Wuyou Inn was already an inn, not fully booked, so as long as one was willing to pay, there were naturally rooms available.
The environment was good, and the price was not cheap.
Normally, Big Stone would be reluctant to spend such money easily, but this time he spent it with gusto, not finding it expensive at all, even seeming to think it was too cheap. In short, he paid cheerfully.
Shi Chun chose a secluded room in a corner.
Inside, he looked around, then asked Wu Jinliang for the book《Mountain and Sea Lantern》, placing it on the desk, with a hint of an animal marking its territory.
Immediately after, he sent Big Stone to wait by the inn's entrance for someone. Once Cen Futong was spotted, Big Stone was to immediately inform him.
He had other business. Leaving his room, he skillfully made his way to Bian Weikang's room and knocked on the door.
It was Bian Weikang who opened the door, looking as if in mourning, with a white cloth wrapped around his head to treat his wounds.
Seeing Shi Chun, neatly dressed, outside the door, he was somewhat stunned, almost not recognizing him.
Fortunately, Shi Chun's dark complexion was easy to identify, and with Wu Jinliang's large figure also appearing, Bian Weikang immediately exclaimed, “Senior Brother… why are you here? Please, both of you, come in quickly.”
Shi Chun was not in a hurry, politely explaining, “I've already met a friend who also happens to be staying here, so I came over to say hello to Brother Bian.
My room is in the leftmost corner of the inn.” As he spoke, he glanced into the room, “Is it convenient? I won't be disturbing you, will I?”
He acted as if there was a woman present.
As he spoke, Xiang Lan'er emerged from the inner room, pushing aside the beaded curtain. Having tidied up her disheveled appearance and washed away her makeup, the charming beauty became even more captivating, making people's eyes light up.
“Our benefactor has arrived, it's fine, please come in.”
Xiang Lan'er walked to Bian Weikang's side and slightly behind him, her hands clasped in front of her abdomen, her demeanor serene, bowing neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
Her voice was also pleasant, with clear pronunciation, clearly indicating she had been trained.
“Ahaha, then I won't stand on ceremony.” Shi Chun chuckled as he entered, with Wu Jinliang following.
After some polite greetings and being invited to sit, Xiang Lan'er, like a virtuous wife, served tea to her guests.
It was a very common thing, yet Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were experiencing this kind of hospitality for the first time and felt quite good about it. As for the taste, they didn't quite understand it.
The two had intended to have a big meal after arriving here, but things happened too quickly. They hadn't even had time to properly enjoy themselves, continuously on the move.
Even the treat Big Stone and the others mentioned had to be postponed, as Shi Chun felt the current matter was more urgent.
After putting down his teacup, Bian Weikang proactively asked, “Senior Brother… have you come with any instructions?”
Shi Chun covered his teacup with both hands, smiling and shaking his head, “How could I have any instructions? I just suddenly remembered something I forgot to ask.
You two seem to be out of money, right? If so, why not take some from me to solve your immediate needs?”
He had originally come to offer help, which again moved Bian Weikang to the point of not knowing what to say.
So Xiang Lan'er spoke, “We still have some spare change for a few days' expenses.”
Although she said this, she secretly glanced at Shi Chun twice, feeling that this benefactor seemed a bit too enthusiastic.
“That's good.” Shi Chun nodded, feeling much relieved, but still worried, “However, if you continue like this, it might not be a long-term solution. Do you have any other plans? If you need my help, Brother Bian, please don't hesitate to ask.
I greatly admire your character, Brother Bian, so please don't be polite with me.”
When it came to plans, Bian Weikang hesitated, “I'm still considering.”
Shi Chun then let out a surprised sound, “Before, outside Liyun Tower, I heard Brother Bian say he wanted to take Miss Xiang back to Wukang Mountain. Did I mishear?”
Bian Weikang sighed, “Of course I want to take her back, but, as I'm sure Senior Brother… has also heard, I was expelled from the sect.
If I go back, I don't know if the sect will accept me. I'm afraid of making a wasted trip.”
Xiang Lan'er looked downcast upon hearing this.
Shi Chun, in his refined manner, gently put down his teacup and said seriously, “Brother Bian, I beg to differ with your words.
It is said that a man's promise is worth a thousand gold. Since you have already promised to take Miss Xiang home, why go back on your word? Forgive my frankness, but if you dare not try due to worry, wouldn't you fail Miss Xiang's kindness, and wouldn't you become a laughingstock of the world?
What's more troublesome is that this is not a place for Miss Xiang to stay long.
Although Brother Bian has redeemed Miss Xiang, he cannot stop Lü Taizhen from coveting her beauty. Under his power, does Brother Bian have the confidence to ensure Miss Xiang's safety? Once there is a mishap, you will lose both the person and the money, and it will be too late for regret.
You should make a decision soon.”
At these words, Bian Weikang suddenly stood up.
The mention of Lü Taizhen's covetousness indeed made him uneasy.
Wu Jinliang was somewhat surprised, not knowing why this Chuntian fellow was spouting such flowery words and putting in so much effort, but he knew this guy definitely had ulterior motives.
“Are you willing to return to Wukang Mountain with me?” Bian Weikang gripped Xiang Lan'er's soft hand and asked.
Xiang Lan'er gently nodded, “My heart is unwavering, my body does not belong to two men.
