Chapter 430: I Am With Her

“The Phoenix Nirvana Sutra!” The scene erupted in an uproar. Many who had been about to flee stopped dead in their tracks.

“What is the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra?” Many had never heard the name before and curiously asked their companions.

“It’s a legendary divine martial arts manual, said to grant immortality. Throughout history, countless kings, marquises, generals, and ministers have searched for it, hoping to achieve eternal life. Unfortunately, no one has ever been known to find it. I can’t believe it’s with Zu An!” In a large city like Brightmoon, there were many aristocratic families, and news about the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra quickly spread.

Since ancient times, no matter how high one’s cultivation, or even if one became the most powerful person of their era, they could at most live a few more years than ordinary people. Ultimately, they could not escape the five signs of decay preceding death.

Even the current Emperor is formidable, unmatched in the world, yet everyone knows he is reaching the end of his lifespan and could pass away at any moment.

A sharp glint appeared in Xie Yi’s eyes, which he quickly lowered to conceal. “No wonder His Majesty made such a grand move, willing to annihilate the Chu family just to capture Zu An. So this is it. I must report this to Prince Qi as soon as possible.”

The reason Prince Qi’s faction could contend with the Emperor all these years was ultimately because His Majesty’s lifespan was nearing its end. Therefore, Prince Qi’s group had enough patience to wait; time was on their side.

But if the Emperor were to gain immortality, what hope would Prince Qi’s faction have left?

Who would be foolish enough to oppose an immortal, supreme expert?

Considering this series of grave consequences, Xie Yi’s face grew increasingly grim. If not handled properly, Prince Qi’s faction might crumble entirely.

Jiang Luofu glanced at Zu An in surprise. How could this young man possess so many secrets?

His transcendent talent alone was enough to drive the world mad. Now, he also had the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra?

The temptation was so great that even she felt a stir of desire. If they weren’t too familiar for her to act, she might have lost control and become a robber herself.

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes. At the same time, a realization dawned on them. They had never understood why the Emperor would disregard court rules to act against them, thinking that capturing Zu An was merely an excuse. Now they understood that compared to Zu An’s true value, the Chu family was merely an extra.

Given the Chu family’s background, they had naturally heard of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. They never imagined it would be with Zu An.

Just a few months ago, most people in the Chu family felt that Zu An had married above his station. Now, it was uncertain who had truly married above theirs.

Not just them, even King Liang and Liu Yao were incredibly surprised. Although they were responsible for capturing Zu An, they hadn’t known the specific reason. They had secretly complained that the Emperor’s actions were an overreaction, but now that they knew the truth, they all understood.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately erupted in anger: “Nonsense! Who needs to spread such misleading rumors here? There’s no such thing as the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra in this world!”

Rage points from Huang Huihong +444!

His agitated reaction only made things worse. It made the surrounding people think they were guilty of something, and their gazes towards Zu An changed, wishing they could claim him for themselves.

That seemingly honest Chu Zhongtian was secretly so cunning! I knew something was off when the Chu family married their angelic eldest daughter to a street ruffian. It turns out they were after the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra.

If I had a daughter, I’d marry her off too!

Stared at intently by everyone’s covetous gazes, Zu An swallowed hard. He wouldn’t mind if a group of beautiful young ladies looked at him like that, but a crowd of burly men staring at him like this was quite unnerving.

He cleared his throat and addressed the Embroidered Uniform Guard: “Alright, alright, if you say it doesn’t exist, then it doesn’t exist. Since it doesn’t, can I leave now?”

Huang Huihong’s breath caught in his throat. “Of course not! We need to apprehend you and take you back for His Majesty to interrogate!”

Zu An spread his hands, saying nothing, but a chorus of jeers erupted around him, clearly ridiculing their attempt to bury their heads in the sand.

Huang Huihong, flushed with anger, quickly gestured to his companions to surround Zu An. “Act now! We carelessly let you escape last time; this time, we won’t make the same mistake.”

Rage points from Huang Huihong +583!

He had carried out missions for so many years, and everyone he encountered, upon seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, would submissively allow themselves to be shackled and led away. Even if one or two occasionally resisted, they were quickly suppressed, and their eyes were always filled with fear from beginning to end.

But this fellow Zu An not only showed no fear of them, he even made them somewhat apprehensive about what new tricks he might pull.

