As night fell, the sky transitioned abruptly into pitch black without a trace of the sunset's afterglow; a sudden gust of wind was followed by a torrential downpour.

Pitter-patter, gradually turning into a heavy splash; streams of muddy water began to overflow throughout the mountains.

For Weikang, kneeling in front of the mountain gate, it was hardship upon hardship. It seemed that not just the Sect, but even the heavens were unwilling to show him any favor.

A bead of sandalwood gold sat on the steps before him, its purple flame undisturbed by the rain and still illuminating the surroundings. His body was soaked through like a drowned rat, with water streaming down his face, his whole body ice cold, but colder still was his heart. After kneeling for so long, his parents truly were unwilling even to meet him.

But what could he do? To earn his parents' forgiveness and to spare his beloved from further suffering, he could only continue to kneel until his parents were willing to see him.

Wukang Mountain grew no plants and could not retain water. The rain flowing down the mountain quickly gathered into streams of various sizes, with the sound of water by the mountain gate steps roaring like a galloping beast.

The character "Wukang Mountain" on the mountain gate archway was vigorous and powerful, still clear under the flickering light.

Beneath the archway stood two disciples in bamboo hats and straw coats, who could only watch Weikang, unable to rise from his knees, and they dared not even utter a word.

There was no choice, the Sect Master had spoken personally—this man had been expelled from the Sect, no longer had any connections with Wukang Mountain, and was not allowed to set foot in the mountain gate, nor could anyone attend to him, otherwise they would face severe punishment.

The disciples had never imagined that the Sect Master would be so resolute with his own son, which deepened their understanding of the strictness of the Sect's rules.

Weikang, unable to rise from his knees, occasionally looked towards the bright lights at the peak of the mountain, and sometimes turned his gaze towards the many lights of Lankang City, feeling anxious. Knowing he had not returned, Laner must be worrying about him by now.

Yet, he could not give up halfway and could only continue amid the blowing wind and rain.

On the mountain, bouts of thunder and lightning illuminated the glazed tile roofs.

Within a glamorous mansion deep in the halls of jade tiers, incense wafted gently, and the lights flickered unsteadily.

Normally, the flambeau of sandalwood gold, which casts a purple hue and distorts the true colors of objects, making them unappealing, would not be used for illumination.

In front of a round, secluded window, stood a beautiful woman in a black long dress, with a face as delicate as peach blossoms, and a graceful figure. She stood beside the window, watching the swaying wind and rain outside, looking at the faint light at the mountain gate down below.

She knew that her son was kneeling there; she was Yin Huixing, Weikang's mother.

Occasionally, the wind and rain fluttered inside, dampening her clothes and disturbing the lingering incense.

The potted plants around her, no matter which variety of exotic flowers and plants they were, were all fake—green, red, pink—for it was strange that on the mountain, no plants could grow. Any plant placed on the mountain would rot within three days.

Her cold eyes occasionally shifted from outside the window to directly opposite the door where shadows moved behind the window panes of the hall. She knew her husband was discussing matters with the senior members of the Sect. She counted among the Sect's senior members herself, yet she did not attend, stepping aside due to conflict of interest since the discussion was about her son.

Someone had suggested a good method for disciplining her son to her husband, who after giving silent approval, immediately led some people to plead with her Sect Master husband, asking, for the old Sect Master's sake, to give his grandson one more chance.

She could hear her husband's scolding roars from here, vehemently refusing, preaching about setting a personal example.

She knew her husband's "refusal" wouldn't change the outcome; the decision had already been predetermined, and "refusal" was just a necessary process.

She waited here for the outcome.

Later, the hall quieted down, and the figures dispersed.

Soon after, a burly man with a moderately tall and slightly corpulent frame and short beard walked towards her room, carrying an air of authority from someone accustomed to power. He wore the black uniform typical of Wukang Mountain's high ranks.

At this late hour, the only high-ranking member of the Sect who could enter the Sect Master's wife's room was her husband, Bian Jixiong.

Approaching the window, looking down towards the mountain gate, the rainwater glistening on his beard, he spoke with a steady tone, "I couldn't disagree. They wanted to knock on father's closed door. Father's end is near, and it's critical for his breakthrough. How can he be disturbed by that unfilial son's matter? I had no choice but to agree."

After knowing the outcome, Yin Huixing remained composed, her voice as cool as someone else, "As long as you're happy, there's no need for your pretenses here."

Bian Jixiong said, "Are you still angry with me? I've told you it was father's decision. A jade has to be carved to become a gem, and without suffering hardships, one can't see the truth. If he can't wake up on his own, how will he ever bear the responsibility of the entire Sect? Do you think the other families within the Sect aren't interested in the position of Sect Master at all?"

"You Bian men always make decisions and take charge, no need to explain anything to a mere woman like me; whatever I say is useless anyway," Yin Huixing said and walked away, leaving him with her words.

Being too close to the Sect Master for too long had stripped her of the proper reverence.

Boom!

A loud thunderclap flashed outside, illuminating Bian Jixiong's face through the window, with the raindrops on his eyes and beard shining brightly. He suddenly turned to call out to his departing wife, "Let him kneel for another night, and we'll talk about the rest tomorrow!"

His commanding tone aimed to overpower the thunder but seemed hollow.

Because Yin Huixing did not turn around or respond, her figure quietly walked away, her long hair lit by the lightning, gleaming green.

Outside, a storm raged, while inside, the house fell into silence, and Bian Jixiong stood motionless in front of the window...

The entire Lankang City shimmered in the storm, with swinging lanterns under the eaves everywhere, and the gushing water in the channels flowed briskly without overflowing, indicating a highly efficient drainage system forged by enduring many storms.

