The cave was a cold, damp tomb carved into the back mountain of the Wang's restricted area. Wang Changming was a prisoner here, his right ankle shackled to the rough stone wall by a heavy iron chain. The chain's length offered him only the meager comfort of reaching a small, moss-covered pavilion by the stream, his sole view of the outside world.
He was utterly cut off from everyone. His only visitors were the solemn old guard who silently brought him food, and Wang Zedong, who periodically came to remind him of his "shameful mistakes."
The seasons passed with a slow, agonizing rhythm. He watched the vibrant cherry blossoms burst into life outside his cave, only to wither and fall, blooming again from one year to the next. The sorrow was immense. For every sunrise and every sunset, he meticulously etched a mark on the cave wall, counting the days, holding onto the promise of rescue.
Three years into his isolation, Wang Zedong arrived with news of Mu Jiao Long's growing fame. But instead of hope, the news brought a cold sense of reality. Wang Changming stopped counting. As the days stretched into weeks, his burning hope for Mu Jiao Long to breach the Wang Manor and rescue him became less and less, slowly giving way to a defeated resignation.
"Almost five years," he thought bitterly, tracing the lines of his shackles with a numb finger. "I've waited almost five years. The deadline is in three months."
A sick knot tightened in his stomach. Jiao Long, if you were coming, you would be here by now. Does the world's most powerful martial artist really want the broken, disgraced son of the Wang Clan? You have fame, skill, and power now. Why would you still want a shamed man locked in a cave?
His eyes fell on the stream, now rushing with spring meltwater. I keep telling myself that if you haven't succeeded, it means you're not strong enough to defeat him yet. But the truth is... I'm tired. I gave you five years, but I've been a fool for four years and nine months. This time, when the sun sets, I won't be counting on the next sunrise.
In a blink of an eye, four years and nine months later, he was still locked in the cave, but Mu Jiao Long had become a fearsome martial artist who possessed the rarest martial skill technique, and yet, Mu Jiao Long still had not come for him. He counted the falling petals day by day and fell asleep holding the jade hairpin at night.
Wang Changming had been imprisoned in the back secluded hill for four years. All he saw were two people: Wang Zedong and the guard who brought him food. Wang Zedong only allowed him two meals a day. Nevertheless, sometimes he still didn't want to eat, and the food would remain untouched. He used to have many ideas in his mind, but recently loneliness had taken over his heart.
Early in the morning, the skinny Wang Changming sat by the cave entrance and looked at the flower buds. He held the jade hairpin tightly in his skinny hand, and the tip of the hairpin suddenly stabbed the fingertip of his index finger. He watched the blood drip from his fingertip, and for a moment he thought, if he aimed the hairpin at the artery in his throat, and with a single pierce, he would die within a few minutes and the pain of missing would end. The thought of dying alone in a hidden cave made him cry with sadness.
Suddenly, he heard a little boy asking, "Ge ge, why are you crying?"
Wang Changming looked up and saw a little boy staring down at him. He asked, "Ge ge's finger was injured."
The boy quoted his father. "Father said a real man will rather shed blood than tears."
Wang Changming asked, "What's your name, xiao didi?"
The boy stood tall. "Wang Biming. I am the heir of the Wang family."
Wang Changming calculated quickly. "Are you five years old now?"
"Yes... who are you? Why are you here alone?"
Wang Changming's face was unreadable. "Have you heard of Wang Changming?"
Wang Biming nodded. "Yes, my father said, don't choose outsiders and betray our family like Changming da ge."
Wang Changming asked, "Do you hate him?"
"Father said don't hate him, and don't accept him."
Wang Changming smiled sadly. "Very good. Be a good boy to Father."
At that moment, a maid ran over and grabbed Wang Biming's hand. The maid said, "Gongzi, you shouldn't be here. Stay away from that sick man."
That night, Wang Changming spent the whole night thinking about Wang Biming's words. He was a traitor to his family because he wanted to be with the one he loved, but the one he loved had seemingly abandoned him. He made up his mind to end his life within four days after his twenty-second birthday.
Wang Changming looked up at the full moon, leaning against the open cave entrance. He smiled bitterly to himself. "A million prayers would not make you appear in front of me, I know this is true because I tried. Neither would a million shed tears, I know because I cried." He tasted the salty tears. "Mu Jiao Long, have you forgotten me?"
