Chapter 1064: Is It Endurable?

"The Duke is back! The Duke is back!" shouted the servants when Gong Pan escorted Zu An and Yu Yanluo back to the Duke's manor. The maids and servants were first bewildered, then utterly shocked. They then excitedly ran through the manor, spreading the news, and in no time, Jian Yanyou's return was known by everyone.

Jian Taiding, who was recuperating from his injuries in his bedroom, heard the commotion outside. His temper flared, and he immediately called for his trusted aide from outside the door: "Who's shouting out there without any manners?"

The guard replied, "Second Master, the maids and servants seem to be in an uproar over something. I will go and investigate immediately."

Just then, another person rushed over, shouting as he ran, "Second Master, Second Master, something terrible has happened!"

Hearing this, Jian Taiding's face immediately darkened. "Slap yourself twenty times! You ill-omened wretch, can't you speak properly?"

The man realized his mistake, and cold sweat immediately broke out. He quickly knelt, profusely apologizing while slapping his own face repeatedly.

Listening to the resounding slaps, Jian Taiding's expression finally softened slightly. "That's enough. What's going on that's making you so flustered?"

"The Duke... is back!" the subordinate stammered nervously.

Jian Taiding's face turned cold. "Are you tired of living, daring to play such a trick on me?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare," the guard quickly explained. "Gong Pan escorted the Duke back, and Lady Yu also accompanied him. Many people in the manor saw them, which is why the maids and servants are cheering so excitedly."

"What?!" Jian Taiding felt his blood boil. His wounds burst open again, and blood gushed out, instantly staining his bandages red. The world spun around him, and he swayed, about to collapse backward. Fortunately, his personal guards reacted quickly, rushing to support him before he fell to the ground. Several of them frantically went to find a doctor, while others channeled vital energy into him to stop the bleeding.

Jian Taiding was a Grandmaster after all. After catching his breath, he slowly opened his eyes, though his face was considerably paler than usual. "Why didn't you tell me such important news sooner!"

After kicking the reporting guard, he hurriedly made his way out. Although his injuries were severe, they couldn't suppress the doubt and curiosity in his heart.

How could that person possibly be back!

The kicked guard vomited blood several times. Even with his injuries, Jian Taiding was still a Grandmaster, and the force of his kick, fueled by anger, was considerable. He felt deeply wronged, thinking, *I was just trying to tell you quickly, but you wouldn't let me speak.* Watching Jian Taiding's retreating back, a hint of resentment flickered in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Jian Taiding, escorted by his retainers, rushed along. It wasn't long before he spotted from a distance a group of maids and servants eagerly talking to a few people. Recalling his subordinate's report, he roared, "What lowly wretches dare to impersonate my... my elder brother?"

His usual authority still held sway. Hearing his furious roar, the maids and servants scattered in fright. This revealed the people inside the circle. Seeing their appearance clearly, Jian Taiding's voice abruptly stopped. He instantly froze in place. In that instant, his mind went blank, and he began to question reality.

*Who am I, where am I, what am I supposed to do?*

It really was his elder brother!

In that moment, regret, fear, and shock, all sorts of emotions, flooded his mind, causing him to completely shut down.

"My dear second brother, did you ever expect to see me again?" Zu An looked at him, speaking with a double meaning. He and Yu Yanluo had rehearsed this scene many times over the past few days, so their performance was truly lifelike.

Jian Taiding's expression indeed changed, for he knew exactly what had happened to Jian Yanyou. These words seemed to be a declaration of revenge. *I did such things to my elder brother, of course he couldn't possibly forgive me.* The thought of the other's cultivation, which far surpassed his own, made him tremble all over.

Just then, a calm voice came from nearby: "Nonsense! You can't be the Duke!"

Everyone looked towards the voice, seeing a neatly dressed old man with a few attendants standing not far off, staring coldly at Zu An. Everyone else in the courtyard was in an uproar, because the newcomer was the Duke's manor's steward, Uncle Ming! He was the Duke's right-hand man, handling all sorts of matters both inside and outside the manor. He was truly highly respected and could be said to be the person most familiar with the Duke. If even he said this person was fake, then everyone present subconsciously believed him seventy or eighty percent. They all moved farther away from Zu An, looking at him with wary eyes.

Zu An frowned slightly: "Uncle Ming, it hasn't been that long, have you really forgotten me?"

Uncle Ming scrutinized him: "You indeed resemble the Duke greatly, but you have one major flaw, which is your cultivation. The Duke possesses strength comparable to a Grandmaster, while you, though not weak, are far from the Duke's level."

Jian Taiding finally came to his senses. "That's right," he thought, "I know best what happened to Jian Yanyou. How could he possibly be here? This hateful imposter!" So he echoed, "Exactly. Guards! Seize this demonic imposter from who knows where!"

"Yes, sir!" His trusted guards immediately stepped forward and charged at the other party.

Seeing this, Gong Pan quickly drew his saber, standing guard protectively in front of Zu An. The guards recognized Gong Pan, and for a moment, they hesitated.

Zu An then gave Jian Taiding a meaningful look: "Second brother, are you trying to silence me?"

Even though he knew the other party was an imposter, hearing that address, Jian Taiding almost spat out a mouthful of blood. "Hmph, who's your second brother? Of all people to impersonate, you chose my elder brother. First of all, your cultivation doesn't even match."

Then Gong Pan spoke: "The Duke suffered severe injuries, causing his cultivation to temporarily decline."

Hearing this, the surrounding people suddenly understood. Previously, when the Duke of Yunzhong disappeared, everyone was curious about what had happened to him. Many speculated he might have been severely injured and was recuperating somewhere. However, as time passed and he still didn't appear, people became more inclined to believe he was dead. Now, hearing him say this, everyone recalled their initial assumptions.

