In truth, Bian Weikang's current predicament was orchestrated by them.
The so-called friends who led him astray were their pawns, hoping to use Bian Weikang as a means to eventually draw the Sect Leader of Wukang Mountain into their grasp and gain control over it.
Unexpectedly, Bian Jixiong acted decisively by expelling his own son from the sect and cutting off their father-son relationship, rendering all their efforts in vain.
However, they firmly believed that severing the father-son bond wasn't as simple as it seemed, especially since Bian Jixiong's wife, Bian Weikang's mother, still remained—a connection not easily cut.
Hence, they decided to change their approach and push things along a different path.
Seeing her determination, Feng Chi sighed softly.
"I'm afraid, Holy Maiden, that your current status poses a challenge. How could Bian Jixiong ever allow his son to marry a woman from such a disreputable background? Once you go there, it might not end well."
"Who said I was going to marry?" Xiang Lan'er set down her comb, rose, and declared, "Let's get started."
With an apologetic smile, Feng Chi replied, "Holy Maiden, then I'll be offending you."
With permission granted, she didn’t hold back, lashing out with the whip in her hand.
Blow after blow landed, leaving Xiang Lan’er disheveled and her face marked with whip lines, stopping only when her appearance was sufficiently pitiful.
Xiang Lan'er turned to look into the mirror, nodded slightly, and said, "Later, you go out and scold him. When you call for someone to drive him away, I'll rush out to stand in front of him. I'll use a dagger to threaten my own life, showing that he's the only one for me and I won't commit to anyone else."
Feng Chi laid down the whip, saying, "Naturally, I won't agree easily and will continue to persuade you, comparing Bian Weikang unfavorably to Lu Taizhen and criticizing your foolishness."
Xiang Lan'er: "Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true lover is hard to come by. If I die, don't talk about four hundred and fifty thousand, you won't even get a piece of gold dust. By that point, things should be sufficient."
Feng Chi nodded, "Yes, seeing you like that, forcing me with your life, I’d have no choice but to take the four hundred and fifty thousand and let you both go. Should we go down now?"
But Xiang Lan'er resumed her seat before the mirror, gazing at her reflection.
"Let's make him feel more desperate. We can't let him get it too easily."
Feng Chi chuckled, "Indeed, when he knows how hard it is to achieve, he'll value it more."
Downstairs, Wu Jinliang began to lose interest in the commotion at the doorway, his attention now focused on the women leaning over the balcony above, watching them.
Just as he was about to slip away and enter the Graceful Cloud Pavilion, a familiar jovial voice called out, "I told you, that big fellow would definitely head straight here first when he came. See, right again, not a hint of error."
The voice was indeed very familiar.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang quickly scanned their surroundings, spotting two men dressed as workers with soft caps, waving at them from a staircase.
"Big Boss, Jinliang, over here."
Their eyes lit up, recognizing the two not as strangers but brothers from the Eastern Nine Plains who had left a month ago.
Appearing older than Shi Chun, they were indeed older—both in their forties.
The long-faced one was called Old Dong, his rolling eyes betrayed a cunning nature.
The broad-faced one was called Big Stone, for the name Stone was already taken by a younger member from the Eastern Nine Plains.
Big Stone lived up to his name, looking particularly steady.
Unexpectedly running into old friends, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were delighted and left the crowd.
Outside the group, once they met, Old Dong and Big Stone even playfully saluted Shi Chun together, in unison, greeting, "Greetings, Big Boss."
It was quite the scene to behold.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang clicked their tongues, taking in the two men's changed appearances—standing prosperous and having clearly gained weight, their complexion improved—a sign of good living.
Yet soon, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang froze, as the silver-thread embroidery on their collars bore the character "Bowang."
They were familiar with this attire as it belonged to Bowang Pavilion!
Wu Jinliang pointed to the character on their collars in surprise, "You all?"
Big Stone smiled, "After leaving, we were lucky enough to encounter the boss lady. She recommended us into Bowang Pavilion. We owe it to Big Boss..."
He paused suddenly as Old Dong discreetly tugged at his sleeve.
