Under the manipulation of certain interested parties, the news of Bian Weiyin's being the first to sign up for the meeting spread out.

Like a single stone stirring a thousand waves, the discussions on Wukang Mountain became even more widespread and enthusiastic, with nothing but praise for Bian Weiyin.

The more dangerous everyone had said it was to attend the meeting, the higher the praise for Bian Weiyin became at this time.

Similar expressions of praise were heard non-stop within the Punishment Court, with Pang Tiansheng repeatedly singing praises of "Junior Sister Bian," extolling Bian Weiyin's glorious deeds from her childhood to adulthood.

Having learned that Bian Weiyin would be going to the meeting, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang didn't know whether to be happy or not. The departure for the meeting was half a month away, while Bian Weiyin had only given them three days; attending the meeting wouldn't hinder Bian Weiyin's actions here.

However, Shi Chun wasn't afraid of her; she could always take a stance of indifference and toughness.

With the news of Bian Weiyin's registration out, dozens of young elites quickly followed suit and signed up to attend.

In the record room, having received the current list of registrants, Bian Jixiong smiled, "It really makes a difference when someone leads."

Standing before the record desk, Xia Fuli said teasingly, "Does the Sect Master truly not know, or is he pretending to be confused? There are quite a few young people within the Sect who are smitten with Weiying. For many of them, this is a great opportunity to get close to Weiying, to weather the storm together."

Bian Jixiong smiled noncommittally, putting down the list in his hand, "After the three-day deadline, pick four more with good skills and quick reactions to accompany Weiying to the meeting. Safety is paramount."

With that, there was no doubt that Bian Weiyin was placed in the position of the team leader. She indeed had the qualifications, be it intelligence, cultivation, strength, or experience. She had previously been the City Lord of Lankang City, managing a whole city full of people, let alone leading a few.

Xia Fuli nodded, "Yes, indeed."

Before the registration deadline for the meeting arrived, the three-day limit Bian Weiyin had given to Shi Chun came up first.

As they carried water into the courtyard, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang immediately saw Bian Weiyin guarding by the water tank.

After pouring the water into the tank, all three stood in front of it, silent, waiting.

Finally, it was Bian Weiyin who broke the silence, "Are you not planning to explain yourselves?"

Shi Chun sighed, "I truly don't know what to explain. You should report your findings to the Sect. As for whatever punishment they decide—execution or mutilation—I'll accept it."

At this point, he really had no choice. It would either go back to the situation when he previously fled, or he could adopt a stance of indifference and toughness and just leave. He didn't believe the Demon Path wouldn't pull them back in.

In any case, he would not easily reveal the secret of his right eye.

Wu Jinliang nodded in agreement, "It wouldn't be right to make up lies to you; Shi Chun truly does like Xiang Laner, and he just doesn't have feelings for you, Weiying. Persistence is futile."

Bian Weiyin's cold gaze swept over the two men's faces. She felt their brazenness and had wanted to weigh their importance. However, considering the selection for the meeting had yet to be finalized, she didn't want to cause further complications, so she decided to bide her time.

But she wouldn't let them off easily, scoffing, "You both came at the right time. I need a lot of water today. The water you owe me from the last two days, fetch it all today, and not half a bucket less. Go!"

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were left speechless as the goodwill they offered had swiftly turned into malice.

All right, they had nothing to say. There was no reasoning in situations like this; they couldn't win an argument with this woman. If it was just fetching water, then fetch they would.

The two showed their resolve and picked up their burdens to leave.

Pang Tiansheng quickly noticed something odd. Those two annoying brutes hadn't come back early as usual. Upon inquiry, he learned they were continuously fetching water for Bian Weiyin. As soon as he heard about the start of Junior Sister Bian's punishment for them, he was overjoyed.

The deadline for the meeting registration came in a blink of an eye, with over a hundred people signed up. As scheduled, the Sect leadership met and finally confirmed a list of five people.

In front of everyone, Yin Huixin said nothing. However, after returning to her residence, she erupted in anger with Bian Jixiong over her daughter being on the list.

Bian Jixiong countered, "Didn't you agree to her signing up?"

Yin Huixin retorted, "I didn't agree. I said Brother Ke was in charge of the matter and told her to discuss it with you and Brother Ke."

Bian Jixiong replied, "Then you should find out precisely what's going on with her before you come argue with me."

Yin Huixin became somewhat emotional, "Don't use our daughter's wishes as a shield. You're letting her attend the meeting just to defend your authority as the Sect Master and to justify yourself to everyone!"

Bian Jixiong, somewhat provoked, moved closer to her and asked in a low voice, "Why did Wei Bian die? Was it really mainly Weiying's fault? Who sent someone down the mountain to secretly pass a message to Weiying on the night of the incident? I'll tell you, I know far more than you think. If you can make her willing to drop out, I will change the proposed list!"

With that, he turned and strode away.

Yin Huixin's chest heaved rapidly as she stood still, her peach-blossom complexion turning ugly.

Two days later, Bian Jixiong was further infuriated.

In the council hall, a returned receipt from the Domain Office almost hit Elder Ke's face as Bian Jixiong demanded in front of everyone, "Tell me, tell everyone, what is going on with this submitted list of attendees?"

Elder Ke responded expressionlessly.

The others immediately picked up the response slip to check it and one after another, they were all shocked, including Yin Huixin.

"Elder Bian Weiyin, Gan Tangyu, Wu Jinliang, Laner, Shi Chun... this..." Elder Feng, murmuring the names on the list along with Elder Cui beside him, exchanged looks, filled with incredulity.

