Chapter 1078 - 902: Playing Hard to Get

Warned, Wu Jinliang was suddenly startled. "You mean I'm being tailed? That shouldn't be. I was very careful when I left this time, and even had Xiao Sheng turn into my likeness and show himself in public."

Shi Chun: "You forgot there's already a monk in Yanfu Continent who has cultivated the Demon Eye. No matter how you run, you can't shake him off."

Wu Jinliang asked in shock and doubt, "You suspect people from those few clans have set their sights on us?"

Shi Chun halted and looked at him. "It's not a big deal if people from those few clans are watching us. With our current status, they don't dare openly make a move. What we should really fear now is those fellows who have cultivated the Demon Eye targeting Yu Xuanbing's family, and even more that they might have already followed the trail and found where Yu Xuanbing's family is. Jinliang, the moment you showed up, Yu Xuanbing's family was kidnapped. I'm afraid it'll be hard for him not to suspect you. If anything else happens to his family, even if you had a hundred tongues you wouldn't be able to explain it away—he'd definitely kill you. So right now the most important thing is to ensure the safety of his wife and daughter, we must settle them properly. Later Yu Xuanbing will surely come to you; when that time comes you hand his wife and daughter back to him in good order and explain things clearly. This matter should still be smoothed over."

Wu Jinliang, looking anxious, said, "If we really have been targeted by those Demon Eye cultivators from those clans, can those two, mother and daughter, really be settled safely? Where could they be placed and remain secure?"

Shi Chun thought for a bit and asked, "Where are the mother and daughter now?"

Wu Jinliang: "In a hidden place within the city, under Old Huang's personal protection."

Shi Chun: "Contact Old Huang and have him send the mother and daughter straight to me. My Commander Mansion has layered Array protections; outsiders can't force their way in, and there are multiple layers of guards besides. Even if something unexpected happens, with them close to me I can send them to the Netherworld at the first moment. That's enough to ensure the safety of the mother and daughter."

Wu Jinliang pondered and nodded. "That is indeed a way. It's just—once people find out you're mixed up with the former number one killer, Yu Xuanbing, it might bring trouble down on your own head."

Shi Chun shook his head. "Who knows that this is Yu Xuanbing's family? The reason someone kidnapped the mother and daughter isn't because they're Yu Xuanbing's wife and child; it's because someone was shadowing you. In other words, they don't know the identity of this family at all. Even if someone with ulterior motives learns they're in my hands, so what? My mansion is so big—can't I have two people here to tend the flowers and plants? As long as they carry the identity of my mansion, even if I let the two of them openly wander the city, no one will dare make a public move on them."

Wu Jinliang made a sound of agreement and nodded, but was still somewhat doubtful. "But Yu Xuanbing will still come knocking sooner or later, and the mother and daughter will still have to be taken away by him. Once they leave here, it's one thing for Yu Xuanbing alone to slip away clean, but with one adult and one child in tow, can he really shake off the Demon Eye pursuit? If he falls into their hands, our Netherworld matters might not stay secret."

Shi Chun hesitated. "With Yu Xuanbing's strength, it should be very difficult to capture him. As for whether he can keep his wife and daughter safe… sigh, that's really not something we can worry about. Since the three of them have already shown their faces, given the overt and covert power of those clans, once any one of them takes an interest, as long as they begin searching, Yu Xuanbing, carrying one big and one small, will find it very hard to safely avoid the search. Spending a lifetime skulking and hiding all over the place isn't much of a life either. But everyone has their own way of living. We've already done what we can; that counts as utmost benevolence and righteousness. If he dares to divulge Netherworld matters and sell me out, really forces me into a corner, then I won't mind using the secret of the Two Realms Channel to trade for his family's lives."

As he spoke he turned back to ask, "Right, have you confirmed the contents on the Jade Scroll with him?"

Wu Jinliang: "A simple test was enough. The person who delivered the Jade Scroll was indeed him, and what's written on the Jade Scroll is also true. As for how he learned of it and why he chose to do this, he refuses to say. There must be some inside story here, and we're in no position to force him to talk."

Shi Chun folded his arms and frowned. "That guy might still be up to other tricks in the dark. Maybe we're overthinking it—if the people who kidnapped his wife and daughter weren't ones you brought down on him, we might end up overreaching and getting ourselves dragged into a pit by him instead."