Already sensing something amiss, Wu Jinliang raised an eyebrow, lifting his heavy blade slowly, chuckling coldly, "No wonder the boss lady knew I called everyone 'ma.' Turns out you two traitors sold me out!"
He swung his blade to swat them.
But those two were no pushovers and quickly bolted, chased down by Wu Jinliang.
This chase attracted quite a crowd, drawing attention for causing a scene there.
In such a place, rules typically apply.
"Jinliang, fighting's not allowed here. You'll get caught. Big Boss, stop him!" Old Dong called out while running.
Luckily, Wu Jinliang's blade was indeed heavy, making the chase a bit challenging.
Shi Chun had matters to discuss and intervened, "Jinliang, we have important business."
With that, Wu Jinliang halted, jabbing his blade into the ground and pointing at the two, cursing, "Ungrateful wretches, pay us back for our clothes first."
Big Stone immediately agreed, "We'll pay."
Old Dong nodded vigorously, "Absolutely, we'll pay back and even treat you to a feast."
Shi Chun gestured them over, asking, "The ones who told you we were coming were from Bowang Pavilion?"
Old Dong confirmed, "Yes, the leader, Che Si, mentioned it in passing. Once we heard, we immediately took leave to come find you. Big Boss, I'm glad to finally see you out. Truly happy."
His eyes shimmered with moisture.
Big Stone's smile grew more heartfelt, nodding firmly, genuinely pleased.
Despite their excitement, they hadn’t hesitated to betray their brothers earlier.
Shi Chun knew their antics well and asked, "Where's the rest?"
The two shook their heads.
Big Stone said, "Everyone's gone their separate ways. They’ve sought their own paths. Remember you said, given our history, if we continued together, we’d eventually stir trouble again. You told us to find something proper to do and live out our days peacefully, so we all dispersed."
Thinking of those comrades brought a reluctant silence to Wu Jinliang as well.
Shi Chun sighed, reflecting, but soon composed himself and asked, "I've got a chance to make a fortune. Do you want to join in on the profit?"
Hearing of fortune, including Wu Jinliang, everyone's ears perked up, and they instinctively huddled close, eager to hear the Big Boss's plan.
"I need forty thousand gold, right away. Can you get it quickly?"
Big Stone replied, "We don't have that kind of money. What's it for?"
Shi Chun: "Don't worry about it, just tell me if you can get it. I promise to pay double within three days, possibly even doubling your money by today."
Trusting his ability to acquire valuable items, the three had no reservations and knew he kept his word.
Old Dong suggested to Big Stone, "We'll have to borrow from the Pavilion."
Big Stone hesitated, "They pay us three hundred gold a month, only about seven thousand annually. To advance five or six years' worth all at once, is it possible?"
"I have an idea to try."
Old Dong pulled Big Stone along, instructing Shi Chun, "Big Boss, wait here. We'll be back soon."
Decisively, Shi Chun gave a thumbs-up.
Next to him, Wu Jinliang murmured, "Old Dong’s eagerness feels a bit off."
Shi Chun: "Something feels off, indeed. But as long as they get the money, that's what matters. Still short by a thousand, let's pool together—you give me four thousand."
Five thousand? Wu Jinliang quickly grasped the situation, looking towards the gathering crowd with widened eyes, "You’re not seriously thinking of helping him gather that five thousand, are you? That's a crazy way to make money. Didn't you hear he's been expelled from the sect? Unable to repay, I'm not giving in."
He clung tightly to his bundle.
Ignoring him, Shi Chun went to sit on a nearby stone platform to rest.
Not long after, Wu Jinliang realized something: if he put up four thousand, they were still missing six thousand.
Meaning Shi Chun was willing to empty his own purse.
Knowing what kind of person Shi Chun was, not one to take unnecessary losses, he went over to engage, "Didn't they mention Lu Taizhen? Provoking him over a woman will be a hassle."
Shi Chun crossed one leg over the other, asking, "Why would I fight with him over a woman, knowing he's trouble? That's madness. He wants a woman, I want money. He’s buying her for fifty thousand from the Graceful Cloud Pavilion, I'll get her out for twenty thousand. It's all the same to him where he buys from, right?"
(End of Chapter)