This statement finally succeeded in diverting the attention of the two women.
They immediately asked why Bian Weiying was looking for Shi Chun.
Shi Chun promptly recounted the encounter with Bian Weiying.
After hearing it, neither Fengchi nor Xiang Lan'er could understand the intention behind Bian Weiying's questions.
According to Shi Chun, Bian Weiying showed no particular emotion about his brother finding a woman from a pleasure house, nor any joy about his brother's return.
It seemed like he was just asking for the sake of it.
Those questions were brushed aside, as the two women had their own important matters to discuss with him.
Fengchi initiated the conversation, "Are you determined to follow our lady into Wukang Mountain?"
Shi Chun, with his pale, pasty face, reacted like a startled bird, urgently emphasizing, "That was the agreement. Are you thinking of going back on it?"
Xiang Lan'er remained silent, her eyes lowered, as if it weren't her concern.
Fengchi waved her hand dismissively, "We're not quite going back on it. We do have a way to get you in, but it requires your cooperation."
Upon hearing that he could go in, Shi Chun's face immediately broke into a powdery smile, "Cooperation, cooperation! As long as it's reasonable and within my ability, I will cooperate."
Fengchi continued, "Very well. Starting today, you need to openly show admiration for our lady and actively pursue her."
"Uh..."
Shi Chun made a noise in his throat, glancing at Fengchi and then at Xiang Lan'er, not detecting anything unusual from their expressions.
Utterly puzzled, he said, "Boss Lady, isn't this joke a bit too much? Miss Xiang is the woman Bian Weikang likes. Bian Weikang brought the Bian family’s daughter-in-law home, and you're asking me to pursue their daughter-in-law within Wukang Mountain. Isn't this too much? Are you assuming Wukang Mountain has no one, or are you hoping I won't die too tragically?"
Fengchi countered, "Do you think Bian Jixiong would accept this daughter-in-law?"
"Well…" Shi Chun thought silently that no one in their right mind would accept it, but verbally he remained modest, "I'm young; I really don't understand family affairs."
"Definitely not," Fengchi answered herself, then asked, "Do you think Bian Jixiong, after expelling his son from the sect, really wants to sever ties?"
Without waiting for Shi Chun's response, she continued, "Though it looked decisive and made most people in Wukang Mountain believe it was genuine, based on our information, it was not so. It was just Bian Jixiong's way of disciplinin' his son."
Shi Chun thought for a moment, still confused.
He pointed to himself, then at Xiang Lan'er, "What's it got to do with me chasin' her?"
Fengchi explained, "Normally, Bian Jixiong wouldn’t accept a daughter-in-law from the Graceful Cloud Pavilion. But if Bian Jixiong wanted to strike a blow to his son again, to let him watch as his beloved woman is taken away..."
"...” Shi Chun fell silent.
He wasn't stupid; he immediately understood what she meant.
Fengchi elaborated, "Bian Weikang is not without merit. In fact, his cultivating talent is quite high. Such a biological son originally held great expectations for Bian Jixiong, especially since he's his only son. Unfortunately, riches spoil people. Bian Jixiong refused to sit idly by and decisively took action. He wanted to strip all glory and wealth from his son and push him completely into the trough. Only when this son climbs back up from the depths can he truly be accomplished. This is basically what Bian Jixiong means."
Shi Chun was secretly amazed.
This information about the Wukang Mountain sect leader could be sourced here, meaning that they'd been prepared for a long while within Wukang Mountain.
"If someone were to tell Bian Jixiong that you like our lady and suggest this method to provoke his son, and if some were to plead for Bian Weikang, there's a chance that Bian Jixiong would facilitate your entrance to Wukang Mountain. Afterward, Bian Jixiong might truly help others steal away his son’s beloved woman.
First, such a daughter-in-law isn’t desirable; second, he wants to jolt his son once more, stimulating his son's ambition. This way, it also explains why you'd help Bian Weikang redeem the lady from the pleasure house; it's because you like the lady. This way, both you and the lady can enter Wukang Mountain.
This method offers you significant support, for aren’t you looking for someone there? If Bian Jixiong wants to assist you and facilitate things for you, you’d find it much easier in Wukang Mountain."
Shi Chun blinked rapidly as he listened.
If it were indeed like this, he had to admit it was an exceptionally good plan, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Who thought of this? It definitely wasn't you two, right?"
He wasn’t underestimating the women; it was just that a plan as seemingly simple as this wasn't one everyone could devise.
The person who came up with it must have an insightful understanding of Wukang Mountain and Bian Jixiong, thoroughly knowing where to strike.
