At this moment, a tall figure cloaked from head to toe spoke up, "Could it be that boy's people putting on an act on purpose?"
It was a man's voice, deliberately hoarse and low.
Ever since entering, he had never revealed his face, even with a hood covering his head and a mask over his face.
However, the two women present knew exactly who he was.
Feng Chi hesitated, "I initially had this suspicion too, but those above said, from redeeming people to unexpected events, if it was a scheme, the changes are too complex over such a short time. It doesn’t quite add up. Of course, they didn’t completely dismiss the suspicion. Anything is possible."
Xiang Lan'er spoke, "Don't doubt it. I can confirm he's not with that old man."
Feng Chi made a sound of acknowledgment and quickly asked, "Why do you say that?"
Xiang Lan'er pursed her lips, the way she got her answer was hard to explain, and she brushed it aside with a simple comment, "Not convenient to elaborate, but I stand by my conclusion. You can report it with confidence."
Given that, the other two had no further questions.
However, Feng Chi was still curious, "Miss, how did you persuade him to let you go?"
Xiang Lan'er responded, "What else could it be? I agreed to his terms, to take him along into Wukang Mountain."
"Uh..."
Feng Chi was speechless.
The man under the cloak spoke solemnly, "Impossible. Bian Jixiong already knows of this person named Shi Chun, and that he got a brothel woman as a daughter-in-law. I heard he smashed a few cups in rage. How could he allow him into Wukang Mountain? Miss, your entry is already difficult, adding him to the mix means neither of you would get in."
Xiang Lan'er replied, "It's no longer about our willingness. I was forced to agree, and he kept a handle on us. If I go back on my word, our identities could be exposed, and our plan to penetrate Wukang Mountain would completely fail.
How would we explain this to the Holy Sovereign? This isn't a request, but a command for you to find a way. If you can't solve it, what use are you to me?
“
The cloaked man was utterly speechless.
Ignoring him, Xiang Lan'er motioned for the injured Feng Chi to sit and rest.
After a long silence, the man sighed and said, "There might be a way, but we need Shi Chun’s cooperation."
Xiang Lan'er immediately urged him to elaborate...
Shi Chun had already left the inn.
He didn’t care what Xiang Lan'er and her group were plotting.
His priority was exploring Skyward Gaze City to familiarize himself with the layout, an old habit from his time working in the Exile Lands.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t curious about Xiang Lan'er's plans, but they would never give him a chance to spy on them.
Being alone, he had no means to monitor them, and the peculiar ability in his right eye couldn't be triggered at will, especially without danger.
Moreover, it was necessary to mark some paths in the city for Wu Jinliang to find him.
Previously, when with Xiang Lan'er’s group, it was inconvenient to make these preparations.
After marking paths from the inn to the city gate, he was ready to explore when he heard some commotion ahead, "No money, no service. No credit, please leave."
Shi Chun looked up and saw an inn employee throwing out a scruffy old man from a restaurant.
The old man's red nose and wine gourd were conspicuous.
Shi Chun broke into a cold sweat upon seeing him, internally screaming in alarm.
What luck to encounter him here?
Without a second thought, he turned away and briskly walked in the opposite direction.
As a practitioner of the Demonic Path, meeting someone who purges evil was never a good sign.
He wasn't going to stick around waiting to get slaughtered.
"Hey!"
A shout rang out, followed by a hand suddenly gripping his shoulder from behind.
The voice and grip made Shi Chun hesitant to turn around, freezing him on the spot.
Not waiting for him to turn, the person moved in front of him, brushed aside their messy white hair, and peered at Shi Chun with sharp eyes.
After a moment, the person laughed and clapped him on the chest, "I thought you looked familiar. It’s you, boy."
Feigning surprise, Shi Chun eagerly cupped his hands, "So it's you, Senior! My apologies!"
Inwardly, he was cursing this person’s ancestors.
The scruffy old man, holding his wine gourd, tilted his head and asked, "Cut the formalities. Just tell me, do you remember me saving your life?"
Shi Chun forced a smile, "Of course I remember."
He secretly muttered, even if you hadn't saved me, I had ways to escape.
The old man gestured toward the inn with his chin, "Then it’s only fair you treat me to a meal?"
Feeling guilty and knowing this person was likely sharp enough to see through his demonic nature, Shi Chun awkwardly declined, "Senior, I really have matters to attend to. Perhaps..."
He reached into his purse, took out a handful of Southern Sandalwood Gold coins, and offered them, "How about Senior takes care of himself?"
