Five people arrived, led by none other than Elder Xia.
Inside the cage, the two prisoners felt an inexplicable peace at the sight of Elder Xia, knowing that their chance of getting out had finally come.
Of course, they still wore expressions of defiance, sitting cross-legged on the ground, glaring coldly at Xia Fuli and his company.
Xia Fuli stood in front of the iron bars, scrutinizing the two bedraggled individuals for a moment before speaking slowly, "It has been determined that it was indeed Wei Bian who instigated the assassination attempt on you two, and Bian Weiying has no involvement. The whole affair started because Wei Bian's jealousy over his love for Shi Chun."
These words left the two inside a bit confused.
Shi Chun, whose face had been strained with cold indifference, couldn't help but break the act, puzzled, "Jealous because of love? What's that got to do with me and why target me?"
Xia Fuli explained, "You were out shopping with Bian Weiying. It's unheard of for her to accompany any man. Wei Bian admires Bian Weiying, so he grew envious of you and thus orchestrated the attack."
"What? Really?" Wu Jinliang likewise dropped his facade of having an unyielding grudge.
Shi Chun immediately cast a sidelong glance at him, as if to say, do you believe this nonsense? He certainly did not, and voiced the key issue directly, "So you're saying the assassination on us really has nothing to do with Bian Weiying?"
Xia Fuli perceived the underlying meaning and silently praised him.
Not entirely foolish, just young and impetuous.
Calmly, he continued, "Believe it or not, the evidence and testimonies are all there. That is the truth."
Shi Chun responded coldly, "You investigate yourselves however you want, as long as it pleases you."
During the incident, he had clearly seen the situation.
Bian Weiying had personally overseen the scene outside the Peaceful Joy Pavilion, and Wei Bian was obviously acting under her influence.
There's no way she was uninvolved, regardless of attempts to pin the blame on others.
It was clearly a way to clear her name.
Upon realizing this, Wu Jinliang questioned directly, "We don't understand any of this. Speak in a way we can comprehend. So, what's going to happen?"
They were eager to find out when they were getting released and how much longer this delay would drag on.
Xia Fuli explained, "You killed assassins in self-defense. The rules of Skyward Gaze City dictate that we won't hold any opinions about your actions. But attacking Wei Bian—is that truly self-defense? No matter your background or identity, who are outsiders to dispose of the disciples from Wukang Mountain?" His final words carried a dignified reprimand.
The four disciples from Wukang Mountain who accompanied him stood tall with pride swelling in their chests.
"After discussing among the Wukang Mountain, it's granted that a disciple from our sect was at fault first. Therefore, you'll be given a chance to redeem yourselves. You will be detained at Wukang Mountain for a year, serving as laborers for a year. If you show genuine repentance, you may be released at the end of your term or even earlier. If you resist repentance, you'll remain detained until you show sincerity. Do you accept this decision?"
Shi Chun asked with a mocking laugh, "Dare I ask, if this happened to someone from a powerful sect, would Wukang Mountain dare to detain them?"
In such a case, of course, there would be appropriate adjustments in response, but Xia Fuli, in front of others, did not soften his wording at all, "The detainment would proceed regardless!"
Wu Jinliang sprang up from the ground, angrily retorting, "I'm the first to refuse!"
Xia Fuli remained unfazed, "Whether you accept it or not makes no difference. You'll be forced to accept it. I'm only here to inform you, not to give you options."
Shi Chun stood up as well, "Then don't pretend to be compassionate here!"
They both looked unwillingly defiant, and each thought they had put on a good show.
Xia Fuli's face showed no emotion as he turned his head, "Get their clothing ready."
A disciple carrying clothing quickly passed a stack through the bars, tossing it onto the ground.
"Put it on!"
Wu Jinliang glanced down at the fabric, clearly of inferior quality, not even as fine as their tattered clothes.
He complained at once, "No need, we're used to these rags. What we have will do."
The disciple who threw the clothes sternly ordered, "On the mountain, there's no room for unsightly attire. Put it on!"
The two inside steadfastly refused, silently resisting, determined to commit to their act.
Xia Fuli ordered, "Go in, help them change. No need to be gentle."
"Alright!" The disciples grinned menacingly.
"No need."
Shi Chun immediately waved his denial, "We don't have the habit of letting others dress us, we'll do it ourselves."
He inwardly grumbled, thinking Xia Fuli was taking the act too seriously when they were about to slip away.
Was this really necessary?
"Change then, humph!" Wu Jinliang tore off his worn-out top.
Both stripped down to their undergarments in front of the five people and donned the gray clothes tossed in front of them.
While changing, Wu Jinliang muttered, "Brother Chun, why is it every outfit we wear gets tattered quickly? Feels like we can never wear anything nice. How long will this new set last?"
