Chapter 51: Fulfilling the Promise

By Yue Qianchou

That was the right approach; a promise of benefits was necessary.

Seeing her finally relent on something she had been adamant about, Shi Chun immediately brightened. He no longer cared about Wu Jinliang's doubts, scrambling over to sit beside her, his eyes sparkling. "Really?"

Xiang Lan'er gazed into his eyes. "If what you say is true, then I will be true to my word."

The unspoken implication was, naturally, that if he was insincere, so would she be.

Shi Chun generally understood but still sought clarification. "What do you mean?"

Xiang Lan'er replied, "If your purpose for going to Mount Wukang is truly as simple as you claim, then my promise will hold true."

Shi Chun's stated reason for entering Mount Wukang—to find someone—was undoubtedly false. But he wouldn't admit it, assuring her, "It's as true as can be. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

Xiang Lan'er said, "Then my promise is true. Release me now."

"This..." Shi Chun still hesitated. "If I simply release you like this, what if you go back on your word and attack us?"

Wu Jinliang, standing nearby, nodded. "Exactly, exactly."

Xiang Lan'er countered, "Now that we're cooperating, you no longer need to fear Bian Weikang waking up. You can awaken him first and have him remove the restrictions on me. With him watching, surely you'll feel safe?"

Shi Chun was torn between laughter and exasperation. He had considered this method long ago, and it was utterly unreliable. "How can I be at ease? That fellow would practically lick your feet. Once you're free, even if you kill us right in front of him, he'll still believe whatever you say afterward."

Wu Jinliang nodded in agreement again. "Exactly, exactly. We need something more secure."

Xiang Lan'er's demeanor was now noticeably calmer; she showed no irritation. Calmly, she stated, "You don't trust the Three Vein Alliance, you don't trust the bond of servitude, and you still don't trust me even if Bian Weikang is awakened. You are far too suspicious. Tell me, what *do* you believe? Since you don't trust anything, why are you even keeping me?"

Shi Chun thought, *Do you really think I want to keep you? Fengchi is gone, and you're the only person I know from the demonic path. My cultivation progress relies solely on you.*

He said earnestly, "I don't trust anything else; I only trust your promise. As long as you vow to guarantee my safety and guide me into Mount Wukang, I will release you. As for the rest, whether it brings good fortune or misfortune, it will be entirely my own responsibility. I'm willing to bet my life on it."

Wu Jinliang found these words familiar. He turned his head to stare at the sky, certain that Shi Chun wouldn't easily risk his life based on a stranger's promise.

Xiang Lan'er gazed at Shi Chun for a while longer before slowly declaring, "I promise that as long as your purpose for going to Mount Wukang is truly as simple as you claim, then once you remove the restrictions on me, I will not trouble you. I will ensure your safety and lead you into Mount Wukang. Once inside, as long as we don't interfere with each other, neither of us will cause trouble for the other. How is that? Are you satisfied?"

"Excellent! Decisive!" Shi Chun clapped his hands, a broad smile spreading across his face. He had been fleeing with this woman all this time, waiting for her to finally make a promise. He already had the rest of his plan in mind. Without a word, he immediately stood up, pulled the bank drafts he had just tucked away back out of his pouch, moved to the side, and motioned for Wu Jinliang to follow.

Wu Jinliang didn't know why he was taking out money, but he followed anyway.

Once they were a short distance away, hidden behind a tree, Shi Chun whispered a series of instructions to Wu Jinliang, then handed him the bank drafts worth one hundred thousand gold.

Wu Jinliang, after taking the money, emerged from behind the tree, glanced twice at Xiang Lan'er, then swiftly vanished into the forest, once again setting off without a thought for the strenuous journey.

Meanwhile, Shi Chun leisurely sauntered back between Xiang Lan'er and Bian Weikang. He then comfortably lay down, using his saber as a pillow, clasping his hands behind his head, and leisurely swaying his crossed legs while humming a rustic tune.

After a moment's wait, Xiang Lan'er spoke again. "Still not releasing me? Are you going to go back on your word?"

Shi Chun replied, "No rush, wait a bit longer. Once my brother is far away, I'll release you."

Xiang Lan'er understood immediately. He was sending his companion away to make contingency arrangements. If Shi Chun were to go back on his word, someone would expose the incident and reveal Xiang Lan'er's identity as a demonic practitioner, which would certainly ruin her plans at Mount Wukang. This was a far greater deterrent than any bond of servitude, essentially acting as a double insurance when combined with it.

She scoffed with a look of disdain, "Is this what you call 'only trusting my promise'?"

His opponent had guessed correctly, but Shi Chun simply wouldn't admit it. He maintained a serious expression. "Miss Xiang, I believe there's a misunderstanding. I can bet my life, but I cannot ask my brother to bet his. I merely had him leave first."

He silently added, *It's good that you know; I just fear you don't.*

Alright, that explanation was plausible enough, and Xiang Lan'er fell silent.

Shi Chun, however, didn't stay silent. "Who was that filthy old man?"

"I don't know."

"He claimed to have seen you at the Liyun Brothel."

"Never. With his... distinctive appearance, I would certainly remember if I had."

"Perhaps Fengchi would know. I wonder what her situation is now." Shi Chun sighed. Given that old man's terrifying strength, Madam Fengchi's life was likely in grave danger.

