Chapter 55: You Can't Catch Me Anyway

These words finally succeeded in diverting their attention. The two women immediately pressed him, asking what Bian Weiying had wanted.

Shi Chun immediately recounted how Bian Weiying had approached him for questioning. After hearing it, neither Feng Chi nor Xiang Lan'er understood the meaning behind Bian Weiying's questions.

According to Shi Chun, he couldn't discern Bian Weiying's attitude. He showed no disgust that his brother had found a courtesan, nor did he seem particularly happy about his brother's return; it was as if he was merely asking questions.

With that topic covered, the two women had another important matter to discuss with him.

Feng Chi initiated the conversation, asking, "Must you absolutely accompany our Young Lady into Wukang Mountain?"

Shi Chun, with his heavily powdered white face, immediately reacted like a startled bird, urgently emphasizing, "This was already agreed upon! Are you trying to go back on your word?"

Xiang Lan'er remained noncommittal, standing by with lowered eyes as if the matter didn't concern her.

Feng Chi waved her hand. "It's not about going back on our word. We've found a way to get you in as well, but it requires your cooperation."

As soon as he heard he could get in, Shi Chun's face immediately creased into a smile, causing powder to flake off. "I'll cooperate, I'll cooperate! As long as it's reasonable and within my ability, I'll definitely cooperate."

Feng Chi said, "Good. From today onwards, you must outwardly show infatuation for our Young Lady and actively pursue her in front of everyone."

"Gah..." Shi Chun made a choked sound in his throat. He looked at Feng Chi, then at Xiang Lan'er, seeing no hint of an expression on either of their faces. Full of confusion, he asked, "Boss Lady, isn't this joke a bit too much? Miss Xiang is the woman Bian Weikang likes. Bian Weikang has brought the Bian family's daughter-in-law home. You're asking me to go to their house and pursue their daughter-in-law, to stir up this mess at Wukang Mountain? Isn't that a bit excessive? Are you treating the people of Wukang Mountain as nobodies, or are you afraid I won't die miserably enough?"

Feng Chi retorted, "Do you think Bian Jixiong will acknowledge our Young Lady as his daughter-in-law?"

"Well..." Shi Chun thought to himself that no one would accept it; no normal person would. But he still humbly replied, "I'm still young, and I truly don't know much about family squabbles."

"Definitely not," Feng Chi answered herself, then asked, "Do you think that after Bian Jixiong expelled that son from the sect, he truly intended to completely sever ties?"

Without waiting for Shi Chun's reply, she provided the answer herself. "Although it looked very much like it and was very resolute—even most people throughout Wukang Mountain mistakenly believed it was true—according to the information we've gathered, that's not the case. It's simply Bian Jixiong's iron-fisted way of disciplining his son."

Shi Chun thought for a moment, still somewhat puzzled. He pointed to himself, then to Xiang Lan'er, asking, "What does this have to do with me pursuing her?"

Feng Chi said, "Under normal circumstances, Bian Jixiong would never accept a daughter-in-law from Liyun Tower. But what if Bian Jixiong wants to deal his son another heavy blow, to make him watch helplessly as his beloved woman is snatched away?"

"..." Shi Chun was speechless for a moment. He wasn't stupid; he immediately understood what the other party meant.

Feng Chi explained, "Bian Weikang is not without merits. In fact, his cultivation talent is quite high. Bian Jixiong originally had high hopes for such a biological son, especially since he only has this one son left. However, wealth and luxury can corrupt a person. Bian Jixiong was unwilling to sit idly by and decisively took action. He wants to strip his son of all his wealth and glory, to completely cast him into the depths of despair. Once his son truly climbs out of that low point, he will have succeeded. This, more or less, is Bian Jixiong's actual thinking behind the scenes."

Shi Chun listened, secretly alarmed. The fact that they could uncover what Wukang Mountain's sect leader said behind the scenes suggested they truly had extensive preparations within the mountain.

"At this point, if someone tells Bian Jixiong that you like the Young Lady, and suggests this method to provoke his son, and if some people also intercede for Bian Weikang, Bian Jixiong will very likely go along with the plan and allow you both into Wukang Mountain. Afterwards, he will largely act on this, genuinely helping others snatch away the woman his son likes. This serves two purposes: first, such a daughter-in-law is unacceptable; second, it provides another stimulus to his son, igniting his ambition to rise. This also explains why you helped Bian Weikang redeem the Young Lady: because you like her. In this way, both you and the Young Lady can enter Wukang Mountain. Furthermore, this method can offer you significant help. Aren't you looking for someone in Wukang Mountain? Once Bian Jixiong is inclined to assist you and makes things convenient, you will truly find things much easier within Wukang Mountain."

Shi Chun, his face pale with powder, listened, blinking his eyes. With this explanation, he had to admit that it was indeed the best possible method. He couldn't help but ask, "Who came up with this idea? It couldn't have been you two, right?"

It wasn't that he looked down on these two women, but this method, though seemingly simple, was not something just anyone could devise. The person who came up with this idea must have a quite deep understanding of Wukang Mountain and Bian Jixiong; it was practically a case of perfectly tailored strategy.