Admittedly, the individuals on this list were recognized by the higher echelons of Wukang Mountain.

Elder Yi Huachun fixed his gaze on Elder Ke and asked, "Elder Ke, this isn't the list we agreed upon. What's going on? Who altered the list?"

Elder Ke calmly said, "I changed it."

Once again, everyone was shocked, struck dumb by the revelation.

Bian Jixiong was not surprised by this. The only person capable of concocting such an extraordinary list was his own Brother Ke. Despite this, he was infuriated, pointing at his nose and rebuking, "Who gave you the authority to unilaterally change the Sect's decision?"

This was all secondary. Elder Yi Huachun raised the issue, "Aren't you aware that three of these individuals aren't disciples of Wukang Mountain? The rules for this gathering require disciples from each Sect to attend. Are you aware that what you're doing is against the rules?"

Elder Ke replied, "Those three, I have reported them under the guise of Wukang Mountain's disciples."

Elder Feng, pointing at the list, said, "No, the key is that these three are not our Wukang Mountain disciples. If you falsely report this, it will be seen as a deception. If someone catches onto this and uses it to cause trouble, it will be very problematic, not just with the Domain government but also with the Royal Court, who established the rules for the gathering."

Elder Ke said, "That's simple. We can still induct them into Wukang Mountain now. Regarding Xiang Laner, my stance remains unchanged; I still object to this woman joining our Sect. Since everyone insists on my compliance, so be it. I'll give her the opportunity to join Wukang Mountain. If she's willing to become a disciple of Wukang Mountain, fine. If not, do you all think such a woman is worth keeping on the mountain? Isn't she deeply infatuated with Weikang? I'd like to see whether her love is genuine or fake."

Everyone was speechless again. It was still about Xiang Laner's identity as a courtesan.

Indeed, regarding the affair of Xiang Laner, everyone had agreed due to the old Sect Master's face, except for Elder Ke Yizong, who firmly opposed. The matter had been concluded following the principle of the minority deferring to the majority, but nobody expected that he would seize this opportunity to cause a commotion.

But to be fair, his reason was rather compelling: giving them an opportunity to become a disciple of Wukang Mountain right there and then - do you want it or not?

Some elders secretly agreed with this approach, thinking it was a good idea.

However, Bian Jixiong's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Alright then," Elder Feng tapped the list and asked, "What's the deal with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang?"

Elder Ke replied, "Knowing the dangers yet allowing disciples to risk their lives is not the behavior befitting us as mentors. It is our moral duty to minimize the casualties among disciples. Those two scum coming out of the prisons swaggering around Wukang Mountain have been an eyesore for me. It's perfect to send them to the front. In essence, give them the chance to become disciples of Wukang Mountain. If they agree to attend, fine. If not, just dispose of them directly. Once a person is dead, whether they were a disciple of Wukang Mountain or not is for us to decide. Report to the Domain government that an accident occurred – who can object to a few accidental deaths? Just swap someone else onto the list. When the Sect's disciples see the list changing, they will understand the mentor's intentions and won't have any objections. On the contrary, they might even praise the decision. All in all, it's an explanation that works for everyone on every level, and there's nothing wrong with that."

"…" An awkward silence fell. The other elders' expressions relaxed as they considered the plan. It did solve several problems, including getting rid of those annoying individuals hanging around the mountain.

But Bian Jixiong could hardly contain his rage, "This is a Sect decision, not something you can change whenever you want. Why not discuss it first before making a decision?"

Elder Ke replied nonchalantly, "If it saves just one more disciple's life, I am willing to accept any punishment!"

"You…" Bian Jixiong pointed at him, too furious to speak.

Xia Fuli and Yin Huixin exchanged glances subconsciously, knowing full well that this disrupted the Sect Master's covert calculations.

Chief Elder Yi Huachun said, "How we punish is a matter for later. First, let's handle the aftermath. Who will go to ensure those three replace the others and join the Sect?"

He was essentially the eldest brother to everyone, including the Sect Master, and with that statement, it was as if he had sanctioned Elder Ke's approach.

All eyes turned towards Xia Fuli, who had always been the one in contact with the three, but Xia Fuli refused, "Let's not overcomplicate things. Since this is Elder Ke's affair, let him be responsible for seeing it through."

And so, the matter was tentatively settled.

After the assembly dispersed, Xia Fuli unintentionally walked beside Elder Ke and whispered, "Elder Ke, you really have guts. I merely voiced annoyance with those individuals as a joke, and here you are actually taking care of them. You better not say it was my idea; I was only joking. Don't stir up trouble with the Sect Master for me."

Elder Ke maintained his stern expression, "Rest assured, I always take responsibility for my own actions and never push the blame onto others."

Xia Fuli chuckled dryly.

In the Sect's Forbidden Land, Bian Jixiong pushed open the stone doors and knelt behind a white-robed figure in meditation, briefing him on the situation.

After venting his frustrations, "Brother Ke's action was as if he doesn't respect me as the Sect Master at all."

An ancient voice replied, "Enough. That's just the way he is. In fact, if anyone truly respects you, it's him. You should be aware of this. We also need someone like him within the Sect. When the time comes, you punish him as you see fit, and he will not blame you. Has the Domain Master reviewed the list?"

Bian Jixiong sighed, "I made a point to ask; it has indeed been reviewed."

The ancient voice said, "The Domain Master won't remember the small fry on the list, but a review is a review. He's already dissatisfied with our direct communications with the Royal Court and changing the list without permission is inappropriate. It would be improper to have him review it a second time just for our sake, as his opinion matters more than that of Wukang Mountain. It will only be three months, and it will be over soon. Let's handle it this way."

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