Chapter 52: Wukang Mountain

By Yue Qianchou

Lan Qiaoyan thought for a moment and nodded slightly. "He's considered a prominent figure in Zhaotian City, and it wouldn't be right to make things difficult for your Tower Master. Since he's here, let's meet him."

"Alright, I'll go inform him now," the shopkeeper said, immediately bowing and taking his leave.

Not long after, in a reception room at Bowang Tower, the shopkeeper and Cao Puqing arrived side by side and took their respective seats.

Old Dong and Big Stone had already been brought in beforehand. After clarifying their identities, Cao Puqing immediately questioned them face-to-face, asking only if they knew Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, and if they knew where those two had gone.

The two admitted to their connection with Shi Chun but adamantly claimed they had no idea where he had gone.

After listening, Cao Puqing noncommittally sipped his tea, then emotionlessly dropped a bombshell: "I hear the day before yesterday, near dusk, you took a bank note for 50,000 gold and withdrew 50,000 gold from the bank. Is that true?"

At these words, the shopkeeper's gaze suddenly fixated on Old Dong and Big Stone.

Old Dong and Big Stone exchanged glances, wondering if the bank had leaked customer information. If so, that bank would be quite out of line.

From another perspective, it also proved that Lu Taizhen's influence in Zhaotian City was indeed significant.

After the two elderly men from Dongjiuyuan exchanged glances, Old Dong immediately replied, "Mr. Cao is truly resourceful; he even knows this."

Big Stone then added, "That's right, it's true."

Cao Puqing's eyebrows twitched repeatedly. He had expected these two to vehemently deny it and had even prepared witnesses, but to his surprise, the witnesses were completely useless, as the two admitted it so readily.

He immediately pressed, "Where did that bank note come from?"

Big Stone replied, "Wu Jinliang came the day before yesterday afternoon. He gave it to us and asked us to help withdraw the cash. He used that money to buy a pile of cultivation materials and took them away."

"Boss..." Old Dong started to say, then realized his mistake and immediately corrected himself: "Shi Chun had Wu Jinliang relay a message to us two. He said if Mr. Cao had any misunderstanding about this money, it truly shouldn't be so. He said your nephew's death had nothing to do with him, but he witnessed the incident. If Mr. Cao insists on knowing the killer, he can go to Wukang Mountain to find him."

Bang! Cao Puqing slammed the table and stood up, his face filled with rage. "Didn't you just say you didn't know where he went?"

Big Stone replied, "This was also Shi Chun's intention. He said that since we are people from Bowang Tower, there are certain boundaries we need to maintain. Friendship is one thing, duty is another, and they shouldn't be confused. Shi Chun said if Mr. Cao didn't pursue it deeply, we shouldn't say anything, to avoid harming Mr. Cao. He also said the killer was someone Mr. Cao couldn't afford to offend. He added that if our helping to buy something caused Mr. Cao to take it seriously, then we should tell Mr. Cao his whereabouts to avoid implicating Bowang Tower, and Mr. Cao could make his own decision."

Old Dong added, "Mr. Cao, it's truly like that. We just helped buy something out of loyalty to an old friend. We genuinely don't know what happened."

Most of what the two said was true; at least the message Shi Chun had relayed to Cao Puqing was entirely accurate.

The shopkeeper watched as the two seamlessly switched between fabrications and truths, unflustered from beginning to end. He secretly held them in higher regard, feeling it was somewhat a waste to have such individuals working as porters in the warehouse.

"Wukang Mountain..." Cao Puqing muttered, his gaze remaining inscrutable for a while. He then immediately bade farewell to the shopkeeper, who personally escorted him out.

As for the Tower Master of Bowang Tower, he never appeared from beginning to end, clearly deeming Cao Puqing's status insufficient for such a meeting.

Soon, everyone had left the reception room. Lan Qiaoyan, who had been listening from the inner room, smiled. "He didn't implicate anyone else; he shouldered the matter alone. That scoundrel is still that scoundrel; he didn't disappoint me."

She then turned to ask her daughter beside her, "See? He's still good to his own people. You can now accept that money he returned to you with peace of mind, can't you?"

Miao Yilan remained silent. Earlier, when she heard about the incident, she worried it might be illicit gains and felt very uncomfortable. She was also somewhat annoyed with Shi Chun. After all, the money she lent was clean; what kind of situation was it to be repaid with unclear ill-gotten gains? Was she supposed to lend money and then borrow a heap of trouble for herself?

"There aren't many who would dare openly use such money immediately after acquiring it," Lan Qiaoyan said with a light chuckle and a shake of her head. "That young man is someone who 'dares to act and take responsibility,' daring to shoulder this matter. We don't know what pitfalls await Cao Puqing afterward. That skinny monkey had just been released from prison the night before, and the next day he died at a distant scene. This matter is absolutely not simple; it's highly possible that there's someone Cao Puqing cannot afford to provoke waiting for him. If Cao Puqing truly runs headlong into it, he's likely in for quite a spectacle. He dared to contend with Cao Puqing right after getting out of prison; who knows what that young man is up to now."

In terms of understanding Shi Chun, she was certainly one of the people who understood him best; due to her daughter, she had indeed paid him considerable attention previously.

At Lüyuan, in a pavilion deep within the multi-storied building, a jade-faced man with a long beard, dressed in yellow, sat leisurely turning the pages of a book in a rocking chair by the window. This was none other than the master of the place, Lu Taizhen.

Cao Puqing, who had hurried upstairs, quickly approached and bowed. "Manor Master, what are your orders?"

Lu Taizhen glanced at him, then returned his gaze to the book. "The Tower Master of Bowang Tower has sent word to me, expressing dissatisfaction with you, and so has the bank. Tell me, what exactly are you and your nephew up to?"

