Chapter 217: Family

The man in green didn't know the reason himself, so Feng Chi had to relay his exact words to Shi Chun.

After this back-and-forth communication, Shi Chun became agitated. He realized this operation was becoming unfeasible. What did "no random killing" mean? When did the demonic sect start talking about morals? This was clearly a joke. It was obvious the demonic sect had deep secrets hidden within Wukang Mountain.

He replied directly, "There's no such thing as an unchangeable plan. Plans always evolve with circumstances. Don't beat around the bush; just tell me directly who I cannot kill."

His reply carried a hint of temper.

He was certainly annoyed. After all this effort, he found the demonic sect had laid traps everywhere. How was he supposed to proceed?

Feng Chi replied on behalf of the man in green, "You only need to obey and act accordingly."

Shi Chun asked, "Do you mean I should draft a detailed plan, then if it hits a sensitive point, your superiors will make me revise it repeatedly until they're satisfied?"

He wanted to know if there were other significant figures on Wukang Mountain, and if so, he intended to see if he could deal with them all at once.

Feng Chi, still siding with him, showed the message to the man in green and added, "He has a point. Perhaps it's best to convey this to the higher-ups."

The man in green thought for a moment, then walked aside to make another contact.

When he returned, his expression was peculiar. He told Feng Chi, "Contact Shi Chun and ask him about getting Bian Weiying involved. How's that progressing, and what's his confidence level?"

Feng Chi immediately relayed the message.

Shi Chun had no confidence in the matter; it was merely a pretense to deal with the demonic sect. He only wanted to help Bian Weiying rise to power and never actually intended to involve her in their schemes. In fact, he wouldn't even mention it to her. Did they really think he wanted to exert effort for the demonic sect?

He replied, "I haven't found a suitable opportunity to speak to her yet. Bian Weiying seems to have gone on a long journey after leaving the mountain; I don't know where she is."

After reading this, the man in green immediately told Feng Chi, "After consideration, the superiors have made a new decision. Shi Chun and his group are to cease their involvement in this matter. They should prepare for immediate withdrawal and will be notified when it's time to evacuate."

"Ah!" Feng Chi was surprised. She asked, "Why? Is it just because he didn't directly comply with the superiors' wishes? Is it not even allowed to discuss the situation?"

The man in green shook his head. "No, the superiors actually found Shi Chun's method good. However, after careful consideration, they decided he wasn't the best candidate to execute the plan and have arranged for someone more suitable."

Feng Chi instinctively asked, "Who is it?"

The man in green replied, "Contact 'Nightingale' and tell him to meet me. I will speak with him in person."

"'Nightingale'? Him?" Feng Chi was astonished.

The man in green nodded slightly.

Feng Chi was somewhat speechless but had to admit that Nightingale's convenience of action and deep connections on Wukang Mountain far surpassed Shi Chun's. Indeed, Nightingale was a more suitable choice to execute the plan.

She sighed lightly and, as instructed, replied to Shi Chun: "You no longer need to be involved in this matter. Just prepare for withdrawal."

What did this mean? Shi Chun was a bit confused. Was it because he shouldn't have been so headstrong and lost his temper earlier?

Earlier, he'd been worried Feng Chi was too accommodating towards him, but now, in an instant, there was nothing to worry about, and he felt stung. He immediately sent a message, regretting his actions and admitting fault: "Alright, I'll start detailing the plan right away."

Feng Chi found it both exasperating and amusing. She replied, "No need. The superiors have already assigned someone else to execute it. You will be notified when it's time to withdraw."

She then took out her communication talisman and directly contacted "Nightingale," informing him about the meeting.

Shi Chun, standing on the road holding his talisman, was bewildered. The plan he had painstakingly devised was now being executed by someone else?

He had never encountered something like this back in the place of exile, and he found it a little hard to grasp. He really wanted to ask who had taken over, but just as he was about to use the talisman, he stopped himself. He decided to be rational; there was no point. Given their level of secrecy, asking would be futile.

However, he had a hunch. It was likely either Elder Xia or the other deeply embedded insider on the mountain that had been mentioned.

After putting away the talisman, he remained motionless for a long time. Standing on the road between Linkang City and Wukang Mountain, he felt a sense of frustration. All his efforts had been in vain; that "fish" was now beyond his reach.

Suddenly, a whooshing sound pierced the air.

He instinctively twisted his body to the side, dodging. Immediately, he saw a beautiful woman standing in the mountain forest. She was dressed in a dark-colored long dress, and her face was as lovely as a peach blossom. It was none other than Yin Huixin, an elder of Wukang Mountain, the Sect Master's wife, and Bian Weiying's mother.

What was the meaning of this? He was puzzled. He instinctively scanned the surroundings but found no one else, only this elder.

He couldn't ignore her; she had already thrown a stone as a greeting. He quickly moved over, cupped his hands, bowed, and saluted, "Greetings, Elder Yin."

Yin Huixin said nothing. As she floated deeper into the forest, she tilted her head to signal him, clearly indicating for him to follow.

The difference in their power was immense, so Shi Chun couldn't refuse. He had no choice but to brace himself and follow.

The two, one behind the other, didn't venture too far into the forest. They stopped on a small hilltop that was both secluded and offered an open view, making it easy to observe their surroundings.

