Chapter 205: Troubled by Love

They were looking for the big fish, and the very next day, the one they suspected came to them of his own accord.

Elder Xia Fuli was as striking as ever: handsome, with fair skin, bright, intelligent eyes, and a distinguished manner when stroking his beard. He was undoubtedly the best-looking man among the senior ranks of Mount Wukang.

When they arrived at the Disciplinary Affairs Office, Pang Tiansheng was nowhere to be found. Upon asking, they learned that he had volunteered for an off-mountain assignment with no fixed return date, and someone else was temporarily covering his duties. In reality, Pang Tiansheng had avoided them, following the Sect Master's advice, for fear of being held accountable by Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. Fortunately, Elder Xia wasn't actually looking for Pang Tiansheng, so having someone else summon Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang was just as good.

As soon as Shi Chun emerged upon hearing the summons and saw the elder, he immediately activated his right eye's ability. One glance confirmed his suspicions; his heart skipped a beat. Elder Xia, in his misty form, indeed harbored a cluster of demonic flame in his abdomen. Its size, intensity, and radiance far surpassed anything seen in Xiang Lan'er, Sun Shigang, or even Feng Chi. This was not unexpected for Shi Chun, given the clear disparity in cultivation levels. It was said that Elder Xia had already reached the Human Immortal realm.

This was far more enticing than Bian Weiying. Shi Chun licked his lips. Wu Jinliang instinctively glanced at Shi Chun's reaction beside him. Seeing Shi Chun's eyes suddenly light up, he immediately understood: this was indeed a big fish. He knew Shi Chun too well; once that look appeared in his eyes, he wouldn't give up easily until he had taken a bite, unless absolutely necessary.

When they approached the elder, both respectfully bowed and greeted, "Elder Xia."

Xia Fuli scrutinized them, his head aching. It was bad enough they caused trouble at Mount Wukang, but they had dared to cause a stir at the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Gathering as well. He was truly exasperated. The main reason these two had gone to the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Gathering in the first place was him. He had been so troubled by their antics and so worried about exposure that he bypassed reporting to Xiang Lan'er and others directly, arranging for them to be sent away. Now, they had returned even more notoriously. Heaven knew what trouble they would stir up next.

Of course, he maintained a polite smile and nodded, saying, "I've heard all about your exploits at the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Gathering. Both of you, quite impressive." He then glanced at the respectful disciples nearby, tilted his head, and gestured to Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, "Come, walk with me." His visit today was a resolution from the sect's meeting yesterday. Some matters were to be discussed further with them by him, as he had been the one interacting with them all along. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang had no objections and immediately followed him.

After a short stroll, Xia Fuli led them directly to a high pavilion at the edge of the mountain, which offered a panoramic view of Lin Kang City. The pavilion also served as a lookout point. Xia Fuli motioned for the guarding disciples to withdraw, leaving the three of them to enjoy the view with the wind whistling around them.

After gazing at the distant and nearby scenery for a while, Xia Fuli suddenly spoke, "Shi Chun, I heard you came to Mount Wukang because you were smitten with Xiang Lan'er?"

Shi Chun paused, thinking, "Am I smitten with Xiang Lan'er? Shouldn't you, as a demonic spy, know the answer?" Since the elder was feigning ignorance, Shi Chun played along, "Elder Xia, why do you ask?"

Xia Fuli replied, "I'm not sure if it's a misunderstanding, but Bian Weikang genuinely misunderstood. To be deceived by his most trusted friend, and to have his woman coveted—you can imagine his state of mind; he seemed to go mad. He almost rushed to the Royal Capital to find you two. To prevent any incident, the sect had no choice but to confine him."

Shi Chun had already heard about this from Xiang Lan'er. However, he and Wu Jinliang still maintained surprised expressions, waiting for the elder to continue. Xia Fuli glanced at their reactions, and seeing their pretense, he didn't bother to argue. He continued, "Mount Wukang cannot keep him confined indefinitely. Once he's released, how will you two face him? The solution is quite simple: it's better if you don't meet. As long as you leave Mount Wukang, the matter will naturally blow over. What do you say?"

Shi Chun asked, "Are you expelling us from the sect?"

Xia Fuli turned to face them. "No need to put it so harshly. You were never truly disciples of Mount Wukang. You understand that, we understand that, and everyone else understands that you were temporary additions who would disband afterward. Everyone can grasp that. You and I both know that Mount Wukang cannot allow you to truly become its disciples. Even if you force yourselves to stay, you'll achieve nothing in this life. Why bother? Of course, you've rendered great service to Mount Wukang this time, and we won't let you leave empty-handed. Whether you want money or something else, we can discuss it." He pointed to his chest. "The sect has entrusted me to negotiate with you. Furthermore, if you truly like Xiang Lan'er, we can compel her to go with you; we can make her your woman."

This was not his original intention, but he had to say it. As he himself stated, this was the collective decision of the sect after Bian Jixiong's return yesterday. Of course, the decision wasn't the final outcome; there were still many indirect methods to influence the situation.

Shi Chun said, "Elder Xia, this is quite sudden. May I have some time to consider it?"

"Very well. Think it over carefully, and come find me when you've made up your minds." Xia Fuli left after saying this.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang didn't return to the Disciplinary Affairs Office. Instead, they went directly to find Xiang Lan'er without any pretense. Xiang Lan'er was still living in that cramped little courtyard, like a bird in a cage. After surveying the surroundings, Shi Chun asked, "Have you seen Bian Weikang?"

