Chapter 1671: Client

Everyone was startled by her words, especially Elder Peng, who stared wide-eyed at Yan Xuehen. *This Ice Stone Woman truly is my nemesis! I'm disguised like this, yet she can still detect my aura?*

Wang Wuxie seized the opportunity to speak to Yan Xuehen, asking, "Grandmaster Yan, why do you think so?"

Zu'an also looked at her at this moment. Unlike the others, who were alarmed, his heart was filled with joy. *Was Sister Yun also here?*

Yan Xuehen and Zu'an's gazes met briefly, then parted. She replied, "The day of the martial arts competition agreed upon with the Demonic Cult is fast approaching. Logically, they should have come here in advance to familiarize themselves with the situation. However, after all these days, we haven't seen her appear. This indicates either they are overconfident, or they have already arrived, but not under their true identities."

The people from the Nine Daoist Sects frowned deeply. Although they disliked that demonic cult enchantress, they had to admit that she was by no means an arrogant fool. How could she possibly be so overconfident?

"Grandmaster Yan's words are very true," Wang Wuxie said. "Although I have instructed my disciples to significantly strengthen patrols in Purple Mountain, it's clear that such measures cannot stop someone like Yun Jianyue."

"I don't think that's necessarily the case," Wan Tongtian interjected, offering a differing opinion. "While Yun Jianyue is formidable, with so many of us here, if she were to come openly, we would be too embarrassed to act against her. However, if she stirs up trouble first, we would have a reason to intervene. In the end, she would be at a disadvantage."

"Heh heh," Guan Chouhai chuckled. "Brother Wan, you simply don't know enough about that enchantress. Yun Jianyue's actions are often unexpected, and sometimes even seem a bit crazy."

Elder Peng's eyes narrowed slightly. *She had definitely made a note of this grudge.*

Naturally, she didn't want to be blamed. She loudly insisted that someone present had captured her disciple, leaving the group no choice but to agree to her request to search their respective residences. As expected, nothing was found.

While comforting her not to worry, Wang Wuxie also stated that he would fully assist her in finding her disciple.

The grand competition had to be temporarily postponed, and everyone returned to their respective villas.

A sense of unease spread throughout Purple Mountain. After all, even someone of Peng Wuyan's cultivation level had been silently abducted; wouldn't it be even easier to abduct other disciples?

The elders of each sect were equally worried and instructed some core disciples not to leave their sight, to avoid a repeat incident.

Even Yan Xuehen returned to her villa and stayed indoors. She felt a pang of fear, wondering what would have happened if she had left last night and the mysterious person had taken the opportunity to abduct Chuuyan.

Zu'an returned to his room and also instructed Xie Daoyun not to wander around Purple Mountain during this time, to avoid any accidents.

After all, Peng Wuyan's combat strength seemed to be even higher than hers.

Of course, if it was truly Yun Jianyue who acted, he wouldn't be afraid. The crucial thing was, if it were someone else, that would be troublesome.

Just then, he received a notification that Elder Peng of Kongming Island had come to his door.

Zu'an felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. He had witnessed her unreasonable and troublesome side at the Golden Summit before; so many sect masters had been firmly controlled by her.

Why was she looking for him? Could it be that she suspected he had captured Peng Wuyan?

Although somewhat reluctant, but worried that she might do something irrational because of her disciple's disappearance, he came out to greet her, asking, "Elder Peng, have you found any clues?"

The other party did not reply, merely staring fixedly at him.

Zu'an felt a little numb under her gaze and had no choice but to continue, "Elder Peng, rest assured, I have also ordered my soldiers to search throughout Purple Mountain. If there is any news of Miss Peng, I will inform you immediately."

Only then did Elder Peng withdraw her gaze. She looked at Xie Daoyun and Zhang Zijiang, who were standing nearby, and slowly said, "I have an important matter to discuss with Master Zu privately."

Zu'an was momentarily stunned. He couldn't fathom what she wanted to tell him. Could it be that she had truly discovered Peng Wuyan was captured by a certain Daoist sect master and was seeking his help to uphold justice?

Xie Daoyun and Zhang Zijiang were both a little worried. This Elder Peng's cultivation seemed to be quite high, and now, agitated by her distress, there was no telling what she might do if left alone with him.

However, Zu'an was not afraid. He gave them a reassuring look and told them to wait outside.

Only then did he look at the middle-aged woman opposite him, saying, "Elder Peng, what do you wish to discuss with me?"

Elder Peng stared directly at him, then suddenly chuckled softly. "Master Zu truly enjoys flirting," she said, "even bringing a great beauty disguised as a man with him to Purple Mountain."

Zu'an's eyes widened instantly. It wasn't because the other party had seen through Xie Daoyun's disguise, but because of her voice.

Previously, her voice had clearly been that of a typical middle-aged woman, with an unapproachable, somewhat hormone-imbalanced quality.

But now, her voice was exceptionally charming and pleasant to the ear. At the same time, there was an inherent sense of arrogance, as if she felt everyone else was trash.

Only that person could so perfectly merge two such distinct temperaments. Zu'an stared at her, full of surprise and uncertainty. "Yun... Sister Yun?"

"Master Zu, you truly are colluding with the Demonic Cult Master," Elder Peng said, her voice returning to its previous tone, as she sneered repeatedly at him.

Zu'an was startled. *Had he just been played?*

*My goodness, now even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash him clean. Was he really going to be considered an accomplice in Peng Wuyan's abduction?*

Wait a moment...

