Chapter 1284: For His Sake

Zu An’s heart stirred. He quickly asked, “When will this meeting be held tomorrow?”

“It should be after the morning court session,” Sang Hong sighed. “First, they’ll deal with the usual military and state affairs, and then the final agenda will be to discuss your situation.” Even with his resourcefulness, he was at a complete loss.

Zu An pondered for a moment. “Uncle, please try your best to buy me some time tomorrow. I might be able to make it back.”

Sang Hong was taken aback. “It takes at least a few months, perhaps even half a year, to get back to Cloud-Mid City from the demon territory. How can you return so easily?”

From their previous conversations, Zu An knew there was a quick passage to the demon territory from the lower levels of the Cloud-Mid City mine. However, after the earthquake, the entire mine had collapsed. For days, Cloud-Mid City’s officials had been busy with the aftermath at the mine.

Because the Yu clan had evacuated their personnel beforehand, there weren’t many casualties.

However, the situation at the mine was not optimistic. Restoring the normal production environment would likely take years, perhaps even decades.

Therefore, he knew better than anyone that it was no longer possible to travel quickly to the demon territory using the ancient teleportation arrays deep within the cave.

Zu An said gravely, “Don’t worry, I have a way.”

Sang Hong was about to say more, but his expression suddenly changed. “That old fox Xu Yu is here. I can’t let him find out I’m talking to you. I have to go.”

With that, the image in the video mirror disappeared, indicating he had hastily ended the call.

Seeing Zu An put away the video mirror, Yu Yanluo could no longer hold back. She clung to Zu An like an octopus, trembling uncontrollably.

What had just happened had been too overwhelming for her. Fear, shyness, and a myriad of other emotions surged through her, making her infinitely more sensitive than usual.

Zu An drew a sharp breath. He had to admit, Medusa’s body was indeed exceptionally gifted, especially when aroused, capable of turning tempered steel into soft silk.

They held each other tightly, and it was a long while before they regained their composure.

Yu Yanluo was overwhelmed with embarrassment. “It’s all your fault; I was almost scared to death just now.”

Zu An smiled, looking at her, and gently wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead with his finger. He thought to himself that the video mirror truly had the unexpected utility of a mobile phone from his previous life.

Seeing his lazy expression, Yu Yanluo became even more annoyed and embarrassed. She lunged forward and bit him hard, which only slightly appeased her.

Then she asked worriedly, “What are you going to do about the situation in Cloud-Mid City? If it’s really impossible, why don’t you stay here with the Snake Clan? You can be the king of the Snake Clan, and I’ll assist you.”

Feeling her tenderness and affection, Zu An kissed her cheek. “If it were before, there really might have been no way; this place is too far from Cloud-Mid City. But now I have the Wind and Fire Wheels, so flying back isn’t impossible.”

Yu Yanluo said with a hint of sourness, “That Miss Shang is truly good to you, giving you all of her nephew’s treasures.”

Zu An gave an awkward laugh and didn’t respond at that moment.

However, Yu Yanluo was no ordinary person after all. She quickly set aside her jealousy, got up, and began dressing while urging Zu An, “Get up quickly. Even with the Wind and Fire Wheels, you might not make it back in just one day. You must seize every moment.”

Normally, Zu An would have fully admired her exquisite grace while dressing, but now, serious matters took precedence, and he dared not delay in the slightest.

Soon, both were dressed. Yu Yanluo said, “You should tell Sect Leader Yun and Abbess Yan about this. If you suddenly disappear, I won’t be able to explain it to them.”

She secretly added in her mind that the more she looked, the more she felt these two women were only willing to stay because of him.

Zu An thought the same, so he took her next door to find them.

Yun Jianyue said somewhat displeasedly, “I was finally in deep meditation, healing at a crucial moment, and you woke me up. If you don’t have a reasonable explanation, be careful, or I’ll smash your dog’s head in.”

Yu Yanluo was speechless.

This woman was indeed fierce. However, compared to her notorious reputation in the pugilistic world and her methods of dealing with others, this was actually quite gentle.

Yan Xuehen, however, looked at Yu Yanluo curiously. “Oh, why is your face so red?”

