Chapter 1296: Bright Mirror Suspended High

Zu'an glanced outside. The sky was already faintly brightening, indicating dawn.

He knew very well that returning to Yunzhong Commandery overnight would have been a tight schedule to begin with. After encountering the Snow Maiden yesterday, a significant amount of time had been lost. Even without the subsequent healing, it was already too late to get back.

Could he really be doomed to wander among the demon race from now on?

Seeing his silence, Yan Xuehen comforted him, "You don't need to worry too much. Even if you're accused of some crimes this time, I will come forward to testify on your behalf. I believe it should help clear your name."

In truth, she wasn't entirely confident. While her reputation was considerable, those who sought to destroy Zu'an wielded significant power. Her words might not be enough, but at that moment, comforting him was essential to prevent him from feeling overwhelmed.

Zu'an smiled faintly. "If I become a human traitor and you still speak up for me, aren't you afraid of getting implicated?"

Yan Xuehen calmly replied, "Although you saved Yu Yanluo, you did not betray humanity. Furthermore, Yu Yanluo is a demon who is benevolent towards humans and has performed countless good deeds, saving many lives throughout her life. My speaking for you is done with a clear conscience."

Zu'an sighed. "I thought you were speaking up for me because of our relationship."

Yan Xuehen's cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at him. "I just said that afterward, we would act as if nothing happened, and I wouldn't acknowledge it again. This is my final statement. If you utter such nonsense again, don't blame me for leaving immediately!"

Seeing her serious demeanor, Zu'an knew she wasn't ready to confront the situation yet. He decided not to provoke her further. "Alright, alright, I was out of line."

Yan Xuehen hadn't expected him to become so compliant all of a sudden and was momentarily taken aback.

"I need to get up and get dressed," Zu'an said then.

Yan Xuehen turned away. "If you want to get up, then get up. Why tell me? It's not like anyone wants to watch you."

Though she said that, images of their recent intimacy involuntarily flashed through her mind. She was intimately familiar with every inch of his skin. Thinking of those scenes, her earlobes tinged red.

As Zu'an dressed, he said, "This place is a bit strange. These hot springs are clearly rich in spiritual energy, making them extremely attractive to humans, demons, and even fierce beasts. Why is it that after all this time, there's no trace of any other creatures here?"

Seeing him discuss serious matters, Yan Xuehen composed herself. "There are a few possibilities. One, this place is extremely difficult to approach, perhaps protected by various magical formations or natural hazards. However, I didn't encounter any obstacles on our way in. Another possibility is that this is a dangerous place, and creatures in the Great Snow Mountain know its perils and dare not come near."

Zu'an shook his head. "This is clearly a rare blessed land; there's no sign of great danger here."

They had both just experienced it firsthand; these hot springs were extremely beneficial, whether for healing injuries or improving cultivation.

Yan Xuehen let out a long sigh. "Then that's the worst-case scenario: this place is the territory of a supreme expert. Due to their presence, no other creatures dare to approach. Our ability to enter safely most likely means they are currently away."

Zu'an's expression changed too. He knew the concept of a powerful expert in the Great Snow Mountain; the Snow Maiden they had encountered recently was still fresh in his memory.

"After all this time, could they have returned?"

Yan Xuehen also worried. "So we should leave here quickly."

As she spoke, she bent down to gather her damp clothes from the bank, immediately recalling the recent scenes, and her heart began to pound.

Zu'an was about to tease her when he suddenly felt a terrifying pressure emanating from the depths of the cave. Both their expressions changed instantly. It turned out the expert hadn't left temporarily; they had been in the depths of the cave all along.

"Run!" Yan Xuehen was mortified and indignant. Didn't that mean everything that had just happened between her and Zu'an had been witnessed?

However, she had no time to dwell on it; her priority was to get out of there immediately.

To her surprise, Zu'an remained motionless, instead looking towards the depths of the cave. "Wait, why does this feeling seem somewhat familiar…"

Seeing him waste time standing still, wouldn't that mean their last chance of survival was gone?

