Even a fool knows what to do now.
It seems those two punished laborers were arranged by Elder Xia as well.
Master Shi Chun and his companion smiled, nodded, and carried their loads down the mountain.
As they watched, Zou Xingbao suddenly asked Duan You beside him, "They're punished to work, but they seem very happy about it. Did I see that wrong?"
Duan You replied, "Happy or not, they still have to do the work. And they're bold enough, daring to kill even Wei Bian. Receiving punishment from the Punishment Hall is already light."
Zou Xingbao chuckled, "Light? Just because Wei Bian was at fault first, he had no choice. Watch, the surface penalty seems light, but behind the scenes, it'll be different. Uncle Fat was close to the Sect Master, and Wei Bian was close to Elder Yin. Uncle Fat won't let them off easy; didn't you notice they were even barefoot?"
Duan You patted his shoulder, found a stone to sit on, and watched the two figures carrying loads go uphill.
"Forget it, none of our business. Uncle Fat allowing us some leisure is already a favor."
Zou Xingbao snorted, "A favor because we've been enduring in the Punishment Hall long enough, getting used to his ways. Our backing isn't strong, or just a word from a reliable person would prevent us from being punished for small matters."
The path they took on the mountain was narrower than the main roads, requiring them to sidestep when encountering others.
Those carrying loads appeared hurried, and Master Shi Chun and Wu Jin seemed out of place.
At the foot of the mountain, green grass started appearing, lush and refreshing.
A stone path meandered into the forest, and they followed it, casually observing the others carrying loads and whether there were any guards.
Others noticed they were barefoot, curious and surprised.
In such a place, wearing shoes or not didn’t matter to Master Shi Chun and Wu Jin.
They had long adapted to being barefoot from their time in the Exile Lands, not caring about appearances now.
They thought the lack of shoes was a deliberate challenge from Wukang Mountain, unaware that Elder Xia truly forgot about it.
Elder Xia was used to making big decisions, not minding small details, and had walked ahead without checking if they wore shoes.
Initially, they thought carrying twenty loads of water in the morning would be easy, at least for cultivators like them.
But after walking a distance, they realized it wasn't as easy as they thought due to the long journey; no wonder other laborers hurried.
And the reason for sourcing water from afar wasn't merely for punishment; it was due to specific criteria for the water source.
For example, after a heavy rain last night, ordinary water sources would be muddy, whereas the guarded one remained clear.
At the water source, Master Shi Chun and Wu Jin inspected the surroundings, surprised that Wukang Mountain didn’t place the sect near the water source.
Following the example of others, they filled buckets and started back.
Wu Jin suggested they should run away now.
Master Shi Chun disagreed, saying they should explore Wukang Mountain more, using the water-fetching as an opportunity to understand the place for future plans.
Wu Jin saw the point, and they continued back uphill with their loads.
At a hill trail, Zou Xingbao and Duan You saw them return and waved them over, leading each to different paths.
Along the way, Master Shi Chun received instructions to remember his route and destination since he'd be responsible for filling certain water tanks if there were no changes.
In a courtyard surrounded by pavilions, Zou Xingbao pointed out the locations of ten water tanks, and Master Shi Chun nodded, memorizing them, while pondering aloud about poisoning risks.
When asked where this place was, Zou Xingbao refused to tell and advised Shi Chun not to inquire further as he wasn't a sect disciple.
The resident disciple handed Master Shi Chun a silver slip, puzzling him.
Zou Xingbao explained, "One load of water earns you one slip. Gather twenty slips from this courtyard, and you complete the morning task for Uncle Fat."
Back at the mountain trailhead, Wu Jin was waiting ahead.
Zou Xingbao and Duan You still didn't head down the mountain, directing Shi Chun and Wu Jin to continue, criticizing their slow pace as insufficient for finishing the task in time.
Going down, Shi Chun and Wu Jin checked if they learned anything, realizing neither received answers, deciding to escape no longer interested to stay.
On a cliff edge, Bian Weiying’s dress fluttered in the breeze as she confirmed their descent, her lips curling in a playful smile as she turned away.
She proceeded directly to the sect's main hall.
Inside, sect elders were in discussion.
Yin Huixin was there too when an outer disciple reported.
"Sect Master, City Lord Bian Weiying seeks an audience."
Bian Jixiong frowned.
Sect elders exchanged puzzled glances, even Yin Huixin appeared surprised.
After a moment, Bian Jixiong spoke in a deep voice, "Let her enter."
The disciple retreated, soon Bian Weiying entered, greeting everyone, "Sect Master, Elders."
