Myths Begin From Boys' Gong

This is a difficult choice. If we don't touch Cai Qi, then we can go find other members of the Cai family, and perhaps we'll encounter someone even stronger than Cai Qi who will protect us.

If we were to take action against Cai Qi, frankly speaking, Meng Zhao would not necessarily be facing a weakling, but rather a powerful figure capable of harming or even killing him. The risk remains significant.

However, Meng Zhao ultimately chose to take action against Cai Qi.

Firstly, he was deliberately outmaneuvering the unsuspecting. At least Cai Qi, with such formidable military strength protecting him, often becomes arrogant and careless, making him an easy target for others to exploit. Meng Zhao naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Secondly, this is a rare opportunity. He has already spent a lot of time, energy, and even money on Cai Qi to build a closer relationship with him. Now, if he turns around and seeks out other members of the Cai family, the sunk costs will be considerable, and he is somewhat reluctant to do so.

Furthermore, Meng Zhao still had considerable confidence that even if he was a formidable expert or a strongman, he might still be able to defeat him.

Cai Qi may be a gifted genius, but Meng Zhao is an even greater genius among geniuses. His foundation built over three lifetimes is not easily matched.

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, Meng Zhao stepped forward to get acquainted with Cai Qi, adopting an extremely humble attitude.

Through introductions from others, Cai Qi also learned the identity of Meng Zhao as a foreign enemy merchant and expressed his appreciation for Meng Zhao's support of Qiu Yue. He also stated that Meng Zhao should continue this support and increase its efforts.

In other words, we still need to support Qiuyue in the future, and the support needs to be even stronger. Otherwise, if you don't contribute money and I don't contribute money, how will Qiuyue live a life of luxury?
Of course, Cai Qi didn't leave without any benefits; he even explicitly stated that he would give Meng Zhao special consideration.
"Go ahead and do business in Kaiyan County. Don't worry if anything happens. Although we are all second-generation rich kids, we still have a lot of connections at home and can guarantee that you will be treated fairly."

It's a classic case of giving a big slap followed by a sweet treat. In fact, if this can really be done, it would be a great thing for this out-of-town businessman.

As anyone in business knows, sometimes you can't just rely on your personal abilities; the external environment is also a crucial factor.

For example, if outsiders are doing business in Kaiyan County, there will definitely be people doing any profitable business. If you, an outsider, come here begging for food and even try to steal food from the big pot, you are really ignorant of your place. They will definitely gang up on you to bully you.

Even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake; local advantages often lead to the retreat of capital from other regions.

Smart people will first infiltrate powerful local groups, and once they have established a network of connections, they will then start their own businesses.

If Meng Zhao were truly a businessman from out of town, then this trip to Xiaoxiang Garden, seemingly a lavish display of wealth, would actually be a way of building connections with money. It would be worthwhile, even if it were several thousand taels of silver, let alone a few hundred.

For example, now that Cai Qi is making this promise on behalf of these wealthy young men and second-generation rich kids, it's as if Meng Zhao is under their protection. As long as he doesn't offend any powerful figures, the county town is essentially open to him. If he really starts doing business, he'll definitely make a fortune, if not become incredibly rich.

Meng Zhao, of course, also wanted to show extreme gratitude, and quickly agreed.
"Young Master Cai, please rest assured. Qiuyue is beautiful and talented, and of noble character. We will certainly give her our full support and will not let you down."

With this tone and entry point in mind, Meng Zhao blended in perfectly. She was like a fish in water at the Autumn Moon Gathering, and soon became familiar with most of the people there.

Cai Qi was the most enthusiastic, and this unusual behavior puzzled him.

He called Meng Zhao aside, and the two of them, each holding an expensive counterfeit luminous glass, swirled the clear, bright liquor inside and sized up the people in the private room.

Within the vast space, the men were all wealthy and noble, and the women were numerous and unrestrained.

Cai Qi pointed to one of them and said,
"That is the third young master of the Liu family present here. In terms of family strength, the Liu family is above my Cai family. In terms of family wealth, the Liu family is still above my Cai family."

Furthermore, within this Autumn Moon Society, the third young master of the Liu family is the president, and I am the vice president. What is your purpose in currying favor with me?

Cai Qi didn't deliberately try to induce anything; he was simply curious. It's okay to curry favor with people, but the key is to curry favor with the right people.

He was well aware of his own limitations. The Liu family was powerful in the county, considered a first-class force second only to the Fang family, and comparable to the Su family. His Cai family, on the other hand, was much weaker, mainly because their family martial arts skills were not strong.

