Chapter 196: Like a Fish in Water

The rising sun often signals a new beginning.

Chi Rang, the Lord of Xuanzhou Domain, wasn't one to entertain all guests. The eleven sects' members he had seized also departed from the military compound.

On the roadside of the capital, where vehicles constantly sped by, a group of nearly one hundred people from the eleven sects felt dispirited and crestfallen. They didn't hail any vehicles, but instead walked quietly and aimlessly along the road.

Though their attire differed, the people from the eleven sects moved as if they belonged to a single organization.

Suddenly, an elder from the Azure Wave Sect stopped, inadvertently blocking the sect members behind him. Those who had been walking with their heads bowed gradually looked up.

"Chu Jing-tang," the Azure Wave Sect elder called out.

"Hmm?" Chu Jing-tang, who was behind, quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and responded, "I am here, Elder!"

The Azure Wave Sect elder sighed, "How many years have you been with the Azure Wave Sect?"

Chu Jing-tang paused, sensing trouble, but honestly replied, "I joined when I was eight and am now thirty-five, so it's been twenty-seven years."

The Azure Wave Sect elder sighed again, "So many years have passed in a blink. There's still a bond between us, and I find it hard to truly punish you for this, as you were also misled. However, to claim your actions were entirely innocent would be self-deception. You surely haven't forgotten the solemn trust the sect placed in you when appointing you to lead the team. How could you treat it so lightly?

Do not return to the sect. Let us part ways here. On behalf of the sect, I have made the decision to formally expel you from the Azure Wave Sect!"

"Elder!" Chu Jing-tang cried out in despair, dropping to his knees and repeatedly kowtowing. "Please, Elder, grant your disciple one more chance to atone."

The Azure Wave Sect elder's face showed no regret. "The sect will issue a public announcement of your expulsion to the cultivation world. From this moment, we go our separate ways, with no further ties. Please take care of yourself!"

With a flick of his wide sleeve, he strode away.

The four disciples who had accompanied Chu Jing-tang to the meeting quietly and quickly hurried to follow the elder. Not one of them pleaded on Chu Jing-tang's behalf; it wasn't that they were heartless, but rather, they considered it an act of mercy that only Chu Jing-tang was punished and not them. They dared not invite further trouble upon themselves.

The lead representatives from the other ten sects, witnessing this scene, secretly bemoaned their fate. What was the Azure Wave Sect doing, setting such an example at this moment? Wasn't it just digging a pit for everyone else?

As expected, what they feared came to pass. Some anger and its consequences always have to be borne by someone.

Before long, eleven more people were kneeling on the roadside.

The remaining individuals strode away, returning to their respective sects. There was no longer any need for them to attend the official closing ceremony of the conference; they were simply too ashamed to face anyone. Departing early was an act of respect.

When Chu Jing-tang, whose head had been pressed to the ground for a long time, finally looked up, his face was streaked with tears. Facing the golden morning sun, his full beard made him resemble a lion, yet he wept like a child.

He had joined the sect at eight years old, and his understanding, insights, and all he had learned had gradually taken shape within the Azure Wave Sect. It was the sanctuary of his heart, the home he believed he would never forsake in this life, and where he expected to be buried in old age. But now, that very home had cast him out, leaving him to cry in a moment of utter bewilderment and helplessness.

Unlike the eleven individuals who had been expelled, the four attendees from Wukang Mountain were living in carefree contentment. Such is often the privilege of victors.

With the betting payouts imminent, there was much to attend to—a critical matter that couldn't go awry. Although Young Master Nan was too busy to personally accompany them, he arranged for someone to provide the utmost hospitality. They were given a taste of the capital's lavish lifestyle, encompassing both refined and popular entertainments. Whatever they desired was provided, with Young Master Nan covering all expenses, allowing them to enjoy themselves freely.

Initially, Shi Chun and the others felt quite awkward, finding this sudden enthusiasm somewhat inexplicable. Any sensible person would have been wary.

Once they learned Young Master Nan's identity and realized he had made a substantial fortune thanks to them, their modest expenses for food and entertainment seemed insignificant. They immediately relaxed and began to enjoy themselves.

They only had these few days; after the conference officially concluded, they would return to Wukang Mountain.

Wu Jinliang didn't join Shi Chun and the other two in their activities. He was absent most of the time, and although they didn't know exactly where he went, the three of them understood what he was up to.

It was Wu Jinliang's own carelessness that betrayed him. He'd return with a sly, knowing grin, always smelling of perfume, with un-wiped lipstick marks, and acting suspiciously. Even a fool could tell what he'd been doing.

The two women understood without a word, sometimes casting him disdainful glances.

Shi Chun knew but didn't bother to intervene, feeling there was nothing to manage. In the Land of Exile, many women were treated like commodities, capable of being traded. Wu Jinliang had a particular fondness for such encounters; however, despite his liking for women, he harbored no real emotions for them, discarding them as soon as the deed was done.

There was also a reason for letting Wu Jinliang have his fun. After realizing he had become a primary target, Shi Chun delegated certain inconvenient tasks to Wu Jinliang.

Wu Jinliang had already taken the opportunity to get acquainted with many of Young Master Nan's friends.

Bian Weiying also seemed quite interested in Young Master Nan's friends. Shi Chun could tell that her obsession with Wukang Mountain hadn't faded, and he had also learned from Xiang Lan'er that Bian Weikang had already turned against him.

That evening, Young Master Nan again made time to host guests. Knowing that Xiang Lan'er, who came from a pleasure house, would be present, he deemed it unsuitable for his usual boisterous companions and thus arranged a small, intimate banquet.