Feng Chi said, "Who came up with the idea isn't important. In short, someone on Wukang Mountain will arrange everything. You just need to pretend to be infatuated with and pursuing our Young Lady; you don't need to do anything else."

"..." The method was good, but Shi Chun hesitated to agree.

What was the purpose of his self-restraint and maintaining his purity all these years? It was so that when he met someone he liked in the future, that person could more easily accept him. If news of him liking and pursuing a courtesan got out, what then? His reputation for purity would truly be tarnished.

He really wanted to know who came up with this terrible idea. Of all the ideas, why did it have to be him pursuing Xiang Lan'er? It was truly too difficult for him.

Although his face was covered in powder, even through the thick layer, the two women could still discern the strong reluctance on his face to pursue Xiang Lan'er.

Feng Chi asked doubtfully, "Is this so difficult? This is the most foolproof and best method, you know."

Xiang Lan'er's lips had thinned, and her face turned completely cold. She practically turned and left on the spot, saying, "I've fulfilled my promise. It's your own unwillingness; you can't blame anyone."

"Oh, no, it's not like that!" Shi Chun quickly rushed over and blocked the doorway with his body, letting out a dry laugh that caused another layer of powder to fall. "Miss Xiang, it's not that I'm unwilling. I'm just thinking, if I do this, I'd be letting Bian Weikang down. Have you communicated with him? If not, there might be misunderstandings."

His thought was that if Bian Weikang disagreed, then there would be a reason for them to come up with another plan.

Feng Chi walked over. "Bian Weikang is still kneeling outside the gates of Wukang Mountain, unable to even see his father. We've carefully considered this matter and decided it's best not to let Bian Weikang know the truth."

Shi Chun said, "Oh, then he's bound to hate me to death later! Is that necessary? I'm doing just fine; why would I create an enemy like that?"

Feng Chi said, "It's still the same old saying: wealth and luxury can corrupt a person. Bian Weikang's current temperament is still somewhat lacking. If he knew the truth, with his acting skills, he wouldn't be able to deceive Bian Jixiong and the others; his flaws would quickly be noticed, and that's when real trouble could arise. As for whether Bian Weikang hates you or not, is he that important? Besides, you won't actually win the Young Lady over."

Shi Chun thought about it and agreed. After all, he wouldn't actually be with this woman; he could explain it to his beloved later.

After a brief contemplation, he nodded vigorously. "Okay, let's do it this way. I'll follow your arrangements. Oh, right, when do we go up the mountain?"

Xiang Lan'er's tensed lips slowly relaxed. She said expressionlessly, "When arrangements on the mountain are ready, someone will naturally come to inform us." Then she pushed Shi Chun, who was blocking the doorway, aside. As she opened the door and walked out, she turned her head to glance at Shi Chun, coldly stating, "So hideous!"

A gust of fragrant air accompanied her exit. Feng Chi, who followed out, let out a chuckle, clearly sharing the same view. She pulled up her hooded cloak again to conceal her true face.

Shi Chun lightly touched the powder on his face with both hands, then shrugged indifferently. He poked his head out the door to look around, then pulled his head back and closed the door, leaving a clear powder print on the bolt.

He returned to the mirror, tilting his head left and right to examine himself. He felt quite good about his appearance, but then realized that too much facial expression easily caused powder to fall off, so he quickly adopted an expressionless face.

"Spring!"

From the inn's lobby, a loud shout suddenly rang out.

Shi Chun didn't need to guess who it was. He quickly opened the door again. Since his powdered face made it inconvenient to go out, he poked his head out and shouted, "Innkeeper, let him come over!"

Soon, thumping footsteps were heard, and Wu Jinliang arrived. He poked his head inside to look. After his eyes met Shi Chun's, he exclaimed in surprise, then immediately ran in to ask Shi Chun what was wrong with his face.

As soon as he heard it could whiten skin, Wu Jinliang immediately dropped his knife, pulled off his satchel, and threw it aside. Then, without even washing his dust-covered face, he followed Shi Chun's instructions for a series of actions, only satisfied after applying a layer to his own face.

After that, they naturally discussed their respective situations. The matters concerning Zhaotian City were simple, as they had been carried out exactly as Shi Chun instructed.

What happened on this side, however, surprised Wu Jinliang. He asked, surprised and doubtful, "That scruffy old man—how did you encounter him again? What a coincidence, Spring! Is it really just a coincidence?"

What kind of place was the Land of Exile? It was a place where people would fight to the death for even a small gain, where they would resort to any means. Coincidence? Not to mention Shi Chun, even Wu Jinliang would be highly suspicious when encountering such a thing.

Shi Chun, however, said calmly, "Their cultivation is too high. If they say it was by chance, do we need to question it? If they insist on giving us benefits, are we qualified to refuse? Just accept the benefits for now. Anyway, remember to be more cautious."

"Hmm, I understand," Wu Jinliang replied, then suddenly pointed to Shi Chun's face again. "You lose powder every time you speak! Look at me, will mine fall off?"

"Yours hasn't completely dried yet, so not much will fall off."

So the two began speaking in a mumbling way, with expressionless faces and unmoving lips, striving to integrate into and comprehend this world.