Bian Jixiong asked, "Didn't you know we were in discussion? What urgent matter brings you now?"
Bian Weiying loudly replied, "I wish to resign as the City Lord of Skyward Gaze City."
Her words sparked surprise across the hall.
The Skyward Gaze City Lord position was among the few prestigious roles in Wukang Mountain, sought after by many.
Without being the Sect Master's daughter, she wouldn't be in that position, and now she was abandoning it?
Bian Jixiong glanced at Yin Huixin, noticing that she also seemed unaware; he deeply frowned and asked, "Reason?"
Bian Weiying declared, "To avoid suspicion! Though the sect reached a decision on last night's matter, rumors lingered. The matter arose because of Wei Bian, but I also bear inevitable responsibility. Thus, I resign, wishing to return to the mountain for focused cultivation. Please grant my request, Sect Master."
Xia Fuli interjected, "Weiying, there's no need. How many things can avoid gossip? If we all behaved like that, nothing would get done."
"Precisely, report any false rumors, and the sect will handle it."
"The matter's settled. Clear conscience suffices."
Sect leaders tried to reassure her.
Bian Jixiong said, "Don't rush decisions, return and think it over. After a few days, decide again."
Bian Weiying insisted before all, "Sect Master, I've thought clearly. Years of mundane tasks hindered my cultivation. After weighing pros and cons repeatedly, I've decided to return to my core, returning to the mountain to cultivate. To avoid suspicions and rumors of favoritism, I accept responsibility and ask to resign. Please, Sect Master and Elders, approve!"
Recognizing her earnestness, sect elders exchanged looks, initially thinking it was a facade.
Bian Jixiong’s eyes flickered as he slowly said, "You’re certain?"
Everyone feared judgments of unfairness, her resignation was too tempting to refuse.
Bian Weiying firmly said, "Absolutely certain."
Bian Jixiong exhaled deeply, "Alright then, just this once, I'll approve! Returning to the mountain to cultivate earnestly is beneficial."
Scanning the room, "The Skyward Gaze City Lord position is now vacant, let's discuss a successor today."
Yin Huixin watched her daughter's expression closely.
Below the mountain, turning on the stone path, Wu Jin finally spotted an unobserved opportunity, softly signaling, "Springtime."
Even without words, Master Shi Chun saw the chance and responded urgently, "Go."
The two darted into the dense forest, tossing buckets aside into a puddle, moving quickly under the terrain's cover, escaping into the mountain.
Before long, a series of sharp "caw caw" sounds echoed from above.
Alarmed, they glanced up, spotting a blue-feathered jay on a branch, eyeing them while screeching.
Not just that one bird; every blue-feathered jay they crossed began screeching and flapping towards the sky, following their escape.
Their faces darkened instantly.
Previously, they thought those birds were just forest natives, unaware of their actual purpose, explaining the absence of human guards.
Grabbing stones, they managed to hit a few birds, to no avail, as more jays kept screeching and tailing them relentlessly.
"Spring, what's happening?" Wu Jin exclaimed.
"Whatever it is, it's too late now! I saw a river up there on the mountain."
Shi Chun gestured, shouting.
The two charged recklessly towards the river, ignoring the birds.
Their commotion disrupted others hauling water, who abandoned their loads and climbed trees to watch where the flock pursued.
The uproar alarmed Duan You and Zou Xingbao lounging at the mountain trailhead.
Exchanging glances, they sensed something ominous and hurriedly ran downhill to check.
A group of enforcement disciples reached the cliffside, overlooking the chaotic scene.
Seeing the flock’s course, their leader signaled, and they swiftly launched downhill in pursuit.
Inside the main hall, after a heated debate and selection of the new Skyward Gaze City Lord, a disciple burst in, loudly reporting, "Sect Master, Shi Chun and Wu Jin took the opportunity during their punishment to fetch water and have escaped!"
Bian Jixiong paused in surprise, wondering if those men were insane, then commanded, "Hurry and chase them!"
The disciple assured, "Enforcement disciples are already in pursuit."
Among the elders, some laughed, "Truly, what were those two thinking, believing they could escape under Wukang Mountain's watch?"
Others wore serious expressions, advising caution, "If they dared escape, they must have a plan. Be vigilant and send more search parties for capture!"
Bian Jixiong agreed, ordering, "Issue the command, send more teams, capture them at all costs!"
Elder Xia Fuli’s face turned grim, clearly displeased.
Awaiting to hand over the city lord position inside, Bian Weiying stood dumbfounded.
She had resigned for the sake of those two, and just when she succeeded, they escaped.
What now? She couldn't retract her resignation and reclaim her post.