Lan Qiaoyan pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, "The person is indeed a prominent figure in Zhaotian City, and it wouldn't be good to put you, the host of Bowan Building, in a difficult position. Since they've come, let them be seen."

"Alright, I'll go and pass along the message." The shopkeeper bowed with his hands clasped and left immediately.

After a while, in a guest reception room of Bowan Building, the shopkeeper and Cao Puqing arrived side by side and took their seats respectively.

Dong and Da Shitou had been brought in earlier. After distinguishing who was who, Cao Puqing directly started questioning them, asking if they recognized Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang and inquiring about their whereabouts.

The two did confess their relationship with Shi Chun, but they insisted that they didn't know his whereabouts.

After hearing this, Cao Puqing took a sip of tea indifferently and then said expressionlessly, "I heard that you two went to the bank holding a bank note of 50,000 gold the evening the day before yesterday and withdrew 50,000 gold, is that true?"

Upon this question, the shopkeeper's eyes suddenly fixated on Dong and Da Shitou.

Dong and Da Shitou exchanged glances, unsure whether the bank had leaked customer information. If so, the bank was somewhat out of line.

From another perspective, it also proved that Lv Taizhen's influence in Zhaotian City was indeed significant.

After both elders from East Nine Plain exchanged glances, Dong immediately replied, "Mr. Cao is truly well-informed to even know about this."

Da Shitou added, "Yes, it's true."

Cao Puqing's eyebrows trembled a bit. He had thought these guys would flatly deny it, and he was ready with a witness, but unexpectedly, this was unnecessary as they admitted so frankly.

He immediately demanded, "Where did that bank note come from?"

Da Shitou explained, "Wu Jinliang came by the other afternoon. He gave it to us asking for help with the withdrawal, and he used that money to buy a bunch of cultivation materials and took them away."

"Master…" Dong began to speak but immediately corrected himself, "Shi Chun asked Wu Jinliang to bring us a message, saying that Mr. Cao shouldn't misunderstand anything about this money. It really isn't fair because his distant nephew's death had nothing to do with him, but he witnessed the incident. Mr. Cao, if you must know who the murderer is, you can find him at Wukang Mountain."

Bang! Cao Puqing stood up abruptly with anger written all over his face, "You just said you didn't know where he was!"

Da Shitou continued, "This is also Shi Chun's intention. He said we are people of Bowan Building, and some boundaries need to be clear between us; friendship is friendship, duty is duty, they shouldn't be confused. Shi Chun said if Mr. Cao doesn't pursue this further, then don't speak of it at all to avoid harming Mr. Cao. He also mentioned the murderer is someone Mr. Cao can't afford to provoke. Furthermore, he said if just buying something for us could provoke Mr. Cao to take this seriously, then he should inform Mr. Cao about his whereabouts to avoid implicating Bowan Building, and just let Mr. Cao make his own decision."

Dong added, "Mr. Cao, it's indeed true. We were just helping an old friend make a purchase; we really didn't know about all this."

What the two said was mostly true, particularly the message Shi Chun had relayed to Cao Puqing was entirely truthful.

The shopkeeper watched as they switched between lies and truth smoothly and calmly from start to finish, quietly impressed and felt that keeping such men in the warehouse as movers was somewhat a waste.

"Wukang Mountain..." Cao Puqing muttered under his breath, his gaze turning unpredictable for a moment before he promptly bid farewell to the shopkeeper, who personally escorted him out.

As for the host of Bowan Building, they hadn't shown up from beginning to end; clearly, with Cao Puqing's status, he wasn't yet qualified.

Soon, the guest reception room emptied. Lan Qiaoyan, who had been covertly listening from the room next door, revealed a smile, "He didn't get anyone else involved, took all the responsibility himself; that rascal is still the same rascal, hasn't disappointed me."

She then asked her daughter, "Did you see? He is quite good to his own people. The money he returned to you, can you now accept it with peace of mind?"

Miao Yilan remained silent. She had heard about the incident before and worried that it was dirty money, making her very uncomfortable and annoyed with Shi Chun. After all, the money she lent was clean money; returning it entangled in unclear circumstances was problematic—was lending money supposed to bring her such troubles?

"This kind of money, daring to be openly used upon receipt, isn't common. That guy, bold enough to take responsibility, who knows what pitfalls await Cao Puqing next? That skinny guy was just released from Life Prison last night and ended up dead at a distant crime scene the very next day; this situation is definitely not simple, perhaps there really are forces that Cao Puqing can't cope with waiting out there, if Cao Puqing were to rush in headlong, he might face serious consequences. Coming straight out of prison and daring to contend with Cao Puqing, I wonder what that guy is up to now," Lan Qiaoyan said with a light laugh and a shake of her head.

When it comes to understanding Shi Chun, she absolutely counted as one of those who knew him best, particularly because of her daughter, she was indeed very observant.

In Lv Garden, at a building deep inside with heavy floors, a man with a jade face and long whiskers sat in front of the window on a rocking chair, leisurely reading a book; it was Lv Taizhen, the owner of this place.

Swiftly walking upstairs, Cao Puqing quickly approached and bowed, "Master, what instructions do you have?"

Lv Taizhen glanced at him, then returned his gaze to his book page, "The host of Bowan Building sent me a message through someone expressing dissatisfaction with you, including the bank too. I'm asking, what exactly are you and your uncle getting into?"