Yu Yanluo’s heart pounded wildly. Fearing that the other woman would see through her, she quickly explained, “I just learned about a major incident in Cloud-Mid City, and I’m a bit nervous and worried.”

Although Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were well-traveled and knowledgeable, they were naive when it came to matters between men and women. Even though Yun Jianyue was skilled in charm techniques, it was merely theoretical, so she was easily fooled.

“What happened in Cloud-Mid City?” Seeing their solemn expressions, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue also realized the matter was serious.

Only then did Zu An briefly explain the situation, and both women immediately grasped the gravity of the problem.

“They’re going to try you via video mirror at the morning court tomorrow?” Yun Jianyue snorted. “You risked your life in Cloud-Mid City, and this dog emperor is clearly burning bridges. This wretched court isn’t worth serving. Come to our Holy Sect; I’ll make you the Holy Son, second only to me and above everyone else.”

Before Zu An could reply, Yan Xuehen had already chastised her. “You’re just trying to stir up trouble! He’s so young and already has such cultivation, with good connections at the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. His future is limitless. Are you asking him to join you as a rebel?”

Any other time, if someone dared to use words like “rebel” with Yun Jianyue, she would have shown them what a Demon Sect Leader was in minutes. However, this time it concerned Zu An’s future, and she understood that unless he was desperate, joining the Holy Sect was indeed not a good choice.

“Hmph, then what do you suggest?”

Yan Xuehen frowned. This situation was indeed tricky, but then a thought suddenly struck her. “Can your Wind and Fire Wheels take you back to Cloud-Mid City?”

Zu An was somewhat surprised and nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly my plan. That’s why I came to say goodbye. I might be gone for a few days.”

Yan Xuehen considered it for a moment. “This place is too far from Cloud-Mid City. You’ll probably have to leave immediately, or you might not make it in time.”

“Alright.” Zu An also understood that with only a little over a day, it would be quite difficult to rush back.

He cupped his hands in greeting, about to leave, when Yu Yanluo called out, “Wait.”

After speaking, she bowed to Yan Xuehen. “Sister Yan, I have an impudent request.”

Yan Xuehen quickly said, “You’re being too polite. Just say what it is; if I can do it, I certainly won’t refuse.”

During their time together, although their relationship wasn’t as close as sisters, they had become friends and greatly appreciated each other.

Of course, there was also the matter of Yan Xuehen having previously chased and severely wounded her, which made Yan Xuehen feel quite guilty and constantly think of ways to make amends.

Yu Yanluo then said, “I’d like to ask Sister to accompany Ah Zu back.”

Zu An: “???”

“What?” The other two women’s expressions also changed, neither expecting her to make such a sudden request.

Only then did Yu Yanluo explain, “Ah Zu has too many suspicions on him regarding the Cloud-Mid City incident. Moreover, he did save me. Plus, he previously ruined Prince Qi’s years of planning in Cloud-Mid City, so Prince Qi’s faction definitely won’t let him off.”

“Even if he returns to Cloud-Mid City tomorrow, things won’t go as smoothly as he imagines. Whether it’s Xu Yu or Prince Qi, those old foxes in the political arena certainly won’t give up. They have many ways to frame Ah Zu, and if he travels all that way back, he’ll only be walking into a trap.”

“But if Sister Yan accompanies him, it will be different. Your status has always been transcendent, and you are one of the leaders of the righteous path. If you can vouch for him, then naturally no one will believe Xu Yu or Prince Qi’s fabrications.”

Yan Xuehen hesitated, “But he did save you and came to the demon territory. Are you asking me to openly lie...?”

She cultivated the "Supreme Oblivion" scripture, and given her special status, she had always been meticulous about her words and actions, never having lied before. This was also why she had such a high reputation.

Yun Jianyue, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. “What, you’re not willing to help?”

Yan Xuehen glanced at Zu An. Lying once for him wouldn’t be entirely out of the question. “That’s not what I mean. The main thing is that I’m currently severely injured and don’t have the ability to fly, so I’m afraid I can’t accompany him back.”

Yu Yanluo opened her mouth but was too embarrassed to speak. Instead, Yun Jianyue nonchalantly said, “What’s so difficult about that? I think those Wind and Fire Wheels have good carrying capacity. Can’t Ah Zu just carry you back? It’s not like he hasn’t carried you before.”