Mao Ya orchestrated a series of deceptive maneuvers: first, she dispatched Lin Chaoying to lead a contingent back north, a move designed to both remove her from the immediate vicinity and lull the sentries at Jie Wu Shan into a false sense of security. Next, she dispatched Wu Nanyong to lead a surprise attack by swordsmen, making the enemy believe they had fallen into a trap of "retreating to advance." This prompted an urgent plea for reinforcements from the allied forces, thus diluting their strength. Meanwhile, another contingent landed on Taizhou via sea, targeting Sun Boqi, the local administrator for the Wei Wu Alliance, further misleading the opponent with a feint. At this juncture, Mao Ya personally and covertly expedited her journey, employing both deceit and theft to reclaim the imperial decree, thereby completing her mission.
Wang Shixiong and the Wei Wu Alliance's disciples could only lament their helplessness. Mao Ya, in turn, resented her inability to eliminate Wang Shixiong, this persistent thorn in her side, during the ordeal.
Mao Ya returned to the unchanging mountain ranges of Longzhou on the third of August, proceeding directly to the residence of Li Wanxue, who was a "dai jia" (caretaker).
The You Xu Cave, in alliance with the Nan Tang remnants of the three surnames, was in reality absorbed by them. The three surnames leveraged the cave's name to form the "Unchanging Peaks Alliance" with various caves in the mountain ranges, compelling them to acknowledge them as their盟主 (leader), thereby controlling the entire region. The old retainers of the three surnames had established their lineage based on age. Although the concubine Li Jincuo was central to this arrangement, the other two families, Zhan and Dong, deferred to her leadership, making the Li family the true power brokers. Since the annexation, three factions had emerged within You Xu Cave: the original cave inhabitants, the three surname families, and those not of the three surnames. The latter comprised Nan Tang émigrés who had fled to Liaodong, following the three old retainers. While they outwardly submitted to the three surname families, they harbored resentment in their hearts. They had endured hardships together, yet the benefits and privileges were monopolized by the "Xiang Jia Tuan" (Grand Elder's Group) formed by the three surnames. Even when forming the group, Li Jincuo had invited the non-surname families to nominate a representative for the Grand Elder's position, relegating herself to the third position to appease them. However, the non-surname families still felt manipulated, as if they were at the very bottom of the cave's hierarchy. The original cave inhabitants were also disgruntled by this usurpation and plotted to expel them. Consequently, from Li Jincuo onwards, the Li family had governed the cave and the Alliance through coercion, enticement, division, and external warfare.
Among the cave's children, those from the age of four were required to find and pledge allegiance to a "dai jia" for their education. This was one of the methods employed for recruitment, division, and suppression. Mao Ya and Wu Nanyong, both hailing from families not of the three surnames, managed to be accepted by Li Wanxue as "dai jia." This was attributable not only to the behind-the-scenes planning of their parents but also to their own exceptional qualifications.
Mao Ya arrived near the main mountain range, before the "Qing Ping General's Mansion," known as the "Snow Palace." In the central part of the main range stood the "Ning Dong Prefecture Office," the venue for the four Grand Elder families' affairs. However, Li Wanxue, as the third Grand Elder, predominantly handled matters within her mansion. Officials from both within and outside the cave flocked to her doorstep. Even the You Xu Cave Master, who concurrently served as the Alliance Leader, the other three Grand Elder families, and the leaders of various caves often found themselves needing to visit her for consultations. This led to the widespread ironic jest of "entering the palace for an audience," a subtle jab at Li Wanxue's arrogance. Furthermore, there were whispers about her cruelty and ruthlessness in confining her own kin to solidify her position and seize power, and her insatiable greed for profit, evidenced by her selling young disciples of the Alliance to the Jin state in exchange for their support.
The guards, recognizing Mao Ya's special status, dared not impede him and instead saluted him respectfully as he proceeded into the mansion. In truth, not only within the Alliance but also among many figures from outside regions, his extraordinary demeanor and imposing presence evoked admiration and reverence.
In the garden, a woman was selecting flowers. Her tall and slender figure from childhood had inevitably become slightly sturdier with the accumulation of years, but this added a grandmotherly sense of stability and warmth. "May the Grand Elder's family be peaceful and comfortable," Mao Ya said, bowing his head and kneeling on the bluestone paving to offer his greetings. The three surname families revered ritual and law, adhering to them with meticulousness. Li Wanxue gestured for him to dispense with the formalities, understanding that his return was not for a casual report or a seasonal greeting, but likely concerning Yingyue's unusual actions. Alas, the pair she had envisioned as a perfect match… she now realized the wisdom of her grandmother's arrangements and felt ashamed of repeating her own mistakes. Mao Ya stated, "Song civilians are gathering and causing disturbances. Wang Shixiong of Chuzhou is causing the most vexation to the Jin ruler." For the past three to four months, Li Wanxue had been preoccupied with the actions of the Xuan Yang Cave Master. Only now did she realize that it was the "foremost guardian of Chuzhou" she had been dealing with. "Come in, have some tea," she said. Mao Ya habitually tidied the pruning shears and the pruned branches, following her to the pavilion.
