Yin Huixin, amidst the accompanying personnel, would occasionally steal glances at Bian Weiyin or Shi Chun. Although the storm of shock and anger in her heart had not subsided, the repeated urge to confront Bian Weiyin or Shi Chun and expose them was suppressed.

For she could see that Bian Weiyin was genuinely happy, genuinely fond of the situation.

At this juncture, since it had already happened, whether right or wrong, she respected Bian Weiyin's own choice,

After all, Bian Weiyin was no longer a child, nor was she a naïve lady from a sheltered upbringing; she had once governed Lankang City and had her own way of judging right from wrong. As a mother, she had no choice but to pretend to be unaware.

There was no helping it. Here on Wukang Mountain, although she was an elder, she couldn't change anything. Once exposed, matters would no longer be within her or her daughter's control.

However, she still wondered where the problem had originated. How could her daughter possibly fall for someone like Shi Chun?

After much thought, she realized that it was only during the Sky Rain Meteor Conference that the two had the opportunity to really get to know and spend time with each other.

Bian Jixiong led the honored guests up the city wall and pointed to a spot several miles away, indicating that it was the chosen location for Xun Gate.

Why choose a site outside the city? Bian Jixiong spoke eloquently, explaining that Lankang City was going to be expanded and that location would become the future center of the city. He mentioned that the task of leveling the mountains would soon be organized.

Shi Chun, an observer, had to admire this fellow. Engaged in important affairs, not showing the slightest hint of malice towards them, even pretending to discuss affairs within the Sect about conditions for leaving Wukang Mountain. In reality, he would never let them go, having deceived all the high-ranking members within the Sect.

If it weren't for the timely information from the Demon Path, he might have perished without knowing how.

But he could understand why the other party would take such drastic measures; knowingly letting go of someone from the Demon Path might complicate matters in the future.

Shi Chun also noted that Elder Xia Fuli, who was accompanying them, seemed somewhat distracted, occasionally losing focus.

The matter of Xun Gate's location had been a formality, no longer involving others. It was mainly Bian Jixiong and other high-ranking individuals entertaining the guests. Some of the disciples, having come down the mountain, weren't in a hurry to return and decided to stay in the city to relax for a while.

Shi Chun and the others were the same, having received a secret summons from Feng Chi, met again in Feng Chi's hidden chamber.

There was no need for circumspection. Once everyone had gathered, Feng Chi got straight to the point, "Shi Chun, there's a response to your plan from above; they're leaving us to make the decision."

Xiang Laner was taken aback; she had later heard about Shi Chun's plan from Feng Chi and felt that Shi Chun was truly audacious and reckless. She wanted to remind him of the dangers should the plan fail and the lack of benefits even if it succeeded. It seemed more prudent to withdraw now.

Shi Chun caught the keyword in her reply and asked, "We? What do you mean?"

Feng Chi replied, "It means exactly what it says. It's possible that all of us have been exposed and are collectively referred to as 'we.'"

Shi Chun puzzled, "Without support from above, what can so-called 'we' do?"

Feng Chi shook her head. "The higher-ups can't provide support anymore. The key issue lies with the Bian family. They can't determine how many people the Bian family privately informed about our affiliation with the Demon Path. The Bian family is cunning and shrewd; the higher-ups don't know if they're aware of all the informants. And what does it mean if they only know a part?"

After thinking, Shi Chun said, "It means that others might be biding their time, that more could be watching and waiting in the shadows. Your superiors are worried that investing more resources would be walking into a trap or fearing that they could be traced back. As for us who have been exposed, if we are broken, we're broken; it's inconsequential."

There were some things Feng Chi couldn't say to Shi Chun, because by offering her help and saying that Shi Chun was unwilling to go with them, she inadvertently revealed the true thoughts from higher up.

Shi Chun was no longer of much use to those above. The reason was simple: Shi Chun's identity as a practitioner of the Demon Path was exposed. Whether it was Miao Dingyi of Bowan Building or any other group, they would sever ties with Shi Chun, who could no longer provide the expected value.

They were willing to take Shi Chun away because of the capabilities he had displayed during the Sky Rain Meteor Conference; the superiors intended to cultivate him for another purpose.

The tides of the situation turned swiftly. Once important, now disposable with the mention of conditions; suddenly, he became something expendable.

She spoke slowly, "That's pretty much the gist. We now have two options: either we withdraw, and our superiors will manage the aftermath for us. Or we proceed with what you proposed, and if successful, we can prove one thing..."

Shi Chun interrupted her, "It proves that the Bian family hasn't leaked too much about our affiliation with the Demon Path."

Feng Chi nodded, "Exactly. Once that's confirmed, the superiors will eliminate all the informants in their grasp, and we'll be able to withdraw openly, without having to hide in the dark in the future. The condition is that we can't let anyone know it was the Demon Path's doing; otherwise, even if we succeed, we will be forever hiding in the shadows."

Xiang Laner furrowed her brow slightly, sensing that the higher-ups' stance on the matter seemed somewhat off.

Her suspicion was correct. Feng Chi was well aware that the superiors were not only pressuring Shi Chun but were also forcing them, under circumstances where they dared not intervene, to desperately execute Shi Chun's proposed plan.

