Lan Qiaoyan thought for a moment, nodded slightly, and said, "The person is a prominent figure in Sky-Illuminating City, and it wouldn't be good to make things difficult for your pavilion's master. Since they're here, let's meet."
"Alright, I'll go and inform them," the manager said, bowing respectfully before leaving.
Shortly after, in a reception room of Bowang Pavilion, the manager and Cao Puqing arrived and took their seats.
Old Dong and Big Stone had been brought in earlier.
After confirming their identities, Cao Puqing asked them directly about their acquaintance with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang and whether they knew where those two had gone.
The two confessed to knowing Shi Chun but insisted they didn't know his whereabouts.
Upon hearing this, Cao Puqing took a sip of tea without comment, then remarked, "I heard the day before yesterday you took a banknote for fifty thousand gold to the bank to withdraw the amount. Is this true?"
These words made the manager's gaze sharply focus on Old Dong and Big Stone.
Old Dong and Big Stone exchanged a glance.
They weren't sure if the bank had disclosed customer information, but if so, the bank wasn't following the rules.
On the other hand, it showed that Lu Taizhen's influence in Sky-Illuminating City was indeed considerable.
After exchanging looks, Old Dong answered, "Mr. Cao is truly well-informed to know even this."
Big Stone added, "That's right, it's true."
Cao Puqing's eyebrows raised in surprise; he had expected these two to deny everything.
He had even prepared witnesses, but they weren't needed, as these two admitted it so easily.
He immediately asked, "Where did you get that banknote from?"
Big Stone replied, "Wu Jinliang came by the afternoon before last and gave it to us, asking for help to withdraw it. He used the money to buy a bunch of cultivation materials and took them away."
"Big Boss..."
Old Dong started to speak but immediately corrected himself, "Shi Chun asked Wu Jinliang to pass on a message to us. He said that if Mr. Cao had any misunderstandings about this money, it was really unwarranted. He claimed it had nothing to do with your nephew's death, but he did witness the incident. If Mr. Cao insists on finding out the murderer, he can go to Wukang Mountain."
Bang! Cao Puqing slammed the table, his face full of anger, "Didn't you two just say you didn't know where he went?"
Big Stone continued, "That was Shi Chun's idea. He said we're people of Bowang Pavilion, and some matters need to be clear between us. Friendship is friendship, business is business, they shouldn't be mixed.
Shi Chun said if Mr. Cao doesn't want to pursue it, then let it go to avoid causing trouble for Mr. Cao. He also mentioned the murderer was not someone Mr. Cao could afford to provoke.
He said if helping to make a purchase resulted in Mr. Cao insisting on the matter, then reveal Shi Chun's whereabouts to avoid implicating Bowang Pavilion and let Mr. Cao make his own decision."
Old Dong followed, "Mr. Cao, it's true. We were just helping an old friend buy something, not knowing the real situation."
Most of what they said was true, especially the part Shi Chun asked them to convey to Cao Puqing.
The manager observed the two effortlessly switching between truth and deception from start to finish without a hint of nervousness, secretly admiring them.
He thought it somewhat wasteful to keep such talent working in the storehouse as mere laborers.
"Wukang Mountain..."
Cao Puqing muttered under his breath, his expression fluctuating.
He then bid farewell to the manager, who personally saw him off.
As for the master of Bowang Pavilion, he never showed up the entire time, as Cao Puqing's status didn't warrant such attention.
After a while, when the people in the reception room had dispersed, Lan Qiaoyan, who had been listening from an adjoining room, smiled slightly.
"He didn't implicate others, took the burden himself. The rascal is still the rascal, didn't disappoint me."
She then turned to her daughter, "See that? He's at least good to his own. Now you can accept the money he returned to you without worry, can't you?"
Miao Yilan remained silent.
When she first heard about the incident, she was worried the money was dirty and felt uneasy, a bit annoyed with Shi Chun.
After all, she had lent clean money, and now being tangled with muddy dealings wasn't acceptable; why should she be troubled over money she lent?
"Not many would dare to use such money openly right after getting it. That guy is quite bold; if he dares to shoulder this, who knows what pits are lying ahead for Cao Puqing. That Skinny Monkey was barely out of jail before he died miles away at the scene; this isn't simple. Perhaps there's really someone out there Cao Puqing can't provoke. If he crashes headfirst, it won't look good. To come out of prison and immediately contend with Cao Puqing, who knows what the kid is up to now," Lan Qiaoyan chuckled and shook her head.
In Lu Garden, atop a tower of layered buildings, a man with a jade-like face and long beard wearing a yellow robe sat by the window in a rocking chair, leisurely reading a book.
He was none other than the master of the place, Lu Taizhen.
Cao Puqing hurriedly ascended the building and, seeing him, bowed and said, "Master Lu, any instructions?"
Lu Taizhen glanced at him sideways, then resumed his focus on the book, saying, "The master of Bowang Pavilion sent word to me expressing dissatisfaction with you and also with the bank. What's going on between you and your nephew?"
Cao Puqing stopped, looking somewhat embarrassed, unsure of what to say.