Wherever my lord is, there I shall be, and I will never regret it even unto death!”
Bian Weikang, instantly moved, was about to embrace her, but then the usually refined Shi Chun suddenly slapped the table in applause, almost startling him.
“Good!” Shi Chun, standing up and patting his chest, exclaimed, “What a 'never regret it even unto death'! It truly is worth my heartfelt intention.
Don't worry, I will never sit idly by if you two face difficulties. On this journey, my brother and I will do our utmost to escort you.
If there's any danger along the way, we'll be the first to brave it with our bodies.”
Innumerable questions instantly popped into Wu Jinliang's mind.
What did he mean? This woman was already a done deal. Was it necessary to drag this out so far? He couldn't ask, but he also knew that since Chuntian had said so, there must be a reason.
Though he didn't understand, he still nodded and hummed, “I'll be the first to brave it!”
His habit of rushing in first hadn't changed.
Bian Weikang quickly released Xiang Lan'er and cupped his hands, saying, “Senior Brother, how dare I trouble you, how dare I trouble you? We two can return on our own.”
Shi Chun raised a hand to stop him, “Brother Bian, there's no need to say more. An extra pair of hands on the journey means an extra bit of strength.
Moreover, your situation and Miss Xiang's are special; Wukang Mountain might not smoothly accept you. It's good if we go along to look after you.
If anything happens, we can all think of solutions together.”
Although he said this, he was thinking to himself, “It's best if you don't force me to bring up borrowing money.”
If the other party insisted on refusing their escort, he would have no choice but to hint, “You borrowed money from me; is it appropriate for you to refuse our company and then disappear without a trace?”
Xiang Lan'er quickly glanced at him, a sharp glint of an unusual emotion flashing in her eyes, then she quickly lowered her gaze, maintaining her gentle demeanor.
Fortunately, his words indeed resonated with Bian Weikang.
It was true that returning to Wukang Mountain might not be smooth. He immediately cupped his hands and said, “In that case, I will trouble Senior Brother.
If I can successfully return to Wukang Mountain, Senior Brother's great kindness will surely be richly repaid!”
After speaking, he paused again, feeling that calling him “Senior Brother” was becoming more and more natural.
Shi Chun smiled faintly, “If I can receive Brother Bian's rich repayment, it means Brother Bian has successfully returned to his sect.
Then I truly look forward to that rich repayment.”
“I hope so.” Bian Weikang gave a wry smile, then looked around at the people beside him and asked, “When shall we depart?”
Shi Chun: “Logically, it's better sooner than later, but…” He pointed to himself and Wu Jinliang, “We've come from the Land of Exile, traveling all this way without rest. We'd like to rest for one night before leaving.
How about tomorrow morning?”
Seeing that Xiang Lan'er had no objections, Bian Weikang finally decided, “Alright, tomorrow morning it is.”
After the matter was settled, the two visitors took their leave.
Back in his own room, Wu Jinliang immediately closed the door, then turned and leaned close to Shi Chun, asking in a low, hushed voice, “What's going on? You were talking as if it were real. You don't actually want to send them to Wukang Mountain, do you?”
Shi Chun replied in a low voice, “How much is Xiang Lan'er worth? She's only worth a one-time transaction, not a long-term one.
Wukang Mountain is our treasure trove for making a fortune. Wukang Mountain, the place where Immobilization Talismans are refined.
Have you forgotten how I broke the Immobilization Talisman?”
He pointed to his right eye, “Only by infiltrating Wukang Mountain can we find an opportunity. Once I understand the method for refining Immobilization Talismans, just think, if we can refine Immobilization Talismans ourselves, will we ever worry about not having money to spend in the future? As long as we help Bian Weikang regain his identity as the young sect master, getting fifty or a hundred thousand from them shouldn't be a problem.
It's worth our trip for that money. The important thing is that with his protection, we can stay in Wukang Mountain with peace of mind for a long time and slowly achieve our goals.”
Wu Jinliang's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and one hand couldn't help but rub back and forth on his blade, looking eager and excited, chuckling incessantly. Then he seemed to think of something else, “Then are we still selling that courtesan?”
“Nonsense, the buyer is almost here.”
“No, Chuntian, if you sell that courtesan, how could Bian Weikang let you off? It's impossible for him to help us get into Wukang Mountain!”
“Idiot, do you think I'd let him know?”
“Even if he doesn't know, a living person disappearing, he'd definitely be anxious to find her. Given how distraught he is over that courtesan, he wouldn't go back to Wukang Mountain if he couldn't find her.”
Shi Chun sat in a chair, crossed his legs, and said nonchalantly, “Her disappearance must have a reason, not just vanish without a trace. The courtesan left on her own.
She felt that her status as a courtesan would hinder Wukang Mountain from readmitting her lover. For the sake of her lover's future, she resolutely left.
Before leaving, she asked us to relay a message to Bian Weikang: as long as Bian Weikang returns to the sect, she will naturally meet him.”
Wu Jinliang blinked repeatedly, then chuckled softly, “Chief, you speak wisely.
We'll do exactly that.”
After speaking, he even propped his blade and covered his mouth to snicker, and after laughing, he patted his chest and paced around the room, looking as if he had no doubt their grand plan would succeed.