Chapter 129: Reunion

“What was that about?!” Wu Jinliang cried out, using his knife to clear away a pile of debris the creature had crawled out of. He stared at the spot where the figure had vanished, then looked around, noticing a large patch of barren ground that had been violently disturbed. The spatial rift the monster emerged from had also disappeared.

Shi Chun darted forward, found the severely injured Bian Weiying, and pulled her to Wu Jinliang’s side, scolding, “What are you babbling about? If we don’t clear out now, are we waiting for those monsters to recover and drag us back to that dreadful place?”

The thought of that place, where they were utterly helpless, sent a shiver down Wu Jinliang’s spine. He quickly picked up the Windscale he had been clutching tightly.

It was his first time using it, and he wasn’t sure how it worked, so he definitely needed to figure it out.

Shi Chun glanced around, realized he couldn’t wait, and simply took action. He snatched the Windscale, immediately cast a spell to control it, and countless scales swirled out, enveloping the three of them. They rapidly ascended into the sky, gaining speed, and disappeared in a flash like an arc.

Looking down at the vast, misty forests below, it was the first time the three of them had seen Moonsea from the air.

They didn't travel too far. As soon as they were clear of Moonsea, they found a mountainside and descended, the countless scales clattering back into place. The three exchanged glances, finally letting out a sigh of relief as if waking from a dream, having escaped that hellish place.

However, their gaze soon turned to the distant sky. Wu Jinliang again expressed his confusion, “What was with those masked figures in black? How can people with such powerful cultivation interfere here? Isn't that against the rules? Also, they attacked the monster leader directly. It almost felt like they came specifically for him!”

Bian Weiying slowly said, “Since they wore masks, it means they didn’t want to be recognized. Whatever the situation, those who can pull off such a feat here are not people we can afford to offend. And that dark dimension – if you don’t want to be forced back in there a second time, don’t mention it to anyone, not even your own parents.”

The sharp tone and context of her words made Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang look at each other intently, then both turned to look at Bian Weiying. Indeed, they noticed her demeanor had changed again. This time, she was truly Bian Weiying – the Bian Weiying they remembered, the one who walked in the rain without an umbrella. Although she appeared somewhat disheveled.

It was then that the two men truly noticed Bian Weiying’s clothes were indeed loose and ill-fitting. Even if they had seen it before, they hadn't paid it much mind.

Seeing them stare at her like that, Bian Weiying seemed to realize something, and a flicker of awkwardness crossed her face. She said to Shi Chun, “You should prioritize healing your injuries first.”

Even her words of concern lacked the typical softness of a young woman, creating a sense of distance.

Wu Jinliang leaned on his sword, grinding the Windscale against his chin with his other hand, head cocked as he scrutinized Bian Weiying, clearly pondering something.

Shi Chun, however, didn’t seem bothered. He immediately closed his eyes and focused on casting a spell.

A moment later, a series of projectiles shot out from his back, embedding themselves in the earth behind him, trailing faint wisps of blood mist that drifted in the air.

He slowly opened his eyes, turned, and walked to the earth, using his toe to nudge out two scales. He shook his head and sighed, “What a pity. Such valuable treasures, just wasted like this.”

Just as Wu Jinliang was about to complain about the huge loss, a hand reached out. Bian Weiying pulled out a small jar of ointment from her spatial pouch and offered it, gesturing towards Shi Chun, “Put this on him.”

“Huh?” Wu Jinliang’s eyes widened, looking as if to say, “Why me?” He retorted irritably, “What’s the big deal? What’s wrong with you putting on the ointment? You two have done all sorts of unspeakable things in there, and now you’re acting all pure with me? Do you take me for a fool?”

However, after a glance from Shi Chun, he put away the Windscale, plunged his large sword into the ground, snatched the ointment, and walked up to Shi Chun, scoffing, “Clothes off, pants off!”

Shi Chun immediately loosened his clothes and belt.

For him, with his strong regenerative abilities, he didn't really have a habit of applying medicine. But this time, his wounds were indeed quite numerous, so speeding up recovery wasn't a bad thing.

Seeing this, Bian Weiying quickly turned her back and walked away, avoiding the sight.

Wu Jinliang chuckled at this. While applying ointment to Shi Chun’s back wounds, he teased, “Senior Sister, should I call you sister-in-law from now on, or just ‘Senior Sister’?”

Bian Weiying thought for a moment, then replied, “Let’s talk about the future later. For now, just call me ‘Senior Sister’.”

Wu Jinliang clicked his tongue, “That’s not what you said in there.” Bian Weiying calmly responded, “Ask him if he dares to marry me now. Will the forces behind you two agree?”

Ever since realizing that Shi Chun hadn’t come to Wukang Mountain because he liked Xiang Lan’er, she had been certain that there were other forces behind the two of them. Otherwise, how could two people just released from exile dare to scheme in Wukang Mountain without a hidden background? It would be strange if they didn’t.

She had previously intended to leverage Shi Chun’s background to compete for the position of Wukang Mountain Sect Master.

Now that she was calm, she realized that what these two were hiding was far deeper than she had imagined. She might believe that their cultivation advanced to High Martial after coming to Xiji, but killing Zhao Shanqi and others was as simple as slicing vegetables, and they could even produce external artifacts, one for each of them. How could such a background be easily understood?

