Chapter 1543: Goddess and White Moonlight

At this moment, the emperor subtly glanced at her. Bi Linglong believed she had concealed her emotions well, but for a Sky Immortal, every detail in the entire hall could not escape his notice. For instance, the eye contact among Prince Qi's faction officials, and even how his own loyal officials belonged to various family powers – he knew exactly which families those officials were affiliated with.

Just now, when Bi Linglong heard of Zu An's return, her heartbeat noticeably quickened. Although she quickly concealed it, how could she hide it from him?

Given Zu An's status as a key official of the Eastern Palace and Bi Linglong's capable subordinate, his return in the current situation would normally elicit a joyful reaction from her. Yet, her deliberate attempt to hide it suggested a problem.

The emperor frowned, his expression darkening. Although Bi Linglong was his daughter-in-law, due to having previously infused a fragment of his soul into the crown prince's body, he essentially regarded her as a child bride he was raising. He would not permit any other man to lay a hand on her.

Naturally, he didn't delve too deeply into the matter, not believing the two would be so audacious as to do anything to betray him. However, this didn't mean they didn't need a stern reminder.

At that moment, a tall, slender figure slowly walked into the main hall. A buzz of discussion immediately rose from the court officials, displaying a range of reactions: surprise, delight, and grim faces.

Zu An bowed to the emperor: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

At this, an official from Prince Qi's faction suddenly reacted, exclaiming, "Who let this traitor, who conspired with the enemy, in? Guards, seize him at once!"

Zu An glared coldly at him. "Who are you calling a traitor and conspirator?"

For some reason, the official felt a chill run down his spine and his body tremble under Zu An's gaze. He instinctively recoiled, hesitant to respond.

Little did he know that during his time in the Unknowable Land, Zu An had killed the Demon Emperor – although he had leveraged geographical advantages, he had still slain an unbeatable existence of that era. Later, during the Royal Court upheaval, he had killed several renowned Grandmasters. An aura of invincibility had already solidified around him, naturally intimidating ordinary cultivators.

At this point, both the Emperor and Prince Qi simultaneously cast surprised glances at Zu An, clearly sensing something unique about him.

Bi Linglong, however, felt a sense of bewilderment. Why couldn't she detect any elemental energy fluctuations from Zu An? Was it because of the distance?

But now, he appeared to be an ordinary person.

A deep worry creased her brow at this thought. Could it be that he had encountered some accident on this journey, causing him to lose all his cultivation?

Many other officials in the court also made the same discovery. Initially caught off guard by Zu An's return, they now realized he was almost crippled. What was there to fear from him?

Consequently, a group of people instantly regained their fighting spirit. Led by Yi Chun, the Mayor of Jingzhao, he declared, "Zu An, I have conclusive evidence showing that you and Queen Medusa were in the demon realm a while ago..."

“Yes, I did escort her to the demon realm some time ago,” Zu An admitted directly.

The court erupted in an uproar. Many who had previously spoken on his behalf now wore expressions of regret, thinking he was too young and spoke without thinking.

Bi Linglong was both angry and anxious. Although everyone knew he must have escorted Queen Medusa to the demon realm, he shouldn't have openly admitted it. If he hadn't, her officials could have forcibly acquitted him. Now that he had confessed, there was nothing they could do to save him.

The officials from Prince Qi's faction, however, were overjoyed and began to denounce him for treasonous collusion with the demon race.

At this, Zu An calmly stated, "I admit I escorted Queen Medusa to the demon realm, but when did I ever admit to treasonous collusion with the enemy?"

Yi Chun sneered, "What's the difference?"

“Of course there's a difference,” Zu An said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, noting inwardly how many fewer people there were compared to his last visit. "Although Lady Yu possesses Medusa bloodline, that was an ancestral matter, not something she could control. Furthermore, she is also half-human. Why must she be definitively categorized as a demon?"

“Over the years, Lady Yu's reputation is surely well-known to everyone. She has always been benevolent and charitable. Publicly, her mining industries have contributed greatly to the court. Privately, she frequently engages in various charities, helping those in need. In all these years, has anyone ever heard of her harming anyone?”

