Old Dong, after sending the message with the mother-child talisman, casually handed the talisman to Da Shitou.

The mother-child talisman they used for the first time in their lives was this one, a magic artifact that ordinary monks with a monthly income of a few hundred gold wouldn't be able to afford.

They didn't expect that the mother-child talisman would come in handy only to the point of being overused once it was utilized.

Da Shitou was just about to send his usual pleas when suddenly an ethereal glow appeared on the talisman with words, leaving him bewildered, as it was the first time seeing a message coming through on the talisman.

He was stunned, unable to react, while the East Victory personnel monitoring the message suddenly became alert and swiftly snatched the talisman, passing it to Young Master Nan, saying, "Shi Chun has replied."

With those words, the group on site instantly quieted down, so silent that one could hear a pin drop, and they all looked over.

Lan Qiaoyan, her mother, and Mulan Qingqing, among others, slowly stood up.

After all this turmoil, is there finally a response?

The person handed the mother-child talisman to Young Master Nan while shouting to others, "Quickly, go find Wei Mo."

He meant Wei Mo, who had other matters to attend to and couldn't wait around, planning relevant affairs in a nearby cave.

Watching the writing on the talisman slowly fade, Young Master Nan's smile froze and his lips wouldn't close.

He truly hadn't expected Shi Chun to either not reply or, when he did, strike directly at his heart.

What does it mean to gamble with your life on someone staying true to their word?

It was nothing more than the persuasion he had previously given: report willingly and cooperate with the investigation, if it's confirmed that you're uninvolved, you won't be in trouble.

Though that's what he said before, seeing Shi Chun genuinely wanting to turn himself in made him conflicted, especially with Shi Chun daring to bet his life on his integrity, putting him in a precarious position.

He couldn't help but worry whether the Royal Court would let Shi Chun go once things were cleared, and whether there would be repercussions if they couldn't clarify things.

He was genuinely torn.

He had gotten by without being overly shameless, but this constant feeling of trying to trap someone, especially to an extent of causing grave harm, didn't sit well with him, troubling his conscience and shaking even his cultivational path.

When Wei Mo arrived, the message on the talisman had already vanished but someone informed him of its contents.

Wei Mo bowed slightly to Lan Qiaoyan and others, then took Young Master Nan aside.

"What did he say?" Gu Lianni lightly asked Mulan Qingqing, since they were friends.

Mulan Qingqing shook her head slightly, a bit distracted. She had a direct mother-child talisman to contact Shi Chun, held in her hand, yet Shi Chun's first reply wasn't to her.

Gu Lianni glanced at the murmuring scene, whispering, "What exactly happened that the East Victory Royal Court is putting so much effort into capturing?"

Mulan Qingqing continued shaking her head, finding it her first time witnessing such a scene, at least she hadn't seen anyone treated with such 'attention' from the Royal Court.

Including herself, all of Shi Chun's friends with some status knew once Shi Chun was caught, right or wrong didn't matter, he risked being obliterated because sometimes facing a colossus like the Royal Court, the reason for being crushed isn't about correctness, it's about Shi Chun's weakness and proximity.

As for those once close to Shi Chun, like the elders from East Nine Plain, they hoped Shi Chun would get caught quickly, indifferent to his fate.

The reason was simple, if Shi Chun wasn't caught, those with connections like Mulan Qingqing wouldn't face trouble, whereas the East Nine Plain folks genuinely risk being implicated.

In another cave, Wei Mo noticed Young Master Nan's dilemma, immediately warning him, "Whether we can clarify things isn't important, stabilize him first, assure him so he's confident to turn himself in."

Young Master Nan forced a smile, "How is that different from deceiving him?"

Wei Mo's face darkened, "Brother Nan, I have no other options, do I need to report to Right Minister and have him instruct in person for you to comply?"

Indeed, he had no options, having wielded such authority and power, failing to resolve the issue could mean stopping here for life, and that might be the best scenario, not wanting to face worse outcomes.

"Do I have a choice?" Young Master Nan said, tossing the talisman back to him, "Why persuade me, Brother Wei can proceed as you see fit, no need for my consent."

Grabbing the talisman, Wei Mo snorted inwardly, if not for your connection with Right Minister being obvious, you think I'd want to waste time with you?

Without hesitation, he took the talisman and replied directly: Brother Chun, wouldn't cheat you, rest assured and turn yourself in.

Young Master Nan couldn't help but lean over for a peek, his mouth twitching at the seen reply.

Turning oneself in was fine, but Shi Chun had a small request, wanting to bid farewell to a few old friends, the reason being simple—after turning himself in, uncertain if there's a chance to meet again.

The first he wished to see was Lan Qiaoyan and her mother.

If denied, he wouldn't turn himself in; Wei Mo had no choice but to agree, with both mother and daughter consenting, allowing them to visit Shi Chun.

Wei Mo intended to employ surveillance, but it was ineffective for Shi Chun, given the cooperation with Yu Xuanbing.

Eventually, the mother and daughter who received the message and temporarily entered a mountain valley met Shi Chun, who was waiting with a smile on his face.