Ultimately, Yan Xuehen couldn't bring herself to abandon him and flee alone. She decided to stay and face the powerful enemy with him. Her injuries had recovered considerably, so she wasn't without the strength to fight, though her legs might still be a little inconvenient...

At this moment, Zu'an began walking deeper into the cave. Yan Xuehen was utterly shocked. Was he walking to his death?

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Yunzhong Commandery, within the Governor's Mansion, the most influential officials of the entire Yunzhong City were gathered, seemingly embroiled in a noisy argument.

One faction was subtly led by the Vice-Governor, Xu Yu, while the imperial envoy's side strictly followed Sang Hong. Additionally, Pei Shao, the Prefect of Yunzhong City, seemed to form his own faction.

Neither Xu Yu nor Sang Hong personally participated in the dispute. Both remained composed, like fishermen awaiting a bite. Xu Yu's expression was grave, while Sang Hong wore a smile.

Both men occasionally glanced at a large, suspended scrying mirror on the wall. The imperial court session in the capital would soon conclude, and the real confrontation was about to begin.

Pei You quietly leaned closer to Sang Hong. "Lord Sang, is there good news?"

Sang Hong sipped his tea and transmitted his voice with energy. "No."

"No? Then why are you smiling so happily, My Lord?" Pei You was dumbfounded.

"At a time like this, one certainly cannot lose morale and fall into disarray," Sang Hong replied.

Pei You was speechless.

"Then why is Xu Yu's side looking so solemn? I thought he had received some unfavorable news," he pressed, still unwilling to give up.

"Because in launching this impeachment, he has used all his resources. It's either success or honorable failure this time, so he's naturally feeling anxious about the outcome," Sang Hong explained.

Pei You was somewhat speechless. One person, certain of victory, looked troubled, while the other, clearly destined to lose, was all smiles. What had happened to this world?

"Lord Sang, Gao Ying has managed to barely keep his soldiers under control these days. He said that if things turn out to be irremediable later, he could..." Pei You said, making a gesture.

Sang Hong glared at him. "Nonsense! The Emperor and all the court officials will be watching this side later. Do you want him to have his entire clan annihilated?"

"Then what should we do? Are we really going to let Brother Zu become a traitor?" Pei You naturally understood the gravity of the situation; Zu'an would soon be beyond redemption.

Sang Hong sighed. "At this point, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."

His mood was not as calm as he appeared. Pei You and Gao Ying were merely acting out of loyalty as Zu'an's friends; even if something happened to Zu'an, it wouldn't significantly impact them.

But he was different. He had tied the entire Sang family to Zu'an. If Zu'an were to meet with disaster this time, the Sang family would most likely be finished too.

Qian'er, you won't blame your father, will you?

Just then, a bell chimed in the distance across the city. Everyone in the room stiffened, realizing the time was almost at hand.

Xu Yu scanned the room and asked in a deep voice, "Has the Duke of the Commandery not arrived yet?"

A subordinate reported, "Those who went to invite him said that the Duke is in secluded cultivation, recovering from injuries, and finds it inconvenient to emerge."

"Secluded cultivation to recover from injuries," Xu Yu sneered, saying no more.

However, the others in the room understood the implications. During this period, with the various significant events concerning the Yu family, especially Yu Yanluo's situation, the Duke of Yunzhong Commandery had initially appeared assertive for a short while but then quickly vanished without a trace.

It was well known that the relationship between the Duke of Yunzhong Commandery and Yu Yanluo was not limited to that of husband and wife; they were also the most steadfast allies.

When trouble befell the Yu family, many factions under the Jian family could no longer sit still and rushed to seek an audience with Jian Yanyou. Unfortunately, he consistently avoided seeing them.

Rumors also began to spread within the Jian family itself, claiming that the Duke had long since left the mansion, or even that he had died from severe injuries.

Initially, everyone thought these were mere rumors. But the Duke never appeared to clarify, and even when many factions under the Jian family began seeking other paths, he remained indifferent. People then began to suspect that something had truly happened to him.

The Yu family was finished, and the Jian family was finished too!

The leaders of the various factions in the room were like sharks scenting blood. In the coming period, they were determined to carve up the interests of both families as much as possible.