Chapter 2025: Return

At this moment, a figure floated out of the courtyard. It was Liu Ning, who had rushed out upon hearing the commotion outside.

Perhaps due to the urgency of the situation, she had only hastily wrapped herself in an outer robe. The water on her skin had dampened her clothes, causing the fabric to cling tightly to her skin. Although nothing was truly revealed, her graceful and exquisite curves were exceptionally alluring.

Eunuch Lü glanced, then quickly lowered his head, his heart pounding. "A Soul-Devouring Demonic Spider just invaded," he said, "and your servant killed it."

"A Soul-Devouring Demonic Spider?" Liu Ning's expression changed. She looked at the ruined corpse of the young eunuch in the corner, then at the spider broken into two halves on the other side. "I can't believe these demons have infiltrated the palace," she said.

"There shouldn't be many that have sneaked in," Eunuch Lü said respectfully. "Your servant has already discovered some clues and will immediately go and round up the rest."

Liu Ning was a bit surprised. "Oh, how did you know?" she asked. "And Soul-Devouring Demonic Spiders are notoriously reclusive; how were you able to discover its identity?"

Eunuch Lü knew she was suspicious and that if he didn't explain clearly, she might suspect him. So he briefly recounted what had just happened.

Liu Ning's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she looked at him with a strange expression. "You wouldn't agree to such terms?" she asked.

To be honest, if she were in his shoes, she wasn't sure if she would refuse.

Eunuch Lü sighed. "If I had encountered such terms twenty years ago, I might truly have agreed," he said. "But now... as long as you are well, I am utterly content and ask for nothing else. Moreover, these demons are exceptionally cunning; this transaction undoubtedly contains a trap, and how could I let you take even the slightest risk?"

After listening, Liu Ning was somewhat moved. She looked at him for a long time before saying, "Why do you go to such lengths?"

Eunuch Lü gave a desolate smile. "I wronged you once back then, and I've regretted it my entire life," he said. "How could I wrong you a second time now? Furthermore, this concerns the safety of all humanity; how could I, for my own selfish desires, allow all humanity to fall?"

Liu Ning thought for a moment, then respectfully bowed to him. "Compared to many people in this world," she said seriously, "you are truly a man of unwavering character!"

Hearing her say this, an astonishing light burst forth in Eunuch Lü's eyes. "To receive such words from you," he said, "this Lü has not lived in vain."

He felt exceptionally good at this moment, leaving a trail of hearty laughter. "Now I must quickly go and eradicate those demons that might have infiltrated the palace," he said, "otherwise, if they learn of their companion's death, they might escape."

Watching his receding back, Liu Ning's expression was exceptionally complex. After all these years, he had finally recovered the spirited vigor he possessed in their childhood sweetheart days.

Alas, fate plays cruel tricks...

Meanwhile, in Qiu Chi, Zu'an went directly to Yun Jianyue.

When Yun Jianyue opened the door, her expression was a bit strange. "Why are you here again?" she asked. "If you want that, go find that long-legged subordinate of yours. I'm not playing along anymore."

After all, she was severely injured and weak. Although she had recovered on the surface after his treatment, her entire body still felt incredibly sore and numb, almost as if she were falling apart. How could she endure more torment?

Zu'an was speechless.

So that's how she saw him.

"It's about official business..."

He then briefly recounted the news he had just received.

Yun Jianyue was initially a little embarrassed, but her expression grew increasingly solemn as she listened. "If something has gone wrong with the Sealed Land, then we're in trouble," she said. "I didn't expect these demons to have spread to so many places already."

The Sacred Cult had just experienced something firsthand, but they didn't expect the demon race's situation to be even more severe.

If the Sealed Land were opened, countless demons would be able to enter this world without any restraint. At that time, the entire world would risk complete subjugation and destruction.

"Are you going to the Sealed Land right away?"

Zu'an nodded. "Yes, I can't stay here much longer," he said. "I might have to ask you to continue looking for Hong Lei."

Hearing the apology in his words, Yun Jianyue nodded. "Don't worry, I'll find her," she said. "She won't blame you if she knows the whole story."

Zu'an sighed, wondering when he would see Hong Lei again after this separation.

"Oh, by the way," he asked, "have the remaining followers of Lu Sanyuan in the cult been dealt with? Do you need my help before I leave?"

Yun Jianyue shook her head. "No need," she replied. "Only Ding Xia, Lu Sanyuan's disciple, is still missing; everyone else is basically under control."

At this point, she couldn't help but sigh. "It's a pity," she said. "Lu Sanyuan was truly a talented individual. Originally, one of us was responsible for matters in the pugilistic world, and the other for the rebel army. It would have been excellent if we had cooperated. But he harbored resentment for so long because of some past events. If I had known this, I would have told him the truth back then."

Zu'an was startled, recalling Lu Sanyuan's words before his death. "Were there some hidden facts from back then?" he asked.

Yun Jianyue explained, "Back then, his master and my master were recognized as the 'golden boy and jade girl' of the cult. They also developed feelings for each other. But unexpectedly, their Heartless Dao cultivation technique was too inhuman. To reach the highest realm, one must first fall in love with someone and then personally kill their beloved, thereby achieving the supreme realm of absolute detachment and ruthlessness."

"It was just that during a battle back then," she continued, "several experts from the Heavenly Demonic Sect happened to assist, and he ultimately made a wrong move, suffering defeat and death at my master's hands. Originally, for the sake of his reputation, the true reason was not publicly announced. Who knew that this instead caused his disciple, Lu Sanyuan, to harbor resentment, thinking his master had died at the hands of our Heavenly Demonic Sect."

