Chapter 1623: Wind and Waves

"Have you heard? Fairy Chu from White Jade Capital was actually once married!"

"No way! She seems so ethereal, like a goddess. How could she already be someone's wife?"

"She usually appears so pure and chaste. I never thought she was no longer a maiden."

"You never truly know someone from their appearance. She acts so aloof on the surface, but who knows what kinds of games she's played with her man behind closed doors."

"Someone must be deliberately slandering her. I refuse to believe such a pure fairy could be this kind of woman."

"You can fool others, but don't fool yourself. I have a friend in White Jade Capital who confirmed it: Fairy Chu was indeed married before she joined White Jade Capital."

"Ah, my heart is breaking."

Early in the morning, Zhang Zijiang ran to Zuan with an expression of utter admiration to report the news: "Lord Zu, I used to think you were unfathomable, but today I truly admire you beyond words. Even a fairy like Miss Chu from White Jade Capital is your woman! My respect for you flows like an endless river..."

"Lord Zhang, have you recovered so quickly after being knocked out by Abbot Yan yesterday?" Seeing Zuan's face grow increasingly grim, Xie Daoyun quickly stopped him from continuing.

"It's nothing, I'm thick-skinned and recover fast," Zhang Zijiang said without blushing or his heart racing. "If I hadn't been careless and moved too quickly yesterday, even Abbot Yan wouldn't have been able to knock me out so easily."

Zuan's face darkened. "Is everyone outside saying these things?"

"Not everyone," Zhang Zijiang mused. "Some are loyal supporters of Fairy Chu and believe it's a rumor. Others have come forward to explain that Fairy Chu's marriage contract with you, Lord Zu, was merely in name, and you weren't truly a couple. They say you soon became a wanted criminal of the court, and Fairy Chu was admitted to White Jade Capital, so you were already divorced. In my opinion, these people are simply ignorant. How could they know your charm, Lord Zu? How could it have been merely a marriage in name?"

"Lord Zhang!" Xie Daoyun, seeing Zuan's face grow darker, kindly urged Zhang Zijiang to stop talking.

Zhang Zijiang paused, then a look of sudden understanding dawned on his face. He realized he was talking about Lord Zu and another woman in front of Miss Xie; no wonder she was displeased.

Zuan was about to explode with rage. He naturally didn't think there was anything shameful about his relationship with Chu Chuyan, but for it to be revealed at such a crucial time clearly indicated malicious intent from the person behind it. Human nature loves gossip, and gossip easily gets embellished, which could easily damage Chuyan's reputation. More critically, her decisive battle with Qiu Honglei was imminent. If her mindset were affected by this, the trouble would be significant, especially since the 'Supreme Emotionless Chapter' had quite a few taboos. Thinking of this, he couldn't stay put any longer. With a flash, he rushed towards White Jade Capital's villa on the mountain.

"Who is that Zuan? He's Fairy Chu's man! I envy him every day." "Don't you know? He's a high-ranking official of the court. Even the Grand Tutor personally came to welcome him a few days ago."

"Damn, it seems the unattainable goddesses in the eyes of ordinary people are just playthings for the powerful."

Scattered remarks drifted through the air, making Zuan's face darken with frustration. It seemed the mindset of young people was pretty much the same in any world. However, he wasn't about to get angry with these ordinary disciples. He rushed to the exterior of Chu Chuyan's villa, his heart burning with anxiety. He happened to run into Yan Xuehen coming out.

After seeing him, Yan Xuehen's face sank. "You still dare to come here? Have you forgotten what I told you yesterday?"

Zuan was anxious. "Sister Yan, I didn't mean to make you angry. I mainly came because I heard too many rumors about Chuyan this morning and was worried about her."

"Are those rumors something you deliberately spread to solidify your relationship?" Yan Xuehen stared intently into his eyes.

Zuan sighed. "Sister Yan, do you really think I'm such a despicable person?"

Yan Xuehen's expression softened slightly. "You are indeed a despicable person, but I also believe you didn't do this."

Zuan: "..." *Is she praising me or scolding me?*

"Don't worry," Yan Xuehen said indifferently. "Chuyan is stronger than you think. Her only weakness is you; others' rumors can hardly affect her."

"Can I see her?" Zuan was still worried.

