Chapter 73: Out of Expectation

In her mind, this despicable scoundrel might actually be capable of such a thing. The thought of such a dreadful outcome made her truly panic.

Just as she was about to say something, another wave of intense pain swept over her, turning all her words into agonizing groans.

“I wouldn’t dare?” Zu An scoffed, then directly tore off her outer garment. “See if I dare!”

He had specifically searched her room earlier, but unfortunately found nothing except some fruits and snacks. After spending time with them, he had determined that the Chu couple and Chu Chuyan were unlikely to be trying to kill him. That made Xue'er's mastermind highly suspicious.

Being secretly watched by an unknown enemy was too dangerous; he didn't even know who they were! So, he had to find the mastermind today, otherwise, he would never be able to rest easy.

With her outer garment torn off, the young woman’s two snow-white, delicate arms were revealed. Zu An had to admit her name was quite fitting, as her skin was truly whiter than snow.

“I’ll kill you! Ow!”

Rage value from Qiao Xueying: 998!

Zu An frowned. “It’s come to this, and you still won’t speak? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, you don’t have many clothes left on you. Oh, wait, are you deliberately exposing yourself to tempt me?”

Tempt my foot!

Rage value from Qiao Xueying: 1024!

Xue'er was almost going mad at this point. She had to endure the inhuman pain from her lower abdomen while also being tormented by his words. Once I recover, I’ll definitely tear this guy’s mouth apart.

“If you don’t speak, I’ll really tear it off.” Zu An reached out and clutched her collar, but didn't actually tear it. After all, his intention wasn’t to molest her, but to use this to force the mastermind’s identity out of her.

“You’re forcing me!” Just then, a flash of green light suddenly gleamed in Xue'er’s eyes, and her words became cold and piercing.

Zu An instantly felt the hair on his body stand on end. Without thinking, he immediately summoned Gale and instantly teleported dozens of yards backward.

Almost simultaneously, all of Xue'er’s braids seemed to have been unsealed. They instantly grew with the wind, like countless vines, striking towards him like nimble snakes.

“What the hell is going on?!” Zu An was utterly terrified. Was this woman performing magic? Her normally delicate braids now resembled Medusa’s head, radiating a terrifying pressure.

He personally saw the wall crumble like paper before her braids, instantly riddled with holes. Had he not just summoned Gale and used his teleportation skill, he might have been poked into oblivion by now.

Xue'er clearly didn't expect him to retreat so quickly, and hurried after him.

“Zu An, I’m going to grind you to dust! Ow!” Xue'er was clinging to the doorframe, about to rush out, but couldn't help clutching her stomach.

Rage value from Qiao Xueying: 996!

Zu An swallowed hard. This woman’s nerves were simply too tough; how could she endure such intense labor pain? If she came at him again, he might truly be in danger.

Just then, a commotion could be heard not far away. Clearly, someone in the manor had finally heard the disturbance and was rushing over.

A flicker of struggle crossed Xue'er’s face. Ultimately, she tapped her foot and ran out of the manor. She suddenly stopped on the courtyard wall, turned back, and glared hatefully at Zu An. “I’ll come back for you!”

With that, her figure flashed, and she vanished into the darkness.

Not long after she left, a graceful figure flew over. Her white dress fluttered, like a celestial being descending to earth. Who else could it be but Chu Chuyan?

Seeing Zu An covered in blood, she was startled. “What happened to you? What’s going on?”

Seeing her, Zu An finally let out a complete sigh of relief. He showed her what he thought was a handsome smile, and then the next second, he fainted into her arms.

His injuries were already severe. Summoning Gale moments ago to evade Xue'er’s deadly attack had drained his last bit of energy. He had been holding on by sheer willpower. Now, seeing Chu Chuyan, he relaxed and couldn't hold on any longer, collapsing directly.

Seeing him collapse directly into her arms, Chu Chuyan subconsciously wanted to push him away. However, seeing him bleeding all over, she hesitated for a moment. In that instant, he was already lying in her arms.

Recalling his previous history of feigning injury, Chu Chuyan frowned daintily. She thought, "If he dares to deceive me this time..." However, when she slightly checked his vital energy, her expression drastically changed. It turned out he was genuinely on the brink of death.

When Zu An woke up, he found himself lying in bed. Quite a few people had gathered in the room, including Chu Chuyan, the Chu Zhongtian couple, and even members from the second and third branches of the family. Many were examining the holes in the wall, which Xue'er’s braids had just punctured, each marveling at them.

Zu An thought to himself, "Fortunately, I retracted the Fatal Dagger into my keyboard space before fainting. Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome if these people had found it."

He was now bandaged all over his body. He thought, "Ever since I came to this world, I seem to get injured frequently. How many times have I been bandaged like this now?"

Suddenly, he felt a warm, damp handkerchief gently wiping sweat from his forehead. He focused his gaze and saw that it was Chu Hanzhao sitting by his bed, her pretty little face filled with seriousness and concern.

Zu An felt both touched and secretly resentful. In contrast, Chu Chuyan was standing not far away as if nothing had happened, as if it were someone else’s husband who was injured. His sister-in-law was the one who truly cared for her brother-in-law.

