Chapter 68: Not Used to Bad Habits

Understood!

Soon after, footsteps were heard outside, followed by a knock on the door.

The door opened, and the masked man in the cloak appeared again.

After closing the door and exchanging greetings, he immediately began to complain to Feng Chi, "Envoy, what's going on with those two on the mountain? If they keep contacting you so frequently, I'll be exposed sooner or later!"

He was clearly fed up, and both Feng Chi and Xiang Lan'er were curious.

"What happened?" Feng Chi asked.

"Those two ran away, and then they were caught and dragged back like beaten dogs..." The cloaked man rapidly recounted the events, finally adding in a pleading tone, "Envoy, are you sure those two will follow the plan? They abandoned the plan and ran off just because their feet hurt without shoes, and they publicly killed Wei Bian just because he was involved in an assassination. What kind of behavior is that? Aren't they being a bit too reckless? What if they do something even more bizarre later? We're all risking our lives here; this isn't how things are done. Is their impulsiveness appropriate? If this continues, even I, with all my abilities, won't be able to cover for them!"

In his excitement, he even forgot to disguise his hoarse voice, revealing his true voice. His emotions were clearly running high, indicating he was genuinely infuriated.

Feng Chi and Xiang Lan'er were genuinely surprised as well; they also wanted to know what Shi Chun and the other person were up to.

After a long moment, Feng Chi asked the masked man, "What's your suggestion?"

The cloaked man sighed, "Those two are truly unsuitable to work with. They're from the Land of Exile and don't understand rules. We should find a way to get them to leave. Otherwise, I'll be on edge every day they're here, and Miss might be implicated at any time once she's on the mountain."

Feng Chi considered this. Earlier, she might have thought about it, but now, having just received a new assignment, it was unlikely. She shook her head and said, "After what happened before, we thought they were quite shrewd. We never expected them to be so reckless. As things stand, we're in a difficult situation. If they themselves don't agree to withdraw, it would be truly hard for us to force them out."

This was the only explanation they could offer. The full truth of some matters would not be disclosed, even if the other party's cultivation was higher than theirs; the distinction between close and distant relationships had to be maintained.

Xiang Lan'er, who had been silent, said, "Once we're on the mountain, try to arrange a meeting between me and them. I'll talk to them."

The cloaked man paused slightly, then nodded, "Alright. If we can't come to an understanding, we'll just keep them locked up in prison."

Feng Chi chuckled, "That's actually a good idea."

Among the pavilions, inside the office of the Wukang Mountain Sect Master, Bian Jixiong was reviewing messages from outside areas at his desk. In a lantern on a nearby lamp stand, a moth suddenly fluttered—it was a spirit moth.

Bian Jixiong looked up, immediately put down what he was holding, and stood up to leave.

He made his way to the secret chamber outside the mountain's forbidden area, pushed the door open, and saw a white-robed figure sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat with their back to him, bathed in the golden light of sandalwood. He stepped forward, knelt on another prayer mat, and asked, "Father, why have you summoned me?"

The white-robed figure said, "I heard those two youngsters ran away?"

Bian Jixiong: "They've already been caught and brought back."

The white-robed figure curiously asked, "Why would they run? Did they find the person they came to the mountain to look for?"

Bian Jixiong: "Father, neither their actions on the mountain nor off it suggest they're looking for someone."

The white-robed figure said, "Indeed, I've met countless people in my life, and these two's actions are truly incomprehensible. How was the Immobilization Talisman broken? Did you find that out?"

Bian Jixiong: "Didn't you break it, Father? They said someone secretly broke it for them. That's the only explanation. I even thought you had secretly intervened."

The white-robed figure said, "It wasn't me. It's not surprising that they have masters secretly lurking. Otherwise, with their strength, they wouldn't dare commit such acts openly. Things are getting complicated and urgent; you need to stay vigilant."

"Yes," Bian Jixiong replied.

"The demonic path came to Wukang Mountain to find someone. Who could it be?" the white-robed figure murmured to himself.

Unlike Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, who constantly ran into trouble, Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er's ascent to the mountain was smooth and went according to plan. They were brought up the mountain that same afternoon.

In fact, many people had objections to Bian Weikang's return—not just minor objections, but significant ones. He had already been expelled from the sect; bringing a courtesan back with him was seen as utterly outrageous.

Even the Sect Master strongly opposed it.

However, the Old Sect Master carried significant influence, and Bian Weikang was his only grandson. When someone invoked the Old Sect Master's name to rally people for a joint petition to persuade the Sect Master, what could those approached do?

Consequently, under the persuasion of a group of high-ranking sect members, Sect Master Bian Jixiong reluctantly agreed.

Of course, this outcome came with a unanimous condition: Bian Weikang could return, but Xiang Lan'er was not permitted to marry him.

Xiang Lan'er's background as a courtesan was an insurmountable obstacle for the Wukang Mountain hierarchy.

Everyone wanted to save face. They would still need to interact with people in the future, so becoming a laughingstock was out of the question.

Before Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er were brought up the mountain, someone even specifically spoke to Bian Weikang, urging him to abandon Xiang Lan'er. But Bian Weikang vowed to defend their relationship to the death. The interlocutor, resigned, only brought them up the mountain together after their final efforts proved fruitless.

The two were assigned to a small, cramped courtyard on the mountain. From that day on, Xiang Lan'er would have to manage her own daily necessities, like food and clothing, and Bian Weikang would restart his sect life as a low-ranking disciple, doing the dirtiest and most arduous tasks.

