The man in green didn't know the reason himself, so Feng Chi had no choice but to relay the message to Shi Chun verbatim.

After such back and forth communication, Shi Chun bristled somewhat, realizing that this task was getting unplayable. What did they mean by not killing indiscriminately? Since when did the Demon Path start preaching morality? This was surely a joke, it was obvious that the Demon Path had some deep-seated schemes within Wukang Mountain.

He directly replied, "When has a plan ever been unchangeable? If situations arise, of course there will be changes. There's no need for secrecy; just tell me directly who I can't kill."

This response carried a bit of temper.

There was definitely anger. After all this trouble, the Demon Path had set traps everywhere; how could anyone play this game?

Feng Chi conveyed the response on behalf of the man in green: "You only need to follow orders and act accordingly."

Shi Chun: "So, you want me to draft a detailed plan, then when it bumps into any taboos, you people upstairs ask for revisions until it is satisfactory? Is that what you mean?"

Right now, he just wanted to know if there was a bigger fish on Wukang Mountain. If there were, he wanted to see if he could seize the opportunity to take care of it as well.

Feng Chi still spoke for him. After showing the message to the man in green, she added her own comment, "What he says makes sense. Perhaps it should be passed on to the higher-ups."

The man in green thought for a moment, then stepped aside to make contact again.

When he returned, his expression was somewhat strange, and he said to Feng Chi, "Contact Shi Chun, ask him, about the matter of dragging Bian Weiyin into this, how is it progressing, and how confident is he?"

Feng Chi replied immediately as instructed.

What confidence did Shi Chun have? That was just something he said to appease the Demon Path. He only wanted to support Bian Weiyin's rise to power. He had never actually intended to drag Bian Weiyin down, or to even mention it to Bian Weiyin at all. Did they really think he was willing to make an effort for the Demon Path?

He replied: "I haven't found the right opportunity to bring it up yet. Bian Weiyin seems to have gone somewhere, as if he has descended the mountain and gone on a long journey."

After reading the message, the man in green immediately said to Feng Chi, "The higher-ups have considered it and made a new decision. Stop Shi Chun and his group from getting involved in this matter; they should just prepare to withdraw at any time. They will be notified when it is time to leave."

"Ah!" Feng Chi was very surprised and asked, "Why? Just because he didn't comply with the higher-ups just now, is even discussing the situation not allowed?"

The man in green shook his head. "No, the higher-ups think Shi Chun's method is not bad, but after consideration, they believe that Shi Chun is not the best choice for executing this plan. Someone more suitable has been arranged."

Feng Chi instinctively asked, "Who is it?"

The man in green: "Contact 'Nightingale', and have him come for a meeting. I'll talk to him in person."

"Nightingale, him?" Feng Chi was surprised.

The man in green gave a slight nod.

Feng Chi was somewhat speechless, but she had to admit, whether it was the convenience of acting on Wukang Mountain or the foundation within the mountain, Shi Chun was incomparable. In truth, having Nightingale execute that plan was more appropriate.

She let out a light sigh and dutifully relayed the message to Shi Chun: "You need not get involved in this matter anymore; just prepare to withdraw."

What was the meaning of this? Shi Chun was a bit stunned. Was it because he acted willfully just now, showing temper?

He had even been concerned earlier that Feng Chi was too accommodating to him. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had nothing to worry about and felt choked up again. He immediately sent a message of regret and correction: "Alright then, I'll sort out the detailed plan right now."

Feng Chi was both annoyed and amused, replying: "There's no need; the higher-ups have already arranged for someone else to carry out the task. You'll be informed when to withdraw."

Then she took out the mother-and-child talisman and directly contacted "Nightingale" to inform him to come for a meeting.

Standing on the road holding the mother-and-child talisman, Shi Chun was a bit bewildered. All his painstakingly thought-out plans were to be executed by someone else?

This was something he had never encountered in the Land of Exile, and he was somewhat unable to comprehend it. He really wanted to ask who had taken over the task, but then he stopped himself from casting a spell on the mother-and-child talisman. He needed to be clear-headed; it was unnecessary because it was a futile question. Given their level of secrecy, they wouldn't tell him anyway.

However, he had a guess that it might be either that Elder Xia or the mysterious figure deeply buried in the mountain's agenda that was just mentioned.

After putting away the talisman, he stood stationary for a long time on the road between Lankang City and Wukang Mountain, feeling dejected. All the efforts he had spent turned out to be for naught, he wouldn't be getting that fish.

Whoosh, suddenly a sound of rushing wind approached.

Instinctively, he twisted his body to dodge and saw a beautiful woman dressed in a dark-colored robe with a face as fair as peach blossoms standing in the forest on one side. It was none other than Yin Huixin, the Elder of Wukang Mountain, the Sect Master's wife, and Bian Weiyin's mother.

What did this mean? He was somewhat puzzled, scanning his surroundings with a glance but finding no one else except for the elder.

Unable to ignore her, as she had thrown a stone as a greeting, he had no choice but to dash over to her and greet her with a bow and folded hands, "Greetings to Elder Yin."

Without uttering a word, Yin Huixin glided into the depths of the forest and, with a tilt of her head, indicated for him to follow in a manner that clearly meant for him to come along.

With the vast difference in strength, Shi Chun couldn't refuse; he steeled himself and followed.

The two of them, one after the other, didn't venture too far into the forest, stopping instead on a secluded yet open hilltop with a wide view, suitable for keeping watch on the surroundings.

