Upon hearing this, Xiang Laner slightly nodded in understanding.

Shortly after, another series of footsteps approached from outside, followed by a knock at the door.

The door opened, and the cloaked, masked man arrived again.

After closing the door and exchanging formalities, he couldn't wait to start complaining to Feng Chi, "Your Excellency, what is the actual situation with those two on the mountain? If this frequent contact with you continues, I will sooner or later be exposed!"

Seemingly unable to contain his frustration, both Feng Chi and Xiang Laner were curious.

"What happened?" Feng Chi asked.

"Those two guys ran away and were caught back like dead dogs..." The cloaked masked man rapidly related the events, ending with a pleading tone, "Your Excellency, are you sure those two will act according to the plan? Just because their feet were hurting from lack of shoes, they abandoned the plan and ran away. And because Wei Bian was involved in an assassination, they killed him publicly. What was that about? Isn't that a bit too capricious? What if they cause more unimaginable issues later? We are all putting our heads on the line here, not playing games. Is their capricious behavior really appropriate? If they keep this up, even if I were extremely capable, I wouldn't be able to cover for them!"

His voice, impassioned to the point of forgetting to disguise its raspiness, revealed his original tone—a clear sign of his agitation.

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner were truly taken aback and equally eager to understand what Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were really up to.

After a while, Feng Chi asked the masked man, "What are your thoughts?"

The cloaked masked man sighed, "These two really aren't suitable to work together. Coming from the Land of Exile, they don't understand the rules. It might be better to find a way to send them away; otherwise, as long as they remain, I will be anxious every day. Miss going up the mountain could potentially be implicated at any time."

Feng Chi thought for a moment. Initially, she may have considered it, but having just received a new mission, it was hardly possible now. She shook her head, "Previously, after some incidents, I thought they were quite astute. We didn't expect them to be so capricious. At this point, we've reached a point where it's difficult to back down. Unless they agree to withdraw themselves, it's indeed not easy for us to force them out."

They would stick to that explanation. Some truths were not to be shared with the other party, even if their cultivation was higher than theirs. They had to navigate the nuances of closeness and distance.

Xiang Laner, who had been silent, spoke, "After ascending the mountain, arrange a meeting for me with them. I'd like to talk to them."

The cloaked masked man paused for a moment and then nodded, "That sounds good. If negotiations fail, we'll just keep them locked up in the prison indefinitely."

Feng Chi chuckled, "That's indeed a good plan."

In a pavilion between the towers, within the Wu Kang Mountain Sect Master's office room, Bian Jixiong was reading communications from outside territories. On a lampstand nearby, a Spirit Moth fluttered agitatedly inside a lantern.

Bian Jixiong looked up, set aside what he was working on, and stood up to leave.

He made his way to the Forbidden Land's secret chamber on top of the mountain, directly entering to see a figure in white robes, with his back to him, sitting cross-legged under the light of the Sandalwood Gold. He knelt and sat on a cushion before him, "Father, what has summoned me?"

The figure in white robes asked, "I heard those two youngsters ran away?"

Bian Jixiong replied, "They have been caught and brought back."

The figure in white robes, puzzled, asked, "Why did they run? Had they already found the person they were looking for on the mountain?"

Bian Jixiong responded, "Father, whether it's their behavior on or off the mountain, nothing suggests they came looking for someone."

The figure in white robes said, "Indeed, I have met countless people in my life, and the actions of these two are truly perplexing. Did you find out how the immobilization charm was broken?"

Bian Jixiong explained, "Wasn't it you who broke it? They said someone secretly helped them break it, and that seems to be the only explanation. I originally thought you had secretly intervened."

The figure in white robes stated, "It wasn't me. It's not surprising that they have skilled experts in hiding on their side, otherwise, with their strength, they wouldn't dare to commit such public acts. The situation is pressing; you need to be vigilant."

"Yes," Bian Jixiong acknowledged.

"The Demon Path searching for someone in Wu Kang Mountain, I wonder who they could be looking for?" the figure in white robes murmured to himself.

Unlike the troublesome arrivals of Shi Chun and Wu Jin, the process for Weikang and Xiang Laner ascending the mountain went smoothly, completely according to plan. They were received by the mountain that very afternoon.

In fact, quite a few people had serious reservations about Weikang's return—not just ordinary reservations, but substantial ones. They had already expelled him from the Sect, and now he was bringing a courtesan back? It was utterly preposterous.

Even the Sect Master strongly opposed it.

However, owing to the old Sect Master's influence—the old Sect Master's beloved grandson—some people leveraged the old Sect Master's reputation to persuade others to collectively advise the Sect Master. What could the sought-after individuals do otherwise?

Consequently, under the persuasion of a group of high-ranking sect members, Sect Master Bian Jixiong grudgingly agreed.

Of course, there was a consensus condition for this agreement: Weikang could return but was not allowed to marry Xiang Laner as his wife.

Xiang Laner's background as a courtesan was a barrier that the high-ranking members of Wu Kang Mountain couldn't overlook.

Everyone had their reputation to consider; they still had to face society and couldn't afford to become a laughingstock.

Before Weikang and Xiang Laner were brought up the mountain, someone specifically sought out Weikang for a talk, asking him to give up on Xiang Laner. Swearing to defend their relationship to the death, the discussion ended inconclusively, and only then were both brought up the mountain together.