Cao Puqing immediately looked awkward, somewhat at a loss for words.

As a result, Lu Taizhen, swaying in his rocking chair, pointed it out himself: "Selling a woman to me second-hand, shouldn't you have asked for my opinion first?"

Cao Puqing was slightly startled. He had instructed his nephew not to publicize this matter before it was done, so how did the Manor Master know? Could the other party have leaked the news? He hastily explained, "Liyun Tower was unscrupulous in its dealings. Seeing that you genuinely liked that courtesan and wanting to please you, I never expected such trouble to arise."

Lu Taizhen gently turned a page of his book and said, "Your nephew has been spoiled by your indulgence; this misfortune was bound to happen. Wukang Mountain is very wealthy and powerful; they won't show me face, let alone you. Some grievances cannot be avenged. If this transaction becomes a widely circulated joke, it will reflect poorly on me. This matter ends here. If you cannot let go of your obsession, I can no longer accommodate you here. Whether you stay or go, you decide."

Cao Puqing lowered his head in silence, his face a picture of conflict.

Shengzhou is located within Shengshenzhou, one of the Four Continents.

Shengzhou is vast in territory. Whether it's one of the twelve entrances to the Land of Exile, Zhaotian City, or Wukang Mountain, all are within Shengzhou.

Wukang Mountain is situated on a majestic mountain range. It is a mountain on a mountain, rising hundreds of meters high. Its body is steep, as if carved by knives and axes, with clustered peaks that are sharp and towering. The entire structure is dark and resembles a massive, rust-stained iron block, with not a blade of grass growing on its surface.

What's even more remarkable is that even if soil is carried up the mountain, nothing can be grown there. It is indeed a strange place; logically, such barren land is not suitable for survival. However, the renowned Great Rune Cultivation Sect, Wukang Mountain, is located on this mountain, and the mountain is named after this sect.

The base of the mountain, however, is quite lively. There is a city called Linkang City, a settlement enclosed by countless large stones on the mountain ground.

This city was personally built by Wukang Mountain and is also under its control. Outside its stone walls, which are dozens of feet high, dense forests stretch endlessly.

It is forbidden to scale the city walls here without permission. Shi Chun and Xiang Lan'er entered through the city gate, led by Bian Weikang. Bian Weikang had a face mask covering his face, and Xiang Lan'er was wrapped in a cloak. Only Shi Chun, looking around curiously, entered the city openly without any disguise.

Inside the city, pavilions and storied buildings were everywhere. Shops lined the streets, various people came and went, and vibrant flowers bloomed by the walls and on the branches.

Passing by an inconspicuous inn, Xiang Lan'er suddenly stopped and called out, "My Lord, we are short on funds; a simple place would be better. How about we stay here?"

As she said this, she subconsciously glanced at Shi Chun. Ever since her illicit scheme was exposed, every time she feigned calling him "My Lord," a barely perceptible smirk would always appear at the corner of that fellow's mouth. She looked, and sure enough, it was happening again.

"Huh? Oh, alright, alright, alright," Bian Weikang replied in a daze as he regained his senses.

Ever since entering this city, he had clearly been somewhat distracted.

Shi Chun looked at the inn's name, "Anle Inn." He guessed there must be a reason this woman chose this inn, so he didn't object. Knowing they didn't have much money, he immediately said generously, "Alright, my treat."

The three immediately entered, and Shi Chun paid for three guest rooms. Bian Weikang had originally wanted to share a room with Xiang Lan'er, just like at Wuyou Pavilion, but Xiang Lan'er refused, citing the need to be mindful of appearances under her father's watchful eye.

Bian Weikang fully understood her feelings; due to her background, she was increasingly unwilling to be looked down upon.

Regardless of his anxieties, what needed to be faced still had to be faced. After much hesitation, Bian Weikang decided to go up the mountain. For this, he specifically reassured Xiang Lan'er, explaining that it wasn't that he didn't want to take her up the mountain, but bringing her directly now might cause her humiliation. It would be better if he went home first, communicated with his family, and then brought her up the mountain later.

Xiang Lan'er expressed her understanding and told him to go without worry.

After seeing Bian Weikang out of the inn, Xiang Lan'er returned to her room door, looking all around. She then took a beaded hairpin from her head, stuck it on the door frame, and only then went back inside.

Not long after, two cloaked figures, one tall and one short, appeared at her door. The shorter one knocked five consecutive times before pushing the door open and entering.

Entering and closing the door, the shorter one threw back his cloak hood, revealing his true face. It was none other than Feng Chi. His complexion was terrible, pale and bloodless, and his spirit was clearly very weak. He, along with the taller figure, saluted Xiang Lan'er.

Xiang Lan'er quickly supported Feng Chi, feeling greatly relieved. "It's good you escaped. How are your injuries?"

Feng Chi gave a bitter smile. "The injuries are severe; I fear it will take a long time to fully recover. That old man was too powerful; I had no defense against him. If he hadn't been delayed by speaking with you at that time, I might not have escaped even with my evasion technique. Fortunately, Miss is unharmed, otherwise, I would have ten thousand deaths and still not be able to answer to the Sacred Lord! Miss, how did you escape?"

Xiang Lan'er briefly recounted the events that transpired.

After listening, Feng Chi nodded repeatedly, expressing relief. "At a crucial moment, he showed unity against an outsider. That young man still possesses a sense of righteousness; he can be credited for this."

Xiang Lan'er asked, "Who was that old man?"

Feng Chi shook his head. "It has been reported. The higher-ups said they found no such person, and no one with a similar appearance matches. The higher-ups also found it strange; with such cultivation, he shouldn't be an unknown figure. They don't know where he came from and are still investigating."