Outside Anle Building, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang pulled up a bench and sat side by side under the eaves on one side of the inn's entrance to watch the scene.

In that regard, they were unique in the entire city.

It was not surprising they had the interest to do this; they had never seen what the city looked like when it rained.

Originally planning to stroll around the city at night, they had to settle for this when it started raining, but it was also a sight they had never seen before, so it was eye-opening.

They had taken off their shoes, rolled up their pants, and went barefoot to meet the water flowing from the tile eaves—such bliss they couldn't even dream of in the Land of Exile.

From time to time, Wu Jinliang touched his own cheek, then could not resist reaching to touch Shi Chun's cheek.

Shi Chun immediately turned his head and glared at him, "What are you doing?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "Believe it or not, our rough faces seem smoother."

Is that so? Shi Chun immediately touched his own face and then touched Wu Jinliang's, carefully feeling it out and indeed, it seemed smoother.

A huge wild boar, its body over three yards long and tusks bristling, walked past them on the stone path, with a man riding on its back holding an umbrella, turning his head to stare in astonishment at the two men touching each other's faces at the inn's entrance. He continued walking, frequently turning his head back in confusion, seemingly anticipating the next scene.

Not long after, a large black snake, thick as a barrel and armor glistening, slithered majestically down the street, its eyes flashing green as it flicked its tongue, with its head held high enough to overtop the eaves of a one-story building.

As never-seen-before creatures passed by, Shi Chun watched them go. Despite the fierce storm, his mind felt much at ease, for a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.

He had revealed to Wu Jinliang that he was a practitioner of the Demon Path because he felt there was no need to hide it from Wu Jinliang anymore, especially at this critical juncture. His identity in the Demon Path had been recognized, and he might have to take risks at any moment. He wanted Wu Jinliang to make his own choice; if Wu Jinliang decided to leave, he would give him those fifty thousand Sandalwood Gold.

Wu Jinliang was indeed shocked, then bombarded him with questions. In the end, Wu Jinliang didn't react much and felt there was no need to part ways. He even comforted Shi Chun, "Who cares about the Righteous Path or the Demon Path, just walk whichever path you can."

Well, that's the pragmatism of the Land of Exile, Shi Chun realized he had overthought.

In the inn's room, Xiang Laner put her cloak back on, ready to go out.

Feng Chi stopped her, pleading, "Kneel for one night, to endure this hardship with him, is it necessary?"

Xiang Laner, "Since I love him, it's only reasonable that if he's not back yet, I should go see him. Seeing him, I naturally can't let him suffer alone; I'll have to kneel with him, that's the proper way. As for you, that sloppy old man may have followed you here, you should be more careful."

Feng Chi was not very worried, "The situation has already been communicated out. If nothing unexpected happens, the experts sent to deal with that old man should arrive soon. They move very fast."

Xiang Laner nodded slightly, then opened the door and left; Feng Chi felt it improper to see her off.

At the inn's front desk, Xiang Laner borrowed an umbrella, and just as she stepped out of the doorway, she exchanged glances with the two men sitting near the door. She shook her head slightly at them, then opened her umbrella and stepped into the rain, leaving the two men looking at each other in mutual bewilderment.

Wu Jinliang puzzled, "Where is she going?"

Shi Chun narrowed his eyes slightly, "She's probably going to find Bian Weikang, might have to kneel with him."

Wu Jinliang instantly understood, clicking his tongue twice, "Off to be with your rival in love, and you're not going to chase after her?"

Shi Chun had already told him what would happen next.

At the city gate, a lean man in blue robes, clean-shaven with a deep gaze, his hands thin as chicken claws, walked from the darkness into the city amidst the rain.

The rain splashing on his shoulders and body created a mist, and under the city lights, his body seemed to be enveloped in a halo; his clothes and hair remained untouched by any water stains.

At the crossroads inside the city gate, the blue-robed man suddenly paused in the middle of the crossroads and coldly looked at a beggar sleeping under an eave.

The beggar, the sloppy old man with a red nose, had somehow gathered a pile of dry straw to lie on, his wine gourd tucked under his arm, his single arm supporting his head as he lay sideways, pretending to sleep with fingers rhythmically tapping on his thigh, completely carefree.

Suddenly, the tapping stopped, his brows furrowed, and his eyes suddenly opened wide, seeing a carriage driven by oxen rushing through the crossroads in the rain with no one else in sight, then he slowly closed his eyes to feign sleep again...

At the city wall, in the brightly lit large pavilion with food and wine, and a beautiful woman sitting alone, the City Lord Bian Weiyin, sipped lightly watching the storm.

Wukang Mountain, thunderous under the storm, loomed like a ferocious beast with bristling tusks confronting Bian Weiyin.

Suddenly, a black-clothed, masked man leaped from outside the city, quickly approached her, and handed over a wax pill.

Bian Weiyin crushed it to take out the folded paper inside, unfolded it to read, and as she read, an enchanting smile spread across her face, murmuring, "All this way around, still paving the way for him. Didn't you say it was unforgivable, relying only on your daughter now, stirring me to strive desperately? Turns out deep down you still prefer a son, even if that son is unworthy. Helping others to snatch the son, how clever you all are, haha..."

Her laughter grew louder, ending in a fit of giggles and tears. Suddenly, she grabbed a wine cup, held it aloft, drank the bitter wine in one gulp, slammed the cup onto the table, shattering it, and turned decisively saying, "Save some trouble for the Sect Master and the others, take care of those from Anle Building!"

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