"Elder, what are your instructions?" Shi Chun cautiously probed, while discreetly observing her reaction.

Yin Huixin glanced at him and said indifferently, "Last night, I went to Weiying's residence."

As soon as she spoke, Shi Chun felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Her tone, bringing him to this secluded spot to talk, made it clear what she meant, unless he was a complete fool. He immediately felt as awkward as a grandson.

He began to inwardly blame Bian Weiying. He had said it wasn't appropriate, but she insisted no one would disturb them. Now what?

He realized there was still much to learn after leaving the place of exile. Today, he kept encountering unfamiliar situations. This current predicament was also a first, and he wasn't sure what would happen next. He quickly pondered how to react.

"What's wrong, struck dumb?" Yin Huixin asked, giving him a cold, sidelong glance.

Shi Chun wanted to say that her daughter was the one who insisted on it, and he was merely passive. But the problem was, who would believe such nonsense? Besides, he simply couldn't bring himself to shift responsibility for such a matter onto a woman.

As a man, he also had his pride; he couldn't possibly say he had been taken advantage of by a woman.

After much hesitation, he finally mumbled, "Elder, I don't know how to explain this. Perhaps you should ask Bian Weiying."

Yin Huixin asked, "Then tell me first, where did she go?"

Shi Chun replied, "I honestly don't know. I only know she took leave to go down the mountain, but she didn't tell me where."

Yin Huixin's gaze flickered to him, and she asked again, "How do you intend to resolve this matter?"

Shi Chun was speechless. "Resolve what? This is between us. Why are you interfering? If you didn't interfere, there'd be no issue at all; it was just a moment of pleasure."

After a pause, Yin Huixin asked again, "Will you marry her?"

Shi Chun felt a headache. He lowered his head slightly and said nothing.

After a while, Yin Huixin asked again, "Will you take her with you when you leave?"

Shi Chun remained silent.

In fact, his silence already conveyed his stance.

Unbeknownst to him, the sincerity of his attitude would determine Yin Huixin's subsequent demeanor and what she would say next.

After a long silence, Yin Huixin suddenly asked, "What exactly is your background?"

Shi Chun replied, "It's obvious. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. It's not important anyway. As you know, I'm about to leave Wukang Mountain."

Yin Huixin responded, "Is that so? On Wukang Mountain, no one knows Bian Jixiong better than I do. He appears calm recently, but all signs indicate he's planning something. Yesterday, Xia Fuli bid me farewell, saying he was going far away. He left, but then suddenly returned, looking somewhat disoriented. So, I secretly watched him, and today I saw him covertly send out several communication talismans."

At her words, Shi Chun's heart pounded, and he felt a surge of surprise and suspicion.

"You spent last night at Weiying's place. Today, Weiying left, and you repeatedly went down the mountain. Everything is happening so densely and frequently, seemingly presaging an impending storm. I'm not interested in what's about to happen; I only care about my daughter's safety. I just want to know if she'll be alright. Xia Fuli was so distracted; he didn't even know Weiying had taken leave and left Wukang Mountain until I found him. Shi Chun, I have no other choice. Don't force my hand!"

Shi Chun sensed the danger in her words. Nevertheless, his focus shifted elsewhere, and he cautiously asked, "Why would Elder Xia tell you he was going far away?"

That was too strange, too abnormal.

He knew the true reason behind Xia Fuli's farewell yesterday.

Yin Huixin was silent for a moment, then countered, "I am asking you."

Shi Chun said, "Elder Yin, unless Bian Weiying harms me, she is the last person on Wukang Mountain I would ever conspire against. Her departure has nothing to do with what you might think. I truly don't know where she went, but I know she left with her own intentions, which are also unrelated to the current troubles. Moreover, I hope she doesn't return for a while, but I don't know when she will. I truly hope she comes back later."

Yin Huixin listened, half-understanding, and asked, "Don't you two have a communication talisman to contact each other?"

Shi Chun replied, "Yes, we do, but contacting her would be useless. She has her own plans and won't tell me where she is; I understand her reasoning. I also don't want to contact her because I genuinely hope she returns later. I suggest, Elder, that you also don't disturb her. She's likely not concerned with outside matters right now, so contacting her might be futile. You've probably already tried, haven't you?"

Yin Huixin asked, "Is this your assurance to me?"

"I suppose so," Shi Chun nodded.

Yin Huixin turned and took a step, about to leave.

A thought flashed through Shi Chun's mind, and he suddenly called out, "Elder Yin!"

Yin Huixin stopped and looked back at him.

Shi Chun continued, "Elder, do you happen to have any spare communication talismans? If so, perhaps you could spare one for me. It would make it easier for us to contact each other. If anything happens to Bian Weiying, I could inform you promptly. You already know my relationship with Weiying; you could also be considered family to me. If you ever need anything, please feel free to command me."

This was pure nonsense.

He had merely realized that Elder Yin's relationship with Xia Fuli was likely not simple, and a sudden idea struck him: if Xia Fuli truly took over the plan, would its execution involve Elder Yin?

He seized the opportunity to get involved.

"Family?" Yin Huixin scrutinized him with an unreadable expression. Nevertheless, she flipped her hand, pulled out a communication talisman from her qiankun bag, broke it in half, tossed one piece to him, and then flew away.