Shi Chun, waiting for the two of them, seemed to have returned to the inside of Zhixu City, tidying up his clothes and courteously greeting, "Madam, Miss Miao."

The mother and daughter gave him a thorough once-over, and Miao Yilan exclaimed, "Shi Chun, what on earth did you do to make the East Victory Royal Court want to take you like this?"

Shi Chun sighed, "Even I am at a loss, but since I've already been caught up in this storm, the rights and wrongs are no longer mine to judge. To be honest, I don't want to deal with them. If they want to catch me, they'll have to be capable. But who would have thought they'd implicate the two of you? That was beyond my expectations."

Lan Qiaoyan consoled, "The East Victory Royal Court wouldn't want a staged result, they definitely want to understand what's happening. If it's truly not your doing, clear water will eventually run clear."

Shi Chun said, "Madam is right; that makes sense, but there are too many things in the world that cannot reveal the truth. Madam knows where I come from, and it is not normal for me to gamble my life on whether the East Victory Royal Court would handle things fairly. Moreover, they resorted to despicable means, using your safety to threaten me — what sort of ability is that? But I trust the madam's words, maybe the Royal Court will bring me justice."

Lan Qiaoyan frowned, "They threatened you with our safety?"

Shi Chun: "Not just the two of you."

Lan Qiaoyan was stunned, her brows furrowing.

"I can turn myself in. I'll surrender soon. I hope they keep their word!" Shi Chun said as he cupped his hands in salute again. "Parting from you two like this, I don't know if we'll have a chance to meet again in the future. I still remember that if it weren't for the madam's help, I wouldn't have been able to make it out of Zhixu City alive. Now, because of me, both the madam and Miss Miao have been troubled, and my heart is truly uneasy. After much consideration, I still need to apologize to both of you in person. Here, Shi Chun apologizes to you both. This matter will end soon, and I'll turn myself in. Take good care of yourselves!"

With that, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply. Straightening up, he vanished in a flash and flew away.

"Shi Chun..." Lan Qiaoyan called out, but she couldn't stop him.

Miao Yilan, who was stunned beside her, suddenly asked, "Mother, is he turning himself in because of us?"

Lan Qiaoyan remained silent…

After meeting the mother and daughter, Shi Chun made a request to Wei Mo, wanting to see Mulan Qingqing, which Wei Mo had no choice but to agree to after giving a warning.

On a Lake Heart Island, seeing Mulan Qingqing again, Shi Chun found that she was still the same, with her white clothes like snow and a sword at her waist, looking cold as ever.

"I didn't expect us to meet again like this." Shi Chun joked upon seeing her.

This time, Mulan Qingqing seemed a little uneasy and awkwardly said, "I'm sorry, the Sect asked me to cooperate."

Shi Chun gave a bitter smile, "It's my fault for implicating you. I didn't expect to put you in this situation. Don't worry, it will end soon. I've already promised them, after seeing you, I'll turn myself in."

Mulan Qingqing froze, her fingers clenching and unclenching, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Shi Chun directly answered the question she wanted to ask, "To be honest, they couldn't catch me at all. If they could, they wouldn't use you to threaten me. I didn't expect them to use you as leverage. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't consider turning myself in."

Mulan Qingqing awkwardly replied, "They say they want you to cooperate with the investigation, as long as it's not your doing, you'll be fine."

"Alright, I trust you." Shi Chun nodded, took two steps forward, and came closer to her, looking into her eyes, saying, "Mulan, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met in my life. I am willing to do anything for you."

With that, he turned and left, decisively and resolutely, leaving on the Wind Riding Scale.

And when the East Victory Royal Court found Mulan Qingqing, she was still in a daze on the island among the woods.

When asked what Shi Chun said, she only mentioned that Shi Chun promised to turn himself in and didn't say another word about anything else.

Even when Wei Mo asked her personally, it was the same.

Soon, Wei Mo received the news of Shi Chun officially deciding to turn himself in and requested the place to do so.

After thinking for a while, Wei Mo quickly provided a best location and, upon receiving a confirmed response, immediately prepared with the Mother-child Talisman to organize the relevant arrangements.

One side was determined to surrender, the other ready to accept thoroughly.

The mutually consensual result couldn't be wrong.

On a high mountain, Young Master Nan, who was waiting, kept scrutinizing his surroundings and suddenly saw a stream of light flying in, circling briefly in the air before landing. It was Shi Chun, landing before Young Master Nan, and he smiled, saying, "Brother Nan."

It was the first time Young Master Nan had seen Shi Chun in such a listless state, and he said with a complex expression, "You don't look well."

Recalling the night's exertion, Shi Chun sighed and complained, "Being worn out by you all, constantly on the run and hiding, how could my complexion be good?"

As soon as his words fell, a group of people suddenly emerged all around, either floating in the air or on the ground, rushing in to encircle the area.

Wei Mo also appeared, his heart settling after confirming it was indeed Shi Chun, hovering and looking down with a smile, "Shi Chun, long time no see."

Shi Chun cupped his hands from afar and said, "Lord Wei, thanks for your attention, we meet again."

Wei Mo waved his hand, "Take him!"

Shi Chun submitted to capture without resistance, only smiling at Young Master Nan.

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