Chapter 1224: Exposure

The Snake Tribe was not particularly close to the Royal Court. However, if Yu Yanluo were traveling alone, she could still afford to depart a bit later. But considering Zu An's tight schedule, Yu Yanluo thoughtfully decided to leave early.

When they departed, Xiaobai and Xiaoqing tearfully saw them off. They had wanted to go along but were strictly forbidden by their grandfather. The stated reason was that the two girls, having been pampered since childhood, wouldn't be able to serve others and would only become a burden to the tribal leader. Everyone knew, however, that this was merely an excuse. The Demon Emperor's summons to the tribal leaders clearly boded ill. The journey to the Royal Court was fraught with unpredictable dangers; even if they survived, they might be held hostage or placed under house arrest. Naturally, they didn't want their own granddaughters to face such risks. Yu Yanluo was well aware of their subtle intentions but chose not to expose them, maintaining a high degree of unspoken understanding between them.

The group departed the Snake Tribe valley in a large carriage pulled by six lizards. The carriage offered ample space, and although the six lizards appeared cumbersome, they ran with surprising speed and remarkable stability. While the carriage was comfortable, the presence of several women in the same confined space always made the atmosphere a little peculiar.

As the host, Yu Yanluo eventually felt the need to manage the conversation. She turned to Yan Xuehen and asked curiously, "Master Yan, I've been so busy with the sacrificial ceremony these past few days that I haven't had a chance to ask, but I feel your injuries have worsened somewhat. Did something happen?"

Hearing her words, Yan Xuehen recalled what had happened that night and instinctively glanced at Zu An. Coincidentally, Zu An was looking at her too, and as their eyes met, they both quickly looked away. Yan Xuehen's heart pounded, and her pale cheeks began to flush. She replied somewhat unnaturally, "I had a mishap while cultivating a few days ago, which caused another injury."

"Oh, that's quite troublesome," Yu Yanluo quickly said. "Your injuries were already very severe. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask. Although the Snake Tribe cannot compare to White Jade Capital, we do possess some healing herbs."

"No, thank you. Your tribe has already provided more than enough during this time," Yan Xuehen said, waving her hand. She thought to herself that she owed the Snake Tribe a favor and would have to find a way to repay it upon her return to White Jade Capital.

Yun Jianyue, who was sitting nearby, noticed their subtle actions and felt suspicious. *They exchanged glances and then started blushing? How peculiar.* However, knowing Yan Xuehen too well, she subconsciously believed that Yan Xuehen would not become entangled with a man in that way, so she never considered the possibility.

Yun Jianyue knew that Yan Xuehen's injury was her responsibility. Seeing Yu Yanluo continue to inquire, she quickly changed the subject. "Ah Zu," she said, "I just saw those two little girls crying their hearts out. Did you perhaps lead them on and then abandon them?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Yanluo and Yan Xuehen's eyes immediately fixed on Zu An. As if feeling two tangible waves of murderous intent, Zu An chuckled awkwardly. "How could that be? They were clearly reluctant to part with their beloved tribal leader, and you two beautiful elder sisters. Haven't you been guiding their cultivation these past few days? They surely didn't want us to leave, haha..."

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. "I know myself well enough. The girls are grateful, yes, but I'm very strict with them. I highly doubt they'd be that reluctant to part with *me*."

Yu Yanluo also remarked with a half-smile, "The Bai and Qing families would be thrilled if I, their tribal leader, left sooner. And those two little girls aren't as skilled at acting as their grandfather; I can tell they were genuinely sad and reluctant to see us go, which is quite puzzling."

Yan Xuehen, sitting nearby, added, "Especially that Miss Qing; she often exchanges inexplicable glances with you. It seems highly likely there's something between the two of you."

Zu An immediately broke into a cold sweat. *Are women's sixth senses always this accurate?* With their questions piling up, he felt he was close to being exposed. He must ensure he's only ever alone with one woman in the future. Now, with three women, not only was there no peace, but they were almost ruining him entirely.

He cleared his throat and explained, "They previously sent me such precious healing medicine, so naturally, I had to return the favor. I gave them some trinkets from the human world, and they also enjoyed hearing my stories about the human realm. Perhaps they were so reluctant to part because the story I was telling them wasn't finished yet."

