Chapter 1283: Fatal Call

After a while, Zu An said, "The Unknowable Land is very important to me. I have an unavoidable reason to go, so even if it's dangerous this time, I must visit the Royal Court." He then looked at Yan and Yun, adding, "You two are injured, so there's no need to accompany me on this risky journey."

Yun Jianyue, however, directly refused: "You're not afraid of the Demon Emperor's retaliation, so how could I, the dignified Holy Sect Leader, be any less courageous than you? Moreover, the Unknowable Land holds immense appeal for any cultivator. If I don't see it for myself, I'll probably regret it for the rest of my life."

Yan Xuehen also agreed, "Precisely. The path of cultivation requires forging ahead without hesitation. How can we be timid and fearful? The Demoness and I have been stuck at our current realm for a long time, with no signs of breakthrough. The Unknowable Land might offer room for advancement."

Hearing her resolute tone, Zu An felt a headache coming on. "Sister Yun is one thing, but you're so severely injured right now. Rushing into the Unknowable Land blindly, isn't that a certain death?"

Yan Xuehen's expression was solemn. "If I hear the Dao in the morning, I can die in peace in the evening!"

Seeing her resolute gaze and the almost sacred glow on her face, Zu An was momentarily stunned. It was no wonder they could stand out among their peers and become Grandmasters; this level of determination was something most people couldn't achieve.

Yu Yanluo, standing beside them, had a peculiar expression. She thought to herself, *Earlier, she kept saying she'd accompany me to the Royal Court, but then decided to leave midway, considering her injuries might not allow her to defeat the Demon Emperor. Now, hearing that Ah Zu is going to the Unknowable Land, which is clearly more dangerous, they're insisting on accompanying him instead. Are they really going for the Unknowable Land, or for Ah Zu?*

As they were going to the Unknowable Land, both Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen were very excited and didn't want to waste a single second. They returned to their rooms to meditate and circulate energy to heal their injuries, recovering whatever little they could. They had initially been somewhat disgusted by the divine essence stone fragments, as they had been wrapped around other women's bodies, but this time they no longer minded, absorbing the natural energy within to aid their healing. Yan Xuehen even considered asking Zu An to help her heal, but remembering the previous sense of shame, she ultimately felt too embarrassed to ask.

Yu Yanluo, on the other hand, was quite happy; finally, there was time for the two of them to be alone. All along the way, their private time had been hampered by the presence of two others; although the two women were indeed very good, their presence always affected the intimacy between the couple.

"Finally, I can get some good rest," Yu Yanluo stretched, her graceful figure fully visible, then lazily nestled into Zu An's embrace.

With the soft, fragrant beauty in his arms, holding this enchantress who made countless men dream of her, Zu An's blood was already stirring from the excitement of the previous battle. Now, at her teasing, his heart fluttered, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Yu Yanluo let out a soft moan, "Naughty, I just wanted to talk to you..."

Although she said this, she responded to him very gently, her body seeming to completely melt. For some time, due to the presence of Yan and Yun, and previously in Qingqiu Country, there had been few opportunities for such intimacy. Coupled with witnessing the profound love between Marquis Sui and Lady Yu not long ago, she simply wanted to cherish the person in front of her, and her passion was quickly ignited.

However, when she realized Zu An was carrying her to the bed, she still became a little shy. "It's daytime now."

"Does that matter, day or night?" Zu An chuckled, and as he spoke, he unconsciously untied the silk ribbon at her waist.

Yu Yanluo's face flushed crimson, her eyes glistening. "But Sister Yan and Sister Yun are still next door; they'll hear us."

"Don't worry," Zu An reassured her, "they're injured, and they're concentrating on healing right now, so they won't hear anything."

Yu Yanluo was about to say something more when she suddenly trembled, almost letting out a cry. She resentfully pounded him with her small fist; *this guy doesn't know how to be gentle*. She bit her lip lightly, still not at ease. With a flick of her hand, a scroll painting unfolded, surrounding them. If the two Grandmasters were at their peak, her trick wouldn't be able to hide them, but now, it would likely be fine.

Looking at the numerous maids in the surrounding scroll painting who seemed to come alive, Zu An was startled. "You like being watched like this?"

