Chapter 75: Going Shopping Is Also Good

Elder Ke Yizong, the Law Enforcement Elder, was at the Wukang Mountain branch of the Hall of Regulations.

Led by a Wukang Mountain disciple, Xiang Lan'er followed cautiously, her demeanor hesitant.

As she stood before the hall, the accompanying disciple reported, "Elder, she has arrived."

There was no need for the disciple's reminder; Elder Ke, seated behind his desk, was already fixated on Xiang Lan'er. Her cautious and uneasy demeanor was understandable, and her beauty also made it clear why Bian Weikang was utterly infatuated with her.

"Greetings, Elder," Xiang Lan'er said, bowing slightly.

Elder Ke waved his hand, dismissing the disciple. Once only the two of them remained in the hall, he spoke, asking, "Are you certain you truly wish to spend your life with Bian Weikang?"

Though a hint of nervousness flickered in Xiang Lan'er's expression, she replied with dignity, "My heart bears witness to Heaven and Earth."

Elder Ke nodded slightly. "Very well. It's rare to see such devotion. I am willing to help you two. Would you like an opportunity to become a Wukang Mountain disciple?"

Xiang Lan'er looked up in surprise, and after a moment of stunned silence, she firmly replied, "Yes."

Even if the elder hadn't spoken, she already knew what this was about; her informant had already notified her in advance.

Elder Ke continued, "There will be a grand event in Shengshen Continent called the 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference.' Have you heard of it?"

She was slightly puzzled, but replied sincerely, "I've heard Bian Weikang mention it recently."

Elder Ke said, "Good that you know. According to the rules, Wukang Mountain must also send five disciples to participate. This is an opportunity for you. Are you willing to join Wukang Mountain and become a disciple?"

Xiang Lan'er froze on the spot, a bitter expression gradually appearing on her face as she seemed to understand something. She nodded and said, "I am willing to become a Wukang Mountain disciple."

Elder Ke hummed in acknowledgment. "Have you thought this through carefully? The world outside is vast, and there are many places you could go. It's perfectly fine if you don't want to join Wukang Mountain; no one is forcing you."

Xiang Lan'er managed a strained, bitter smile. "I wish to join Wukang Mountain, and I wish to participate in the 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference' as a Wukang Mountain disciple."

Elder Ke continued, "When the participant list is announced later, Weikang will surely be surprised to see your name on it. How will you explain that?"

Xiang Lan'er sadly lowered her head and said, "I will say that I voluntarily signed up to participate, and that no one forced me."

"You're a clever one. Alright, then, join my sect. We'll skip the elaborate formalities," Elder Ke said. He finished speaking, flicked a finger, sending a gust of energy that struck a small copper bell hanging nearby, producing a crisp 'dong' sound.

Immediately, a disciple entered from outside upon hearing the sound.

"She has joined my ranks. Take her to Elder Yin to go through the initiation process."

"Yes, sir."

Elder Ke didn't even require the most basic apprenticeship ceremony; he simply had Xiang Lan'er escorted out.

As the distraught Xiang Lan'er reached outside, she saw two familiar faces waiting in the corridor: none other than Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang.

"Oh, Miss Xiang, why are you here too?" Wu Jinliang asked curiously.

The two of them were completely bewildered, unsure why they had been summoned. Seeing Xiang Lan'er also present, they immediately had a bad feeling.

Xiang Lan'er nodded slightly in greeting, saying nothing, her expression clearly troubled.

The disciple who had summoned Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang motioned to them, saying, "Let's go."

The two quickly followed, periodically looking back at Xiang Lan'er's retreating figure.

Inside the hall, upon seeing Ke Yizong seated prominently, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang immediately bowed in unison. "Greetings, Elder Ke," they said.

This time, Elder Ke didn't dismiss the disciple, nor did he bother beating around the bush. He stated directly, "I intend to recommend you two to represent Wukang Mountain at the 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference' in Shengshen Continent. Are you two willing?"

"What?!" Wu Jinliang shrieked.

Shi Chun was also somewhat bewildered, wondering if he'd misheard. Then, recalling Xiang Lan'er's expression earlier, he immediately felt a bad premonition. He quickly said, "Elder Ke must be joking. Not only are we convicted individuals, but we are also not Wukang Mountain disciples. There's no reason for us to participate in the conference."

Elder Ke replied, "Simple. You can join my sect right now, and then you'll naturally have a reason to participate.

"Furthermore, I won't beat around the bush with you two. After you killed Wei Bian, a disciple of our sect, Wukang Mountain initially intended to punish you leniently. However, you proved incorrigible, even escaping without authorization, and later repeatedly assaulted our Wukang Mountain disciples. I haven't had the time to formally address all these various offenses until now.

"Since I've summoned you here today, it's to settle accounts. You should also know what this 'Hall of Regulations' is. Based solely on the charge of killing a disciple of this sect, you could be executed on the spot!"

Wu Jinliang shrieked again, "It was Wei Bian who first instigated someone to assassinate us; we acted in self-defense!"

Elder Ke scoffed, "Who saw Wei Bian instigate an assassination? Guess how many people saw you assassinate Wei Bian? Here, Wukang Mountain makes the rules. Even if you appeal to the Celestial Court, it will be handed over to the local jurisdiction for investigation. Do you think the Shengzhou Domain Government will listen to you or to me? Besides, you won't even get the chance to appeal to the Celestial Court.

"I'll ask you two one last time: do you want to be executed on the spot, or do you want to join Wukang Mountain and participate in the 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference' to atone for your crimes? You choose. I will absolutely not force you!"