Wu Jinliang said suspiciously, "That's indeed possible. He already has a family; instead of living a decent life, what's he messing around for? Chun Tian, are we still going to involve ourselves in his wife and daughter's affair?"

Shi Chun: "Have Old Huang bring them over first. We secure the safety of mother and daughter before anything else. As for what's really going on, he'll definitely come here. Once he does, we can ask him carefully."

"Alright." Wu Jinliang agreed, and immediately took out the Mother-child Talisman to contact Huang Yingying. She replied that she would secretly bring them over within half a two-hour.

That cluster of red mist, invisible to the naked eye, leaned in close to see the contact content on his Mother-child Talisman.

Shi Chun's Right Eye Superpower could see it; it had already moved right up beside them, so there was no way he couldn't see it. He could only do his utmost to pretend not to, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced away.

Wu Jinliang also knew Yu Xuanbing should be lurking nearby, peeking, and he forced himself not to let his gaze wander around.

This had been planned long ago: as long as he showed his face and contacted Yu Xuanbing, once someone kidnapped Yu Xuanbing's wife and daughter, Yu Xuanbing would inevitably come.

Letting the other party learn the truth in the most self-assured way is better than any kind of explanation; it can dispel however many suspicions.

They said half a two-hour, and sure enough, within half a two-hour, a carriage with tightly drawn curtains drove straight into the Commander Mansion of Dingnan Prefecture. The paper effigy shop owner, cloaked and holding his daughter, got off the carriage and secretly scanned his surroundings. Seeing Heavenly Court Armor Soldiers guarding everywhere, he was gripped by shock and uncertainty, not even knowing where he had arrived.

The mother and daughter were brought to the summit of the tiered pavilions built against the mountain, where they met Shi Chun and the others.

Shi Chun offered Mrs. Yu some words of comfort, telling her they meant no harm, that he was Yu Xuanbing's friend, and that once Yu Xuanbing arrived he would let the mother and daughter leave with him.

The paper effigy shop owner's wife didn't seem convinced. She thought it was a setup to catch Yu Xuanbing, and amid her tears she fell to her knees with a thud, begging for mercy.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were so startled they rushed forward to lift her up and reassure her, terrified of being a moment late. Both of them knew Yu Xuanbing was watching from nearby; how would they dare accept such a grand gesture?

Seeing their reaction, the paper effigy shop owner's wife indeed felt that the two harbored no ill intent. Her sobbing gradually weakened, but still holding her unconscious daughter, she didn't know what to do.

Seeing his wife so ill at ease and fearful, the observing red mist finally slipped away in silence.

Another half a two-hour later, a guard hurried over, delivering a sealed letter. "My lord, someone outside the mansion seeks an audience. He says he's an old acquaintance of yours, and that you'll know who he is at a glance."

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged a look, already guessing who had come, yet they deliberately pretended not to know. Shi Chun took the letter and opened it; inside there was only one line: The man in the pavilion by the mountain lake outside the south city.

Shi Chun frowned; he didn't understand the reference.

Wu Jinliang couldn't help grinning; those were the very words he'd used earlier to invite Yu Xuanbing out for a meeting, so he immediately gave Shi Chun a nod.

Only then did Shi Chun speak, saying, "Please."

The guard accepted the order and left; before long, he returned leading a cloaked, masked man.

Shi Chun waved, signaling the guard and Huang Yingying to withdraw.

The masked man tilted his head slightly, watching Huang Yingying leave, clearly having been observing her all along. Then he turned back, lifted off both hood and mask, revealing his true face. Before the just-grinning Wu Jinliang could speak, he was already glaring at Wu Jinliang and barking, "Giant Wu, where did you take my wife and daughter?"

Wu Jinliang slapped his thigh and stamped his foot, half crying, half laughing as he said, "Your wife and daughter, yeah, I did take them away, but it really wasn't because I wanted to. We had no choice but to take them if we wanted to save them. Sigh, I honestly don't know how to explain this so you'll believe me."

Shi Chun also spoke up: "Elder Yu, this really is a misunderstanding. But rest assured, your wife and daughter are perfectly fine and very safe right now."

Yu Xuanbing said in a deep voice, "Cut the crap. Hand them over first."

Shi Chun gave a helpless wry smile and waved. "They're on this mountain. Come, I'll take you."

The two of them personally led the way, while Yu Xuanbing once again covered his face and put his hood back on.

