Chapter 410: Where Righteousness Lies, Life and Death Follow

Zu'an was utterly confused.

He quickly took out the book "Overbearing Sword Immortal" and flipped through it. But no matter how he looked, it was just an ordinary romance novel. Although some of the phrasing and word choices were strange, it wasn't anything significant.

As if seeing through his confusion, Chu Chuyan said, "All along, this ledger has been both a protective tool for the Chu family and something that could potentially bring about our downfall. Countless forces have coveted this ledger over the years. That's why I've always been thinking about how to ensure its safety."

"But their methods are impossible to guard against. Even if I hid the ledger in the most secluded place, it would surely be found. So, I had a sudden idea to make two ledgers, one real and one fake. I hid the real ledger, encoded, within that book, 'Overbearing Sword Immortal.' After all, no one would suspect that a romance novel liked by a young girl would be something so important."

Zu'an was a bit puzzled. "But if I remember correctly, Xue'er also used to read this novel with you. She was sent by the Shi family. Weren't you afraid she'd discover something amiss?"

Chu Chuyan smiled proudly, "Don't you know there are many volumes in the 'Overbearing Sword Immortal' series?"

Zu'an was startled. This time, he noticed the words "Volume Nine" written in a corner of the book he held. "Damn it, this kind of embarrassing book actually has so many volumes? The author must be quite something."

Chu Chuyan's face flushed slightly. "The book isn't as bad as you make it out to be. The tragic love story between the male and female protagonists is quite moving."

Zu'an was speechless.

As he put the ledger away, he lamented, "I used to think you were a simple, innocent girl. Now I realize you're quite cunning. Not only did you deceive me, but you even deceived your own parents?"

Judging from Qin Wanru's earlier worry and self-blame, she truly didn't know that the ledger she lost was fake.

Chu Chuyan looked a little embarrassed. "I didn't intentionally want to deceive you all. It's mainly because we don't know how many informants from other factions are in the household. If you knew and accidentally let something slip, it would be even more troublesome. Instead of testing your acting skills, it was better to keep it hidden from you from beginning to end."

Zu'an couldn't help but retort, "Others only trick their fathers, but you're tricking your parents, husband, and sister all at once."

Chu Chuyan was speechless.

"But the outcome is good in the end," Zu'an chuckled. "Looks like we won't have to become bandits after all."

Chu Chuyan smiled, pressing her lips together. "Everything on my end is arranged. If my calculations are correct, the news should reach Brightmoon City within the next two days."

Zu'an breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Now I can lead the Red-robed Army and show them who's boss! Those damn bastards, coming and going as they please, do they think our Chu family is a public latrine?!"

Chu Chuyan spat in distaste. "A public latrine? That's too vulgar."

After their conversation ended, Zu'an went straight to the Red-robed Army's camp in the city outskirts. Unlike his anxious mood on the way there, he was now in high spirits.

"Why are you all so stubborn? The Chu family is on the verge of life and death, and you still won't come with us to rescue them!"

"Apologies, but the Red-robed Army has had a strict rule since ancient times. Unless the family head is present in person or holds the military token, we absolutely cannot act without orders."

"Now the family head and his wife have both been arrested. How can they come here?"

"Don't you even trust us? Could I, the Third Young Master Chu, possibly harm the Chu family?"

Arriving outside the military camp, he heard a group of people arguing from afar. The most agitated one was as fat as a ball. Who else could it be but Chu Yucheng of the Third Branch?

To his surprise, a young man was standing next to him. Compared to Chu Yucheng, his physique was almost elegantly refined.

"Chu Hongcai?" Zu'an frowned slightly. Wasn't he supposed to be imprisoned?

Although all evidence suggested that Chu Hongcai did not participate in Chu Tiesheng's previous rebellion, they were father and son after all, and Chu Tiesheng was dead. He must surely harbor some resentment.

At this moment, several officers in red armor stood before them. Each had a resolute expression. No matter how hard the two men tried to persuade them, they remained unmoved.

"Ah Zu?" Just then, Chu Yucheng spotted Zu'an. He quickly waved and said, "Come quickly and help us persuade them."

"Zu'an!" Hearing his words, Chu Hongcai also noticed Zu'an. As the saying goes, enemies meeting are filled with rage. He roared, "You scoundrel, die!"

With that, his longsword flashed out of its scabbard. He thrust it directly towards Zu'an.

Zu'an immediately used his "Spiritual Insight Finger" to parry the sword. Chu Hongcai instantly felt a strange, immense force on his sword. It almost made him lose his grip on the weapon.

However, he reacted quickly. Using the rebounding force, he immediately launched his next attack. His swordsmanship was originally agile and swift. With this, his attacks became like a fierce storm.

"Alright, stop fighting among yourselves!" Chu Yucheng, with his plump body, hastily stepped between the two.

Zu'an frowned slightly. Worried about accidentally harming him, he refrained from further action.

Chu Hongcai also shifted his sword aside. He glared furiously and said, "Get out of the way, you fat oaf! A father's murder is an unforgivable offense!"

Chu Yucheng cursed, "Are you stupid? What cultivation level was your father and Hong Zhong, and what is *his* cultivation level? How could he possibly have killed them? At that time, only old man Mi in the entire Chu family had that capability. He just bluffed, and you believed him? Besides, what did you promise me when I rescued you? The Chu family is at a moment of life and death right now; put your personal grievances aside!"

Zu'an's face darkened. This fat oaf looked like a pig, but he was surprisingly astute inside. He even saw through his bluffing.

Chu Hongcai was also startled. In truth, how could he not know this? It was just that this matter had been weighing on his mind. He needed to find a target for revenge to have the motivation to live on. That's why, subconsciously, he continued to deceive himself that Zu'an was his enemy.

