He seemed to speak earnestly, but in reality, he had not noticed anything amiss; he simply repeated what Shi Chun had said verbatim. If Shi Chun said the message from the "Nightingale" was off, then he would just say the message from the "Nightingale" was off, and that was that.

No need for anything complicated or brainstorming; he just needed to join in the clamor without adding any comments that could lead to unnecessary complications.

Apparently, seeing the two women looking perplexed, he added a bit of his weight to the issue.

Thus, the two women looked at each other, both men sensed that something was wrong, yet the women still hadn't figured out what was going on, making them realize their alertness was weak.

"Miss, should we go nearby to observe for now?" Feng Chi tentatively asked, not daring to make decisions on behalf of Xiang Laner.

It seemed like just a small move to another hiding place, neither complicated nor troublesome. If it could indeed help them avoid danger, it was worth it, and Xiang Laner nodded her agreement immediately.

The four of them pointed here and there, quickly agreeing on a hiding spot, and swiftly dashed over to conceal themselves, turning back to observe the top of Gure Cliff...

The search forces of Wukang Mountain had spread out and before long found witnesses, who pinpointed the direction Xia Fuli had gone, and there was more than one witness.

Of course, the witnesses dared not confirm it was Xia Fuli, but they were sure someone had whisked a person away through the air.

This piece of news was reported to Bian Jixiong straight away.

As soon as Bian Jixiong heard the news, he wanted to question the matter personally, but Bian Que, who was standing beside him, scolded, "You are the Sect Master, and you must understand the dignity of your position. Go back to the Sect and take charge!"

Bian Jixiong was momentarily speechless but still obeyed and went back.

Bian Que, on the other hand, vanished in a flash and hurried to the location where the clue was discovered.

Remembering Shi Chun's instructions, Yin Huixin quickly followed, flying to the scene. Upon arrival, she found that Bian Que had not verified the authenticity of the clue, but was checking the identities of the people who found it, clearly suspecting why they were there.

It didn't take long for the reason why the group who found the clue was there to be confirmed; they were all people scouting for suitable stone materials for the construction of Xun Gate.

Then Bian Que reconfirmed the direction Xia Fuli had taken and set his focus on it.

A bit of calculation and it was clear that this was not the direction from the front gate of Wukang Mountain; Xia Fuli had changed course midway, which was understandable.

"Has anyone gone in that direction?" Bian Que asked.

Cui Youfei, the elder who was personally overseeing the search, said, "People have already gone to check along that direction."

With a flick of his sleeve, Bian Que flew towards that direction.

However, en route, he suddenly landed on a mountaintop, his eyes shifting intensely for a while before he too produced an immobilization charm and sent out a message about the kidnapping of his grandson by Xia Fuli.

The involvement of Xia Fuli, especially given his background, made him worry that this matter was not simple.

In addition to the message from the mountain confirming that Shi Chun and Xiang Laner had disappeared, he took extra precautions by requesting assistance from the immobilization charm contact.

The reply from the other side read: After confirming any anomalies, send us the exact location; help can arrive at any time.

Seeing this definitive reply, Bian Que's tense facial expression relaxed somewhat, his eyes shimmering with sharpness as he vanished in a flash once again.

Yin Huixin, avoiding others, also produced an immobilization charm to send a message: A clue about Xia Fuli's whereabouts has been discovered.

Shi Chun, already in a preselected position within the forest and hidden behind Wu Jinliang, took out an immobilization charm and after checking it replied: Any reaction from Bian Que?

Yin Huixin: He's already followed the clue.

Shi Chun: Understood.

That's it? Yin Huixin was hesitating, full of unspoken words, but ultimately she flew towards the direction Bian Que had gone.

Shi Chun, hiding behind Wu Jinliang, then took out another immobilization charm and sent a message: Kindly asking the venerable elder to fulfill your promise and help with an interception.

Somewhere in the sky, Bian Que took out an immobilization charm to check, glanced at it and a flicker passed through his eyes. He landed on a treetop and sent a message: Time, place, person.

Shi Chun looked up from behind Wu Jinliang, gazed at the Gure Cliff within view, and replied: About eight hundred li northwest of Wukang Mountain, there's a large rift valley. Around four or five li to the north end of the rift valley, there's a grove on Gure Cliff. Upon seeing two people there, leave the older one alive on the spot, as for the younger, kindly assist me in taking him to Zhaotian City. Upon arrival, the elder will be treated to fine food and drink.

Two people, one old and one young, it was hard not to speculate at this moment, and Bian Que's eyes shone with a deep light.

He was familiar with the area the message described; he was well-aware of the broader surrounding environment within a thousand li of Wukang Mountain.

Should he search according to the discovered clues about Xia Fuli's whereabouts, or confirm the location Shi Chun had just sent? The directions of the two were not matching at all.

After pondering for a while, just like his previous thoughts, the fact that Xia Fuli's direction was discovered was quite suspicious to him, and as for Shi Chun's side, he didn't even know his own identity. Not to mention Shi Chun, even forces from the Demon Path wouldn't know that the scruffy old man was him.

Or more precisely, no one in the world except himself would know, not even his son, Bian Jixiong.

Considering the serious matter, he should have gone to confirm the more suspicious clues of Xia Fuli's whereabouts and use that leverage to muster the Royal Court's power to eradicate it.

However, he now wanted to rescue his grandson more urgently, and thus replied to the message: Understood.

Shortly afterwards, he vanished in a flash, changing his course towards the rift valley.

At that moment, a person in green robes lying low on a mountaintop also took out an immobilization charm, which displayed: Bian Que will soon arrive.

This was a reminder to prepare for action, to not let anything go awry.