The old man gave him a sidelong glance, "Think you can buy me off like a beggar?"
Shi Chun quickly denied, "No, no, certainly not."
"Good."
The old man grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the inn, where they sat down.
He slapped the table, calling out, "Get me some food and drink — Drunken Phoenix, Exploding Gold Balls, Thousand Jade Stew, Earthly Delight, Snow Scene Soup, and the finest Jade Essence Brew. Also, refill my wine gourd."
He placed the gourd on the table.
The waiter, after ensuring this patron had no objections, smiled and went to fill the order.
Since things had come to this, Shi Chun could only go along with it and politely asked, "May I know Senior’s esteemed name?"
The scruffy old man chuckled, "Names bring trouble. I long let go of mine. No need to mention. But you, looking like a coal lump, where are you from? Tell me your name."
Shi Chun laughed awkwardly, "I am Shi Chun, ‘shi’ as in teacher, ‘chun’ as in spring. Just released from the Exile Lands."
"Oh, from the Exile Lands, huh? No wonder you're so dark. It's rare to see someone your age brave enough to stand against the Demonic Path. I admire that."
"Senior overpraises me. Exorcising demons and defending the path is our duty, regardless of age. But why are you here, Senior?"
"Not much of a story. Just following the trail from that incident a few days back when that demoness got away. All signs pointed here, so here I am. Meeting you here is fortunate for you. Keep your guard up, lest she finds you again. I can’t always be around to save you."
Hearing this, Shi Chun was startled.
Feng Chi was still alive? Had she really come here? I should warn Xiang Lan'er.
As the conversation continued, food and drink were served, and Shi Chun respectfully poured wine for his senior.
Holding the first cup, the scruffy old man offered a toast, "Shi Chun, thanking you for the hospitality, should you encounter trouble, you can come find me. I might not have many skills, but dealing with fights is something I can handle. As long as I’m still in Skyward Gaze City, of course. And each time I lend a hand, you’ll need to treat me again."
Stunned, Shi Chun asked, "Where should I find Senior if needed?"
"Around the city gate area, probably lurking under someone’s roof. If you need me, just go check around. You’ll find me."
And so, they drank and ate, exchanging casual banter.
As they were eating, the old man noticed something off.
Glaring at the young man devouring the food across from him, he finally couldn’t help but grumble.
"Shi Chun, you eat like someone starved to death in a past life. You devour half a dish with a few bites. Are you sure you’re the one treating me? Do you see me, an old beggar, and assume I’m only worthy of your leftovers?"
"Oh, my apologies, Senior. I just got out of jail and got carried away. Not to brag, but this is only my second proper meal since being released. I’m embarrassed. Please, Senior, don’t hold back. Eat to your heart’s content. We can always order more."
Realizing his impoliteness, Shi Chun quickly put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth, where he was still chewing, thus stopping himself, tongue occasionally darting out to savor the flavors he had just been indulging in.
Afterward, he focused on pouring more wine for his senior and accompanying him in conversation.
Upon inquiring about the senior's strength, Shi Chun was quite shocked.
The old man didn’t specify his own level, just confidently claimed he could handle himself in this region.
Said even Bian Que, the revered patriarch of Wukang Mountain, would circumvent him.
He claimed to have beaten Bian Que himself.
Who was Bian Que? The patriarch of Wukang Mountain, grandfather to Bian Weikang, rarely seen and highly exalted, reputed to almost reach the pinnacle of the Human Immortal Realm, just shy of the Earth Immortal Realm, usually in deep seclusion.
Previously, Shi Chun wouldn’t have known about Bian Que, but he had heard of him while accompanying Bian Weikang en route to gather intelligence on Wukang Mountain.
That was Wukang Mountain's revered elder, and this scruffy old geezer claimed to have defeated him.
Whether it was true or just boasting, just the guts to boast like this left Shi Chun raising toast after toast…
At the Peaceful Joy Pavilion, in Xiang Lan'er's guest room, only she and Feng Chi remained, awaiting Shi Chun's return.
The tall, cloaked figure had already departed.
A knock sounded at the door, and Feng Chi called out, "Enter."
An inn employee opened the door, quickly closing it behind him, and approached the two with a hushed report, "After leaving the inn, he sneakily marked the path to the city gate, then was stopped by a scruffy old man. They seemed acquainted. The old man dragged him into an inn where they’re now having a drink."
(End of Chapter)