Chapter 64: Slight Punishment

Before his father, Bian Jixiong no longer needed to maintain his pretense. He shook his head helplessly and said, "Father, this isn't just about explanations; it's a matter of the people's loyalty and the very meaning of our sect's existence. Our disciples were murdered, and we're still hosting the killer. No amount of elaborate explanation will make that right."

The white-robed figure continued to pace inside. An ancient voice, calm as a still well, stated, "Right or wrong, they must still acknowledge the truth."

"What do you mean, Father?" Bian Jixiong was puzzled.

The white-robed voice replied, "After investigation, it will be confirmed that Wei Bian orchestrated the assassination. You can come up with the reason. In any case, Wukang Mountain was at fault first. Although Shi Chun acted in self-defense, his actions were excessive. Even if Wukang Mountain's disciples were in the wrong, an outsider should not have taken it upon themselves to kill them. They should receive a light punishment and be temporarily detained to perform hard labor here at Wukang Mountain."

In that case, Bian Jixiong considered it and thought it might actually satisfy everyone. But he still questioned, "Father, is there a need for such an elaborate detour?"

The white-robed figure suddenly stopped. From behind the gauze curtain, a soft sigh emerged. "Our Wukang Mountain is backed by the Eastern Sheng Royal Court. We do not fear open confrontation, and few dare to openly challenge us. What we fear are internal traitors, who are hard to guard against. Clearing out internal threats is the top priority. While I am still alive and able to suppress things, it will be easier for you to carry out this rectification."

These words made Bian Jixiong's expression grim. He slowly nodded and said, "I understand. However, Wei Bian was, after all, Hui Xin's direct disciple. To make him a scapegoat even after his death—Hui Xin will likely not agree. If she doesn't agree, things will become very troublesome."

The white-robed figure waved a hand dismissively. "That's a woman's foolish opinion, utterly senseless! A dead man is worthless! I told you to find a virtuous wife back then, but you didn't listen and insisted on someone beautiful. A foolish woman brings disaster for three generations! She has no say in this matter. If you can't even control one woman, then that's your problem!"

As the words fell, the lamp went out. The gauze curtain swayed, and the figure behind it had already vanished without a trace.

After a period of silent contemplation, Bian Jixiong turned and left the room. He navigated a long corridor and arrived at a door, knocking on Yin Huixin's cultivation chamber door.

After gaining permission to enter, Bian Jixiong closed the door and walked up to Yin Huixin, who was sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed in meditation. Seeing her remain still, not even bothering to open her eyes, he immediately stated, "The plan to use Shi Chun to motivate Wei Kang cannot be changed. Shi Chun must remain on the mountain."

Yin Huixin did not open her eyes, but she snorted twice through her nose. "As long as you think you can account for it to everyone, high and low, do as you please. You don't need to tell me!"

Bian Jixiong said, "The assassination was orchestrated solely by Wei Bian, and has no connection to Wei Ying. The reason Wei Bian planned this assassination was his long-standing secret admiration and affection for Wei Ying. During the day, he saw Wei Ying and Shi Chun enjoying a close stroll together, which sparked jealousy in his heart. Thus, he resorted to murder, leading to the current disaster."

This reason and excuse made Yin Huixin's eyes snap open. She looked at him incredulously.

"After the matter is investigated and confirmed, although Wukang Mountain was at fault initially, Shi Chun's self-defense was also excessive. Wukang Mountain disciples are not to be summarily killed by outsiders. A light punishment will be administered: they will be temporarily detained for hard labor at Wukang Mountain!"

Yin Huixin's face gradually turned pale with anger. She pointed at him, her voice trembling. "Utterly shameless! Wei Bian is already dead, and you still want to tarnish his reputation? Do you want him to never rest in peace? I absolutely will not agree to this!"

Bian Jixiong calmly said, "It's too obvious; everyone can see your daughter orchestrated it. She caused the deaths of two Wukang Mountain disciples. Tell me, how can we account for this to everyone, high and low? How do you expect me to cover it up? Only if Wei Bian takes the blame can this matter be reasonably concluded. Do you want to protect Wei Bian's innocence, or do you want your daughter to receive a just and severe punishment? You decide!"

Yin Huixin bit her lip hard and stared intently at him.

Her silence was an answer. Bian Jixiong turned and left, saying, "You attach too much importance to your own emotions. You don't understand what you need to sacrifice, prioritizing your own feelings above everything else. That is the greatest selfishness. Watch your daughter carefully; you can't always make others take the blame!"

After being separately interrogated, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were successively thrown into the prison.

That's right, Wukang Mountain also had its own private prison.

Meeting again in the prison cell, both were covered in bruises and cuts, their clothes ragged once more, and their bodies covered in whip marks. They inspected each other, asking about their injuries, only to discover that while they looked severely injured, their wounds were merely superficial.

They were both well aware of this.

As for superficial wounds, given the conditions in the Land of Exile, they were all too used to them. This was evident from the numerous scars visible on Wu Jinliang's body.

Shi Chun had no old scars on his body because his physical healing ability was very strong, which he felt was related to the cultivation method he practiced. This was also why he was unwilling to easily give up this cultivation method. One could imagine the kind of man who would even apply pearl powder to his face.