Meng Zhao smiled and said,

"In my early years, I heard of Yingfeng Yidao's great name. He fought against many heroes and competed with the powerful figures in the world. He was truly a first-rate person."

The Cai family's Wind Blade Calamity is even more powerful. Although the Liu family is powerful, they ultimately lack the foundation of techniques like the Wind-Facing Strike and the Wind Blade Calamity.

Cai Qi shook his head, a hint of sadness appearing between his brows.
"That's all ancient history. In the current Cai family, there are only a handful of people who have mastered the family's martial arts, and they have all been modified. It's difficult for them to unleash the full power of the Wind Blade Calamity. If you're thinking of hoarding rare items, you're making the wrong choice for fear of death."

He regarded Meng Zhao as an opportunistic businessman. After all, the Cai family had once been wealthy and powerful. At its peak, they had already made a name for themselves in the martial arts world of Tianyuan, but now they were in decline and destitute.

At this time, if someone invests, it's equivalent to buying at the bottom. When the Cai family rises and revives in the future, speculators will naturally profit greatly.

However, Cai Qi believed that Meng Zhao's efforts were in vain.

It's not that the Cai family lacks gratitude, but rather that they no longer have the potential to revive and achieve great success.

Meng Zhao was puzzled.

"This is why, although the Cai Family Wind Blade Calamity is not a unique skill, its power is unparalleled. Once mastered, it can lead the Cai Family to a new peak."

Could there be some oversight?

Cai Qi shook his head, saying nothing more, only offering him a warning.
"I can only tell you that what you're thinking is absolutely impossible to achieve. However, if it's just about doing business, the Cai family can still help you a lot."

Before Cai Qi could leave, Meng Zhao continued,

"Young Master Cai, as far as I know, after the Cai family fell into decline, many people have tried to take advantage of the Cai family, and there are quite a few who covet the Wind Blade Robbery. However, all of these people have met with bad ends, which is enough to show that the Cai family still has its foundation."

Could it be that my understanding is flawed, or that what's being said in the martial arts world is untrue?

Cai Qi nodded and said,
"It seems you are indeed a thoughtful person. However, this involves the secrets of the Cai family, and it is absolutely impossible for you to know this secret."

Focusing your attention on the Cai family is definitely not a good choice.

Before you decide what to do, consider the consequences. Otherwise, if you make the wrong choice, the consequences will be unbearable.

"You'd better watch yourself!"

These words were quite profound, and Meng Zhao's heart stirred. He was unsure where he had slipped up, allowing Cai Qi to see something.

Even his exploration and interest in the Cai family are quite normal and in line with common sense. Based on these, Cai Qi should have no reason to doubt himself.

When the party ended and everyone dispersed, Meng Zhao declined the invitation to the next revelry and headed alone to his newly purchased house in the darkness. Halfway there, as he passed the entrance to a quiet alley, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his way.

The man was dressed in black night clothes, and his face was covered by a black mask, revealing only a pair of gleaming eyes.

In his hand he held a short-handled, slender long knife, which at first glance resembled a Miao knife.

Meng Zhao almost instinctively recognized the man; wasn't he Cai Qi, whom he had spoken with not long ago? "Young Master Cai, why come to see me dressed like this?"

Meng Zhao's voice was clear and steady, without the slightest fear or panic, as if the person in front of him was not someone hiding and plotting against him, but rather an old friend he had known for many years.

The masked man's voice was hoarse, and it was clear he was deliberately lowering his voice.
"Who exactly are you? What are you doing, inquiring about the Cai family?"

Meng Zhao became even more certain that the person in front of him was Cai Qi, because only he could know so clearly about the conversation that had taken place between the two of them not long ago.

"Young Master Cai, I don't actually have any special identity. I'm just an ordinary person with a special fondness and passion for martial arts."

The Cai family's Wind Blade Calamity is unique and incredibly powerful, with many distinctive features. I really want to borrow it to fulfill my long-cherished wish.

"If Young Master Cai is willing, please feel free to make any requests. I will certainly grant them without hesitation!"

With a snap, the masked man ripped off his mask, revealing himself to be Cai Qi.

He slowly walked up to Meng Zhao and said,
"As expected, you came here for Feng Daojie. Did you originally plan to kidnap me and force me to reveal Feng Daojie's martial arts techniques?"

Meng Zhao nodded, then shook his head.

