Chapter 214: Elbows Pointing Outward

Among the accompanying personnel, Yin Huixin occasionally cast surreptitious glances at Bian Weiying or Shi Chun. Though the turmoil and anger in her heart had not dissipated, she repeatedly suppressed the urge to confront and question them.

She saw that Bian Weiying herself was happy and content with the situation.

Since things had already come to this, whether right or wrong, she respected Bian Weiying's choice.

After all, Bian Weiying was no longer a child, nor an naive young lady from a prominent family; she had even once governed Linkang City. She had her own understanding of right and wrong. As a mother, Yin Huixin could only feign ignorance.

There was nothing she could do. On Wukang Mountain, though she was a revered elder, she could not change anything. Once the truth was revealed, the matter would be beyond her or her daughter's control.

Still, she wondered where things had gone wrong. How could her daughter possibly fall for someone like Shi Chun?

After much thought, she realized it must have been during the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Assembly. That was the only time the two would have had the chance to get to know each other and spend time together.

Bian Jixiong led the distinguished guests onto the city wall and pointed to a location several miles beyond it, declaring it the chosen site for the Xun Gate.

Why outside the city? Bian Jixiong spoke fluently, explaining that Linkang City would be expanded, and that location would become its future center. He assured them he would quickly organize labor to level the terrain.

Shi Chun, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but admire Bian Jixiong. He was managing multiple significant projects simultaneously, showing no hint of malicious intent towards them. He even went through the motions of discussing terms for Shi Chun's departure from Wukang Mountain with him, all while secretly planning to eliminate him and having collectively deceived the sect's high-ranking officials.

If it weren't for the well-informed intelligence from the Demonic Path, he might have genuinely died without knowing how or why.

However, he also understood why Bian Jixiong would resort to such drastic measures. If they knowingly allowed someone from the Demonic Path to leave, it would be difficult for them to disassociate themselves in the future.

Shi Chun also noticed that Elder Xia Fuli, who was among the accompanying personnel, seemed somewhat distracted, occasionally lost in thought.

Once the formalities for the Xun Gate's site selection were complete, the matter no longer concerned others. The primary focus remained on Bian Jixiong and other high-ranking officials entertaining the esteemed guests. Some disciples who had descended the mountain opted to stay in the city for leisure rather than immediately return.

Shi Chun and his companions, having received a discreet summons from Feng Chi, reconvened in her secret chamber.

Without beating around the bush, once everyone was present, Feng Chi stated directly, "Shi Chun, there's a reply from above regarding your plan. We've been instructed to make our own decision."

Xiang Lan'er was immediately taken aback. She had later heard about Shi Chun's plan from Feng Chi and found it truly audacious. She longed to warn Shi Chun that failure would be perilous, and even success would yield him no benefit. Why undertake such a thankless task when a prompt withdrawal would be far more sensible?

Shi Chun sharply caught the key phrase and asked, "We? What does that mean?"

Feng Chi replied, "It means exactly what it says. Our group might already be exposed; hence, the collective 'we.'"

Shi Chun asked, puzzled, "Without support from your superiors, what can this 'we' achieve?"

Feng Chi shook her head. "Our superiors can no longer provide support. The crux of the issue lies with the Bian clan. Our superiors are uncertain how many people the Bian clan has privately informed about our connection to the Demonic Path. The Bian clan is cunning; our superiors don't know if the informants they've identified represent the full extent of those who know. What if it's only a partial list?"

Shi Chun pondered for a moment, then said, "It means there might be others lying in wait, and people still watching from the shadows. Your superiors are concerned that deploying additional forces would be walking into a trap or exposing themselves further. As for us, who are already exposed, our loss would be deemed inconsequential."

There were certain things Feng Chi found difficult to disclose to Shi Chun. Her efforts to convince him, by stating that Shi Chun was unwilling to leave with them, had inadvertently revealed the true intentions of their superiors.

Currently, Shi Chun held little utility for their superiors. The reason was simple: his identity as a demonic cultivator had been exposed. Both Miao Dingyi from Bowang Tower and other factions would distance themselves from him, rendering him unable to leverage his former value.

The willingness to take him away stemmed from the abilities Shi Chun had demonstrated at the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Assembly. Their superiors intended to cultivate him for use in a different capacity.

The situation had reversed rapidly. Previously, he was crucial, but now, upon the mention of conditions, he immediately became inconsequential, an expendable asset.

She slowly explained, "That's roughly the idea. We now have two options: either we withdraw, and our superiors will handle the aftermath, or we proceed as you suggested. If we succeed, it will prove one thing..."

Shi Chun interjected, "It would prove that the Bian clan hasn't excessively leaked our connection to the Demonic Path."

Feng Chi nodded. "Precisely. Once that's confirmed, our superiors will eliminate all the informants they've identified for us, allowing us to withdraw openly and live without constantly hiding in the shadows. The crucial condition is that no one must know it was the Demonic Path responsible; otherwise, even if we succeed, we'll be condemned to perpetual hiding."

Xiang Lan'er subtly frowned, sensing that her superiors' attitude towards the matter felt somewhat amiss.

Her suspicion was correct. Feng Chi clearly understood that their superiors were not only pressuring Shi Chun but also coercing their entire group. With the superiors unwilling to directly intervene, they were effectively forcing them to desperately execute Shi Chun's proposed plan.

With Shi Chun's value diminished, she and Xiang Lan'er, having failed their mission, would not only be forced into hiding but also face unbearable consequences.