Seeing that he had calmed down, Chu Yucheng turned to Zu'an. "Ah Zu, you've come at just the right time. I want to lead people to rescue the Master and Madam, but these guys stubbornly refuse to listen to me. Please help me persuade them."

After saying that, he turned to the officers. "You must think that because we're from the Second and Third Branches, you don't have to listen. Ah Zu is here now; he's the Eldest Young Lady's husband, from the main branch. Surely you'll believe us now?"

The officers still shook their heads. "Without seeing the military token, no one can help."

"Are you talking about this?" Zu'an pulled out a token.

Seeing this, the officers all knelt on one knee in salute. "Where duty calls, we follow to death! Heaven be our witness, the Red Robes our proof!"

Chu Yucheng and Chu Hongcai, who were standing by, were instantly dumbfounded. They had just tried so hard to persuade them, talking until their throats were sore, but these guys had remained completely unmoved. Then Zu'an showed up, and they immediately knelt down?

*How can they be so snobbish?*

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "Return to the city with me and save the Chu family."

He had originally planned to say something to motivate them, as they were about to confront the imperial guards, and anyone would hesitate a bit. But it turned out the officers needed no persuasion at all. They quickly went to gather their soldiers. And before long, the assembly was complete.

Seeing Zu'an stunned, Chu Yucheng's words clarified his confusion: "The Red-robed Army followed our Chu family ancestors through countless campaigns, always loyal. Later, all new soldiers inherited their positions from their fathers. Their wives were also maids from the Chu family. Generation after generation, every Red-robed soldier is a born servant of the Chu family. Their fates have long been completely intertwined with the Chu family."

His tone was full of pride. Clearly, he felt a great sense of honor regarding this army of the Chu family.

"Of course, to prevent anyone within the clan from using this army to cause rebellion, a strict rule was also established: the army can only be mobilized if the family head is present in person or possesses the military token." Chu Yucheng looked at him with an envious expression. "I can't believe Uncle actually passed the military token to you! It seems you are truly deeply trusted."

Chu Hongcai, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a huff when he heard this. Clearly, he was quite displeased. "Let me be clear, this time I'm not doing it for you, but for the Chu family. And I hope to protect my mother, as she didn't participate in the previous rebellion."

Zu'an smiled slightly. "Brother Chu, you are a true gentleman, and I've always admired that. If the Chu family can safely overcome this crisis, I'm sure the Master and Madam will pardon your mother."

It's quite strange, actually. Chu Tiesheng was so cunning and despicable, yet his son, apart from being a bit infatuated when chasing Qiu Honglei, could be described as upright in his daily life. They were completely opposite extremes.

Hearing him say this, Chu Hongcai's expression softened considerably. He quietly said, "Thank you!"

He naturally knew Zu'an's current standing in the family. With Zu'an's promise, his mother's situation clearly wouldn't be a major issue.

Immediately after, the three men led the three thousand Red-robed Army soldiers in a mighty procession towards Brightmoon City.

Arriving at the city gate, the gate was already tightly shut. Many soldiers on the city wall were standing by in full alert. However, upon seeing the scarlet army, their mouths went dry, and fine sweat beaded on their weapon-gripping hands.

They had long heard of the Red-robed Army's formidable reputation. If it came to a real fight, their local city-guarding troops would be no match.

A general at the city gate angrily shouted, "You left your post without orders from above and came here for no reason. Is your Chu family trying to rebel?"

Zu'an recognized the person as County Magistrate Pang Chun. So he rode forward, holding up the military token. "Who says we didn't receive orders? I am acting on the orders of Duke Brightmoon to bring people back to guard the Chu family."

Pang Chun said, "The Imperial Commissioner is currently investigating the Chu family. If you go back like this, isn't that openly rebelling?"

Zu'an said coldly, "It's just that various petty villains have been targeting the Chu family recently. We're worried the Imperial Commissioner might be misled, so we're going back to reason with them. The Chu family is now at a critical juncture of life and death. County Magistrate, sir, if you intend to stop me, don't blame me for disregarding our past acquaintance."

No sooner had he finished speaking, the Red-robed Army let out a collective roar. Long sabers flashed from their scabbards, and bows were drawn with arrows nocked, poised for immediate attack.

Zu'an had never understood why, in a cultivation world like this, where individual power was so great, there was still a need for armies.

But at this moment, he understood. Although the individual cultivation levels of these Red-robed soldiers weren't particularly high, a faint blue glow flowed over their bodies as they advanced and retreated. That was the effect of a magical formation, seemingly capable of converging all their strength.

In that very instant, he clearly felt the oppressive aura emanating from this army far surpassed the feeling he had when facing Liu Yao earlier!

The soldiers on the city wall were even worse off. The powerful oppressive force that swept over them left their faces pale and their limbs cold. They all looked towards Pang Chun, urging him to quickly make a decision.

Pang Chun was also visibly nervous. He clearly knew that these local city guards, long unaccustomed to battle, definitely couldn't stop the elite Red-robed Army. But with his duty, how could he let them enter the city?

It seemed he would have to die for his country.

Just then, a carriage slowly approached from the city's outskirts. Noticing the situation here, it stopped near the city gate.

The carriage curtain lifted. An elegant woman in a plain dress slowly stepped out. "Lord Pang, why is the gate closed in broad daylight? Hurry up and open the gate, I need to go in."

Pang Chun was torn between laughter and tears. "Eldest Young Lady, can't you see the current situation?"

The person who arrived was none other than Xie Daoyun, the City Lord's daughter. With a look of sudden realization, she turned her head. "Oh, Young Master Zu is here too?"

On the city wall, Pang Chun's face twitched. *Eldest Young Lady, your acting is a bit too fake.*