“Heh, just because she hasn't now doesn't mean she won't in the future. Those not of our race are bound to have different intentions!” Yi Chun declared forcefully. "She likely does these things to win people's favor, which could provide greater convenience for her to act on behalf of the demon race in the future."

“That's called 'groundless accusation.' Convicting someone for something that hasn't happened – Chief Justice Jiang, is that how our court's law works?” Zu An asked, his inquiring gaze falling upon Jiang Boyang, whose official title was Chief Justice, equivalent to the Chief Justice of a later era's supreme court.

Jiang Boyang stroked his beard. "Indeed, there is no such provision in the laws of this dynasty."

Yi Chun sneered at Zu An, "Lady Yu Yanluo has been secretly supplying resources to the demon race all these years. That's concrete evidence, isn't it? The Yunzhong Commandery officials have already submitted a report. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you review it before speaking to me."

“I am aware of that matter,” Zu An explained. "Those were just basic living necessities. Furthermore, she has half serpent-tribe blood; it's not a big deal to provide some care for her kin. You should know that she didn't transport any strategic materials. Unlike some people..."

Prince Qi's eyebrow twitched slightly. Fortunately, Yi Chun was quick to react. "Don't try to change the subject! Who knows if she transported strategic materials? And even those living necessities are expressly forbidden by the court. You're just trying to avoid admitting your collusion with the demon race by rambling on like this, aren't you?"

Zu An smiled faintly. "Being on good terms with Lady Yu counts as colluding with the demon race? As far as I know, Lady Yu was extraordinarily beautiful and overshadowed all other beauties in the capital back then. Many people in court today are still on good terms with her. Even His Majesty and Prince Qi were once her good friends. Are you implying they colluded with the demon race too?"

Both the Emperor and Prince Qi's faces twitched simultaneously. This fellow truly knew how to bring up an awkward subject. Indeed, back then, they had both been among Yu Yanluo's many admirers, each wishing to pursue her.

However, at the time, they were fiercely vying for the throne and were extremely conscious of their reputations, unwilling to damage their political standing for a woman.

Other royal descendants and nobles in the capital knew about the Emperor and Prince Qi's rivalry. Thus, even if they were captivated by Lady Yu's beauty, while they lavished her with attention, no one dared to use other means.

Yu Yanluo remained in the capital for many years without favoring anyone, then gracefully departed, taking with her the wistful thoughts of countless princes and high-ranking officials.

When it was later learned that she had married the Duke of Yunzhong Commandery, the hearts of at least half the men in the capital were shattered.

There were even rumors that on that day, the Emperor flew into a rage and smashed several teacups.

Prince Qi, moreover, secluded himself for three days before recovering.

Most people in the court were aware of this past incident, and each wore an amused, knowing expression.

Yi Chun cleared his throat. "Ahem, what kind of figures are His Majesty and Prince Qi? How can you compare yourself to them? Back then, no one knew about Yu Yanluo's Medusa bloodline..."

“When I first met her, I didn't know she had Medusa blood either,” Zu An immediately countered, following Yi Chun's line of thought. "Furthermore, Lady Yu once showed great kindness to me, and His Majesty can attest to this. If someone who showed me kindness, and who has committed no real evil, falls into difficulty, how could I not offer assistance? Would that not contradict the values the court has promoted all these years?"

Throughout history, the court has primarily promoted "loyalty." However, since the founding emperor of this dynasty was formerly a subject of the Meng Dynasty and gained power through less than glorious means, it was inconvenient to emphasize "loyalty." Instead, the court vigorously promoted "filial piety" and "righteousness." Thus, if Zu An were to disregard a kindness, it would clearly fall under the category of unrighteousness.

With this opening, the Eastern Palace officials immediately perked up. One by one, they spoke up on his behalf, citing classics and displaying a cultural depth that would make Zu An feel ashamed.

Yi Chun frowned. This fellow was indeed cunning and difficult to deal with. "Righteousness must also consider its object. Showing righteousness to a demon race member – isn't that collusion with the demon race?"

