Chapter 195: Sincere Wu Jinliang

“I don’t know means I don’t know,” Wei Mo stated directly, seeing no need to pretend. “What was done isn’t important, as long as we got first place.”

Chi Rang didn’t like that, retorting sarcastically, “Are you saying rebellion is also acceptable?”

Wei Mo replied, “You’re just being difficult. Whether it was seizing or deceiving, by the time the competition reached that stage, it no longer mattered. Your Xuanzhou forces can commit murder and robbery; compared to that, what’s a little deception? If the Marquis weren’t here, I wouldn’t bother arguing with you; I’m not afraid of being ridiculed for this.”

No matter how unwilling Chi Rang was afterwards, Wei Mo stuck to one point: if there truly were violations, was it a bigger problem that the Xuanzhou forces committed widespread murder and robbery, or that the Shengzhou forces committed deception?

These issues were not worth debating; Chi Rang was simply unwilling to accept the result.

The Right Minister Hou, in charge of the competition, seemed half-asleep. Seeing that neither could win the argument, he dismissed them once they had argued enough.

Outside the main gate, Chi Rang gave Wei Mo a cold look, flicked his sleeve, and flew directly away from Immortal Mountain, clearly unwilling to accept the outcome.

Wei Mo, hands clasped behind his back, merely smiled faintly, unconcerned, as if it were just a formality.

He knew very well that those who ran the gambling operation dared to act as bookmakers because they believed they could influence the competition’s process and guide the results. They hadn’t expected the rules to be so strictly enforced, preventing anyone from interfering. Now that the situation had moved beyond that strict control, back into the realm where those people could influence things, he didn’t believe Chi Rang had the ability to overturn the outcome, as that would mean opposing the interests of more than just one or two individuals...

Inside a luxurious entertainment complex, lights blazed brightly, and music and dance filled the air.

Young Master Nan, his clothes disheveled, joined a group of friends, embracing beautiful courtesans and clinking cups. The gambling operation was about to make a huge profit, and they had already started celebrating. They had been suppressed for too long recently, almost causing their friends to fall out, so they desperately needed to relax.

Indeed, they were quite relaxed, with much absurdity at the banquet. Young Master Nan rarely indulged himself to such an extent.

When an amiable beautiful woman came over to greet them and offer a toast, she heard them discussing Shi Chun’s victory and interjected with a smile, “Is he really the champion? Why did I just hear a guest say that the Xuanzhou Domain Lord is unhappy with the result and is already trying to overturn it? It seems Shi Chun himself has been arrested.”

At these words, the group of debauched noble guests instantly froze.

Young Master Nan, who had just raised his wine cup, froze even more.

“Quiet!” A man grabbed a wine pot and threw it directly at the band playing music on one side, silencing them instantly. Faint sounds of joyful singing and laughter from outside could still be heard.

Regaining his composure, Young Master Nan immediately asked the beautiful woman, “Is that true?” The beautiful woman quickly shook her head, “Not necessarily. I just heard it from a guest who has already left. Perhaps he was just talking nonsense after a few drinks.” *Smack!* Young Master Nan put down his cup and stood up, gesturing to the crowd, “I say, gentlemen, why are you still in a daze? Get up! Everything might go to waste. What are we celebrating? Why is Xuanzhou unhappy just because they didn't win? Brother Ye, you should go ask your aunt. Brother Han, quickly go ask your second uncle if there’s any truth to this...”

He pointed at five or six people in quick succession.

The group quickly tidied their clothes and scattered, cursing, leaving behind a room full of brightly lit mess.

The beautiful woman looked at the wasted splendor in the room, shook her head, and gestured with her fan to the servants, “They won’t be coming back to clean this up, will they?”

It was still dark outside.

At the temporary residence in Wu Kang Mountain, Wei Mo arrived. Citing Chi Rang’s dissatisfaction, he formally inquired about the events that had transpired at the Western Extremity competition venue.

Naturally, Shi Chun recounted the events once again.

Wei Mo understood that the young man’s account was much more reserved. His description of the entire process implied he was forced or had no choice but to reach that point. Chi Rang’s version, however, was quite different; he had obtained confessions from the young man’s lackeys, portraying him as cunning and devious. To Wei Mo, this wasn’t important; it wasn’t surprising for people to have their own stances. As a domain lord, he constantly dealt with such situations and was long accustomed to them. He was merely there to understand the facts.

While they were talking, sudden shouts of “Shi Chun, Shi Chun, Shi Chun...” could be heard from outside.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Soon, five or six people appeared in the doorway. It was Young Master Nan, accompanied by five companions.

The fact that they could directly enter this military encampment showed they had some influence.

Seeing that there were people inside and Wei Mo was present, they entered uninvited but tempered their attitudes, exchanging polite greetings.

Their purpose in coming here wasn’t anything else, nor were they particularly concerned about Shi Chun’s life or death; they just wanted to confirm if Shi Chun and his group had truly been arrested.

First they heard they were arrested, then later intelligence suggested they were under protection, having been “rescued” from Constellation Pavilion. They needed to verify the truth of these conflicting reports in person.

Shi Chun and his group were also unsure whether they were arrested or protected.

Wei Mo was aware of the truth; he had orchestrated the entire affair himself. However, he hadn’t announced anything, nor had he said that he was the one who “rescued” them from Constellation Pavilion.

He had more or less understood the situation and didn’t stay long, primarily because he didn’t want to get too close to people like Young Master Nan. Their social strata were different, and it was appropriate to maintain some distance in certain interactions.

Bian Jixiong, on the other hand, wanted to actively befriend these people, but Young Master Nan and his group, while not impolite, merely humored him.

