Bian Weikang had been begging for a long time, his head pressed against the ground, crying until his voice became hoarse.
He occasionally pounded the ground with his fists, filled with endless regret and deep self-loathing.
He hated himself for not being able to protect the woman he loved, and his fists were bleeding from the repeated impact.
In the past, as the eldest son of Wukang Mountain, he probably never imagined a day would come when he'd be troubled by a mere fifty thousand taels.
Today's self-reflection would likely be something he'd remember for the rest of his life.
The bystanders watched the scene with neither sympathy nor pity for him.
Most of them took joy in his misfortune or showed disdain.
Some even whispered to their companions, “If a man is willing to abandon his dignity, what's there to be afraid of? If it's that bad, why not just resort to robbery?”
The situation hadn't happened to them, but if it did, who knew if they might actually take the risk to rob? To others, Bian Weikang's actions seemed like a huge joke.
For a woman from a brothel, he had really brought shame to Wukang Mountain.
The spectators came and went, an endless stream of curious onlookers.
“The madame of Graceful Cloud Pavilion is here,” someone announced.
People turned their attention to the entrance of Graceful Cloud Pavilion.
They saw Madame Fengchi with a handkerchief in her fingers, twisting her waist as she descended the steps.
The crowd blocking the stairs quickly moved aside.
As Fengchi reached the bottom and turned around at the sound, Bian Weikang crawled to her feet, kowtowing several times before raising his head to plead, “Madame, I only need fifty thousand more, just fifty thousand. Please let Lan'er go first. I promise to repay you, double... no, ten times over.”
Fengchi looked down at him with disdain, “Ten times? If you were still the young master of Wukang Mountain, I'd believe you. But now, how will you pay me back?”
Bian Weikang, his forehead smeared with blood, looked anguished, “I understand the situation. Please give me a little more time. I just got the news and I need to find that much money. Just give me two days... no, one day will do.”
Fengchi couldn't help but laugh.
The sudden demand was meant to catch him unprepared.
Otherwise, even a dying camel is bigger than a horse.
As the former heir of Wukang Mountain, he could probably find someone to lend him some money.
She covered her mouth with her handkerchief, laughing softly.
With a sigh of regret, she said, “Bian Weikang, it's not that I haven't given you a chance. I said, if you can bring me the same amount of money beforehand, for Lan'er's sake, I'd swallow my pride and accept the embarrassment that Master Lü gave me. After all, she has called me ‘mama’ for years.
To fulfill my daughter's wishes, I should bear some suffering and complete this relationship for her sake. But you can't come up with the money and still won't let me send her away tonight? You want me to offend Master Lü to death?
Can Graceful Cloud Pavilion continue its business in Sky-Illuminating City? Bian Weikang, you can't be so selfish. Lan'er's deep affection for you can spoil you, but others don't have to.
You tell me, what use are you? You have no money, no ability, and all this time, Lan'er has been supporting you. She's been making money by performing, smiling, and putting up with others, and you're content with spending it?
That foolish girl even gave you all her savings to help you buy her freedom. Now, she's left with nothing, and so are you both. She's been used to luxury; how will she survive in the future?
Do you expect her to continue supporting you? Or do you want her to return to selling herself? That girl is foolish and doesn't understand the harshness of this world.
What's wrong with Master Lü? He's a hundred, a thousand times better than you! I truly don't understand why she's so devoted to you.
Bian Weikang, if you truly care for Lan'er, let her go.”
Her words left many around murmuring in agreement and shaking their heads.
Bian Weikang, tears streaming down his face, shook his head, “Don't worry. I will never let her suffer. I'll take her back to Wukang Mountain.”
Hearing this, Fengchi's eyes gleamed slightly; she had been waiting for him to say that.
Shi Chun, who had just rejoined the crowd, was immediately displeased upon hearing this.
Taking a brothel woman back to Wukang Mountain? What about the family's face? Would they accept you back into Wukang Mountain like that? Impossible.
To Shi Chun, Bian Weikang was already expelled from the sect.
Taking the headliner of Graceful Cloud Pavilion back would only complicate his return to Wukang Mountain.
Shi Chun couldn’t follow him back, and all his efforts would be in vain.
Thus, he became more resolved to sell the headliner of Graceful Cloud Pavilion!
Just in time, he needed money.
What good were a few thousand taels?