Fengchi said, "Who devised it is not important. The thing is, everything on the Wukang Mountain side will be arranged. You merely need to show admiration and pursue our lady, not needing to do anything else."
"...” Although the plan was excellent, Shi Chun hesitated to agree.
He kept his distance over these years for a reason, hoping that when he met someone he truly liked, it’d be easier for them to accept him.
If the news spread that he fancied and pursued a courtesan, what would that say about him? His clean reputation would be tarnished.
He very much wanted to know who came up with this ridiculous idea.
Of all things, why have him pursue Xiang Lan'er? It really was too difficult for him.
Although he wore makeup, even through the thick application of face powder, the two women could see the strong reluctance in his expression to pursue Xiang Lan'er.
Fengchi asked puzzled, "Is it that difficult? This is the most foolproof way."
Xiang Lan'er's lips were already pressed thin and her expression entirely cold.
As she turned to leave, she announced, "I’ve kept my promise. It's you who doesn’t agree, no one else to blame."
"Ah, no, it’s not that," Shi Chun rushed over and blocked the door, forcing a laugh that caused a layer of powder to fall, "Miss Xiang, it’s not that I don’t want to. I'm just thinking it would be unfair to Bian Weikang. Have you communicated with him? If not, misunderstandings might arise."
He figured that if Bian Weikang disagreed, it would give him a reason to have them come up with another plan.
Fengchi walked over, "Bian Weikang is still kneeling outside the gate of Wukang Mountain; he hasn't even seen his father's face. After careful consideration, we decided it’d be best if Bian Weikang didn’t know the truth."
Shi Chun said, "Uh, wouldn't he end up hating me? There's no need for unnecessary enmity, is there?"
Fengchi replied, "As I said, riches spoil people. Bian Weikang currently lacks a bit in mental toughness. If he knew the truth, with his acting skills, it’d be impossible to fool Bian Jixiong and them. He'd be quickly found out, potentially causing significant trouble. As for whether Bian Weikang hates you or not, does it matter? It’s not like you’ll actually win over our lady."
Shi Chun thought it over and realized she was right.
After all, he’d never truly be with this woman and could explain everything to his beloved person later.
After a little thought, he nodded resolutely, "Alright, let’s do it. I’ll follow your arrangement. So, when do we head up the mountain?"
Xiang Lan'er’s tense lips gradually relaxed, and with a blank expression, she replied, "Someone will inform us when everything is arranged uptop."
She then brusquely pushed Shi Chun aside, exited the room, and turned to Shi Chun with a chilling remark, "You look awful!"
A gust of fragrant wind swept out as Fengchi followed, laughing at the sentiment, covering her face with her cloak again.
Shi Chun lightly tapped his face, shrugging nonchalantly, then peeked outside the door before retracting himself and closing it, leaving powder marks on the door latch.
He returned to the mirror, turning his head from side to side, feeling rather content with himself, realizing exaggerated expressions caused the powder to fall, forcing him to maintain a neutral expression.
"Brother Chun!"
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the inn's lobby.
Without guessing, Shi Chun knew who had arrived, quickly opening the door but not exposing himself, too self-conscious to step out.
He yelled back, "Innkeeper, let him come over."
Shortly, there came the thud of footsteps, and Wu Jinliang arrived, peering inside.
Seeing Shi Chun, he gasped, then rushed in to ask about Shi Chun's face.
Hearing it could whiten skin, Wu Jinliang eagerly dropped everything and with some guidance from Shi Chun, smeared a similar layer over his own face before feeling satisfied.
They inevitably discussed their respective situations; the matter in Sky-Illuminating City was simple, as it followed Shi Chun’s instructions.
However, Wu Jinliang was quite shocked by the events here, exclaiming, "That scruffy old man again? Such coincidence, Brother Chun, could it truly be just happenstance?"
The Exile Lands, a place where people would fight for mere scraps, a place beyond scruples.
Coincidence? Even Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were equally skeptical about such a matter.
Yet, Shi Chun remained composed, "The individual's cultivation is too high. If he says it's coincidence, do we have the reason to doubt? If he insists on giving us benefits, are we in the position to refuse? Take advantage of it while being cautious."
"Understood," Wu Jinliang agreed, though suddenly pointing at his face, "Your speech causes powder to fall. Will mine?"
"Yours isn’t completely dry, so not as much."
Thus, the two began engaging in an expressionless, minimal lip-moving style of conversation, to blend in and adapt to this world’s ways. (End of Chapter)