The couple was arranged to stay in a modest courtyard on the mountain. From today onwards, Xiang Laner had to manage her own daily needs such as food and clothing, and Weikang had to start anew from the lowest rank of a disciple, doing the dirtiest and most tiresome tasks.

With this, a great favor had already been granted to the old Sect Master.

Shortly after arriving at the mountain, Xiang Laner had requested to see her benefactor, and Weikang also felt that he couldn't ignore it, so he sought help from others and finally got a chance to visit the prison.

However, before he could reach the prison, someone assigned Weikang a job that he couldn't refuse. Weikang had no choice but to let Xiang Laner visit on his behalf alone.

After the jailer brought Xiang Laner into the prison, he quickly turned around and left.

In the dim prison cell, looking at the two injured men lying on the ground, Xiang Laner called out softly, "Benefactor, benefactor, are you all right?"

The two, who were closed-eyed and healing, initially didn't want to respond, but upon hearing Xiang Laner's voice, they gradually opened their eyes and struggled to rise, limping over to the iron bars, wanting to speak but cautiously surveying the end of the corridor.

Xiang Laner said, "Don't worry, no one will eavesdrop, just keep your voices low."

Shi Chun then curiously asked, "You're already on the mountain?"

Xiang Laner hummed affirmatively, puzzled, "Having already arranged for your stay on the mountain, why did you run?"

Discussing this matter, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang both felt awkward, especially Shi Chun, who realized he had been too clever by half. They hadn't understood until later where they had erred; they were already aiming to be on the mountain, so why had they thought Elder Xia was helping them escape?

At that point, Shi Chun sighed, "Forget it, we can't afford to offend that City Lord, and we don't want to stay on this mountain anymore. Try to get us out, so we won't always trouble you."

Wu Jinliang also nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yeah, we don't want to trouble you anymore."

Done playing? Xiang Laner was stunned; the shift in attitude was indeed swift and somewhat capricious. The problem was, why didn't you say this earlier? With a new task assigned from above, can you just say you're done playing?

She naturally couldn't agree and couldn't easily let them slip from her control, she straightforwardly refused, "If you hadn't attempted to escape, there might have been a way to get you out, but now you've alarmed the enemy, no one can help you in the short term."

Feeling guilty, the two fell silent.

Seeing their pitiable silence, Xiang Laner reassured them, "You're already on the mountain, and the conflict with Weiying is clear, so there shouldn't really be an issue. Bian Jixiong hasn't achieved his goal through you, and he won't let his daughter cause a mess. I'll also have people be more vigilant here, there won't be any trouble."

Inside the cell, the two looked at each other, and thinking it over, they felt reassured with Bian Jixiong watching out for them. There wasn't much to fear, and it seemed best to stick to the original plan.

After calming the two, Xiang Laner left, and the injured men were confined in the cell for three more days before being released.

Shi Chun's physical recovery was indeed strong, almost as if nothing had happened, whereas Wu Jinliang walked with a slight awkwardness.

When released, new clothes and shoes were provided, still marked with the word "Service," and naturally, they were taken to the Punishment Court.

As soon as the men were handed over, standing in the yard waiting for instructions, Shi Chun and the other detained man didn't wait for orders but instead were approached by Pang Tiansheng carrying a stick.

Windows in the courtyard opened one by one, revealing faces eager to watch the commotion.

Pang Tiansheng, caressing the stick in his hand, circled the two, a malicious grin hanging from his lips, his ill intentions clear on his face. Shi Chun and the other glanced at each other, exchanging looks.

"Do you know what rules are?"

As soon as Pang Tiansheng finished his question behind them, he suddenly swung his stick at their legs.

This was no sneak attack; it was clear he intended to deal with them.

With their guard up, Shi Chun quickly jumped up, spinning and forcefully kicking, hitting Pang Tiansheng's cheek squarely.

The moment his foot met the cheek, Pang Tiansheng's eyes filled with disbelief—daring to fight back?

In a flash, he swayed to the side.

Wu Jinliang then charged forward, kicking Pang Tiansheng down, and Shi Chun followed, venting their earlier received beatings onto Pang Tiansheng with a flurry of punches and kicks.

To think he was a disciple of the Wu Kang Mountain Sect Master, if his strength was subpar, then it was subpar. The other disciples of Wukang Mountain might fear him, but these two didn't indulge in that habit. Knowing that Bian Jixiong harbored ulterior motives against them, why should they fear him? Getting beat up when they could fight was foolish.

"Help, help!" Pang Tiansheng howled miserably.

In the ample space of the Punishment Court, with so many onlookers, none came to assist, which showed just how oppressive Pang Tiansheng's usual might was. Some people laughed, others shut their windows pretending they hadn't seen anything.

However, the calls for help eventually alarmed the patrolling disciples outside.

Several flew in, seeing the Sect Master's disciples getting beaten, and they immediately rushed to help, joining in the brawl.

Those who came were High Martial monks; Shi Chun and his companion couldn't resist at all, ended up being knocked to the ground, and after taking another round of beatings along with Pang Tiansheng, both sides were left injured.

The clashing noises caused the previously shut windows in the courtyard to reopen.

Eventually, the two men, just out of prison and now with fresh injuries, their new clothes torn, and covered in blood, were taken back to be locked up again in prison, looking miserable.

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