With Shi Chun having lost his value, and for her and Xiang Laner, who failed their mission, they would not only have to hide in the darkness but also face what they wished to avoid.

As long as Shi Chun retained any value, Xiang Laner's value remained; if Xiang Laner needed her, Feng Chi, then Feng Chi's value also persisted.

Living in the Demon Path for so long, she found the intentions from above not difficult to understand. Without paying any price, they could redeem Shi Chun's value—why wouldn't they be willing?

If they failed, it was no big deal, these people had already been exposed anyway; whether they lived or died was no longer important.

"Take down the Bian family, without support, and no one must know it was the work of the Demon Path?" Wu Jinliang sneered thickly, his voice dripping with sarcasm as if to say, where would you find such a perfect scenario?

Shi Chun's mouth twisted in thought; indeed, this raised the issue to a whole new level.

But the temptation was significant, being able to continue moving freely between light and darkness, seducing both Feng Chi and Xiang Laner, and the same held true for him.

Who would want to return to darkness after finally leaving the harsh environment of the Land of Exile?

After much consideration, he asked, "If they can say this, they must be able to give us some time, right?"

Feng Chi replied, "Five days, at most we can only delay for five days. Otherwise, the people on the other line may become suspect and get exposed."

Shi Chun pondered for a moment and shook his head, "What's Bian Que's cultivation level? He's at the peak of the Human Immortal Great Achievement Realm, and it's very likely he has already stepped into the Earth Immortal Realm. Just us? To think we could kill him within five days with petty tricks, how could it be possible, it would be difficult even to get close to him."

Feng Chi said, "The 'us' here is not limited to the few present. There is a master inside Lankang City, initially prepared to deal with Bian Que, who should be no match for him. On Wukang Mountain, there is a very powerful insider, both of whom can cooperate with us. If it were an utterly hopeless task, they wouldn't have told us to do it."

Hearing that there was a master capable of overpowering Bian Que, Shi Chun's eyes lit up. This was the key to the problem, exactly what he wanted. He felt the matter became much more manageable; otherwise, it seemed nearly impossible in such a short time. As for the powerful insider, he didn't care and already knew who it was.

He immediately asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"

He wanted to understand their plan to see how he could manipulate it to his advantage.

Feng Chi replied, "I just recently understood the latest intent from above and haven't started making any plans yet. They have left this matter for us to deal with, so we have no choice but to handle it ourselves."

Shi Chun immediately inquired, "What does that hidden master in the city think?"

In his view, among this bunch of misfits, naturally, the strongest one dictates the terms, and he just had to figure out a way to manipulate things.

Feng Chi said, "I've already convinced him that it's better to leave the decision to those on the mountain. We at the bottom of the mountain don't understand the details of the situation there. Instead of making a decision based on what you think, it's better to let you decide, and then we can look over your plan and see if it's appropriate."

Shi Chun felt that made sense and probed further, "Then, that powerful insider on the mountain, what does he plan to do?"

He was determined to fish out their plans.

Feng Chi explained, "He was originally not on the same line as us. Due to the progression of events to a point where cooperation is needed, both sides started to work together. Normally, we are not supposed to be aware of each other's existence.

That is to say, inside our group, many plans are often best kept between as few people as possible.

Likewise, your proposed plan, he doesn't know about it yet, he only knows the evacuation has been temporarily halted.

You might not be aware, but people on different lines sometimes have different interests to consider. The reason you got involved in the Sky Rain Meteor Conference was due to a conflict between his opinion and ours, as he intervened without our consent.

So, how he will react after being informed, no one can guarantee, and it may not be suitable for him to handle the plan. Personally, I think if we are in agreement, we should stick with the usual practice—it's unnecessary to inform too many beforehand."

Xiang Laner understood her meaning; they could not afford to return empty-handed. They had to give it their all and not let discordant opinions interfere.

Shi Chun skeptically said, "Is it appropriate to proceed without his cooperation?"

He knew who the powerful traitor on Wukang Mountain was and felt it would be difficult without their agreement.

Feng Chi responded, "This time, his situation is the same as ours. His contacts have already cut him off as a precaution, and he has been labeled as 'one of us' by those above. So, as long as the plan is appropriate, if the master in the city sees no issue, and if that master makes a decision, he will have to cooperate."

Shi Chun nodded in understanding. Actually, he didn't care who was in charge of the plan; the main thing was to figure out what their plan was. He then turned to Xiang Laner and tried asking, "So, what are your plans?"

In his view, if the decision came from the mountain and it wasn't Xia Fuli, then it would definitely be this young lady mentioned by Feng Chi since they were in cahoots.

Xiang Laner was of the same opinion and just about to say she had also just learned the details, when Feng Chi, looking firmly at Shi Chun, said, "I personally still think the plan should be handled by you."

At this statement, not only was Shi Chun stunned, but Xiang Laner was also shocked, wondering why Sister Feng was now throwing her lot in with an outsider.

Realizing the reaction, Feng Chi promptly explained, "Miss, the plan was his suggestion, and I think he might already have some ideas. Let's listen to what he has to say first."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.