Swinging slightly in the chair, Lu Taizhen casually remarked, "Trying to sell women to me without asking for my opinion first?" Cao Puqing was slightly surprised.
He'd instructed his nephew to keep this deal quiet until it was done.
How did the master know? Did the other party leak it? Quickly, he explained, "Graceful Cloud Pavilion's dealings weren't upright. Seeing you indeed liked that leading lady, I wanted to handle it well to make you happy. I didn't expect such trouble."
Lu Taizhen, casually flipping through the book, said lightly, "You've spoiled that nephew of yours; it's fitting he's met this calamity. Wukang Mountain is wealthy and won't show me face, and certainly not you. Some grudges cannot be avenged. If the joke of this transaction spreads and tarnishes my reputation, I can't afford it. If you're stuck on this, I can't keep you. Decide for yourself whether to stay or leave."
Cao Puqing lowered his head, not speaking, his face full of hesitation.
Sheng Prefecture rests within the broader domain of Shengshen Prefecture, one of the four prefectures of the Shengshen Continent.
The vast lands of Sheng Prefecture encompass many well-known places, such as one of the twelve entrances to the Exile Lands, Sky-Illuminating City, and Wukang Mountain, all within its territory.
Wukang Mountain, situated on a majestic mountain range, stands as a peak atop a peak, reaching towering heights of several hundred zhang.
The mountain faces are steep and sharp, as if cut by blades, with clusters of sharp peaks.
The whole appears dark, much like a massive, corroded chunk of iron, barren with not a blade of grass.
What’s more peculiar is that even hauling soil up the mountain yields no growth; nothing can sprout upon this land, making it a truly odd location.
Normally such a barren place wouldn't be suitable for living, yet the renowned Great Talisman Refinement Sect of Wukang Mountain calls it home, its name marking the mountain.
Yet below the mountain, it's bustling, with a city named Skyward Gaze City, built from countless great stones encircling the mountain terrain.
This city is constructed directly by and under the governance of Wukang Mountain itself, flanked by a forest that stretches seamlessly outside the ten-zhang-high stone walls.
Scaling the walls unauthorized is prohibited here.
Shi Chun and Xiang Lan'er, led by Bian Weikang, entered through the city gates.
Bian Weikang had a cloth covering his face, Xiang Lan'er was cloaked, while Shi Chun, in contrast, walked openly with no disguise.
Inside the city, pavilions and towers adorned every corner, and businesses lined the streets in rows like scales, with crowds bustling about and a riot of blossoms along the walls and branches.
As they passed an inconspicuous inn, Xiang Lan'er abruptly stopped and suggested, "Dear, we're short on money; how about we keep it simple and stay here?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Shi Chun.
Ever since her ulterior motives had been exposed, every time she coyly called him "dear," that rascal's lips would quirk in a faint, mischievous grin, and sure enough, it happened again.
"Huh? Oh, alright, alright," Bian Weikang replied, snapping out of his daze.
Since entering the city, he had seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Peaceful Joy Pavilion, Shi Chun noted the name of the inn.
He guessed the woman had her reasons for choosing it and didn't object.
Knowing the two were short on funds, he generously decided, "Alright, I'll treat."
The three ventured inside, with Shi Chun paying for three rooms.
Bian Weikang had hoped to share a room with Xiang Lan'er as they had at Carefree Pavilion, but this time she refused, citing the need to maintain appearances in front of her father.
Bian Weikang understood her sentiments well, not wanting to be looked down upon due to his background.
Regardless of his internal turmoil, the matters at hand still had to be faced.
After much hesitation, Bian Weikang decided he needed to head up the mountain.
He assured Xiang Lan'er not to worry, explaining he didn't want to take her up right away to avoid any potential insult, and he would return after discussing it with his family first.
Xiang Lan'er understood and reassured him to go without worry.
After seeing Bian Weikang off from the inn, Xiang Lan'er looked around carefully at her doorway before plucking a jeweled flower from her hair and attaching it to the doorframe, then returning inside.
It wasn't long before two cloaked figures, one tall and one short, appeared at her door.
The shorter one knocked five times before entering.
Once inside and the door closed, the shorter figure pulled back their hood, revealing themselves as none other than Fengchi.
Her face was pallid and bloodless, and her energy visibly weak.
She, along with the taller figure, bowed to Xiang Lan'er.
Xiang Lan'er quickly supported Fengchi, feeling grateful, "It's good to see you safe. How are your injuries?"
Fengchi gave a wry smile, "They're quite severe; it might take a long time to heal. That old man was far too strong; I was no match for him. If he hadn't been delayed talking to you, my escape skills might not have sufficed. I was relieved you were unharmed; otherwise, I could not have faced the Holy Sovereign if anything happened to you! How did you manage to escape?"
"Shi Chun took the risk to save me…" Xiang Lan'er recounted the events of their escape.
Fengchi nodded repeatedly, expressing satisfaction, "At the key moment, he chose to stand together against the outside. That fellow has some integrity; he deserves credit for that."
Xiang Lan'er inquired, "Who is that old man?"
Fengchi shook her head, "I reported it, and they said there's no information matching his description. They're puzzled as well; with such skill, he shouldn't be an unknown name. They're still investigating."
(Chapter end)