Chapter 1111: Behind the Scenes Manipulation

The person hadn't walked in voluntarily but had been propelled by Yun Jianyue's internal energy. While they didn't fall heavily to the ground, it was clear this was no polite entrance.

Seeing the person on the ground, Zu'an exclaimed in surprise, "Taohong!"

The woman before him was none other than Taohong, the missing courtesan from Jadeite Pavilion. Pei You had been searching for her extensively during this time without any success, and Zu'an was shocked to find she had been captured by Yun Jianyue.

"Sister Cult Leader, this is..." Zu'an noticed that Taohong seemed to have her acupoints sealed, and her face was filled with terror.

Yun Jianyue stated calmly, "I heard you captured some people at the Pegasus Chamber of Commerce. I'm using her as a trade; you release the individuals who should be set free."

Zu'an hesitated only for a moment before quickly agreeing, "Alright!"

This time, it was Yun Jianyue who seemed surprised. "You were captured by the Imperial Envoy; releasing people isn't usually so easy. Why did you agree so quickly?"

Zu'an gazed at the radiant and captivating long-haired woman before him. It was truly difficult to reconcile her image with that of the notorious female demon leader who struck fear into the hearts of people. "Since Sister Cult Leader has spoken, no matter how difficult it is, I will do my best to help. Besides, you've even brought me a gift for exchange this time."

Yun Jianyue scoffed, "Smooth talker."

Despite her words, a hint of a smile played on her lips.

"Oh, right. I sent Honglei back to seclusion. Every time you show up, you disrupt her state of mind. She has to duel with that Ice Stone Woman's disciple next year, and there can't be any mishaps," she paused, then glanced at Zu'an. "I'm separating you two lovebirds; you won't blame me, will you?"

"To say I feel no disturbance in my heart would be a lie. Every time I reunite with Honglei, we're forced to part ways," Zu'an sighed. "But I can't be so selfish as to jeopardize Honglei's future. Sister Cult Leader, what you're doing is right. How could I possibly blame you?"

Yun Jianyue nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. You're not like those hypocrites who pretend. If the opportunity arises in the future, I'll arrange for you to meet again. Now that this matter is settled, I must be going. Until we meet again."

As she was about to depart, Zu'an called out to her. Seeing her puzzled expression, he lowered his voice and asked, "Sister Cult Leader, are you secretly cooperating with King Yan?"

Yun Jianyue's expression flickered slightly. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and replied, "That's right."

She realized he wouldn't ask such a question without cause, and with the Pegasus Chamber of Commerce currently under investigation, it was clear he had discovered something. There was no need to hide the truth.

Zu'an cautioned, "Sister Cult Leader, you must be careful. King Yan is completely manipulating you. For instance, he clearly knows who impersonated your sect to plunder imperial supplies, letting you take the blame for a massive crime, yet he doesn't tell you. Instead, he uses you to help him seize market share from the Zhenyuan Chamber of Commerce."

"I'm well aware that King Yan is using us, but aren't we also using him in return?" Yun Jianyue smiled. "However, you've provided me with a crucial piece of information this time, which proves Honglei's kindness towards you isn't wasted."

Zu'an couldn't help but retort, "I'm not doing all this solely for Honglei; you, Cult Leader, have also been very kind to me."

Yun Jianyue's expression immediately turned dangerous. "Are you perhaps tired of living in this world, truly planning to have both the master and the disciple?"

Feeling the oppressive aura directed at him, Zu'an quickly explained, "Sister Cult Leader, please don't misunderstand. We have separate relationships. Honglei calls you Master, and I call you sister. I genuinely just consider you a friend."

"That's more like it," Yun Jianyue's expression relaxed slightly. "I'm leaving."

With a light tap of her foot, her figure vanished into the distance.

Zu'an secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. What was wrong with this woman? He had just had such a long conversation with Yan Xuehen, yet now she was getting angry over this?

"What just happened? Did you upset her?" Yu Yanluo's voice came then. She had felt Yun Jianyue's sudden surge of oppressive power and had rushed over to investigate.

"Perhaps that's just how members of the Demonic Sect are—temperamental," Zu'an replied. He naturally couldn't explain the real reason to her; the crucial point was his own innocence.