Seeing him open his eyes, Chu Hanzhao’s eyes filled with pleasant surprise. “Father, Mother, Sister, he’s awake.”

Chu Zhongtian hurried over to ask, “How do you feel?”

Zu An’s eyes flickered. “Pain.”

Chu Zhongtian hummed in acknowledgment. “Chuyan just now used her primal energy to protect your heart meridian, and then the manor’s doctor bandaged you up and gave you medicine. We finally managed to save you.”

Zu An was startled. He looked at Chu Chuyan, who was not far away, seeing her still wear an indifferent expression, showing no sign of having saved someone. He thought, "I really misunderstood her just now."

Qin Wanru also came to the bedside. “What exactly happened? How did you get such severe injuries?”

Zu An replied directly, “Xue'er just tried to kill me.”

Unfortunately, he hadn't managed to force out who Xue'er's backer was earlier. However, after spending time with them, he felt that the Chu couple and Chu Chuyan were very unlikely suspects. So, he wasn't afraid to speak out. As he spoke, he observed everyone’s reactions, hoping to spot some weakness or tell.

Unfortunately, he looked around but didn't see anyone suspicious.

“Xue'er?” Everyone looked astonished and instinctively glanced at Chu Chuyan.

Chu Hanzhao grew anxious. “Brother-in-law, why would Big Sister try to kill you?”

Zu An rolled his eyes. “I said Xue'er, not your sister.”

Chu Hanzhao muttered to herself. Xue'er is Big Sister’s personal maid. If you say that, everyone will suspect her.

Facing everyone’s gazes, Chu Chuyan also slightly frowned. “I haven’t seen any trace of Xue'er since just now.”

Chu Zhongtian said in a deep voice, “Someone, go find Xue'er!” He couldn't convict Xue'er based solely on Zu An’s words. After all, she was his daughter’s personal maid, and needed to be brought in for questioning.

However, soon a subordinate returned to report, “Xue'er is not in the manor. She’s nowhere to be found.”

Chu Zhongtian’s eyes narrowed. This situation looked very much like fleeing out of guilt.

“What exactly happened just now? Please explain in detail.” Qin Wanru sat down by the bed. Her silk dress outlined her voluptuous and graceful waist and hip curves, causing Chu Tiesheng, from the second branch, to constantly glance her way.

Zu An then roughly recounted what had happened, naturally omitting too many of his trump cards.

Qin Wanru listened with a deep frown. Chu Tiesheng, beside her, couldn't help but speak up. “Nonsense! If that Xue'er really wanted to kill you, as you claim, how could you, a good-for-nothing... hmph, how could you possibly resist her?”

Zu An glanced at him. He thought, "Could he be the mastermind?" But if it really were him, wouldn’t it be too foolish to jump out and speak up for Xue'er like that?

Chu Hanzhao argued on his behalf. “Brother-in-law is more powerful than everyone imagines. Last time, he endured so many of my Wailing Whips without even crying out. And today at the academy, he caused quite a stir, making even those with Third- and Fifth-Rank cultivations lose face.”

Her words didn't convince everyone, as it was simply too incredible. Third-Rank might be acceptable, but Fifth-Rank? What kind of concept was that?

Chu Yuepo from the third branch also chuckled and said, “Xiao Zhao, you’re just too kind. What ability does he have to deal with a Fifth-Rank person? Who would believe that if you told them?”

Chu Tiesheng also chimed in, “Exactly. And why do I find you always speaking up for Zu An? A sister-in-law and brother-in-law should maintain a proper distance to avoid gossip. Not to mention, on the night of the wedding, you two were in the same bed...”

Qin Wanru, standing nearby, glared with her phoenix eyes. “Silence! Is that how an elder speaks? She’s still so young, and she’s simply protecting a family member. How could it be as dirty as you make it sound!”

Chu Tiesheng huffed discontentedly. “I’m just thinking about the Chu family’s reputation.”

Qin Wanru frowned. Although she was somewhat displeased, she had to admit that Second Uncle had a point. Her second daughter was indeed a bit too close to that Zu An fellow.

She couldn’t have actually fallen in love, could she?

This thought was immediately dismissed by her. How could that be? Was there anything about that Zu An fellow that women would like? How could Hanzhao take a liking to him?

She knew her daughter was mostly playful, and that no one in the manor had played with her for years. She had merely found a playmate after a long search.

Even though she knew the two were impossible, she still pondered finding an opportunity to talk to her daughter, and tell them not to be so close.

“According to Zu An’s description just now, Xue'er should be a Fifth-Rank Wood elemental awakened one,” Chu Zhongtian said in a deep voice, examining the holes in the wall.

Wood element?

Zu An recalled the sight of Xue'er’s hair writhing wildly, thinking he had imagined she was Medusa reincarnated.

“Fifth-Rank?” The people in the room immediately started murmuring. No one had expected that the maid, who seemed so obedient and delicate and loved to snack on melon seeds, was actually a Fifth-Rank expert.