"Can you shut that mouth and say something pleasant?" Shi Chun grumbled, not wanting to get beaten again.
Once they finished changing, looking around, Shi Chun's outfit hung loosely, but the extra fabric was easily dealt with by rolling up sleeves and pants.
Wu Jinliang's was tighter, wrists and ankles slightly exposed, but had to make do.
The clothing's size wasn't the main concern.
The issue was the black and white circle on front and back bearing the character "labor," clearly not made on a whim.
They weren't the first to be imprisoned this way.
The cell door creaked open, and the two were led out of the prison, squinting at the sun's harsh glare.
In the bright, clear weather, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang looked upwards, feeling as if they stood within a walled courtyard.
As they ascended winding steps, eyes inspecting the reddish walls, Shi Chun knocked at them, discovering it wasn't stone, nor metal, but some hard material.
Upon exiting the confines, the sky was a wash of blue.
Last night's storm seemed like a forgotten dream.
Under yesterday's darkness, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang hadn't clearly seen Wukang Mountain.
Now, with a view stretched forth, celestial buildings heartily dotted the peaks.
Lakes mirrored the sky amongst pavilions, painting a dreamlike scene at this immortal's abode, though something felt missing.
"You're in charge now."
Xia Fuli passed words to his disciples and left.
Tasks of such trivial nature did not require his presence.
It was indeed unusual for him to attend in person, understandable given the sect leader's daughter's involvement and the loss of disciples.
"Move along!"
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were prodded by four disciples to a nearby large courtyard, adjacent to the prison.
Compared to the celestial buildings, the rugged low houses nearby clearly weren’t pleasant dwellings.
Centered was a large stone mill, upon which sat a plump man with greasy features, munching seeds, sipping tea, watching the incoming Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang with scrutiny.
"When they faced the mill, the four Wukang Mountain disciples smiled obsequiously,"Fat Uncle.
"The plump man grunted,"These the ones who killed Brother Wei?
""Yes, Fat Uncle, we've delivered them to you.
"The four Wukang Mountain disciples made their exit after handing over responsibility. The plump man spat discarded seeds onto the ground, sneering at the pair's composed behavior, bearing long-term grudges clearly. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang weren't perturbed, aware they'd leave soon, saving concerns about any future grievances. Suddenly, the plump man barked,"Anyone alive?
See the new arrivals?
"Two figures hustled out from the simple houses – one round-faced, the other horse-faced, the latter nearing fifty. When Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang noticed their identical clothing and matching"labor"insignia, curiosity piqued them. Fat Uncle bellowed,"Tools for carrying water – get them equipped.
First task: complete twenty loads of water by noon.
They're new, ignorant of proper procedures, so you accompany them.
Understand?
""Yes!
"The duo promptly complied, urging the newcomers after them. They were taken to a storeroom, picking out two carrying poles and four buckets, equipping Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang for manual labor. The two held their tools thoughtfully, knowing inwardly Elder Xia likely orchestrated their forthcoming escape.
For now, agreeing to work, not rocking the boat. At Eastern Nine Plains, they’d fetched water from underground, so the task wasn't alien, though the tools here were superior. Watching closely, the plump man saw Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang leave with the others.
Outside the main gates, instructions started. Be mindful not to wander the mountain since wearing these clothes, one could venture only to designated work areas, lest they suffer punishment by Wukang Mountain's patrols.
Shi Chun inquired about the two people's history, learning they weren’t outsiders but actual disciples punished to servitude for mistakes, with four or five dozen in the same predicament. Round face turned out to be Zou Xingbao, and horse face Duan You, disciples of differing ages but the same generation.
As for Fat Uncle, known as Pang Tiansheng, he hadn’t broken through to the Advanced Martial Realm, but owing to his seniority and being a direct disciple of the sect leader, he was relegated here to oversee the Punishment Hall's duties. Wu Jinliang was puzzled why they were fetching water downhill when lakes sprawled on the mountain, just for exercise?
It turns out, they'd explained, the mountain-held rainwater, though suitable for cleaning, wasn't fresh enough to drink. Without a natural water source, it was necessary to fetch. Fitness aside, the arduous task did serve as discipline.
Before long, they reached a narrow mountain descent, where groups their peers, clothed identically, climbed up and down with loaded or empty buckets."
See that?
Follow the empty buckets to the water source, fill your buckets nine-tenths full, and don't cut corners or face punishment.
It's quite a trek.
We'll wait here for your return, ready to guide you to your dumping point.
Remember, don't even think about escaping, or you'll face grave consequences!"
Zou Xingbao pointed as he explained the route.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged quick knowing glances, sharing an understanding smile.
So, Elder Xia had effectively set this up.
Their unmonitored ramblings and pointed cautioning against running away hinted at his plan fairly clearly.
(End of Chapter)