He stared disbelievingly at the woman before him. But how could that voice have been so similar?

Seeing his tangled, bewildered expression, Elder Peng suddenly let out a giggle. Then, with a sweep of her hand, she removed the mask from her face. Her long, cascading hair fell loose, revealing a face of peerless beauty.

"Sister Yun!" Zu'an was both surprised and delighted. He couldn't help but run over and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"What are you doing?" Yun Jianyue hadn't expected him to be so direct. After pushing him away, she glared at him irritably.

"This touch... it's definitely Sister Yun, no mistake," Zu'an said with a grin.

Yun Jianyue's face flushed. This brat was truly audacious; he showed no restraint at all.

Zu'an suddenly let out a sound of surprise. "Was that Peng Wuyan really abducted by you? How did you manage to disguise yourself so perfectly as Elder Peng? We didn't notice any difference today."

Yun Jianyue snorted. "These days, your eyes have been full of other 'sisters'; how could you have seen through my disguise?"

Understanding the implication of her words, Zu'an was startled. "You were Elder Peng all this time?"

"Of course," Yun Jianyue said with some arrogance. "That Elder Peng is a rather obscure elder from Kongming Island. Furthermore, Kongming Island has always been far overseas and does not have close contact with the other eight sects. Wang Wuxie and the others haven't even met her, so a simple disguise was naturally enough to fool them."

"But Kongming Island's chief disciple is very powerful," Zu'an said, his expression suddenly changing. "Could she be Honglei?"

No wonder he had always felt a sense of familiarity about her.

"You're only realizing it now," Yun Jianyue sighed. "I don't know whether to call you smart or foolish."

Zu'an immediately grew anxious. "But she disappeared yesterday! We need to go find her quickly!"

Previously, when Peng Wuyan disappeared, although he was concerned, it ultimately had little to do with him. But Qiu Honglei was different.

"Don't worry, I just fooled them," Yun Jianyue said with a relaxed expression, completely different from her distressed and agitated appearance at the Golden Summit earlier.

"Then where is she now?" Zu'an asked, somewhat skeptical.

Yun Jianyue grew a little annoyed. "What, you don't believe my words? Are you afraid I'd sell your little lover?"

Zu'an quickly offered an appeasing smile. "Isn't this just my concern making me flustered? I haven't seen her in too long, so I'm a little excited."

"If you're so brave, say that in front of that Miss Chu of yours," Yun Jianyue sneered. "She happens to be on the mountain too."

Zu'an forced a smile. It wasn't just Chu Chuyan; there was also Yan Xuehen. If they knew, things would completely blow up.

"Don't worry, I've sent Honglei to carry out a mission," Yun Jianyue said.

Zu'an was startled. "No wonder you put on that act today. So you wanted the competition postponed. But what exactly is so important that you would neglect such a crucial competition?"

Yun Jianyue's expression suddenly became extremely complex. After staring at Zu'an for a long moment, she slowly said, "Can I trust you?"

Zu'an was momentarily stunned. He reached out to take her hand. "We've faced life and death together so many times," he said. "I thought that no longer needed to be questioned."

"Heh heh, haven't you also faced life and death with the Ice Stone Woman just as many times?" Yun Jianyue said, clearly not satisfied with his answer.

Zu'an smiled sheepishly. "It's different. We have the most intimate relationship."

Alas, a man's words truly couldn't be trusted.

Yun Jianyue's face flushed. "Who's talking about that?"

She slapped his hand away. "What happened that time was merely a matter of expediency. You were saved, and I gained pleasure; we owe each other nothing. There's no need to mention it again in the future. From now on, you'll still be interacting with Honglei, and you will still call me Master. Things will be as they were before."

Zu'an was startled. Perhaps due to her background in the Demonic Cult, Yun Jianyue was clearly more carefree about that matter than Yan Xuehen.

Yet, the more carefree she was, the more he felt she was distancing herself from him. For a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"However, our relationship truly is extraordinary," Yun Jianyue said, her expression exceptionally serious. "I'll consider you trustworthy. But what you are about to hear must not be revealed to anyone, otherwise, I might be doomed forever."

Zu'an's heart trembled. He had never seen her so serious before, so he nodded. "Alright!"

Sensing his earnestness, Yun Jianyue then spoke. "Did you go capture King Yan last night?"

"I didn't expect you to find out so quickly," Zu'an said. Although he was somewhat surprised, he wasn't overly so. While Purple Mountain was not close to Yi City, such a major event would spread with astonishing speed. As the Demonic Cult Master, it was not surprising that she knew. Furthermore, she also knew his identity as Gold Medallion Eleven.

"Why did you deal with King Yan?" Yun Jianyue asked, looking at him. "Don't tell me it's truly because he was planning a rebellion or something. From what I know of you, you don't have any loyalty towards Zhao Hao."

Zu'an explained, "I was mainly investigating the case of Gold Medallion Seven's murder in Yi Commandery earlier, and these matters were uncovered incidentally. I had some personal dealings with Gold Medallion Seven. While we weren't friends, I didn't want him to die without understanding why."

"Gold Medallion Seven was not killed by him," Yun Jianyue stated directly.

"How do you know?" Zu'an asked, somewhat surprised by the certainty in her tone.

"Because King Yan had also previously commissioned someone to investigate Gold Medallion Seven's death," Yun Jianyue paused, "and the person he commissioned happened to be me."