“Minister Yi, don't be so narrow-minded,” Zu An calmly stated. "Lady Yu was being pursued, and while escorting her, I inadvertently encountered a spatial rift. Horrifying otherworldly monsters, called Scale Deathworms, were invading through it. It was precisely with Lady Yu's help that we successfully eliminated those invading monsters and sealed the spatial rift, saving the people of Yunzhong Commandery and even the entire world."

“In my opinion, Lady Yu should not only be acquitted but should also be commended!”

Upon his return, one thing Zu An greatly wanted to do was to restore Yu Yanluo's identity so she could return openly and legitimately. In the demon realm, she often stared blankly southward. Although she always said she was fine when asked, anyone with eyes could see the sadness in her gaze.

Yi Chun snorted coldly. "Who knows if what you're saying is true or false? Perhaps you deliberately destroyed the Yu family's mine, making it impossible for the court to use its primal stone resources for a long time. Wouldn't that, by cutting off court resources, further confirm that you're working for the demon race?"

Zu An adopted an expression that said he'd expected that. "If Minister Yi doesn't believe me, you can ask Abbot Yan of White Jade Capital; she was also present at the time."

He secretly gloated. It was good to have many wives; he could always use one of them to bolster his position.

However, Yun Jianyue was the Demonic Cult's leader, an enemy in the court's eyes, so it was better not to mention her this time.

Upon hearing Yan Xuehen's name, the court became lively once more. If Yu Yanluo was the goddess they had longed for but could not obtain, then Yan Xuehen was another radiant memory in their hearts. Almost everyone had been captivated by her elegance and ethereal aura.

Unlike Yu Yanluo, Yan Xuehen was too powerful and, being a cultivator, had a special status. It was difficult for anyone to even dare to consider marrying her. Yet, even so, the immortal figure in her white dress often appeared in their dreams.

A group of high-ranking officials and nobles in the court displayed nostalgic expressions, as if recalling their own youth.

Hearing Yan Xuehen's esteemed name, Yi Chun was somewhat speechless. If she truly was willing to testify, no one would doubt her words.

Moreover, Yan Xuehen's character was always cold and she fiercely loathed evil, so Zu An certainly wouldn't have the audacity to speak carelessly about her.

Just then, a hurried attendant came to report: "Report! The constables dispatched to the Sang family have been slaughtered, suffering heavy casualties."

Yi Chun turned pale with shock and lunged forward. "Where is my son?"

He gasped for fresh air, his chest trembling.

Confusion, bewilderment – various emotions surged through his mind.

Where was this?

Then, Shi Yu instinctively surveyed his surroundings, growing even more bewildered.

A single dorm room?

Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital room right now.

And his body... how could it be completely unharmed?

With doubts lingering, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally settling on a mirror placed at the head of the bed.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: around seventeen or eighteen years old, and very handsome.

But the problem was, this wasn't him! Download the Star Reading App for ad-free content.

His former self was a charismatic and handsome young man in his twenties who had been working for some time.

Now, this appearance looked unmistakably like that of a high school student...

This change left Shi Yu in a daze for a long time.

Don't tell him the surgery was a success...

Both his body and appearance had changed; this was no longer a question of surgery, but rather immortal arts.

He had completely transformed into another person!

Could it be... that he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror at the head of the bed, clearly placed inauspiciously according to feng shui, Shi Yu also discovered three books nearby.

Shi Yu picked them up and glanced at them, the titles instantly silencing him.

《Beginner Breeder's Essential Beast Rearing Manual》

《Pet Beast Postpartum Care》

《Guide to Appraising Beast-Eared Girls of Different Races》

Shi Yu: ???

The first two book titles seemed normal, but what was up with the last one?

“Cough.”

Shi Yu's gaze sharpened, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his brain, and a flood of memories surged forth.

Icefield City.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Intern Pet Beast Breeder. The website is about to close; download the Star Reading app to access the works of Grand Master Liu Ru Heshang.

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