"That's true," Yu Yanluo acknowledged, not suspecting anything. Her gaze then fell upon Taohong on the ground. "Who is she?"

Her first thought was that this was another of Zu'an's confidantes. However, upon closer inspection, while the woman possessed some charm, she couldn't compare to even some of the prettier maids in Yu Yanluo's own mansion. Furthermore, there was a strong worldly aura about her, making Yu Yanluo doubt Zu'an's taste could be so poor.

Zu'an explained Taohong's background to her. "I need to take her back for interrogation, so I'll take my leave now."

Yu Yanluo nodded. "Important matters come first."

After saying that, she paused, as if being with him wasn't a serious matter. She felt their current relationship was somewhat strange.

Zu'an, looking apologetically at the nearby ruins, said, "I'm truly sorry; I caused your house to collapse."

"It's alright; it won't take long to rebuild," Yu Yanluo replied. As she gazed at the ruined room, a hint of reluctance appeared in her eyes, clearly having developed an attachment to it over the years.

After comforting her with a few more words, Zu'an left the Jade Mansion and hurried back to the diplomatic mission's guesthouse.

On the way, he asked Taohong who had instructed her, but she consistently avoided the question.

Eventually, Zu'an gave up trying to question her and handed her directly over to Xiao Jianren.

It was best to leave professional matters to professionals. When it came to interrogating suspects, no one was more skilled than the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

He then went to find Sang Hong. Given their current relationship, Zu'an had no need to hide anything and directly brought up his intention to release individuals like the Golden Hermit and the Wooden Hermit.

"Did Qiu Honglei come to see you?" Sang Hong asked, recalling their shared experience of being escorted to the capital, which had revealed their close relationship.

Zu'an mumbled an indistinct affirmative. He certainly couldn't tell Sang Hong it was Yun Jianyue.

After all, there should ideally be no connection between him and Yun Jianyue, except perhaps for the imperial palace assassination case. He wanted to avoid startling Sang Hong and creating unnecessary complications.

Sang Hong, however, frowned. "I know that demonic woman is very beautiful, but beautiful women have been a source of trouble since ancient times. She is the Demonic Sect's Saintess; if you associate with her, you'll be implicated sooner or later."

Zu'an explained, "She risked her life to save me back then. I can't possibly be ungrateful, can I?"

This stopped Sang Hong from saying more. If Zu'an were truly ungrateful, Sang Hong wouldn't dare to continue their alliance and cooperation.

Seeing Sang Hong's silence, understanding his hesitation, Zu'an continued, "Not long ago, the Demonic Sect Leader, Yun Jianyue, appeared in the city. If we accidentally draw her attention here, we'll be in serious trouble. Our current mission is to handle matters in Yunzhong Commandery; there's no need to create additional complications by confronting the Demonic Sect."

Sang Hong's expression subtly shifted, and he nodded. "Very well. Since nothing has been officially reported yet, find an opportunity to release them. It would be best to create some defensive loopholes and let them escape on their own, so as to avoid leaving any future vulnerabilities."

Zu'an thought to himself that Sang Hong was indeed an experienced bureaucrat, whose considerations were remarkably thorough. "Thank you, Uncle," he said aloud.

"You should still try to keep your distance from members of the Demonic Sect in the future..." Sang Hong began to advise, but then news arrived from Xiao Jianren: Taohong had confessed.

"Tell us, who exactly instructed you to do this?" Sang Hong asked in a low voice as he entered the secret room.

Taohong offered a desolate smile. "I dare to speak, but do you dare to listen?"

Sang Hong's expression changed. He waved his hand, dismissing everyone else until only Zu'an, Pei You, and Xiao Jianren remained.

"Don't play games, just tell us!" Pei You snapped, visibly annoyed. He had been thoroughly vexed by this woman recently, and his irritation was evident.

Taohong gritted her teeth. "Unless you can guarantee my safety, speaking will only lead to my death."

"I am the Imperial Envoy. You may speak freely," Sang Hong said coldly.

"Imperial Envoy..." A flicker of sarcasm crossed Taohong's face. However, realizing she had no other choice in her current predicament, she slowly uttered a name: "If King Qi wants me dead, can you protect me?"