A look of concern also crossed Xiang Lan'er's face.

After nearly an hour, watching the changing sky, Shi Chun finally got up, walked over to Bian Weikang, and after some prodding, woke him.

Bian Weikang, having stirred, looked around and asked, "Where are we?"

Shi Chun shook his head. "I don't know. I was suddenly attacked and passed out myself. I just woke up, too. Ah!" He then lunged towards Xiang Lan'er as if startled, blocking Bian Weikang's view with his back, and swiftly released the restrictions on her. He then turned back, saying, "Miss Xiang is injured."

Bian Weikang had already darted over. Seeing the wound and bloodstains on Xiang Lan'er's neck, and also on her side, he immediately cried out in alarm, "Lan'er..."

He reached out to examine her injuries.

Now free, Xiang Lan'er casually pushed his hand away and stood up, shaking her head. "It's just a superficial wound; I'm fine."

Relieved that she was unharmed, Bian Weikang still supported her arm, asking with bewildered concern, "What exactly happened? I was suddenly ambushed and knocked unconscious while looking for wild fruit. I didn't even see my attacker."

Shi Chun didn't care what had happened; he had already shifted the blame, and Xiang Lan'er could fabricate any story she pleased. His primary concern was his own safety, fearing Xiang Lan'er might go back on her word and attack. He remained secretly on high alert.

To obtain what he desired, he was essentially risking his life.

He also had some of Xiang Lan'er's blood on him.

Xiang Lan'er was too weary to explain much. She shook her head. "I don't know; I just woke up as well. I'm going to tend to my wounds." Before turning to leave, she cast a sidelong glance at Shi Chun, who was feigning ignorance.

Bian Weikang had initially intended to help with her wounds, but seeing the location of Xiang Lan'er's injuries, he realized it was indeed inappropriate for a man to intervene. Given their current relationship, he could only nod to show his concern.

He then turned back to Shi Chun, muttering and wondering what exactly had happened and why Wu Jinliang was gone.

Shi Chun remained evasive. There was no point in discussing serious matters with someone like Bian Weikang.

After Xiang Lan'er had tended to her wounds and reappeared, she indeed did not trouble Shi Chun again, seeming not even to spare him a glance.

Within the vast, boundless primeval forest, finding a single person was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Following the unanimous suggestion of Shi Chun and Xiang Lan'er, Bian Weikang abandoned his search for Wu Jinliang. After determining their direction, the three continued their journey toward Mount Wukang...

Two days later, Miao Yilan, who was engrossed in writing at her desk in the office, suddenly heard familiar footsteps. She turned to find her mother, as expected. Miao Yilan smiled and set down her pen, but just as she began to rise, Lan Qiaoyan gently pressed her shoulder, keeping her seated.

Lan Qiaoyan gazed at what she had written for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "It's clear you're becoming increasingly proficient. You seem to have developed a good grasp of accounting."

Knowing her mother wouldn't visit simply to idle, Miao Yilan asked curiously, "Mother, is something the matter?"

Lan Qiaoyan picked up a ledger and silently leafed through it for a moment before asking, "Did Shi Chun return the forty thousand tan gold he borrowed from you?"

Miao Yilan nodded. "He returned an extra ten thousand, saying it was interest. He paid back fifty thousand in total. Old Dong delivered it that very evening; he kept his promise."

Lan Qiaoyan turned a page, then said indifferently, "I've heard some things. Cao Puqing's nephew, Cen Futong, is dead. When his nephew didn't return on the day of the transaction, Cao Puqing realized something might have gone wrong, so he sent people to investigate in that direction. Later, several bodies were found somewhere in the mountains; most had been gnawed by wild beasts. Cao Puqing's nephew's body, however, was buried among rocks and was relatively well-preserved. Another body was buried alongside him, and Cao Puqing only just discovered today that this body originated from the place of exile, belonging to a fellow named 'Skinny Monkey'."

Miao Yilan couldn't help but stand up, asking in astonishment, "Was it Shi Chun and his group who did this? Weren't they there for a transaction? Why would they kill someone?"

Lan Qiaoyan shook her head. "From the evidence at the scene, it wasn't Shi Chun and his group; a master was involved. Logically, given Shi Chun's intelligence, he wouldn't commit such an act. He should know that Cao Puqing was aware of the transaction's other party. However, Shi Chun also repaid your money, which makes the whole situation rather suspicious. Cao Puqing is currently looking for him. Additionally, the Liyun Brothel was suddenly sold off cheaply, and Madam Fengchi, the owner, has fled."

Miao Yilan froze, then quickly said, "I'll go get Old Dong and Big Stone to ask them."

Lan Qiaoyan looked at the ledger without a word, giving her silent assent. Clearly, she also wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.

Just as Miao Yilan was about to step out, a voice from outside called out, "Is Helmsman Lan here?"

Lan Qiaoyan tilted her head slightly and called, "Come in."

A plump-faced man quickly entered. He was the manager of the establishment. After bowing, he said, "Helmsman Lan, Cao Puqing, the steward of Lü Taizhen, has arrived. He wishes to see Old Dong and Big Stone. The Master of the Guild said that these two were recommended by you, so he requested I ask for your opinion first."