Wu Jinliang grimaced.

Shi Chun's mouth twitched.

The two of them truly witnessed what it meant to be high-handed and unreasonable.

Wu Jinliang suddenly turned his head and asked, "Chun, that 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference' must be very lively. I actually quite want to see the world. What do you think?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Shi Chun agreed, nodding. Then he cupped his hands and bowed to Elder Ke, saying, "We are willing to join your sect, Elder Ke."

Wu Jinliang also cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "We hope Elder Ke will grant our wish."

Again, without requiring an apprenticeship ceremony, Elder Ke waved his hand and said, "Take them to Elder Yin to go through the initiation process. Also, instruct the Disciplinary Affairs Department that they are no longer to perform menial tasks. Assign two people to watch them round-the-clock until they are sent away. If there are any signs of them attempting to escape during this period, there's no need to report; show no mercy and execute them on the spot!

"No, wait. To be on the safe side, there's no need to return them to the Disciplinary Affairs Department. Just put them directly in the prison. It's quiet there. And as for their basic needs, try to meet them as much as possible."

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this.

Truly, as long as they didn't touch them, it was one thing. But when they decided to act, reason went out the window, and Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang had no room for even the slightest resistance.

"Yes, sir." The disciple received the order and led the two away on the spot.

The two subsequently met Yin Huixin, the Elder responsible for matters concerning disciple initiation.

After going through the procedure, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang thus hastily became Wukang Mountain disciples, and were then locked up in the familiar prison.

What were they to do? They could only pin their hopes on the demonic faction coming to rescue them. However, remembering their encounter with Xiang Lan'er in the Hall of Regulations, they felt a sense of unease.

Fortunately, Elder Ke's promise was still honored. When Wu Jinliang requested his belongings from the Disciplinary Affairs Department, someone immediately delivered them.

Shi Chun knew that Wu Jinliang's cultivation had reached a critical stage for breakthrough, which explained his eagerness. Shi Chun, however, felt a pang of self-pity; if Wu Jinliang's cultivation surpassed his own, his position as boss would feel somewhat hollow.

To avoid disturbing Wu Jinliang's cultivation, Shi Chun voluntarily requested to be confined in the adjacent cell.

As for the weapons and other items left behind at Anle Tower, the two only had to ask, and Wukang Mountain disciples would retrieve them. Whatever food or drink they requested was also provided as much as possible. Yet, the two couldn't muster an ounce of happiness, as they felt like they were eating their last meal.

Fortunately, the next day, Xiang Lan'er came to visit them in prison, using the excuse of visiting her benefactors.

Upon learning that they had indeed all become Wukang Mountain disciples set to participate in the conference, Shi Chun was startled. "What a coincidence! Could it be that all three of us have been exposed?"

"I've got the full details, and it has nothing to do with exposure. This time, it's Elder Ke causing trouble. He's always been against me joining Wukang Mountain..." Xiang Lan'er recounted the entire process of Elder Ke's interference, explaining that even Bian Jixiong was infuriated, but the list had already been submitted and was difficult to change.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were dumbfounded. So, it turned out Elder Ke simply disliked them and was using them as scapegoats.

"Old geezer, just you wait until you fall into my hands!" Wu Jinliang muttered resentfully. His newly acknowledged master was already being disrespected in an instant.

Shi Chun said, "This 'Heaven-Raining Meteorite Conference' is too dangerous; we can't afford to get involved. We can't stay in Wukang Mountain anymore. Quickly have your people get us out."

Xiang Lan'er shook her head. "If we had escaped earlier, we would have only offended Wukang Mountain. But now our names have been reported to the Shengzhou Domain Government. If we escape now, we'll become criminals of the Celestial Court. Are you sure you want to be pursued by the Celestial Court for the rest of your lives?"

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were speechless.

"My superiors are already aware of the situation. They want us to go to the conference with peace of mind, as they'll arrange for people to assist us covertly. So, there won't be any danger for us at this conference. Just consider it a trip to relax, see the world, and then come back."

Xiang Lan'er's main purpose in coming was to appease the two of them. She worried they might lose their temper and threaten to expose everything if they weren't rescued, fearing they might truly act recklessly out of desperation.

She couldn't afford not to worry; these two truly were capable of astonishing acts. They hadn't been in Wukang Mountain long, yet they had already caused trouble several times. Anyone would feel uneasy about them.

As soon as they heard that people from the demonic faction would escort and protect them, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang immediately felt greatly relieved and began to laugh.

Wu Jinliang said cheerfully, "Chun, it's good to go out and sightsee. Always being in prison is quite boring."

In any case, the two were thus placated. They no longer worried about anything and instead waited with anticipation, counting the days on their fingers.

Shi Chun also found leisure to carefully read through that book, "".

A few days later, a series of crackling and popping sounds, like bones cracking, suddenly came from the adjacent cell. Shi Chun immediately pressed himself against the dividing bars to observe, confirming the sounds came from Wu Jinliang. Wu Jinliang's entire skeletal and muscular structure was repeatedly loosening and adjusting, adapting his internal meridians.

Suddenly, a powerful surge of energy burst from Wu Jinliang, forcing Shi Chun to raise his book to shield his face and causing him to stumble back several steps.

Immediately after, Wu Jinliang's wild, "Wahahaha!" laughter echoed out, continuing without stop.

Shi Chun lowered his hand and looked, knowing that Wu Jinliang's cultivation had broken through, finally entering the High Martial Realm!

He felt a pang of jealousy, and his heart grew anxious. "Where can I get some demonic cultivation for myself?"