However, if Shi Chun retained his value, then Xiang Lan'er's value would also remain. And since Xiang Lan'er still needed Feng Chi, Feng Chi's own value would also be preserved.

Having been part of the Demonic Path for so long, the superiors' intentions were not difficult for her to grasp. From their perspective, why not seize an opportunity that required no cost and could potentially restore Shi Chun's value?

Should it fail, it wouldn't matter much; they were already exposed, so their lives were no longer significant.

"Eliminate the Bian clan, receive no support, and ensure no one knows the Demonic Path was involved?" Wu Jinliang scoffed, his face full of derision, as if asking where such a convenient arrangement could possibly come from.

Shi Chun tilted his head, deep in thought. This proposition certainly elevated the complexity of the problem for him.

However, the temptation was considerable: the prospect of freely moving between light and shadow. This appealed not only to Feng Chi and Xiang Lan'er but to him as well.

After finally escaping the harsh environment of the land of exile, who would willingly return to the shadows?

After further contemplation, he asked, "Since our superiors are willing to say this, they should be able to grant us some time, right?"

Feng Chi replied, "Five days. They can only grant us a maximum of five days' delay, otherwise, individuals on another operational line might become suspected and subsequently exposed."

Shi Chun mused for a moment, then shook his head. "What is Bian Que's cultivation level? Peak Great Attainment Human Immortal, very likely already an Earth Immortal. Just us? How could we possibly kill him with minor tricks within five days? It would be difficult even to get close to him."

Feng Chi clarified, "The 'we' I refer to isn't just the people present. There's also a master in Linkang City who was initially prepared specifically to counter Bian Que; he shouldn't be his match. Furthermore, on Wukang Mountain, there's a highly influential insider, both of whom can coordinate with us. If this were an impossible task, our superiors wouldn't have asked us to do it."

Upon hearing there was another master capable of suppressing Bian Que, Shi Chun's eyes immediately lit up. This was the crucial element, precisely what he needed. He instantly felt the task would be far more manageable; otherwise, it would be virtually impossible in such a short timeframe. As for the influential insider, he didn't care; he already knew their identity.

He promptly asked, "So, how do you plan to proceed?"

He sought to understand their plan, hoping to find a way to exploit it for his own gain.

Feng Chi replied, "I've only just learned of our superiors' latest directive and haven't started formulating a plan. Since they've entrusted this matter to our discretion, we must handle it ourselves."

Shi Chun immediately inquired, "What does that hidden master in the city intend to do?"

In his view, given their motley crew, it was natural that the strongest would dictate terms. He could only try to subtly influence their decisions.

Feng Chi stated, "I've already convinced him that it's better for those on the mountain to make the decisions regarding this matter. We, who are below the mountain, don't fully understand the specifics up there. Rather than us deciding based on your preferences, it would be better for you to make the decisions, and we will then review your plan for its suitability."

Shi Chun conceded the point and then probed further, "And what about that highly influential insider on the mountain? What does he plan to do?"

Driven by his desire for personal gain, he was relentless in trying to uncover their plans.

Feng Chi explained, "He wasn't originally part of our operational line. Circumstances progressed to a point where cooperation became necessary, so both sides connected to coordinate. Normally, we aren't permitted to know of each other's existence.

In other words, for many of our internal operations and plans, it's generally best that as few people as possible are aware.

Likewise, he currently doesn't know about the plan you proposed; he only knows that the withdrawal was suddenly halted.

You might not realize that individuals on different operational lines sometimes have differing interests. The reason you were sent to the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Assembly was precisely because his views conflicted with ours, and he bypassed us to intervene directly.

Therefore, no one can guarantee what his attitude will be once he's informed about this. It might not be appropriate for him to manage the plan. My personal view is that if our opinions align, then we should stick to the old rule: no need to inform too many people beforehand."

Xiang Lan'er understood Feng Chi's meaning: they couldn't return empty-handed. They had to make a concerted effort, regardless, and not allow conflicting opinions to interfere.

Shi Chun asked skeptically, "Is it appropriate without his cooperation?"

He knew the identity of the influential insider on Wukang Mountain and felt that without their agreement, the task would be challenging.

Feng Chi explained, "This time, his situation is the same as ours. His superior has already initiated preventative measures to distance themselves from him; he has been reclassified into 'us' by our superiors. So, as long as the plan is suitable, and as long as the master in the city deems it acceptable and gives the word, he will have no choice but to cooperate."

Shi Chun let out an understanding 'Oh.' In truth, he didn't care who among them managed the plan; his primary interest was understanding the plan itself. He then turned to Xiang Lan'er, tentatively asking, "So, how do you intend to proceed?"

In his estimation, if the decision rested with someone on the mountain, and it wasn't Xia Fuli, then it had to be the 'Miss' Feng Chi had mentioned; they were, after all, part of the same faction.

Xiang Lan'er thought the same and was about to state that she too had just been informed, when Feng Chi, looking directly at Shi Chun with a resolute gaze, declared, "I personally still believe it would be best for you to plan and manage this matter."

At these words, not only was Shi Chun stunned, but Xiang Lan'er was also greatly surprised, wondering why Feng Chi was suddenly favoring an outsider.

Feng Chi understood her unspoken question and immediately rephrased her explanation: "Miss, he proposed the plan, and I believe he may already have some ideas. Perhaps we should first hear his perspective."