Chapter 1565: Don't Lead Brother Zu Astray

He didn't feel it was appropriate to press for details about her sect's secret mission, so he simply nodded, signaling her to go and return quickly.

Zu An, on the other hand, was coerced into playing Gomoku with Black and White, while Xie Xiu, as if granted a great pardon, busied himself serving tea and water nearby.

Outside, the female disciples began to discuss amongst themselves:

"Who is that person? Even Black and White treats him so formally."

"Could he be some kind of chess master?"

"How could that be? Who in the world can beat Black and White at chess? Not even the Headmaster might be his match in terms of chess skill alone."

"Oh, I suddenly noticed he's so handsome! He's practically on par with Brother Xiu!"

"You traitor! Brother Xiu is the handsomest in the world!"

"But this man is also very handsome, and his handsomeness isn't the same as Brother Xiu's refined beauty; he seems more masculine…"

Before she could finish, another group of women verbally attacked her: "What, are you saying Brother Xiu isn't manly?"

"I… I didn't mean that."

"Haven't you heard? This is Zu An, who just accomplished a great feat. He's already a marquis at such a young age, and the Crown Prince's top confidant. His future is limitless!"

"So, it's him!"

Hearing the female disciples' discussion, Chu Chuyan couldn't help but smile, as if she had returned to her days at Brightmoon Academy. Although she never participated in such things back then, her younger sister was quite interested in them and often talked about them to her, just like now.

Hmph, as long as they weren't coveting A'Zu. What did it matter to her if many women liked Xie Xiu?

Just then, a figure rushed down from the mountain, so fast that Chu Chuyan would have been hit if she hadn't agilely dodged aside.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry." The person was a woman, who quickly bent down to apologize. Her appearance was delicate and elegant, and even when rushing, she exuded an indescribable scholarly aura.

"Oh, Miss Xie?" Seeing the person's face, Chu Chuyan softly exclaimed.

The woman paused, looked up, and seeing Chu Chuyan, was also stunned: "Miss Chu?"

The person was, of course, Xie Daoyun. Hearing that Zu An had come to the academy, she was overjoyed and rushed out from her calligraphy studio, only to almost collide with Chu Chuyan.

"Long time no see, Miss Xie. You're as graceful as ever." Meeting an old acquaintance in a distant place, Chu Chuyan was also quite pleased. In Brightmoon City's social circles back then, while they weren't inseparable best friends, they were friendly acquaintances who admired each other's talents.

"Miss Chu's grace is truly captivating," Xie Daoyun remarked. Chu Chuyan was known as a fairy in Brightmoon City, and now her ethereal aura was even more pronounced, giving her an enviable, otherworldly charm.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Chuyan thought of how Xie Daoyun had just rushed by, realizing it didn't suit her quiet nature, and couldn't help but laugh: "Miss Xie, why were you running so fast just now? You weren't going to meet a lover, were you?" She rarely made such jokes on ordinary days, but her good mood today made her say it casually.

Xie Daoyun trembled, her pretty face visibly reddening: "Wh-what lover? Miss Chu, you've misunderstood."

Chu Chuyan smiled without speaking. As someone with experience, how could she not understand Xie Daoyun's reaction just now? Naturally, she didn't believe her explanation. Xie Daoyun then collected herself and explained: "I just heard my younger brother got into trouble again, so I was rushing to see what was happening."

"So that's it. Xie Xiu is indeed just like he was back at Brightmoon Academy," Chu Chuyan couldn't help but smile. "Many female disciples have gathered around Black and White, seemingly all for him. Some even started fighting."

Xie Daoyun stomped her foot: "That boy never gives me a moment's peace. I'll go check on him first. We can catch up later if there's an opportunity, Miss Chu." With that, she gathered her skirt and hurried with small steps towards the mountainside.