"Seeing you would only stir her emotions. It's better to let her be alone," Yan Xuehen flatly refused. "Don't forget what I told you yesterday."

Zuan's expression shifted between cloudy and clear, finally slumping onto the steps in dejection. Seeing his despondent look, Yan Xuehen's expression subtly changed. After a pause, she asked, "Who exactly spread these rumors? Do you have any idea?"

Zuan shook his head, his expression also very perplexed. "Very few people know about my relationship with Chuyan, and most of them aren't even here on Purple Mountain. I really can't figure out who did this. However, I do have a suspicion..." He then recounted how he had felt two inexplicable murderous auras that day, and how Chu Chuyan had received a warning note that night.

Yan Xuehen said gravely, "It seems the person who left the note for Chuyan and spread the rumors is the same individual. They not only knew you and Chuyan were once married but also that your feelings for her still exist, which is why they wanted her to 'catch... hm, catch you in the act.'"

Zuan rolled his eyes. "Miss Xie and I are completely innocent. I don't care about myself, but saying something like that damages her reputation."

A surge of Rage points from Yan Xuehen: 666666...

Zuan was startled, wondering why she was suddenly angry. However, with such things happening, her anger was understandable. "I was careless that night; I hadn't thought of this."

Yan Xuehen suddenly said, "Why do I feel like this is something one of your female confidantes did out of jealousy?"

Zuan's face flushed. He'd actually had the same thought at first, but then dismissed it as unlikely. His female confidantes weren't even here; it couldn't possibly be Xie Daoyun, could it?

Yan Xuehen opened her mouth. She wanted to say that the style of action resembled Yun Jianyue's, but as an elder and not his confidante, Yun Jianyue shouldn't be so petty.

"Achoo!" At that moment, in a villa on Empty Island, Yun Jianyue sneezed and said with a smile, "That ice woman must be furious right now. Though I can't see it for myself, just imagining it is amusing enough."

In the room, Qiu Honglei was somewhat worried. "Master, isn't this a bit much? It's too despicable."

"Missy, are you mistaken? We're demonesses from the Demonic Sect; shouldn't we be despicable?" Yun Jianyue shot her a look.

Qiu Honglei felt awkward. "But this has really offended Chu Chuyan. How will we get along in the future? Besides, if Ah Zu finds out, he'll definitely blame me too."

Yun Jianyue snorted. "You're still thinking of getting along with her? You two are destined for either the East Wind to prevail over the West Wind, or the West Wind over the East Wind. Are you seriously thinking of staging a show of deep sisterly affection?"

"You are destined to have only one winner; the other can only humble themselves and be subservient. I certainly don't want you to be the subservient one." Yun Jianyue looked at her disciple with a serious expression. *If she ends up subservient, what would that make me?* This thought, however, was quickly dispelled. *Hmph, I'm doing this entirely for my foolish disciple's sake.*

Qiu Honglei couldn't help but mutter, "Why does it feel like Master is more invested in this harem power struggle than I am?"

"What did you say?" Yun Jianyue raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing," Qiu Honglei quickly said, rushing to hug her arm. "But Master, isn't the highest level of charm capturing a man's heart? If Chu Chuyan and I fight, and my aggressive tactics ultimately earn Ah Zu's dislike, what's the point of winning?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle that boy," Yun Jianyue declared assertively, though she felt a little nervous inside. "Anyway, all of this was my doing. If he wants to blame someone, he can blame me."

In the Palace of Azure, Pei Mianman finished her half-day of cultivation. Gazing at the chattering disciples outside the window, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Master, what are they discussing outside? It seems much livelier than usual today."

In recent days, to fulfill her master's wishes, she had stayed secluded and focused solely on cultivation, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

The Fire Spirit Abbess waved her hand, and a surge of energy instantly blocked out everything outside the room. She said coldly, "Just some trivial matters, not worth mentioning. Compared to the other chief disciples, you are at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation time. You must seize these days to sharpen your skills before the battle. You're almost at the verge of a breakthrough; don't slack off."

"Mm." Pei Mianman nodded, wiping the fine sweat from her chest. *I must not lose to Chuyan...* she thought.

As this commotion intensified, the Daoist Nine Sects Convention commenced as scheduled.