Zu An shook his head. “Don’t worry, I won’t run this time. I’ll go with you to see the Emperor.”

At these words, everyone was stunned.

Huang Huihong said gravely, “What trick are you playing?”

If it were anyone else surrendering, he might believe it, but this guy didn’t seem like the type at all.

Zu An smiled slightly. “What, I’m standing right here. Are the mighty Embroidered Uniform Guard afraid to apprehend me?”

At this, Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru hurriedly sent a vital energy message: “Ah Zu, what are you doing? Hurry and use this chance to escape! We can help cover you.”

Zu An shook his head. “No need. I don’t want to implicate you, and I have my own plans. You two needn’t worry.”

Jiang Luofu, standing nearby, also continuously sent a message: “Brat, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you’re truly taken to the capital, there’s absolutely no way you’ll survive. The Emperor won’t allow anyone else to learn an immortality cultivation method.”

Zu An replied with a smile, “Thank you for your concern, beautiful headmistress. But do I look like the kind of fool who would walk willingly to his death?”

Jiang Luofu snorted. “While you’re not foolish, others aren’t stupid either. I don’t know what your plan is, but in the face of absolute power, any clever scheme is meaningless. With the Emperor’s cultivation, whatever your plan, it will be futile.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Zu An thought, his expression a little strange as he considered his plan. *How exactly could he manage to cuckold the Emperor?*

Seeing his confident demeanor, Jiang Luofu was taken aback. Over the years, she had met countless confident men, but their confidence was based on their superior cultivation, family background, and status. There was nothing particularly admirable about that. However, for a mere commoner like Zu An, who was also in a significantly disadvantaged position, to remain so calm and self-assured was truly rare and commendable.

At that moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guard tentatively moved in, binding Zu An with soul-binding chains. Seeing that he indeed offered no resistance, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It was too late for him to resist now. Anyone bound by soul-binding chains had their vital energy suppressed, rendering them no different from ordinary people, no matter how high their cultivation.

Zu An’s brows furrowed slightly. He clearly felt the flow of vital energy within his body instantly cut off. He looked down and noticed that the soul-binding chains were engraved with intricate patterns. The runes on them were incredibly precise, and a faint blue light occasionally flickered along the lines, forming an inhibiting magic array that suppressed his internal vital energy.

However, to his relief, he could still summon Great Wind, Blue Mallard, and Hundred Echo. This immediately bolstered his confidence.

At this moment, Xie Yi also approached. “Since you esteemed sirs have completed your mission, why not rest in Brightmoon City for a few more days before departing? Allow this subordinate to properly fulfill his duties as a host.”

King Liang hurried over and said, “Thank you for your kindness, City Lord Xie. However, we are on official duty and cannot delay. We must depart immediately.”

Are you kidding? Zu An just revealed he possesses the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. Who knows how many sharks will be drawn by the scent now? How could they dare to delay even for a moment?

This Xie Yi was from Prince Qi’s faction. King Liang knew his intentions perfectly well and naturally wouldn’t let him succeed.

Without waiting for a response, he immediately ordered, “Come on, bring the Sang family! We’re leaving the city at once!”

Soon, Sang Hong and his son, along with Zheng Dan, were brought over, sitting in prison carts. Zheng Dan was still wearing her wedding dress, as beautiful and radiant as ever, but her brows were etched with worry and listlessness, clearly reflecting her anxiety and confusion about the future.

At that moment, she also saw Zu An, shackled all over. Startled, she sat up abruptly, gripping the prison cart’s bars tightly. Her eyes seemed to speak, questioning why he was there.

Zu An smiled back at her. Unfortunately, with his vital energy sealed, they couldn’t communicate secretly via mental messages.

King Liang ordered, “Come on, find another prison cart, a specially made one. We absolutely cannot let the imperial criminal escape.”

At this, his subordinates looked troubled. “The main issue is that we’re about to leave the city, and time is too short. The prison carts in Brightmoon City’s yamen are not sturdy enough, and there’s no time to make new ones now.”

King Liang roared in anger, “You can’t even handle such a small matter? What good are you then?”

Those men were also indignant, thinking, *You don’t give us enough time; do you expect us to conjure one out of thin air?*

At this, Zu An, who was standing nearby, said with a smile, “No need for such trouble. I see your prison cart has plenty of space. I can just share a cart with her.”

He said this while pointing towards Zheng Dan in the distance.