Watching her remain so quiet and graceful even while jogging, Chu Chuyan thought to herself, wondering who in the academy was lucky enough to catch her eye. As she thought, her smile suddenly froze. She abruptly turned to look in Zu An's direction, but immediately shook her head. These two had never had any dealings; how could it be? She shouldn't be so suspicious all the time.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu An resigned: "You are truly a master of chess, sir, to have found a solution so quickly."

Black and White, on the opposite side, stroked his small mustache with some pride, but humbly said: "Mr. Zu, you flatter me. Compared to you inventing a game from scratch, my skills are merely minor tricks."

After a period of mutual flattery, Black and White left the two alone, apparently intending to go somewhere to brag. Before leaving, he also helped drive away the female disciples gathered nearby.

Xie Xiu took out a pile of exotic flowers and fruits to entertain Zu An: "Brother Zu, if you hadn't come today, I probably would have been skinned alive."

Zu An found it amusing: "What terrible, unforgivable thing did you do?"

Speaking of this, Xie Xiu became a bit dejected: "It all boils down to my master having a distant niece who insisted I meet her at night, saying she'd drown herself if I didn't go. I thought she was just trying to scare me, but who knew she was serious? Fortunately, there are many capable and unusual people in the academy, and they successfully saved her life in the end. So, naturally, my master came to settle accounts with me later."

Zu An said gravely: "Brother Xie, I have to say something about this. It's natural for a gentleman to pursue a beautiful lady, but you can't abandon her after seducing her." He recalled that when he first entered Brightmoon Academy, he also saw a girl abandoned by Xie Xiu, trying to commit suicide. Coupled with just meeting two women fighting a duel over him on the mountain, he had already labeled Xie Xiu a scoundrel in his heart.

Xie Xiu immediately protested: "There was never any seduction, so how could there be abandonment?"

"Heh heh," Zu An knew his true nature. This kid was a complete playboy, with romantic escapades everywhere. Compared to him, Zu An was practically an innocent pure-heart.

Seeing Zu An's expression, Xie Xiu knew he didn't believe him, and explained bitterly: "Brother Zu, although I'm promiscuous, my standards are actually quite high. My master's niece is truly… hard to put into words. In short, she's not my type. I've explicitly rejected her several times, but she wouldn't listen to advice and kept making a fuss about dying. Because of my reputation in the academy, everyone thinks I seduced and abandoned her." As he spoke, he was so aggrieved he was almost in tears.

Zu An couldn't help but chuckle, thinking of Black and White's appearance.

At this moment, a cold snort was heard: "If you weren't flirting around with everyone in the academy every day, would your reputation be so bad?"

Although angry, the voice was very quiet and refined, allowing one to imagine a well-bred young lady from a scholarly family just by hearing it.

"Miss Xie." Zu An nodded to Xie Daoyun.

Xie Daoyun's cheeks flushed slightly, and she sweetly called out: "Big Brother Zu."

Xie Xiu couldn't help but feel dejected: "Isn't Zu An the same? He has so many women around him, why don't you criticize him?"

"Is he like you?" Xie Daoyun snorted. "He treats people sincerely, never plays with others' feelings, and certainly doesn't abandon anyone after seducing them."

Xie Xiu was dumbfounded: "So, someone like me who ends one relationship and then faithfully starts another is worse than him, who's juggling multiple relationships?"

Zu An nearly choked on his tea: "Xiu'er, that's not fair of you. I was just comforting you!"

Xie Daoyun gave her brother a rap on the head: "Don't idealize yourself so much! Besides, don't you see how excellent the women around Big Brother Zu are? Do you think they'd be bad judges of character or be easily deceived? Don't you dare lead Big Brother Zu astray!"

Xie Xiu felt a critical hit: "Sis, whose sister are you, really?"

At this moment, on the top of the back mountain, Chu Chuyan curiously looked at the painting on the wall, but quickly withdrew her gaze: "Senior Headmaster, my sect asked me to deliver a message to you: they have agreed to the promise made back then and will appear at the right time in the right place."