Even this was a great concession made out of respect for the Old Sect Master.

Soon after arriving on the mountain, Xiang Lan'er requested to see her benefactors. Bian Weikang also felt he couldn't ignore them, so he sought help and finally secured an opportunity to visit them in prison.

However, before he reached the prison, someone came to assign Bian Weikang a task, which could not be refused. Helpless, Bian Weikang could only let Xiang Lan'er go alone to visit them.

After the jailer led Xiang Lan'er into the prison, he quickly turned and left.

In the dim cell, seeing the two injured men lying on the ground, Xiang Lan'er softly called out, "Benefactors, benefactors, are you alright?"

The two, who had been resting with their eyes closed to heal, heard someone approach and initially wanted to ignore it. However, upon hearing Xiang Lan'er's voice, they slowly opened their eyes, laboriously got up one after another, and hobbled to the iron bars. They wanted to speak but couldn't help cautiously glancing towards the end of the corridor.

Xiang Lan'er: "Don't worry, no one will be listening. Just keep your voices low."

Only then did Shi Chun curiously ask, "You're already on the mountain?"

Xiang Lan'er nodded, puzzled, and asked, "We've already managed to get you settled on the mountain, so why did you run away?"

At this, both Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang looked a bit embarrassed, especially Shi Chun. He realized he had been a bit too clever for his own good. It was only afterward that they both realized they had completely misunderstood. They didn't know what had gotten into them; their original goal was to get onto the mountain, so why did they think Elder Xia was helping them escape?

Since things had come to this, Shi Chun sighed, "Forget it. We can't afford to offend that City Lord. We don't want to stay on this mountain anymore. You should find a way to get us out of here, and save yourselves constant trouble."

Wu Jinliang also nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, we don't want to trouble you anymore."

"You're quitting?" Xiang Lan'er was stunned. This rapid change in attitude was indeed a bit impulsive. The problem was, why didn't they say so earlier? Now that a new task had been assigned from above, could they really just decide to quit?

She naturally couldn't agree, nor could she easily let them out of her control now. She directly refused, "If it weren't for this escape, we might have found a way to get you out. But now you've alerted everyone, and no one can do anything in the short term."

The two, now at a loss for words due to their clear fault, fell silent.

Seeing their miserable and pitiful silence, Xiang Lan'er comforted them, "Now that you're on the mountain and your conflict with Bian Weiying has been made clear, it paradoxically means you'll be safer. Bian Jixiong hasn't achieved his goals concerning you, so he won't let his daughter act recklessly. I'll also have people here remain highly vigilant. Nothing will happen."

Inside the cell, the two exchanged glances. They thought about it and realized she was right. With Bian Jixiong watching over them from behind, there was no need to be so afraid. And since things had come to this, they might as well continue with the original plan.

After Xiang Lan'er comforted them and left, the two injured men remained in prison for three more days before being released.

Shi Chun's physical recovery ability was indeed formidable; he looked as if nothing had happened. Wu Jinliang, however, still walked a bit awkwardly.

When they were released from prison, they were provided with new clothes and shoes this time. They were still "servant" uniforms, and they were, of course, sent back to the Disciplinary Court.

As soon as the handover was complete, Shi Chun and the other man, waiting in the courtyard for their assignment, didn't receive any instructions. Instead, they saw Pang Tiansheng approaching, carrying a stick.

Windows in the courtyard slid open, revealing faces eager to watch the spectacle.

Pang Tiansheng, twirling the stick in his hand, circled the two, a cruel smirk on his face, his malevolent intentions clear. Shi Chun and the other man turned to each other, exchanging glances.

"Do you know what rules are?"

As Pang Tiansheng, who had moved behind them, finished speaking, the stick in his hand suddenly whistled through the air, heading straight for their legs.

This wasn't even a sneak attack; he was clearly out to get them.

Shi Chun, who was already on guard, quickly leaped up and spun, delivering a swift kick that landed squarely on Pang Tiansheng's cheek.

The moment the foot connected with his face, Pang Tiansheng's eyes were filled with disbelief. How dare they fight back?

The thought flashed through his mind, and then he staggered sideways.

Wu Jinliang rushed forward, kicking Pang Tiansheng down. Shi Chun followed, and the two immediately vented all the previous beatings they had endured on Pang Tiansheng, delivering a flurry of punches and kicks.

What Wukang Mountain Sect Master's disciple? If his strength wasn't enough, it simply wasn't enough. Other Wukang Mountain disciples might be afraid, but these two wouldn't tolerate such nonsense. Knowing that Bian Jixiong had his own motives concerning them, why would they be afraid of this guy? Getting beaten when they could win would be foolish.

"Help, help!" Pang Tiansheng howled miserably.

In the large Disciplinary Court, among so many onlookers, not a single person stepped forward to help. This showed how intimidating Pang Tiansheng usually was. Some people smiled, while others closed their windows, pretending not to see anything.

However, Pang Tiansheng's piteous cries for help eventually alerted the patrolling disciples outside.

Several people swiftly flew over. Seeing the Sect Master's disciple being beaten, they immediately rushed in to rescue him, joining the group assault in return.

These new arrivals were all high-level cultivators. Shi Chun and the other man couldn't resist them at all. They were once again knocked to the ground and suffered another group beating, ending up equally battered as Pang Tiansheng.

The clanging sounds caused the closed windows in the courtyard to open again.