The group arrived at a refined corridor-linked courtyard halfway up the mountain, where they saw the mother and daughter who were temporarily settled there.

At this time, Mrs. Yu had already taken off her cloak. Under the gazes of Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, their eyes instinctively paused on the hairpin in her hair, then just as instinctively met each other's gaze.

Yu Xuanbing lifted his mask, revealing his true face, and his wife immediately threw herself into his arms, tears flowing as she murmured, "What's going on? Has the day we were afraid of finally come?"

Shi Chun patted the onlooking Wu Jinliang, and the two of them left first, giving the couple a chance to speak in private.

After calming his wife, Yu Xuanbing walked over to his unconscious daughter and personally checked her to see if anything was wrong.

His wife explained, "Qing'er is fine. I was afraid she'd see things she shouldn't and be frightened, afraid she'd be on edge along with us, so I didn't let her wake up. Where is this place? Can we still get away?"

Yu Xuanbing looked back at her and continued to reassure her: "For now, nothing will happen. By the way, didn't I tell you once you entered the establishment not to run around?"

"We didn't run around. Someone impersonated you, disguised himself to look like you, and tricked us into going with him. It wasn't until we received a Mother-child Talisman message from you on the way that we realized he wasn't you. Just when he was about to make a move on us, a lecherous old man rushed in and stopped him, and killed him during the fight…" Mrs. Yu slowly recounted what had happened.

Only after listening to the entire account and hearing his wife's confirmation firsthand did Yu Xuanbing truly set his mind at ease about Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. He walked to the window and gazed off into the distance, lost in thought.

The scenery outside was excellent; the city's sights were all within view, and the pavilions and towers here were also quite elegant.

He slowly turned back to look at his daughter, who was lying on the couch snoring softly in her sleep. She slept in sweet serenity, while rich Spiritual Energy nourished her. The sight filled his eyes with far, far too much reluctance and unwillingness.

Mrs. Yu asked again, "Who are they? Can they let us leave?"

Yu Xuanbing's gaze fell on her anxious face. He turned and took her by the shoulders, once more comforting her: "Don't worry. It's very safe here, nothing will happen. For now you can stay here with an easy mind." He gently pressed her back down to sit. "Set your mind at ease. I'll be back soon."

With that, he covered his face again, flicked his cloak, and strode out.

He followed the corridor around into a certain pavilion and walked over to where Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were chatting.

Wu Jinliang once again explained, "Elder Yu, whether you believe it or not, we truly had no choice but to do what we did in order to save them. We really weren't trying to abduct your wife and daughter…"

Shi Chun raised a hand to cut him off. "There's not much point explaining this. Whether you believe us or not will depend on the outcome. In any case, we really harbor no ill intent toward your family of three. You can take them away right now, and we absolutely won't stop you. However, now that you're here, there are some things we can't just ignore. There's one matter we have to get clear: what exactly is going on with the assassination mentioned in the Jade Scroll you submitted?"

But Yu Xuanbing answered with something else instead: "If my family of three settles down here with you, can you guarantee the safety of my whole family?"

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were both stunned. Wu Jinliang slowly turned his head to look at Shi Chun, both of them quite surprised. They had wanted this family to run one more time and be pressured and alarmed again by someone getting close, but they hadn't expected the effect to come early.

Shi Chun's expression suddenly changed, and he quickly waved his hands. "The safety of your family, of course, is something you yourself should take responsibility for. With your abilities, that naturally goes without saying. We won't tag along and meddle."

Playing hard to get, Wu Jinliang, suddenly understanding, nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly."

Yu Xuanbing said, "Stop talking nonsense. If this place can serve as a safe foothold, then my family will first settle here. Once we've figured out who exactly is making moves, and only after we've eliminated this hidden threat, we'll leave—we have no desire to live under another's roof. I just want one honest answer: can you or can you not guarantee my family's safety here?"

Shi Chun raised a hand to scratch his face. "Others might not know what I'm capable of, but you, Elder, surely do, no? Even if we take ten thousand steps back, if it really comes to it, I can send your family back to where you came from. For the moment, we probably won't reach that point. As long as it's not caused by your real identity being exposed, and as long as Dingnan Prefecture is still under my say, there's no need to worry about safety. As the saying goes, a small hermit hides in the wild, a great hermit hides in the court. If I arrange a suitable identity for your family to settle under my jurisdiction, that'll be much safer than you hiding in some alley or street corner."