The two then questioned each other about their interrogations. The information they shared was similar: both were asked about the assassination and then repeatedly pressed about how they had broken the immobilization talisman.

They certainly couldn't reveal the truth about the immobilization talisman; otherwise, Wukang Mountain would silence them even if the sky fell. Naturally, it had been freed by some unknown external force.

After confirming there were no loopholes, Shi Chun also let out a sigh of relief. He sat down where he was and said, "Ah, let's rest. Maybe when we wake up, we'll be outside."

Despite being whipped, he still felt quite relaxed. He lay down with his hands behind his head, humming while crossing his legs, certain that the demonic sect members would get them out.

Wu Jinliang also lay down beside him and sighed, "We got whipped before going into prison the last time, and now we get whipped again before going into prison this time. What a cursed fate!"

Their heads close together, they lay in a "figure eight" shape, staying up late.

Bian Weiying did not stay up all night on the mountain. Before leaving, she met her mother, Yin Huixin, who had summoned her and informed her daughter of the final outcome, telling her to return at ease.

"Even like this," she thought, "they would rather defame Wei Bian than let it affect the grand plan to support my brother. My god, where did I fall short compared to Bian Weikang? Is it just because he's a son and I'm a daughter? Then why did they give me hope in the first place? Hahahahaha..."

Before her mother, a hysterical Bian Weiying cried and laughed, like a madwoman, like one drunk.

She had originally thought that after Shi Chun publicly killed Wei Bian, there was no way he could remain at Wukang Mountain to continue her father's ridiculous plan. But who knew her father would favor her brother to such an extent that he would use such an absurd method to resolve the matter, leaving her utterly humiliated.

Her face was now filled with despair.

Finally, she stumbled down the mountain. When she returned to the city lord's mansion, she encountered Bian Weikang waiting for her to demand an explanation.

Bian Weiying immediately erupted, smashing whatever she could get her hands on, truly like a madwoman. This startled Bian Weikang speechless, leaving him utterly bewildered. It was the first time he had ever seen his sister like this.

The other residents of the city lord's mansion also hid in fear.

After the items in the hall had been repeatedly smashed until not a single intact object remained, a seemingly exhausted Bian Weiying, with disheveled hair, collapsed onto the steps. Looking utterly dejected, she hugged her knees and quietly sobbed.

Only then did Bian Weikang cautiously walk over and squat beside her. He tried to ask, "Weiying, what's wrong?"

"Get out!" Bian Weiying suddenly pointed towards the door and let out a hysterical roar.

Bian Weikang was speechless. He wanted to speak but stopped himself, and in the end, he didn't even manage to state the purpose of his visit before slinking away.

After returning to the inn and meeting Xiang Lan'er, he naturally mumbled and stammered, without having found any useful information. Xiang Lan'er, however, was as gentle as always towards him and advised him to return to his room and rest early.

Until dawn lightly broke, a cloaked figure with a masked face appeared again in Xiang Lan'er's room, along with Feng Chi.

Xiang Lan'er did not wait for them to finish their greetings but proactively asked, "When are they getting out?"

The cloaked figure and Feng Chi exchanged a glance, the latter's expression somewhat strange.

The cloaked figure said in a hoarse voice, "They can't be gotten out, and there's no need to try anymore. Bian Jixiong plans to keep them on the mountain and administer a light punishment..." He then recounted the newly investigated case findings and the decisions made after the Wukang Mountain high-level meeting.

Feng Chi gave a wry smile and said, "In other words, we don't need to go to any more trouble. The original plan can proceed. Those two guys didn't even need our help; they've already gotten themselves in."

Xiang Lan'er hesitated, "If Bian Weiying didn't orchestrate it, then why would she, as a city lord, be so proactive and even personally come here to oversee things?"

The cloaked figure replied, "It's all a charade, just to provide an explanation to everyone, high and low. Outsiders won't see through it, but I am well aware of Bian Jixiong's intentions. After all, I was the one who provided that plan to Bian Jixiong. He did it both to protect his daughter and to avoid disrupting his plan to support his son."

"To be honest, I never expected that he would go to such extreme lengths to support that useless son, even quickly fabricating human and material evidence. He really put a lot of effort into it. Conversely, it was correct for us to target his son. As soon as Bian Weikang gets what he needs, those two troublesome individuals can be eliminated."

Feng Chi said to Xiang Lan'er, "Miss, you and Bian Weikang will likely be summoned to the mountain today."

Xiang Lan'er nodded slightly.

After daybreak, they could see through the cell's small window.

They waited and waited, but no one seemed to be coming to rescue them. After such a long delay, both began to feel somewhat uneasy.

Unable to bear it any longer, Wu Jinliang couldn't help but whisper, "Shi Chun, didn't you say we might be outside when we wake up?"

How was Shi Chun supposed to answer that? He also found it strange. Logically, it shouldn't be this way. With the two of them captured, the most anxious ones should be Xiang Lan'er and the other demonic sect members.

Just then, the sound of a prison door opening came from the end of the corridor, followed by footsteps.