"That was true at first, but after meeting you, I discovered that you are actually a highly skilled martial artist, which was quite unexpected. Therefore, I abandoned the plan. I just didn't expect that you would take the initiative to come to me!"

Meng Zhao's words were obviously false. In fact, his target had always been Cai Qi, whether it was proactive or reactive. He was just saying this to see what else Cai Qi had to say.

Cai Qi showed no surprise; clearly, he had already guessed this.

"Then do you know where your weakness lies?"

This was indeed something Meng Zhao couldn't understand. He was confident that his disguise was excellent and his portrayal of the personality was reasonable and could withstand scrutiny. Yet, Cai Qi noticed his difference after just a few words, which was really hard for him to accept.

"I don't know. Please enlighten me, Young Master Cai. Where exactly did I go wrong? Just because I asked a few questions, Young Master Cai is so certain that I have ulterior motives? Isn't that a bit too arbitrary?"

Cai Qi shook his head.
"Of course not. Just as you can sense that I possess martial arts skills, and extremely high ones at that, I also intuitively sense that you are a master, a very powerful master, capable of killing me!"

Before Meng Zhao could even reply or react, Cai Qi drew his long sword, which resembled a Miao sword, with a clang.

Under the moonlight, the flash of the blade transformed into a whirlwind, hurtling towards Meng Zhao.

In an instant, countless gusts of wind surged from all directions, accompanied by countless flashes of sword light. The swords and the wind merged into one, as if to tear Meng Zhao to pieces.

The hurricane surged like a tide, so powerful that it even distorted light. Countless beams of moonlight were twisted, folded, and scattered across the earth, demonstrating the ferocity and domineering nature of this attack.

When faced with this strike, most people would find it difficult to distinguish whether the blade merged into the wind, or the wind merged into the blade.

A single slash against the wind, a single slash against the wind—so this is the power of the Cai family's Wind Blade Calamity!

A terrifying killing intent, unparalleled destructive power, and terrifying power that borrows the strength of heaven and earth.

This almost has the momentum of integrating martial arts into the natural world, no wonder the Cai family has been able to make such a great name.

Faced with this strike, Meng Zhao, who had nothing in his hands and no weapon, also displayed extraordinary martial arts skills and techniques.

He moved his arms, circulating his Cloud-Piercing Force, which transformed into dense clouds that he pulled and twisted in his palms. The Cloud Force circulated and moved in a special way, constantly compressing and condensing.

Finally, it transformed into a dark, swirling cloud, surging forth and colliding with the oncoming wind blades.

The vast dark clouds were accompanied by the hissing sound of something cutting through the air. The force of the blade, aimed at Meng Zhao, ultimately failed to break through the cloud palm's momentum. The force dissipated, and the attack was easily neutralized.

At first glance, it seems easy, but if it were someone else, even someone who is proficient in external martial arts and thinks they are invulnerable to swords and spears, facing a swift and powerful strike, they would only be cut into pieces and die a gruesome death.

This is because the force of the blade in the wind is truly sharp and fierce, with an extreme cutting power that seems capable of splitting everything in the world in two.

In other words, Meng Zhao's Cloud Palm move, though seemingly simple, actually contains a variety of martial arts mysteries: the gentleness and subtlety of clouds, the martial arts principle of using minimal force to deflect a great weight, the exquisite method of deflecting and channeling force, and a profound mastery and meticulous control of internal energy, etc.

It is precisely because of this superior level of martial arts skill that one can achieve such mastery, making light movements feel heavy and every gesture possessing immense power.

Cai Qi sighed and said

"What an amazing person! Although your skill level isn't extremely high, your martial arts are definitely beyond my reach. It's fortunate that you came to me; otherwise, if you had approached my two cousins, they certainly wouldn't have been a match for you!"

Meng Zhao shook his head, his eyes gleaming.

"Not necessarily. Even if it were you, you wouldn't be a match for me. Coming to me tonight is nothing short of walking into a trap."

That's very true.

If Cai Qi is a cautious person and knows that something is wrong with Meng Zhao, then the best course of action would be for him to stay in the Cai family from now on, or to live under the protection of many people. Only in this way can he be absolutely sure of his safety.

Now that they've taken the initiative to come to us, they've actually put themselves in a dangerous situation.

So, was he too arrogant about his martial arts skills?

It shouldn’t be.

Since he intuitively sensed that Meng Zhao knew martial arts, and that she was highly skilled, he should have been able to perceive the danger and threat posed by Meng Zhao, and wouldn't have easily risked his life. (End of Chapter)