Zu'an smiled. "What's past is past," he said. "To be honest, I am now the regent of the imperial court. If you were to organize another rebel army to oppose the court, I would truly have a headache, as both sides are dear to me."

"Who's 'flesh of your flesh'?" Yun Jianyue chided playfully. "However, with the invasion of otherworldly demons, humanity is facing a crisis of survival. How could our Sacred Cult disciples disregard the greater good? From now on, naturally, everyone will cooperate to fight against the otherworldly demons and avoid internal strife."

"That's for the best," Zu'an said, then stood up and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Feeling the strength in his arms, Yun Jianyue's hands, unsure where to rest, eventually hesitated before wrapping around him again.

After being discovered by Hong Lei earlier, she had truly felt utterly disheartened and had already decided to leave Zu'an permanently. So when he wanted to save her earlier, she was exceptionally cooperative, because she thought it would be the last time anyway. But now, feeling his warm embrace and his deep affection, she felt a sense of bewilderment again. Could she truly leave him?

Zu'an returned to his room and woke Zhang Zitong. "I have important business and must leave," he said. "From now on, we go our separate ways. You can go wherever you please."

Zhang Zitong rubbed her blurry, sleepy eyes. Upon hearing the news, her heart trembled, and she became fully awake. "Can I return to the Embroidered Loft?" she asked.

Zu'an was startled, utterly not expecting this answer. "Don't you know the rules of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" he asked. "Someone like you, who has betrayed once, will only find death upon returning."

Zhang Zitong replied, "If Grand Commander Zhu Xie were still in charge, I certainly wouldn't dare to go back. But now that you are in charge, sir, I am still willing to return."

Zu'an was speechless.

Zhang Zitong continued, "I have already repaid the kindness of the organization behind me. From now on, I can wholeheartedly serve you, sir, and will never betray again."

Zu'an frowned. "Such claims are mere words without proof," he said. "You should know that in our line of work, once there's a blemish, you're never used again."

Zhang Zitong gritted her teeth. "If you don't trust me, sir," she said, "you can give me poison. Just give me the antidote once a year."

Zu'an asked, puzzled, "Why are you so determined to return?"

"Do you want to hear the truth, or a lie, sir?" Zhang Zitong gazed at him calmly.

Zu'an scoffed, "No need to play word games with me here."

Zhang Zitong then said, "The lie is that I'm accustomed to life as an Embroidered Uniform Guard and don't know what else to do. The truth is..." She paused, her large eyes gazing at Zu'an. "I like being by your side, sir."

Zu'an was stunned. He had utterly not expected this answer and directly refused, "I'm not interested in women right now."

Zhang Zitong was greatly surprised. "Do you like men, sir?" she blurted out.

Zu'an was speechless.

He suppressed his anger. "With otherworldly demons invading today," he said, "and a great catastrophe looming over the world, how could I have time to consider such romantic matters?"

"You truly are different from the former Commander Zhu Xie, sir," Zhang Zitong said, puffing out her chest. "You are more compassionate and benevolent. For the sake of the world's common people, you are indeed worthy of my admiration. Don't worry, sir, I will absolutely not hold you back; I will fight alongside you against the demons."

Zu'an pondered for a moment. "Alright, in that case, you may return to the Embroidered Loft," he said. "However, the position of Silver Uniform Guard is gone; you'll start as a Bronze Uniform Guard."

Now was a time when he needed people. At the same time, he also wanted to figure out the situation of the mysterious organization behind her. Although she might be a spy, if used well, couldn't she also become a double agent for him?

"Will that be a Bronze Uniform Guard who stays by your side, sir?" Zhang Zitong asked meekly.

Zu'an hummed in agreement. It was safer to keep such a potentially problematic person under his watchful eye.

Zhang Zitong jumped up excitedly. "Thank you, sir!"

Judging by her excited expression, if she weren't mindful of his usual authority, she might have hugged him and given him a couple of kisses.

Zu'an took out a scroll of paper, quickly wrote a message, then affixed his seal. "After you return to the capital, find Xiao Jianren," he said; "he will arrange everything for you."

Zhang Zitong's little face immediately fell. "Huh? I can't go with you, sir?" she asked.

"Of course not!" Zu'an said with a stern face. Going to the demon race's territory this time, he would inevitably have to reveal his true identity. How could he let her be there?

Seeing his resolute attitude, Zhang Zitong hummed in acknowledgment and resigned herself to it. However, rejoining his command was still something to be happy about.

Next, he directly took Zhang Zitong out of Qiu Chi, as it would be somewhat dangerous to leave her alone there.

"Oh, right," Zu'an reminded her as they parted, "after you go back, don't tell anyone else the exact location of Qiu Chi."

"Got it," Zhang Zitong replied, her eyes full of gossip. It seemed his relationship with the Cult's Female Demonic Leader was indeed very unusual.

Zu'an bothered not to explain, and simply flew into the sky, disappearing from sight.

"Even his flying is so handsome," Zhang Zitong murmured, her little face flushed, her long legs twitching and swaying uncontrollably. She was clearly in a very good mood.

After Zu'an flew away from Qiu Chi, he traveled north on his Wind-Fire Wheels.

He didn't know how much time had passed. Looking at the snow-capped mountains below him, he was momentarily lost in thought. Why did it feel like these great snow mountains were three degrees colder than when he had first visited?