Young Master Nan returned with Wu Jinliang from outside; the latter still carried the scent of alcohol, and there were scratches on his neck, left by a woman.

It was an elegant, almost ethereal culinary experience, held in a spacious, exclusive pavilion atop a high mountain. From there, they could almost reach out and touch the moon and stars.

With fine wine and delicious food, they overlooked the capital's bustling nightscape. They ate and paused, walked and observed, feeling as if they were truly above everyone else.

By the railing, Young Master Nan took a plate of snacks and, once alone with Shi Chun, nodded towards Wu Jinliang, who was chatting and laughing with Bian Weiying and others nearby. "Your brother is a rough diamond, quite a character. He's genuinely won over many of my friends these past two days."

Shi Chun replied, "Young Master Nan, you jest. We are merely uncultured bumpkins, foolish country folk. It's already a stroke of luck not to be ridiculed; how could we possibly claim to be 'characters'?"

A playful smile touched Young Master Nan's lips. He longed to ask Shi Chun, "You outmaneuvered the entire Xuanzhou, yet you dare call yourself foolish?"

He had gradually learned many of the intricate details and genuinely admired Shi Chun's cunning.

He didn't argue further but elaborated on the reason: "When I picked up Wu Jinliang today, I found him in an argument with someone, almost coming to blows."

Shi Chun's expression grew serious. "So, the scratches on his neck weren't from a woman?"

Young Master Nan chuckled, "I don't know who scratched him, but it certainly wasn't a man. Don't worry, I'm not implying what you might be thinking.

Apparently, someone took offense to his boisterous bragging about the Western Extremities. He slammed the table and yelled, 'I admit I'm not as good as you on your territory, but if you have the guts, come to my territory and challenge me! If you don't, you're a coward!'

Everyone thought he was bragging, and many scoffed, disbelieving that he had any real territory or could stir up trouble in front of them. But then Wu Jinliang challenged them to visit the Life Prison together, and to everyone's surprise, he completely cowed the entire group, haha!"

So that was it. Shi Chun didn't give it much thought after hearing the story.

After Young Master Nan went to find more food, Wu Jinliang approached Shi Chun and whispered, "Miao Yilan has been in the capital recently. She has a home here, and both her father and Lan Qiaoyan are with her. I've already found out where they live, so you can decide when you want to visit."

Shi Chun had previously mentioned wanting to send a gift, and Wu Jinliang had remembered, making inquiries whenever the opportunity arose.

Shi Chun nodded slightly, murmuring an acknowledgment.

Wu Jinliang continued, "Also, for the past two days, Young Master Nan has been saying some strange things to me, hinting that I should pass them on to you. I'm not sure what he means."

Shi Chun immediately paid attention and asked, "What did he say?"

Wu Jinliang relayed, "He said you should learn from me, that there are plenty of women in the world, and that a strong man shouldn't compete over such matters. He also mentioned that if he had inadvertently offended you in any way, it wasn't intentional, and he encouraged me to advise you more when situations arise."

Shi Chun looked puzzled. "What does he mean by that?"

Wu Jinliang spread his hands. "I don't know, I was hoping you could tell me. Perhaps he saw me enjoying myself while you weren't?"

At this, he chuckled, his laugh both modest and secretive. "You know, these people really have connections. The capital currently boasts three famous courtesans—the kind like Xiang Lan'er used to be, who perform but don't sell themselves. But in the eyes of these people, there's no such distinction; if they desire someone, after they intervene, everything is for sale. I've already had two, and tonight I'm going to visit the third. Do you want her? If so, I'll let you have her; she's very beautiful."

Shi Chun scoffed, "You're truly in your element in this capital."

Wu Jinliang patted the railing and gazed into the distance. "What a wonderful place! I never imagined that just a few days ago I knew nothing, and now suddenly I've reached the pinnacle. What will I do next? It's a shame this is merely their hospitality and doesn't truly belong to us…"

Shi Chun snorted, just about to remark, "At least you're thinking clearly," when Wu Jinliang's mood abruptly shifted. "I'm genuinely baffled," he mused, "how did I ever manage to be with those women in the Land of Exile?"

Deciding it wasn't worth the effort, Shi Chun stood up and walked away.

After the banquet concluded, Young Master Nan departed with Wu Jinliang, while the remaining few stayed there for the night.

Shi Chun had barely settled in his room when the door quietly opened again. He didn't need to guess who was entering; looking back, he saw Bian Weiying had, as expected, slipped into his room once more.

Shi Chun wasn't sure whether to be annoyed by this woman's behavior. She was like two entirely different people, public and private, always sneaking into his room.

Upon meeting, she would embrace him, then engage in the intimate "smooching" that Wu Jinliang often spoke of—as she was doing now, sitting on his lap.

Shi Chun didn't refuse, treating her attention as an honor and accepting her favor, but he made no further advances.

After her breathless lips parted, Bian Weiying's eyes shimmered with a watery haze, and she asked, as if in a dream, "Do you know what Wu Jinliang went to do?"

Shi Chun replied, "I do."

Bian Weiying pressed her forehead against his and whispered, "Do you want to do the kind of things Wu Jinliang does?"

Shi Chun could sense that she had continually tried to push them towards intimacy. He replied, "No, I don't."

Bian Weiying asked, "Am I not good enough?"

Shi Chun answered, "I would only disappoint you."

Bian Weiying exhaled softly, "I know."

Shi Chun said, "Wait a little longer. When I leave Wukang Mountain, you can then decide if you still wish to."