The man in the blue attire was somewhat surprised upon seeing the message, not knowing how the higher-ups had come to know about it.

However, since the higher-ups could speak in such a manner, they wouldn't be making aimless conjectures.

This put him somewhat at ease. Actually, when the plan was first conceived, he was a bit worried about leaving clues to lure Bian Que, fearing it might raise Bian Que's suspicions—especially since Xia Fuli's identity in the Demon Path might have already been exposed. But after reviewing the plan, the higher-ups said it wasn't a problem, that they could lure Bian Que, and told him to proceed accordingly, so he had no choice but to obey.

Until before receiving this message, he had still been plagued by lingering worries.

Now, he was fully alert and vigilant, keeping a close eye on his surroundings, ready to ensure that any target did not return alive once discovered...

"Someone's coming," Feng Chi reminded in a low voice.

On the cliff of Gure Mountain, a silhouette fell into the small grove above—two silhouettes, to be exact. A black-clad figure with a masked face had brought Bian Weikang with him.

Initially uncertain who the masked figure was, Shi Chun's lips curled into a smile upon seeing Bian Weikang, and he had a rough guess in his mind—it seemed he wasn't wrong; "Nightingale" was indeed Xia Fuli.

It was clear that even if Xia Fuli couldn't return to Wukang Mountain, Xia Fuli didn't want to reveal his identity to them easily.

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner also turned to look at the two men behind them, as if to say, should there not be any problems?

Shi Chun whispered, "Don't rush; wait a bit longer."

Wu Jinliang replied with a solemn face, "Better safe than sorry; let's observe a bit more."

Alright, considering their track record at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, both women were willing to respect their opinions. Being cautious was always a wise choice.

The black-clad, masked individual was indeed Xia Fuli, who had chosen such an attire precisely to avoid exposure in front of Shi Chun and the others.

After dropping into the forest and looking around without seeing anyone, he cast a spell to search the mountaintop. With his cultivation at the Human Immortal Realm, he easily swept through the small area but discovered no one, which he found odd. He then took out a set of mother-and-child charms to send a message.

Shortly afterward, Xiang Laner also produced a mother-and-child charm and glancing at its contents, she turned it over to show the two men behind her.

Written on it was: Where are you guys?

Understanding her intentions, Shi Chun said softly, "Don't reveal us; let's steady him and keep observing for a bit. Just say that someone passed by here and we had to avoid detection for a moment; we'll be right back."

Xiang Laner thought for a moment and replied according to his suggestion.

It wasn't out of any particular deference; it was that old saying again—being cautious couldn't hurt.

Moreover, someone had obviously sensed that something was amiss; she couldn't afford not to be discreet.

Upon seeing the message, Xia Fuli breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had just been worried that something was wrong since Xiang Laner had previously said she had already arrived, yet there was no one here—it was hard not to worry.

So he waited, concealed among the tuft-like blades of Gure Mountain.

Shi Chun and the others also hid in the forest, waiting.

For Shi Chun, if the disheveled old man arrived first, they would let him wait; if "Nightingale" arrived first, they'd let "Nightingale" wait—it was that simple.

They didn't have to wait long. Given Bian Que's cultivation, coupled with his familiarity with the terrain, he arrived swiftly.

A figure flashed in the sky above Gure Mountain and descended slowly toward the forest below.

He was also on guard, observing his surroundings and what lay beneath.

Feng Chi inhaled sharply, her eyes wide with shock as she recognized the newcomer and let out a small cry of alarm, "Bian Que!"

Xiang Laner was likewise stunned; they had planned against Wukang Mountain and were naturally well-acquainted with the appearances of important figures from there; they had seen portraits already.

Both Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged glances; neither of them recognized Bian Que, but now they did.

Shi Chun had his own suspicions. Last time, Feng Chi had suggested evacuating from the secret chamber, mentioning that their affiliation with the Demon Path had been exposed even before their ascent to Wukang Mountain, saying that Wukang Mountain knew beforehand, and he specifically asked if that included himself. The answer he got was affirmative.

That inevitably made him suspicious. Before leaving Zhaotian City, even he didn't know he was a demon cultivator, so what could possibly be exposed?

Feng Chi and the others were unaware, but he was clear about it.

That meant it was the journey from Zhaotian City to Wukang Mountain where the leak happened, suggesting the possibility of a traitor from the Demon Path leaking the news.

Was there a mole from Wukang Mountain within the Demon Path? Or was there another level of infiltrator who had provided information to Wukang Mountain?

He couldn't help but consider another possibility; on the road from Zhaotian City to Wukang Mountain, Feng Chi and the others were indeed exposed once and even injured by the disheveled old man.

With this suspicion in mind, remembering that the disheveled old man also appeared beneath Wukang Mountain, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Later, upon discovering that Bian Weikang might possess the refining secret technique of Wukang Mountain—which indicated Bian Weikang's importance—he immediately realized that their encounter with the disheveled old man outside Zhaotian City might not have been a coincidence. That raised the question: Could the disheveled old man have been aware that Bian Weikang held the secret of the immobilization charm?

In other words, the scuffle that Feng Chi and the others had, the disheveled old man might have been watching the whole time.

At that time, Shi Chun suspected that the disheveled old man was Bian Que, as the old man had once said that even Bian Que would steer clear of him.

What made him uncertain was that even the Demon Path couldn't identify the disheveled old man; surely the Demon Path would recognize Bian Que, right?

Of course, from the moment he handed the mother-and-child charm to the disheveled old man, whether he was Bian Que or not no longer mattered—it was enough that he could get assistance from the old man.

Now, hearing Feng Chi utter the name "Bian Que," Shi Chun became completely certain that Bian Que indeed was the disheveled old man, albeit hardly recognizable as the same person.

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