Chapter 77: The Saber Trembles with Anger |
Lan Qiaoyan pondered and Nodded Slightly, "If that's the case, it's indeed possible."
Miao Yilan, who was listening in, interjected, "Then what about the Big Guy, and the Lead Courtesan from Liyun Tower? Is it the same for them?"
"Mm."
Lan Qiaoyan, reminded, "It should be. It's no coincidence that these three outsiders were pushed forward to Take One's Place.
They've fallen into a pit by going to Wukang Mountain. Wukang Mountain really would do such a thing, but it's not hard to understand.
Having a courtesan be the daughter-in-law of the Wukang Mountain Sect Master would make anyone angry. Not killing them on the spot is a bargain.
Alas, those two youngsters are Bold and Reckless, I don't know what to say about them."
Miao Dingyi Smile[d] Faintly, "You two, mother and daughter, are quite invested, aren't you?"
"After all, we had a lot of dealings before." Lan Qiaoyan said, reaching out to pour him wine, "You know many people. If you can, why not say hello? If possible, Rescue them Conveniently/In Passing."
Miao Dingyi teased, making one person blush and another Roll One's Eyes. He himself found it increasingly amusing.
After laughing, he quickly composed himself. Picking up food with his chopsticks, he spoke softly, "Those who are on the Betting Market have already arrived at the Royal Capital and are under supervision.
It's not easy, and it's not worth it."
When he said that, Lan Qiaoyan understood.
This Grand Assembly involved very high stakes, and too many people were paying Attention. The individuals were already involved; Rescuing them wasn't impossible, but it would require a significant Social Obligation, which would be very troublesome to repay.
In short, the Cost would be substantial, and his words about son and son-in-law truly weren't a joke.
Given this, Lan Qiaoyan could only sigh lightly, "Shi Chun, that Kid, always gives off a Grand Spirit.
If he stops here, going back to see those people in the Land of Exile will probably be even more meaningless, alas." She then changed her expression, pointing to a bowl of soup, "It's been stewing for a long time, taste it and see how it is."
"Good, quite good."
"Right, how many people like Shi Chun are given a One Thousand Times Multiplier Payout?"
"They say there are several thousand, all with Cultivation Levels below High Martial.
Their situations are probably similar, all used to Make Up the Numbers, belonging to those for whom no hope is held. Otherwise, why would they offer a One Thousand Times Multiplier Payout…"
The Husband and Wife chatted and laughed, while Miao Yilan at the table looked somewhat disheartened.
The Husband and Wife understood this; after all, she had known Shi Chun for many years and, to some extent, considered him a friend.
The Husband and Wife wouldn't offer any advice; their daughter would have to experience this lesson sooner or later…
The Royal Capital was bustling, like a peerless painting, and Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang at the Railing Area never imagined they would one day ascend this Immortal Mountain to overlook the Royal Capital.
One should know that, under normal circumstances, only Heavenly Court personnel on duty could reside on the Immortal Mountain in the Royal Capital. Many of the Pavilions and Towers on the Immortal Mountain were where the Heavenly Court's Yamen was located.
Of course, the Royal Court here represented the Heavenly Court.
To be able to stay here once, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang already felt it was Worth the trip.
However, the check-in process was a bit troublesome; they were searched and inspected repeatedly, with exceptional thoroughness. They were told they couldn't carry Magic Tool[s] for external Contact, nor Poison, for fear that Competitor[s] might arrange for Poisoning or similar acts.
Indeed, external Contact was forbidden. The Immortal Mountain had activated its Array Formation Boundary, and without Permission, those inside could not leave, nor could those outside enter.
Want to go sightseeing in the Royal Capital? No!
After the Heavenly Rain Meteor Grand Assembly concludes, you can sightsee as much as you like, but not before it ends.
"Chuntian, in the future, will one of these House[s] down there be ours?" Wu Jinliang suddenly asked, pointing at the Pavilions and Towers below.
Shi Chun Composedly replied, "I heard they're quite expensive."
Wu Jinliang, resting his Broadsword on the ground, lifted it to point, "With my Saber in hand, why worry about mere External Possessions?"
Shi Chun gave him an annoyed sidelong glance, realizing that ever since this Fellow had a Cultivation Breakthrough to High Martial, his tone had grown increasingly bold, even claiming he would protect him.
Xiang Lan'er beside them looked at them with some surprise, her eyes flickering. Regardless of anything else, the two statements these guys just made impulsively didn't sound like they came from members of an organized Faction.
"Ha, that Simpleton is quite interesting. Are those three the ones your Wukang Mountain just brought into the fold?"
A mocking, teasing voice came from behind.
The three at the Railing Area turned to look. It was a white-clothed man, with an Imposing bearing and good Facial Features.
Despite his young age, he already exuded a Proud and confident look.
He walked out of the room side by side with Bian Weiying.
This man's surname matched the color of his clothes; his name was Bai Shuchuan, a Disciple from Mount Jieyun Sect, the Foremost Great Sect in Sheng Continent. The three men and one woman who followed him out were also dressed in white, all said to have High Martial Major Attainment Realm Cultivation Levels, the highest possible Cultivation Level within the Assembly Rules.
As soon as the Wukang Mountain Personnel settled in, these people came looking for them. Bian Weiying seemed to know they would come; while greeting the visitors, she sent Shi Chun and the other two outside to enjoy the view, and it was unknown what they discussed with the group of guests inside the room.
Bai Shuchuan's Mockery made Bian Weiying, who had come out with him, Secretly alarmed, fearing that Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang would Act Recklessly. Those two were truly daring; they had proven it more than once at Wukang Mountain.
The result surprised her.