She was not a young girl experiencing first love. She deeply understood that some matters had an inherent arrogance that couldn't be overcome by merely offering genuine affection.

Now that they were out, reality was reality, and it had to be faced.

Wu Jinliang wondered, “What forces?”

“Just focus on applying your medicine,” Shi Chun interrupted, closing his eyes as if in thought.

Once the ointment was applied and his clothes and pants were back on, he seemed to have made a decision. He walked behind Bian Weiying and called out, “Senior Sister.”

Bian Weiying turned at the sound, met his gaze, and instinctively looked away.

Shi Chun said, “Let’s not discuss unclear matters for now. The Heavenly Rain Meteorite Conference still has over a month left. Senior Sister, what are your plans?”

A hint of sadness crossed Bian Weiying’s face. “I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have gone against the sect’s decision, which led to this irreversible situation. Now that I’ve entered Moonsea, I can’t contact Bai Shuchuan’s side, and Wukang Mountain can’t be blamed. Let’s find a place to hide until the conference ends, then we can reappear.”

Shi Chun replied, “All right, as Senior Sister says. Let’s do that.”

Wu Jinliang blinked, feeling that what he heard sounded a little fake.

Shi Chun turned to him and said, “Find a suitable place to hide. Windscale, aren’t you going to try it out?”

Wu Jinliang chuckled, immediately pulled out the Windscale, and began casting spells to grasp its method.

Bian Weiying looked on with some confusion. Wu Jinliang had a Windscale but had never used it?

Soon, countless swirling scales enveloped the three, carrying them unsteadily into the air.

Once he got the hang of controlling it, Wu Jinliang excitedly asked, “Where to?”

Bian Weiying said, “Let’s go find Xiang Lan’er first.” As she spoke, she took out the communication talisman she used to contact Xiang Lan’er.

A hand reached out and took the talisman. It was Shi Chun. “Let’s not worry about her for now. I’ll contact her later.”

Under Bian Weiying’s stunned gaze, he put away the talisman. Then he took out a map, pointed to the direction of the Jianmen entrance to Xiji, and told Wu Jinliang to head there.

“Alright!” Wu Jinliang, still buzzing with novelty, immediately identified the direction and sped away on the Windscale.

With that speed, anywhere within the Xiji region was quickly reachable.

They didn’t go directly to Jianmen. At a considerable distance from it, they found a valley. After carefully scouting and confirming there was no danger, they dug out a cave for shelter.

Once the work was done, Shi Chun showed no intention of staying. He found an opportunity to speak, “Senior Sister, you should still have a few immobilizing talismans for self-defense. Rest here and heal your injuries. If anything happens, contact us. If we don’t return by the time the conference ends, you should leave on your own.”

Bian Weiying was startled. “Where are you going?”

There was no answer, and Shi Chun couldn’t give her one. People who couldn't think alike couldn't talk alike, and naturally, couldn't act alike. He gave Wu Jinliang a look, who chuckled and once again deployed the Windscale. The two then ascended into the sky and departed.

Bian Weiying flew up to the valley rim, watching them wistfully. She vaguely felt that she and they were, after all, not on the same path.

In the air, Wu Jinliang, still excited about flying, asked, “Shi Chun, where are we going?” “Just anywhere for now,” Shi Chun said, taking out the communication talisman for Xiang Lan’er. He immediately cast a spell to send a message: “Where are you?”

Xiang Lan’er’s reply was swift: “In the Moonsea area. You’re out of Moonsea?”

Shi Chun replied: “Yes, I’m out. Give me your exact location, and I’ll come find you.”

Xiang Lan’er immediately reported her approximate location and prominent nearby landmarks.

Shi Chun showed this to Wu Jinliang. Wu Jinliang identified the direction and accelerated with an excited whoop, “Shi Chun, this thing is great! We need to figure out a way to snatch one or two more!”

He was addicted to using it and was quite reluctant to give the one in his hand back to Shi Chun.

They flew over plains and mountains of various sizes. By the time they arrived at Xiang Lan’er’s designated location, it was nearly evening.

Their destination was the highest peak in the vicinity. The two put away their Windscales and landed, looking around. They weren’t afraid of any ambush, and there were no other figures in sight.

Soon, a figure emerged from a mountain hollow, heavily cloaked. Upon seeing the two wary men, the figure pulled off the mask covering their head, revealing a delicate and charming face. It was Xiang Lan’er.

She had been utterly distraught during this period, like a wandering spirit, and today she finally saw the people she wanted to see.

She said, surprised, “Why are you two here?”

Xiang Lan’er said, “Zuo Xisheng gave you the communication talisman he used to contact him. Your attitude is too carefree; it’s perfect for stirring up trouble over there. I found a place for you to hide and told you to wait it out. We can handle the rest. Don’t tell me he’s here alone. I remember him saying he had demonic forces here; where are his people?”

Shi Chun instinctively glanced at the cheerful Wu Jinliang, then raised an eyebrow and asked, “Where’s Sun Shigang?”

“Who?” Xiang Lan’er and Wu Jinliang both looked confused.

“He’s gone missing. Don’t you dare say you don’t know,” Shi Chun said, silencing Wu Jinliang, who was about to speak. He continued, “Did the things on my person fall into your hands?”

Xiang Lan’er asked, puzzled, “Are you talking about that Sun Shigang who harassed you earlier?”