Cultivation requires resources, and how long would it take earning a few hundred taels a month doing odd jobs? He had aspirations of rising above, determined to press forward.
Since he had stumbled upon this affair with the headliner of Graceful Cloud Pavilion, he decided to seize the opportunity for profit.
He felt that his cultivation had been stagnant for a long time, no progress despite effort.
It seemed it was due to a lack of resources in the Exile Lands.
As soon as he had the money, he planned to buy some cultivation resources to see if it helped.
But inwardly delighted, Fengchi maintained a stern face, coldly snorting, “Back to Wukang Mountain? What nonsense are you talking? Since you won't listen to reason, stop blocking my entrance sobbing and hindering my business. Somebody, throw him out, and make sure you throw him far away.”
As soon as she said this, two rows of men came running down the steps.
In a small side room, Xiang Lan'er, who had been eavesdropping, removed her cloak and tossed it aside.
She hurried to the door, intending to rush out.
However, before she could, a sharp shout rang out, “Let's see who dares, stop!”
It was a bold shout, clear to all who heard within the building.
Xiang Lan'er paused, her heart tightening, sensing something was amiss.
She quickly retreated to the glazed window, cautiously peeking outside.
It wasn’t just her; the bustling scene outside also fell silent instantly.
Two guards holding Bian Weikang paused, startled by the sudden command.
The hulking men with them came to a halt as well.
Pushed to the edge of despair, Bian Weikang had clenched his fists, his eyes filled with bloodlust, his intention to kill clear.
The sudden shout made him pause and turn back.
Old Dong and Big Stone, who had followed him in, also glanced sideways at Shi Chun, the one who had shouted quite sharply from beside them.
They were perplexed, wondering what their leader was up to.
Equally surprised, Che Si, who had followed them in, glanced at Shi Chun, thinking to himself, “What is this guy’s game?”
He had recently returned from the Exile Lands himself and had no idea what was going on.
He assumed Shi Chun was just interested in watching the spectacle unfold.
He didn't expect this guy to place himself at the center of the commotion, leaving Che Si feeling completely bewildered.
Everyone's eyes fell on Shi Chun.
Dressed in tattered rags, with evident signs of having been beaten, Shi Chun looked both dark and disheveled.
Among the bouncers of Graceful Cloud Pavilion, one snorted, “Where’s this vagabond from, daring to act all that here? If you don’t want to leave on a stretcher, you’d better start rolling on out!”
The meaning behind those words couldn't be clearer.
Shi Chun remained calm, proclaiming, “Wu Jinliang, if anyone dares to act up, crush them!”
He dared to speak boldly, knowing he had three people from Bowang Pavilion with him.
The big man named Che Si probably wouldn’t sit idle.
If things got out of hand, he could always call a halt.
But for now, best to show a strong front for Bian Weikang, so Madame Fengchi, with her snobby attitudes, couldn’t refuse his offer.
He knew well from his time in the Exile Lands that being able to meet the asking price was one thing, but whether they’d accept depended on how much respect they thought you deserved.
If you looked easy to push around, they'd have no qualms about hiking up the price at the last minute.
As of now, he had no way to round up more money.
He used to raise prices on the spur of the moment, frequently.
“Alright then.” Wu Jinliang immediately squeezed forward, swinging out a massive weapon that caught everyone’s attention.
Wow, that’s one big blade!
The bouncer who had been rolling his sleeves froze upon seeing the giant blade, momentarily intimidated.
Anyone with eyes could tell it wasn’t a weapon any ordinary person would wield.
It meant that the one carrying it was no ordinary man.
Bian Weikang saw the unusual blade and a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes.
Old Dong and Big Stone exchanged dubious looks.
Having known Wu Jinliang for years, they were all too familiar with him.
While they found their leader's actions strange, seeing Wu Jinliang’s eager and fierce grin made them realize this wasn’t spur of the moment.
Something significant was happening.
Che Si inclined his head towards Shi Chun, muttering under his breath, “Don't act recklessly.”
A group of bouncers all turned to look at Madame Fengchi.
Fengchi’s eyes lingered a moment on the massive blade, noticing someone dressed from Bowang Pavilion whispering with that tattered man.
She dismissed Shi Chun’s ragged clothing, and putting on a bright smile, tentatively asked, “Might I ask from which esteemed place this honored guest has come?”