"Even a fool would know what to do now."

It seemed that these two punished menial workers were also people arranged by Elder Xia.

Having caught two more weaknesses within Wukang Mountain, Shi Chun and his companion laughed and nodded in agreement, picking up their burdens to descend from the mountain.

Watching them leave, Zou Xingbao suddenly asked Duan You beside him, "They seem very happy to be doing the work, am I seeing things?"

Duan You, "Happy or not, the work has to be done. Those two really are impulsive, daring to kill Wei Bian. It's light that they're here at the Punishment Court to be punished."

Zou Xingbao chuckled, "Light? It's just that Wei Bian and his people were at fault first and couldn't help it. Just watch, being punished on the surface seems light, but secretly they'll surely have a tough time. Uncle Pang Tiansheng used to be by the Sect Master's side, and Wei Bian used to be by Elder Yin's side. The two got along well, so it would be strange for Uncle Pang to let them have an easy time. Didn't you see they weren't even given shoes?"

Duan You patted his shoulder, found a stump to sit on, and, staring at the two people going up and down the mountain waist, said, "Forget about it, it's not our concern. Uncle Pang letting us idle is already plenty of care."

Zou Xingbao snorted, "The care is because we've stayed at the Punishment Court for long and have gotten close to him. In the end, it's still because our own backgrounds aren't strong. If we had someone with clout to speak for us, we wouldn't be punished for nothing over such a trivial matter for all these years."

The path on the mountain waist was indeed much narrower compared to the main roads, and one had to sidestep to pass people going up and down.

Those carrying burdens up and down the mountain were in a hurry, bustling along, which made Shi Chun and his companion seem somewhat out of place.

At the foot of the mountain, the path gradually gave way to grass and lush green vegetation growing all around, a stone path winding its way into the depths of the woods. They walked along, watching the laborers carrying burdens to and fro, also keeping an eye out for any guards.

Other laborers on the path glanced at their bare feet with curiosity and surprise.

Being held in such a place, whether having shoes or not didn't bother Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang; their feet were long accustomed to going bare from their time in the Land of Exile. Besides, they didn't need to maintain any semblance of dignity now.

They thought the lack of shoes was Wukang Mountain deliberately making things difficult for them, little did they know that Elder Xia had simply forgotten this detail. Elder Xia was accustomed to making big decisions and paid little attention to minor details. He would walk ahead with hands behind his back, not noticing whether those behind him wore shoes.

Initially, they thought carrying water for a morning would be an easy task – at least for cultivators like them – until they had walked for a while and realized it wasn't as simple as they had thought because the journey was quite far. No wonder the other laborers they met along the way were in such a hurry.

And the reason everyone had to travel so far to fetch water wasn't for punishment, but rather due to a particular preference for water sources.

For instance, after last night's rain, the water quality in general water sources would become muddy, while those specifically guarded by the disciples of Wukang Mountain would not.

Upon reaching the water source, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang looked around with surprise, finding it odd that Wukang Mountain did not station the Sect near the water source.

Following suit, they filled their buckets like the other laborers and then headed back.

According to Wu Jinliang, now was the time to find an opportunity to escape.

Shi Chun, however, said there was no rush. Since they had the chance to come here, it was better to take advantage of the water-fetching task to have another look at Wukang Mountain's environment for future reference.

Wu Jinliang thought that made sense, so both of them grunted and groaned their way back up the mountain.

Sitting at the mountain path waiting for their return, Zou Xingbao and Duan You saw them approaching and waved for them to join up. At a junction, each took one and went their separate ways.

Along the way, Shi Chun received orders to remember his route and destination well. If nothing changed, he would be responsible for filling the water jars of the designated place each day.

In a courtyard amongst pavilions, with water jars to be filled in every corner, Zou Xingbao led Shi Chun to identify the locations of each jar. Shi Chun nodded, indicating he'd committed it to memory, while inwardly muttering about not worrying about being poisoned.

When Shi Chun inquired about the location, Zou Xingbao refused to disclose it and warned him not to pry as he was not a disciple of the Sect.

Upon leaving, a disciple of Wukang Mountain in the courtyard handed a silver token to Shi Chun, who did not understand its meaning. Zou Xingbao explained that for each burden of water, one received a token. Collecting twenty tokens from this courtyard and delivering them to Uncle Pang Tiansheng would mean the morning's water-fetching task was complete.

Returning to the mountain path junction, Wu Jinliang had already arrived and was waiting.

This time, Zou Xingbao and Duan You stayed again without descending the mountain, telling Shi Chun and his companion to continue down as their pace was too slow. At this rate, they wouldn't complete the morning's water-fetching task.

Descending the mountain, Shi Chun and his companion asked each other if they had discovered anything but found out the same – they were not allowed to ask questions. They immediately lost interest in staying and decided to flee.

On the edge of a cliff, Bian Weiyin's skirts fluttered in the wind as she watched the two descending. Confirming their identities, a playful smile curled on her lips before she turned and left.

She went directly to the Sect's grand hall meeting.

Inside the grand hall, the high-ranking members of the Sect were in discussion, with Yin Huixing also present. Suddenly, a disciple who was on guard outside reported, "Sect Master, the City Lord of Lankang City, Bian Weiyin, requests an audience."

Bian Jixiong, standing at the head, frowned.

The other high-ranking Sect members exchanged glances, their faces revealing confusion. Even Yin Huixing was surprised.

After a moment of silence, Bian Jixiong spoke in a deep voice, "Let her in."

The disciple immediately withdrew, and after a short while, Bian Weiyin briskly stepped inside, came to a halt, and saluted everyone, "Sect Master, Elders."

Bian Jixiong, "Don't you know we are in the midst of a meeting? What is so important that you must interrupt us at this time?"

