Chapter 479: Got It Without Any Effort

Yun Yuqing's body trembled at his action, and she instinctively leaned back, pressing her hands against his chest to push him away. After all, given their somewhat unfamiliar relationship, she instinctively resisted kissing him, except during moments of intense passion.

But Zu An was resolute. His other hand immediately encircled her slender waist and pulled her back to him. While she was still hesitating, Zu An kissed her without another word. Yun Yuqing's starry eyes widened instantly, and her small fists urgently pounded on his chest, signaling him to let go.

But Zu An paid her no mind. Yun Yuqing struggled for a moment, and seeing it was futile, she simply gave up.

"What an overbearing man..."

In truth, with her current cultivation, she could have easily thrown him off with a single slap. Yet, though she tried to lift her hand multiple times, she ultimately didn't strike, letting her hands rest weakly on his chest as she slowly closed her eyes.

It was unclear how much time had passed when faint shouts of two women echoed from the distance: "Ah Zu! Ah Zu!"

Evidently, Pei Mianman and Zheng Dan, worried for his safety, had followed him all this way.

Yun Yuqing was startled. She hastily pushed him away and, feeling a little guilty, glanced towards the source of the sound. Seeing that they were still some distance away and had not been discovered, she let out a sigh of relief.

"It's all your fault; I almost couldn't face anyone," Yun Yuqing murmured, lightly biting her lip. As she straightened her disheveled collar, she cast a resentful yet seductive glance at the man beside her. Her eyes, brimming with passion, seemed on the verge of shedding tears, and the allure in that moment was utterly mesmerizing.

Zu An merely chuckled, admiring the beautiful scene before him. He had previously thought his luck had been terrible lately, but being able to win over this supremely beautiful woman made him feel his fortune wasn't so bad after all.

"I can't be out for too long; I'll be discovered. I need to go back," Yun Yuqing said quickly.

Zu An paused: "Are you that afraid of King Wu?"

Yun Yuqing shook her head: "The reasons are quite complex. Mainly, there's a strong cooperative relationship between our demon tribe and him, so we can't completely sever ties... There's no time; I'll tell you more if there's a chance later."

As she was about to leave, she suddenly turned around, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. Then, blushing, she quickly flew away. Zu An touched his cheek; her fragrance seemed to linger on his fingertips. He wondered why this woman was as shy as a young girl, even that night. She was no different from an untouched maiden, certainly not like a married woman, but rather an innocent young girl.

Just then, Pei Mianman and Zheng Dan spotted him from afar and waved, repeatedly calling out in surprise, "Ah Zu!" Seeing the two women's worried expressions, Zu An also felt a pang of regret that they were so worried while he was enjoying himself here. He hastily went to meet them: "I'm here!"

Seeing him safe and sound, both women collectively breathed a sigh of relief: "Where's that old dragon?"

Zu An chuckled: "Dead."

"Dead?" Both women were startled. Pei Mianman hastily asked, "How did it die?"

Zu An puffed out his chest: "Of course, I killed it."

"You?" Pei Mianman's expression was odd. "Who was just getting thrashed like a dog?"

Zheng Dan, beside her, was thoughtful. She didn't doubt him much; after all, she had personally witnessed him slaying the Red Dragon before.

"What, you don't believe me?" Zu An snorted. "I have many secrets. I've even killed Grandmasters, let alone a mere old dragon."

Pei Mianman suddenly recalled that ever since she first met him in the Chu family ancestral hall, this man's growth rate had been beyond her wildest imagination. Each time they reunited after a period apart, his strength would have ascended to a new level. Even with the highest talent, such terrifying cultivation speed seemed impossible. He must indeed have many secrets, she thought. With this in mind, she largely believed him. "Rather than how that old dragon died, I'm more curious about the scent on you," she said.

Pei Mianman leaned in and sniffed his chest lightly, a half-smile appearing on her face: "This scent is very elegant; it must belong to a very beautiful woman."

Hearing her words, Zheng Dan also looked at him with a strange expression. He was just being chased by that huge dragon, and in such a short time, he's already gotten involved with a beautiful woman?

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. These women have noses sharper than a dog's, he thought. He hastily said, "Don't talk nonsense. That's the scent of the medicinal powder Miss Ji gave me earlier; I used it to poison that giant dragon."

"Really?" Pei Mianman was skeptical. "What kind of poison is so potent that it can fell a giant dragon?"

"I wouldn't know about that. Miss Ji has a profound family background in medicine..." Zu An chuckled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, how are your injuries?"