"Elder, may I know what your commands are?" Shi Chun cautiously spoke out, testing the waters, while also carefully observing the elder's profile for any reaction.

Yin Huixin glanced at him and said indifferently, "Last night, I visited Weiying's residence."

The moment these words were uttered, to Shi Chun, it felt as if he'd been struck by a thunderbolt. Considering her attitude and the fact she was bringing this up here, anyone with a brain would realize the implication of her words, and he felt as awkward as a grandchild caught in the wrong.

He began to internally complain about Bian Weiyin, thinking how she had insisted that no one would disturb them, despite his objections. Now, what was he supposed to do?

After leaving the Land of Exile, he realized there was still so much to learn. Today, he kept encountering situations he'd never faced before. This was another first for him, and he didn't know what to expect, quickly trying to sort out how to handle it.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Yin Huixin asked coldly, giving him a sidelong glance.

Shi Chun wanted to say that it was her daughter who had insisted on stirring trouble and that he was passive in the situation, but the problem was no one would believe such an excuse. Besides, he couldn't bring himself to shift the blame onto a woman.

He was a man who cared about his reputation; how could he admit that he'd been bested by a woman?

After mumbling incoherently for a while, he finally spoke in a muffled voice, "Elder, I don't even know how to explain this situation. Maybe, you should ask Bian Weiyin."

Yin Huixin said, "Then you tell me, where did she go?"

Shi Chun replied, "I honestly don't know. I only know she took leave and went down the mountain. Where to, she didn't tell me."

Yin Huixin glanced at him from the corner of her eye and asked, "How do you plan to resolve this?"

Shi Chun was speechless. What was there to resolve? Whatever happened between them was their business. Why was she interfering? If she didn't interfere, there wouldn't be any issue. It was just a moment of pleasure.

After waiting for a while, Yin Huixin asked again, "Will you marry her?"

Shi Chun grimaced, bowing his head in silence.

After another pause, Yin Huixin asked yet another question, "Will you take her away?"

Again, Shi Chun said nothing.

His silence already spoke volumes.

Little did he know, his attitude, whether genuine or not, would determine Yin Huixin's next move and the words she'd say next.

After a long silence, Yin Huixin suddenly asked, "What exactly is your backstory?"

Shi Chun replied, "It's clear as day, but if you all don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. It's not important anymore. As you know, I will soon be leaving Wukang Mountain."

Yin Huixin said, "Really? No one knows Bian Jixiong better than I do. Recently, he seems calm, but various signs indicate that he's brewing something. Xia Fuli took his leave from me yesterday, saying he was going to flee to faraway lands. He left, but then he suddenly returned, appearing somewhat dazed. So, I kept an eye on him, and today I saw him secretly slip away several talismans."

The moment he heard this, Shi Chun felt his heart skip a beat and grew even more suspicious.

"The night you spent at Weiying's place last night led to her departure today, and you've been repeatedly going down the mountain. All these events, happening so closely and frequently, seem to foreshadow an oncoming tempest. I'm not interested in what's about to happen. I only care about my daughter's safety, and I just want to know if she's going to be okay. Xia Fuli was so preoccupied, he didn't even know Weiying had taken leave and left Wukang Mountain until I found him. Shi Chun, I'm out of options, don't force me!"

From her words, Shi Chun sensed danger, yet his main focus was elsewhere. He ventured to ask, "Why would Elder Xia inform you if he was planning to flee far away?"

This was strange, highly unusual.

He knew what Elder Xia's farewell meant yesterday.

After a pause, Yin Huixin countered, "I'm the one asking questions here."

Shi Chun said, "Elder Yin, unless Bian Weiyin betrays me, I would never harm her, of all people on Wukang Mountain. Her departure and the right and wrong you perceive are unrelated. I truly don't know where she went, but I know her leaving was her own plan, and it also has nothing to do with the current affairs. Moreover, I hope she doesn't return for a while, yet I have no idea when she will come back. I really hope it's not too soon."

Yin Huixin listened, half understanding, and asked, "Don't you two have a talisman link?"

Shi Chun said, "We do, but contacting her is useless; she has her own plans and won't tell me where she is. I understand her thinking. I don't wish to contact her either because I really hope she comes back later. I suggest you also refrain from disturbing her, Elder. Right now, she likely isn't concerned with the outside world, and your attempts to contact her might be futile. You've already tried reaching her, haven't you?"

Yin Huixin asked, "Is that your promise to me?"

"Consider it a promise," Shi Chun nodded.

Yin Huixin turned and was about to leave.

Suddenly struck by a thought, Shi Chun called out, "Elder Yin."

Yin Huixin stopped and turned to look at him.

Shi Chun said, "Do you have spare talismans? If so, please give me one. It would be convenient for us to keep in touch. If anything happens to Weiying, I can reach you promptly. You now know my relationship with Weiying. You're like family to me, and if you need anything, feel free to command me."

Pure nonsense.

He had just realized that Elder Yin's relationship with Xia Fu might not be simple and had a sudden idea. If it was indeed Xia Fu who took over the plan, could there be something related to this Elder when the plan was executed?

He decided to take advantage of the situation.

Family? Yin Huixin sized him up, her expression unreadable. Nevertheless, she reached into her Qiankun Bag and pulled out a talisman. After breaking it in half, she threw one piece to him and then flew off.

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