Cao Puqing paused with an awkward expression, seemingly at a loss for words.

Lv Taizhen, swaying on the rocking chair, pointed out himself, "Selling a woman to me, shouldn't you first ask for my opinion?"

Cao Puqing was slightly shocked; he had left this matter to his nephew and had told him not to publicize it before it was settled. How could the landlord know about it—had the other party leaked the information? He hurriedly explained, "Cloud Building doesn't handle affairs honorably. Seeing that you really liked that top courtesan, I thought to make you happy by arranging it. I didn't expect it to cause such trouble."

Lv Taizhen flipped through the book pages and softly said, "You spoil your nephew too much, which was bound to lead to this disaster. Wukang Mountain is wealthy and arrogant; they won't give me face, let alone yours. Some grudges cannot be avenged. If this deal becomes a joke and spreads, it won't look good for me either. Let's put an end to this matter. If you can't let go of your obsession, I won't be able to keep you here either. Whether you stay or leave, decide for yourself."

Cao Puqing bowed his head in silence, his face a mask of conflict...

Sheng Province, located within the Shengshen Continent of the Four Regions.

Sheng Province, a vast area, housed one of the twelve gateways to the Land of Exile, Zhaotian City, and Wukang Mountain, all within its borders.

Wukang Mountain, located on a majestic range, was a mountain upon a mountain that rose hundreds of feet high, with steep slopes as if cleaved by axes. Clusters of sharp peaks towered, the whole scene dark and rusty like a massive iron block without a single blade of grass growing on it.

More peculiarly, even if soil was transported up the mountain, nothing could be cultivated. It was indeed a strange place, seemingly unsuitable for living. Yet the renowned refining talisman sect, Wukang Mountain, was situated on this very mountain, which was named after the sect.

At the mountain's base, however was quite bustling. There was a city called Lankang City, formed by numerous large stones circled on the mountain terrain.

The city was built and controlled by Wukang Mountain itself, surrounded by dense forests outside its walls, which stood several dozen feet high.

Entry over the city walls was prohibited. Shi Chun and Xiang Laner entered through the city gate under the guidance of Bian Weikang, who wore a mask across his face. Xiang Laner was wrapped in a cloak, while only the seemingly candid Shi Chun entered without any disguise.

Inside the city, pavilions and towers were everywhere, shops along the streets were lined up in tight rows, with a multitude of people coming and going, and flowers blooming vibrantly on the walls and branches.

As they passed an unassuming inn, Xiang Laner suddenly stopped, calling out, "My lord, our funds are limited; perhaps we should settle for something simple. How about staying here?"

As she spoke, she subconsciously glanced at Shi Chun. Ever since their nefarious plans had come to light, every time she insincerely called him "my lord," he would raise the corner of his mouth with an undetectable smirk. As expected, it happened again.

"Ah? Oh, sure, sure." Bian Weikang, coming to his senses, agreed in a daze.

Since entering the city, he was noticeably distracted.

Anle Building, Shi Chun looked at the inn's name, suspecting this woman had a reason for picking this particular inn, so he did not object. Knowing they didn't have much money, he generously said, "Alright, it's on me."

The three entered, and Shi Chun paid for three separate rooms. Bian Weikang initially wanted to stay in the same room with Xiang Laner as he did in Wuyou Inn, but Xiang Laner refused, citing the need to maintain appearances under her father's scrutiny.

Bian Weikang fully understood her feelings; because of her background, he especially didn't want people to look down on her.

Regardless of his worries, Bian Weikang eventually decided he had to confront the situation. After a long hesitation, he resolved to make a trip up the mountain; he specifically reassured Xiang Laner, saying it wasn't that he didn't want to take her with him but fearing she would be insulted if he brought her directly home. It would be better for him first to discuss with his family before taking her up the mountain.

Xiang Laner expressed her understanding, telling him to go without worries.

After escorting Bian Weikang out of the inn, Xiang Laner looked around before entering her room, removed a beaded flower from her head, placed it on the doorframe, then retreated inside.

Before long, two figures, one tall and one short, wrapped in cloaks, appeared at her door. The shorter one knocked five times before pushing the door open and entering.

Inside, the shorter figure lifted their cloak's hood, revealing their face—it was none other than Feng Chi. However, her complexion looked terribly pale and bloodless, clearly very weak. Both figures bowed to Xiang Laner.

Xiang Laner quickly supported Feng Chi, feeling relieved, "It's good that you escaped. How are your wounds?"

Feng Chi bitterly smiled, "The wounds are severe; it will take a long time to heal. That old man was too strong; I stood no chance against him. If it weren't for his delay in talking to you, even my Escape Technique might not have allowed me to escape. Fortunately, you're unharmed, otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain to the Holy Master! Miss, how did you manage to escape?"

"Shi Chun took a risk to save me..." Xiang Laner briefly recounted the events.

Feng Chi nodded repeatedly, relieved, "At the critical moment, you managed to unite against the external threat. That lad deserves some credit."

Xiang Laner puzzled, "Who was that old man?"

Feng Chi shook her head, "I've reported it, but superiors said there's no record of such a person, and no similar description matches. It's strange given his cultivation; he shouldn't be an unknown. We still don't know where he came from; the investigation is ongoing."

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