Not only did Wu Jinliang show no sign of anger, but he even gave a Bow and scrape, as if greeting them warmly.
Shi Chun, beside him, also smiled and Nodded Slightly at the mocking Visitors.
Bian Weiying was somewhat Startled.
Were these really the two guys from Wukang Mountain who would explode at a touch? This made her realize that these two Fellows were not ones to Lack Discretion, but rather it depended on the person. No, Wukang Mountain had many Master[s] stronger than Bai Shuchuan's Group.
Could it be that Wukang Mountain wasn't as terrifying as Bai Shuchuan?
Xiang Lan'er was also Stunned at first, then a slight Smile Faintly appeared at the corner of her lips. She probably understood what was going on.
Bai Shuchuan's side didn't have Demonic Path undercover agents establishing a Bottom Line; they would truly Fight to the Death, and those two Fellows were very Flexible and Adaptable.
Her graceful Smile Faintly once again brightened Bai Shuchuan's eyes.
After walking down the Steps, he went straight to her, his gaze sweeping over her quite Unscrupulous, filled with a different kind of appreciation. He said with a rather refined Demeanor, "Mount Jieyun Sect and Wukang Mountain are now Share a Common Goal, joining forces.
Since you are Young Master Bian's woman, you are one of us. If anything comes up later, just find me; there's no need to worry."
His words clearly indicated he knew Xiang Lan'er's Background.
Xiang Lan'er Nodded Slightly, Neither Humble Nor Overbearing, "Thank you, Mount Jieyun Sect, for your attention."
In front of everyone, Bai Shuchuan, who seemed to have much more to say, still Nodded Slightly and bid farewell, "See you later."
Bian Weiying followed him to See Off, and Gan Tangyu followed Bian Weiying.
By now, Shi Chun and the others also knew that Gan Tangyu was the most formidable fighter among Wukang Mountain's High Martial Major Attainment Realm cultivators. Simply put, Wukang Mountain dispatched him to protect Bian Weiying, as Xiang Lan'er had Secretly told them.
"Chuntian, I'm so angry, but I can't beat him, what do I do?" Wu Jinliang, leaning on his Saber, now revealed his "So angry the saber trembles" look.
Shi Chun really wanted to ask him, where did that Grand Spirit with the Saber in hand go?
Of course, he also knew that Wu Jinliang hated being called Simpleton the most.
The problem was, Shi Chun himself had no recourse against them; those were five High Martial Major Attainment Realm cultivators.
Shi Chun didn't ignore it either, giving a knowing glance towards Xiang Lan'er, pursing his lips to indicate.
Wu Jinliang instantly understood Each Other, his eyes lighting up with realization: we are Demonic Path Cultivator[s] now. He immediately leaned in and whispered to Xiang Lan'er, "Don't you have Personnel who will intervene? Later, say hello to your people and ask for a favor.
I want him alive. I want to personally Beat Him Speechless."
Xiang Lan'er gave him a look to Know One's Place.
Why are we here? Are my people here to Take Revenge for you?
Wu Jinliang instantly became Discouraged, stroking the Blade Edge of his Saber, his face full of hatred!
Bian Weiying, who had See[n] Off the guests, also returned.
The people from Mount Jieyun Sect came looking immediately for Assistance, not in terms of Manpower—they looked down on Wukang Mountain's Manpower—but rather for strength in Talisman.
Before their arrival, Bian Weiying had also received Guidance from the Sect. Mount Jieyun Sect had contacted Wukang Mountain in advance, and it was hard to refuse them, giving them Face.
The Sect's intention was to not Offend them, provide appropriate Support, and maintain distance, with the priority being Self-Defense and Stable[ly] Scrape Through this Grand Assembly.
"Why did they come?" Shi Chun walked up and asked.
Bian Weiying said, "To Join forces and Support their Compete for supremacy. After the Assembly begins, we will Form a Team and travel with them."
Shi Chun frowned, "Didn't we say we wouldn't Not Contend or Snatch this time? Support is fine; providing some Talisman[s] should be enough.
Why Form a Team and travel with them? Our strength is insufficient. If we encounter Danger, they could easily force us to be Scout[s]."
He had experienced similar situations too many times in the Land of Exile and knew that what he described was bound to happen.
Therefore, he had no faith in such cooperation.
Bian Weiying Composedly replied, "This is the Sect's decision."
In reality, the Sect's intentions were similar to Shi Chun's, but Bian Weiying didn't want to come here for nothing.
She wanted to achieve something to take back, because combining with the strongest Group in Sheng Continent made the probability of success quite high.
There is strength in numbers, and Bai Shuchuan's side was naturally eager for it; both parties Hit It Off Immediately.
Before coming, Elder Ke had given her another instruction: once Xiang Lan'er, Shi Chun, and Wu Jinliang, who were traveling with her, had been used, Dispose Of them, not giving them a chance to return alive to Wukang Mountain. This was the main reason she was sent, believing she would think of her Older Brother.
She Verbally agreed to this but had no intention of carrying it out.
Shi Chun's frown was hard to relax.
He believed Bian Weiying's words; from the way they met, he knew the two Factions had communicated beforehand. But for him and Wu Jinliang, their Predicament would be very dangerous, and the reason for the Danger was exactly as he had stated.
Even Xiang Lan'er's Predicament would be much better than theirs, as could be seen from The one surnamed Bai's lecherous look.
He said nothing more about it.
Since it was the Sect's decision, he knew anything he said would be superfluous. However, facing such a perilous environment, he would not Blindly follow.
He would have to consider himself, deciding not to listen to their side, but to Act Freely on his own, to ensure he and Wu Jinliang could Exit the Stage alive.
(End of Chapter)