Chapter 2420: Gambling Everything on Oneself

The Mermaid Queen's lips parted slightly, her mind a sudden blank. Immediately, countless thoughts flooded her mind.

No wonder he had been silent all night. She had waited in her room for a long time, thinking he might come to talk to her. But he never came. She had even considered going to find him. However, she ultimately didn't go. Firstly, a woman knocking on a door in the middle of the night would seem inappropriate, and secondly, she had her pride and didn't want to humble herself too much.

Now she finally understood: he had been enjoying himself with Princess Peacock all night. Although she hadn't heard any activity, it wouldn't be difficult for someone of his cultivation to conceal things from others.

At this moment, she truly doubted everything. What exactly was she lacking compared to Princess Peacock? And he had kept it secret from her the whole time, making her feel like a clown.

Just then, her rationality gradually returned. She began to sense something was off. Previously, he had discussed rescuing Princess Peacock with her, and when she had just gone to his room, he was practicing cultivation, and there was no strange smell in the room – women are quite sensitive to fragrances that aren't their own. Considering Princess Peacock's shocked expression at that moment, she suddenly understood. A smile slowly appeared on her face. So, this was the method he intended to use for the rescue. It was indeed brilliant, just... a bit damaging. And she seemed to have been implicated...

At this point, everyone in the great hall was constantly shifting their gaze between the few individuals, mostly settling on her. "This man is having fun with another woman in your own residence – can you really tolerate such an outrageous thing?" Although those thoughts weren't vocalized, the Mermaid Queen generally guessed what they were thinking. Her face gradually reddened. Her reputation in the future would likely be significantly affected...

The North Sea Dragon King, still grieving the loss of his son, was the first to react: "Nonsense! We clearly captured her a hundred miles away. How could she have been with you last night?"

The East Sea Dragon King couldn't help but add, "Your excuse is indeed not very clever."

"Is it that hard to understand?" Zu An calmly explained the sequence of events. "Last night, I rescued her from the Four Directions Palace. She already harbored affection for me, and after this heroic rescue, she couldn't help but offer herself to me. So, we spent the entire night together. But this morning, after seeing the Mermaid Queen, she couldn't control her jealousy and ran away in a fit of pique. I have no idea how she ended up a hundred miles away or why you mistakenly identified her as the culprit."

Princess Peacock's eyes widened further and further. What this man was saying was too outrageous. What 'harbored affection for him,' what 'offered herself to him,' what 'spent the whole night together'... What wild claims! Rage from Kong Qingwu: 100, 100, 100...

However, she was a clever woman and immediately realized he was doing this to save her. So, despite her anger, she didn't refute him.

Upon hearing these words, everyone in the hall was stunned. He had the Mermaid Queen, and that wasn't enough for him? They had heard the Mermaid Queen herself admit to being intimate with him in his room earlier that night! And then, in the latter half of the night, he was with another woman in her room? What did he mean by that last remark, "after seeing the Mermaid Queen this morning"? Did the Mermaid Queen go to their room to find them early in the morning, or did she also stay in their bed that night, and Princess Peacock was too groggy to notice another woman in the bed until morning? Please, let it not be the latter; that would be too shocking! How could the goddess I've longed for be treated like this by you!

Recalling the earlier situation, they thought, "No wonder this fellow stared fixedly at Princess Peacock the moment he entered. So, they've had a secret affair all along." Scoundrels! How dare they ruin our Mermaid Queen like this!

At this moment, the Mermaid Queen's expression was also quite something. She had generally guessed his intention, but it seemed she was suffering a lot of collateral damage because of it. Seeing the admiring gazes she usually received now filled with a mix of sympathy, mockery, shock, and other emotions, she felt completely numb. She opened her mouth but ultimately did not refute him. "Fine, have it your way."

Her expression, a mix of embarrassment, annoyance, and grievance, landed in everyone's eyes, and a surge of anger immediately rose in all their hearts. They all glared furiously at Zu An. "How dare you treat such a perfect woman like this!" "Scoundrel!" "Bastard!" If it weren't for the fighting prowess he displayed last night, which made everyone believe they couldn't defeat him, they would probably have rushed forward and torn him to shreds by now.

Seeing the rage values soaring in the background, Zu An marveled at how incredibly popular the Mermaid Queen truly was; the rage collected in this short time had already surpassed 100,000.

"Everything you've said is just your side of the story," the North Sea Dragon King said, gritting his teeth as he pointed at the girl in the cage. "But this woman killed my son, and countless people witnessed her being captured by the Dragon Palace experts." He clearly saw that the fellow was trying to save her and that everything he said was merely a fabricated lie.

At this reminder, everyone immediately came to their senses. "That's right! How could the dignified Mermaid Queen agree to share a man, especially in her own residence and with such ridiculous antics?" No matter how powerful he was, how could the Mermaid Queen, known for her noble character, tolerate him just because of his cultivation? "Yes, it must be a lie he concocted. Who wouldn't fantasize about having both the most beautiful woman and the joy of polygamy?"

"Oh, but I have both human witnesses and material evidence for all of this," Zu An said unhurriedly, smiling at the Mermaid Queen. "The Queen can testify for me."

Seeing all eyes converge on her, the Mermaid Queen couldn't help but feel a little flustered. This had never happened before; she had always enjoyed being in the spotlight. But in this situation... She just wanted to cover her face and flee! "This fellow didn't even consult me beforehand! Where did he get the confidence that I would definitely help him? If I were to testify for him, wouldn't my reputation and honor be completely ruined?" She was caught in a difficult dilemma.

At this moment, the East Sea Dragon King's voice rang out: "Queen, speak freely. All the experts of our Sea Tribe are your staunchest support; you need not be afraid." His eyes were full of expectation, for he had noticed the Mermaid Queen's momentary hesitation. "Could it be that their relationship isn't as we previously thought? Or perhaps she doesn't truly like this mysterious fellow, but is merely being coerced? Say it, quickly say it!" He, who was usually restrained and cautious, suddenly felt his blood boil. If she uttered those two words, he would risk everything today and lead the thousands of Sea Tribe experts to battle this mysterious man. He had never understood why there were tales of men raging for a beautiful woman, but now, seeing the Mermaid Queen's pathetic appearance, he understood. "No wonder the Queen never accepted his affections before; it turns out he wasn't brave enough." He decided to seize this opportunity and go all out, determined to rescue the woman he loved from the clutches of evil.

Looking at the expectant gazes of the crowd and the man's half-smile, the Mermaid Queen bit her lip and finally nodded, saying, "Yes, I can testify for him. We were together last night."

The moment these words were spoken, the light in the Dragon King's eyes instantly vanished.

The entire hall erupted into an uproar.