Chapter 444: Recognized

Zu An saw Yun Yuqing approaching his room with a smile and knew he was in trouble. How was he going to handle the situation?

His mind raced, but before he could devise a plan, the door swung open.

Helpless, he could only stand there with a vacant stare, mimicking the appearance of Huang Huihong and the others outside.

People say that playing dead when encountering a bear in the wild can save your life. So, he decided to pretend he was controlled by her "Heavenly Demonic Eyes" and hoped to escape.

After entering, Yun Yuqing casually closed the door and then eyed the man in the room with keen interest.

After all, only a few months prior, he had been an unknown, down-and-out young man. Yet, he had since married the most beautiful woman in Mingyue City and even achieved worldwide renown.

Many top masters in the world never achieve such fame, but this man, only around fourth or fifth rank, actually accomplished it.

Yun Yuqing approached Zu An, slowly circling him and observing him with curiosity.

"You're not bad-looking; no wonder Miss Chu fancied you. But you're quite audacious, daring to flirt with me on King Wu's territory even after becoming a wanted criminal." Yun Yuqing snorted, evidently Zu An's previous remarks about her from the prison cart outside the city had not escaped her notice.

Rage value from Yun Yuqing: 233!

Hearing her words, Zu An secretly groaned. Women truly hold grudges; she still remembered this after so long.

Still, he couldn't help but marvel at her astonishing beauty. With her examining him so closely, he could see every detail: not a single blemish marred her face, and her incredibly delicate skin would captivate any man.

What was more, she exuded a natural, sweet fragrance, unlike any perfumed powder sold commercially, which was enough to make any man's thoughts wander.

Remembering that Sang Hong had just mentioned this woman was from the demon race, he wondered if all demon women were this beautiful. She was quite different from what he had imagined.

"Oh, I almost forgot the main business." Yun Yuqing playfully patted her head, looking rather charming as if she had just remembered something important. However, after witnessing her effortlessly manipulate so many masters, Zu An wouldn't dare describe her as "cute"; "terrifying" felt far more apt.

"Do you truly possess the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*?" Yun Yuqing sat casually before him, her slender fingers gently toying with a nearby teacup, then slowly asked.

After all, this legendary divine art only existed in myths; she had never heard of anyone successfully cultivating it. She worried it might be a trap set by the emperor, so she preferred to clarify first.

"Yes," Zu An replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

Yun Yuqing's eyes brightened, but she remained somewhat uneasy. She pressed on, "How could an ordinary person like you obtain such a legendary martial arts manual?"

"Because Old Man Mi, the flower farmer at the Chu manor, was an eunuch who escaped the imperial palace. He was tasked with finding the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* back then," Zu An explained. Since the emperor already knew he possessed the scripture, these details would eventually come out, making concealment pointless.

Yun Yuqing nodded subtly, noting that this aligned with King Wu's earlier analysis. "But Old Man Mi is no relation of yours. Why would he pass such a valuable item to an outsider like you?"

This had always been her lingering question.

"Because he was an eunuch and sought a host for transmigration. He chose me because I am handsome," Zu An answered.

"Because you're handsome?" Yun Yuqing paused, then burst into laughter, her mirth more melodious than a forest oriole. "It's clear how narcissistic you are, to utter such a thing even in your current state."

Zu An was speechless.

"Alright," Yun Yuqing quickly composed herself. "Now, recite the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* for me."

"Oh," Zu An muttered, his expression wooden, reciting passages of the scripture: "Qishan jade shatters, phoenix cries; hibiscus weeps dew, fragrant orchids smile. Before twelve gates, cold light melts; twenty-three threads stir the Purple Emperor..."

He had long prepared for this. Hadn't Huang Rong tricked Ouyang Feng into crippling himself with a 70% true and 30% false *Nine Yin Manual*? He simply needed to follow that example.

Most of it would be genuine, enough to deceive true masters, but he would alter critical sections, ensuring they couldn't cultivate it and would instead suffer qi deviation.

Yun Yuqing nodded subtly as she listened. After he finished reciting, a faint, knowing smile appeared on her face. "This incantation is indeed profound and mysterious. Anyone else might have been fooled by you. It's a pity you encountered me."

Zu An was speechless.

His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself. Fearing she was trying to trick him, he remained outwardly calm, maintaining his dazed, controlled facade.

"I admire your composure," Yun Yuqing chuckled, observing him. "Unfortunately, your unfamiliarity with the characteristics of the Heavenly Demonic Eyes caused you to reveal a flaw."

Yun Yuqing slowly rose, smoothing her skirt as she did so, seemingly meticulous about her appearance at all times. "The Heavenly Demonic Eyes can indeed control a person's mind, but not completely. They can only provide skillful guidance to achieve my objectives."

"For example, if someone is affected by my Heavenly Demonic Eyes and I order them to commit suicide, they would intensely resist that command, as it violates the human instinct for self-preservation. However, if I were to lead them to the edge of a cliff and simply tell them to take one step forward, that action is straightforward and wouldn't elicit resistance. They would naturally obey, and my objective would still be achieved."

"For you, the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* must be your most crucial possession; it's fair to say it's tied to your very life. How could you possibly reveal it so readily, without any resistance, simply upon hearing a command?"

Under her beautiful gaze, Zu An knew he had been seen through. He couldn't help but sigh. "Your Highness's keen insight is truly admirable."

"Frankly, I'm more impressed with you. Even those masters outside were controlled by my Heavenly Demonic Eyes, yet you, despite your cultivation being sealed, remained unaffected. How did you manage that?" Yun Yuqing's mouth slightly agape, her expression was one of profound amazement.

Zu An smiled faintly. "Naturally, it's the effect of the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*."

Now, with this as his only leverage, he naturally had to exaggerate the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*'s power as much as possible.

"I suspected as much," Yun Yuqing said, her lips curving into a gentle smile that could soften any hardened man. "Let's return to the main topic. What would it take for you to hand over the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra*?"

Zu An shook his head. "That question should be directed at you. What terms do you propose for this exchange?"

Yun Yuqing's expression turned cold. "I believe you haven't fully grasped your current predicament. You are merely my prisoner. Even if your cultivation were restored, which it isn't, I could kill you with the utmost ease. What right do you have to negotiate with me?"

Zu An's expression remained calm. "Your Highness, please don't boast. How could you possibly dare to kill me? Everyone knows I am at King Wu's manor. If I were killed here, how could you and King Wu possibly escape accountability? When the Emperor's thunderous wrath descends, I imagine it would be even easier for him to eliminate you with his cultivation, wouldn't it?"

He then glanced at Huang Huihong and the others outside. "The reason you went to such lengths to merely control them, rather than killing them, must be to deceive everyone, correct?"

He had only just pieced together all of this, which was why his initial panic had gradually subsided.

Yun Yuqing looked at him in surprise. "You truly impress me. Not only do you remain composed even when facing grave danger, but you also possess such meticulous thought. No wonder you obtained the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* and became an object of envy for the entire world."

"Being praised by such a beautiful woman as Your Highness feels quite pleasant," Zu An said, an appreciative expression on his face. "Are there any more flowery compliments? Your Highness, feel free to lavish them upon me."

Yun Yuqing was speechless.

However, she quickly broke into a smile. "What do you think of me? Am I beautiful?"

The number 444...