After numerous roundabout inquiries and contacting various people, they finally confirmed that the Wu Kang Mountain group was indeed under protection, and that the orchestrator behind it was Wei Mo. Young Master Nan and his group couldn’t help but curse Wei Mo under their breath for being dishonest.

After telling the truth to Shi Chun and the others, Young Master Nan and his group lost interest in staying further and took their leave.

Shi Chun, having been confused about many things, still didn’t know who Young Master Nan was after all this commotion. As he saw them off, he immediately winked and gestured to Wu Jinliang.

Understanding the hint, Wu Jinliang suddenly spoke, “Young Master Nan, I haven’t explored the royal capital yet. Could you show me around?”

The group was taken aback. Bian Jixiong rebuked, “How dare you!”

“No matter,” Young Master Nan waved his hand. To him, it was a trivial matter, but he still frowned slightly. “Let me find out if you can even leave first.” So he pulled out his communication talisman and inquired. It wasn’t a major issue; he sorted it out, provided that he was responsible for the safety of the relevant personnel after taking them out.

Ultimately, Wu Jinliang was scolded, but Shi Chun and other competition participants also went out to play, as Young Master Nan said he would host a banquet.

The group split into three carriages. Wu Jinliang intentionally avoided the women and entered a different carriage.

As soon as the carriage left the military encampment, free from Bian Jixiong’s suppression, Shi Chun immediately asked Young Master Nan, “Young Master Nan, when the Constellation Pavilion people controlled us earlier, someone killed a Royal Guard soldier right in front of us, and no one dared to offend him. I observed that his martial arts seemed to be from the Su Yuan Sect. Do you know who that person was?”

At this, Young Master Nan couldn’t help but rub his forehead and said with a wry smile, “I heard about the killing not long ago. That person is Mu Lanjin, the Pavilion Master of Constellation Pavilion. You were in the Western Extremity before, fighting his daughter one-on-one, and didn’t you even injure her? Brother Chun, you’re quite something! I heard you even impersonated his son-in-law?”

Some news travels incredibly fast. The story of someone impersonating Mu Lanqingqing’s fiancé for deception had already spread rapidly, pushed by interested parties.

Constellation Pavilion Master is Mu Lanqingqing’s father? Not just Shi Chun, but Xiang Lan’er and Bian Weiying were all greatly surprised.

In another carriage, Wu Jinliang’s first words set a different tone, seemingly muttering to himself, “I don’t like riding in a carriage with women; it’s not fun with women around.” The other two companions instantly understood his meaning. After a brief discussion, they both burst into smiles. Easy enough.

They immediately greeted Young Master Nan’s group, saying they were taking Wu Jinliang to watch the sunrise, then their carriage detached from the others and sped off. Shi Chun did not stop them.

It was the same brightly lit entertainment complex as before.

The host was genuinely hospitable, dismissing the usual courtesans and bringing out the chief courtesan to accompany the guests directly. Wu Jinliang was also very direct; he said they could eat and drink later. Grinning, he put his arm around the courtesan’s waist and went off to explore her room...

After dawn, at Wei Mo’s encampment, Jian Lingzhen, an elder from Luoyue Valley, came calling. She furiously denounced Shi Chun for killing Luoyue Valley disciples and asked the Domain Lord to render justice.

Upon hearing this, Wei Mo immediately knew she was out of the loop. He calmly replied, “The matter has been thoroughly investigated. Five disciples from Luoyue Valley attempted to steal a restraint talisman from Shi Chun, which led to their counter-killing. How do you wish this seat to administer justice?”

“...” Jian Lingzhen froze, not expecting that the truth had already been discovered?

At a magnificent, gleaming jade-like complex shimmering on the water, shining brightly in the rising sun, it was indeed Young Master Nan’s entertainment venue. In a secluded corner of the pavilion, Feng Chi and Xiang Lan’er finally met in secret. It could only be a brief secret meeting, as the former needed to report on the situation at the Western Extremity competition, while the latter recounted the events in a low, rapid voice.

Upon hearing Shi Chun’s various tactics, bright flashes of wonder appeared in Feng Chi’s clear eyes.

When she heard Xiang Lan’er’s judgment that Shi Chun practiced demonic cultivation but was not a true demon practitioner, Feng Chi’s expression grew serious. “No wonder when I first met him, he seemed so clueless about absorbing demonic energy. So that’s it. This information you’ve provided is very important; I will report it as soon as possible. Also, Bian Weikang knows that Shi Chun went to Wu Kang Mountain because he likes you. He feels betrayed by his most trusted friend, and his emotions are a bit out of control right now. You need to inform Shi Chun to be prepared.”

Xiang Lan’er was slightly startled. “How did he know?”

Feng Chi explained, “Bian Jixiong exposed it. It’s related to what Shi Chun did in the Western Extremity. Previously, they probably intended to deal with Shi Chun, to kill him after the competition to provide an explanation to various parties. Now the situation has become complicated. In any case, one thing remains unchanged: in the eyes of Bian Que and Bian Jixiong, Bian Weikang is the most important. Things have reached this point, and who knows what decision the Bian father and son will make. The higher-ups are also hesitating whether to let Shi Chun return to Wu Kang Mountain. I will report the information you provided to them and let them reconsider. What I’m worried about now is whether it will affect your plan for Wu Kang Mountain.”

Xiang Lan’er sighed, “With such a big variable, we can only take it one step at a time now. If a problem really arises, there’s nothing I can do.”

Feng Chi’s expression darkened. “You absolutely must not give up. For Wu Kang Mountain, this move with you has already been deployed. You should know the consequences of a failed plan; it would no longer be suitable to use you for other operations. I was once a Saintess myself, and I ended up as a madam in a brothel. I’m considered lucky. Some Saintesses have no choice but to return to dual cultivation. Which do you prefer? Among so many Saintesses, to stand out, failure is absolutely not allowed!”