The purpose of releasing the Mingshan Sect group was, in fact, to let Wu Jinliang go. Everyone knew that Wu Jinliang had a good relationship with Young Master Nan.

And indeed, the truth was just as such. The people of Mingshan Sect, like Shen Moming and the others, really had no ties with Young Master Nan, and he wouldn't particularly care about their life or death.

They were using the excuse that others in the Mingshan Sect had nothing to do with the case, and thereby discreetly included Wu Jinliang in the release.

Young Master Nan, after a brief pause, understood the implication. Although he still wanted to plead for Shi Chun, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Those hundreds of Royal Court guards varied in rank, and didn't everyone in the court have some friends or relatives? If Shi Chun was innocent, wouldn't others be too? If someone pleaded for Shi Chun and he was released, what would happen when someone of higher status came to plead?

The reason the court wanted to execute those guards was clear too. Regardless of who among them had an issue, everyone present bore undeniable responsibility. They guarded the court's core, and yet someone snuck into the Queen's quarters to steal without their knowledge. For guards, could this be a trifling matter?

If a group of people isn't executed this time, and if all the palace guards don't get a warning, do they want such an event to occur again?

Of course, the reason that Young Master Nan could think of was only one truth. Jiahuan, who truly understood what had appeared in the Queen's room, knew the second truth — that the case would continue to be investigated, but they would first address some immediate issues.

In any case, Young Master Nan knew this time it was truly a challenge to retreat from. He stopped rushing about, knowing that with his connections, there was no use in trying.

He first went to the prison to release the group of Mingshan Sect. Some of them were already imprisoned a second time in the East Victory Royal City.

The Mingshan Sect group asked about the current situation. Young Master Nan shook his head, saying nothing, and asked them to first take Feng Chi for treatment.

Feng Chi was severely injured — his arms wrenched and broken, several bones in his body fractured. While detained, he never received treatment, and now he couldn't even stand. Still, the face that revealed his misery held a fierce determination, and he resolutely told everyone, "Don't worry, the Master won't fall so easily!"

His tough demeanor after the injury overshadowed his good looks, making him a completely different person from the brothel madam who greeted guests with a smile back then.

To this, Young Master Nan made no response, merely waving them to go back and rest.

The group had indeed been quite exhausted during this period, knowing nothing of what was happening, they could only first go back home to recuperate...

Inside the ancient pavilion, Lan approached the Red-clothed Woman who was sitting cross-legged in meditation and reported unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, there's news from East Victory. Shi Chun has been sentenced to death, to be publicly executed in three days. Quite a few people are to be killed, including Mrs. Bai from the Phoenix Clan and personnel from the Extreme Fire Sect, as well as hundreds of negligent Royal Court guards."

The Red-clothed Woman slowly opened her eyes, "Has it become public news already?"

Lan hurriedly said, "It's just been decided, not yet publicized."

"Three days later..." the Red-clothed Woman murmured, then continued, "It's a bit rushed. It's feared that some may not even know he's been captured. Better spread the word more."

Lan said, "Alright, I'll handle it immediately."

"Not now," the Red-clothed Woman interjected, getting up saying, "It seems I should return to the Royal Capital to host a banquet."

Before leaving, she still went to the library to request leave, saying she needed to go home for a few days.

Soon, an invitation from the Western Ox Continent Royal Court flew to various places. The Demon Queen wanted to host a private banquet, claiming to have acquired a treasure, inviting those with discerning eyes to come and appraise it.

Those who received invitations felt deeply honored, with a special sense of prestige, and many who wished to attend didn't have the opportunity.

Astute individuals knew that those invited all had significant status, with some being known to Miao Yi, like the couple Miao Dingyi and Mulan Jin, and so forth.

Within the dignified hall of the Refining Heaven Sect, Sect Master Luo Yan, after reading the exquisite invitation, stroked his beard with a smile, nodded, and then arranged his itinerary with the sect.

After sending off the Sect Master, all affairs of the Refining Heaven Sect continued to run smoothly and orderly.

However, not long after, grim news suddenly came from the Western Ox Continent. During the treasure appraisal, Sect Master Luo Yan used his spells to handle the treasure, resulting in it being broken. The Sect Master vehemently denied causing the damage. The Demon Queen asked, who then broke it?

And no one admitted it.

What started as a joyous occasion turned into disappointment, leading the furious Demon Queen to detain all the guests present for assessing the treasure, claiming they could leave only after the treasure was repaired.

The disciple returning with the news also brought Sect Master's message, saying the Demon Queen's treasure seemed peculiar and asked Situ Gu to assist in repairing and handling it.

Such matters are understandable; they naturally required an expert in the field.

The sect's high-level members immediately sought out Situ Gu.

Though Situ Gu normally acted reclusively, this was a matter he couldn't refuse, so he agreed to go. After making some arrangements for matters at Two Hills, he left with sect members escorting him, quickly heading to the Western Ox.

The Refining Heaven Sect had the Xun Gate, and after a few quick transfers, they reached the Western Ox King City and directly proceeded to the illusionary scenic area.

As soon as the group descended upon the pavilions, after negotiating passage with the Royal Court guards, they saw an inverted ripple appear in the sky.

Situ Gu looked up and frowned, muttering, "Chaotic Spirit Array."

