Chapter 2228: Despair

“What kind of person is Brother-in-law?” Just then, a fair-skinned, rosy-lipped youth rushed over upon hearing the news. Who else could it be but Chu Youzhao?

Zu’an couldn’t help but feel emotional; both were handsome youths, but Youzhao looked cuter. Xie Xiu, after all, was a man.

The honey-skinned Murong Qinghe, always inseparable from Chu Youzhao, was also secretly sizing up Xie Xiu, her brows slightly furrowed. Recently, 'idol worship' had become popular among the ladies and noblewomen in the capital, describing his handsomeness as unparalleled, with some girls even openly admitting that falling for him gave their lives meaning and helped them face life more positively.

Yet, after seeing him a few times, she felt he wasn't as handsome as her Brother Chu, or even Brother Zu. Why were those girls so infatuated?

It wasn't the first time Xie Xiu and Murong Qinghe had met. The first time, seeing her beauty, he had tried to get closer to her.

However, upon learning that she was deeply in love with the Chu family’s heir and that they were constantly together, he immediately dropped the idea.

Not to mention the constant interaction between the Xie and Chu families, he himself only liked girls who were wholeheartedly devoted to him. Wives of others or other people's girlfriends were all abominations; he wondered what kind of pervert would like such things.

Their eyes met briefly and then separated, each placing the other firmly outside the realm of any consideration.

Because several handsome men and beautiful women were standing together, many onlookers gazed their way. Xie Xiu, worried that his identity might be exposed and attract fervent girls, cupped his hands to Zu’an: “Brother Zu, I’m entrusting my sister’s matter to you. Also, please don’t take *too* good care of her.”

With that, he put his mask back on, blended into the crowd, and disappeared.

Chu Youzhao asked sensitively, “Why is his sister entrusting herself to you?”

With his sister not around, he had to protect his brother-in-law well and prevent any seductive hussies from snatching him away.

Zu’an briefly explained what had just happened. Murong Qinghe was somewhat puzzled: “Miss Xie comes from a scholarly family and is indeed unfamiliar with the dangers of the world, so she should be looked after.

“But why did he tell you not to take *too* good care of her? Who makes such a request?”

Zu’an immediately broke into a cold sweat. How could he possibly say that Xie Xiu was worried he would ‘care’ for his sister right into bed? He casually made up an excuse and got by.

Finally, the contingent started urging them to move, and only then did Chu Youzhao reluctantly wave goodbye to Zu’an.

Murong Qinghe looked at Chu Youzhao with some doubt, thinking, “Brother Chu usually acts quite manly, but why does he always seem like a delicate girl whenever he sees Big Brother Zu? And isn’t his relationship with his brother-in-law a bit *too* good?”

Suddenly, a thought startled her: “Could Brother Chu actually like men?”

As soon as this thought emerged, she became incredibly conflicted, wanting to ask but not daring to. In the end, she could only console herself that Brother Chu was probably still young and had a natural admiration for heroes. Big Brother Zu was indeed much more capable than those young masters in the capital, and given that he was also his brother-in-law, it was normal for him to look up to him.

Naturally, Zu’an was unaware that his relationship with Chu Youzhao had been misinterpreted. After returning to the contingent, Deputy General Zhang Zijiang said with a smile, “Lord Zu’s friends all come from prominent families. It’s truly enviable.”

Wang Bolin, standing nearby, snorted, clearly believing that Zu’an had only secured his position through these connections.

Sensing the varying degrees of hostility from the two, Zu’an smiled dismissively, not bothering to explain. He was now a player in the same game as the Demon Emperor and Zhao Hao; how could he care about such trifles?

Along the way, the large contingent proceeded towards Mount Zi. Wang Bolin and Zhang Zijiang approached Zu’an several times to discuss the travel plans.

“You two are veteran generals, undoubtedly very familiar with these details. Let’s proceed according to your plans,” Zu’an replied courteously.