"I just grabbed a scroll at random, and it's all your fault for being so impatient!" Yu Yanluo was on the verge of tears from indignation, desperate to switch to another painting.

Zu An quickly stopped her. "No, this is quite good. Later, we can add more interesting things to the painting, like some large mirrors."

Yu Yanluo was initially confused, but gradually understood, and in her embarrassment, she lightly bit Zu An's shoulder. *Where did this guy learn these tricks? It couldn't have been Miss Chu; judging by her master's character, she definitely wouldn't do such things. Could it be Yun Jianyue's disciple who taught him? I often hear her boast that her disciple has mastered seduction techniques.* As she let her mind wander with these random thoughts, she gradually became lost in pleasure.

Just as the two were engrossed in their passion, a sudden, urgent vibration sounded. Yu Yanluo stiffened all over. Zu An whispered in her ear, "What's wrong?"

"Someone is contacting me using a Sound-Vision Mirror." Yu Yanluo took the Sound-Vision Mirror from a pile of clothes nearby, her face flushed, more captivating and charming than usual, whether from shyness or arousal.

"Ignore it, just hang up," Zu An responded gruffly. "Who's so inconsiderate as to call at a time like this?"

"Mmm," Yu Yanluo naturally didn't want to be disturbed either, so she casually hung up the Sound-Vision Mirror.

Who knew, the vibration soon came again, as if determined not to stop until answered. Zu An was so annoyed he wanted to throw the Sound-Vision Mirror away, but then Yu Yanluo suddenly had a thought. "There aren't many people who know my Sound-Vision Mirror contact rune and would call me at this specific time. Could it be...?"

Zu An also realized this. He took it and saw that it was indeed Sang Hong's symbol. He immediately broke into a sweat. Sound-Vision Mirrors consumed a lot of elemental stones, and Sang Hong wasn't wealthy enough to waste them. He usually wouldn't dare to make such calls, let alone repeatedly. There must be something urgent, so he quickly answered.

Yu Yanluo was so startled she almost cried out, quickly pulling a nearby blanket over herself for cover. Zu An signaled to her not to worry, assuring her that his angle wouldn't allow anyone to see her. Although Yu Yanluo understood this, she still felt overwhelmingly shy.

Zu An, with one hand comforting the beauty, picked up the Sound-Vision Mirror with the other. Looking at the familiar face in the mirror, he asked, "Uncle, what's wrong?"

"Why did you hang up on me just now?" Sang Hong's face was displeased. Having to redial several times made him spend quite a few extra elemental stones.

"Something urgent came up here just now, so it wasn't convenient to answer," Zu An chuckled awkwardly, trying to act normal.

Yu Yanluo, however, quickly covered her mouth and secretly pinched him. *This guy is too bold!*

"What are you doing? Why are you covered in sweat?" Sang Hong asked, puzzled.

"Exercising, my cultivation reached a critical point," Zu An explained with an embarrassed smile.

"Other matters are secondary now; the most urgent thing is on my end," Sang Hong sighed deeply, his face troubled.

"What's wrong?" Zu An was startled. Sang Hong was known for his profound composure, always remaining calm even when a mountain collapsed before him. For him to be so flustered now, something major must have happened.

Sang Hong replied, "I don't know where that Xu Yu got so much influence, but he directly reported to the Emperor, exposing the situation here in the capital. Now, rumors are circulating in the capital that you privately rescued the demoness Yu Yanluo, which is why you both disappeared together. They're saying you've betrayed humanity and fled to the demon race."

Zu An and Yu Yanluo's expressions were a bit strange, as these weren't exactly rumors; the two of them were indeed together right now.

Sang Hong continued, "Even the Emperor couldn't withstand the outrage from the court. So, to clear your name, he announced that tomorrow, all the officials in the imperial court will hold a grand assembly via Sound-Vision Mirror, connecting with Yunzhong Commandery, to determine whether you have committed treason." As he spoke, he paced anxiously. "At that time, I won't be able to use the Embroidered Uniform Envoy's secret mission as an excuse. Tomorrow, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..."

"If only you could appear tomorrow, all doubts would vanish," he said, but before he finished, his face fell in despair. "Never mind. You're far away in the demon lands. How could you possibly rush back within a day? I'd better start thinking about what to do with our family once you're branded a traitor."