Chapter 2692: It’d Be Rude Not to Return the Favor

Zu An’s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a straight face. “Why do you ask?”

“Your relationship with Sect Master Yun seems to transcend that of ordinary friends.” Pei Mianman couldn’t tell him that it was Chu Chuyan’s conjecture.

“We've braved life and death situations in dungeons together. We’re bound to be closer than friends,” Zu An replied with a chuckle. “Don’t think nonsense and focus on the Red Spider Lilies. Let’s see if they can resonate with your Paramita Butterfly.”

He had already gotten numb to the grilling. At this rate, he could get PTSD from this.

I have to find a way to resolve this matter as soon as possible, or else it’ll remain a huge landmine.

His composed attitude made Pei Mianman wonder if Chu Chuyan had been overthinking things. But she suppressed her doubt, walked into the field of Red Spider Lilies, and examined the flowers close up.

Zu An quietly left the area so that she could focus on her cultivation.

He returned to the Oblivion Bridge to accompany Chuyan. They chatted for a while before he finally asked, “Chuyan, did Manman say something to you earlier?”

“It was just some usual talk between close friends.” Chu Chuyan blinked. “What’s wrong? Did you do something wrong?”

“Of course not...” Zu An replied sheepishly.

Maybe I should start revealing the truth about Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, or else I might go crazy at this rate!

His only concern was that the damage to Yan Xuehen would be far greater than to Yun Jianyue.

Yun Jianyue would be embarrassed, but Yan Xuehen would take the brunt of the blow and be condemned by the world. There was no way Yan Xuehen would be able to withstand the shame.

Haa, this is the downside of building up a good guy persona.

Chu Chuyan noticed Zu An’s unnatural attitude but didn’t expose him. Instead, she began chatting with him about other subjects.

Time swiftly flew by. Zu An eventually had to reluctantly bid Chu Chuyan farewell to take Yun Jianyue and Pei Mianman out of the Netherworld, lest its death energy harmed them.

Along the way, he asked, “How was it? Did you grasp anything?”

Yun Jianyue’s cheeks heated up. Her mind had been too set on Yan Xuehen’s affairs for her to calm down, so she replied ambiguously, “I felt something, but I might need a few more trips.”

Pei Mianman replied, “It’s the same for me too, so I might need more time.”

Zu An nodded. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take you here a few more times before I leave. It’ll be best if you can make a breakthrough by then.”

His words reminded them that he could have to head to Dreamland at any time, and that left them with heavy hearts.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Yun Jianyue harrumphed. “You talk as if you’re leaving a will. It’s just some Dreamland. I’ll charge into even mountains of knives and seas of flames with you.”

Pei Mianman glanced at Yun Jianyue. She wouldn’t have thought much about those words under normal circumstances, but after her earlier conversation with Chu Chuyan, she couldn’t help but think that those words sounded like a confession.

“It’s too dangerous over there, and only I have an invitation letter. You should focus on your training instead. You might be able to help me in the future,” Zu An consoled Yun Jianyue with a smile.

Yun Jianyue felt a twinge of guilt. Her lover was about to embark on a dangerous journey, but her mind was still on bickering with the ice sculpture.

Hmph! I guess I’ll let things slip if that ice sculpture lowers her head to me.

Pei Mianman was thinking along the same lines too.

Ah Zu is about to leave. I should at least resolve things on this side so he can leave with peace of mind.

That made her more motivated to carry out the task Chu Chuyan had entrusted to her.

Zu An brought the two ladies back to the peak of Mount Yuquan and returned their souls to their bodies. As soon as they opened their eyes, they saw Yan Xuehen.

“Ice sculpture, why are you staring at me?” Yun Jianyue felt awkward.

Yan Xuehen smiled. “It’s nothing. It just occurred to me that I know very little about you.”

“What a ridiculous thought,” Yun Jianyue scoffed before leaving to look for Qiu Honglei. She was going to ask her disciple if Yan Xuehen had discovered something.

Zu An was perplexed too. “Sect Master Yan, something feels different about you today.”

“After thinking things through, I’m in a better mood.” Yan Xuehen didn’t mention Yun Jianyue, knowing Zu An wouldn’t admit to it.

White Jing Teng had shrugged off the matter as her little sister’s misunderstanding, but Yan Xuehen was no fool. After she returned to her room and calmed down, she'd quickly realized that the other party couldn’t have been talking about her.

There was no reason for Black Jing Teng to have gone through the trouble to tell her that. She had to have other intentions in mind. Thus, Yan Xuehen had deduced that the Jing Teng sisters must have sensed something peculiar between Yun Jianyue and Zu An, and thus put on an act to pit her against Yun Jianyue.

Well, I shall fall for it!

Her relationship with Zu An had been suffocating her. She was fond of Zu An, but she was terrified about what could happen if their affair was exposed. Despite her wits, she couldn’t think of a solution to resolve this matter. Her stress had nearly caused her to manifest an inner demon.

But upon learning that Yun Jianyue could be involved with Zu An, she'd suddenly seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

So the demoness is guilty too!

Thinking about how they had toyed with her made her clench her teeth in anger.

How could Ah Zu not tell me about his affair with the demoness?!

You have successfully trolled Yan Xuehen for +110... +110... +110...

Zu An was bewildered.

Why is she suddenly angry at me? Is she jealous that I spent time with Yun Jianyue and Pei Mianman instead of her?

“The imperial palace sent a letter over. The empress and the empress dowager wish to discuss matters with you. The Qin clan and the Chu clan are also looking for you,” Yan Xuehen said.

Ah, so it’s because of that.

Zu An couldn’t say too much as Manman was still around, so he simply exchanged some pleasantries before taking his leave.

After he left, Yan Xuehen turned to Pei Mianman and asked, “Manman, is there something on my face?”

“Sect Master Yan looks more ravishing than ever. Did something joyous happen?” Pei Mianman asked with a smile.

Yan Xuehen’s face reddened. She replied with a tinge of guilt, “Looks are of secondary concern to cultivators. Did you meet Chuyan?”

“I met her. We even talked about you.” Pei Mianman scoffed in her heart.

Hah, I see that cultivators are all good actors.

Yan Xuehen’s heart skipped a beat. “What did she say?”

“She said that you’re a good master and that the two of you are on good terms. She told me to take good care of you while she’s away,” Pei Mianman said.

“Chuyan worries too much. I’m not a child anymore. What’s there to take care of?” Yan Xuehen was perplexed.

“You never know.” Pei Mianman smiled enigmatically before taking her leave.

Yan Xuehen felt as if Pei Mianman was trying to say something, but she shrugged it off for the time being as there were more important matters for her to attend to.

That demoness used her desire energy to scheme against me. It’s time for me to return the favor.

She had prepared a gift for Yun Jianyue while the latter's soul was out.