Seeing that he seemed to have no ideas of his own, Wang Bolin grew even more disdainful of him. Zhang Zijiang initially maintained a facade of respect, but after several days, he realized that Zu’an offered no suggestions whatsoever, leaving all major and minor decisions to the two of them. Furthermore, he now showed no vital energy fluctuations, appearing just like an ordinary person, which also led to a burgeoning contempt.

This Zu’an might have had some skill before, but he must have recently sustained an injury that severely damaged his cultivation. He’s clearly relying on his connections with friends and family to hold this position. Unfortunately, our Great Zhou Dynasty has always valued strength, and misfortune inevitably follows when virtue does not match one’s position.

The change in their attitudes did not escape Zu’an’s notice, but he paid it no mind.

In his view, practical matters like setting up camps along the way, or even repairing palaces and eliminating safety hazards upon reaching Mount Zi, simply didn’t require his concern. The truly dangerous elements were things these two hadn’t even begun to realize.

After traveling for several days, a scout from the vanguard suddenly reported fierce fighting in a valley dozens of miles southwest. The warring parties were not government forces; they appeared to be bandits or rebels.

Zu’an said, “Since they’re just bandits, let the local authorities handle them. We have important business to attend to; let’s not delay our main objective.”

Since Zhao Hao was his assumed enemy, he wasn’t particularly keen on engaging with these anti-imperial forces, especially considering his connection to Yun Jianyue. If he remembered correctly, her Demonic Sect also had a rebel army. It would be disastrous if they accidentally fought their own people.

To his surprise, Zhang Zijiang said solemnly, “As the Emperor’s personal guard, we bear the responsibility of protecting the realm. Since we’ve encountered them, how can we possibly turn a blind eye?”

The Imperial Forest Guard usually resided in the palace. While it sounded impressive, there were few opportunities for them to put their skills to use or earn merit. This trip to Mount Zi was merely a formality; after all, the Emperor was invincible. Who with a sane mind would dare to harm the Emperor?

In his opinion, the mission to Mount Zi was unexceptional and wouldn’t yield significant achievements.

However, suppressing a rebel faction along the way would be a vastly different matter. Though the world was generally peaceful now, the rebellion led by Lu Sanyuan remained unsubdued, causing various rebel groups across the land to show signs of spreading like wildfire, much to the headache of the imperial court officials.

If he could suppress a rebel group and earn a great merit, he might rise with the tide. Even if Zu’an had already taken the position of Imperial Forest General, he could still become an officer in other brother units like the Tiger Guards or Cavalry.

Zu’an said gravely, “We have important duties. The enemy’s situation is unclear now; acting rashly might delay our journey and miss the deadline, which would be a grave offense.”

At this, Wang Bolin sneered, “What major event can a mere group of bandits achieve? If Lord Zu is worried, I, Wang, am willing to lead fifty Imperial Forest Guards to eliminate the enemy.”

Having said that, without waiting for Zu’an’s approval, he immediately gathered fifty Imperial Forest Guards who were usually close to him and headed directly towards the western valley.

Seeing this, Zhang Zijiang immediately grew anxious. If Wang Bolin claimed all the credit, wouldn’t he be left with nothing?

So he also mustered fifty Imperial Forest Guards: “Lord Zu, please rest here. I, Zhang, will be back shortly.”

With that, he likewise spurred his horse and galloped off, fearing to fall even half a step behind Wang Bolin.

At this moment, the entire Imperial Forest Guard also sensed the unusual situation among the higher-ups. Seeing the two deputy generals disrespect their commander so openly, and the commander appearing helpless, their gazes towards Zu’an were somewhat strange.

Only those who had previously followed him to Yunzhong Commandery were filled with indignation, but their numbers were too small within the entire Imperial Forest Guard to change the overall situation.

Zu’an’s expression remained calm as he looked towards the valley in the southwest, thinking, “This is all I can do. I hope the righteous army over there can take care of themselves.”

Meanwhile, in the southwestern valley, a delicate and quiet figure was fleeing in utter disarray. The mountains were swarming with rebels, who seemed to have gone mad, relentlessly pursuing her.

Feeling her vital energy deplete within her, a flicker of despair crossed her face.