Bian Weiyin bowed deeply and said loudly, "Disciple requests to resign from the position of City Lord of Lankang City."

Upon hearing this, all sorts of peculiar and surprised noises arose. For Wukang Mountain, the position of City Lord of Lankang City was considered one of the few desirable appointments. Many sought it but could not obtain it. To speak frankly, if you, Bian Weiyin, were not the Sect Master's daughter, you might not have been able to secure that position in the first place, and now you want to resign?

Bian Jixiong looked toward Yin Huixin, only to find that his wife was also looking surprised, clearly unaware as well. He frowned deeply and said, "The reason?"

Bian Weiyin replied, "To avoid suspicion! Although the Sect made a decision regarding last night's incident, rumors still spread. Although the issue arose because of Wei Bian, the disciple also bears inescapable responsibility. Therefore, I request to resign and wish to return to the mountain to focus on cultivation in seclusion. Please grant my request, Sect Master."

Xia Fuli spoke up, "Weiying, there's no need for this. What can be done that won't provoke gossip? If we all thought like that, we wouldn't get anything done."

"Yes indeed, if we find anyone spreading false rumors, just report them, and the Sect will handle it."

"The matter is already settled, as long as you have a clear conscience."

Members of the Sect's upper echelon spoke up one after another to comfort her.

Bian Jixiong also said, "Don't make a hasty decision, go back and cool off first. Think it over for a few more days then we'll talk."

But Bian Weiyin insisted in front of everyone, "Sect Master, I have thought it through thoroughly. These past years, being entangled in various affairs has hindered my cultivation. How to balance gain and loss? After repeated consideration, I have decided to return to my true intent and go back to the mountain for secluded cultivation. This is also to avoid suspicion, so no one can say that the Sect Master is shielding his daughter. I am willing to take responsibility and resign. Please grant my request, Sect Master, and all here elders!"

Seeing her determination to no longer be the City Lord, the elders exchanged glances, initially thinking she was just putting on a show.

After his gaze flickered for a while, Bian Jixiong slowly said, "Have you really thought it through?"

As Sect Master, he most feared accusations of unfairness from his disciples. When his daughter offered him the position as if it were a hassle-free pillow, he didn't mind. In fact, he found it quite comfortable.

Bian Weiyin: "Clear and without doubt."

Bian Jixiong took a deep breath, "Alright, then I'll make the decision on my own this one time, granted! It's good for you to return to the mountain, and to focus on cultivation from now on." His gaze swept across the crowd, "My lords, since the position of City Lord of Lankang City is now vacant, we might as well discuss it today and decide who would be the appropriate successor."

Yin Huixin stared intently at her daughter's expression.

Down the mountain, on the slate path in the forest, Wu Jinliang, who kept looking around, finally found a moment when no one was in sight at a turn, and whispered urgently, "Chun Tian."

Without him having to say more, Shi Chun also saw the opportunity, and urgently replied, "Go."

The two of them immediately leaped into the dense forest beside them, carrying their yokes. Throwing the water buckets and yokes into a puddle, they crouched down and relied on the terrain and trees for cover, quickly fleeing through the mountains.

However, they hadn't gotten far when they heard a sharp "caw caw" from the trees.

Startled, they looked up to see a blue-plumed magpie perching above, eyeing them and shrieking.

If it was just one bird shrieking, it would have been alright, but wherever they went, blue-plumed magpies on the trees joined in the commotion, all watching them and cawing, even flapping their wings and flying into the sky to follow the fleeing pair.

Their faces paled instantly.

They had seen these birds before while carrying water along the path, assuming they were just birds of the forest. Now it was clear, it was no simple matter, no wonder no one was assigned to watch them.

They picked up stones from the ground and managed to knock down a few birds, but it was no use; they couldn't be scared off and kept following and shrieking.

"Chun Tian, what's happening?" Wu Jinliang exclaimed.

"No matter what's happening, it's too late. There's a river ahead in the mountains," Shi Chun pointed ahead and shouted.

Without hesitating about the birds, they sprinted towards the direction of the river.

Water carriers in the mountains were startled, one by one abandoned their loads and leaped onto the trees to see where the flock of magpies was chasing.

This scene stirred Duan You and Zou Xingbao at the mountain pass, who were sitting idly. Upon seeing the commotion, they exchanged glances, their expressions changing in unison. Could it be such a coincidence? Fearing the worst, they immediately rushed down the mountain to confirm.

On the mountain, a group of law-enforcing disciples appeared on the cliffside and upon seeing the direction the birds were chasing, the leader gestured, and the group swiftly flew down the mountain, rushing to give chase…

Inside the council hall, after a round of overt and covert arguments, the new candidate for City Lord of Lankang City was finally decided when suddenly, a disciple ran in and reported loudly, "Sect Master, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang took the opportunity while being punished to carry water and have escaped!"

Bian Jixiong was stunned. He wanted to ask if those two fools were out of their minds, then immediately ordered, "Don't just stand there, chase!"

The disciple said, "The law enforcers have already gotten wind and gone after them."

Among the elders, some laughed, "I really don't understand what those two fools were thinking, being prisoners of Wukang Mountain, what made them think they could easily escape from under Wukang Mountain's watch?"

Others looked grave, reminding the crowd, "If they dare to flee, they must have something to rely on. We cannot take this lightly, we must send more troops to capture them!"

Bian Jixiong agreed and commanded, "Send the order, add several more teams, and capture them with all our might!"

Elder Xia Fuli's complexion had already turned dark. In any case, it didn't look good.

Bian Weiyin, who was still in the hall, waiting to hand over the position of City Lord, was dumbfounded in place. Her resignation from the position was specifically for those two, and now that she had successfully resigned, they had escaped. What was she supposed to do? She couldn't contradict herself and ask for the City Lord position back.

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