Wang Zedong suddenly appeared from the left side of the cave. "He's forgotten you. The day after tomorrow, a grand wedding will be held in Mu Manor. Many martial artists, including the six sects and the three households, are invited."
Wang Changming's fists clenched tightly on his torn robe. He asked, his voice strained, "Who is she?"
Wang Zedong said, "Yi Ai, the only daughter of Leader Yi of Tianshan." He lowered his head and squatted down. "Ming'er, you waited for him for four years. He not only became famous but also established a connection with Tianshan. In the martial arts world, currently... he ranks first, and there are not many martial artists who can defeat him, and yet, he still hasn't come to fight me. What does this tell you?"
Wang Changming's spirit was broken. "It doesn't matter if he's forgotten me. Soon, I will forget him, too." He lay on his left side, turning away.
Wang Zedong probed, "Do you want to see him in his wedding gown?"
Wang Changming replied flatly, "No... I wish to be left alone..."
The next morning, Wang Changming sat alone. The news of Mu Jiao Long's wedding made his final decision much easier. He looked up at the tree buds and saw the flowers beginning to bloom. Then, he saw Wang Biming running toward him.
Sitting next to Wang Changming, Wang Biming opened a small white bag. "Ge ge, it's almost the Lantern Festival. Let's have some dessert." He handed a small bun to Wang Changming.
Wang Changming took a bite. He looked at Wang Biming. "Look... it seems that this year the blossoms will bloom early. I wonder if I'm going to get to see the blossoms when they are fully bloomed."
Wang Biming promised, "Ge ge, when the blossoms bloom, I can steal some wine and drink it under these blossom trees with you."
Wang Changming looked at him with finality. "Be good and listen to your father. One failed son is enough for him."
Immediately afterward, a vigorous drum sounded from behind the Wang Manor. Wang Biming jumped. "Ge ge, what is that?"
Wang Changming said, his heart pounding. "Warning signal."
"Warning signal?"
"In other words, there are intruders in the Wang Household."
A guard in the distance rushed in, took out a key, and quickly unlocked the heavy chains on Wang Changming's ankle.
Wang Changming asked, surprised, "What are you doing?"
The guard said, "The Chief wants to see you." He turned to Wang Biming. "Gongzi, your nanny is looking for you."
When Wang Changming arrived at the ancestral hall, Wang Zedong was already sitting there. The guard pushed him to the ground and closed the door.
Wang Zedong asked, eyes cold. "Ming'er, do you know who the intruder is?"
Wang Changming did not answer.
Wang Zedong sighed, speaking with calculated effect. "The intruder is none other than Mu Jiao Long. I don't understand him at all. Since he already married Yi Ai, why would he come for you after all these years? Perhaps maybe because he wants to defeat me, not because he wants to come for you." He pointed at the table. "There are two things on the table. One is a wedding gown, and the other is a knife." Wang Changming looked at the table. "If you choose to marry him, then you can marry him like you always wanted, but you must be my spy in the Mu Clan. Whenever you have the opportunity... I want the Killer String Manual. If you choose the knife, then today, either you die or he dies. I gave you your life, and I have the right to take it back. Choose one."
Wang Changming slowly walked to the table, stared at the two objects for a long moment, and grabbed the wedding gown.
Wang Zedong smiled, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Ming'er... I want you to know that you will always be my favorite son... anyone can leave the Wang household, but not you. It is the right choice for you not to betray your family." He patted Wang Changming gently on the left shoulder. "After you finish the task, I will restore your reputation, and you will still be my heir."
Wang Changming followed Wang Zedong down the stairs and into the empty arena. He saw Mu Jiao Long standing alone in the center of the arena with a small chest on the ground. Mu Jiao Long stared at him without blinking. Wang Changming almost didn't recognize him; Mu Jiao Long was dressed like a beggar and looked ten years older than his actual age.
Wang Zedong looked at Mu Jiao Long. "Mu gongzi, it has been four years since the last duel. Why are you still here today?"
Mu Jiao Long smiled at Wang Changming. He did not look at Wang Zedong; his eyes were fixed only on his beloved. "I didn't show up, it doesn't mean I won't show up. Thank you, Chief Wang, for taking care of my xingan, but today I am taking him with me." He kicked his little chest towards Wang Zedong. "These should compensate you for providing him with food for four years."
Wang Zedong looked at Mu Jiao Long coldly.
Mu Jiao Long smiled at Wang Changming, his gaze full of promise. "Chief Wang, let's begin."