"We received intelligence that the bandit Wang was entrusted by Han Shizhong on his deathbed to visit Lingyan Mountain in Pingjiang Prefecture every year on the twenty-sixth of August to pay respects to Liang Hongyu's death anniversary," Li Wanxue said as she contemplated how to arrange the flower branches in the vase while listening to his report. "Whom shall we dispatch to assist?"
Before Mao Ya could speak, he caught sight of Lin Chaoying ascending the steps. He worried that her hasty arrival indicated she was no longer as purely welcoming of his return to the mountains as before. After Lin Chaoying saluted both of them, she said, "Brother, are you discussing how to deal with the anti-Jin Song civilians with Grandma?" Li Wanxue was confident that her grandson's foresight was no less than her own, yet "one cannot know a person's true intentions without hearing them speak." As the grandmother who relied on him, she couldn't help but worry. After Mao Ya reiterated the report, he added, "He seems quite familiar with the martial arts of the Dark Swordsmen, and I plan to seek Uncle Zhan's assistance in dealing with this bandit." The "Uncle Zhan" Mao Ya referred to was the second Grand Elder, Zhan Cunmao.
The three surname families had bonded as one family. Zhan Cunmao was of the same generation as Lin Chaoying's mother. Lin Chaoying had addressed him as "Uncle Zhan" since childhood, and Li Wanxue had also permitted Mao Ya to follow suit. Lin Chaoying's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly as she said, "No need. I have repeatedly studied his moves over the past month and am confident I can take his head." Mao Ya scoffed, "This is the Jin ruler's top priority. How can we afford another failure!" Lin Chaoying glared at him, resolute, "If I, Lin Chaoying, cannot complete this task…" Li Wanxue immediately stated, "Then you shall return and receive my severe punishment."
Li Wanxue personally cooked the evening meal. At the dinner table, she glanced around, seeing in her mind's eye the same childlike boy and girl from years ago. Despite the numerous daily affairs and worries, sharing a meal with the two children revitalized her spirit. Precious moments and things are always fleeting… but it was enough to have enjoyed them; it was happiness enough. During the meal, Mao Ya felt a growing distance from her, stemming from their earlier conversation—still about that "Song pig." For the sake of a better future, he needed to destroy him completely. After the meal, Lin Chaoying announced she was retiring to her room to rest, and Mao Ya also took his leave.
Li Wanxue, holding a freshly steamed "Tuck Ahkui Qing Cake," headed toward Lin Chaoying's room. This grandson had a preference for savory dishes, so the sweet cake contained shredded taro dipped in salted egg. Along the corridor by the pond, she watched her practicing swordplay in the open space outside. Her heart was filled with both joy and worry, recalling her daughter's similar "enthusiastic spirit" back then.
Li Wanxue placed the plate on the stone tabletop and said, "Rest a moment." The weather was cool, and Lin Chaoying's forehead was not beaded with sweat, yet Li Wanxue still took out a silk handkerchief to wipe it for her. "You will depart tomorrow morning to carry out your mission," she said. Lin Chaoying paused for a moment, forgetting to avoid her grandmother's somewhat childish gesture, and replied, "Let me depart after the eighth, once I've had Grandma's 'Old Pumpkin Braised Sticky Rice,' there will still be time." Li Wanxue immediately put on a stern face and said, "Strike when it is time to strike. No hesitation." She then handed Lin Chaoying a booklet. As Lin Chaoying flipped through it, she was inwardly astonished and exclaimed, "Grandma, you've actually transcribed Ancestor Grandma's 'Private Family Notes'?"
Li Jincuo and the then You Xu Cave Master, Jiang Jin Sheng, had jointly formed the Dark Swordsmen, publicly declaring the offering of their meticulously written "Martial Arts Essentials" as the foundation. However, they kept another set, the "Private Family Notes," which they claimed contained incomplete techniques, instructing their family descendants to study them for perfection. In reality, these were profound martial arts secrets, intended to prevent future rebellions.
This booklet, let alone copying or backing it up, would incur the death penalty, including the gouging out of eyes, for anyone who dared to peruse it without the permission of the ancestral surname family. Some of the moves within had already been secretly imparted by her grandmother. She surmised that her grandmother, perhaps fearing the failure of her own mission, was lending it to her to enhance her strength. However, how could she bear to trouble her grandmother further? Lin Chaoying returned the booklet. Li Wanxue did not take it back but held her granddaughter's hand and said, "This inherently belongs to you. Along the way, be sure to find time to study the latter part thoroughly, mastering and deciphering the essence of all martial arts." Seeing her granddaughter's worried expression, she said proudly, "There is nothing in this world that can stump me. You simply carry out your task with confidence." Lin Chaoying also displayed a similar pride on her face, stood up, and turned to practice her sword.