"It's fine." Both women shook their heads. "The Jade Marrow Resurrection Pill you gave us earlier was very effective, and the medicine is already taking effect now."

"That's good." Seeing that they didn't press for more details, Zu An breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Mianman blinked her eyes and asked curiously, "What are your plans now?"

After all, Zu An was currently a wanted criminal, and various forces across the land coveted the Nirvana Sutra of the Phoenix that he possessed. His predicament was indeed cause for concern.

Zu An replied, "I've decided to go to the capital with the Sang family."

"With the Sang family?" Pei Mianman's expression was strange. "You haven't fallen for Miss Sang, have you?"

Zu An was a bit depressed: "Is that what kind of person you think I am?"

"Yes, you are," Pei Mianman and Zheng Dan answered in unison, then both paused and exchanged smiles.

Zu An: "..."

He said in a deep voice, "Mainly, I can't be a fugitive forever. I need to go to the capital to resolve this matter completely."

Zheng Dan was a little worried: "But the other party is the all-powerful Emperor; how will you resolve it?"

Pei Mianman also nodded in agreement: "Exactly. In my opinion, you should hide for a while. The Emperor doesn't have many years left to live, you know; it might be much better for you to emerge after he passes away."

"By then it will be too late," Zu An shook his head. Seeing the two women's worried expressions, he smiled faintly: "Do I look like a fool to you?"

"If you're a fool, then there are hardly any smart people in this world." Pei Mianman snorted and couldn't help but glance at Zheng Dan beside her, thinking how he not only made Chu Huan his wife but also "abducted" such a beautiful prospective daughter-in-law from the Sang family. If he was a fool, then what did that make Sang Qian?

"There you go. I have my own plan, I just can't disclose it for now, but you can rest assured, I have a certain degree of confidence," Zu An explained.

Hearing him say this, the two women finally relaxed. Then the few of them started walking back. When the Sang family father and daughter saw them, they couldn't help but be surprised: "Where's that dragon?"

"Of course, I killed it," Zu An snorted.

"How is that possible!" Sang Qian exclaimed. He had been counting on that dragon to eliminate Zu An, originally thinking that only two heartbroken beauties would return this time, never expecting Zu An to be alive.

"Otherwise, would that dragon have let me go?" Zu An rolled his eyes. "By the way, Young Master Sang, do you wish me dead?"

"No, no, you've misunderstood." Sang Qian's expression changed, and he hastily explained with an awkward smile.

"Oh? Then who was it just now, speaking all sorts of ill of me in front of that dragon?" Zu An snorted, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

Sang Qian was momentarily speechless. Ordinarily, he wouldn't bother explaining, but having just witnessed Zu An and Ding Run's fierce battle with the giant dragon, and with the dragon now dead, Zu An might possess some powerful hidden trump card. How could he dare to offend him? Yet, in his haste, he couldn't think of a suitable excuse.

It was his sister, Sang Qian, who reacted quickly. "Brother Zu, please forgive us," she said. "My brother has always been impetuous and speaks his mind too freely, often without realizing the serious consequences. Just now, he was merely subconsciously answering that old man's question; he never imagined the old man was there to avenge his clansmen."

Zu An couldn't help but laugh. "Miss Sang," he said, "your ability to tell blatant lies with a straight face is truly remarkable."

Sang Qian's face flushed. She knew perfectly well that such an excuse wouldn't convince anyone, but since the other party hadn't immediately attacked, it proved he didn't want to sever ties so quickly. A superficial excuse should suffice.

Sang Hong, who was nearby, also said, "My son's actions just now were indeed somewhat inappropriate. I apologize on his behalf here, and I hope Young Master Zu will not take offense, considering we've fought side by side for a while."

Zu An fell into thought. He was weighing the pros and cons. Sang Qian and her brother were both Fifth Grade cultivators, and Sang Hong had also recovered a certain level of combat strength. If it came to a real fight, it might not be so easy. Moreover, he might still need Sang Hong's help with matters in the capital. After thinking it over, he smiled: "Very well. For the sake of Master Sang and the beautiful Miss Sang, let's put this matter aside for now, but there won't be a next time."

He figured he would find another opportunity to deal with Sang Qian; it wasn't the right time yet.

"Thank you, Young Master." Sang Hong cupped his hands in a salute.

Sang Qian, who was standing by, blushed slightly. He could have just said "Miss Sang," but he deliberately added "beautiful." No wonder her sister-in-law had been charmed by him; he certainly knew how to win a woman's favor better than her brother.

Just then, a burst of laughter echoed from not far away: "This is truly effortless. I thought I'd have to fight that old dragon, but I didn't expect him to be gone."