"My elder brother possesses world-shaking cultivation, how could he possibly be injured? Gong Pan, where did you find this imposter? Your intentions are truly deplorable!" Jian Taiding angrily rebuked.

Zu An snorted: "Why I was injured, this second brother should know best."

Jian Taiding's breath hitched. For a moment, he was also surprised, because the person in front of him truly had the same demeanor and aura as his elder brother, and he even knew about the things Jian Taiding had done. Could it truly be his elder brother? *But how could this be? I personally... It couldn't be a ghost, could it?*

The surrounding guards, servants, and maids, unaware of the full truth, exchanged glances. From Zu An's words, they wondered if Second Master had done something to the Duke.

At this point, Uncle Ming spoke again: "This matter is truly too strange. You can't just say whatever you want. How about this: I, your old servant, have been by the Duke's side for many years and believe I know him quite well. Let me ask some questions to verify this."

Jian Taiding's eyes lit up: "Excellent. Uncle Ming is widely acknowledged in the manor as the person who knows my elder brother best. With your presence, you'll surely be able to distinguish truth from falsehood."

The others also nodded in agreement. Clearly, everyone was quite convinced by Uncle Ming's standing.

Zu An mused, seeing how Uncle Ming and Jian Taiding were cooperating, they had most likely been colluding for a long time. *He didn't even know his most trusted confidant had betrayed him. Jian Yanyou wasn't wronged by being dealt with by his younger brother.*

Just then, Gong Pan said, "The Duke was severely injured before, which not only caused his cultivation to temporarily decline but also resulted in significant memory loss."

Hearing the lack of certainty in his tone, Jian Taiding burst into laughter: "I knew you'd say that. I don't know where you found this imposter, but of course he wouldn't know anything about my elder brother, which is why you're using this clumsy excuse of amnesia as a cover-up."

The others also nodded, generally feeling that Gong Pan's explanation seemed to stem from a guilty conscience.

Gong Pan's face flushed crimson. Just as he was about to argue, Zu An raised a hand to stop him: "It's alright. Although some memories are missing, most are still intact. Uncle Ming, go ahead and ask."

A strange look appeared in Uncle Ming's eyes. He then asked seven or eight questions in a row. Initially, he chose questions about things known to people in the manor, but seeing that the other party answered fluently, his questions became more obscure and tricky. However, no matter how he asked, Zu An was always able to answer. The suspicion in the eyes of the onlookers gradually faded, replaced by their renewed excitement at seeing their master.

Seeing things go awry, Jian Taiding quickly stepped forward and chided: "These questions can be answered easily with a little investigation. Since you dare to impersonate my elder brother, how could you not have prepared in advance? Knowing these things doesn't prove you're my elder brother."

Uncle Ming hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Second Master does have a point."

Jian Taiding's trusted aides quickly echoed his words, and soon the previously convinced neutral parties began to waver in their belief.

"Then how do you propose to prove it?" Zu An looked at Jian Taiding and Uncle Ming. "Are you truly disbelieving, or do you simply not want me back?"

There were also intelligent people among the crowd. After a moment's thought, their gazes towards the two men became strange.

"You're slandering me!" Jian Taiding immediately became agitated. "I am my elder brother's own younger brother. How could I not discern whether you are real or fake?"

Just then, a soft, pleasant voice came from nearby: "Yanyou is my husband. Do you think a woman can fail to recognize her own husband?"

Yu Yanluo, who had deliberately lagged behind, slowly walked over from a distance, accompanied by Xingnu and other attendants. Along the way, the maids lowered their heads in inferiority. Compared to her, even the prettiest maid was like a sparrow seeing a phoenix. The servants' hearts pounded even faster, but everyone knew there was a vast difference in their statuses. They were perfectly content just to steal another glance.

Seeing her unparalleled beauty and graceful figure, a trace of infatuation flashed in Jian Taiding's eyes. However, he was no ordinary person and quickly composed himself, stepping forward to bow: "Greetings, sister-in-law!"

Yu Yanluo nodded indifferently, then feigned surprise: "Uncle, why are you so severely injured?"

Jian Taiding replied: "I was ambushed by several demon clan masters leading their troops. Although I sustained some injuries, I also made sure they never returned, thus protecting the safety of the Yunzhong Commandery's people."

Zu An inwardly cursed him for being shameless. *This guy was clearly beaten like a dog by me, but now he's trying to glorify himself.*

"These demon clans are indeed detestable," Yu Yanluo replied indifferently, then looked at Zu An beside her, a 'surprised' smile appearing on her face. "Yanyou, you're back!"

Zu An opened his arms to her: "Yes, I'm back!"

Yu Yanluo's expression froze for a moment, then a faint blush quickly flashed across her jade-like cheeks. *Why isn't this guy following our plan? Why does he have to do this...* However, in front of such a crowd, she couldn't possibly refuse him without losing face. So she pretended to be overjoyed and lightly ran into his embrace: "Yanyou, am I dreaming?!" At the same time, she secretly transmitted a message with her vital energy: *"You're truly a scoundrel, deliberately taking advantage of me."*

Zu An smiled slightly: "Madam, you could have chosen not to hug me at all."

Yu Yanluo felt her teeth itch. *This guy really rubs it in after getting his way.*

Jian Taiding's eyes went wide. He then erupted in fury. His sister-in-law, whom he had admired for so long like a celestial fairy, whom he had never even touched, was now in the embrace of another man! How could he possibly tolerate this?

Rage points from Jian Taiding: 999,999,999...