Upon hearing this, a disciple accompanying him expressed doubt, "Within the Chaotic Spirit Array, the Mother-child Talisman cannot connect with the outside. Does this mean that the treasure needs fixing to communicate externally?"

Situ Gu was not too concerned and continued forward.

With his artifact refining skills, as long as there were enough materials, he was confident of being able to repair any magical treasure that could be currently crafted.

However, he did not estimate the time required for repairs.

Just as the honored guests at the banquet lost touch with the outside world, a breeze quickly spread through the Cultivation World, blowing out the news that the East Victory Royal Court would publicly execute Shi Chun and his group in two days.

A theft had occurred at the East Victory Royal Court, and both suspects and derelict employees would be executed!

The news spread far and wide.

Upon learning about this, members of the Mingshan Sect were as anxious as headless flies, thinking only of seeking Young Master Nan. But what use was seeking Young Master Nan except to add to his guilt?

Xiang Laner was more troubled than anyone, pleading with everyone not to let Feng Chi know about this.

She knew too well how blindly Feng Chi supported Shi Chun, almost siding with outsiders. If Feng Chi found out, who knows what chaos he might cause.

At the same time, she was also asking the Demon Path behind her for help in rescue, but was refused.

The Demon Path sensed something unusual; something had just happened at the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain involving the Demon Path. Upon investigation, Shi Chun had meddled there, and the Demon Path suspected this might be bait and had to be cautious.

The Demon Path not only dared not rescue anyone but also ordered Xiang Laner to closely monitor the Mingshan Sect, watching for any contact with Wu Jinliang.

They feared Wu Jinliang might resort to desperate actions and sell out the Demon Path to save people.

In short, if Wu Jinliang showed any hint of appearing, they were to apprehend him immediately to avoid complicating matters.

Meanwhile, Wu Jinliang was at a small building beside a creek on the outskirts of the city, lying by the window, munching on fruit, listening to people who had finished their chores and were washing their feet by the creek talk.

They were discussing Shi Chun's impending execution, but Wu Jinliang did not take it seriously. He was aware of Shi Chun's plan; besides clearing suspicion, Shi Chun had prepared multiple contingency measures to prevent any unexpected events. Getting executed wasn't easy.

After eating, he stepped back two paces from the window, aimed the fruit core into the distance, and threw it forcefully. He then wandered around the room with his hands behind his back, feeling lonely.

It was inconvenient to show himself too much; he knew his height could sometimes be a disadvantage and could only hide as much as possible.

He knew Young Master Nan had betrayed them and dared not reach out. Young Master Nan initiated contact, saying he was fine. Wu Jinliang wouldn't easily believe it; the Master had said surrendering was fine, only to end up in prison. He refused to follow suit and even pretended not to see, making no response.

He wouldn't contact those from the Mingshan Sect either, even if a message came saying everything was fine and they were released; he wouldn't believe it. Even if he did believe it, he would guard against the possibility of a trap for him. Kill him before he would rashly return, so he hence chose not to contact them.

He only believed one thing now: if Shi Chun was the mastermind, he would be the number one accomplice. If Shi Chun could not be found innocent, it was unlikely he himself wouldn't be affected; wanting to capture him would be futile!

If it were him, he would not surrender like Shi Chun, occasionally acting as a bandit and enjoying his time in the Netherworld. He wouldn't be willing to take such risks. Future prospects were plagued with too many uncertainties beyond human control.

Thus, now he adhered to one principle: only when Shi Chun escaped would it be safe for him to show himself…

In Nanshan Royal City, Miao Yilan, upon taking leave to return home, couldn't find her parents. She went to Bowan Building to look for her father, only to learn that her parents were temporarily trapped in the Western Ox region.

She came because she had heard news of Shi Chun's impending execution and hoped her father could help rescue him.

Aside, Shi Chun had turned himself in for the sake of her and her mother's face. He trusted them so much that if he got killed because of it, she would feel deeply troubled.

Unexpectedly, something happened to her parents, and she had no idea when they would be freed.

Bowan Building assured her that everything would be fine, for her father's backing was the Heavenly Court, and the Demon Queen wouldn't dare act without a reason, at most slightly resist.

Miao Yilan, having no other options, sought help from Gong Shaoci nearby, though with little use. His influence amounted to nothing before the East Victory Royal Court, and his only utility was to ask his grandfather, Nanshan Continent's Right Minister.

Gong Shaoci didn't want to save Shi Chun, but for Miao Yilan, he reluctantly went to find his grandfather, yet couldn't even see his grandfather's face. He attempted to send a message, only to receive three words from his grandfather: "Can't help!"

At the heavily guarded Heavenly Star Pavilion, a snow-white figure stepped out the front gate, revealing the forlorn-looking Mulan Qingqing.

It was her first visit here to find her father, for reasons similar to Miao Yilan's. Shi Chun trusted her and turned himself in, blackening her conscience. Thus, she steeled herself to seek her father to intervene.

But as with Miao Yilan, her father was also detained in the Western Ox region. Stargazing Pavilion personnel informed her that the Heavenly Court was negotiating with the Western Ox, claiming there wouldn't be any issue.

Unlike Miao Yilan, Mulan Qingqing's grandfather was also caught in the Western Ox region, having accepted the Demon Queen's invitation to the banquet. Unable to find her grandfather, she had no choice but to come to the Stargazing Pavilion, only to find her father detained.

She surveyed the surroundings outside the Stargazing Pavilion and felt lost...

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