Xiang Lan'er shook her head. "They're not allowing visitors for now. Why are you here?"

"Xia Fuli just found me..." Shi Chun recounted everything Xia Fuli had said, then asked, "The story about me coming to Mount Wukang because I liked you was made up by you all, but they've taken it seriously. What should I do now?"

This situation had, in fact, been leaked to Xiang Lan'er's side by Xia Fuli not long after Mount Wukang made its sect resolution yesterday. Xiang Lan'er was silent for a moment. "You said you came to Mount Wukang to find someone. Did you find them? If so, would it be alright to leave?"

Shi Chun suddenly looked a bit forlorn. "Actually, I found the person a long time ago, but I don't want to leave Mount Wukang."

"You found them?" Xiang Lan'er was surprised. She tried asking, "Since you've found them, why don't you want to leave? You should know that Mount Wukang isn't a place for you to stay long-term."

Shi Chun sighed, "Because I know very well that she won't come with me. Given the current situation, I probably won't be staying at Mount Wukang much longer anyway; they're certainly going to force me to leave. I'm wondering if I should tell her the truth—tell her I like her."

"What?" Wu Jinliang, standing nearby, looked as if he'd been struck by lightning. He slowly turned his head to Shi Chun. He didn't believe for a second that "Spring" (Shi Chun) would talk about love; that man preferred to talk about profit, not romance.

"..." Xiang Lan'er was truly startled as well. So, after all this, this fellow came to Mount Wukang for a woman? She thought, "No wonder this guy's actions didn't seem like those of a demonic practitioner; who among them would act so willfully?" For a woman, that actually made some sense. She couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, and besides, she certainly had to ask. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, "Bian Weiying?"

Wu Jinliang also had that woman in mind.

Shi Chun shook his head. "Someone more beautiful than her."

Wu Jinliang racked his brain trying to remember.

Xiang Lan'er thought blankly for a moment. A woman among Mount Wukang's disciples more beautiful than Bian Weiying? She racked her brain, realizing she hadn't interacted with many Mount Wukang disciples, and couldn't come up with an answer. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Who?"

Shi Chun said, "I grew up in the Land of Exile, and I had never seen such a beautiful woman there. She was the most beautiful woman I saw after leaving the Land of Exile. The moment I first saw her, I fell for her and did many foolish things for her."

Xiang Lan'er frowned. According to the timeline she had, this guy hadn't been out of the Living Prison for long before he came to Mount Wukang. What beautiful Mount Wukang disciple could he have met during that time? Her mind was drawing a blank. She couldn't help but press, "Who is it, exactly? If you can confide this secret in me, aren't you hoping we can help you? Knowing who it is will allow us to determine if we can assist you."

Shi Chun looked into her eyes. "It was right after I came out of the Land of Exile, when I first arrived in Zhaotian City. The moment I saw her, I was completely captivated. Truly, I had never seen such a beautiful woman in the Land of Exile, and she was also the prettiest woman I had seen in Zhaotian City."

A female disciple of Mount Wukang? Seen in Zhaotian City? Who could it be? Xiang Lan'er and Wu Jinliang's minds raced, confused and tantalized by his words.

"Unfortunately, I met her a bit late; she already had a man. My heart was truly twisted with pain at the time. Later, when I saw her man fail to redeem her, I was actually quite pleased..."

These words were alarming. Xiang Lan'er and Wu Jinliang's gazes shot towards him like lightning.

"Shut up!" Xiang Lan'er interrupted, startled, her face flushed with anger. "Are you saying *I'm* that woman? Are you making fun of me?"

Shi Chun stared into her eyes. "Making fun? Do you think I helped Bian Weikang redeem you just for money? I had just come out of the Land of Exile, unfamiliar with the place, and I was going to offend Lü Taizhen, a local power in Zhaotian City. Do you really believe I did it to earn a bit of cash, or that I was trying to infiltrate Mount Wukang to find someone? Besides Bian Weikang, I didn't know a soul at Mount Wukang. Who would I be looking for?"

Xiang Lan'er sneered, "I remember perfectly well how you were ruthless when you held me hostage. I still remember it vividly. Is that how you show your affection for me?"

Shi Chun: "You startled me back then; that was a subconscious reaction for self-preservation."

Xiang Lan'er looked sarcastic. "Nonsense! You sold me to Lü Taizhen and arranged for Cen Futong and his men to abduct me. Was that also a sign of your affection?"

Shi Chun: "The plans and deals Cen Futong and his group knew about were all deceptions I fed them. I merely used them to snatch you away from Bian Weikang. Afterward, I intended to use their hands to eliminate Bian Weikang. Once the son of Mount Wukang's Sect Master was dead, how would Lü Taizhen dare to keep you? When I discovered you had another identity and didn't truly like Bian Weikang, I was actually quite pleased, and that's when I went with the flow and followed you to Mount Wukang."

Wu Jinliang looked down at his toes; he had already figured it out. He knew that "Spring" (Shi Chun) was not a man for romance; there was always a catch when he talked about love. He immediately sighed, "The original plan was to make Cen Futong the villain. Once Bian Weikang was dead, you would naturally end up with him. Ah, Spring truly likes you; I can vouch for that. He often calls your name in his sleep. He's troubled by love."

Xiang Lan'er's memories of past events were a bit hazy, but the two men's words now exasperated her, filling her face with anger. "Don't try that trick on me! Don't think I don't know you, Shi Chun, have a secret affair with Bian Weiying!"