their relationships.
Zhai Yue sneered, "You're just pretending to be diligent to win Master's favor. But don't forget, I'm the eldest disciple of Yufeng Manor, and when the time comes, Master will prioritize me for the manor lordship. Don't get any foolish ideas."
Xia Zhaoyun scoffed, "So, Senior Brother, you're afraid I might take your position one day. If that's what you fear, I'm afraid Master will be disappointed in you."
Zhai Yue, puzzled, demanded, "What do you mean? Stop using Master to scare me."
Xia Zhaoyun calmly replied, "You and I both know who will inherit the manor lordship. As the eldest disciple, it's naturally yours. I'm just the fifth disciple—how could I ever threaten you? Yet you continue to make my life difficult, not because of me, but because you're betraying Master's trust in you."
Xia Zhaoyun's words left Zhai Yue speechless and furious. "I thought you were just good at martial arts, but your tongue is sharper than I expected. I underestimated you."
"Senior Brother, we've been brothers for years. I swear to the heavens, I have never desired the position of manor lord. Please, stop making things harder for me," Xia Zhaoyun said with a resolute tone.
Zhai Yue, momentarily shaken by Xia Zhaoyun's conviction, retorted, "Swearing is easy. The heavens won't strike you down with lightning if you break it tomorrow."
Seeing Zhai Yue's petty nature, Xia Zhaoyun continued, "I'm not training to compete with you. I do this for myself, to avenge my family."
These words stunned Chang Jingyun, who had been eavesdropping. He had never heard Xia Zhaoyun mention his past, something he had shamefully overlooked.
Zhai Yue, intrigued, said, "Your family? Master mentioned you had a grandfather, but I've never heard you talk about the rest."
"That's because no one ever asked," Xia Zhaoyun said somberly. "My family was murdered when I was just seven years old. One day, a group of men stormed into our home, slaughtering everyone. My father, my mother, and my sister—all killed before my eyes. I may not know who they were, but I remember their faces. One day, when I meet them again, I will recognize those vile fiends."
Zhai Yue, half-skeptical, muttered, "I hope for your sake you're telling the truth. Otherwise, you won't escape my wrath." With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Chang Jingyun heaved a deep sigh as he returned to his quarters. From a brocade box, he retrieved a white silk handkerchief, staring at it in a daze. It was embroidered by Hua Caiyi on their wedding day, but now it had yellowed with time. As he gazed upon it, sorrow engulfed him, and he murmured softly to the handkerchief.
"Caiyi, time flies, and it's been a year since we last met. How have you been? Every night, I dream of you sitting by my bedside. I wonder if it's truly you returning, or merely a dream. Yao has grown fast and can now call me 'father.' With her and the disciples around, I don't feel as lonely, but these moments of joy are incomplete without you. Lately, I've been pondering a difficult question—who is better suited to inherit Yufeng Manor, Zhai Yue or Xia Zhaoyun? Though Zhai Yue is my eldest disciple and talented in martial arts, he is narrow-minded and cunning, lacking any heroic spirit. Xia Zhaoyun, on the other hand, is diligent and kind-hearted, but burdened by deep resentment. I wonder if he can bear such a heavy responsibility. If only you were here to help me decide…" Tears welled up in Chang Jingyun's eyes as he carefully returned the handkerchief to the box.
Time passed, and seven years slipped away in the blink of an eye. Yufeng Manor remained unchanged, though not without tragedy. Three years ago, Yu Xiaohui contracted tuberculosis and, after a severe fall from a hill, succumbed to his illness, unable to recover from the combined trauma. The loss of his disciple plunged Chang Jingyun into deep sorrow, and it took him two years to emerge from his grief. However, the death of Hua Caiyi remained a wound that would never heal.
Now, the manor prepared for Chang Yiyao's ninth birthday. Bearing a striking resemblance to her mother, Hua Caiyi, the young girl was doted on not only by Chang Jingyun but by everyone in Yufeng Manor, where she was treated like a little princess. Yet, Xia Zhaoyun remained distant, partly because of his reserved nature, and partly due to her close relationship with Zhai Yue, who already saw Xia Zhaoyun as an adversary. For this reason, Xia Zhaoyun kept his interactions with her minimal.
On the day of her birthday, Chang Yiyao, wearing a blue gown, burst into Xia Zhaoyun's room without knocking, disturbing his rest. Startled awake, Xia Zhaoyun gritted his teeth but politely asked, "What brings you here, Junior Sister?"
Pouting, Chang Yiyao replied, "Fifth Brother, I've come to get my birthday gift!"
Xia Zhaoyun found her words both amusing and absurd. "Is there a rule that one must demand a birthday gift?"
"If you don't give it to me willingly, then I'll have to ask! Everyone else has given me something—only yours is missing."
Finding her behavior childish, Xia Zhaoyun ignored her and attempted to return to sleep. But before he could, she jumped onto his bed, sitting on him while lifting the blanket. "I don't care! I want my gift!"
Irritated, Xia Zhaoyun sternly rebuked her, "This is improper behavior for a young lady!"
Chang Yiyao, not expecting such a sharp reprimand, pouted and threatened, "How dare you speak to me like that! I'll tell Father!" She stormed out, crying as she went to find Chang Jingyun.
Relieved to hear her cries fading into the distance, Xia Zhaoyun finally settled down for a quiet afternoon nap.
As the sun set, Zhai Yue happened upon Chang Yiyao, sobbing alone beneath the wisteria trellis. Concerned, he approached and gently asked, "What's wrong, little sister? Why are you crying?"
Upon seeing Zhai Yue, she burst into tears once more, complaining about Xia Zhaoyun's behavior.
"Fifth Brother didn't give me a birthday gift. He doesn't like me!"
Zhai Yue chuckled, "So that's what's troubling you? Don't worry, Senior Brother will make sure you get what you deserve."
Brightening instantly, Chang Yiyao asked, "Really?"
Patting her head, Zhai Yue softly replied, "Of course. When have I ever let you down?"
Her tears vanished, replaced by a smile. "I knew Senior Brother treats me the best!"
That evening, as Xia Zhaoyun returned to his room to retire for the night, he found a note on his desk. It read, "Come to Li Yun Peak." It was signed by "Master." Curious, Xia Zhaoyun muttered to himself, "Why would Master summon me so late?" Unable to guess the reason, he decided to head to Li Yun Peak alone.
Half an hour later, he arrived, only to find the peak deserted. Sensing something amiss, he turned to leave, but found himself face-to-face with Zhai Yue. In that instant, Xia Zhaoyun realized the truth and coldly remarked, "