"Is that the story about the white and green snakes who were saved by a medicine boy, and then a thousand years later sought out his reincarnation to marry him and repay his kindness?" Yun Jianyue asked with a knowing half-smile.

Yu Yanluo and Yan Xuehen's expressions also turned peculiar. *This story sounds incredibly suggestive.*

Zu An was speechless. *This woman, a grandmaster, actually eavesdropped on his conversations with them.*

"This truly is a story from my hometown," he insisted. "I swear to heaven, I only told it to them because I thought it was relevant to the Snake Tribe. I had absolutely no other intentions."

Although their interactions had been close these past few days, with so many eyes watching within the mansion, there had been no opportunity like that specific night. Thus, he was genuinely innocent concerning the two women.

"Why are you so flustered?" Yu Yanluo said with a faint smile. "My relationship with the two elders is already strained. If you could genuinely make their beloved granddaughters fall for you, it would actually be a great boon for the Snake Tribe."

Rage value from Yu Yanluo: 110,110,110...

Seeing this rage value, Zu An couldn't help but feel a little deflated. Yu Yanluo was becoming mischievous herself now.

Yun Jianyue's expression instantly became a little unnatural, as that night she had overheard Yu Yanluo encouraging Zu An to "conquer" her in a similar fashion.

Rage value from Yun Jianyue: 110,110,110...

Sensing the brewing conflict, he quickly changed the subject. "By the way," he said, "wouldn't it be good to have Xingnu stay in the tribe as someone you can trust?"

Yu Yanluo replied, "The way things are done on the demon side is quite different from the human side. Here, lineage and strength are paramount. As long as I am here, no matter what Elders Bai and Qing try, I remain the tribal leader. But if something were to happen to me, Xingnu staying in the tribe would be useless, regardless of what she did. So, it's better to have her accompany me."

The others nodded subtly. Their journey to the demon territories had indeed revealed many things; listening to various reports simply couldn't compare to firsthand observation.

At this point, Yan Xuehen said, "I likely won't go to the Royal Court. I'll depart after escorting you close to it."

Yun Jianyue also nodded. "The same for me. I've considered it carefully these past few days. Even at our peak, the two of us combined wouldn't be a match for the Demon Emperor, much less now. Furthermore, our identities are special; we don't live solely for ourselves. If our identities were discovered in the Royal Court, the consequences would be unthinkable." She paused and looked at Zu An. "Moreover, we advise you not to enter the Demon Royal Court. The person who gave you the Golden Crow Token earlier may not have had good intentions. Although your cultivation is quite good now, the Royal Court is teeming with experts. If you truly enter there, your life and death will no longer be in your own hands."

Although Yu Yanluo deeply wished to stay with Zu An, she was more concerned for his safety. "Yes, Ah Zu," she said, "you should leave with them when the time comes. You also have a multitude of matters awaiting your attention back in Cloudtop City."

Zu An shook his head. "The Demon Emperor's summons for you to enter the Royal Court will undoubtedly be fraught with danger. How can I possibly be at ease letting you go alone?"

Yan Xuehen said, "If the Demon Emperor truly means to harm them, your presence won't stop anything; it would only mean one more life lost."

Yun Jianyue nodded. "This time, I will be present, so whether you go or not won't affect Yu Yanluo's safety. On the contrary, it would put *you* in danger. Have you forgotten that you defeated the Golden Crow Prince? No matter how magnanimous the Demon Emperor may seem, he won't be without resentment. Perhaps he will use you to assert his authority, and in that scenario, your presence would only increase her danger."

Zu An had been determined to accompany Yu Yanluo, but hearing that his presence might instead bring her danger, he couldn't help but hesitate.

Meanwhile, within a certain residence in the Royal Court, a burly voice suddenly exclaimed, "What? Super-tier aptitude?"

"Indeed," a voice emerged from the shadows. "According to intelligence relayed by an informant within the palace, the blood spilled by that individual during his battle with the Golden Crow Prince landed on the golden war chariot, and the Demon Emperor discovered it during his inspection."

"The legendary super-tier aptitude! No wonder he could defeat the Golden Crow Prince," the burly voice said, his breathing suddenly quickening. "Given that old geezer's current state, I wonder if super-tier essence blood would be of any use to him... but for me, it would be incredibly valuable."

"Issue the order: he must be obtained at all costs. Do not allow him to reach the Royal Court!"

"Understood!"