In the dead of night, Xia Zhaoyun began to sweat profusely, cold and clammy, while a dull pain throbbed in his left hand. Struggling to rise, he lit the oil lamp, only to discover his wound had started to fester. The injury, caused by Zhai Yue's vicious kick, had gone untreated, and now pus oozed from the wound.
Determined, he fetched a basin of hot water, intending to clean the wound. Yet, just as he prepared to act, a heavy lethargy overcame him, his body weakening, and before he could react, he collapsed to the floor.
When he awoke, it was already morning. Chang Jingyun sat by his bedside, her face lighting up when she saw him stir. "You, child, how careless can you be? I thought you were just oversleeping when you didn't come for breakfast this morning."
Xia Zhaoyun glanced at his now bandaged hand and, moved by her concern, whispered, "Master, I..."
Chang Jingyun's voice was soft but probing, "What happened to your hand? Why has it swelled so badly?"
Pale and bloodless, Xia Zhaoyun hesitated. Though last night's events were vivid in his mind, he bit back the truth and muttered a half-hearted excuse, "I accidentally smashed it with a heavy rock yesterday. I'll be more careful next time."
Chang Jingyun, unconvinced but unwilling to press further, sighed, "Seventeen years old and still this reckless. Your body is weak right now. I'll have the kitchen prepare something nourishing for you. In the meantime, rest and gather your strength."
"Thank you, Master."
"I've watched you grow up, ten years passing in the blink of an eye. You may not say much, but I see more than you realize. Always giving in will only invite more bullying. If something becomes truly unbearable, there is no need to endure it."
Xia Zhaoyun was puzzled, musing to himself, "Could Master know that Senior Brother has been tormenting me?" But before he could contemplate further, Chang Jingyun had already left, her figure disappearing slowly beyond the window.
By noon, the aroma of food stirred Xia Zhaoyun from sleep. Assuming it was the meal Chang Jingyun had sent, he eagerly sat up, only to find Chang Yiyao standing before him.
Instantly, his face darkened.
Chang Yiyao noticed his expression and frowned but still placed the meal before him, her voice cold, "Eat."
Xia Zhaoyun turned his back, refusing to look at her.
Irritated, Chang Yiyao slammed the food onto the small wooden table by his bed, her voice icy with disdain, "If you won't eat, then starve!"
Xia Zhaoyun retorted, "I dare not touch anything you bring. Please take it away."
Chang Yiyao sneered, "Oh? Are you afraid I've poisoned the food?"
Xia Zhaoyun remained silent. Growing more frustrated by his indifference, she picked up the bowl and took a bite herself, then held it up for him to see, "Look, I just ate some. There's no poison."
But Xia Zhaoyun remained unmoved. No matter what she said, he refused to even glance her way, let alone eat.
Furious, Chang Yiyao climbed onto his bed, grabbing a fistful of food, trying to shove it into his mouth.
Now Xia Zhaoyun's patience snapped. The two began to wrestle, and in the chaos, Xia Zhaoyun's foot struck Chang Yiyao, sending her tumbling to the ground, where she lay motionless.
For a moment, Xia Zhaoyun glanced at her, suspecting she was faking. He coldly remarked, "You can't fool me. I won't fall for your tricks." With that, he buried his face in his blanket.
But as time passed and the room remained eerily silent, he realized something was wrong. He threw off the covers and rushed to her side, shaking her and shouting, "Junior Sister! Junior Sister!"
At that moment, Zhai Yue walked in, witnessing the scene. Without checking on Chang Yiyao, he panicked, exclaiming, "You've hurt Junior Sister! I'm telling Master!" With that, he bolted toward the main hall.
In the great hall of Yufeng Manor, Xia Zhaoyun knelt before Chang Jingyun, while Zhai Yue gleefully embellished the story. "Master, I saw with my own eyes—Fifth Junior Brother attacked Junior Sister!"
Throughout the accusation, Xia Zhaoyun remained silent. This silence only deepened Chang Jingyun's suspicions. After pacing back and forth, he finally made up his mind. "Your hand has yet to heal. Go and rest."
Zhai Yue was visibly displeased by this resolution. "Master, Junior Sister is seriously injured, and you're just going to let him off?"
Seeing Zhai Yue's eagerness to stir trouble, Chang Jingyun's disappointment was evident. He replied coldly, "We will know the truth once Yiyao wakes. I am well aware of the situation. You may leave."
"But Master…"
"What? Do you wish to instruct me on how to handle this?"
Zhai Yue, flustered, bowed his head. "I wouldn't dare."
Back in his room, Xia Zhaoyun lay on his bed, thoughts racing. Rather than enduring the torment from his senior brothers and sisters, he decided it was time to descend the mountain and gain some experience in the world. It would broaden his horizons and perhaps help him track down his enemies.
Determined not to waste any time, he planned to speak to Chang Jingyun that very night. But before he could act, his master came to him first, as if reading his thoughts.
"Master, why are you here so late?" Xia Zhaoyun asked.
"Your junior sister has awakened. She told me everything."
Chang Jingyun's voice was calm, revealing no hint of anger, which only deepened Xia Zhaoyun's confusion. He cautiously inquired, "Is Junior Sister alright?"
"She brought this upon herself with her own misconduct, which led to you accidentally injuring her. It was only a misstep—she'll be fine in a few days."
Xia Zhaoyun was taken aback. He had expected Chang Yiyao to accuse him, yet not only had she refrained, but she also appeared to have defended him. He was at a loss for words.
"Master, I have something to tell you."
Chang Jingyun gazed at him kindly, smiling. "What is it?"
"I am already seventeen. I wish to go down the mountain to broaden my knowledge and hone my skills. I hope you will permit me to do so."
Chang Jingyun hesitated. He knew that Xia Zhaoyun's desire to leave was likely motivated by his quest for vengeance, though he couldn't say so directly. Instead, he replied, "You're still not fully healed. We can discuss your journey once you've recovered."
But Xia Zhaoyun, undeterred, knelt before him, pleading earnestly, "Master, I've never asked you for anything. This time, I only wish to test the skills I've learned over the past ten years. Please, grant me this request."
Sighing, Chang Jingyun tried to lift him, but Xia Zhaoyun stubbornly refused to rise.
Seeing his disciple's determination, Chang Jingyun didn't want to wound his feelings. After some thought, he proposed a compromise.
"Since you're so intent on going, I'll give you a chance. But I'm also entrusting you with a task. You must complete it within a month and return to Yufeng Manor."
Xia Zhaoyun, overjoyed by this glimmer of hope, responded, "Master, tell me the task. I'll face whatever trials await."
Chang Jingyun chuckled. "It's nothing as perilous as you imagine. Each year I go personally, but this time I'll have you visit the Han Zhen Sect of Mount Heng to retrieve a special antidote for me."
Xia Zhaoyun readily accepted, kneeling once more in gratitude.
Three days later, after preparing his belongings, Xia Zhaoyun left the mountain. His pack, arranged by Chang Jingyun, contained not only clean clothes but also some healing ointments and travel funds. Deeply touched by his master's care, Xia Zhaoyun reflected that in this cold and distant Yufeng Manor, only Chang Jingyun had ever truly cared for him.
Before his departure, Chang Jingyun handed him the Liuguang sword and gave a final reminder. "This is your first journey down the mountain. Keep a low profile. Do not reveal your identity or your purpose."
"I will heed your words, Master."